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HCC is Here for Houston: Learn. Earn. Rise. Enrollment Showcase opens doors to affordable degrees and workforce programs.

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Whether you are starting your college journey or returning to finish what you started, Houston City College (HCC) is ready to help you move forward. On Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., HCC will host a systemwide enrollment showcase at multiple campuses across Houston.

The event invites current, returning and prospective eligible students to have their tuition covered, gain hands-on workforce programs and training opportunities that lead to in-demand careers and higher earning potential.

Participating locations include:

  • Alief Hayes Campus, 2811 Hayes Rd.
  • Coleman College, 1900 Pressler St.
  • Eastside Campus, 6815 Rustic St.
  • Northline Campus, 8001 Fulton St.
  • South Campus, 1990 Airport Blvd.
  • Stafford Campus, 10041 Cash Rd.

“This moment is about opportunity­­— for our students, for our city and for every Houstonian ready to take the next step toward a better future,” said Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D., HCC chancellor. “We’re ‘Here for Houston’ in every sense, through removing barriers, expanding access and connecting learning to employment and economic mobility.”

Each campus will feature:

  • Spotlights on programs in high-demand careers such as health sciences, IT, smart manufacturing, construction and transportation, to name a few
  • Hands‑on demonstrations and guided campus tours
  • Financial aid and admissions workshops to help students enroll for Spring 2026
  • Career and employer connections, including presentations from local industry partners
  • Family‑friendly activities and bilingual support representatives

 Through its “Connect2/Houston Reconnect” initiative and expanded tuition assistance programs, HCC continues to open doors for returning adults, recent graduates, and career‑changers seeking credentials that lead directly to employment.

“This enrollment showcase is an invitation for every Houstonian, whether you’re returning to school, exploring a new career or looking to start fresh,” said HCC Board of Trustees Chair Eva Loredo. “HCC is ready to help you learn, earn and rise.” 

For more information or to register for the enrollment showcase on Saturday, Nov. 15, visit hccs.edu/openhouse or call (713) 718‑2000.

Space Center Houston Marks National STEM Day with Hands-On Activities

Space Center Houston is celebrating National STEM Day with two days of interactive programming designed to spark curiosity in science and space exploration. Events take place Friday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and continue Saturday, Nov. 8.

Activities Included with Admission

Visitors can take part in robotics demonstrations, virtual reality experiences, live science experiments, and astronaut readiness tests. All activities are included with regular admission.

Special Programs and Presentations

One highlight is The Brainstormers and Their Cosmic Mission, a new play presented by Alley Theatre, which encourages teamwork and creative problem-solving through an out-of-this-world story.

Additional activities include:

  • Planetarium showings (Friday only, every 30 minutes)
  • Virtual Reality labs
  • Functional Task Test astronaut training replica
  • Robotics setups in the main plaza
  • Carbon capture demonstrations in lab spaces

Event Details

When:
Friday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 8 (select activities continue)

Where:
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058

For more details, visitors can explore Space Center Houston’s National STEM Day information online.

World’s Tallest Teen Makes College Basketball History

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Florida’s 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux officially became the tallest player to ever appear in a college basketball game when he stepped on the court during No. 3 Florida’s 104-64 win over North Florida.

A Crowd-Fueled Debut

Fans chanted “We Want Ollie” throughout the game, prompting coach Todd Golden to put the 19-year-old redshirt freshman in with just over two minutes remaining. Rioux didn’t touch the ball, but his presence alone drew cheers — and a few stunned reactions from opposing players.

“It felt great,” Rioux said afterward. “Everybody supported me. I’m very grateful.”

Breaking Height Records

Rioux stands taller than NBA legends Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and three inches above Yao Ming and Tacko Fall. He already held the Guinness World Record for tallest teenager when he signed with Florida in 2024.

Last season, Rioux chose to redshirt to focus on strength and skill development, often going viral on campus for everyday moments made extraordinary by his height — like ducking through doorways and reaching banners without jumping.

Patience and Persistence Pay Off

Coach Golden said Rioux has maintained a positive attitude despite limited playing opportunities. Because Florida returned multiple frontcourt players this year, Rioux is expected to see the floor mostly in late-game situations.

Teammates celebrated his debut enthusiastically.

