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Colin Farrell opens up about son James’ life with Angelman syndrome

Colin Farrell is speaking out about his son James’ diagnosis with Angelman syndrome and his dedication to supporting those with intellectual disabilities.

“I want the world to be kind to James,” Farrell told People regarding his eldest child, who is nonverbal. “I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.”

Understanding Angelman Syndrome

According to the National Institutes of Health, Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system. It results in delayed development, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, and problems with movement and balance. Seizures are also common.

The NIH estimates that 1 in 12,000 to 20,000 people are affected by Angelman syndrome, with life expectancy being “nearly normal.”

Challenges as James Turns 21

With James’ 21st birthday approaching next month, Farrell noted that many support systems for families with children with disabilities expire at this milestone.

“Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,” Farrell explained. “All the safeguards that are put in place—special ed classes, for example—disappear. You’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society but is often left behind.”

Taking Action: The Colin Farrell Foundation

To address this gap, Farrell is launching the Colin Farrell Foundation, which, according to the organization’s website, “is committed to transforming the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disabilities through education, awareness, advocacy, and innovative programs.”

The Banshees of Inisherin actor shared that he has wanted to do something like this for years. It was a “no-brainer” to honor James and help others like him achieve autonomy and a sense of community.

Farrell expressed his admiration for his son, saying, “James has worked so hard all his life. I’m proud of him every day because I just think he’s magic.”

Taylor Swift concert terror plot suspect sought to kill self and ‘as many people as possible,’ officials say

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Bomb-making materials were found in the home of one of two people suspected of planning a terror attack on upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, authorities said Thursday. Both suspects appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda.

The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, fully confessed to the attack plans during an interrogation, according to Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence.

The suspect was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State” and allegedly intended to kill himself and “as many people as possible” outside the concert venue using knives and homemade explosives, Haijawi-Pirchner said at a news conference Thursday.

The 19-year-old, who was from the Austrian town of Ternitz and had North Macedonian roots, had been preparing for the attack since late July and drastically changed his appearance, according to Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria’s Ministry of Interior. The 19-year-old researched bomb-making techniques and uploaded an oath of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State, Haijawi-Pirchner said.

A second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian citizen, was arrested in Vienna on Wednesday afternoon. A 15-year-old Turkish citizen was also detained and questioned, according to Haijawi-Pirchner. No further suspects are being sought, Ruf said.

Each of the two suspects was known to police, and both were said to have been involved in the direct preparation of the foiled attack, according to Haijawi-Pirchner. Most of the plans and preparations were made at the 19-year-old’s home, Ruf said.

The 15-year-old, who was interrogated, had been asked by the main suspect about ignition mechanisms, Haijawi-Pirchner said.

The 17-year-old suspect, who has Turkish-Croatian roots, was employed a few days ago at a facility company providing services at the concert venue and would have been working there, according to Haijawi-Pirchner. It was discovered during the investigation that he was on the grounds of Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, where Swift’s concerts were to be held.

Swift had concerts scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Vienna.

When Ruf announced the arrests on Wednesday, he said security at the shows would be increased. Hours later, the concerts were canceled.

“We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” a message from Barracuda Music said. “All tickets will be automatically refunded.”

The Vienna shows were expected to draw 65,000 concertgoers per day, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans outside of the area, police said.

One of those fans planning to attend a Vienna show, Joelle Ferri, told ABC News that, despite the cancellation, Swifties have gathered to sing songs and make friends.

“There are so many Swifties everywhere trading bracelets, wearing merch, and the outfits they were going to wear for the concert,” Ferri said. “This is genuinely the most beautiful thing I have experienced, seeing everyone come together after such a horrible thing happened, and everyone kept their head high and made it a good experience for everyone.”

Another would-be concertgoer, Colleen Boltz, told ABC News she was at the airport in Minneapolis, en route to Vienna, when she learned the show was canceled.

“We still plan on going to Vienna and participating in the Swiftie gatherings. I’m meeting up with Swifties that I met online, and it will still be a blast,” she said.

Boltz also has a ticket to one of Swift’s upcoming London shows. The pop star is set to return to London’s Wembley Stadium from Aug. 15 to Aug. 20.

“We really hope that she does not need to cancel London,” Boltz said.

