HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A mother wants answers from Houston ISD after her 3-year-old left school Monday with a head injury.
Her mother, Jazzlyn Price, said her daughter Harmoni is both autistic and nonverbal.
She’s in pre-kindergarten at Briargrove Elementary in the Greater Uptown.
“I just feel like someone is hiding something,” Price said.
According to Price, Harmoni came home from school and was clearly injured.
According to Price, the teacher explained that she had left Harmoni with two teacher’s aides at 1:45 p.m.
Price said she was told one of the aides noticed Harmoni’s head injury at the end of the school day, around 3 p.m.
“The teacher’s aide said the last time they changed Harmoni was 2:45, so sometime between 2:45 and 3, she ends up with this big knot on her head, and nobody knows how it got there,” Price said.
Price immediately wondered what the school could see on their security cameras.
“Apparently, the cameras are broken at the school, and they are unable to get footage,” Price said.
“We cannot comment publicly on issues involving individual students,” the district said after ABC13 asked about the incident.
“I think every student in the classroom is nonverbal, so if they are being abused or mistreated, no one will know. They can’t advocate for themselves or speak up, so it’s just kind of scary,” Price said.
Eyewitness News followed up with HISD and asked if the incident was being investigated either internally or externally.
In a second statement, HISD said:
“After checking with our Chief of Police, we do not have a report of this incident. As such, no follow-up was conducted. However, a patrol officer was sent today to the school, where a report could be made. The campus may be handling this incident internally if it did occur.”
Price said she’s contacted child protective services and plans to make her own call to police.
“Knots like that, especially that size, don’t just appear on someone’s head. I just want to know what happened,” Price said.
Briargrove was a place Price believed was safe for Harmoni.
But she said every step of their response to her daughter’s injury has proved that is not the case.
“Not only did they see the knot and put her on the bus, but they did not send her to the nurse, (nor did they) send her to get looked at. She could’ve passed out,” Price said.
Eyewitness News asked the district whether Briargrove’s security cameras are functioning but has yet to hear back.
This story comes from ours news partner ABC13 Houston.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A woman killed during a police chase in southeast Houston was hit by the driver who was running from officers, according to police.
The driver is still on the loose after the chase ended in the 3400 block of Rebecca Street, near the I-610 South Loop interchange with SH-288 in the South Union/Greater Old Spanish Trail area.
Houston police said the chase started in southeast Houston around 8:20 p.m. Thursday. Officers reportedly saw a known felony suspect get into a car.
Investigators said the suspect had warrants out for aggravated assault, engaging in organized crime, and possession of a controlled substance.
When officers tried to pull the suspect over, he reportedly refused to stop, sparking the chase.
Investigators said during the pursuit, the suspect ignored stop signs and red lights and even drove on the wrong side of the road, jumping the median while trying to avoid police.
The officers reportedly lost sight of the suspect but then spotted him again around Rebecca Street and Tierwester Street. That’s when they saw him crash into a dumpster and roll into a ditch before getting out of the car and running off.
Police noticed that a woman was hit by the suspect’s car during the crash. Officers tried to start CPR and called for paramedics, but sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
“My heart goes out to the family of the female. [It’s a] very unfortunate incident that occurred out here,” Asst. Chief Keith Seafous said. “We set up a perimeter, trying to locate that suspect. We had Fox (helicopter) overhead, as well as several canines out here and officers in the area, searching for the suspect, but we’ve been unable to locate him at this time.”
Investigators said the suspect initially ran into a nearby apartment complex and at one point, he jumped off the second story. As of Friday morning, he’s still on the run.
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.
Louisiana judges could soon have the authority to order surgical castration for individuals convicted of sex crimes against young children, following legislation passed on Monday.
If signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana would become the first state to implement this form of punishment. The GOP-controlled Legislature approved the bill, which allows judges to sentence offenders to surgical castration for specific aggravated sex crimes, including rape, incest, and molestation of children under 13.
Currently, several states, such as California, Florida, and Texas, permit chemical castration, where offenders may sometimes choose surgical castration. However, the National Conference of State Legislatures notes that no states currently allow judges to mandate surgical castration.
Louisiana has permitted chemical castration for over 16 years, but this method, which uses medication to block testosterone and decrease sex drive, is rarely ordered.
