HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The forecast is drying out on Monday after a storm brought heavy rain to our northern counties overnight.
Temperatures are starting in the 70s, with highs climbing into the low to mid-90s across the region this afternoon and feels-like temps in the triple-digits.
How about the outlook for the first full week of June?
It’s definitely going to feel like summer this week! Our Gulf Coast humidity will be back next week and lead to humid mornings and steamy afternoons. Afternoon highs will consistently be in the low-mid 90s each day, and we can’t necessarily rule out a stray shower or storm any day Tuesday through Friday this week.
What’s the next big thing to know with regard to our Houston weather?
Well, it looks like the first heat dome of summer will arrive later this week. Afternoon highs Friday through Monday will be in the mid-upper 90s with a heat index that could make it feel like 105 degrees outside. This hot stretch could also include steamy mornings with morning lows near 80 degrees.
Hurricane season started Sunday, what can we expect this season?
We expect an active season. Both hurricane outlooks from NOAA and Colorado State University predict an above-normal season. But at this time, the tropics are quiet heading into the 2025 season with several plumes of Saharan Dust limiting tropical activity for now.
Sony’s “Karate Kid: Legends” is off to a rocky start, opening with a modest $21 million domestically — falling short of earlier projections that hoped for at least $25 million. Even pairing original star Ralph Macchio with martial arts icon Jackie Chan wasn’t enough to propel the film past third place. The movie, starring Ben Wang as the titular hero, also earned $12 million internationally, bringing its early global total to $47 million.
The PG-13 film arrived with solid audience support (an A- CinemaScore) but mixed critical reviews. Some analysts speculate that fans may feel the franchise fatigue after six seasons of Netflix’s “Cobra Kai,” which just ended earlier this year. Compared to the 2010 “Karate Kid” reboot, which opened to $55 million, this new installment is underperforming.
Meanwhile, Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” continued to dominate, adding a stunning $63 million domestically in its second weekend and racing past $610 million worldwide. The live-action remake is expected to join the billion-dollar club soon, reinforcing Disney’s box office dominance and helping the studio surpass $2 billion in worldwide ticket sales this year.
Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” also held strong in second place, with $27.2 million domestically and a global total of nearly $354 million. The film is boosted by its exclusive IMAX release and remains a powerhouse in overseas markets, particularly in China.
Elsewhere, horror flick “Bring Her Back” from A24 opened with $7.1 million, while “Final Destination: Bloodlines” continued its steady run with $10.8 million, totaling $229.3 million globally. Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” achieved the highest per-theater average of the year, debuting in six U.S. theaters with $95,000 per location.
Despite its soft opening, “Karate Kid: Legends” remains in the fight, with Sony optimistic about its legs thanks to positive audience word-of-mouth and a reasonable $45 million production budget. But with heavy-hitters like “Lilo & Stitch” and “Mission: Impossible” drawing huge crowds, the road to success for “Legends” may be tougher than expected.
Paris Saint-Germain’s rise to the summit of European soccer is complete after a record-shattering 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in Saturday’s Champions League final.
The win set the largest margin of victory in the competition’s 70-year history and marked PSG’s long-awaited breakthrough in Europe’s elite tournament. Yet, questions remain: can they stay on top?
Youthful Core Ready to Dominate
PSG’s starting lineup boasted an average age of just 24.8, contrasting starkly with Inter’s aging side. Captain Marquinhos, at 31, was PSG’s oldest starter. Teenagers like Désiré Doué, Senny Mayulu, and Warren Zaire-Emery played key roles.
“We have a lot of young players—players who need to develop and I’m one of them,” said Doué, who scored twice and assisted another. “We’re always going to strive to get better.”
Coach Luis Enrique, who claimed his second Champions League title after Barcelona’s 2015 triumph, was quick to emphasize PSG’s ambition.
“We are going to continue to conquer the football world,” he declared, eyeing the Club World Cup next. “We want to finish the season with the cherry on the cake.”
Luis Enrique’s Masterclass
Luis Enrique has transformed PSG into Europe’s most dynamic team, outclassing heavyweights like Manchester City and Arsenal. His system—more collective than superstar-driven—proved too much even for Inter Milan.