“Play with confidence,” teammate Micah Handlogten told him before he checked in. “You’ve worked your butt off for this.”

Rioux didn’t score — but he didn’t need to. His moment was about something bigger: making history, and finally hearing the home crowd roar for him.

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

Newsom to Rally in Texas Against Redistricting Efforts

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom is heading to Texas this weekend to campaign against the state’s recent redistricting plan, joining local Democratic lawmakers in opposing what he calls election manipulation.

California Passes Its Own Redistricting Measure

The trip comes just days after California voters approved Proposition 50, allowing lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional districts midcycle. The move could net Democrats as many as five additional House seats in the 2026 elections, making California the first Democratic-led state to counter similar efforts by Republican states.

National Strategy and Future Ambitions

Newsom framed the effort as part of a broader national fight. “California stepped up. Now, we are taking this fight across the country — helping Democrats in other states push back against Trump’s election rigging,” he said. The rally is scheduled for Saturday at noon, though the exact location has not been released.

The move is also seen as one that could boost Newsom’s national profile as he weighs a possible 2028 presidential bid.

Texas Republicans Move Forward With Their Own Map

Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed off on new district lines in August, a change expected to add several Republican seats. Abbott celebrated the move, saying the map reflects “Texans’ actual voting preferences.”

Both states now stand at the center of a widening national battle over who controls congressional boundaries ahead of the next election cycle.

For the latest political news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Man Sentenced to Life for Killing Mother and Four Children

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A 20-year-old Sri Lankan student, Febrio De-Zoysa, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal killing of six people in Ottawa, including a mother and her four young children. He will not be eligible for parole for 25 years.

The Victims

The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake and her children — seven-year-old Inuka, four-year-old Ashwini, three-year-old Ranaya, and two-month-old Kelly. A family friend, 40-year-old Gamini Amarakoon, was also killed. The father, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, survived the attack but suffered serious injuries.

A Trusted Housemate Turned Attacker

De-Zoysa had been living in the family’s basement while studying in Canada. In court, he admitted the family had been kind to him, but said he was “unwell” at the time. Investigators learned he had purchased a large hunting knife weeks earlier.

Judge Calls Crime ‘Monstrous’

During sentencing, Justice Kevin Phillips condemned De-Zoysa’s actions, calling them “stupefying” and “the stuff of nightmares.” De-Zoysa sat expressionless for most of the hearing but offered an apology, saying he would spend his life acknowledging what he had done.

A Family Shattered

The tragedy devastated relatives both in Canada and Sri Lanka. Amarakoon’s widow said her husband had given everything to support their family. Wickramasinghe, the surviving father, told the court the loss had “destroyed my whole world,” adding that he brought his family to Canada seeking peace and opportunity.

“Please do not destroy the peace and quiet of this land,” he said. “Let us protect and respect it.”

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

Foggy mornings and near record highs expected until major cooldown arrives Sunday

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Warmer days are on tap for Friday and Saturday before a couple of strong cold fronts moves in Sunday. Behind these fronts we expect a blustery Monday morning and the potential for some frost on Tuesday morning.

Friday will start off with another round of fog, which could be dense in spots, especially along I-10. Any fog should burn off by around 9 a.m. Temperatures will warm into the upper 80s once the sun comes out.

When does the cool down begin?

Our next front gets here around sunrise Sunday morning, and it will make for a breezy, sunny, and cooler finish to the weekend. Temperatures will only warm into the low 70s with the north wind blowing at around 25 mph. An even stronger cold front will reach us on Sunday night as a cold high pressure cell from the Canadian arctic slides down the Plains and into Texas. Monday morning lows will be in the low 40s and upper 30s with wind chill factors near freezing! Sunshine will only allow temperatures to barely clear 60 degrees in the afternoon..

What does the weather forecast look like for Veterans Day?

It looks chilly in the morning! In fact, frost is possible at sunrise with lows in the 30s. Abundant sunshine and the return of the Gulf breeze should warm those temperatures toward 70 in the afternoon.

Any more rain on the horizon?

Not really. We are out of the main storm track over the next 7 to 10 days. Aside from a 10% chance of rain when the first cold front arrives before sunrise on Sunday, the best we can muster right now is a 20% chance of rain about 10 days from now. Therefore, more drought-building conditions are expected for the first half of November. We do see a transition to a wetter weather pattern by the middle of the month.