“This is a consequence,” said Republican state Sen. Valarie Hodges in an April committee hearing, emphasizing that this measure goes beyond traditional imprisonment.
The bill saw strong support in both GOP-dominated chambers, with most opposition coming from Democrats, although it was introduced by Democratic state Sen. Regina Barrow.
Currently, 2,224 individuals are imprisoned in Louisiana for sex crimes against children under 13. The new law, if enacted, would apply only to crimes committed on or after August 1 of this year.
Barrow argues that the legislation serves as a deterrent and an additional step in punishing severe crimes.
“We are talking about babies who are being violated by somebody,” she stated during an April committee meeting. “That is inexcusable.”
While castration is typically associated with men, Barrow noted that the law could also apply to women. She emphasized that the punishment would be decided on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of judges and would not be automatic.
Offenders who refuse or fail to undergo the procedure after a judicial order could face additional charges and an extra three to five years in prison. The bill also requires a medical expert to determine if the offender is a suitable candidate for the procedure before it is performed.
Louisiana’s chemical castration law, in effect since 2008, has seen limited use, with only one or two cases reported between 2010 and 2019.
The legislation has faced criticism for being “cruel and unusual punishment” and questions about its effectiveness. Some lawmakers also debated whether the punishment was too harsh for first-time offenders. Barrow countered, “For me, when I think about a child, one time is too many.”
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Temperatures will be ramping up today into the mid-90s under sunny skies, with feels-like temperatures over 100 degrees. We’ll stay mostly dry and hot through the weekend.
What does the weekend look like?
Right now, the weekend forecast is pretty good but it will be hot with highs in the 90s. We could see isolated rain on Sunday but it looks like it will be dry for most.
Will the weak front next week give us a break on the heat?
Probably not. The only way we’ll cool down is if it brings us thunderstorms. This front does not look like it will push through Houston, so we’ll remain on the humid side of it.
What’s happening in the tropics?
There’s nothing threatening in the Gulf of Mexico right now, but it is possible something may try to spin up in the Gulf of Mexico around the middle of June. For more on that, head to our Daily Tropical Weather Update page.
President Joe Biden stated in an interview on Thursday that he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, if found guilty of federal gun charges.
When asked by ABC’s David Muir if he would rule out pardoning his son, the president responded, “Yes,” and affirmed he would accept the trial’s outcome, currently ongoing in Delaware.
The trial has revisited a challenging period for the Biden family, marked by Hunter’s struggle with drug addiction following his brother Beau’s death. First lady Dr. Jill Biden attended the trial before heading to France for D-Day commemoration activities.
Previously, the White House had made it clear that President Biden would not pardon his son. “I’ve been very clear; the president is not going to pardon his son,” stated press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in December.
Hunter Biden faces accusations of illegally purchasing and possessing a firearm while being addicted to drugs, a violation of federal law. He pleaded not guilty to the three charges but has been open about his battles with alcohol and crack cocaine addiction. These charges were brought by special counsel David Weiss.
This situation marks the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president’s child is on trial. President Biden has consistently expressed support for his son, praising his recovery journey.
“I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” Biden stated as the trial commenced.
“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has shown in his recovery are inspiring to us. Many families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and can relate to our experience,” Biden continued. “As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has faced many challenges together, and Jill and I will continue to support Hunter and our family with our love.”
The trial is taking place shortly after a New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn actress. Trump has condemned the verdict and falsely accused Biden of orchestrating the charges against him.
In the Thursday interview, Biden accused Trump of attempting to subvert the rule of law by questioning the jury’s verdict in his trial.
“He’s trying to undermine it,” Biden told Muir. “He got a fair trial. The jury spoke.”
At what age should kids be on social media? Should they be on it at all? If they aren’t, will they be social pariahs? Should parents monitor their conversations? Do parental controls work?
Navigating social media as a parent — not to mention a child — is not easy. Using social media platforms is still the default for most American teenagers, with the Pew Research Center reporting that 58% of teens are daily users of TikTok, including 17% who describe their TikTok use as almost constant. About half of teens use Snapchat and Instagram daily, with near-constant use at 14% and 8% for each, respectively.
But parents — and even some teens themselves — are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media use on young people. Lawmakers have taken notice and have held multiple congressional hearings on child online safety. But even with apparent bipartisan unity, making laws and regulating companies takes time. So far, no regulation has passed.
