High Court Declines to Revive Case The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis’s final attempt to escape a $360,000 penalty for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. The refusal leaves intact lower-court decisions holding her financially liable.
Thomas Criticizes Obergefell, but Court Holds Firm Justice Clarence Thomas reiterated his view that the same-sex marriage ruling should be overturned, saying he has “called for erasing” Obergefell. Despite his criticism, the court showed no interest in revisiting the landmark decision and declined to take up Davis’s appeal.
Civil Rights Advocates Welcome the Decision Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, praised the move, saying the court made clear that public officials cannot deny others’ constitutional rights without consequences.
Uncertain Future for Marriage Equality Challenges While several justices have signaled skepticism toward the Obergefell ruling, the court’s refusal to intervene in Davis’s case raises questions about whether further challenges will gain traction.
Ferreira, a Brazilian national who came to the U.S. legally at age 6 and once held DACA status, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on November 12. Officials say she overstayed her visa as a child. DHS has described her as a “criminal illegal alien,” referencing a 2008 fight when she was 16. Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, says she was never arrested and that the case was dismissed.
Disputed Claims
Contrary to the White House’s depiction of her as an absentee mother, Ferreira maintains close ties to the Leavitt family. She says she personally chose Karoline Leavitt to be her son’s godmother—a decision she now regrets. Pomerleau toldNewsweekthat Ferreira has no criminal record and that her relationship with the family has been peaceful.
Michael Leavitt, father of Ferreira’s son, denies any role in her arrest, telling the Post that he wants his child to maintain a relationship with his mother.
What’s Next
Ferreira remains in ICE detention in Louisiana and faces deportation proceedings. She says she has not been able to speak with her son since her arrest.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An argument between a father-in-law and son-in-law in northwest Houston ended in what police believe was a murder-suicide, according to HPD.
Investigators say they responded to a deadly shooting in the 3300 block of Peavine Circle Saturday night. When officers arrived, they found both men dead.
Lt. Khan from HPD said the initial investigation shows the two men had a heated argument. During the dispute, one man pulled out a gun and shot the other, then appeared to have shot himself soon after.
Khan did not specify who shot whom, but said investigators believe the men were a father-in-law and son-in-law.
Khan said homicide detectives are still investigating.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’re dealing with widespread dense fog this morning, with a Dense Fog Advisory in effect through 9AM. Any fog should lift by mid-morning ahead of our next cold front that’ll move through around lunchtime. We’ll keep a mostly sunny to partly cloudy sky throughout the day Sunday and afternoon temperatures in the upper 60s or low 70s.
How cold will it get with the next cold front?
Because the front clears out the sky and keeps the sunshine around, highs will be in the 60s and 70s Sunday afternoon, but it will cold in the 30s and 40s at night. In fact, frost looks to be possible in parts of Southeast Texas on Tuesday morning.
When could we get our first freeze?
Long range signals indicate we probably have to wait until the second half of December for a chance of freezing weather in Houston, especially with the warmup on the way next week. On average, Houston historically gets its first freeze during the second week of December. This year it looks like we have to wait a bit longer.
When’s our next chance for rain?
After a dreary and damp end to last week, we’ve got a pattern flip on the way that will keep our forecast sunny and mild through mid-December. So as of now, our next widespread rain chance is more than 10 days out. There’s small, 10% chances for rain when fronts move through on Sunday and Friday, but otherwise nothing more than that at this point.
Southwest Airlines will not have to pay the final $11 million installment of a $140 million civil penalty imposed over its 2022 holiday travel meltdown. The Biden administration’s Department of Transportation initially issued the record fine—the largest in U.S. airline history—after Southwest canceled over 16,900 flights during a winter storm, affecting more than 2 million passengers.
Credit for Operational Improvements
Instead of paying, Southwest receives an $11 million credit for investing $112.4 million in its Network Operations Control, which improved on-time performance and flight completion rates. The DOT said the waiver encourages airlines to invest in operational resilience that directly benefits travelers.
Airline Response
Southwest expressed gratitude to the DOT for recognizing its operational turnaround. The airline highlighted that its recent improvements have led to industry-leading on-time performance and reduced cancellations.
Background
The original penalty required Southwest to upgrade technology, improve reliability, and compensate passengers for future delays. The airline also paid $600 million in refunds and reimbursements to customers as part of the settlement.
FIFA has unveiled the complete group-stage schedule for the 2026 World Cup, marking the first tournament with 48 teams.
Team USA will play June 12 in Los Angeles, June 19 in Seattle and June 25 in Los Angeles. The opening match revisits a historic pairing: South Africa vs. Mexico, a repeat of the 2010 opener. Another milestone arrives June 20, when Japan and Tunisia meet in the 1,000th World Cup match.
All 12 Groups Set
The draw placed teams into 12 groups of four, including heavyweight matchups like Brazil–Morocco, Argentina–Algeria and England–Croatia. Playoff qualifiers from Europe and intercontinental brackets will fill the final spots in several groups.
