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Record warmth continues this week until the next storm system rolls in Thursday

ABC13 Houston
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0
Record warmth continues this week until the next storm system rolls in Thursday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — After a record-hot weekend, the heat is set to continue! This ahead of a powerful Pacific storm system that eventually brings us a chance for thunderstorms.

Temperatures will be challenging records in the middle 80s Tuesday and Wednesday. There could be some dense fog around Wednesday morning as well.

When should we expect rain with this week’s next storm system?

That powerful storm system should bring us a round of widespread showers and thunderstorms late Thursday with a cool front following Friday. Given how warm and humid the air will be, it’s possible we could even have severe weather, but we’ve got plenty of time to sort out the details on that one. Speaking of humidity, this will also help in the rain department with potentially around 1 to 3 inches of rain falling across Southeast Texas Thursday. In the days ahead of its arrival, we can expect streamer showers to roll in from the Gulf, good enough for a 10-20% chance of rain Monday through Wednesday.

Will it cool down behind those storms?

Yes, but it won’t be nearly as chilly as what we experienced with our last cold front. We are looking at lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s, which is closer to normal for this time of year.

What does the weekend look like then?

Not as record warm as of now! In fact, this weekend’s forecast is a tricky one to pin down at the moment as it depends on what happens with Thursday’s storm system. There’s the chance a second storm system could roll quickly behind the one on Thursday, bringing more rain on Sunday. There’s also the chance this storm systems stays out west, keeping Southeast Texas a little drier but still with the chance for a few showers and storms. Either way, temperature wise it looks like Houston will be closer to seasonal conditions each day with morning lows in the mid-upper 50s and afternoon highs in the mid 70s.

What is happening in the tropics?

Tropical development is not expected in the Atlantic Basin over the next 7 days. The last day of hurricane season is November 30th. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

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

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

FEMA’s Acting Administrator David Richardson Resigns After Six Months

Edward Saenz
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0
FEMA’s Acting Administrator David Richardson Resigns After Six Months

Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Richardson resigned Monday after six months in the role. Richardson stepped in last May after the firing of former acting administrator Cameron Hamilton, who had clashed with the administration over suggestions that FEMA should be downsized or dissolved. Richardson also oversaw the Department of Homeland Security’s countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office.

Richardson Says He Served Through Hurricane Season

In an exclusive statement to ABC News, Richardson said he agreed to take on the role when others would not, just weeks before hurricane season began.

“I agreed to be the acting administrator through hurricane season when others wouldn’t. Hurricane season ends on 1 December. Since the danger has largely passed, I can now leave for other opportunities,” Richardson said. He added that stepping into tough situations has defined his career, recalling his service in Iraq: “Nobody wanted to train and fight alongside the Iraqis. I said, ‘I’ll do it.'”

DHS Confirms Departure, Names Interim Replacement

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Richardson’s resignation and announced that FEMA Chief of Staff Karen Evans will assume the role starting Dec. 1.

A DHS spokesperson thanked Richardson for his leadership during the 2025 hurricane season, noting he delivered historic funding to states including North Carolina, Texas, Florida, New Mexico and Alaska, and led a review that cut waste and improved efficiency across the agency.

Criticism Over Disaster Response

Richardson faced pushback throughout his tenure. After deadly flooding in Texas in July, Democratic lawmakers criticized FEMA’s response. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., accused Richardson of failing to lead during the crisis.

Richardson was on vacation during the flooding, but testified that he coordinated response efforts from his truck before returning to Washington. Sources close to him maintain he remained engaged throughout the disaster.

Questions Over Hurricane Preparedness

Richardson also drew attention when he told FEMA staff he was unaware hurricane season had begun, a remark DHS later insisted was a joke. The comment came shortly after an internal review found FEMA was “not ready” for the 2025 season, an assessment DHS strongly disputed.

The White House defended Richardson at the time, saying FEMA was taking hurricane season seriously and that his remarks were being mischaracterized.

Political Backlash

Some lawmakers openly questioned Richardson’s readiness for the job. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “unaware of why he hasn’t been fired yet,” while Sen. Ed Markey warned, “People will die.”