Woman sparks 12-hour standoff after setting neighbor’s house on fire using page from the Bible

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MAGNOLIA, Texas (KTRK) — A southwest Montgomery County family is thankful to be alive after a woman set their house and three of their vehicles on fire, sparking a 12-hour standoff with police.

It happened in the 26000 block of Rhode Island Street in the Victoria Village Mobile Home Community just after 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Surveillance video shows a woman, who the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office identified as Christine Riley, dropping a burning object on the family’s front porch and then walking away as the porch goes up in flames.

Still images provided by the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office show the woman pouring liquid from a gas canister onto the family’s doorstep.

Setcheel Sanchez, a construction worker whose boss lives at the home, said he showed up for work to find the woman pouring gasoline on his boss’ vehicles.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Sanchez said. “I just started honking for like five minutes until everybody was awake ’cause everybody was asleep. I just started honking, honking, honking until everybody came out.”

Mitzi Garza said she walked outside to find the woman standing on her porch.

“The lady’s standing right here, she’s burning up a paper,” Garza said.

Garza and Sanchez said the paper she was burning turned out to be a page ripped from a Bible.

“I ask her, ‘What are you doing?’ She goes, ‘What do you think I’m doing?'” Garza recalled.

The woman’s intent soon becomes apparent as surveillance video shows her dropping the flaming object she’s holding, setting Garza’s porch ablaze.

Garza said she ran inside to get her husband and three children, ages 17, 14, and 2.

With their path out the front door blocked by flames, Garza said she and her family were forced to flee out the back door.

“I was really scared. I was like, ‘What is she doing? I don’t know her. Why would she do this?’ Like, I have my kids in here,” Garza said.

Records show Riley lives across the street from Garza. While a motive hasn’t been determined, neighbors say she suffers from mental issues.

Sanchez said he and his boss put out the flames while Riley retreated to her house.

The fire marshal’s office said she remained there for the next 12 hours as a SWAT team and crisis negotiators attempted to get her to surrender.

Sanchez said they eventually made their way into the home by breaking a window. Video obtained by Eyewitness News shows Riley being brought out on a gurney.

She was taken to the hospital for observation before being booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a first-degree felony arson charge.

Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams told ABC13 that no one was injured during the fire or arrest. He said his office is working with prosecutors to determine the motive.

16 workers hospitalized after improper mix of pool chemicals at Great Wolf Lodge, officials say

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities say more than a dozen construction workers were hospitalized Wednesday morning following an improper mix of pool chemicals at the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Webster.

The Webster Police Department confirmed the chemical incident along Great Wolf Way on the indoor water park’s grand opening day.

Webster Fire Chief Dean Spencer said crews responded to a call about breathing problems caused by a chemical reaction in the pool house, which is separate from the hotel and water park.

The chief said first responders learned a contractor had mixed two “unlike” chemicals – sodium hypochlorite and sulfuric acid – resulting in the chemical reaction.

SkyEye flew over the active scene, where multiple ambulances could be seen assisting. The fire chief said 16 employees and contractors working in the immediate area were transported to the hospital, some out of precaution. The City of Webster officials added that five individuals had evacuated the building.

“At this time, there is no issue with the chemicals. They have all been resolved,” Spencer said. “At no time was the hotel or waterpark affected by this event.”

After Great Wolf Resort’s initial response of having to wait until their opening ceremony celebration to release any information, they sent the following statement:

“The health and safety of our guests and pack members is always our priority, and we greatly appreciate the quick actions of first responders from the city of Webster in response to an incident at an external building outside of the main indoor water park and resort caused by an external vendor. We’ve received the all-clear to open the resort and all water park attractions as planned this afternoon from the Webster Fire Department.”

The resort features 532 guest suites, a 92,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 61,000-square-foot adventure park, and nearly 15 dining and retail outlets.

Spencer said construction workers were finishing work on the property, where Hawkins was the contractor.

According to the fire chief, two facilities run the pool. The incident reportedly happened at an outside pool house that runs the outside pool.

Spencer said it was unclear why the chemicals were improperly mixed and added that an investigation would be conducted to determine why it occurred.

