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Fact Check: Trump Claims Prices Are Falling in Year-End Address

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President Donald Trump used his Wednesday night presidential address to argue that his administration has rapidly lowered prices, saying the economy is being brought “back from the brink of ruin.” He compared current costs to those under former President Joe Biden, pointing to gasoline, groceries, airfare and hotels as evidence.

However, the latest available federal data shows a more mixed picture, with some claims exaggerated or lacking clear support.

Gas Prices

Gasoline prices did reach a record high under Biden in June 2022, averaging just over $5 per gallon. The current national average is about $3, representing a significant drop from that peak.

But when comparing prices year over year, the decline is far smaller. According to the most recent Consumer Price Index data, gas prices were down only 0.5% from September 2024 to September 2025.

Airfare

Trump claimed airfares are falling quickly, but federal data does not support that assertion. Airline fares were up 3.2% in September compared to a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Hotel Rates and Car Rentals

Hotel room prices have seen a slight decrease, down 0.8% over the past year. Car rental prices also declined, falling 5%, based on BLS figures.

Groceries and Eggs

The president said grocery prices are coming down and claimed egg prices have dropped 82% since March. In reality, the average price for a dozen Grade A eggs fell from a record high of $6.23 in March to $3.49 in September — a decrease of about 43%.

Egg prices were heavily influenced by avian flu outbreaks, which drove earlier spikes.

Meat and Coffee Costs

While some grocery items have eased, others continue to rise. Overall meat prices increased 8.5% over the past year, with beef prices hitting record highs after jumping 14.7%.

Coffee prices were not mentioned in Trump’s address, despite rising nearly 19% over the past year. Analysts note that tariffs, including those targeting Brazil, contributed to higher prices, though the White House recently moved to exempt coffee from those duties.

Bottom Line

While certain prices, such as gas from its historic peak and egg prices from earlier highs, have declined, broader inflation data shows many everyday costs remain elevated or have increased over the past year, complicating the president’s claims of across-the-board price drops.

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

Dense Fog Advisory for all of southeast Texas until 9am Thursday

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Dense Fog Advisory for all of southeast Texas until 9am Thursday. As the clouds break, sunshine returns this afternoon and temperatures will warm in the 70s ahead of our next cold front arriving Thursday evening.

How bad will the fog be on my Thursday morning commute?

The fog will be widespread Thursday morning covering most of southeast Texas. You can expect the visibility to fall below 1/2 mile with some places below 1/4 mile. Southwest breezes will blow the fog away by the middle morning hours.

When will we get our next cold front?

Our next cold front arrives late Thursday to bring us a more seasonal day with low humidity and sunshine for Friday. We’ll get one day with a low in the 40s and a high in the 60s before it warms up toward the 80s this weekend.

What’s the early outlook for Christmas week?

We are seeing a strong signal for a very warm weather pattern developing the week of Christmas. In fact, we currently have highs at record levels in the low 80s to kick off Christmas week, and that warm pattern is likely to stick around most if not all of the holiday week.

Are there any more freezes in the forecast?

Not for awhile! We are looking at above average low temperatures all the way through Christmas Day…and beyond. By the time we get to the weekend, low temperatures will be back in the 50s and 60s! We likely have to wait until January for our next chance at a freeze.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Have weather tips, videos, and photos?

Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don’t, just hit ‘skip upload’ and send the details.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

Norovirus Activity Rising in Los Angeles County

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Norovirus cases appear to be increasing in Los Angeles, according to wastewater data released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Sampling shows norovirus levels rose 154% in Los Angeles and more than 250% countywide over a 21-day period ending Dec. 11, data reported by ABC News’ KABC.

Health officials say the increase aligns with seasonal patterns, as norovirus outbreaks are more common during cooler months, typically from November through April.

Local Spike Reflects National Trends

The rise in Los Angeles mirrors trends seen across the country. In mid-November, nearly 13% of norovirus tests nationwide were positive, up from about 7% three months earlier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More recent CDC data suggests national cases may be easing slightly, with about 9.4% of tests returning positive results during the week ending Dec. 6.

What Is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Often called the “stomach bug,” it is not related to influenza.

The virus is responsible for about 58% of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. and causes an estimated 25,000 outbreaks each year, according to the CDC.

Symptoms and Duration

Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and non-bloody diarrhea. Some people may also experience fever, headaches and body aches.

Symptoms usually develop within 12 to 48 hours of exposure and typically last one to three days in otherwise healthy adults.

Prevention and Safety Tips

Health experts say thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the most effective way to prevent infection. Hand sanitizer alone is not sufficient against norovirus.

The CDC recommends washing hands after using the restroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food. Local health officials also advise washing produce carefully and fully cooking shellfish, noting that freezing does not kill the virus.

Anyone infected with norovirus should avoid preparing food for others for at least three days after symptoms have ended.