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

International Student Enrollment Drops Sharply in US

Indira Zaldivar
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0
International Student Enrollment Drops Sharply in US

New data reveals a significant decline in international students enrolling in U.S. colleges and universities, as the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies continue to affect higher education. For the 2025/26 academic year, new international student enrollment fell 17%, the largest drop in more than a decade outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Ongoing Declines Linked to Visa Challenges

This follows a 7.2% decline in 2024/25, during a period split between the end of the Biden administration and the early months of Trump’s second term. Measures such as visa revocations, canceled interviews, deportations, and funding cuts contributed to the downturn.

The IIE survey found that 57% of institutions reported falling new enrollments, with 27% describing the decreases as “substantial.” Concerns about visa delays or denials, historically the top factor for enrollment drops, rose from 85% of institutions citing them in 2024 to 96% in fall 2025.

Social Climate and Student Concerns

Institutions also noted that international students’ fears of feeling unwelcome in the U.S. (67%) and worries about the broader political and social environment (64%) contributed to enrollment declines.

Fanta Aw, executive director of Nafsa: Association of International Educators, emphasized the economic impact: “International students contribute $42.9 billion annually and support over 355,000 jobs. The decline threatens our research, innovation, and global competitiveness.”

Policy Measures and Their Impact

The Trump administration has attempted to reduce foreign student presence through financial pressure on universities and restrictive visa policies. In August, the White House proposed limits on the length of student visas. Trump also sought to block some institutions, like Harvard, from admitting foreign students, though these attempts were legally blocked.

Financial leverage has been a key tactic, with federal funding threatened over campus controversies. For example, Columbia University restored $400 million in federal funding after agreeing to policy changes following pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Overall Numbers Remain Strong but Warning Signs Loom

Despite declines in new enrollments, the total number of international students in the U.S. remained stable, growing 5% to nearly 1.2 million in 2024/25. Students from India, China, and South Korea represent the largest share, and 45 states reported increases in international student totals.

Experts, however, warn of potential long-term consequences. Clay Harmon, executive director of the Association of International Enrollment Management, noted, “There are warning signs for future years, and I’m really concerned about what this portends for fall ’26 and ’27.”

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

Wegovy and Ozempic Cash Prices Drop 30% Starting Monday

Indira Zaldivar
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0
Wegovy and Ozempic Cash Prices Drop 30% Starting Monday

Novo Nordisk is slashing the cash price of its popular GLP-1 medications — Wegovy and Ozempic — by 30% beginning Monday, making the drugs more affordable for people without insurance coverage.

New Monthly Cost

The Danish drugmaker says the new out-of-pocket price for either medication will be $349 per month, down from $499. The reduced rate will be available at roughly 70,000 locations nationwide, including major pharmacies, Walmart and Costco.

Why the Price Is Dropping

Dave Moore, executive vice president at Novo Nordisk, said the company aims to expand access amid a complex U.S. insurance landscape. He noted that the updated pricing and savings options are intended to provide “immediate impact” for patients who lack insurance or choose to self-pay.

Competitive Market and Broader Strategy

The former cash price for Wegovy matched a full dose of Eli Lilly’s competing drug, Zepbound. Novo Nordisk said the price cut is part of a larger effort to broaden access by working with telehealth providers, major retailers and federal officials to lower costs for people living with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

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

Jets’ Kris Boyd in Critical Condition After Midtown Shooting

Michael Esparza
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0
Jets’ Kris Boyd in Critical Condition After Midtown Shooting

New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd is hospitalized in critical but stable condition after an early-morning shooting in Midtown Manhattan, police said.

The Shooting

The NYPD said a 29-year-old man was shot in the abdomen just after 2 a.m. Sunday outside a restaurant on West 38th Street. The victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital. While police have not publicly identified the victim, the Jets confirmed they are aware of “the situation involving Kris Boyd.”

Suspect Search Underway

No arrests have been made. Investigators are searching for a man seen fleeing in a blue BMW. Police released images of a person of interest described as a male with a medium complexion, last seen wearing a black cap, black sweatshirt and pants, multicolored sneakers, and carrying a black bookbag.

Boyd’s Background

Boyd, 29, signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Jets in March but has not played this season due to a shoulder injury sustained in August. A Gilmer, Texas native, he played college football at the University of Texas and entered the NFL in 2019 as a seventh-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings. His career has included stints with the Cardinals and Texans.

Team Schedule

The Jets did not play Sunday after their Thursday night loss to the New England Patriots.

