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Texas Sees Record Surge in Data Center Projects, Prompting Energy and Environmental Debate

Que Onda Editorial
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Texas Sees Record Surge in Data Center Projects, Prompting Energy and Environmental Debate

Texas is experiencing an unprecedented boom in data center development that has seen more than $10 trillion in project applications submitted for state permits in the past two months, according to state records. The surge coincides with approval of what could be the largest data-center power facility in the nation, underscoring Texas’ growing role as a hub for artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently granted a record-setting air-quality permit for a 7.65-gigawatt natural gas–fired power generation site in Pecos County known as the GW Ranch project. The facility is designed to operate a private electricity grid to support hyperscale data centers and is expected to begin delivering power in early 2027.

Data centers — facilities that house computer servers and network equipment — are drawing massive interest from technology companies seeking to expand capacity for artificial intelligence, cloud storage and digital services. Texas already hosts hundreds of such facilities, and developers are lining up to build more.

The sharp rise in project applications reflects broader market trends. Transmission provider Oncor reported receiving about 186 gigawatts of interconnection requests from data centers, a level that could require billions in upgrades to the state’s power infrastructure, the company said.

Supporters of the data center expansion say the development brings jobs and economic growth to rural and urban areas alike. Proponents also argue that dedicated power infrastructure like the GW Ranch project can reduce strain on the state’s main grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

But the rapid expansion has raised environmental and infrastructure concerns. Critics warn that the heavy reliance on gas-fired power generation could lock in substantial greenhouse gas emissions for decades, and that the state’s existing energy grid may struggle to keep pace with demand. A range of reports and community discussions have highlighted potential impacts on air quality and rural land use.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in January called on state and federal lawmakers to create “Agriculture Freedom Zones” to protect prime farmland from being overtaken by data center development, underscoring the tension between tech growth and traditional land uses.

Utility companies have also signaled major infrastructure investments are needed. Analysts say transmission upgrades and new generation capacity will be essential if demand continues to climb, though renewable energy sources and grid planning efforts are underway to help meet future needs.

As the data center boom accelerates, state leaders and industry officials face mounting pressure to balance economic opportunity with energy reliability and environmental sustainability.

Menefee wins runoff election for Houston congressional seat after extended vacancy

Que Onda Editorial
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Menefee wins runoff election for Houston congressional seat after extended vacancy

Former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee won a special runoff election Saturday to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District, securing the long-vacant Houston seat after months of political uncertainty and an unusually prolonged election process.

Menefee defeated former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards by a wide margin, capturing more than two-thirds of the vote, according to unofficial election results. He will serve the remainder of the term through January 2027.

The victory ends nearly a year without representation for the district, a Democratic stronghold encompassing much of central Houston and parts of Harris County. The seat became vacant following the death of longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in 2024. Her successor, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, later died in March 2025, prompting a second special election for the same seat — a rare occurrence in modern congressional politics.

The runoff followed a crowded initial special election in which no candidate secured a majority. Saturday’s contest drew limited turnout, with fewer than 4% of registered voters casting ballots during early voting, election officials said.

Menefee, 37, campaigned on a progressive platform focused on expanding access to health care, raising the federal minimum wage and opposing aggressive federal immigration enforcement policies. He previously served as Harris County attorney, where he led legal challenges against several state laws backed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Edwards emphasized her experience as a former city council member and her focus on economic development and public safety but struggled to overcome Menefee’s financial and organizational advantages. Campaign finance reports showed Menefee outraised Edwards by several hundred thousand dollars.

The race unfolded amid controversy over early voting disruptions caused by severe winter weather. Harris County closed all early voting locations for two days due to icy conditions, prompting lawsuits from voting rights groups who argued the closures violated state election law. Both Menefee and Edwards supported efforts to restore the lost voting days.

Nationally, Menefee’s win slightly narrows the Republican majority in the U.S. House, giving Democrats an additional seat as congressional leaders navigate closely divided votes.

The 18th District has long been a political anchor for Black and Latino voters in Houston and has remained reliably Democratic for decades. Menefee’s election maintains that legacy, though his tenure may be short-lived. Due to redistricting changes, he is expected to face veteran U.S. Rep. Al Green in an upcoming Democratic primary.

Menefee is expected to be sworn into office in the coming days.

Space Center Houston Reschedules Artemis II Launch Watch Party

Edward Saenz
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Space Center Houston Reschedules Artemis II Launch Watch Party

Space Center Houston has rescheduled its public watch party for NASA’s Artemis II mission following an update to the launch timeline. The earliest possible launch date is now Sunday, Feb. 8, and the Artemis II Launch Watch Party has been moved accordingly.

