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Washington Stalemate Deepens as Shutdown Enters Third Week

Indira Zaldivar
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Washington Stalemate Deepens as Shutdown Enters Third Week

Top Republicans and Democrats remained at an impasse Sunday as the government shutdown continued, with both sides blaming each other while federal workers, military families and millions of Americans braced for growing impacts.

Democrats are pushing for health care concessions before agreeing to reopen the government. House Speaker Mike Johnson countered that Democrats have repeatedly voted to keep the government closed, calling the situation “real pain for real people.”

Trump Fires Workers, Vows to Pay Military

President Donald Trump began firing federal workers rather than furloughing them, marking a sharp break from past shutdown practices. At least 4,000 civil servants were notified of layoffs on Oct. 10, with more expected. Military members were set to miss their first paycheck on Oct. 15, but Trump announced the Pentagon found funds to keep paying roughly 1.3 million active-duty personnel.

Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo Go Dark

The Smithsonian Institution’s 21 museums and the National Zoo closed Sunday, halting operations and taking popular animal livestreams offline. Officials said animals will continue to receive care, but no regular updates will be provided until the shutdown ends.

Marathons and National Parks Impacted

The Marine Corps Marathon scheduled for Oct. 26 in Washington, D.C., will proceed, but organizers are monitoring the situation closely. Other races have already been canceled. National parks remain open but with limited services and no entrance fee collection, as seen at Joshua Tree National Park.

Social Security and Food Aid Continue

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments will continue despite staff furloughs. SNAP and WIC food assistance programs will operate as long as funding allows, according to the USDA.

Congress and President Still Paid

The Constitution protects the pay of the president and members of Congress during shutdowns. Trump has said he will again donate his salary. Some lawmakers announced they will forgo pay during the funding lapse.

Education Department Hit by Layoffs

Roughly 20% of the Department of Education’s workforce was cut on Oct. 11, reducing support services nationwide. Most teachers continue to be paid through state and local funding, but schools relying on federal aid — especially those on military bases and tribal lands — are being hit harder.

Public Opinion Tilts Against GOP

A recent Economist/YouGov poll found 41% of Americans blame Republicans and Trump for the shutdown, compared to 30% who blame Democrats. Among those aware of the GOP’s congressional majority, blame toward Republicans rose to 49%.

Thousands More Layoffs Expected

More than 4,000 federal employees have already received layoff notices, affecting agencies from Commerce to Treasury. The Education Department’s Office of Special Education was among those eliminated.

Senate Considers Next Steps

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said another vote on a temporary funding bill will take place Oct. 14, but it still lacks enough Democratic support to pass. Some Republicans are floating abolishing the legislative filibuster to end the impasse, but Thune opposes the move.

House Democrats to Convene

House Democrats plan to meet Oct. 14 to strategize on reopening the government. They continue to push for restoring Medicaid funding and Affordable Care Act subsidies as part of any funding deal.

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

Nice weather continues Sunday, another front now in the forecast

ABC13 Houston
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Nice weather continues Sunday, another front now in the forecast

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Sunday looks to bring a repeat of the lovely weather we enjoyed on Saturday. There’s now another fall front in the forecast, but we’ll have to sweat through some near record heat before it gets here.

Our southeasterly breeze from the gulf is coming back, which will push moisture levels up slightly in the afternoon as high temperatures peak in the upper 80s and low 90s across Southeast Texas. There is also the possibility for unhealthy levels of ozone pollution in the late afternoon and early evening. And with this warm, dry weather, be aware that there is an increased fire danger risk if one were to spark and spread

When is the next front supposed to arrive?

It now looks like we stand a decent chance to get another fall front next weekend on or around Sunday, October 19th. It’s still too far away to get overly confident in the details at this time, but it looks to be more than just a humidity drop like this last one.

Will that front bring us any rain?

Possibly, but it won’t be enough to turn the building drought around. This looks to be a Pacific cool front, which typically brings a thin band of showers and thunderstorms. Right now we have rain chances at 30% next Sunday, but there is room for those chances to go higher.

What else should I know for the week ahead?

We’ll continue to have lovely mornings in the 60s around sunrise, but it will cook into the low 90s during the afternoon, challenging record highs. Ozone pollution could also be a problem on most afternoons. There is also an upper air disturbance coming in Thursday and Friday that could spark a few showers, but it looks to be moisture-starved at this time, hence rain chances at 20% or less for now.

