The Houston Fire Department is pleased to announce the commencement of in-store shopping for Operation Stocking Stuffer (OSS) 2023! The shopping season kicks off with the OSS title sponsor, Shell Oil Company. Additionally, a portion of the toys purchased during select in-store shopping trips will be donated to teenagers under care and treatment at the Ronald McDonald House.
In the coming week and a half, numerous volunteers will join forces with Houston firefighters at various Target stores to shop for those in the greatest need. Target is the official brick-and-mortar retailer for the OSS toy drive.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our corporate sponsors who will actively participate in filling baskets with toys, contributing to the joy of thousands of children in the Houston area this Christmas.
Scheduled Shopping Dates:
December 1st:
Shell Oil: 9am-11am, Location: Target Memorial City
In a historic feat, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans has been named both AFC Offensive Player of the Month and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for November by the NFL. Stroud joins an elite group as only the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to achieve the AFC Offensive Player of the Month accolade and one of just five players ever to secure both honors in the same month, alongside Barry Sanders (1989), Edgerrin James (1999), Mike Anderson (2000), Kareem Hunt (2017), and Deshaun Watson (2017).
Throughout November, Stroud delivered an array of record-breaking performances, completing 106 of 154 pass attempts (68.8 percent) for 1,466 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions, earning an impressive passer rating of 109.9. His stellar performances propelled the Texans to a 3-1 record during the month, including an impressive three-game winning streak, making him the quarterback with the most victories in November.
During Week 9, Stroud established a new rookie record by amassing the most passing yards in a single game (470) in NFL history. Notably, he became only the third player ever to achieve 470-plus passing yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a single game. In Week 10, Stroud continued his remarkable run with a come-from-behind victory against Cincinnati, securing his place as the only rookie in the last 40 years to lead game-winning drives starting in the final two minutes of regulation in consecutive games. Additionally, he became just the second rookie in NFL history to surpass 800 passing yards in a two-game span.
Finishing the month as the conference leader in numerous key passing categories, including completions, yards, passer rating, touchdown passes, yards per attempt, and big pass plays, Stroud capped off his outstanding November by setting an NFL record for the most passing yards (3,266) through a player’s first 11 career games.
This recognition marks Stroud’s fourth league honor this season, following his AFC Offensive Player of the Week award in Week 9 and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for September. He now joins the ranks of Texans legends Deshaun Watson (2017, 2019), Andre Johnson (2008, 2012), and Arian Foster (2010, 2011) as the fourth player in franchise history to receive the AFC Offensive Player of the Month distinction.
In his rookie season, the Texans’ second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has started all 11 appearances, completing 249 of 391 pass attempts (63.7 percent) for 19 touchdowns with just five interceptions, boasting a passer rating of 100.8. Additionally, Stroud has contributed 29 carries for 132 yards and three rushing scores.
Today, District Attorney Kim Ogg of Harris County announced a $269,000 grant from her office to a local organization. This funding aims to quadruple the organization’s staff of forensic sexual assault interviewers, with the goal of providing a more sensitive and less intimidating experience for crime victims.
Ogg collaborated with experts in the field of interviewing sexual assault victims to elaborate on the process of “adult forensic interviewing.” This method involves highly trained professionals meeting with victims to gather the necessary information for identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators without exacerbating the fear and trauma associated with sexual assault. Adult forensic interviewers work in coordination with law enforcement to conduct interviews in a secure, neutral, and less intimidating environment compared to traditional settings like police stations or hospital interview rooms.
The result is that victims often feel more comfortable sharing detailed information compared to a more aggressive law enforcement interview.
Ogg emphasized the invasive and traumatizing nature of sexual assault, stating, “Anything we can do to lessen that trauma and still obtain the information needed to apprehend these attackers is money well spent.”
Khara Breeden, the founder and CEO of the Forensic Center of Excellence, mentioned that Ogg’s office has been supporting the center’s Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners adult forensic interviewing programs for over two years. With the grant from the District Attorney’s Office, the agency will be able to hire three additional full-time forensic interviewers, bringing the total to four. The center is based in offices located in the Upper Kirby District.