Stay tuned for more updates with Que Onda Magazine.

Record warmth continues this week until the next storm system rolls in Thursday

ABC13 Houston
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0
Record warmth continues this week until the next storm system rolls in Thursday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Sunday we set a new daily record when it reached 86 degrees in Houston, breaking the previous daily record high temperature of 85 set back on this day in 1948. And we’ve got a few more days this week when these records could be in jeopardy with highs in the mid 80s. This ahead of a powerful Pacific storm system that eventually brings us a chance for severe weather.

Temperatures will fall into the mid 60s to low 70s Monday morning. With the higher humidity, there’s the chance for a few areas of fog to develop for the morning commute. Any fog should lift by mid morning with more sunshine arriving for the afternoon. Monday’s highs will be back in the mid 80s, potentially setting a new record for the day too.

When should we expect rain with this week’s next storm system?

That powerful storm system should bring us a round of widespread showers and thunderstorms on Thursday with a cold front following Friday. Given how warm and humid the air will be, it’s possible we could even have severe weather, but we’ve got plenty of time to sort out the details on that one. Speaking of humidity, this will also help in the rain department with potentially around 1 to 3 inches of rain falling across Southeast Texas Thursday. In the days ahead of its arrival, we can expect streamer showers to roll in from the Gulf, good enough for a 10-20% chance of rain Monday through Wednesday.

Will it cool down behind those storms?

Yes, but it won’t be nearly as chilly as what we experienced with our last cold front. We are looking at lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s, which is closer to normal for this time of year.

What does the weekend look like then?

Not as record warm as of now! In fact, this weekend’s forecast is a tricky one to pin down at the moment as it depends on what happens with Thursday’s storm system. There’s the chance a second storm system could roll quickly behind the one on Thursday, bringing more widespread rain for both Saturday and Sunday. There’s also the chance this storm systems stays out west, keeping Southeast Texas a little drier but still with the chance for a few showers and storms. Either way, temperature wise it looks like Houston will be closer to seasonal conditions each day with morning lows in the mid-upper 50s and afternoon highs in the mid 70s.

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

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

Paxton Sues Harris County Over Funding for Immigrant Legal Aid Program

Edward Saenz
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0
Paxton Sues Harris County Over Funding for Immigrant Legal Aid Program

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Harris County, accusing local officials of illegally allocating public money to a program that helps undocumented immigrants secure legal representation.

The lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court, challenges the county’s Immigrant Legal Services Fund, which was created in 2020 and last month received an additional $1.3 million from county commissioners. The program distributes funds to five nonprofit organizations that provide attorneys to people facing deportation.

Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, called the program “evil and wicked” and argued it is unconstitutional, saying it “serves no public purpose” and improperly directs taxpayer money to private groups. He asked the court to immediately block Harris County from disbursing more funds and to bar future allocations.

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of high-profile legal fights Paxton has brought against programs that support immigrants and abortion access. Earlier this year, the 15th Court of Appeals sided with Paxton in a similar case involving San Antonio’s funding for organizations assisting Texans seeking abortions out of state.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said his office will defend the legal aid program, calling Paxton’s latest lawsuit “a cheap political stunt.”

“This program is perfectly legal,” Menefee said in a statement. “At a time when the president has unleashed ICE agents to terrorize immigrant neighborhoods, deport U.S. citizens, and trample the law, it’s shameful that Republican state officials are joining in instead of standing up for Texans.”

Harris County launched the Immigrant Legal Services Fund after becoming the largest county in the nation without a program to help undocumented residents secure legal representation. At the time, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio already had similar initiatives. The program was introduced by County Judge Lina Hidalgo and approved on a party-line vote.

“When you have a family at a deportation hearing and they don’t have an attorney, they’re deported at a much higher rate — like 90 percent of the time — compared to like 5 percent of the time when they do have an attorney,” Hidalgo said in 2020, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The county currently sends funds to five organizations: BakerRipley, the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, Justice for All Immigrants, KIND, Inc. and the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services.

Supporters say the program has become more important amid a rise in immigration enforcement. The Harris County Jail leads the nation in ICE detainers — requests from federal agents to hold individuals for possible deportation — as federal and state officials have increased enforcement under President Donald Trump.

Commissioner Rodney Ellis said after the October funding vote that the program helps stabilize families caught in immigration proceedings.

