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Weinstein Returns to Court for Pivotal Hearing

Michael Esparza
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Weinstein Returns to Court for Pivotal Hearing

Harvey Weinstein is set to appear Thursday in a Manhattan courtroom for a hearing that could determine whether he is granted a new trial. The proceeding centers on claims of juror misconduct raised by the defense.

Juror Pressure Allegations

Defense attorneys say two jurors later reported they were pressured to convict Weinstein. Judge Curtis Farber will decide whether to hear testimony from those jurors before ruling on the motion for a new trial.

Conviction and Possible Appeal

Weinstein was convicted in connection with the 2006 sexual assault of Mimi Haley, a former production assistant on Project Runway. He has not yet been sentenced on that count. If the judge denies the motion, defense lawyers say they plan to appeal.

Custody and Retrial Plans

The 73-year-old remains in custody at Rikers Island, where he has been held for nearly six years. His representatives describe him as medically fragile. A mistrial was declared on a separate rape charge involving actress Jessica Mann, and prosecutors have said they intend to retry that case, with Judge Farber expected to address next steps during the hearing.

For more on Weinstein’s criminal case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

EU Raises Alarm Over Greenland Remarks

Indira Zaldivar
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EU Raises Alarm Over Greenland Remarks

European Union officials have discussed possible responses if U.S. talk of acquiring Greenland proves serious, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The comments underscore growing concern in Europe over statements involving the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

“Extremely Concerning” Messages

Speaking Thursday in Cairo alongside Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty, Kallas said messages coming from Washington about Greenland are “extremely concerning,” signaling unease among EU leaders about the implications for sovereignty and regional stability.

White House Reaffirms NATO Commitment

The White House sought to temper concerns, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt saying President Donald Trump remains committed to NATO even as his administration holds active discussions about a potential U.S. purchase of Greenland.

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

Rain chances creep up ahead of cold front arriving Friday night

ABC13 Houston
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Rain chances creep up ahead of cold front arriving Friday night

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We are now two days away from some big weather changes, but first we have to get through two more potentially record warm afternoons.

A strong wind developing overnight should prevent widespread dense fog from forming, so Thursday morning’s drive should be less stressful with improved visibility. Temperatures will remain well above average with a morning low in the upper 60s and an afternoon high near 80. Widespread clouds are expected to limit sunshine, and some of those clouds could drop some rain. There’s a 20% chance you’ll come across some rain. The wind will also be gusting at times over 30 mph.

Friday’s weather will be similar to Thursday’s, just with a higher 60% chance for rain as the cold front blows in during the evening.

Are we expecting any severe weather with Friday’s front?

We do expect the front to produce a chance for thunderstorms, but severe weather looks unlikely. The Storm Prediction currently gives about a 5% chance we’ll be near a severe thunderstorm on Friday, and we agree with that assessment. While there could be tornadoes to our northeast in Louisiana, if a storm turned severe in Southeast Texas, it would likely be due to gusty winds or hail.

How’s marathon weekend looking?

Chilly! Friday’s front will knock us back into more typical winter territory Saturday and Sunday. Expect a steady north wind at 20 mph under a cloudy sky Saturday, limiting highs to the upper 50s. Temperatures at the start of the marathon on Sunday will be in the low-to-mid 40s. Highs on Sunday will only climb into the low 60s with a north breeze around 15 mph. While the clouds on Saturday will still be fairly thick, Sunday will bring a thin layer of high clouds that should allow sunshine through.

Are any other freezes on the horizon?

We have no freezes in our 10 day forecast, but there’s still a lot winter left to get more freezing weather. In fact, signals are growing that a colder pattern will develop across Canada and the United States during the second half of January.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:

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

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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!

New Dietary Guidelines Revise Alcohol Advice

Michael Esparza
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New Dietary Guidelines Revise Alcohol Advice

Updated federal dietary guidelines released Wednesday by the Trump administration make a notable change to how alcohol consumption is addressed, shifting away from specific daily drink limits.

From Drink Limits to General Moderation

Instead of recommending up to two drinks per day for men and one for women, the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise people to simply “limit alcoholic beverages.” The guidance also removes any distinction between men and women, despite research showing they metabolize alcohol differently.

Officials Defend the Change

Administration officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, said past drink limits were not based on clear scientific thresholds. Oz described alcohol as a “social lubricant,” suggesting small, occasional amounts in social settings rather than regular consumption.

Criticism From Health Advocates

Public health groups criticized the update for lacking clear warnings about alcohol’s risks. The U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance said the guidelines fail to address links between alcohol and cancer, violence, and other long-term health consequences.

Health Risks Remain Well-Documented

The CDC and World Health Organization warn that no amount of alcohol is completely safe, linking drinking to higher risks of cancer, heart disease, liver disease and alcohol use disorder. Health experts stress that limiting or avoiding alcohol remains the safest option.

For more health guidelines and recommendations, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Governor Orders Guard to Prepare After ICE Shooting

Indira Zaldivar
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Governor Orders Guard to Prepare After ICE Shooting

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he has issued a warning order to prepare the National Guard following the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent during federal operations in Minneapolis, while urging residents to protest peacefully.