New Date and Time Announced

The rescheduled watch party will take place Sunday, Feb. 8, with doors opening to the public at 9:30 p.m. The event will be held at Space Center Houston, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center.

Historic Crewed Mission Beyond Low Earth Orbit

Artemis II builds on the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022 and marks the first U.S. crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. During the planned 10-day mission, astronauts will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft on a lunar flyby, testing systems and capabilities critical for future deep-space missions.

Ticket Information and Rollovers

Tickets purchased for the original Feb. 6 launch date will automatically roll over to the newly scheduled Feb. 8 event. Additional details for ticket holders are available on Space Center Houston’s FAQ page. Tickets for the Feb. 8 launch date will go on sale Feb. 3 at 10:00 a.m.

Stay Updated

For the latest updates and information about the Artemis II Launch Watch Party, the public is encouraged to follow Space Center Houston on its official social media channels and check its website for launch-related changes.

TICKETS:Available now

For the latest NASA mission updates, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

GRAMMY-Nominated Folklorist Juan Díes Brings Corridos, Stories, and Songwriting to Houston

Indira Zaldivar
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GRAMMY-Nominated Folklorist Juan Díes Brings Corridos, Stories, and Songwriting to Houston

Houston audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience the power of the Mexican corrido tradition when GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist Juan Díes presents two free events at MECA Downtown at the end of January.

On Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., Díes will lead Stories and Corridos, an evening of music and storytelling performed in both Spanish and English. The program will feature classic corridos alongside newly composed songs that recount real-life Mexican and American tragic heroes. Known for blending scholarship with performance, Díes draws on more than 35 years of experience as a folklorist, ethnomusicologist, performer, and educator to bring these historical ballads to life.

Díes is a co-founder of the Chicago-based Sones de México Ensemble, which has earned both GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY nominations for its dedication to preserving and innovating traditional Mexican music. The evening is supported in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and MECA-Houston.

The experience continues on Friday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an intensive, hands-on Mexican Tragic Ballad Songwriting Workshop. During the five-hour session, participants will explore the 180-year-old corrido tradition, learning its history, structure, and poetic rules. By the end of the workshop, the group will collaboratively write an original song following the traditional tragic corrido form.

Both events take place at MECA DOW, 1900 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007, and are free to attend. Registration is required for the workshop.

Partial Government Shutdown Takes Effect as Funding Deal Awaits House Vote

Edward Saenz
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Partial Government Shutdown Takes Effect as Funding Deal Awaits House Vote

A partial federal government shutdown began early Saturday after the Senate passed a revised funding package hours before the deadline, leaving final approval in the hands of the House, which is not expected to vote until Monday at the earliest.

Senate Advances Funding Plan, Excludes DHS

The Senate voted 71–29 on Friday to approve government funding through September, while separating out funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Under a deal reached with the White House, DHS will be funded for an additional two weeks at current levels to allow negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms.

Five Republicans voted against the package: Sens. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Rick Scott.

House Vote Expected Monday

The bill now moves to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to bring it to the floor under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. That approach would demand significant bipartisan support to send the measure to President Donald Trump for signature.

Final House passage is expected Monday evening.

Graham Lifts Hold After Securing Future Votes

The Senate was able to proceed after Sen. Lindsey Graham lifted his hold on the legislation. Graham said he received commitments from Senate Majority Leader John Thune for future votes on banning so-called sanctuary cities and on separate provisions related to congressional surveillance protections.

“I will lift my hold and vote for the package,” Graham said Friday.

Democrats Signal Uncertainty in the House

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to say whether Democrats would support the agreement, noting that no final deal had yet been presented to House members.

“There’s no agreement that’s been before us,” Jeffries said.

DHS Dispute Fueled by Recent Removals

The fight over DHS funding intensified following the recent death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse killed in a shooting involving federal law enforcement in Minneapolis. The incident sharpened Democratic demands for changes to immigration enforcement practices.

Schumer Lays Out Democratic Demands

After the Senate vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will push for significant DHS reforms during the two-week funding extension. These include ending roving patrols, mandating body cameras be turned on, and prohibiting officers from wearing masks.

“If our colleagues are not willing to enact real change, they should not expect Democratic votes,” Schumer said, warning that negotiations will be closely watched nationwide.

Schumer said he plans to work directly with Thune to set negotiation terms, emphasizing that bipartisan cooperation will be necessary to avoid a deeper shutdown once the DHS extension expires.

For more on the federal government shutdown, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

DOJ Releases Millions of Epstein Records Under New Transparency Law

Indira Zaldivar
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DOJ Releases Millions of Epstein Records Under New Transparency Law

The U.S. Department of Justice has begun releasing more than 3 million pages of records tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA). Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the release marks the end of an extensive review process aimed at increasing public transparency.