El éxodo de X está llegando más allá de los grandes anunciantes.
En los últimos días, varias marcas de medios prominentes no solo han pausado sus campañas de marketing pago en la plataforma social propiedad de Elon Musk, sino que han dejado de publicar en ella por completo, guardando silencio en el sitio que alguna vez fue esencial y que buscaba ser el sitio más importante del mundo. plaza de la ciudad digital “.
Las cuentas emblemáticas de Disney, Paramount, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, Universal y Warner Bros. Discovery (la empresa matriz de CNN) no han publicado en la plataforma en aproximadamente 10 días, tras el inquietante respaldo de Musk a una teoría de conspiración antisemita, que todavía no se ha disculpado por.
El bloqueo de X se extiende más allá de las cuentas corporativas de estas empresas, en algunos casos. Por ejemplo, las cuentas de más alto perfil afiliadas a Disney han dejado de funcionar en X, como @StarWars, @Pixar y @MarvelStudios, que anteriormente publicaban varias veces al día en la plataforma para sus millones de seguidores. En cambio, estas marcas se han pasado al rival Threads, propiedad de Meta, donde han comenzado a publicar activamente.
Por ejemplo, cuando “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” compartió el lunes la noticia de que el presentador Stephen Colbert estaría fuera del aire esta semana debido a apendicitis, el programa lo hizo en Threads. Sin embargo, antes de que Musk respaldara una publicación antisemita, el programa de Colbert estaba principalmente activo en X, publicando regularmente videos y otro contenido. Ahora bien, ocurre lo contrario.
Cuando se contactó con él para hacer comentarios el lunes, un representante de X no respondió directamente a las preguntas sobre la pérdida de los gigantes de los medios en la plataforma, lo que debe estar haciendo sonar las alarmas dentro de la empresa de redes sociales. Ya es bastante malo para una empresa en dificultades quedarse sin ingresos publicitarios. Es aún peor si también carece de contenido, particularmente de entidades domésticas que han ayudado a que la plataforma sea el centro de discusión en tiempo real durante años.
Por supuesto, es posible que estas empresas cambien de rumbo en el futuro y reanuden la publicación e incluso la publicidad en la plataforma. No sería la primera vez que esto sucede después de que los anunciantes huyen en masa de un medio. Pero también es posible que eso no suceda.
Con Musk al mando de la plataforma en el futuro previsible, supervisando las decisiones críticas que han llevado a un aumento del discurso de odio (al tiempo que también contribuye personalmente a la terrible retórica), el cálculo de riesgo versus recompensa sobre si involucrarse o no con la compañía ha cambiado. cayó en picada. La situación no es diferente a cuando Tucker Carlson ahuyentó permanentemente a la mayoría de los anunciantes de la hora de las 8 p.m. de Fox News durante su tiempo en la cadena.
Y si más empresas y otras figuras notables abandonan la plataforma de Musk por otras redes sociales, se extinguirá el atractivo que alguna vez tuvo, proporcionando otra razón más para que los usuarios promedio abandonen la problemática plataforma.
“Cada día, más marcas se dan cuenta de la realidad de que Twitter está muerto y X es un pozo negro”, dijo Casey Newton de Platformer. “La plaza mundial está ahora dispersa en muchas plataformas diferentes, y cada vez más las conversaciones más relevantes tienen lugar en otros lugares”.
Forty-one construction workers emerged from a collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi, a town in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, on Tuesday, concluding a 17-day ordeal that captivated the nation and required an extensive rescue operation. The workers, who were stranded following a landslide, walked out to jubilant crowds and celebratory firecrackers after receiving a brief medical examination.
Nitin Gadkari, the minister of road transport and highways, expressed relief and joy in a video posted on the social media platform X, commending the well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies in what he termed one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years.
The collapse of a section of the 4.5-kilometer tunnel occurred about 200 meters from the entrance on November 12, caused by a landslide. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported. The workers, trapped near the tunnel entrance, were provided with essential supplies, including food, water, and oxygen through pipes. A team of doctors, including psychiatrists, monitored their health throughout the ordeal.
