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2 families say their student at Spring charter school should be named valedictorian over GPA dispute

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) — Nathan Olivarri, who was standing at the podium for graduation at Legacy The School for Sport Sciences, called himself valedictorian after a judge decided the honor was rightfully his.

The battle over the valedictorian title began in January, when court documents revealed that Olivarri was named top of the class, but that honor was short-lived.

Court records show that by February, the school announced that a junior had decided to graduate earlier and had taken the top spot, with legal paperwork from the school showing a thin margin between the two GPAs. Olivarri had a 4.4547, and the unnamed junior had a 4.6530.

The Olivarri family’s lawyer argued in court filings that the junior made the decision too late in the year for the title to be transferred according to the student handbook and that the GPA was improperly calculated.

A judge agreed with the Olivarri family and ordered that Nathan be named valedictorian and allowed to give a speech at graduation.

“I am thankful to the courthouse for realizing who the true valedictorian is, and I’m thankful for my parents for always supporting me through everything,” Nathan Olivarri said.

The school argues in its legal response that the junior wasn’t the only student who chose to graduate early or change their class ranking, and that, by following state guidelines, GPAs were calculated and announced as they should have been.

The school even had an independent investigation completed and reviewed by its board, which both determined the school was right to name the junior valedictorian.

The Olivarri family thanked the judge for their ruling after graduation this past weekend.

“A lot of this could have been avoided, but it’s the past; we’re putting it behind us,” Nathan’s father, Vincent Olivarri, said.

In a statement from the school, they said their “unwavering focus has always been and will remain on honoring the dedication and hard work of every one of our students.”

The school’s founder told ABC13 the legal process is ongoing.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Family fights for 2-year-old girl’s recovery after near-drowning incident on Memorial Day

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The family of a 2-year-old girl who nearly drowned during a Memorial Day gathering is fighting to keep her treatment options open as she remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Annelise Camp, 2, has been receiving care at Texas Children’s Hospital since the incident, which her father said occurred after the child briefly wandered away from family members at a hotel pool.

Johnston Camp said Annelise was found at the bottom of the pool by her 12-year-old cousin.

“Her 12-year-old cousin found her at the bottom of the pool,” Camp said.

Camp said he performed CPR after rushing to help his daughter.

“She had water coming out of her mouth,” he said.

Since then, family members have remained by Annelise’s side while praying for her recovery. Camp said the first days following the incident were difficult, but he believes there have been signs of improvement.

“The first couple days were very turbulent. Then her vitals started to level out,” he said.

The family has also taken legal action to prevent the hospital from declaring Annelise brain dead while they pursue additional treatment options. A court injunction temporarily blocks such a declaration until Friday, according to Camp.

“The staff has been wonderful, but the legal system gave us certain restraints,” Camp said. “If she would’ve been declared brain dead, it could’ve greatly limited her ability to receive treatment moving forward.”

Camp said he hopes to transfer his daughter to another facility where she could receive hyperbaric and stem cell treatments that he believes are not available at Texas Children’s.

“With all these positive results, you can’t cut her lifeline off four or five days into it and prevent her from additional treatments,” he said.

Attorney Aaron Arenas, who is not involved in the case, said legal disputes involving life-support decisions can arise when families seek additional time or treatment options.

“Is it that common? No,” Arenas said. “It really depends on if you have doctors saying one thing, and usually it’s a child, and you’re not ready to give up on them.”

Arenas said families can communicate with medical providers and seek legal counsel before decisions are finalized. He noted that hospital ethics committees are often involved in evaluating potential next steps.

“What usually happens is there’s an ethics committee working to find out, if we can help, can we move this patient somewhere?” Arenas said.

Camp said his family remains committed to pursuing every available option for Annelise while relying on their faith.

“This is a girl who never gave up when I asked her to do something,” Camp said. “I’m never going to give up on her.”

Texas Children’s Hospital said it is evaluating all viable medical options and working to honor the family’s wishes as Annelise’s treatment continues.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Sabrina Carpenter Seeks Restraining Order Against Alleged Stalker

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has filed for a civil harassment restraining order against a man she alleges repeatedly appeared at her Los Angeles home and attempted to enter the property.

According to court documents filed May 29, Carpenter claims 31-year-old William Applegate arrived at her residence uninvited on May 23, bypassed security barriers and allegedly tried to force open her front door before being stopped by a member of her security team.

Repeated Visits Raise Safety Concerns

Police arrested Applegate on suspicion of criminal trespassing following the incident. However, Carpenter’s security personnel allege he returned to the area near her home on May 24 and May 25, parking close to the property and remaining there for extended periods.

Security guards stated they had observed Applegate’s vehicle near Carpenter’s residence on multiple occasions since April, with the vehicle allegedly moving progressively closer to the home over time.

Singer Says She Fears for Her Safety

In her filing, Carpenter said the incidents have caused significant emotional distress and ongoing concern for her safety, as well as the safety of family members living with her.