Transfers: No Longer About Galacticos
While PSG’s recent dominance owes much to spending on world-class players, the team now focuses on targeted signings. The arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli in January proved transformative, sparking PSG’s resurgence from near-elimination to champions.
Rivals: Can They Challenge?
Manchester City’s failure to defend its title highlights the difficulty of repeat success. Real Madrid, now led by Xabi Alonso, looks strong, while Liverpool and Barcelona are rebuilding. Yet, with its young, hungry squad, PSG starts next season as Europe’s team to beat.
This year’s Freedom Over Texas event promises to be more accessible than ever, with city officials focusing on inclusivity for all attendees for the festivity scheduled for the Fourth of July.
Cashless Convenience
Most vendors will go cashless, so leave the bulk of your cash at home.
Fireworks and Live Music
As always, the celebration will end with a dazzling fireworks display following the live performances, maintaining the tradition that festivalgoers have come to expect.
Star-Studded Musical Lineup
In anticipation of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026, Houston is rolling out the red carpet for top country talent. Multi-platinum artist Lee Brice will headline the main stage, returning to Freedom Over Texas after his 2021 appearance. Brice is known for hits like “One of Them Girls,” “I Don’t Dance,” and “Hard to Love,” with over 10 billion streams to his name. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ashley McBryde, celebrated for her albums Girl Going Nowhere and The Devil I Know, will open the show.
Mayor John Whitmire called this lineup “a cherished tradition for many Houston families,” promising a bigger, more exciting, and unforgettable celebration for all.
Activities at Eleanor Tinsley Park
Bud Light Bayou Bash Enjoy a tropical beer garden atmosphere with prime stage views and the grand fireworks finale.
Dr Pepper Flavor Zone Sip on floats, meet Houston’s pro sports teams, and dance to live music at the Dr Pepper Stage.
Red, White & Play Kids Zone Face painting, interactive games, and DJ London’s beats await kids of all ages, alongside performances by G.W. Carver High School’s Dance Team.
Liberty Park Salute the military and first responders with exhibits, military vehicles, and photo ops that honor America’s heroes.
Tickets and Parking
Admission is $10 per person; children 5 and under are free. Purchase tickets online at the Freedom Over Texas page or at the gates on the day of the event.
Parking is available for a fee at the Hobby Center Garage (800 Bagby Street) and Theater District garages on Rusk between Bagby and Smith.
Road Closures to Note
Plan ahead—several roads will be closed from Wednesday, July 2 through Saturday, July 5, including key sections of Allen Parkway, Sabine Street, and Memorial Drive. The Buffalo Bayou Waterway will also close from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4 between Capitol Street Bridge and Montrose Boulevard.
About Freedom Over Texas
Celebrated at Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks along Buffalo Bayou, Freedom Over Texas draws around 50,000 attendees each year. The event also supports the Houston Food Bank through a percentage of food and beverage sales. ABC13 is the exclusive television sponsor, bringing the entire celebration to your screens.
Where to watch?
As you enjoy the Fourth of July holiday from home, tune in to our news partner ABC13 Houston, to enjoy the televised event exclusively on channel 13.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Humidity levels will begin to creep back up Sunday for a summer-like start to June. There’s also the small chance for a big storm on Sunday in portions of Southeast Texas.
High temperatures will climb into the low 90s under a mostly sunny sky Sunday. There is the chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms to develop in the afternoon and evening and track from north of south across Southeast Texas. Hail, damaging winds and an isolated tornado cant be ruled out if a storm were to become severe Sunday. The overall storm coverage will stay around 40%, so not everyone will see a storm.
What’s the latest on the storm threat for Sunday?
Portions of Southeast Texas are within the Storm Prediction Center’s severe weather outlook for Sunday. A Marginal to Slight risk that storms could be strong to severe, with large hail being the primary threat for areas north of Houston. Timing looks to be early afternoon through late evening. And though most of these storms will be isolated and individual in nature, a few clusters of storms could also track south into the region and make it to the coast before weakening. Best keep an eye on 13 Alert Radar if you have outdoor plans Sunday.
How about the outlook for the first full week of June?
It’s definitely going to feel like summer next week! Our Gulf Coast humidity will be back next week and lead to humid mornings and steamy afternoons. Afternoon highs will consistently be in the low-mid 90s each day and we can’t necessarily rule out a stray shower or storm any day next week.
