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Houston City Council hosts last evening public session of 2025

Indira Zaldivar
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0
Houston City Council hosts last evening public session of 2025

Houston City Council is wrapping up its first-ever evening public comment pilot program with the last session scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

The evening sessions are part of a new pilot program designed to make it easier for Houstonians to participate in local government. Traditionally, public hearings are scheduled at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, limiting access for residents juggling work, traffic, and family responsibilities.

“This is about meeting people where they are,” said Council Member Mario Castillo, who proposed the change. “We want to hear from more Houstonians—not just those who can take off in the middle of the day.”

Last Wednesday, the council voted to make the monthly evening public hearings permanent with a few tweaks.

During the Dec. 10 meeting, council members discussed what worked and what could be improved. Council member Fred Flickinger, District E, proposed changing the sessions from monthly to quarterly, citing concerns about staffing burdens and repeat speakers. His amendment failed in an 8-9 vote.

“I kind of hoped that when we did this, that it would be an opportunity for people who have never been up here,” Flickinger said.

Despite those concerns, the ordinance passed unanimously with several adjustments:

  • The start time shifts from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Proclamations will be eliminated during evening sessions.
  • The final public session is clarified as a non-consolidated meeting.

How the Pilot Program Works

How to Register to Speak

If you want to address City Council during an evening session, you must register by 3 p.m. on the Monday before the meeting.

Residents can sign up by:

  • Calling 832.393.1100
  • Emailing speakers@houstontx.gov
  • Visiting the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, Room P101

What’s Next

While not formally voted on, council members suggested additional ways to enhance participation in the future. Ideas included shifting the following day’s council meeting start time from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and expanding virtual participation options. Council members also discussed potentially hosting sessions at community locations such as libraries and cultural centers.

The final pilot session is scheduled for Dec. 16, marking the transition from a test program to a permanent feature of Houston’s civic process.

“This is a step toward more inclusive civic participation,” Castillo said. “We’re making space for voices that have too often been left out.”

Stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine for weekly coverage of Houston City Council.

FDA Warns Major Retailers Over Recalled Infant Formula

Edward Saenz
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0
FDA Warns Major Retailers Over Recalled Infant Formula

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to major retailers, including Albertsons, Kroger, Target and Walmart, for failing to fully remove recalled ByHeart infant formula products from store shelves.

Recall Linked to Infant Botulism Outbreak

All ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products were voluntarily recalled on Nov. 11 after being linked to an outbreak of infant botulism. Federal health agencies say at least 51 infants, ages 2 weeks to 9 months, have been hospitalized across 19 states.

Recalled Products Found on Store Shelves

The FDA said it conducted more than 4,000 retail inspections nationwide and found recalled formula still available in over 175 store locations across 36 states. In one case, the product remained on shelves for more than three weeks after the recall.

Retailers Urged to Improve Recall Practices

The agency stressed that retailers play a critical role in protecting consumers by promptly removing recalled items, especially during public health emergencies involving infant food. Companies have 15 days to respond and explain how they will prevent future violations.

Retailer and Company Responses

Walmart and Albertsons said they acted quickly to remove the recalled products and will respond to the FDA’s concerns. ByHeart said testing found Clostridium botulinum in multiple samples and that it is continuing its investigation while offering refunds to affected customers.

Health Warning for Parents

Health officials urge parents to seek immediate medical care if infants who consumed the formula show symptoms such as poor feeding, weak crying, loss of head control or difficulty swallowing. The multistate investigation remains ongoing.

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

Humble PD chief on leave without pay amid investigation, officials said

ABC13 Houston
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Humble PD chief on leave without pay amid investigation, officials said

By Miya Shay, ABC13 Houston

HUMBLE, Texas (KTRK) — Days after the Humble Police Department Chief Daniel Zientek was placed on leave, ABC13 learned he has been relieved of duty without pay, according to officials.

Last week, it was mentioned that Zientek was placed on paid leave after the city manager said they were investigating the department’s management and operations. On Tuesday, the city said Zientek was relieved.

“New information and allegations came to light beyond the scope of the original investigation. Due to the severity of those allegations, Dan Zientek has now been relieved of duty without pay pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” the department shared in a statement.

Capt. Kris Battenfield is now the acting chief of the department.