“The situation was quickly contained and will not affect the Lodge’s operations (Wednesday). An environmental company is working with Great Wolf Lodge and the contractor to clean the tanks safely,” Webster city officials said in a release.

2024 Olympic medal count so far: Where does Team USA stand?

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Team USA is raking in the medals at the 2024 Olympics, with a total of 79 medals earned as of Tuesday, August 6. 

It’s the highest medal count at the 2024 Paris Olympics so far, with China in second at 55. China has the most gold medals — at 22 — with the U.S. close behind, at 21. 

The U.S. has also earned a total of 30 silver medals, and 28 bronze medals — with one of each of those won Monday by Simone Bilesand Jordan Chiles in dramatic fashion after a shocking end to women’s gymnastic finals on the balance beam and floor exercise

Tuesday, more medals could roll in for the U.S., with finals in track and field and more

Current Medal Count for 2024 Paris Olympics 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQrs-7NLH3-8rWiEM8n9lLhHAI9O0z6GpAeW1G7wyuk34oDLy4cJjkRomFNLGvhWqPMcIIpPMPINVJL/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=false&headers=false#amp=1

This table will continue to update live as the Games continue.

Full list of who has medaled for Team USA

329 medal events. 32 sports. Endless drama. Catch all the action at the Paris Olympics. Sign up for our free Olympics Headlines newsletter.