Hurricane season begins Sunday. What can we expect this season?
Hurricane season begins on June 1, and this year we are anticipating another active one. Both hurricane outlooks from NOAA and Colorado State University predict an above-normal season. But at this time, the tropics are quiet heading into the 2025 season with several plumes of Saharan Dust limiting tropical activity for now.
This marks the first COVID-19 vaccine approval since the FDA tightened its standards, requiring drugmakers to conduct more studies before approving updated vaccines for healthy adults under 65.
New Vaccine Restrictions
Under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., regulators are now restricting COVID vaccines, including no longer recommending them for healthy children and pregnant women.
Moderna’s Statement
Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel emphasized that COVID-19 remains a serious public health threat, with over 47,000 American deaths last year. He called the approval “an important new tool to help protect people at high risk of severe disease from COVID-19.”
New Vaccine Data and Availability
The vaccine, named mNEXSPIKE, is expected to be available for the 2025–2026 respiratory virus season. In a Phase 3 trial of approximately 11,400 participants, mNEXSPIKE demonstrated a 9.3% higher efficacy in those 12 and older and a 13.5% higher efficacy in adults 65 and older compared to the original Spikevax.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We have slightly lower humidity to enjoy Saturday in the wake of Friday’s front. This will limit any rain chances to just a stray shower or two.
Sunday will bring hotter temperatures and a few showers with isolated storms. We currently have a 30% chance of storms on Sunday, with a chance for an isolated severe storm, especially in our northern-most counties.
How does next week look?
Summer’ish. We’ll be in a typical summer-like pattern next week, with high temperatures in the low 90s and about a 20% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm or shower every day.
Hurricane season begins Sunday. What can we expect this season?
Hurricane season begins on June 1, and this year we are anticipating another active one. Both hurricane outlooks from NOAA and Colorado State University predict an above-normal season. From NOAA specifically, the prediction is 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes, and possibly three to five major hurricanes. Two big reasons are the lack of an El Niño or La Niña and the trend of seeing warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures. And while these outlooks aren’t landfall forecasts for the United States, given these conditions, there is the possibility for storms to move into the Gulf this year.
After announcing he had been diagnosed with “aggressive” prostate cancer, former President Joe Biden spoke publicly for the first time on Friday, expressing confidence about his treatment and recovery.
“I Feel Good,” Biden Says
Speaking to reporters after a veterans memorial event in Delaware, Biden said, “Well, the prognosis is good. You know, we’re working on everything. It’s moving along. So, I feel good.” He confirmed that his treatment includes medications and emphasized, “My bones are strong. It hasn’t penetrated, so I’m feeling good.”
Family Support and Leading Doctors
Biden said his family is also optimistic, noting that “one of the leading surgeons in the world” is working with him. Despite the cancer’s metastasis to the bone, he remains hopeful.
Responding to Critics
When asked about concerns over his mental and physical fitness, Biden joked, “You can see that—I’m mentally incompetent and I can’t walk,” before clarifying that he was being sarcastic. Regarding Democrats who say he shouldn’t have run again, Biden responded, “Why didn’t they run against me then? Because I’d have beaten them,” adding that he has no regrets.
Memorial Day Reflections
At the Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware, Biden delivered heartfelt remarks honoring fallen service members and marking the 10th anniversary of his son Beau’s death from brain cancer. “Memorial Day is about something profound,” he said. “Our politics have become so divided and so bitter, but our troops don’t wear a uniform that says Democrat or Republican; it says American.”
Honoring Beau Biden
Biden reflected on Beau’s military service, his time in Iraq, and the honor of pinning bars on his son’s uniform. He acknowledged the pain of Memorial Day, saying, “It’s a hard day,” and assured attendees they’re not alone in their grief.
A Commitment to Veterans
Biden spoke passionately about supporting veterans, saying, “Let’s renew our pledge to honor our heroes,” and criticized claims that veterans seek “too much.” He emphasized his commitment to legislation supporting Gold Star families and veterans’ services.
Defending His Record
Biden also responded to recent claims in the book Original Sin that allege physical and mental impairments while he was in office. He dismissed those allegations, stating, “They are wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that,” and emphasized that nothing in the book suggests he didn’t do his job.