It’s still unclear why the city began the investigation in the first place.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

Nick Reiner Charged in Parents’ Killings, DA Says

Indira Zaldivar
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0
Nick Reiner Charged in Parents’ Killings, DA Says

Los Angeles County prosecutors announced first-degree murder charges against Nick Reiner, the son of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and photographer-producer Michele Singer Reiner, in the stabbing deaths of his parents.

Facing Life Without Parole

District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Reiner, 32, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances for multiple victims. The charges carry a possible sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, though no decision has been made on seeking capital punishment. Reiner is being held without bail.

Parents Found Dead in Brentwood Home

Authorities said the couple was found stabbed to death Sunday at their Brentwood residence after their daughter discovered the bodies. Prosecutors confirmed a knife was used, though details about the weapon will be presented in court.

Arrest and Investigation

Reiner had been living on his parents’ property but was not home when the bodies were found, according to law enforcement sources. Police located and arrested him later Sunday night near the University of Southern California.

Background and Community Reaction

Reiner’s attorney said his client has not yet completed medical clearance to appear in court. Reiner has previously spoken publicly about long-term struggles with drug addiction and worked with his father on a film inspired by those experiences.

Tributes have poured in from across Hollywood and public officials, honoring Rob Reiner’s decades-long impact on film and Michele Singer Reiner’s creative work.

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

November Jobs Report Signals Slower Hiring

Indira Zaldivar
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0
November Jobs Report Signals Slower Hiring

U.S. hiring cooled in November, extending a sluggish trend seen throughout much of the year, according to new federal data. Still, job growth came in slightly above economists’ expectations.

Job Growth Slows, Unemployment Edges Up

Employers added 64,000 jobs in November, down sharply from 119,000 in September, the most recent month with complete data. The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% from 4.4%, reaching its highest level in years but remaining low by historical standards, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said.

Healthcare Drives Most Gains

Healthcare accounted for the majority of hiring, adding 46,000 jobs. Construction and social assistance also posted gains, while transportation and warehousing lost 18,000 jobs in November.

Federal government employment fell by a combined 168,000 jobs in October and November, largely due to workers accepting deferred resignation offers.

Fed Rate Cuts Aim to Boost Labor Market

The report follows the Federal Reserve’s third interest rate cut of the year, lowering its benchmark rate to between 3.5% and 3.75%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers are cautiously assessing further cuts as they balance inflation control with the goal of strengthening employment.

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

No Breakthrough on Territory After Berlin Peace Talks, Zelenskyy Says

Que Onda Editorial
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0
No Breakthrough on Territory After Berlin Peace Talks, Zelenskyy Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said no agreement was reached on territorial issues following two days of U.S.-Ukraine-Europe peace talks in Berlin, calling land disputes one of the most difficult obstacles to ending Russia’s war.

Partial Progress Reported in Negotiations

Speaking to Ukrainian reporters, Zelenskyy said negotiations advanced in other areas, though territory remains unresolved. U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, suggested a potential deal may be closer than ever, claiming roughly 90% of key issues have been addressed.

Territory and Security Guarantees at the Center

The fate of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — along with Ukraine’s demand for firm U.S.-backed security guarantees, continue to dominate talks. Russia also occupies Crimea, which it seized in 2014.

Moscow has demanded Ukraine withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk, collectively known as the Donbas, in exchange for ending hostilities.

Zelenskyy Rejects Ceding the Donbas

Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s position that it will not recognize Russian control over the Donbas, either legally or in practice. He said proposals for a demilitarized zone or free economic area cannot place the region under Russian leadership.

“Territories are one of the key issues,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine continues to discuss the matter despite firm red lines.

Security Guarantees Seen as Key Progress Area

Zelenskyy hinted at movement on Western security guarantees, which Kyiv says are essential to preventing future Russian aggression. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the guarantees discussed in Berlin, calling them a significant step forward.

Christmas Truce Proposed

Merz also suggested a possible Christmas truce, a proposal Zelenskyy said he supports. Meanwhile, Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov said Moscow is prepared to reach a deal and believes diplomacy could succeed soon.

More Talks Planned as Fighting Continues

Additional meetings are expected in the coming days, including between U.S. and Russian negotiators. Ukrainian officials may travel to the United States as early as this weekend for further discussions.