127 JulySarah Bacon/Kassidy CookSilverWomen’s springboard 3m synchronisedDiving
227 JulyChloe DygertBronzeBronzeWomen’s individual time trial
327 JulyKatie LedeckyBronze400m freestyleSwimming
427 JulyKate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh. Torri Huske, Simone Manuel, Erika Connolly, Abbey WeitzelSilverWomen, 4x100m freestyle,Swimming
527 JulyJack Alexj, Chris Guiliano, Hunter Armstrong, Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Held, Matt KingGoldMen, 4x100m freestyleSwimming
628 JulyHaley BattenSilverWomen, cross countryMountain Bike
728 JulyTorri HuskeGoldWomen, 100m butterflySwimming
828 JulyGretchen WalshSilverWomen, 100m butterflySwimming
928 JulyCarson FosterBronzeMen, 400m IMSwimming
1028 JulyLee KieferGoldWomen, individual foilFencing
1128 JulyLauren ScruggsSilverWomen, individual foilFencing
1228 JulyNic FinkSilver100m breaststrokeSwimming
1329 JulyJagger EatonSilverMen’s streetSkateboarding
1429 JulyNyjah HustonBronzeMen’s streetSkateboarding
1529 JulyLuke HobsonBronzeMen, 200m freestyleSwimming
1629 JulyRyan MurphyBronzeMen, 100m backstrokeSwimming
1729 JulyKatie GrimesSilverWomen, 400m IMSwimming
1829 JulyEmma WeyantBronzeWomen, 400m IMSwimming
1929 JulyNick ItkinBronzeMen, foil individualFencing
2029 JulyFrederick Richard, Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik. Paul Juda, Asher HongBronzeMen, team competitionArtistic Gymnastics
2130 JulySimone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Hezly RiveraGoldWomen, team competitionArtistic Gymnastics
2230 JulyIlona Maher, Kayla Canett, Lauren Doyle, Alev Kelter, Kristi Kirshe, Sarah Levy, Alena Olsen, Ariana Ramsey, Steph Rovetti, Alex Sedrick, Sammy Sullivan, Naya TapperBronzeWomen, team competitionRugby 7s
2330 JulyRegan SmithSilverWomen, 100m backstrokeSwimming
2430 JulyKatharine BerkoffBronzeWomen, 100m backstrokeSwimming
2530 JulyBobby FinkeSilverMen, 800m freestyleSwimming
2630 JulyCarson Foster, Brooks Curry, Chris Guiliano, Luke Hobson, Drew Kibler, Blake Pieroni, Kieran SmithSilverMen, 4x200m freestyleSwimming
2731 JulyPerris BenegasSilverWomen, parkCycling BMX Freestyle
2831 JulyEvy LeibfarthBronzeWomen, canoe singleCanoe
2931 JulyKatie LedeckyGoldWomen, 1500m freestyleSwimming
3031 JulyTorri HuskeSilverWomen, 100m freestyleSwimming
311 AugustJustin Best, Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, Nick MeadGoldMen’s fourRowing
321 AugustSimone BilesGoldWomen, all-aroundArtistic Gymnastics
331 AugustSunisa LeeBronzeWomen, all-aroundArtistic Gymnastics
341 AugustJacqueline Dubrovich, Lee Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs, Maia Mei WeintraubGoldWomen, foil teamFencing
351 AugustKate DouglassGoldWomen, 200m breaststrokeSwimming
361 AugustRegan SmithSilverWomen, 200m butterflySwimming
371 AugustErin Gemell, Katie Ledecky, Paige Madden, Simone Manuel, Anna Peplowski, Alex Shackell, Claire WeinsteinSilverWomen 4x200m freestyleSwimming
382 AugustCasey Kaufhold, Brady EllisonBronzeMixed TeamArchery
392 AugustGrant FisherBronzeMen, 10,000mAthletics
402 AugustKarl Cook, Laura Kraut, McLain WardSilverJumping teamEquestrian
412 AugustIan Barrows, Hans HenkenBronzeMen’s skiffSailing
422 AugustSagen MaddalenaSilverWomen, 50m rifle 3 positionsShooting
432 AugustRegan SmithSilverWomen, 200m backstrokeSwimming
443 AugustChris Carlson, Peter Chatain, Clark Dean. Henry Hollingsworth, Rielly Milne, Evan Olson, Pieter Quinton, Nick Rusher, Christian TabashBronzeMen’s eightRowing
453 AugustVincent HancockGoldMen, skeetShooting
463 AugustConner Lynn PrinceSilverMen SkeetShooting
473 AugustStephen NedoroscikBronzeMen’s pomel horseArtistic Gymnastics
483 AugustSimone BilesGoldWomen’s vaultArtistic Gymnastics
493 AugustJade CareyBronzeWomen’s vaultArtistic Gymnastics
503 AugustRyan CrouserGoldMen, shot putAthletics
513 AugustJoe KovacsSilverMen, shot putAthletics
523 AugustJasmine MooreBronzeWomen, triple jumpAthletics
533 AugustKaylyn Brown, Bryce Deadmon, Shamier Little, Vernon NorwoodSilver4x400m relay mixedAthletics
543 AugustAustin Krajicek, Rajeev RamSilverMen’s doublesTennis
553 AugustTaylor Fritz, Tommy PaulBronzeMen’s doublesTennis
563 AugustSha’Carri RichardsonSilverWomen, 100mAthletics
573 AugustMelissa JeffersonBronzeWomen, 100mAthletics
583 AugustKate DouglassSilverWomen, 200m IMSwimming
593 AugustKatie LedeckyGoldWomen, 800m freestyleSwimming
603 AugustPaige MaddenBronzeWomen, 800m freestyleSwimming
613 AugustCaeleb Dressel, Nic Fink, Torri Huske, Ryan Murphy, Regan Smith, Charlie Swanson, Gretchen Walsh, Abbey WeitzeilGoldWomen, 4x100m IMSwimming
624 AugustSuni LeeBronzeWomen, uneven barsArtistic gymnastics
634 AugustBrady EllisonSilverMen’s individualArchery
644 AugustBobby FinkeGoldMen, 1500m freestyleSwimming
654 AugustJack Alexy, Hunter Armstrong, Caeleb Dressel, Nic Fink, Thomas Heilman, Ryan Murphy, Charlie SwansonSilverMen, 4x100m IMSwimming
664 AugustKatharine Berkoff, Kate Douglass, Torri Huske, Lilly King, Alex Shackell, Regan Smith, Gretchen Walsh, Emma WeberGoldMixed, 4x100m IMSwimming
674 AugustKristen FaulknerGoldWomen, road raceCycling
684 AugustScottie SchefflerGoldMen, individual stroke playGolf
694 AugustAusten Jewell SmithBronzeWomen, skeetShooting
704 AugustNoah LylesGoldMen, 100mAthletics
714 AugustFred KerleyBronzeMen,100mAthletics
725 AugustTaylor Knibb, Morgan Pearson, Seth Rider, Taylor SpiveySilverMixed relayTriathlon
735 AugustSimone BilesSilverWomen, floor exerciseArtistic gymnastics
745 AugustJordan ChilesBronzeWomen, floor exerciseArtistic gymnastics
755 AugustValarie AllmanGoldWomen, discus throwAthletics
765 AugustCierra Burdick, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Hailey van LithBronzeWomen’s competition3×3 basketball
775 AugustSam KendricksSilverMen, pole vaultAthletics
785 AugustVincent Hancock, Jewell Austen SmithSilverMixed team, skeetShooting

A full list of Olympic medalists so far can be found here.