What are parents — and teens — supposed to do in the meantime? Here are some tips on staying safe, communicating and setting limits on social media — for kids as well as their parents.
IS 13 THE MAGIC AGE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA?
There’s already, technically, a rule that prohibits kids under 13 from using platforms that advertise to them without parental consent: The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act that went into effect in 2000, before today’s teenagers were even born.
The goal was to protect kids’ online privacy by requiring websites and online services to disclose clear privacy policies and get parents’ consent before gathering personal information on their kids, among other things. To comply, social media companies have generally banned kids under 13 from signing up for their services.
But times have changed, and online privacy is no longer the only concern when it comes to kids being online. There’s bullying, harassment, the risk of developing eating disorders, suicidal thoughts or worse.
For years, there has been a push among parents, educators and tech experts to wait to give children phones — and access to social media — until they are older, such as the “Wait Until 8th” pledge that has parents sign a pledge not to give their kids a smartphone until the 8th grade, or about age 13 or 14. Some wait even later, like 16 or 17.
But neither social media companies nor the government have done anything concrete to increase the age limit.
IF THE LAW WON’T BAN KIDS, SHOULD PARENTS?
“There is not necessarily a magical age,” said Christine Elgersma, a social media expert at the nonprofit Common Sense Media. But, she added, “13 is probably not the best age for kids to get on social media.”
The laws currently being proposed include blanket bans on the under-13 set when it comes to social media. The problem? There’s no easy way to verify a person’s age when they sign up for apps and online services. And the apps popular with teens today were created for adults first. Companies have added some safeguards over the years, Elgersma noted, but these are piecemeal changes, not fundamental rethinks of the services.
“Developers need to start building apps with kids in mind,” she said.
Some tech executives, celebrities such as Jennifer Garner and parents from all walks of life have resorted to banning their kids from social media altogether. While the decision is a personal one that depends on each child and parent, some experts say this could lead to isolating kids, who could be left out of activities and discussions with friends that take place on social media or chat services.
Another hurdle — kids who have never been on social media may find themselves ill-equipped to navigate the platforms when they are suddenly allowed free rein the day they turn 18.
TALK, TALK, TALK
A more realistic and effective approach to social media, experts say, is a slow, deliberate onboarding that gives children the tools and information they need to navigate a world in which places like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are almost impossible to escape.
“You cannot just expect that the kids will jump into the world of social media, learn how to swim on their own,” said Natalie Bazarova, a professor of communications and director of the Cornell Social Media Lab. “They need to have instruction.”
Start early, earlier than you think. Elgersma suggests that parents go through their own social media feeds with their children before they are old enough to be online and have open discussions on what they see. How would your child handle a situation where a friend of a friend asks them to send a photo? Or if they see an article that makes them so angry they just want to share it right away?
For older kids, Elgersma says to approach them with curiosity and interest, “asking about what their friends are doing or just not asking direct questions like, ‘What are you doing on Instagram?’ but rather, ‘Hey, I heard this influencer is really popular.’” And even if your kid rolled their eyes it could be a window.”
Don’t say things like “Turn that thing off!” when your kid has been scrolling for a long time, says Jean Rogers, the director of the nonprofit Fairplay’s Screen Time Action Network.
“That’s not respectful,” Rogers said. “It doesn’t respect that they have a whole life and a whole world in that device.”
Instead, Rogers suggests asking them questions about what they do on their phone, and see what your child is willing to share.
Kids are also likely to respond to parents and educators “pulling back the curtains” on social media and the sometimes insidious tools companies use to keep people online and engaged, Elgersma said. Watch a documentary like “The Social Dilemma” that explores algorithms, dark patterns and dopamine feedback cycles of social media. Or read up with them how Facebook and TikTok make money.
“Kids love to be in the know about these things, and it will give them a sense of power,” she said.
SETTING LIMITS
Rogers says most parents have success with taking their kids’ phones overnight to limit their scrolling. Occasionally kids might try to sneak the phone back, but it’s a strategy that tends to work because kids need a break from the screen.
“They need to an excuse with their peers to not be on their phone at night,” Rogers said. “They can blame their parents.”
Parents may need their own limits on phone use. Rogers said it’s helpful to explain what you are doing when you do have a phone in hand around your child so they understand you are not aimlessly scrolling through sites like Instagram. Tell your child that you’re checking work email, looking up a recipe for dinner or paying a bill so they understand you’re not on there just for fun. Then tell them when you plan to put the phone down.