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

Meta Ray-Ban Display: The Next Generation of AI-Powered Smart Glasses Blending Style and Technology

Que Onda Editorial
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Meta Ray-Ban Display: The Next Generation of AI-Powered Smart Glasses Blending Style and Technology

Meta and Ray-Ban have teamed up in 2025 for the launch of their latest smart glasses: the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a breakthrough device that blends classic spectacle style with cutting-edge wearable technology. These glasses have quickly become one of the year’s most talked-about tech releases, standing out for both their futuristic features and iconic Ray-Ban design.

Iconic Look with Smart Features

The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses retain the recognizable Ray-Ban Wayfarer and Skyler shapes, but inside, they integrate advanced smart capabilities including a high-resolution display, on-the-go connectivity, and ambient audio. The front-facing camera allows users to take 12MP photos and 1080p video, all controllable with a touch panel on the right frame or hands-free voice commands using Meta AI. This means you can snap pictures, record video, play music, and answer calls straight from your glasses, just by saying “Hey Meta”.

Next-Level Display and AI

The star feature is the bright, sharp 3K HDR display embedded into the right lens, offering a resolution of 42 pixels per degree and up to 5,000 nits of brightness for visibility indoors or out. This mini-display can show texts, calls, live translation, and real-time navigation, letting users interact with digital information without having to reach for a phone. An innovative “Meta Neural Band” wristband ship with every pair, using electromyography (EMG) to translate subtle finger and wrist muscle movements into commands, so users can control playback and send messages with simple gestures.

Audio and Battery

The glasses feature directional speakers built into the temples, offering ambient sound for music and calls with minimal leakage and an unobstructed ear for environmental awareness. Battery life averages 4 hours per charge, with a carrying case that offers fast charging and extends use throughout the day.

Software and Connectivity

At launch, Meta Ray-Ban Display supports Meta’s messaging apps and services, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Meta Maps, and Spotify, with more app integrations planned for the future. The glasses are available in black and sand finishes and retail for $799. They ship with a Neural Band for gesture control and a stylish carrying case. Although current app selection is limited to Meta’s own services, software updates and a future app store are expected to expand functionality significantly.

Final Thoughts

Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses have set a new standard for wearable tech by merging fashion and technology in a form factor that feels familiar yet advanced. Early reviews point to strong AI integration, quality visuals, and impressive hands-free operation, though some users report limitations in app support and fashion-forward sizing. As wearable AI improves and new apps arrive, Ray-Ban and Meta are positioned as leaders in smart glasses for daily life and digital creativity.

Joe Biden Undergoing Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Indira Zaldivar
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Joe Biden Undergoing Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Former President Joe Biden has begun radiation and hormone therapy for an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, his spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY. Biden, 82, was diagnosed in May after doctors discovered a small nodule on his prostate during a routine exam. The cancer had spread to the bone, his office said.

Common but Treatable Illness

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 8, according to the American Cancer Society. While approximately 1 in 44 men die from the disease, most diagnosed cases do not result in death. Biden’s cancer is described as hormone-sensitive, making it responsive to treatment.

Biden’s Message to the Public

In a message shared earlier this year, Biden reflected on the diagnosis, writing, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

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

Methane Leaks Discovered in Antarctic Seabed

Indira Zaldivar
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Methane Leaks Discovered in Antarctic Seabed

Scientists have detected significant methane emissions seeping through cracks in the Antarctic seafloor, raising new concerns about greenhouse gas releases in a rapidly warming region. The findings, published in Nature Communications, show methane escaping at high rates from the Ross Sea, suggesting the phenomenon may be widespread rather than isolated.

A Potent Greenhouse Gas Emerging from the Deep

Methane, described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a “super pollutant,” is responsible for about a third of human-caused global warming and is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Researchers observed streams of methane bubbles rising from fissures beneath the seabed using acoustic surveys and remotely operated vehicles in Northern Victoria Land and McMurdo Sound.

Warming Linked to Seafloor Seepage

The Ross Sea leaks appear in regions rich in hydrocarbons and are likely influenced by warming temperatures and melting ice. As ice sheets and glaciers lose mass, the resulting drop in pressure can destabilize methane reservoirs beneath the seafloor, accelerating gas discharge. Similar processes have been observed in the Arctic, where tens of thousands of methane seeps have been documented.

