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Harris County leaders await updates on status of flood mitigation projects

ABC13 Houston
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Harris County leaders await updates on status of flood mitigation projects

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — For nearly half a year, Harris County commissioners have asked for an update on 2018 flood bond projects, and after missing last month’s deadline, ABC13 was told a presentation is coming soon.

In 2017, the Greater Houston Partnership said Hurricane Harvey caused $125 billion in damages in Harris County. A storm that sent a foot of water in David Skaggs’ northwest Harris County home.

“It ruined anything that was sitting down low,” Skaggs recalled. “Family pictures and things that you don’t even think about.”

To help mitigate with future storms, county leaders proposed a $2.5 billion bond for projects. It was passed by voters.

Some of the bond was supposed to go towards subdivision drainage projects. Skaggs’ Norchester neighborhood was one of those supposed to receive $11 million for drainage improvements.

“A few years ago, they give us a little talk about how they had allocated money and they were going to do certain things out here and they haven’t done anything, and I don’t know why,” Skaggs said.

For months, county commissioners have been asking questions about these projects too. A few years ago, the subdivision drainage program was moved from the flood control district to the engineering department.

The flood control district oversees the 2018 bond projects. Since February, commissioners have asked leaders from both departments for an update on all projects.

In March, Commissioner Rodney Ellis grew frustrated when he asked why certain projects that scored higher were passed over by others.

“I don’t go off that often, but that was just shocking to me,” Ellis said. “We could come up with a million reasons why you did it, ‘Oh, we did this. We had to do that.’ But at the end of the day, try explaining that to voters.”

During the March meeting, commissioners voted to get an update from the departments on flood projects at a future meeting.

“What I’m hearing is in May you’ll both come back with your expert recommendations, brutal honesty, radical transparency, and you will tell us where we are on all of these,” Commissioner Lesley Briones said.

However, no presentations took place in May. Commissioners meet again this Thursday.

There’s still no presentation on the agenda. The flood control district told ABC13 commissioners’ offices agreed to push it back to the June 26th meeting.

The agency plans to present recommendations that could bring big cuts to projects that were once part of the 2018 bond project. “There will impacts,” flood control district executive director Tina Petersen said back in March. “There will be tradeoffs and there will be opportunities.”

Exactly what the recommendations are, we may not find out until the end of June, nearly six months after commissioners started asking for them.

The flood control district sent ABC13 a statement regarding the delay:

Since the Harris County Commissioners Court motions earlier this year, the Flood Control District has continued to advance projects supported by the 2018 Bond Program. Teams are actively engaged in a variety of construction and design efforts throughout the county. As of the last reporting period, approximately $3.245 billion in bond funding had been spent or committed to projects currently underway, contributing meaningful progress for Harris County communities.

As a collective decision, all Commissioners Court offices and the Flood Control District agreed to pause formal presentations of 2018 Bond Program data to Court until the June 26 meeting. We are preparing a report for the June 26 Commissioners Court meeting to that end. The Flood Control District has spent the last several months evaluating the 2018 Bond Program to substantially complete the program as efficiently and effectively as possible for the residents of Harris County.

It’s also important to clarify that the Subdivision Drainage Program, overseen by Harris County Engineering Department (HCED), operates independently from the 2018 Bond Program. The Flood Control District is not involved in the funding, management, or reporting of that program and cannot speak to its internal processes or timelines.

Zelenskyy Calls for ‘Action from America’ After Russian Drone and Missile Attacks

Edward Saenz
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Zelenskyy Calls for ‘Action from America’ After Russian Drone and Missile Attacks

At least eight people were killed in Ukraine as Russian drone and missile strikes battered Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Odesa, overnight into Tuesday morning.

Russia Launches Massive Aerial Assault

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed 322 air attack vehicles, consisting of 315 drones and seven missiles. The air force said it shot down or neutralized 277 drones and all seven missiles.

Kyiv’s military administration confirmed at least four people were injured in the capital. “The majority of the damage was sustained by civilian infrastructure,” the administration wrote on Telegram.