WHAT ABOUT PARENTAL CONTROLS?
Social media platforms that cater to children have added an ever-growing array of parental controls as they face increasing scrutiny over child safety. For instance, Meta unveiled parental supervision tools last year that lets parents set time limits, see who their kid follows or is followed by, and allows them to track how much time the minor spends on Instagram. It does not let parents see message content.
But as with similar tools on other platforms such as TikTok, the feature is optional, and both kids and parents have to agree to use it. In order to nudge kids toward agreeing to set up the controls, Instagram sends a notice to teens after they block someone, encouraging them to let their parents “supervise” their account. The idea is to grab kids’ attention when they might be more open to parental guidance.
By making the feature optional, Meta says it is trying to “balance teen safety and autonomy” as well as prompt conversations between parents and their children.
Such features can be useful for families in which parents are already involved in their child’s online life and activities. Experts say that’s not the reality for many people.
U.S. Surgeon General Murthy said last year it’s unfair to expect parents to manage what their children do with rapidly evolving technology that “fundamentally changes how their kids think about themselves, how they build friendships, how they experience the world — and technology, by the way, that prior generations never had to manage.”
Putting all of that on the shoulders of parents, he said, “is just simply not fair.”
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A car crash involving an 18-wheeler prompted all westbound lanes to be closed on Beaumont Highway in east Harris County on Thursday afternoon.
Although details are limited, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office told ABC13 that the crash involved a big rig and a passenger car.
SkyEye was above the scene, where skid marks from the 18-wheeler’s tires could be seen, and crews were working to clear the area.
It is unclear how long drivers can expect the road closures to last, but authorities encourage commuters to take alternate routes.
At about 1 p.m., Life Flight landed on the highway, just east of the Sam Houston Tollway, for at least one person.
The sheriff’s office didn’t confirm how many people were injured or the condition of the person being flown to Memorial Hermann.
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.
On Thursday, a federal judge ordered Steve Bannon, former adviser to Donald Trump, to begin a four-month prison sentence on July 1 for defying subpoenas from the Jan. 6 Committee, following the rejection of his appeal by a higher court.
Bannon was convicted in July 2022 on two counts of contempt of Congress, but his sentence was delayed during his appeal.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols stated the “original basis” for delaying Bannon’s sentence no longer existed after the appeals court upheld his conviction. Although Bannon could still appeal Nichols’ ruling, the judge decided it was time for Bannon to serve his sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston emphasized during the 2022 trial, “The defendant chose allegiance to Donald Trump over compliance with the law.”
Sentenced in October 2022, Bannon’s four-month prison term mirrors that of Peter Navarro, another former Trump adviser, who also defied the Jan. 6 Committee subpoena. Bannon’s lawyers had sought to delay the sentence until they could appeal to higher courts, including the Supreme Court. They suggested any delay might work in Bannon’s favor if Trump wins the presidency in November and potentially pardons Bannon.
Entering the courthouse with a smile, Bannon appeared unperturbed, even greeting a supporter who called out, “Trump ‘24!” Following Judge Nichols’ decision, Bannon remained composed. His attorney, David Schoen, however, reacted passionately.
“You’re sending a man to prison who thought he was complying with the law, we don’t do that in my system,” Schoen argued and criticized the ruling as “contrary to our system of justice.”
Judge Nichols advised Schoen to sit down, responding, “I think you should sit down,” to which Schoen retorted he was not yelling but being “passionate.”
Judge Nichols, a Trump appointee, has overseen multiple Jan. 6 cases, including rejecting the government’s use of an obstruction charge against several Jan. 6 defendants and Trump himself.
This case has reached the Supreme Court, which heard arguments in April. Nichols also recently sentenced a Jan. 6 defendant to over six years in prison for assaulting law enforcement officers with bear spray, a conviction aided by evidence from a Bumble dating app sting operation.
The Houston Independent School District is soliciting Requests for Proposal (RFP) via the district’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 11:00 a.m. (CST) Thursday, June 13, 2024, for the following solicitation(s):
RFP 24-01-01 MRMS PaaS Hosting Services
Pre-proposal conferences via Microsoft Teams will be held in conjunction with these RFP’s. Information regarding dates, times, and a link to join the meeting is located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab specific to the solicitation.