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

West Houston daycare worker arrested for dragging, throwing 3-year-old boy, police say

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By Luke Jones, ABC13 Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A west Houston daycare employee was arrested on Tuesday after police say she was seen on surveillance video dragging and throwing a 3-year-old boy.

Beneta Wallace, 23, was charged with endangering a child.

Houston police say they were called to Star Kiddos Childcare Center on Barker Cypress on Tuesday, where the boy’s mom informed them of the assault that she said occurred on Monday.

She told Eyewitness News that the video shows a teacher throwing her son into a chair, then dragging him by his shirt down a hallway before throwing him in an office “like a bag of trash.”

Star Kiddos Childcare Center declined to comment or confirm whether Wallace was still employed.

According to an affidavit filed with the court, she’s worked there for four months.

Records show she was released from jail on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

For news updates, follow Luke Jones on FacebookX and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

High school student dies after being stabbed by a classmate in Baytown, Goose Creek CISD says

By Miya Shay, ABC13 Houston

BAYTOWN, Texas (KTRK) — A Sterling High School student was stabbed to death, and another is in custody after a fight between two students escalated during a science class this morning, Goose Creek ISD officials confirmed.

According to parents and students, the incident happened during science finals for high school juniors. Students said the two young men knew each other and began arguing in class before the situation quickly turned violent.

One student stabbed the other in the neck, according to eyewitnesses.

Parents told ABC13 that students reported seeing “blood everywhere” in the classroom following the altercation. Afterward, students were moved to the auditorium, and the school continued with the remainder of the school day, according to the parents.

Several families described learning about the incident through alarming messages and phone calls.

Samantha Burton, a mother of a student at the school, read aloud texts she received from her son in class: “Two children in his class fought, and one of them stabbed the other, over and over and over,” said Burton, who then rushed over to the school. Her son, though, decided to continue on his day, and she waited outside. “I’m worried about the kids’ mental health,” Burton said.

Windy Snyder, a grandmother of a student, said she learned about the situation from a friend. “I got called and was told the school was on lockdown and that a student had been stabbed,” she said. “I immediately tried calling my granddaughter, and she didn’t answer.”

Snyder says a new law passed by Texas lawmakers this year that bars the use of cell phones during school hours has made it difficult to communicate with students.

The school district released a statement confirming the incident but did not release the names of the students involved. Officials also said classes are expected to continue as scheduled tomorrow.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Trump to Deliver National Address Wednesday Night

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President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will speak to the nation in a live address from the White House on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Central Time.

President Highlights ‘Great Year’

In a post on his social media platform, Trump described the past year as a success for the country and hinted at more to come. “It has been a great year for our Country, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!” he wrote, adding that he looked forward to the address.

White House Teases Key Themes

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed the speech during remarks to reporters, saying Trump will focus on what she called the administration’s “historic accomplishments” over the past year, as well as plans moving forward.

Policy Outlook Ahead

Leavitt said the president is expected to touch on major issues including border security and the economy. She also suggested Trump may preview new policy initiatives expected to be rolled out in the coming year.

Focus on the Road Ahead

According to the White House, the address will reflect on the administration’s first year of Trump’s second term while setting the tone for priorities over the next three years.

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

Warner Bros. Board Urges Shareholders to Reject Paramount Bid

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. has unanimously recommended that shareholders reject a takeover offer from Paramount Skydance, throwing its support behind an earlier bid from Netflix instead.

Board Cites Inadequate Value and High Risk

In a letter to shareholders released Wednesday, board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr. said the Paramount offer failed to deliver sufficient value and would expose shareholders to significant risks and costs. After reviewing the proposal, the board concluded it was not in the company’s best interest.

Netflix Offer Deemed Superior

The board described Netflix’s bid as a “superior” proposal that offers more certain value to shareholders. Paramount’s bid, the board said, fell short by comparison and lacked the financial and strategic certainty provided by Netflix.

Market Reaction

Following the announcement, Warner Bros. Discovery shares dipped about 1.3% in early trading. Netflix stock rose roughly 1.7%, while Paramount shares fell about 2.2%.

Netflix Welcomes Decision

Netflix praised the board’s recommendation, with co-CEO Ted Sarandos calling the talks a competitive process that produced the best outcome for consumers, creators, shareholders and the broader entertainment industry. He said the decision reinforced that Netflix’s agreement is in the best interest of Warner Bros. Discovery stockholders.

Developing Story

The situation remains fluid, with further updates expected as shareholders weigh the competing offers.

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

Miss Finland Stripped of Title After Racist Gesture Backlash

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Finland’s representative at last month’s Miss Universe pageant in Thailand has lost her national title after a social media post sparked widespread outrage across East Asia. A photograph shared by Sarah Dzafce showed her making a slanted-eye gesture that is widely considered racist toward East Asians.