Victim Identified, Accounts Disputed

The woman killed was identified as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis resident. Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey strongly disputed federal claims that the shooting was an act of self-defense, with Walz calling the death “preventable” and “unnecessary.”

Federal Officials Defend Agent’s Actions

The Department of Homeland Security said the ICE agent fired “defensive shots,” claiming Good attempted to run over officers with her vehicle. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump both said the agent acted lawfully in self-defense.

Protests Erupt Near Scene

The shooting sparked protests less than a mile from where George Floyd was killed in 2020. Law enforcement deployed tear gas and pepper spray as crowds gathered, and some protesters threw snowballs at officers.

City Leaders Push Back

Mayor Frey said video of the incident does not support claims of self-defense and accused ICE of reckless use of force, telling agents to leave Minneapolis. City officials said Good was not the target of any law enforcement action.

Investigation Underway

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, working with the FBI, is investigating the shooting. State officials said no formal request has been made yet to deploy the National Guard, but preparations are in place if needed.

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

Council Approves Stormwater Demolition Plan

Indira Zaldivar
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Council Approves Stormwater Demolition Plan

Houston City Council voted 9–7 to approve spending $30 million in stormwater funds to demolish abandoned and dangerous buildings that officials say interfere with drainage and contribute to flooding concerns across the city.

Debate Over Use of Funds

The proposal drew pushback from several council members and City Controller Chris Hollins, who questioned whether demolishing buildings is an appropriate use of stormwater funds. Councilmember Edward Pollard called the connection between building demolition and drainage maintenance “very far-fetched.”

City Defends Legal Authority

City attorneys told council the plan is legally sound, and Mayor John Whitmire defended the measure as a response to urgent neighborhood safety concerns. “People are pleading with us to demolish dangerous buildings,” Whitmire said during the meeting.

Thousands of Properties Under Review

The city has identified more than 300 properties already declared dangerous, while Houston Public Works maintains a list of over 2,000 properties that could qualify. Officials said the list will be reviewed and prioritized before final approvals are issued.

Supporters Cite Root Cause of Flooding Issues

Backers of the plan argue abandoned buildings often attract illegal dumping that clogs nearby drainage systems. Councilmember Amy Peck said demolition could reduce repeated maintenance costs by addressing the source of debris entering stormwater infrastructure.

Opposition Raises Legal Concerns

Councilmember Abbie Kamin, who voted against the measure, warned of potential legal challenges, pointing to past court rulings that restricted the use of flood mitigation funds for unrelated purposes. Despite those concerns, the city attorney’s office reaffirmed its conclusion that the funding use complies with the law.

Follow along with the weekly Houston City Council sessions with us on QueOndaMagazine.com

Teagan Croft & Milo Manheim Swing Into Disney’s Live-Action Tangled As Rapunzel And Flynn Rider

Michael Esparza
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Teagan Croft & Milo Manheim Swing Into Disney’s Live-Action Tangled As Rapunzel And Flynn Rider

Disney’s live-action Tangled has officially found its central duo, with Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim set to bring Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from animation into a new big-screen reimagining. Their casting signals a major step forward for one of Disney’s most requested modern remakes, as the studio turns its 2010 CG hit into a live-action musical adventure for a new generation.

Croft, known for her breakout role as Rachel Roth/Raven in DC’s Titans, brings a mix of vulnerability and quiet power that aligns closely with Rapunzel’s journey from isolated dreamer to determined heroine. Manheim, a familiar face to Disney fans from the Zombies franchise and his musical theater background, appears well positioned to match Flynn Rider’s signature roguish charm, wit, and physical comedy. Together, the pairing aims to recapture the snappy banter and emotional core that defined the original film’s beloved relationship between the lost princess and the reluctant thief.

The original 2010 animated Tangled helped usher in Disney’s modern musical era, blending fairy-tale romance, buddy-comedy energy, and memorable songs against the now-iconic lantern-lit skies. With the live-action version, Disney faces the challenge of preserving that tone while updating the story’s visual language, stunt work, and musical staging for a more grounded, tactile world. The casting of two relatively young but established genre performers suggests the studio is betting on chemistry and character-driven performances over pure marquee name recognition.

Behind the scenes, Croft and Manheim’s selection follows a lengthy search and months of speculation about who would inherit the roles originally voiced by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. Fan discussion has been especially intense around Flynn Rider, where Manheim’s look and charisma have already sparked conversations about how closely he matches long-standing fancasts for the character. As more roles are filled and creative details emerge, attention will increasingly center on how the film approaches key sequences like Rapunzel’s tower escape and the lantern boat scene that became defining images of the animated classic.

With its leads now in place, the live-action Tangled stands at a pivotal moment, poised to test how well Disney can translate one of its most visually and musically stylized CG fairy tales into live action. For many viewers who grew up with the original, Croft and Manheim will become the new faces of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, carrying the weight of nostalgia while introducing the story to audiences discovering it for the first time.

For more movie and entertainment news, stay tuned with Que Onda Magazine.