The requested restraining order also extends protection to Carpenter’s sister, Sarah Carpenter, and Carpenter’s partner, George Smith.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said no criminal charges have been filed against Applegate at this time.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Teen Arrested After 3 Horses Injured at Las Vegas Equestrian Event

A teenage girl has been arrested after three horses were allegedly injured with a sharp object during a major equestrian competition in Las Vegas, authorities said.

Las Vegas police responded to a barn early Saturday and found three horses suffering from non-life-threatening wounds. Investigators believe the suspect, who had access to the barn, may have used a knife to injure the animals.

The teen, a competitor in the National Barrel Horse Association’s Professional’s Choice Vegas Super Show, was later taken into custody at a nearby hotel. She faces multiple felony charges related to animal cruelty and property damage.

Horses Unable to Compete

Officials said the injuries are not expected to be fatal but prevented the horses from participating in the weekend event.

The National Barrel Horse Association said it worked with law enforcement and event organizers to address the incident and ensure the safety of all horses.

Owner Calls Incident ‘Devastating’

The owner of one injured horse, named Detail, described the attack as heartbreaking, saying the horse is both a companion and competitive partner.

The owner also alleged the suspect had followed her on social media and met her and the horse at the event shortly before the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing. For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Six Killed in Muscatine Shooting Rampage

Six people were killed in a shooting spree across multiple locations in Muscatine, Iowa, on Monday in what authorities believe was a domestic-related dispute involving family members.

According to the Muscatine Police Department, officers responded to a residence shortly after noon and discovered four victims dead from gunshot wounds. Investigators later found two additional victims at a separate home and a nearby business.

Police identified the suspected gunman as 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland of Muscatine. Authorities said he left the first crime scene before officers arrived and was later located on a trail near the Mississippi River.

Suspect Dies During Police Encounter

Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies said officers attempted to speak with McFarland when he fatally shot himself. Emergency responders provided aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Today I simply do not have the words — this act of evil and what it has done to our community,” Kies said during a news conference.

Investigation Ongoing

Preliminary findings indicate the shootings stemmed from a domestic dispute, and all six victims are believed to be relatives of the suspect. Authorities have not yet released the victims’ names or ages.

Police said McFarland had a criminal history but did not provide additional details. Officials emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The investigation remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence and working to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly violence.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Officials execute 21 search warrants linked to large illegal gambling operation in La Marque: GCSO

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GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Investigators in Galveston are coming down off serving more than 20 search warrants on Monday morning in connection with illegal game rooms in several areas, including Fort Bend County, the sheriff’s office said.

The Galveston County Organized Crime Task Force executed 21 warrants for organized criminal activity and money laundering, possibly linked to the game rooms. According to a release, the warrants were activated to “disrupt and dismantle” an ongoing illegal gambling operation within the and surrounding areas.

At least seven search warrants were served at multiple game room locations in La Marque including:

  • Gold Chest – 5307 IH-45
  • TexasPig Pen – 5309 IH-45
  • TJ’s – 4320 IH-45
  • Rusty’s – 228 Lake Road
  • Purple Building – 1002 Main Street
  • Double Diamond – 116 State Highway 3
  • 24/7 – 22430 W. Highway 6

Officials said in Fort Bend County., at least two warrants were served at two buildings, with one that was being used for the distribution of illegal gambling machines:

  • 202 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 806, Sugar Land, Texas
  • 5200 block of Kendall Ridge Lane, Sugar Land, Texas

RELATED: Police arrest 3 and seize $350K during raid of private gambling social club

Officials said there were also 12 other warrants executed against several financial institutions deemed to be the financial branch of the illegal operation.

What was seized remains unclear at this time, but officials said further details, including the charges to be filed, will be released at a later time.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

15-year-old who was found dead outside Montgomery Co. home identified, officials say

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — New details emerged in the death of a 15-year-old found shot outside a New Caney home on Saturday night.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said investigators believe the suspect and the teen victim planned to meet on the night of the murder.

On Monday, the sheriff’s office identified the teen as 15-year-old Khi Broussard.

MCSO said deputies responded in the 20700 block of Stevens Road, where they confirmed a 15-year-old was shot.

Deputies said the victim died on scene from his injuries.

A woman told ABC13 she and her family were the ones who saw the teen’s body in front of a neighbor’s house.

The woman said she didn’t personally know the teen, but that she had seen him before and that he lived in the neighborhood.

The sheriff’s office said Broussard previously attended Aldine Middle School and Keefer Crossing Middle School and was known to frequent the Greenspoint area.

Investigators believed the suspect and Broussard may have had prior contact through social media and planned to meet on the night of the murder.

However, the MCSO said no one is in custody yet.

The sheriff’s office told ABC13 they are actively seeking leads and trying to identify a suspect.

Investigators are asking for any surveillance footage from the area that captured a possible suspect or suspect vehicle between 10:30 p.m. and midnight on Saturday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact MCSO at 936-538-5900. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may contact Multi-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867).