“Having access to legal representation not only improves case outcomes but helps keep families together,” Ellis said, according to the Houston Chronicle. “In a county as diverse as ours, local government must step up to safeguard safety, justice, and the people we serve.”

Massive Fire at Decommissioned Texas City Power Plant Sends Thick Smoke Across Region

Indira Zaldivar
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0
Massive Fire at Decommissioned Texas City Power Plant Sends Thick Smoke Across Region

A major overnight fire at a decommissioned Texas City power plant sent a towering column of smoke into the sky early Sunday, prompting a public safety alert and a multi-agency firefighting response.

Flames Erupt at PHR Peakers Plant

The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. at the former PHR Peakers facility on the 5500 block of Highway 146, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. Photos from the scene showed heavy smoke pouring from the structure as fire engines surrounded the site.

Firefighters from Multiple Departments Respond

Officials said crews from Pearland, Bacliff, San Leon, and other Galveston County agencies worked through the morning to contain the blaze. The San Leon Volunteer Fire Department led the response, with support from several surrounding departments.

Smoke Plume Visible for Miles

The smoke grew so dense that it was visible on ABC13’s 13 Alert Radar as it drifted northeast over Galveston Bay. An ABC13 crew captured images of the plume rising high above Highway 146 and partially blocking the morning sun.

Public Safety Alert Issued

Residents in the area received mobile alerts urging them to avoid the smoke. Texas City firefighters said air monitoring showed safe air quality levels, but crews continued to work to fully control the incident.

More Details Expected

Officials expect to remain on scene throughout the morning. Our news partner ABC13 is continuing to gather updates as the situation develops.

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

Federal Agents Surge Into Charlotte for Immigration Operation

Michael Esparza
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0
Federal Agents Surge Into Charlotte for Immigration Operation

A wave of federal immigration agents deployed across Charlotte on Saturday, launching an enforcement push known internally as “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” The move sparked strong backlash from city and state leaders who say they were neither consulted nor supportive.

Residents Report Aggressive Arrests

Eyewitnesses captured multiple arrests by masked federal agents throughout the city. Paula Walker Coleman told ABC News she recorded agents detaining a woman and said officers reacted forcefully when her hand brushed against their vehicle. Other residents described being stopped repeatedly, including naturalized U.S. citizen Willy Aceituno, who said agents smashed his car window before releasing him once he showed proof of citizenship.

DHS Defends the Surge

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said the increased presence is intended to remove “public safety threats,” arguing that federal action is necessary when “sanctuary politicians won’t” cooperate. The operation is led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection commander-at-large Greg Bovino.

State and Local Leaders Push Back

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein urged residents to record any “inappropriate behavior,” stressing that enforcement should focus on violent criminals and drug traffickers. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and other local officials issued a joint statement emphasizing that all residents deserve to feel safe “walking down the street, going to school, work or the grocery store.”

Local Police Not Participating

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department clarified that it is not involved in the federal operation and cannot assist with civil immigration warrants. Meanwhile, leaders in Asheville said their city may also be targeted and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring all residents feel safe, regardless of immigration status.

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

Record warm temperatures possible ahead of better rain chances on Thursday

ABC13 Houston
-
0
Record warm temperatures possible ahead of better rain chances on Thursday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — This is about as warm as it gets in November, and it will get even warmer next week ahead of a powerful Pacific storm system that eventually brings us a chance for severe weather.

After mild temperatures in the low 60s this morning, highs will climb into the mid 80s and could be record tying or breaking for the city. We’ll continue to threaten heat records all the way through Wednesday.

When should we expect rain with next week’s storm system?

That powerful storm system should bring us a round of thunderstorms on Thursday. Given how warm and humid the air will be, it’s possible we could even have severe weather, but we’ve got plenty of time to sort out the details on that one. In the days ahead of its arrival, we can expect streamer showers to roll in from the Gulf, good enough for a 10-20% chance of rain. By the way, that sticky Gulf air will push both low and high temperatures into record warm territory.

Will it cool down behind those storms?

Yes, but it won’t be nearly as chilly as what we experienced with our last cold front. We are looking at lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s, which is closer to normal for this time of year.

What is happening in the tropics?

Tropical development is not expected in the Atlantic Basin over the next 7 days. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

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

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

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