Millions of Americans are facing higher health insurance costs in 2026 after the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, lawmakers and health policy experts said.
The temporary expansions, initially enacted under the 2021 American Rescue Plan and later extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act, helped reduce premiums for people buying coverage on the federal and state health marketplaces. They also extended eligibility to higher-income Americans who previously did not qualify for subsidies.
Those enhanced credits expired Dec. 31, 2025. Without them, enrollees in the ACA marketplace could see premiums more than double, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Many still qualify for the original ACA tax credits, but the amount of assistance is smaller, and households with incomes above roughly 400% of the federal poverty level generally lose eligibility altogether.
“The expiration of these enhanced credits brings back the so-called ‘subsidy cliff,’” said a health policy analyst with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Families just above the income threshold can experience sudden, significant increases in costs.”
The change affects millions of low- and middle-income individuals, self-employed workers, and gig economy employees who rely on marketplace plans because their employers do not provide insurance. Estimates suggest more than 20 million Americans were receiving enhanced subsidies last year.
Congress debated extending the credits during 2025 but failed to pass legislation before the deadline. Lawmakers could revisit the issue, but for now, the enhanced assistance is no longer available.
A proposal aimed at limiting how Houston police interact with federal immigration authorities during traffic stops failed to advance after it did not receive enough support from City Council members, highlighting ongoing political and legal tensions around immigration enforcement in Texas.
The measure, introduced by at-large Council Member Letitia Plummer, would have restricted Houston Police Department officers from prolonging routine traffic stops to wait for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and would have given officers discretion over whether to contact ICE when encountering immigration detainers or warrants.
The proposal never made it onto the City Council agenda after Plummer secured only one co-sponsor, falling short of the three required to move the item forward. It also faced legal hurdles amid concerns that it could conflict with state law mandating cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration officials.
Texas Senate Bill 4, passed in 2017, requires local police departments to honor immigration detainers and cooperate with federal authorities. City attorneys and several council members raised concerns that Plummer’s proposal could violate state law, exposing the city to legal challenges.
Plummer said the proposal was intended to address what she described as a dramatic increase in referrals from HPD to ICE in recent years and to prevent traffic stops from turning into immigration enforcement actions. She said she was disappointed by the lack of support but hoped the effort would spark broader discussion about public trust and community policing.
Opponents of the proposal argued that Houston has limited authority to alter immigration enforcement practices under state law and warned that the city could face penalties for noncompliance. Some council members also expressed concern about putting police officers in a legally uncertain position.
The proposal’s failure comes as immigration enforcement remains a politically sensitive issue in Houston, one of the nation’s most diverse cities. Advocates have continued to press city leaders to reduce cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while state officials have emphasized strict enforcement of existing laws.
With Plummer leaving office, the measure is not expected to be revisited in its current form, though immigration policy is likely to remain a point of debate in future City Council discussions.
The Houston Texans continued their late-season surge, closing December with a string of victories that pushed them into the NFL playoffs for the third consecutive season — a franchise first.
After a 0-3 start that had fans and analysts doubting their postseason prospects, the Texans won eight straight games to improve to 11-5 and secure a spot in January’s tournament. The pivotal victory came Saturday night in Inglewood, Calif., where Houston beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 to clinch at least a wild-card berth.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud sparked the Texans with two explosive touchdown passes on Houston’s first two drives, connecting for a 75-yard strike to Jayden Higgins and a 43-yard score to Jaylin Noel. Despite throwing two interceptions, Stroud finished with 244 yards through the air as the Texans extended their winning streak to eight games, their longest such stretch since 2018.
“It’s what you fight for during the season, for an opportunity to be in the playoffs and go win it all,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. “We earned that. It wasn’t given to us.”
Houston’s defense also played a significant role, recording multiple sacks and holding the Chargers in check during key moments. Los Angeles missed a field goal and an extra point in the fourth quarter, mistakes that proved costly in the final outcome.
The win snapped the Chargers’ four-game winning streak, handed the Denver Broncos the AFC West title, and effectively eliminated Indianapolis from playoff contention.