Uncertain Role, Urgent Need for Study

While scientists have long known of methane reserves beneath oceans, the scale and impact of Antarctic emissions remain unclear. Researchers emphasized the importance of further study to understand how these leaks could affect global climate, especially as the Antarctic undergoes rapid ice loss and environmental change.

For more environmental news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

CDC Outbreak Response Teams Hit by Shutdown Layoffs

Edward Saenz
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CDC Outbreak Response Teams Hit by Shutdown Layoffs

The Trump administration followed through on its warnings Friday, issuing mass layoffs to thousands of federal employees on day 10 of the government shutdown. Among those affected were critical staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including teams responsible for responding to infectious disease outbreaks, sources told ABC News.

Key Public Health Departments Affected

Roughly 130 employees in the director’s office of the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases were terminated, including much of its leadership. These staff members oversaw divisions that handle bacterial and viral diseases, influenza, coronaviruses, vaccination programs, and public health communications.

Ongoing Health Threats

The layoffs come as the U.S. faces multiple health challenges. Measles outbreaks have surged to their highest levels since 1992, last year’s flu season was among the deadliest in decades, and whooping cough cases remain near record highs for a second year.

Broader Federal Firings

More than 4,000 federal workers across seven agencies received layoff notices this week. President Trump confirmed the shutdown firings would be “Democrat-oriented,” while lawmakers like Sen. Susan Collins voiced strong opposition. The administration has defended the moves as necessary to keep essential services running.

The Department of Health and Human Services and the White House did not immediately comment on the CDC layoffs.

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

Trump Unveils 100% Tariff on Chinese Imports

Michael Esparza
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Trump Unveils 100% Tariff on Chinese Imports

President Donald Trump announced Friday he will impose a 100% tariff on Chinese imports starting Nov. 1, escalating trade tensions after a sharp stock market drop. The move follows China’s decision to impose new export restrictions on rare earth minerals, critical to the global tech industry.

Response to “Aggressive” Chinese Trade Moves

Trump said China sent “an extremely hostile letter” to the world, outlining broad export controls on nearly all products. He called the action “unprecedented” and “a moral disgrace,” vowing to raise tariffs “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying.” Current tariffs stand at 30%, down from a peak of 145% earlier this year.

Stock Market Reaction

Earlier Friday, Trump’s tariff threats triggered a selloff on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 385 points, or 0.8%, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.25% and the Nasdaq declined 1.75%.

Oval Office Remarks

Speaking later from the Oval Office, Trump described China’s actions as “shocking” and insisted his decision was a reaction, not provocation. “This was just a response to something that they did,” he said, adding, “We’ll see what happens.”

Xi Meeting Uncertain

Trump hinted he may cancel his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea. “Now there seems to be no reason to do so,” he wrote earlier, though he later clarified that the meeting’s status remains undecided.

The announcement marks a sharp escalation just weeks before the current trade truce between the two nations is set to expire.

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

Pleasant weekend with cool mornings and lots of sunshine

ABC13 Houston
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Pleasant weekend with cool mornings and lots of sunshine

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’ve got a lovely weekend in store for us… cooler mornings with low humidity and then a bright, sunny sky that will still make it feel pretty warm in the afternoon.

After a cool, fall-ish morning, temperatures will quickly climb into the upper 80s as it’s all sun from there on out. We keep the sunshine and warm temperatures too for Sunday afternoon with this warm stretch extending into next week too. And with this hot and dry weather, be aware that there is an increased fire danger risk is one were to spark and spread.

Will the low humidity stick around for the whole weekend?

It sure will! The weather will be great for outdoor activities, but all this sunny, dry weather will continue to dry out the ground and increase drought and fire danger conditions.

When’s our next chance for rain?

As of now, rain chances are slim over the next 10 days. We’ve got a 20-30% chance for rain as we head into next weekend, but until then it’s bone dry thanks to surface high pressure lingering across the region for the next week. This means any existing drought conditions will unfortunately get worse into the mid-October.

What is happening in the tropics?

We are continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Jerry. It’s expected to stay out at sea away from the United States. 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!

Abbott Orders Crackdown on Hemp and Vape Shops Amid THC Regulation Debate

Edward Saenz
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Abbott Orders Crackdown on Hemp and Vape Shops Amid THC Regulation Debate

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety and other agencies to ramp up enforcement against hemp and vape retailers suspected of selling products that exceed legal THC limits, escalating the state’s ongoing battle over how to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids.