What is happening in the tropics?

There are no tropical developments expected in the Atlantic Basin over the next 7 days. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

¡Que Onda! Magazine Houston – edición 1337

Arctic Blast to Bring First Taste of Winter to Millions

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A major weather pattern shift will send Arctic air sweeping across much of the United States, delivering the coldest temperatures of the season so far. The chill begins this weekend and is expected to spread south and east, dropping temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal for areas east of the Rockies by Monday.

Cold Air Reaches Deep Into the South

By early next week, even the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast could see unusually cold mornings. Some cities may approach or break daily record lows as winter-like air settles in briefly.

First Snowflakes for Parts of the Midwest

The colder pattern will trigger the first chances for snow across portions of the Midwest. Lake-effect snow is likely to develop downwind of the Great Lakes, potentially bringing measurable snowfall to parts of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Other cities, including Chicago and Milwaukee, may see their first flurries of the season, though accumulation is expected to be light.

Weekend and Early Week Forecast Highlights

The northern Plains and Upper Midwest will feel the cold first on Saturday, with temperatures falling into the 30s for some. By Sunday, much of the central U.S. will wake up to lows in the 20s and highs that remain well below average.

Monday will be the coldest day for most areas. Cities like Nashville, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and New York could see temperatures nearly 20 degrees below normal. Morning wind chills in the East may dip into the 20s.

Cold Snap Will Be Brief

The icy blast will not last long. Temperatures are forecast to rebound quickly in the central U.S. by Tuesday, with most of the East warming back toward normal by Wednesday.

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

United Airlines to Offer Refunds During Ongoing Government Shutdown

United Airlines will allow customers to receive full refunds for travel scheduled during the ongoing government shutdown, even for non-refundable or basic economy tickets. CEO Scott Kirby shared the update in a memo to employees as federal agencies announced widespread flight schedule reductions.

Flight Reductions at 40 Airports

The Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation instructed airlines to scale back flight schedules across 40 domestic airports beginning Friday. The move comes amid staffing shortages caused by the shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history.

Kirby said United will prioritize maintaining long-haul international flights and hub-to-hub routes, while reductions will mainly affect regional and domestic flights that do not connect major hubs. Customers will receive updates and rebooking options through the United app, website and alert notifications.

4,000 Daily Flights to Continue

Despite the cuts, United and United Express partners still plan to operate around 4,000 flights per day. Kirby emphasized the airline’s intent to minimize disruption where possible.

Airspace Restrictions Announced

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the schedule reductions were ordered due to air traffic control safety risks. Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA employees are currently working without pay, intensifying staffing strain.

Duffy noted the restrictions could be lifted if political negotiations lead to reopening the government.

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

Pelosi to Retire After Nearly Four Decades in Congress

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection and will retire at the end of her current term in early 2027, concluding a historic career in Congress. The 85-year-old lawmaker shared the news Thursday in a video message addressed to her San Francisco constituents, whom she has represented since 1987.

“We have made history. We have made progress,” Pelosi said. “I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative.”

A Historic and Influential Career

Pelosi made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, holding the role twice—from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. She played a central role in major legislative achievements, including the Affordable Care Act, and earned a reputation as one of the most formidable vote-counters and coalition builders in modern congressional history.

Even after stepping down from the speakership, Pelosi continued to hold significant influence as a close adviser to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who praised her as a “legendary public servant.”

Support and Legacy in California Politics

California Democratic leaders highlighted Pelosi’s impact at both the state and national levels. Rep. Pete Aguilar noted her instrumental push for Proposition 50, a redistricting initiative aimed at expanding Democratic representation. “She’s the greatest of all time,” Aguilar said.

In her announcement video, Pelosi reflected on San Francisco’s identity as a place of diversity and innovation, highlighting the city’s activism around issues such as HIV/AIDS and human rights—causes she championed throughout her tenure.

Faith and Forward Message

Pelosi closed her message by invoking her Catholic faith and quoting St. Francis of Assisi, tying her public service to a lifelong belief in community responsibility. She urged San Franciscans to “know your power” and continue shaping the nation’s future.

“Remain full participants in our democracy,” she said. “Fight for the American ideals we hold dear.”

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