Initially expected to last only a few days, the rescue operation faced setbacks, extending the workers’ time underground. The final stretch involved manual digging by a team of rescuers after the machinery used for the operation broke down. The workers were eventually extracted individually on a wheeled stretcher through a meter-wide tunnel of welded pipes.
All 41 workers emerged in good health, receiving checkups at a makeshift medical camp before being transported away in ambulances. Most of the workers were migrant laborers from various parts of the country, and their families had gathered at the site, anxiously awaiting their rescue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to some of the workers, praising their courage and patience, while also commending the collaborative efforts of those involved in the rescue mission. The tunnel was part of the Chardham all-weather road project, connecting Hindu pilgrimage sites, and has been a flagship initiative of the federal government. Critics argue that such projects may contribute to fragile conditions in the upper Himalayas, where towns are built atop landslide debris.
As the clock ticks down to the decisive mayoral runoff on Saturday, December 9, Texas State Sen. John Whitmire and U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee engaged in a fiery debate on FOX 26, tackling crucial issues for Houston voters. The discussion, the first since neither candidate secured the required 50 percent majority in the initial election, provided voters with insights into the candidates’ stances and strategies.
In the November 7 mayoral election, Whitmire secured nearly 43 percent of the vote, while Jackson Lee received almost 36 percent. With less than two weeks remaining, the two seasoned politicians sparred, each vying to convince voters that they are the most capable leader for the city.
Key Moments from the Debate:
1. Crime and Public Safety:
Whitmire emphasized his “tough” and “smart” stance on crime, pledging to enhance law enforcement, recruit more police officers, and address mental health concerns.
Jackson Lee criticized Whitmire’s tenure as Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee, contending that more minorities were incarcerated during his leadership.
2. Critique of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Administration:
Whitmire took aim at departing Mayor Sylvester Turner, highlighting controversies and alleged lack of transparency at City Hall.
He denounced conflicts of interest, citing the city’s dispute with Pappas Restaurants and Mayor Turner’s handling of media interactions.
3. Campaign Financing:
Jackson Lee positioned herself as an underdog against Whitmire, who has amassed $10 million in campaign funds.
Despite the financial gap, Jackson Lee confidently stated, “With millions and millions of dollars against me, I’m still standing.”
4. Transparency and Ethics:
While not directly criticizing Mayor Turner, Jackson Lee emphasized her commitment to transparency if elected, promising an ethics-focused office and thorough investigations into any questionable contracts.
As the debate unfolded, Whitmire consistently criticized the current administration’s transparency, emphasizing the need for accountability and fiscal responsibility. On the other side, Jackson Lee refrained from critiquing Mayor Turner directly, focusing on her commitment to ethical governance and transparent practices.
A recent SurveyUSA poll indicated Whitmire leading Jackson Lee by seven points, mirroring the election results, with approximately 22 percent of voters still undecided. As the runoff approaches, Houstonians await the final verdict, keenly observing the contrasting visions presented by the two mayoral hopefuls.
In a significant shake-up, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has declared the end of his tenure on the popular ABC series “Shark Tank” and simultaneously made headlines for selling a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks.
On the “All the Smoke” podcast, Cuban, 65, disclosed that the upcoming season, Season 16, would be his last on “Shark Tank.” Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “This is our 15th year, and next year, our 16th year, is gonna be my last year. So I got one more year to go.” Cuban, who initially appeared as a guest in Season 2 before joining full-time in Season 3, expressed that he feels it’s the right time to step away from the show.
Despite Cuban’s assurance that Season 16 would mark his farewell, ABC has not officially confirmed his departure.
Simultaneously, in a move that has caught the sports world by surprise, Cuban is selling a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks. The buyer is Miriam Adelson and her family, with the deal valued at an impressive $3.5 billion, according to league sources. Notably, Cuban will retain shares in the team and maintain full control of basketball operations.
The sale was disclosed through a SEC filing by the Las Vegas Sands Corp., which stated that Miriam Adelson was selling $2 billion worth of stock in the company to fund the majority stake acquisition in the Dallas Mavericks. The Adelson family is expected to utilize additional cash on hand for this significant sports franchise investment, subject to customary league approvals.