In Odesa, local officials reported two deaths and nine injuries. A maternity hospital and an emergency medical center were among the buildings struck.

Heavy Casualties Near Front Lines

In the eastern Donetsk region, three people were killed and eight injured by artillery and drone attacks, according to local authorities. In the southern city of Kherson, one person died and eight others were injured.

Zelenskyy Urges Global Action

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media that the strikes hit Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Chernihiv regions, noting that at least two North Korean-made ballistic missiles were among the munitions used.

“Residential buildings and urban infrastructure were damaged,” Zelenskyy wrote. “In Odesa, even a maternity hospital became a Russian target. Thirteen people were injured. Tragically, there are fatalities. My condolences to the families.”

“It is vital that the response to this and other similar Russian attacks is not silence from the world, but concrete action,” Zelenskyy added.

“Action from America, which has the power to force Russia into peace,” he said. “Action from Europe, which has no alternative but to be strong. Action from others around the world who called for diplomacy and an end to the war — and whom Russia has ignored. There must be strong pressure for the sake of peace.”

Russia Responds to Ukrainian Drones

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces downed 103 Ukrainian drones Monday night and Tuesday morning. The attack came 24 hours after Russia targeted Ukraine with more than 470 drones — one of the largest aerial strikes of the conflict, according to Ukraine’s air force.

Prisoner Swap Offers Glimpse of Diplomacy

Earlier Monday, Russia and Ukraine conducted the first stage of a prisoner swap after reaching an agreement during peace talks in Istanbul.

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

University of Houston-Downtown workers find body in White Oak Bayou, HPD says

ABC13 Houston
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University of Houston-Downtown workers find body in White Oak Bayou, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An investigation is underway after authorities say University of Houston-Downtown workers found a body in White Oak Bayou on Monday night.

According to the Houston Police Department Lt. Larry Crowson, officers responded to the scene in White Oak Bayou along N. San Jacinto Street near Steam Mill Street just after 8 p.m.

Police received a report of the body face down in the water.

Crowson said the body is believed to be of a man. The medical examiner’s office will determine the manner and cause of death.

For more on this story stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine and our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Ohio Teen Faces Deportation After Graduation

Que Onda Editorial
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Ohio Teen Faces Deportation After Graduation

An Ohio high school graduate, Emerson Colindres, 19, is facing deportation to Honduras just weeks after earning his diploma.

Colindres, who arrived in the United States at age eight in 2014, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in at an ICE facility in Blue Ash, Ohio.

A Long Asylum Fight

The Colindres family sought asylum after fleeing extortion threats from Honduran gangs. However, their case was rejected, and a final removal order was issued in 2023. Despite participating in ICE’s Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), which allows parole-like monitoring instead of detention, the family had never been explicitly ordered to leave—until now.

“Emerson’s One of the Best Kids I’ve Ever Met”

Bryan Williams, Colindres’s soccer coach at Cincy Galaxy, said ICE agents appeared to be waiting for him at his check-in.

“They informed us that they were detaining and deporting Emerson only,” Williams told a local ABC affiliate. “No explanation was given.”

Williams added: “Emerson’s one of the best kids I’ve ever met. We don’t know what we can do, but we’re doing whatever we can.”

DHS Defends Deportation

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement said, “Those arrested had executable final orders of removal by an immigration judge and had not complied with that order,” adding that “If you are in the country illegally and a judge has ordered you to be removed, that is precisely what will happen.”

DHS also noted that ISAP “exists to ensure compliance with release conditions.”

Teammates Rally for Emerson

On Sunday, Colindres’s teammates gathered outside Butler County Jail, wearing “Free Emerson” T-shirts, and spoke to him by phone. “I was just… living life, minding my own business,” Colindres said. “And now I’m here.”

Describing the conditions, he said, “It’s just awful. We only go out once a day—sometimes twice. [It’s] not a life someone who didn’t do anything should be living.”

Community Cries for Justice

Teammate Joshua Williams said, “He didn’t do anything wrong. And they just took him away.” He added, “I wish I hugged him longer. Because I didn’t know that would be the last time I was going to see him.”