Group-by-Group Overview
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and the European Playoff D winner open the tournament June 11 in Mexico City. Matches also take place in Guadalajara, Atlanta and Monterrey. Group B: Canada headlines alongside Switzerland, Qatar and the European Playoff A winner, with games across Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle and the Bay Area. Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti compete in East Coast and Southern venues including New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and Atlanta. Group D: Team USA faces Paraguay, Australia and the European Playoff C winner, with fixtures in L.A., Vancouver, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area. Group E: Germany leads a group with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao, playing in Houston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Kansas City and New York/New Jersey. Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and the European Playoff B winner play in Dallas, Monterrey, Houston and Kansas City, highlighted by the 1,000th World Cup match. Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt and New Zealand compete in Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver. Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde play across Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Guadalajara. Group I: France, Senegal, Norway and Intercontinental Playoff 2 meet in New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto. Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan play in Kansas City, Dallas and the Bay Area. Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Intercontinental Playoff 1 compete in Houston, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami and Atlanta. Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama play in Dallas, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey.
The Road to the Final
The World Cup final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Six qualifying spots remain and will be decided in March through UEFA playoffs and intercontinental matchups.
If you want, Sparky, I can also create a super-short version, a fan-friendly version, or a Houston-focused angle since multiple matches are scheduled in the city.
Arguments are expected in the spring, with a decision likely by late June. This marks the second time the court will consider the order, but the first time it will weigh in directly on its legality.
A Century-Old Interpretation at Stake
For more than a century, U.S. courts and administrations have interpreted the Constitution to grant citizenship to anyone born on American soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Trump’s order aims to narrow that interpretation by limiting citizenship only to children born to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Lower Courts Blocked the Order
Federal appellate courts previously halted the policy nationwide, finding it unlawful on its face. The administration petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn those rulings and allow the order to take effect.
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A substitute teacher won’t be allowed to return to Almeta Crawford High School after assaulting a 14-year-old student on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Cell phone video shows the teacher picking up the boy and slamming him into a countertop as other students attempt to intervene.
The boy’s mom said he had tried to retrieve his backpack from the teacher before the altercation.
“School staff responded immediately to intervene, de-escalate the situation, and ensure the safety of those involved,” Principal Dr. Amber Grady wrote in a note to parents Thursday following Eyewitness News’ request for comment Wednesday evening.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it’s conducting an active investigation and is reviewing the video, but declined to comment about possible charges.
Fort Bend ISD said the substitute teacher will not return to work at the school district.
Beginning Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10 p.m., two key connector ramps will shut down:
I-10 eastbound to I-45 northbound – closed until mid-2028
I-45 southbound to I-10 westbound – closed until mid-2026
The HOV lane at the interchange will no longer allow exits onto I-10 westbound, though TxDOT says downtown access via HOV will remain available.
Full Weekend Shutdown on I-10 Westbound
Starting Friday, Dec. 5, at 10 p.m., all westbound I-10 mainlanes between I-45 and Taylor will close through Monday at 5 a.m. for major reconfiguration. When the freeway reopens, westbound I-10 will be reduced to two lanes from I-45 to Houston Avenue, while the segment from Houston Avenue to Studemont will stay at three lanes. These reduced lanes are expected to continue through mid-2026 as crews build elevated westbound mainlanes.
Project Includes Houston Avenue Bridge Rebuild
The long-term construction also includes completely reconstructing the Houston Avenue bridge, adding to the extensive traffic impacts through at least 2026.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’re starting off your Saturday with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 40s. By the afternoon, clouds should be moving out allowing for sun to return and highs to rise into the mid 60s!
Patchy dense fog moves in Sunday morning but should burn off by mid morning yielding to mostly sunny skies. Highs should top out in the low 70s. Another cold front moves in during the second half of the day Sunday which will cool us down for the start of the next work week.
What’s in store for the weekend?
Some sunshine! Eventually. Saturday will start off cloudy and chilly in the 40s. There could even be a few lingering light rain showers in the morning, especially near the coast. Then a light southeasterly breeze will start to push in milder Gulf air and help break up the clouds. With sunshine returning in the afternoon, temperature should warm into the 60s. Sunday morning will start off milder in the 50s, and the mostly sunny sky should warm temperatures into the low 70s for most locations. Another round of cold air arrives late Sunday, but this front passes through dry and clears out the sky for most of next week.
How cold will it get with the next cold front?
Because the front clears out the sky and keeps the sunshine around, highs will be in the 60s and 70s, but it will cold in the 30s and 40s at night. In fact, frost looks to be possible in parts of Southeast Texas on Tuesday morning.
When could we get our first freeze?
Long range signals indicate we probably have to wait until the second half of December for a chance of freezing weather in Houston, especially with the warm up on the way next week. On average, Houston historically gets its first freeze during the second week of December. This year it looks like we have to wait a bit longer.