Miriam Adelson, the largest shareholder in Las Vegas Sands Corp., inherited the position after the passing of her late husband, casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson. Forbes currently ranks her as the 35th-richest person globally and the fifth-richest woman, with an estimated net worth of $32.3 billion.
The developments around Mark Cuban’s departure from “Shark Tank” and the strategic sale of the majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks have left fans and industry insiders eagerly awaiting the next chapters in both his entrepreneurial and sports ventures. Cuban, known for his business acumen and bold moves, continues to keep the spotlight on him as he navigates these significant transitions in his career.
Americans for Prosperity, the influential political arm of the Koch network, officially endorsed Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign on Tuesday, pledging to deploy its nationwide coalition of activists and significant financial resources to assist Haley in the GOP primary against former President Donald Trump.
In a memo announcing the endorsement, AFP president and CEO Emily Seidel stated, “AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, win the Republican primary, and defeat Joe Biden next November. She has what it takes to lead a policy agenda to tackle our nation’s biggest challenges and ensure our country’s best days are ahead. With the grassroots and data capability we bring to bear in this race, no other organization is better equipped to help her do it.”
Seidel outlined that Americans for Prosperity would immediately shift its focus to bolstering Haley’s primary and general election campaigns through strategic advertising investments, mailers, and voter contacts utilizing their network of conservative activists. The organization, which has been gathering information from Republican primary voters, aims to present effective arguments against Trump.
In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed Americans for Prosperity as “the political arm of the China-first, America-last movement.” He asserted that no amount of funding from various sources would hinder the MAGA movement or prevent Trump from securing the Republican nomination.
The longstanding feud between Trump and the Koch network, which refused to support Trump’s reelection in 2020, has intensified over the years. The Kochs criticized Trump’s populist policies and divisive leadership style, citing a misalignment with traditional conservative values, particularly on trade.
News of the Haley endorsement reverberated in political circles, with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney predicting it would be a “huge boost” to her campaign. However, DeSantis spokesperson Andrew Romeo likened the Koch endorsement to support for the Trump campaign, emphasizing that every dollar spent on Haley’s candidacy should be reported as an in-kind contribution to Trump.
Despite pushback from the DeSantis camp, the Koch network is confident in Haley’s ability to defeat both Trump and Biden. Senior adviser Michael Palmer highlighted Haley’s “sustained momentum” in recent months and argued that she is better positioned to win the election. In response, Haley expressed gratitude for the support of Americans for Prosperity, emphasizing the critical choice between freedom and socialism, individual liberty and big government, and fiscal responsibility and spiraling debt. She stated, “We have a country to save, and I’m grateful to have AFP Action by our side.”
Authorities have officially charged Ariel Cruz, 19, with murder in the tragic incident involving the death of a 21-year-old woman discovered at 5400 Indigo Street around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28. The charges have been filed in the 184th State District Court, as indicated in Cruz’s booking photo attached to this news release.
While the identity of the victim is currently pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, details surrounding the case have emerged from the investigation conducted by HPD Homicide Division Detectives R. Waterwall and K. Hale.
On the morning of November 28, family members of the victim became concerned when she failed to arrive at school. Upon learning that her last known location was in the vicinity of the 5400 block of Indigo Street and discovering her black Honda Civic parked in the street, the family initiated a search of the neighborhood. With no sign of her, they promptly contacted the Houston Police Department to report her as missing.
By 5:40 p.m. that same day, a family member, in an effort to locate the missing woman, forcibly entered the Honda, opened the trunk, and tragically found the female unresponsive. Houston Fire Department paramedics responded promptly, pronouncing the victim deceased at the scene. Disturbingly, she exhibited signs of trauma to her face.
Subsequent investigation pinpointed Ariel Cruz as a suspect. He was present at the scene, actively participating in the search for the victim alongside her family. Following his detainment, Cruz was interviewed by homicide detectives, during which he confessed to his involvement in his girlfriend’s death. Consequently, he has been charged with murder.