HISD teacher and principal resignations climb drastically under TEA takeover

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Brandie Dowda is a veteran teacher who has spent eight years in the classroom. She has a master’s degree and is a library expert who suddenly found herself without a library to work in.

“Because my campus became (a New Education System school), they don’t have staffed libraries, and the libraries were converted into team centers,” Dowda said.

With no job progression in sight, she made the hard decision to leave the district and work elsewhere.

“It was a rough year. I’m really happy in my new position in my new district, but when (Superintendent Mike) Miles leaves, and he will at some point, when we have our autonomy back, I would be happy to come back to HISD to rebuild the library program,” Dowda said.

SEE ALSO: More resignations from HISD leadership posts as TEA takeover looms

Dowda wasn’t the only one to make this choice. According to Houston ISD, 2,634 teachers resigned from the district in the 2022-23 school year, a huge jump from the school year before the TEA took over, when there were 1,023 resignations.

Principals are also resigning at an alarming rate; 54 resigned in the 2022-23 school year compared to 30 the year before.

Dowda said these numbers don’t surprise her.

“I’m teaching at a large campus that is fully staffed for the first time in years. A lot of us come from HISD,” Dowda said.

She didn’t name her new district for privacy reasons. Dowda said she hopes to return to HISD one day but said there need to be some major changes before she does.

SEE ALSO: HISD students plan walkout as investigation launches into state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles

“Miles needs to go. He doesn’t value his teachers and he doesn’t value the input of the community,” Dowda said.

HISD told ABC13 that despite a spike in resignations, as of now, they have less than 50 teacher vacancies.

Pakistani man in alleged plot to assassinate Donald Trump traveled to Houston to recruit

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A federal criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday alleges a Pakistani national came to Houston to recruit people for his alleged plot to assassinate U.S. officials.

Asif Merchant, 46, has been charged with “murder for hire.”

The arrest warrant unsealed Tuesday doesn’t mention Donald Trump by name, but our partners at ABC News report Trump was one of the targets in Merchant’s alleged plot.

According to the federal arrest warrant, Merchant flew to Houston in April to recruit before eventually heading to New York.

Merchant returned to Texas, and according to FBI Houston Field Office Spokesperson Connor Hagan, FBI National Security agents arrested him in Houston on July 12.

Court records also show that the person with whom he was sharing details of his plot was a confidential informant working for the FBI.

Tropical Storm Debby swirls over Atlantic, expected to again douse the Carolinas before moving north

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CHARLESTON, South Carolina — Tropical Storm Debby is taking a breather Wednesday over the western Atlantic Ocean but it isn’t done dousing the coastal Carolinas before it slowly marches north.

Debby was expected to restrengthen and turn north toward the South Carolina coastline for a second landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday, weather officials said. The storm carried the threat not only of additional rainfall but also of tornadoes in coastal sections of the Carolinas spreading north into southeast Virginia on Thursday.

The slow-moving storm drenched coastal cities in Georgia and South Carolina late Monday into Tuesday, stirring up tornadoes and submerging streets with waist-high floodwaters. The storm has dropped more than a foot (30 centimeters) of rain in some places already and could dump staggering rain totals of up to 25 inches (64 centimeters) in places by the time it ends.

Charleston and Savannah, Georgia, were deluged into Tuesday, with curfews set and roads blocked by police. Dozens of roads were closed in the city of Charleston because of flooding similar to what it sees several times a year because of rising sea levels.

As Debby swirls just offshore, the heavy rain is expected to move into parts of South and North Carolina that have already seen two billion-dollar floods in eight years.

In one Savannah neighborhood, firefighters used boats to evacuate some residents and waded through floodwaters to deliver bottled water and other supplies to those who refused to leave.