Another teammate, Preston Robinson, echoed that sentiment: “It’s not like he had a say in whether he could or couldn’t come. I just wanted to be here to show that I support him.”

Family’s Plea to the President

Colindres’s mother, Ada Bell Baquedano-Amador, directly appealed to then-President Donald Trump during the protest: “Please, Mr Trump—because I’m talking directly to you—have pity on us. Have compassion.”

She told The Cincinnati Enquirer she now has 30 days to self-deport to Honduras. “You can’t imagine what I’m feeling,” she said. “How is my son going to make it over there? He doesn’t know anything and the country where we come from is very insecure… It’s not just.”

Stay tuned to developments from this tragic story with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Highlights from the 2025 BET Awards

Que Onda Editorial
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Highlights from the 2025 BET Awards

The 25th BET Awards took place in Downtown Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. Kendrick Lamar led with 10 nominations and won Album of the Year for GNX, though he was absent due to a concert in Detroit. He earned top honors including Album of the Year for GNX, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and Best Collaboration with SZA for their track “Luther.” Lamar also shared the Video Director of the Year award with his longtime collaborator, Dave Free.

SZA and Chris Brown were named Best Female and Male R&B/Pop Artists, respectively. Doechii took home the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. In her acceptance speech, she criticized former President Donald Trump, condemning what she described as “ruthless attacks creating fear and chaos in our communities under the guise of law and order,” referring to recent protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles.

A 106 & Park 25th anniversary tribute also featured performances by Amerie, Ashanti, B2K, Bow Wow, Jim Jones, Keyshia Cole, Mya and T.I., among others. Read on to see the other winners of the 25th BET Awards

Major Award Winners

  • Album of the Year: GNX – Kendrick Lamar
  • Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: SZA
  • Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
  • Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Doechii – who accepted the award and used the moment to highlight ongoing ICE protests and military deployment in Los Angeles.
  • Best New Artist: Leon Thomas
  • Viewer’s Choice: “Residuals” by Chris Brown beat out competition including Doechii and Kendrick Lamar.
Kendrick Lamar at the 25th BET Awards. Courtesy: BET Awards

Additional Highlights & Awards

  • Doechii won six nominations, including Best Collaboration, and dedicated her speech to activism.
  • The Ultimate Icon Awards were presented to legendary artists Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin, and Snoop Dogg—with Carey noting it was her first BET win.
  • GloRilla picked up the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for “Rain Down on Me” featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music.
  • In Best International Act, artists like Ayra Starr (Nigeria) and Tyla (South Africa) were among the nominees (vulture.com).
  • Special awards celebrated achievements in film, sports, and the Young Stars Award, with winners spanning actors like Viola Davis and athletes such as Simone Biles.

Overall, the 2025 BET Awards was a vibrant celebration of Black culture, spotlighting musical excellence, activism, and global artistry—anchored by standout performances, heartfelt tributes, and socially conscious moments.

Jamie Foxx’s Tearful Return at the BET Awards

Indira Zaldivar
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Jamie Foxx’s Tearful Return at the BET Awards

A Long Road to Recovery

Two years after his stroke and coma, Jamie Foxx returned to the stage at the 2025 BET Awards, tearfully accepting the Ultimate Icon Award. He credited his daughters, Corinne Foxx, 31, and Anelise Bishop, 16, for helping him through a harrowing time during his 10-minute acceptance speech.

Facing Mortality

“When I saw that in memoriam, I was like, ‘Man, that could’ve been me.’ But I don’t know why I went through what I went through, but I know that my second chance, I’m not going to turn it down,” Foxx, 57, told the audience at the 25th BET Awards.

Family at the Center

He praised his sister, Deidre Dixon, for caring for him during his illness. Then he turned to Corinne: “My beautiful daughter, Corinne, I cannot say enough about you. You’ve always taken a backseat to everything. But when you needed to drive it, you drove. And you made sure I was here.”

Anelise’s Guitar and a Miraculous Moment

Foxx recounted how Anelise’s music helped him in the hospital: “They said, ‘We’re going to lose him because his vitals are bad.’ … Anelise overheard the conversation and she snuck into my hospital room with her guitar and said, ‘I know what my Daddy needs.’”