Despite diplomacy, fighting continues. Ukraine and Russia exchanged drone strikes overnight, with Ukraine reporting dozens of Russian drones launched and Russia claiming it intercepted more than 100 Ukrainian drones.

Zelenskyy Urges Accountability

Addressing the Dutch parliament on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said the talks represent the most focused peace effort since the war began, stressing Ukraine seeks a lasting settlement, not a temporary pause.

He warned against pressuring Ukraine to make concessions, saying such logic has only enabled further bloodshed.

For more on the Russia-Ukraine war, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Suspect on the run after stopping Spring ISD school bus, pointing gun at driver and students: Pct. 4

ABC13 Houston
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0
Suspect on the run after stopping Spring ISD school bus, pointing gun at driver and students: Pct. 4

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) — A manhunt is underway for a suspect accused of stopping a Spring ISD bus and pointing a gun at the bus driver and students on Monday morning, according to deputies.

The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office said it responded to a disturbance involving the school bus near 24505 Birnam Wood Blvd.

Investigators said they identified the suspect as a 20-year-old man who allegedly fled the area after taking out the gun.

SkyEye flew over the scene just before 7 a.m., where a bus was parked in a school driveway with multiple deputies surrounding the area.

A neighbor’s cameras captured the moment. The video shows a vehicle parked in the middle of an intersection, blocking the bus.

Moments later, someone walks to the door and demands that the driver open it.

One of the students on the bus told ABC13 what happened next.

“I looked up, and the first thing I saw was the gun,” the student recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.'”

Pct. 4 said it worked with Spring ISD to get the students to safety, adding that no injuries were reported.

Deputies say the incident remains under investigation as they continue to look for the suspect.

Before a bus driver gets behind the wheel, region 4 business operations director Jack Mann told ABC13, they undergo 20 hours of training. Some of that, he said, includes how to handle dangerous situations.

“We talk about placing themselves in between any threat and the students,” Mann explained. “How to use the bigger parts of their bodies, their legs, etc., should they have to keep somebody off the bus.”

Mann said districts have their own policies. Some of which he said include bus drivers having weapon codes, and others having communication between buses and school officers.

We asked Spring ISD what its safety policies are for its bus drivers, but the district didn’t share the information.

Spring ISD sent the following statement about the incident:

“This morning, an incident occurred involving a Spring ISD school bus serving Spring High School. An individual who is not a Spring ISD student briefly entered the bus at a bus stop and displayed what appeared to be a gun toward the driver before leaving the area.

The bus driver followed safety protocols and drove to a nearby campus, where Spring ISD Police and Harris County Constable Precinct 4 officers met the bus. Students were safely transferred to another bus and transported to school. All students and the driver are safe, and no injuries were reported.

There is no active threat to any Spring ISD campus. Spring ISD Police, in coordination with Harris County Constable 4, are actively investigating the incident and working to locate the identified suspect. Counseling support is available for students and staff.

The safety of our students and staff remains Spring ISD’s highest priority. The district will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and will provide updates as appropriate.”

Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to contact law enforcement.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

One more cold morning before clouds and rain chances return

ABC13 Houston
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0
One more cold morning before clouds and rain chances return

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston recorded its first freeze of the season Monday morning, but this cold snap will fade quickly over the next couple of days leading to a warm weather pattern the week of Christmas.

High clouds are streaming in from the west, part of an approaching weather system that will make for a cloudy Tuesday and a chance of showers Wednesday. Temperatures will still manage to dip into the upper 30s overnight despite the increasing clouds. You may notice a little sunshine in the morning, but it should be fairly cloudy for the afternoon. Highs will climb into the low 60s as the Gulf breeze blows in milder air.

Are there any more freezes in the forecast?

Thankfully, nope! Once we get through Monday morning’s light freeze we don’t have another freezing morning in sight at this point. This chilly air will stick around for Monday night though with temperatures falling into the upper 30 or low 40s, but that’s not old enough to warrant any weather alerts or major impacts.

What else should we expect this week?

The next thing on the way for Southeast Texas is the chance for scattered showers and storms on Wednesday. This will be paired with a warmup allowing for afternoon highs to climb into the low 70s Wednesday and then close to 80 degrees for Thursday! Our next cold front then arrives late Thursday night to bring us a more seasonal day with low humidity for Friday.