Michael Jones said water gushed into his home Monday evening, overturning the refrigerator and causing furniture to float. Outside, the water seemed to be everywhere and was too deep to flee safely. So Jones spent a sleepless night on his kitchen table before firefighters going door to door came in a boat Tuesday morning.

“It was hell all night,” Jones said.

In Charleston, Mayor William Cogswell said the road closures have kept businesses and homes from unnecessary damage and avoided the need for any high-water rescues.

“We especially don’t need any yahoos driving through the water and causing damage to properties,” Cogswell said.

Up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain was expected in some places in the Carolinas, totals that are close to what the region saw in a historic flood from Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Two years later, many of those records were broken during Hurricane Florence. Both storms killed dozens.

North Carolina and Virginia have both declared a state of emergency.

Several areas along North Carolina’s coastline are prone to flooding, such as Wilmington and the Outer Banks. Virginia could see impacts including strong winds, heavy rains and flooding.

Debby’s center was about 90 miles (145) kilometers east of Savannah on Wednesday morning, according to a bulletin from the National Hurricane Center. It had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (73 kph) and was heading east at 5 mph (8 kph).

“Tropical cyclones always produce heavy rain, but normally as they’re moving, you know, it doesn’t accumulate that much in one place,” said Richard Pasch, of the hurricane center. “But when they move very slowly, that’s the worst situation.”

There will be lulls in the rain as dry spells appear between bands around the center of the poorly organized storm, forecasters said. But some bands will be heavy and keep moving over the same places.

Green Pond in rural Colleton County, South Carolina, reported the most rain so far, just over 14 inches (36 centimeters). A nearby dam had water run over its top but did not crumble, while trees and washouts blocked a number of roads, county Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief David Greene said.

Close to a foot (30 centimeters) fell down-coast from Charleston to Savannah, where the National Weather Service reported 6.68 inches (17 centimeters) just on Monday. That’s already a month’s worth in a single day: In all of August 2023, the city got 5.56 inches (14.1 centimeters).

Tornadoes knocked down trees and damaged a few homes on Kiawah Island and Edisto Island.

Crooked Hammock Brewery in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, decided to close early Tuesday.

“Flash flooding is super unpredictable, and we’d rather our staff and guests be home and safe,” marketing coordinator Georgena Dimitriadis said.

Far to the north in New York City, heavy storms that meteorologists said were being enhanced by Debby flooded some streets and expressways, stranding motorists. The weather service issued a flood watch until noon Wednesday for the entire city.

Emergency officials warned of potential flash flooding, flying drones with loudspeakers in some New York City neighborhoods to tell people in basement apartments to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice.

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

At least six people have died due to the storm, five of them in traffic accidents or from fallen trees. The sixth death involved a 48-year-old man in Gulfport, Florida, whose body was recovered after his anchored sailboat partially sank, WTSP-TV reported.

About 500 people were rescued Monday from flooded homes in Sarasota, Florida, police said. Just north of Sarasota, Manatee County officials said more than 200 people were rescued.

Officials said it may take two weeks to fully assess the damage in parts of north-central Florida as they wait for rivers to crest.

“You’re going to see the tributaries rise. That’s just inevitable. How much? We’ll see,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday. “It may be that it’s not flooded today and it could be flooded tomorrow.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also warned of more rain and flooding to come, saying, “Do not let this storm lull you to sleep.”

President Joe Biden approved emergency declarations making federal disaster assistance available to Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Debby is finally forecast to pick up speed Thursday, and it could move up the middle of North Carolina, through Virginia and into the Washington area by Saturday.

‘We are the underdogs’: Harris introduces VP pick Tim Walz to fired-up crowd

Vice President Kamala Harris and her newly announced presidential campaign running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, took the stage to a roaring crowd in Philadelphia Tuesday in their first joint public appearance where, together, they took aim at what they called Trump’s “backward agenda” for America.

Hundreds of supporters waited in lines outside the Liacouras Center at Temple University, which has a capacity of 10,000 people, for the event and packed the arena.