He added: “As she played the guitar, my vitals (improved). And I realized God was in her guitar. The nurses ran in and said, ‘What did they give him?’ My daughter said, ‘Shh, I’ve got him.’”

Stevie Wonder’s Lighthearted Reminder

As Foxx’s speech stretched, Stevie Wonder playfully approached him on stage, encouraging him to wrap it up.

For more star-studded news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

New U.S. Travel Restrictions Take Effect, Drawing Criticism Over Broader Immigration Crackdown

Edward Saenz
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New U.S. Travel Restrictions Take Effect, Drawing Criticism Over Broader Immigration Crackdown

President Trump’s new restrictions on travel to the U.S. from 12 nations, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, took effect. This occurred amidst increased tensions over the administration’s immigration enforcement actions.

The new directive, signed by Trump, affects citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additional restrictions are imposed on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela who are abroad and lack valid visas.

Existing visas for individuals from these countries remain valid, according to U.S. diplomatic guidance. However, new applications will be rejected unless they meet specific exemption criteria. Travelers with current visas should still be permitted entry.

Earlier, Trump’s first attempt at a travel ban led to airport chaos, legal challenges, and significant policy revisions. This time, there were no immediate disruptions reported at Los Angeles International Airport.

A Haitian-American woman expressed concern for her family in Haiti, describing the ban as upsetting. She noted that many Haitians seek refuge in the U.S. to escape violence.

Immigration experts believe the new ban is designed to withstand legal scrutiny, focusing on the visa application process. Trump justified the ban by citing inadequate screening processes and countries’ unwillingness to take back their citizens. He also referenced a Homeland Security report on visa overstays.

The ban has been criticized by refugee aid organizations, who argue it promotes division. The inclusion of Afghanistan has particularly angered some due to the history of U.S. involvement there. Exceptions were made for Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas.

Afghanistan had been a significant source of resettled refugees before Trump previously halted refugee resettlement. Trump linked the ban to a terrorist incident in Boulder, Colorado, noting the perpetrator had overstayed a visa, although he was from Egypt, not a banned country.

‘It’s an odd situation’: Coin flip could determine Pasadena City Council seat

ABC13 Houston
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‘It’s an odd situation’: Coin flip could determine Pasadena City Council seat

PASADENA, Texas (KTRK) — Two hundred and seventy-two votes to 272 votes: those are the totals in the race for a city council seat in Pasadena after this weekend’s runoff election.

The results are not official yet, but after the initial count, there is no winner in the race for Pasadena City Council District B — a race that fits the seat’s current officeholder, Bianca Valerio, against her predecessor, Bruce Leamon.

“It’s an odd situation. It’s certainly suspenseful. But it’s a great example of how one vote really, really, really matters,” Valerio told ABC13. “Local elections really impact us directly, and they influence what happens right outside of our front doors. I’m grateful for everybody who participated. I’m grateful for everybody who voted.”

Valerio is a two-term incumbent and the first Hispanic woman elected to the city council. Leamon held the same seat until 2021, when he did not seek reelection.

He texted ABC13 a written statement:

“We ran a good campaign focusing on the concerns of District B. I am disappointed the vote ended in a tie. Now we wait for the county to do recount and hope for a positive outcome.”

SEE PREVIOUS REPORT: Local May elections: What voters across all ages want after several races in Sugar Land, Pasadena

The next step, according to the county, is for the city to canvas the results. The county will make the results official within a week. Assuming it’s still a tie, there will be a recount.

Bob Stein, an elections expert at Rice University, says circumstances come together to create an environment where ties are possible.

“It’s rare,” he said. “They occur in two places: low turnout elections, which is what this was. And they turn up in what we call down-ballot or off-year elections, which drives low turnout.”

So what happens now? If there are late or provisional ballots and they don’t break the tie, it does head to a recount, according to state law, in a runoff election.