The directive, announced Monday, instructs DPS to coordinate with local law enforcement and health agencies to conduct inspections and seize products that violate state or federal standards. It comes after months of tension between lawmakers, industry groups and regulators over the fast-growing market for consumable hemp goods like delta-8 and delta-9 gummies.

“Texas will protect children from dangerous hemp products,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to increase surveillance and enforcement of any vape and smoke shop violating Texas law. Texas will prioritize protecting our children.”

Under current law, hemp products in Texas must contain no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis — the same standard established by the federal 2018 Farm Bill. However, enforcement has proven difficult as manufacturers produce psychoactive compounds derived from hemp that skirt the definition of marijuana.

Abbott’s move follows his September Executive Order GA-56, which banned the sale of THC-containing hemp products to minors and directed state agencies to adopt stricter labeling and testing rules. The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission are now developing permanent regulations under that order.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Republican leaders have pushed for an outright ban on consumable hemp products, but Abbott has instead called for a regulatory framework similar to alcohol and tobacco — one that imposes age limits, testing standards and retail oversight without shuttering the industry.

The governor’s office said DPS enforcement will focus first on stores accused of selling untested or mislabeled edibles, particularly in urban areas where complaints have surged. Violations could lead to civil fines or criminal charges, depending on the product’s THC concentration and packaging.

Advocates in the hemp industry say they support more oversight but oppose what they call selective enforcement and political posturing.

The hemp market in Texas has ballooned since 2019, with hundreds of shops opening statewide and sales reaching an estimated $2.1 billion annually, according to industry analysts. Retailers say the lack of consistent enforcement has fueled both confusion and abuse.

For now, Abbott’s order signals a middle-ground approach: tightening enforcement while leaving the door open for a more structured, legal hemp economy.

Texas Marks Major Progress in Highway, Flood Control Projects

Edward Saenz
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Texas Marks Major Progress in Highway, Flood Control Projects

Texas transportation officials say they are moving ahead of schedule on several key infrastructure projects, part of a multibillion-dollar effort to expand roads, relieve congestion and improve flood resilience across the state.

The Texas Department of Transportation reported Thursday that projects ranging from highway expansions to new flyovers and drainage systems advanced in September, with some finishing months ahead of schedule.

In San Antonio, a $6.8 million turnaround bridge at the U.S. 90 and Texas 211 interchange wrapped up roughly four months early. The project is one of several in the region’s ongoing Loop 1604 expansion, a $1.4 billion effort to widen the northwest corridor from four to 10 lanes and reconfigure the outdated I-10 interchange.

TxDOT officials said five of eight planned flyover ramps are already open to traffic near The Shops at La Cantera, with the remainder expected to open by 2027.

In Houston, a $400 million project to elevate I-10 above the White Oak Bayou floodplain is entering a critical phase later this month. Beginning Oct. 24, westbound traffic will be reduced to two lanes between I-45 and Houston Avenue as crews rebuild elevated mainlanes and replace the Houston Avenue Bridge.

Several connector ramps will close for extended periods, including the I-45 southbound to I-10 westbound ramp, which is expected to remain closed until mid-2026. The I-10 eastbound to I-45 northbound ramp will stay shut through 2028.

“These projects are about more than just mobility,” TxDOT spokesperson Veronica Beyer said in a statement. “They’re about safety, flood protection and preparing Texas infrastructure for future growth.”

In Central Texas, the department is also studying an extension of U.S. 290 from State Highway 130 to State Highway 95 near Bastrop, one of the state’s most congested corridors. The 15-mile project, still in its planning stage, could include new tolled mainlanes and intersection upgrades to improve traffic flow between Travis and Bastrop counties.

Meanwhile, international contractor Ferrovial announced $720 million in new Texas infrastructure contracts, including a deep pump station connected to Austin’s I-35 Capital Express Central project. The system is designed to improve flood drainage along one of the state’s busiest urban highways.

Gov. Greg Abbott has touted the state’s 10-year, $146 billion transportation plan as a cornerstone of Texas’ long-term economic growth strategy.

“These investments ensure Texas remains the economic engine of the nation,” Abbott said in a recent statement. “We’re not just building roads — we’re building opportunity.”

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