That crowd gave Walz and Harris a lengthy ovation as they took the stage to the song “Freedom” by Beyoncé.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate M…Show moreAP Photo/Matt Rourke

Walz and Harris hit the stage touting an agenda of unifying the country, working for all Americans, and sharing their vision in comparison to the conservative policies being pushed by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance.

“We need to level set; we are the underdogs in this race, but we have the momentum, and I know exactly what we are up against,” she said.

Harris said her campaign is not just a fight against Trump but a “fight for the future.”

Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz appeared together for the first time at a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Harris talked up Walz to the crowd and told them about her decision to choose the Minnesota governor as her running mate.

“Since the day that I announced my candidacy, I set out to find a partner who can help build this brighter future,” she said. “So, Pennsylvania, I’m here today because I found such a leader.”

The vice president focused on Walz’s time as a high school teacher and football coach as she introduced him to supporters, repeatedly referring to him as “Coach Walz,” which prompted the crowd to repeat that title.

“The nation will know Coach Walz by another name — vice president of the United States,” she said of the former high school football coach.

SEE ALSO: Who is Tim Walz? Harris poised to pick Minn. governor as VP running mate

Harris spoke about how Walz while working as a teacher and coach, became a faculty advisor for his school’s student LGTBQ group and how his care for others has been a hallmark of his time in office.

The vice president reiterated that she and Walz are committed to protecting women’s reproductive rights and restoring rights that were taken away after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

“With Tim Walz by my side when I am president of the United States, [and] we win majorities in the United States Congress, we will pass a bill to restore reproductive freedom, and I will proudly sign it into law,” she said.

Harris noted that she and Walz “may hail from different corners of our great country, but our values are the same, and we both believe in lifting people up, not knocking them down.”

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speak at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate M…Show moreAP Photo/Joe Lamberti

“When we look at folks, we see in our fellow Americans neighbors, not enemies,” she said.

Walz touted Harris’ experience as a prosecutor, senator and vice president during his speech. stating that she “fought on the side of the American people.”

“She took on predators and fraudsters, took down transnational gangs, stood up against powerful corporate interests, she’s never hesitated to reach across the aisle if it meant improving people’s lives. And — she brings joy to everything she does,” he said.

The governor spoke highly about his time as a teacher and how that pushed him to run for office.

“It was my students. They encouraged me to run for office. They saw in me what I was hoping to instill in them – a commitment of common good, a belief that one person can make a difference,” he said.

“These same values I learned on the family farm and tried to instill in my students, I took to Congress and the state capital, and now, Vice President Harris and I are running to take them to the White House,” he said.

Walz took several shots at Trump, contending the former president’s policies while in office hurt Americans.

“He drove our economy into the ground. And make no mistake, violent crime was up under Donald Trump. That’s not even counting the crimes he committed,” he said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was in the running for the vice presidential spot on the ticket before Walz was chosen, received a huge ovation from the crowd as he took the stage before Walz and Harris spoke.

“I want you to know I am going to continue to pour my heart and soul into serving you as your governor,” he said.

He also touted Harris’ record, contending she is “battle-tested and ready to go.”

Shapiro went on to criticize Trump for his role in dismantling reproductive rights and warned that if the former president is re-elected, more restrictions could come.

“Let me tell you something: I am not going back,” he said to the crowd.

Shapiro also lauded Walz, calling him a “great patriot” and “dear friend.”

“I think it is fitting and special for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to launch their campaign here in Philly, the city of brotherly love, and importantly, they chose to launch their campaign right here in the birthplace of real freedom,” he said.

Walz, during his speech, praised Shapiro as a “visionary leader” and a “guy who cares deeply about his family, a man with compassion [and] vision.”

“There is no one you would rather go to a Springsteen concert in Jersey with than him,” Walz said as the audience shouted, “Bruce.”

Tuesday’s Harris-Walz event kicks off a five-day campaign road trip that will visit seven crucial swing states.

The vice president and Walz are scheduled to visit Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Detroit, Michigan; Durham, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas this week.

Why pick Walz?


Harris likes Walz’s executive experience and a his “strong record of accomplishment for middle class families that models what we want to do nationally,” according to a source close to the selection process. Specifically, a Harris-Walz campaign will highlight his fight for expanded child tax credits, junk-fee ban, paid-leave policies, gun safety legislation and codifying Roe v. Wade protection, the source said.