Texas launches advanced nuclear energy office, invests $350 million in new technology

Edward Saenz
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Texas launches advanced nuclear energy office, invests $350 million in new technology

Texas has created a new state office dedicated to advancing nuclear energy development, part of a $350 million investment aimed at strengthening the state’s power grid and positioning Texas as a leader in next-generation nuclear technology.

The Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, established by lawmakers in 2025, operates under the governor’s office and is tasked with coordinating nuclear energy projects, supporting research and development, and helping companies navigate regulatory and permitting processes.

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Jarred Shaffer as the office’s director, charging him with building partnerships among universities, private developers and federal agencies while accelerating the deployment of advanced reactor technologies across the state.

State leaders say the effort is focused on advanced nuclear systems, including small modular reactors and molten salt reactors, which are designed to be safer, more efficient and less costly than traditional nuclear plants.

The funding comes from the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund, which lawmakers approved to support research, workforce training and early-stage project development. Universities including Texas Tech University and Abilene Christian University have already received funding for nuclear research initiatives.

Supporters of the office say nuclear energy could play a key role in meeting Texas’ rapidly growing electricity demand, driven by population growth, industrial expansion and energy-intensive sectors such as data centers.

Abbott and other state officials have emphasized nuclear power as a way to improve grid reliability following recent extreme weather events while also diversifying the state’s energy mix, which already leads the nation in wind power and oil and gas production.

Critics have raised concerns about the long-term costs, waste storage and regulatory challenges associated with nuclear energy, though supporters argue advanced reactor designs address many of those issues.

The new office will serve as a central hub for nuclear policy in Texas as lawmakers and regulators consider how the technology fits into the state’s long-term energy strategy.

Houston Pride moves 2026 parade and festival to early June due to World Cup

Edward Saenz
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Houston Pride moves 2026 parade and festival to early June due to World Cup

Houston’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration will move to an earlier date in 2026 as the city prepares to host matches for the FIFA World Cup.

Pride Houston, the organization that produces the annual Pride Festival and Parade, announced that the event will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, shifting from its traditional late-June schedule. The change is intended to avoid conflicts with World Cup matches and the influx of visitors expected in Houston next summer.

Houston is scheduled to host seven World Cup matches at NRG Stadium during the international tournament, which runs from mid-June into early July. City officials and event organizers anticipate heavy demand on hotels, transportation and public safety resources during that period.

Pride Houston said the earlier date allows the organization to celebrate before World Cup activity intensifies and gives the LGBTQ+ community the opportunity to use the rest of June for additional Pride-related events.

The 2026 celebration will mark the 48th annual Houston Pride Festival and Parade, making the schedule change one of the most significant adjustments in the event’s history.

Pride Houston, formally known as Pride Houston® 365, hosts the city’s largest Pride event each year, drawing tens of thousands of participants and spectators downtown. The celebration typically includes a parade, live performances, community programming and vendor booths.

Organizers said planning is already underway, with parade registration open for community groups, nonprofits and businesses. Additional events tied to Pride Month are expected to be announced closer to June.

The schedule shift comes as Houston prepares for one of the largest sporting events in the world, while local LGBTQ+ leaders emphasize the importance of maintaining visibility and celebration during Pride Month.

Further details about the 2026 festival, parade route and programming will be released at a later date.

Texas teachers union sues state education agency over social media investigations

Edward Saenz
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0
Texas teachers union sues state education agency over social media investigations

A major Texas teachers union has filed a federal lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency, alleging the state unlawfully investigated and punished educators for constitutionally protected speech made on personal social media accounts.

The Texas American Federation of Teachers, which represents about 66,000 educators statewide, sued the agency and Education Commissioner Mike Morath this week, claiming the investigations violate the First Amendment.

The lawsuit stems from a September directive sent by Morath to school superintendents after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In the letter, Morath urged districts to report educators who posted what he described as “vile” or “inappropriate” comments online following Kirk’s death.

Union officials say the guidance was vague and led to widespread disciplinary actions against teachers for posts made outside work hours, on personal accounts, and unrelated to classroom instruction.

According to the lawsuit, the agency received more than 350 complaints about educators’ social media activity. About 95 cases remain under review, while others resulted in reprimands, suspensions or job losses, the union said.

“This is an unconstitutional attempt to chill political speech,” Texas AFT President Zeph Capo said in a statement. “Educators should not fear losing their jobs for expressing personal views on their own time.”

The union argues the agency’s actions amount to retaliation and have created a climate of fear among teachers, discouraging them from participating in public discourse.

The Texas Education Agency has defended its actions, saying it has a responsibility to ensure educators uphold professional standards and that districts — not the agency — ultimately decide disciplinary outcomes. The agency declined to comment in detail, citing ongoing litigation.

The lawsuit asks a federal judge to block further investigations related to the directive, rescind Morath’s letter and require the agency to clarify that teachers will not be disciplined for lawful personal speech that does not disrupt school operations.

The case comes amid broader political tensions in Texas over public education, educator conduct and free speech, with lawmakers and advocacy groups increasingly scrutinizing teachers’ online activity.

No court date has been set, yet.

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