Earlier in the week, the Texans defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 23-21 at NRG Stadium Dec. 21, a hard-fought game that marked Houston’s seventh straight win and kept momentum building as they entered the final stretch of the regular season.
Houston enters Week 18 still alive in the AFC South title race, needing a win over the Indianapolis Colts and a Jacksonville loss to capture the division crown. If that doesn’t materialize, the Texans are poised to remain in the playoff field as a wild-card team.The Texans’ turnaround from an early 0-3 mark to an 11-5 finish (entering Week 18) and a third straight postseason appearance underscores a season of resilience and growth.
Texas education officials have begun a sweeping rewrite of the state’s K-12 social studies curriculum, a process that will shape how millions of students learn history for the next decade and has already sparked sharp political debate.
The State Board of Education, which is elected and currently controlled by Republicans, voted to adopt a new framework that restructures how history is taught across grade levels. Under the plan, students would study history in a largely chronological sequence, beginning with Western civilization in elementary school and progressing to Texas history by eighth grade.
Supporters say the approach offers a more cohesive understanding of historical events and aligns with state laws passed in recent years. Critics, including Democratic board members, educators and civil rights advocates, argue the framework could limit instruction on world cultures and reduce attention to the experiences of people of color.
The rewrite comes as state law requires schools to include lessons on the “perils of communism,” including atrocities committed under communist regimes. Those topics will be incorporated into the new standards and are expected to reach classrooms as early as the 2026–27 school year.
Opponents say the proposed changes compress or delay discussions of slavery, Indigenous history and civil rights, potentially minimizing their impact. They also warn the new structure could reduce flexibility for teachers and diminish exposure to non-Western history.
The Texas Education Agency and the board will continue drafting specific curriculum standards with input from educators and the public. Final standards are not expected to be fully implemented until the fall of 2030.
Texas’ social studies standards often influence textbook publishers nationwide, making the outcome of the rewrite significant beyond the state’s borders.
A wave of industrial, manufacturing and technology investment is transforming Deep South Texas, shifting the region’s economy from its long agricultural roots toward a more diversified industrial hub centered in the Rio Grande Valley.
Major projects tied to aerospace, logistics, energy and advanced manufacturing are driving the growth, particularly in and around Brownsville, Edinburg and McAllen. Local leaders say the surge marks one of the most significant economic changes the region has seen in decades.
A central force behind the expansion is SpaceX, whose Starship launch and manufacturing operations near Brownsville have attracted suppliers, infrastructure investment and related industries. Industrial gas company Linde is building a plant in Brownsville to support aerospace and other industrial uses, adding to the region’s manufacturing footprint.
Technology and logistics companies are also expanding. Zoho Corp. has acquired more than 1,000 acres in Edinburg for a long-term technology and industrial campus, while Amazon has opened and expanded distribution facilities in the Valley, reinforcing the area’s growing role in regional supply chains.
Energy projects are another key driver. Renewable investments such as large wind farms near Edinburg are being built alongside major liquefied natural gas and pipeline projects near the Port of Brownsville, where billions of dollars in private investment are fueling industrial land development and port activity.
Manufacturing growth extends beyond large corporations. A $50 million aluminum recycling plant planned for Mission and new metal fabrication facilities in Brownsville are expected to create construction jobs and permanent positions while broadening the region’s industrial base.
To support the influx of companies, cities and economic development groups are planning large industrial parks and technology districts designed to attract advanced manufacturing and data-driven industries. Improved port access, available land and relatively low costs have made the region attractive to developers.
Officials say the industrial boom is creating jobs, increasing tax revenue and diversifying an economy long dependent on agriculture. At the same time, the rapid growth has raised questions about infrastructure demands, workforce training and environmental impacts as the region continues to evolve.
For now, business and civic leaders see the momentum as a sign that Deep South Texas is emerging as a major industrial player in the state’s economy.