Meteorologists warn that summer is just around the corner—and it’s shaping up to be a scorcher. June 1 marks the beginning of meteorological summer, the start of the three hottest months of the year, even though the calendar officially says spring until June 20.
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center and other private forecasters predict above-normal temperatures across the U.S. Johnna Infanti, a NOAA meteorologist, said model guidance is “overwhelmingly above normal across the U.S. and most of Alaska.” No region is expected to see cooler-than-average weather. This heat will impact cooling bills, increase wildfire risk, and raise the danger of heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Where Will It Be Hottest?
Expect particularly high temperatures in the West, Southwest, Florida, and New England.
Rainfall and Drought Outlook
A hotter and drier pattern is forecast for much of the country, according to DTN meteorologist John Baranick. The Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Great Plains are likely to see below-normal precipitation, with drought persisting or expanding. The East Coast and Southwest may see wetter-than-normal conditions, offering some drought relief in the East later in June.
Wildfire Risks This Summer
The National Interagency Coordination Center forecasts a higher risk of significant wildfires in several areas. In June, that risk is highest in the coastal Southeast, central Texas, the Four Corners, and parts of California and the Pacific Northwest. By July and August, the fire risk shifts to Hawaii, the Southern Plains, and areas of the Great Basin, California, and the Northwest.
Smoke from Canada Could Impact U.S. Air Quality
Canadian wildfires could bring smoke to the northwestern and north-central U.S. throughout the summer, exacerbating health concerns related to poor air quality, warned AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok.
Taylor Swift has achieved a milestone long sought after by artists worldwide: she now owns the master recordings of her first six albums, reclaiming control over the body of work that made her a global superstar. This landmark moment, announced on May 30, 2025, marks the culmination of a six-year saga that transformed the conversation around artistic ownership in the music industry.
The Origins of the Dispute
Swift’s journey began in Nashville at age 14, when she signed with Big Machine Records. As was standard in the pre-streaming era, the label retained ownership of the master recordings in exchange for financing her early career. Swift’s contract with Big Machine ended in 2018, but the rights to her first six albums—Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation—remained with the label.
In June 2019, music executive Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine, including Swift’s masters, for an estimated $300 million. Swift publicly objected, citing years of personal and professional conflict with Braun and expressing dismay that she was not given the opportunity to buy her own work.
“All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years,” Swift said at the time, calling the sale her “worst-case scenario”.
The Fight for Ownership
Unable to regain her masters directly, Swift launched a bold strategy: re-recording her first six albums as “Taylor’s Version.” This move allowed her to control new recordings of her songs, reducing the value of the originals and giving fans an alternative to support her ownership. Over the next several years, she released four re-recorded albums, each with bonus content, while continuing to campaign for artists’ rights.
In 2020, Braun sold Swift’s masters to Shamrock Capital, a private equity firm, for a reported $300–$360 million. Swift revealed she had tried to negotiate with Braun but was asked to sign an “ironclad NDA” that would prevent her from speaking negatively about him, which she refused.
The Final Victory: Buying Back Her Masters
On May 30, 2025, Swift announced that she had purchased her masters from Shamrock Capital, finally gaining full control over her original recordings, music videos, concert films, album art, photography, and unreleased tracks. While the exact purchase price remains undisclosed, sources estimate it closely matches Shamrock’s original acquisition cost, around $360 million.
“All of the music I’ve ever made… now belongs… to me,” Swift wrote in an emotional letter to fans. “I can finally say these words: All of the music I ever created… now belongs… to me. And all my music videos. All the concert films. The album art and photography. The unreleased songs. The memories. The magic. The madness. Every single era. My entire life’s work”.
Swift credited her fans and the success of her “Taylor’s Version” albums and the record-breaking Eras Tour for making this moment possible.
What This Means for Artists and the Industry
Owning her masters gives Swift complete autonomy over the use, distribution, and licensing of her music—a right most artists have historically lacked. She can now decide if her songs appear in films, commercials, or video games, and she alone benefits from their continued success. This victory is seen as a watershed moment for artist rights, inspiring others to seek greater control over their work.
Taylor Swift’s acquisition of her masters is more than a personal triumph; it is a turning point in the music industry’s approach to artist ownership. Through determination, business savvy, and public advocacy, Swift has set a new precedent for creative control, ensuring that her legacy—and her life’s work—remains truly hers.