Outrage Spreads Across Asia

The image, posted in late November with the caption “eating with a Chinese,” quickly drew condemnation in China, Japan and South Korea. Online users accused the 22-year-old model of racial mockery, prompting Miss Finland organizers to remove her title amid mounting criticism.

Dzafce Apologizes After Backlash

Dzafce said the gesture was a response to severe headaches and claimed a friend added the caption without her consent. She later issued a public apology, saying she never intended to offend and emphasizing that respect for people and their backgrounds is important to her.

Finnish Leaders Condemn the Incident

The controversy escalated into a national issue when Finland’s prime minister, Petteri Orpo, publicly criticized the act as “thoughtless and stupid,” saying it had damaged the country’s international reputation. He reiterated that racism is unacceptable in any form.

Political Fallout and Airline Impact

Two Finnish lawmakers worsened the backlash after posting similar images in apparent support of Dzafce, triggering further criticism and apologies. The controversy also spilled over to Finnair, which faced boycott calls in Japan despite having no connection to the incident. The airline issued a statement distancing itself from the posts and reaffirming its commitment to respect and inclusion.

New Miss Finland Named

Tara Lehtonen, who finished second at the national competition, was appointed the new Miss Finland. She said she would carry the title with pride and respect. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Fatima Bosch won the Miss Universe crown in Bangkok, closing a pageant season marked by controversy both on and off the stage.

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

‘There’s a hole in my chest’: Uber driver says he was shot after dropping off passenger

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By Luke Jones, ABC13 Houston.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An Uber ride ended last month with the driver taking an ambulance ride.

Ezekiel Gonzales said it happened Nov. 3 after he’d dropped off a woman at an apartment complex on Bennington near Homestead in northeast Houston.

“There was nothing that really set me off to think, ‘You’re in danger, you’re in the hood, you’re in a place where you’re gonna get robbed,'” Gonzales said.

After completing the ride, Gonzales said he exited his car to relieve himself behind a garbage bin.

As he was returning to his car, he said he was approached by two men.

“He’s like, ‘Hey, what’s up? Where you from?'” Gonzalez said.

Gonzales said he barely had time to respond when the man pulled a gun and pointed it at his chest. He said a smaller man then began frisking him.

“I kind of took a step and then shoved him,” Gonzales said of the smaller man.

It caused enough of a distraction for Gonzales to take off running. He estimates he made it about 50 feet when he turned around to see the smaller man pull a gun and begin firing.

“Next thing I know, there’s a hole in my chest. Immediately, I knew I’d been shot, you know, blood on my hand,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the man fired twice. One of the bullets tore through his back and hit one of his lungs.

“If I had turned just one millimeter more, it would have hit my heart, and I would have died,” he said.

Gonzales said both suspects took off while bystanders swooped in to tend to his wound.

Brandon Caldwell was arrested on Monday and charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. He’s being held without bond.

The other man, who Gonzales claims pulled the trigger, remains unaccounted for.

“Honestly, I would have respected it more if he would have saw it through and robbed me,” Gonzales said. “I would have been like, ‘Okay, you’re truly a villain, you’re truly a bad guy.’ But the fact that you gave me two shells and took nothing from me, that shows me that you were really a coward.”

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Dreary and damp conditions could slow your commute

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Prepare for rain to roll in Wednesday morning, just in time to dampen streets for the rush-hour commute.

An upper-air disturbance is blowing overhead from the west, and this will lead to widely scattered showers and a few rumbles of thunder on Wednesday. Rain chances will be highest in the coastal counties, with most of the rain occurring in the first half of the day. Scattered showers are still possible in the afternoon, but we should be mostly dry by the evening. Temperatures will warm toward 70 in the afternoon.

How much rain should we expect, and is any severe weather possible?

A few pockets of 1-2″ are possible in the coastal counties, but most of us will be measuring the totals in hundredths of an ich or tenths of an inch. No severe weather is expected, but noisy rumbles of thunder are possible and even pea size hail cannot be ruled out.

When will we get our next cold front?

Our next cold front arrives late Thursday to bring us a more seasonal day with low humidity and sunshine for Friday. We’ll get one day with a low in the 40s and a high in the 60s before it warms up toward the 80s this weekend.

What’s the early outlook for Christmas week?

We are seeing a strong signal for a very warm weather pattern developing the week of Christmas. In fact, we currently have highs at record levels in the low 80s to kick off Christmas week, and that warm pattern is likely to stick around most if not all of the holiday week.

Are there any more freezes in the forecast?

Not for awhile! We are looking at above average low temperatures all the way through Christmas Day…and beyond. By the time we get to the weekend, low temperatures will be back in the 50s and 60s! We likely have to wait until January for our next chance at a freeze.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Have weather tips, videos, and photos?

Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don’t, just hit ‘skip upload’ and send the details.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!