If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine the winner. That means they pick a card, draw straws, or potentially flip a coin.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Prosecutors Seek Pre-Trial Detention Hearing for Abrego Garcia

Que Onda Editorial
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Prosecutors Seek Pre-Trial Detention Hearing for Abrego Garcia

Federal prosecutors in Tennessee on Monday asked a magistrate judge for a pre-trial detention hearing in the human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was returned to the U.S. from El Salvador on Friday to face charges.

The government argues the charged conspiracy involves transporting undocumented, unaccompanied minors, which entitles them to a detention hearing. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes had previously said the charges did not automatically qualify for pre-trial detention and requested additional briefing.

Background on Charges

Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador in March 2025 despite a 2019 court order barring his removal due to fears of persecution. His wife and attorneys deny government claims that he was an MS-13 member.

A newly unsealed indictment accuses him of a yearslong conspiracy to smuggle migrants, including minors, from Mexico and Central America into the U.S. The government says minors were sometimes seated on the floorboard of vehicles to fit more paying passengers.

Government’s Arguments

Prosecutors say Abrego Garcia poses a serious risk of flight and might obstruct justice or intimidate witnesses if released. They also argue his alleged MS-13 ties could be used to intimidate co-conspirators.

A Homeland Security agent is expected to testify that Abrego Garcia sometimes traveled with young children as “cover” for smuggling operations.

Legal Fight Over His Return

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers plan to file a response by Wednesday, with arguments set for Friday at his arraignment.

Separately, his attorneys filed a brief in federal court in Maryland arguing that the government must be held accountable for its “blatant, willful, and persistent violations of court orders.”

Judge Paula Xinis had ordered his return to the U.S. in April, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court. But his lawyers call the government’s claims of compliance “pure farce,” accusing the Trump administration of contempt and defiance.

Ongoing Dispute

Abrego Garcia’s attorneys allege the government brought him back to face charges in Tennessee, rather than to Maryland as ordered, to avoid court sanctions. They also say the administration always had the power to bring him back but claimed otherwise to avoid complying with the court’s injunction.

Justice Department officials point to an indictment filed in May as the reason for his return. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday that the return was based on an arrest warrant and that the Maryland case is now moot.

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers insist the case is still live, with the court retaining authority to ensure he is treated fairly. They also seek discovery to examine whether the government acted in good faith. Judge Xinis had ordered expedited discovery in April to resolve the wrongful deportation dispute.

For more on Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Lively Dismissed by Federal Judge

Indira Zaldivar
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Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Lively Dismissed by Federal Judge

Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively was dismissed by a federal judge in New York on Monday.

The actors, who co-starred in “It Ends With Us,” have been embroiled in a heated legal feud since December 2024.

Judge Lewis J. Liman threw out Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. He ruled that the Times “reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatized manner, what it believed to have happened” and had no obvious motive to favor Lively’s version of events.

Lawyers Declare Victory

Lively’s attorneys called the dismissal a “total victory and complete vindication.” They described Baldoni’s lawsuit as a “sham” and vowed to pursue attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and his associates.

Background of the Legal Battle

The feud began in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film set. Days later, Baldoni sued The New York Times, accusing the paper of publishing misleading articles.

Baldoni’s suit claimed the Times relied on “cherry-picked” and altered messages between his publicists and the newspaper. The Times defended its reporting as fair and responsible.

Additional Claims and Accusations

Baldoni also sued Reynolds and Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion. He claimed Lively spread a false narrative of harassment, and that Reynolds called him a sexual predator—leading Baldoni’s agent to drop him.

Sloane was also accused of spreading “malicious stories.” However, Lively’s team called Baldoni’s claims “another chapter in the abuser playbook.”

Legal Developments and Vindications

The court’s dismissal comes after DailyMail reporter James Vituscka admitted to a mistake in describing text messages as “sexually assaulted.” Vituscka clarified that Sloane never told him Baldoni assaulted anyone. Sloane’s lawyer declared her “fully vindicated” by Vituscka’s statement.

Meanwhile, Judge Liman also allowed Lively to avoid presenting emotional distress claims initially included in her case.

For more on the Lively-Baldoni legal feud, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

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