SEE ORIGINAL REPORT: Homeowner reports finding unknown 15-year-old dead in front of Montgomery County home, deputies say

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Highlights Hurricane Preparedness

Harris County Enters Hurricane Season With Expanded Flood Protection Efforts

As the 2026 hurricane season begins, Harris County officials say the region is better prepared for major storms than it was before Hurricane Harvey, thanks to billions of dollars invested in flood mitigation, infrastructure improvements, and emergency preparedness.

In an interview with Que Onda Magazine, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo highlighted the county’s efforts to reduce flood risks while urging residents to remain prepared for severe weather.

Flood Projects Showing Results

Since voters approved the $2.5 billion flood bond in 2018, Harris County has completed nearly 60 flood mitigation projects, with dozens more under construction. More than half of the county’s 250 flood bond projects have now been approved.

The county also accelerated drainage improvements in neighborhoods heavily impacted by Hurricane Harvey, helping some communities avoid flooding during recent storms.

“Flooding is personal for all of us,” Hidalgo said. “We must build back faster, fairer, and smarter.”

Preparing for Stronger Storms

County leaders have adopted stricter floodplain development standards, expanded detention requirements for new developments, and invested in updated rainfall modeling designed to account for increasingly intense storms.

Additional investments include flood warning technology, resiliency projects, and data-driven planning aimed at protecting the county’s most vulnerable areas.

Officials say these efforts are intended to improve long-term preparedness as extreme rainfall events become more common.

Residents Encouraged to Prepare Now

Despite ongoing progress, Hidalgo stressed that flood risks remain across the Houston area and urged residents not to become complacent during hurricane season.

“We live in a swamp,” she said. “Wherever the rain falls heavily, flooding can happen.”

Residents are encouraged to review evacuation plans, stock emergency supplies, protect important documents, and consider purchasing flood insurance before a storm threatens the region.

With hurricane season underway, county leaders say preparation at both the community and household level remains the best defense against future disasters.

For more on our Harris County leadership, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Appeals Court Blocks Removal of Transgender Service Members

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration cannot remove current transgender service members from the military while a legal challenge to the policy continues.

In a 2-1 decision issued Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a lower court order preventing the Department of Defense from discharging active-duty troops based on gender dysphoria.

Court Questions Constitutionality of Policy

The majority opinion found that the administration’s policy is likely unconstitutional and may violate equal protection rights.

Judge Robert Wilkins wrote that the policy appears arbitrary and motivated by animus toward a politically unpopular group, concluding that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their constitutional challenge.

The ruling applies only to the service members involved in the lawsuit and does not prevent the military from restricting transgender individuals from joining the armed forces.

Active Troops Receive Temporary Protection

The court said current service members face greater harm because they risk losing established military careers if discharged before the case is resolved.

Judges noted that prospective recruits can seek legal remedies later, while active-duty personnel could suffer immediate and lasting consequences from separation.

Dissent Argues Courts Should Defer to Military

Judge Justin Walker dissented, arguing that decisions about military personnel policies should be left to Congress and the commander in chief rather than the courts.

Walker wrote that judges lack the authority and expertise to determine who may serve in the military.

The case stems from President Donald Trump’s executive order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to revise Pentagon policies regarding transgender military service. The broader legal challenge is expected to continue in federal court.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

ACLU Sues DHS Over Conditions at Texas Immigration Detention Center

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several civil rights organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging widespread mistreatment of migrants at the Camp East Montana Detention Facility in El Paso, Texas.

Located on the Fort Bliss military base, Camp East Montana is the nation’s largest immigration detention center, with a capacity of 5,000 beds. The lawsuit claims detainees have faced poor medical care, unsafe living conditions, excessive use of force, sexual harassment, and prolonged solitary confinement.

Allegations of Abuse and Neglect

The complaint describes conditions at the facility as a “civil rights catastrophe,” alleging that detainees are housed in windowless tents and exposed to inadequate health care and unsanitary conditions.

The lawsuit also references three deaths that have occurred at the facility since it opened in 2025, including the death of a Cuban migrant that was ruled a homicide by a local medical examiner.

In addition, plaintiffs claim some detainees have experienced inappropriate searches, retaliation after reporting misconduct, and health issues linked to dusty conditions around the camp.

DHS Rejects Claims

DHS strongly denied the allegations, stating that detainees have access to medical, dental, and mental health care and that no one is denied treatment while in ICE custody.

A department spokesperson said claims of abuse are “categorically false” and maintained that the agency provides a high standard of care for detainees.

Inspection Report Raised Concerns

The lawsuit follows an internal ICE inspection conducted earlier this year that identified dozens of safety and security violations at the facility, including issues involving use-of-force documentation, medical evaluations after incidents, and video recording procedures.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of four current detainees and is seeking class-action status to represent all individuals held at the center.

Civil rights groups argue that because immigration detention is civil rather than criminal, conditions of confinement should not be punitive while detainees await the outcome of their immigration cases.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.