What’s Included — and What’s Withheld

According to Blanche, the DOJ possesses roughly 6 million pages related to Epstein. About half are being released, including approximately 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. Nearly 3 million pages remain withheld due to the presence of child sexual abuse material, victims’ personal and medical information, ongoing investigations, and other sensitive content. An additional 200,000 pages were withheld because of legal privilege.

Concerns Over Survivors’ Privacy

Despite DOJ assurances, attorneys for Epstein survivors say the latest release includes unredacted names and identifying details of victims, some of whom had never been publicly linked to the case. Lawyers reported receiving urgent calls from clients shortly after the files went live.

Survivors and their advocates criticized the release, arguing it exposes victims to retraumatization under the guise of transparency. The DOJ acknowledged possible errors and said it has set up a process for victims to report redaction issues so documents can be corrected or removed.

Trump Mentions and DOJ Pushback

President Donald Trump’s name appears thousands of times in the released records, largely in media references. Blanche rejected claims that the DOJ sought to shield Trump, stating the department complied strictly with the law and that the White House had no role in overseeing the release.

Blanche added that if evidence shows others abused victims, the DOJ would pursue charges regardless of status or identity.

FBI Interviews Detail Alleged Operation

The release includes numerous FBI interview records from alleged victims, offering detailed accounts of how Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly operated a network that recruited and exploited minors and young women. Witnesses described private flights, multiple properties, recruitment through massage or modeling fronts, and the use of money, gifts, and intimidation.

Several well-known figures are mentioned in these interviews, including former Prince Andrew and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Internal FBI and DOJ Records

Internal documents outline how investigators categorized associates and potential co-conspirators following Epstein’s 2019 arrest and death. While many names are redacted, Ghislaine Maxwell and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel are repeatedly referenced. Maxwell remains the only person convicted in connection with Epstein’s crimes.

Epstein’s Trust and Estate Details Revealed

Newly released records include Epstein’s previously unseen trust agreement, signed just days before his death. The document details plans to distribute more than $288 million and multiple global properties to at least 44 beneficiaries, including his longtime girlfriend, lawyers, associates, and Maxwell. Court filings show the estate now holds far less than originally outlined.

Elon Musk Correspondence Included

The files also contain years-old emails and calendar entries showing correspondence between Epstein and Elon Musk about potential meetings and island visits. Musk has denied ever visiting Epstein’s island, stating he refused such invitations.

Ongoing Releases Expected

Friday’s disclosure is part of a larger, ongoing rollout mandated by the EFTA, which requires the DOJ to release unclassified Epstein-related records while protecting victims’ privacy. So far, only a fraction of the total materials reviewed have been made public, and additional releases are expected as the review process continues.

For more on the Epstein files involving minor victims, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

District 18 voters head to the polls in pivotal runoff election after winter storm poll closures

ABC13 Houston
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District 18 voters head to the polls in pivotal runoff election after winter storm poll closures

By Brianna Willis, ABC13 Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s election day in a Houston-area Congressional district that has seen many changes.

Voters in Congressional District 18 are deciding between former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards and former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee to represent them in Washington, D.C.

The person elected will serve for about one year, filling the term left by former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who died in March 2025, two months after taking office. Turner replaced Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who died while in office in 2024

Saturday is the last day to cast your ballot in the race, after the winter storm closed voting centers, and two additional early voting days were added.

ABC13 spoke with Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, who said voter turnout is typically low in runoff elections, but it’s important to ensure you have a say in who represents you in Washington.

For news updates, follow Brianna Willis on Facebook, x and Instagram.

Hundreds protest ICE outside Houston detention center near Bush Airport

ABC13 Houston
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Hundreds protest ICE outside Houston detention center near Bush Airport

By Luke Jones, ABC13 Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Anti-ICE demonstrators turned their attention to the immigration detention center near Bush Airport Friday evening.

Well past sunset, people stood with signs. Some used bullhorns to blast messages like “ICE off our streets now” and “free our people, free them all.”

It’s the latest local demonstration following the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis.

“White people even now are being killed, and ICE is overstepping their boundaries. They’re not following the rule of law,” said Nathan Thornal.

Friday’s protest was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, although some demonstrators said they weren’t opposed to all immigration enforcement.

“Sometimes some of the things that they’re doing maybe aren’t so terrible, but it’s the way they’re doing it, and there’s no accountability, and the stuff that happened in Minneapolis could happen here,” said Hal Puckett.

Data ICE provided for a six-week period last year shows the vast majority of Houston area arrests were purely for immigration violations.