Marvel Studios’ newly released series of Avengers: Doomsday trailers have reignited excitement around the franchise’s next era, offering glimpses of familiar heroes, darker stakes and a more serious tone than recent installments. But while the footage is polished and ambitious, it also raises questions about whether Marvel is relying too heavily on the past instead of fully committing to its future.
The three trailers so far showcase several major talking points, each of them revealing both promise and hesitation about where the Avengers saga is headed.
Chris Evans’ return feels unnecessary
One of the biggest surprises teased is the apparent return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. For longtime fans, that reveal is meant to be emotional. Instead, it feels hollow.
Steve Rogers already received one of the most satisfying endings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Avengers: Endgame allowed him to complete his arc, a man out of time finally choosing a personal life over endless sacrifice. It was thoughtful, earned and final.
Undoing that moment now risks cheapening it. Bringing Evans back as Steve Rogers doesn’t feel like storytelling necessity; it feels like a safety net, and is a stark reminder of the franchises’ struggles with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson AKA Captain Falcon.
In a franchise that once thrived on bold decisions, revisiting a perfectly concluded character arc comes across as a cash grab rather than creative growth.
Captain America’s ending should have been left alone
The power of Steve Rogers’ farewell was in its restraint. Marvel let him walk away — something superhero films rarely allow. That decision mattered, not just for the character, but for the emotional weight of the entire Infinity Saga.
Reopening that door undermines the idea that choices have consequences in this universe. If every meaningful goodbye can be reversed, then none of them truly matter. Doomsday risks signaling that no ending is permanent if the box office upside is big enough.
Thor’s return is strong — but could overshadow the future
The Thor-focused trailer is among its best. Seeing a more serious, battle-worn Thor again is refreshing after the divisive and comedic tone of Thor: Love and Thunder. Chris Hemsworth’s performance appears grounded, focused and emotionally heavier — a welcome shift.
That said, Thor’s presence raises another concern. He already had a solid, albeit not final, ending. Love and Thunder closed his arc with purpose, responsibility and a renewed sense of self. Bringing him back again works — but only if he doesn’t dominate the story.
Avengers: Doomsday is supposed to usher in a new generation of heroes. If legacy characters like Thor take up too much space, the newer faces risk being sidelined before they ever get a chance to stand on their own.
The X-Men teaser offers something genuinely hopeful
Perhaps the most intriguing footage is from the yet-to-be-fully released X-Men teaser. While brief, it stands out as the most optimistic and emotionally resonant material Marvel has shown so far.
The visuals are striking, clean, confident and unapologetically comic book–inspired. Ian McKellen’s voiceover dialogue, as expected, is powerful and commanding, instantly grounding the footage with gravitas and history.
The biggest moment, however, is the appearance of James Marsden as Cyclops — finally presented in a truly comic-accurate form. For longtime fans, it’s a jaw-dropping shot, one that feels like long-overdue redemption for a character who was repeatedly sidelined in earlier films. And despite critics’ qualms about the first two trailers, it is a stark (get it) reminder of one thing. Marvel, Kevin Feige and, more importantly, the Russo brothers know exactly what they are doing.
A familiar crossroads for Marvel
The Avengers: Doomsday trailers are visually impressive and emotionally charged, but they also reflect Marvel’s ongoing struggle to balance nostalgia with evolution. Revisiting beloved characters may generate short-term excitement, but it comes at the cost of diminishing past endings and slowing the franchise’s forward momentum.
If Marvel is going to move forward successfully, it may need to take its cue from the X-Men teaser — honoring the past without being trapped by it, and trusting new stories to carry the weight once shouldered by legends.
Lando Norris spent years knocking on the door of Formula One’s elite. In 2025, he finally kicked it down.
The McLaren driver capped a season-long title fight by clinching his first Formula One World Drivers’ Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing third in the finale to secure the crown by just two points over Max Verstappen. The result ended Verstappen’s four-year reign and marked McLaren’s return to the top of the sport.
Norris’ championship run began immediately. He opened the season with a commanding victory at the Australian Grand Prix, mastering mixed conditions in Melbourne to send an early signal that McLaren was no longer chasing — it was contending. The win gave Norris the championship lead and confidence he would lean on all year.