What’s the early outlook for Christmas week?

We are seeing a strong signal for a very warm weather pattern developing the week of Christmas. In fact, we currently have highs at record levels in the low 80s to kick off Christmas week, and that warm pattern is likely to stick around most of the holiday week.

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!

Houston City Council to host last evening public session of 2025

Indira Zaldivar
-
0
Houston City Council to host last evening public session of 2025

Houston City Council is wrapping up its first-ever evening public comment pilot program with the last session scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

The evening sessions are part of a new pilot program designed to make it easier for Houstonians to participate in local government. Traditionally, public hearings are scheduled at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, limiting access for residents juggling work, traffic, and family responsibilities.

“This is about meeting people where they are,” said Council Member Mario Castillo, who proposed the change. “We want to hear from more Houstonians—not just those who can take off in the middle of the day.”

Last Wednesday, the council voted to make the monthly evening public hearings permanent with a few tweaks.

During the Dec. 10 meeting, council members discussed what worked and what could be improved. Council member Fred Flickinger, District E, proposed changing the sessions from monthly to quarterly, citing concerns about staffing burdens and repeat speakers. His amendment failed in an 8-9 vote.

“I kind of hoped that when we did this, that it would be an opportunity for people who have never been up here,” Flickinger said.

Despite those concerns, the ordinance passed unanimously with several adjustments:

  • The start time shifts from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Proclamations will be eliminated during evening sessions.
  • The final public session is clarified as a non-consolidated meeting.

How the Pilot Program Works

How to Register to Speak

If you want to address City Council during an evening session, you must register by 3 p.m. on the Monday before the meeting.

Residents can sign up by:

  • Calling 832.393.1100
  • Emailing speakers@houstontx.gov
  • Visiting the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, Room P101

What’s Next

While not formally voted on, council members suggested additional ways to enhance participation in the future. Ideas included shifting the following day’s council meeting start time from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and expanding virtual participation options. Council members also discussed potentially hosting sessions at community locations such as libraries and cultural centers.

The final pilot session is scheduled for Dec. 16, marking the transition from a test program to a permanent feature of Houston’s civic process.

“This is a step toward more inclusive civic participation,” Castillo said. “We’re making space for voices that have too often been left out.”

Stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine for weekly coverage of Houston City Council.

Russia Signals Readiness for Peace Deal

Edward Saenz
-
0
Russia Signals Readiness for Peace Deal

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Moscow believes Russia and Ukraine are “on the verge” of a diplomatic agreement to end the war, according to an exclusive interview with ABC News. Ryabkov said Russia is prepared to reach a deal and expressed hope that an agreement could come sooner rather than later.

U.S. Officials See Progress

U.S. administration officials echoed cautious optimism, telling reporters that roughly 90% of the issues separating the two sides have been resolved. Both Moscow and Kyiv are currently working with American representatives as part of the White House’s latest effort to broker an end to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Territorial Demands Remain a Major Obstacle

Despite the optimistic tone, Ryabkov reaffirmed Russia’s long-standing demand for control over Crimea and four other partially occupied regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. He said Moscow cannot compromise on these territories, a position Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected.

Opposition to NATO Troops in Ukraine

Ryabkov also ruled out any agreement that would allow NATO troops to be stationed in Ukraine after the war, even as part of a security guarantee. He said Russia would not accept the presence of foreign NATO forces on Ukrainian soil under any circumstances.

Kremlin Language and War Framing

In the interview, Ryabkov avoided calling Russia’s actions a war, instead using the Kremlin’s term “special military operation.” He said the conflict would end depending on whether Ukrainian authorities and their supporters accept what he described as Russia’s inevitable success.

Justification of the Invasion

Russian officials have consistently framed the invasion as a measure to protect ethnic Russians in Ukraine. Ryabkov said he sympathized with those affected by the fighting, arguing that Russia’s actions were intended to ensure that many of them would ultimately be better off as part of Russia.

Broader U.S.-Russia Relations

Ryabkov, a senior figure in Russia’s Foreign Ministry since 2008, said progress on broader issues such as nuclear and arms control talks with the United States would depend on what he called irreversible changes in Washington’s policy toward Moscow. He also suggested that a future meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump remains possible as peace discussions continue.

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

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