However, 26% of those arrested were also wanted for other crimes. ICE said 13 were wanted for murder, 51 for preying on children, and 67 for sex offenses.

“Illegal is illegal,” said Maria Espinoza with The Remembrance Project. “If you broke the law, then there’s some consequences to pay. Citizens are not given a break. Our officers don’t look the other way when citizens commit crimes.”

For news updates, follow Luke Jones on Facebook, X and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Arctic air brings more freezing weather to Houston this weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Arctic air brings more freezing weather to Houston this weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Arctic air continues to funnel into Southeast Texas Saturday, making for a cold day with frigid wind chills too.

The true arctic air will blew in overnight and has paved the way for a cold and blustery Saturday despite a sunny sky. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for most of Southeast Texas until 10 a.m. Saturday morning as wind chills drop down into the 15-25 range near sunrise. The freeze line will make it to the I-10 corridor by sunrise, then temperatures will struggle to make it back into the mid 40s.

A Freeze Watch is also in effect from 9 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday because some spots north of Houston could drop down into hard freeze territory. Make sure all people, pets, and livestock have a warm place to shelter through Sunday morning. While temperatures may start off in the 20s Sunday morning, the sunshine will warm things nicely into the 50s during the afternoon.

This is too cold for Houston! When will it warm up again?

After this frigid weekend, we should have more seasonal temperatures with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. And when our next cold front arrives late Tuesday, no arctic air will follow it, keeping our temperatures in a more “seasonal” range.

How about our next chance for rain?

That’s on the way as well! Tuesday’s cold front will also bring the chance for showers ahead of and along the front. Looks like most of Southeast Texas could pick up around half an inch of rain on average with higher totals possible.

Any more cold blasts possible in February?

After this weekend and the cold front next week, it looks like we’ll be able to enjoy a gradual warm up to more seasonal, mild weather into the first full weekend of February. We could even be in the 70s by then! However, there are some signs in our long-range weather models that hint at another big cool down into mid-February. No guarantees at this point, but it’s something we’ll continue to monitor.

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!

U.S. stocks fall as investors react to Fed leadership uncertainty, inflation concerns

Edward Saenz
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U.S. stocks fall as investors react to Fed leadership uncertainty, inflation concerns

U.S. stocks fell sharply this week as investors reacted to uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve’s future leadership, renewed inflation concerns and rising Treasury yields, prompting a broad selloff across major indexes.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 500 points, or about 1%, while the S&P 500 fell roughly 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite slid about 1%, weighed down by losses in major technology stocks, which tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rate expectations.

The downturn followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intends to nominate Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, as the next Fed chair. The move surprised markets, which had been anticipating a nominee more closely aligned with aggressive interest rate cuts.

Warsh is widely viewed as more hawkish on inflation, meaning he is less likely to support rapid or deep rate reductions. That perception unsettled investors who had been betting on looser monetary policy later this year to support economic growth and stock prices.

“Markets don’t like uncertainty, especially when it comes to the Fed,” said one Wall Street analyst. “Any shift in expectations around interest rates can quickly ripple through stocks, bonds and commodities.”

Adding to the pressure, recent inflation data suggested price pressures remain persistent. A hotter-than-expected reading in producer prices raised concerns that the Federal Reserve may have limited room to cut rates in the near term. As a result, yields on U.S. Treasury bonds climbed, making bonds more attractive relative to stocks and increasing borrowing costs for companies and consumers.

Technology stocks bore the brunt of the selloff. Shares of major tech firms declined as higher yields reduced the appeal of growth stocks, whose valuations are based heavily on expectations of future earnings. Financial stocks also slipped, while energy and industrial shares posted more modest losses.

The selloff extended beyond equities. Gold and silver prices fell sharply after weeks of gains, as traders reassessed the likelihood of prolonged tight monetary policy. Cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, also declined as investors pulled back from riskier assets.

Despite the recent losses, markets remain up for the year, and some analysts described the pullback as a reassessment rather than a sign of deeper trouble.

“This looks more like a reset of expectations than a panic,” said another market strategist. “Investors are recalibrating after a strong run and responding to the reality that inflation is still a challenge.”

Global markets also felt the impact. European and Asian stocks declined in sympathy with U.S. markets, reflecting concerns that changes in U.S. monetary policy could influence global financial conditions.

Investors will be watching closely for upcoming economic data and comments from Federal Reserve officials for clues about the path of interest rates. Confirmation of Warsh’s nomination and future signals from the Fed could determine whether the recent slide deepens or stabilizes in the weeks ahead.

For now, Wall Street remains on edge, balancing hopes for economic growth against lingering inflation and uncertainty at the top of the central bank.

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