Momentum built in May on the streets of Monaco, where Norris converted pole position into one of the most prestigious victories in motorsport. Calm under relentless pressure, he held off late challenges to win at a circuit where mistakes are unforgiving and patience is everything.
By midseason, Norris had become the most consistent driver on the grid. Victories in Austria, Britain and Hungary underscored his growth — not just in raw speed, but in race management and decision-making. His home win at Silverstone, celebrated by a roaring crowd, became a defining moment of the season and a personal milestone for the British driver.
The title fight, however, never loosened its grip. Verstappen surged late in the year with a string of wins, while Norris faced mounting pressure from both Red Bull and his own McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. Every mistake threatened to swing the championship.
Norris responded when it mattered most. He reclaimed momentum with a crucial win at the Mexico City Grand Prix, then followed it with another victory at São Paulo, steadying his campaign as the points gap tightened heading into the final races.
The championship came down to Abu Dhabi. Verstappen won the race, but Norris’ measured drive to third was enough. When the checkered flag fell, Norris had done just enough — across 24 races — to claim the sport’s ultimate prize.
Norris finished the season with seven wins and a steady stream of podiums, combining speed with consistency in a year when neither could be taken for granted. At 26, he became the 35th Formula One world champion and the first McLaren driver to lift the title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
“This season was about learning when to push and when to be patient,” Norris said after securing the championship. “It wasn’t always perfect, but we kept fighting.”
With sweeping regulation changes looming in 2026, Norris will enter next season as the driver to beat — no longer a contender waiting his turn, but a champion who earned it the hard way.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — ABC13 is continuing to monitor flu cases as they climb nationwide and here in Houston. The latest report from the CDC shows Texas is one of nine states recording a high number of flu cases.
When our team spoke to the Houston Health Department this week, the director noted a continued growth in flu cases.
“We have seen increases in influenza A in our wastewater monitoring, and we have also seen increases in our health care-related visits, almost double from a month ago,” director Dr. Theresa Tran said.
The latest figures from the state health and human services department show that across age groups, more people are going to the ER for respiratory illnesses.
The largest age group visiting the ER for respiratory illness is five to 11-year-olds, making up more than a quarter of visits for that age group. This time last year, that number was closer to 15%.
The numbers really began to build around Thanksgiving and have evolved from there. Health experts say that’s a trend they expect on some level most years.
“This year, the trend is slightly higher than last year, so I anticipate the trend is going to continue to rise,” Dr. Tran said.
According to the Houston Methodists’ respiratory snapshot, there was a slight decrease in reported flu cases across the health system. The week of Dec.19, Methodist reported 1,051 positive flu A tests, but that number fell to 756 for Christmas week. That number is still higher than this time a month ago.
Experts say that symptoms after exposure can pop up in one to four days, and those first days of illness are crucial.
Boley was reported missing Wednesday after he was last seen around 11:30 a.m. near the 7000 block of Highway 195 in Jasper. Authorities said he was believed to be in danger at the time of the alert.
Extensive Search Effort
The search covered more than 500 acres and involved helicopters, drones, police dogs, more than 160 volunteers and over 120 first responders, officials said.
Family Circumstances
Sheriff Nick Smith said Boley disappeared while visiting his father, as his parents are separated. His mother traveled from Florida to Alabama and is cooperating fully with investigators.
Authorities have not released further details about the cause of death.
The crash occurred Friday near Telegraph Canyon, south of Superior, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said the rugged terrain has made access difficult, and crews are still working to reach the wreckage.
Four People on Board
The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft, an MD 369FF helicopter, had four people on board when it crashed around 11 a.m. local time. Injuries have not yet been confirmed.
Flight Details
The helicopter had departed from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek, Arizona. Superior is located about 70 miles east of Phoenix.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the cause of the crash. The FAA has also issued a temporary flight restriction over the area to allow search and rescue operations to continue safely.