As governor, he’s implemented a bevy of progressive policies, including paid family leave, universal school breakfast and lunch, legalization of recreational marijuana use, state codification of abortion rights and gun control measures like universal background checks and red flag laws.

Harris and her campaign love his bio, the source told ABC News, adding that it “will appeal in key Midwest states we must win.” As a veteran, football coach, hunter and gun owner, Walz has a “deep connection to rural American,” the source added.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appears with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz appears with presidential nominee Vice…Show moreAP Photo/Matt Rourke

Also, Walz has a record of winning in a Trump-voting district as a House member.

Harris’ team loves the “weird” line he came up with in his attacks against Trump and Vance — and think that it’s a line that will stick against their opponents, the source said.

And this person cites a “strong personal rapport and confidence in his ability to be a governing partner” as a key reason Harris made the selection.

Harris spent this past weekend interviewing the top contenders on her vice presidential shortlist, meeting in person at her Washington, D.C., home with Walz, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly.

It was just 16 days ago that President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, and Harris and her vetting team — led by former Attorney General Eric Holder — were operating in a truncated time frame. The vetting team initially cast a wide net, with more than a dozen people in consideration. That list quickly got shorter, with nine people being formally asked to submit vetting materials.

It’s a process that is extensive and one that would typically take months – but Holder, along with his vetting team led by former White House counsel Dana Remus, campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, campaign chief of staff Sheila Nix, and Harris’s brother-in-law Tony West — wrapped up their work on Friday, turning it over to Harris for a final decision.

Harris met with her vetting team on Saturday and was provided with extensive briefings on each candidate under consideration. She then interviewed the top choices.

Following Harris’ interview with Shapiro, there was a sense among Shapiro’s team that the meeting did not go as well as it could have, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News. Later Sunday — after the interview — Shapiro placed a phone call to Harris’ team indicating he had reservations about leaving his job as governor, sources said.

Walz, on the other hand, had an indication Monday evening that he would be chosen as Harris’ running mate, sources familiar with the matter said.

Harris came to her decision on Monday and told a small group of staff, sources said. She did not place a phone call to Walz until Tuesday morning.

Walz as a Harris surrogate


As a surrogate for Harris these past few weeks, Walz has praised her for reenergizing Democrats and defended her record against Trump’s attacks claiming she is “ultra-liberal.”

“He’s going to roll it out, mispronounce names, you know, to try and make the case,” Walz said of Trump attacking Harris during a recent appearance on CNN. “The fact of the matter is where you see the policies that Vice President Harris was a part of making, Democratic governors across the country executed those policies and quality of life is higher, the economies are better, all of those things, educational attainment is better.”

Ozone pollution and heat dominate the forecast until the weekend

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We are in the middle of our hottest stretch of weather so far this summer, and it’s also having a negative impact on our air quality.

Ozone levels are once again expected to reach unhealthy levels on Wednesday just like we observed on Tuesday. This invisible gas is a lung irritant that can trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals. The pollution levels will peak between about 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday will start off warm with lows in the upper 70s, then temperatures should rise into the low 90s by noon and the upper 90s between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. While we can’t rule out a stray sea breeze shower, it will likely stay dry for all.

How many days will ozone pollution be a concern?

At this time we think the ozone levels could reach concerning levels each afternoon through Saturday. We’ll monitor the pollution sensors for you and let you know where any issues pop up.

Just how hot will it get this week?

We expect the temperature in Houston to top 100 degrees Thursday through Saturday with the hottest day being Friday. That’s when we predict a high of 101.

When will rain chances return?

This weekend! A weak summer front will slide into Southeast Texas early in the weekend, which could help usher in a few showers and storms Saturday and Sunday. The highest chance for rain looks to be Sunday, and even then it’s only 30%. Otherwise it will simply be hot this weekend with highs in the upper 90s to low 100s.

What are you tracking in the tropics?

Tropical Storm Debby will move at a slow pace up the east coast bringing heavy rain and flooding to that part of the US. There is another tropical wave we’re monitoring that’s currently in the central Caribbean. This wave has a 10% chance of development over next 7 days and could eventually get into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Head to our daily Tropical Update page for the latest on what’s happening in the tropics.

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