HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets are being credited with helping rescue people stranded in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a university spokesperson.
The academy left Galveston on Sunday, June 2, for an annual training semester for students enrolled in degree programs combined with U.S. Coast Guard license training.
The ship was heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when several cadets on watch spotted a small vessel with people signaling for distress.
“I’ve had 20 plus years at sea, and I’ve only had one other one of these,” Captain Wade Howell said.
Howell radioed the lost ship in to the Coast Guard who told him he could launch a rescue boat, he said.
“We were the closest because we’re kind of in the middle of no man’s land in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico right now,” he explained.
He said there were three Spanish speaking people on board, who told cadets they were stranded on the water for several days.
Howell explained that the ship is now rerouting to Key West, so the individuals can be handed over to U.S. Coast Guard Officials.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Harris County sheriff’s deputies are looking for a man who gunned down another man in a west Harris County neighborhood Saturday afternoon.
The shooting happened sometime before 1 p.m. in a grassy alleyway off Silverhawk Drive near Clay and Greenhouse. It’s only blocks from the victim’s home.
Authorities believe the men may have been meeting for some type of transaction, which they clarify did not involve drugs.
“We don’t know if they knew each other or if they were meeting for the first time,” Sgt. Michael Ritchie with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said.
At some point, deputies say the suspect shot the victim multiple times.
The victim, whose mother identified him as 20-year-old Jyron Johnson, took off running down Silverhawk toward his house.
Neighbors say he stopped at several homes along the way, screaming for help.
In surveillance video obtained exclusively by Eyewitness News, you can hear at least 10 gunshots.
You then see the victim stumbling across a driveway. A wound is visible on his hand and his leg.
Seconds later, you can hear him screaming, ‘Help me!’
He only made it a block before collapsing in the street. Deputies say he was dead when they made it to the scene and the suspect, which they say is a man in his late teens or early 20s, had already left.
Johnson’s mother said he leaves behind two daughters and was expecting a boy.
Investigators say they’re waiting on the medical examiner to determine how many times he was shot.
Former President Donald Trump is approaching the final stage of selecting his running mate for the GOP presidential nomination. Trump’s campaign has reportedly asked several potential candidates to submit background paperwork, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and Ohio Senator JD Vance, with the vetting process being extensive.
NBC News reported that Trump’s choice is narrowed down to a maximum of four names: Burgum, Rubio, Vance, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Previously, Trump confirmed half a dozen names on his list, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Florida Representative Byron Donalds, and former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. However, the extent of vetting for Scott, Donalds, and others remains unclear compared to the trio mentioned earlier.
Trump’s decision is imminent, with the Republican National Convention set to begin on July 15 in Milwaukee. Historical trends suggest that the ultimate selection could be unexpected, keeping a broad pool of candidates in consideration.
Key Potential Running Mates
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida: Rubio, once a primary rival, has evolved into a crucial ally during Trump’s presidency. Though Rubio did not support overturning the 2020 election results, he remains a prominent figure due to his federal experience and potential to appeal to a broader electorate.
Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota: Burgum, a relatively unknown national figure until his brief GOP primary run, has become a significant surrogate for Trump. His background in business, having sold his software company to Microsoft for $1.1 billion, aligns with Trump’s own career path.
Sen. JD Vance of Ohio: Vance, a former critic turned staunch supporter of Trump, is a leading contender despite his recent entry into the Senate. His advocacy for the working class and presence at Trump’s criminal trial signify his loyalty and alignment with Trump’s base.
Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida: Donalds, in his second term, has rapidly ascended in Congress. His switch from supporting DeSantis to endorsing Trump showcases his alignment with Trump’s vision, and his potential as a successor to DeSantis is noteworthy.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina: Scott, who endorsed Trump before the New Hampshire primary, frequently communicates with the former president. Their contrasting styles are seen as complementary, and Scott’s strategic silence on criticizing Trump makes him a viable candidate.
Other potential candidates like Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota remain in the mix. However, Trump’s final decision will likely focus on a running mate who can fortify his campaign and appeal to a broader base ahead of the 2024 election.
NEW YORK (AP) — Kia America is recalling nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs — and urging owners to park their cars outside and away from other structures until an issue posing a fire hazard is fixed.
The front power seat motor on the affected Tellurides from the 2020-2024 model years may overheat because of a stuck slide knob, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That could potentially result in a fire while the car is parked or being driven.
Kia made the decision to recall the vehicles on May 29, NHTSA documents published Friday show, after receiving reports of one under-seat fire and six incidents of localized melting in the seat tilt motor between August 2022 and March 2024. No related injuries, crashes or fatalities were reported at the time.
The recall report notes that strong external impact to the recalled Tellurides’ front power seat side cover or seat slide knob can result in internal misalignment — and with continuous operation, that can cause overheating. People driving vehicles with the issue may find they can’t adjust the power seat, may notice a burning or melting smell, or see smoke rising from underneath the seat.
To fix this, dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs at no cost. Until the vehicles are repaired, owners are being instructed to park their cars outside and away from buildings.
LOS ANGELES — Dick Van Dyke has won a historic Daytime Emmy at age 98.
The actor was honored Friday night as guest performer in a daytime drama series for his part as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives,” making him the oldest Daytime Emmy winner.
“I don’t believe this. I feel like a spy from nighttime television,” he said. “I’m 98 years old. Can you believe it? This really tops off a lifetime of 80 years in the business. If I had known I would have lived this long I would’ve taken better care of myself.”
“General Hospital” won four trophies, including its fourth consecutive honor as best daytime drama. It’s the second time in the ABC show’s 61-year history that it won four daytime drama trophies in a row.
Robert Gossett of “General Hospital” won supporting actor honors. The first cousin to the late Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. was honored for the second straight year for his role as Marshall Ashford.
“General Hospital” also won the directing and writing categories. Thorsten Kaye of “The Bold and the Beautiful” earned his second straight lead actor win for playing Ridge Forrester.
“I got to be very honest. I don’t like award shows. I didn’t like award shows until tonight,” he said. “The other thing that doesn’t make sense is that anyone can do this alone. You need a great boss who sees you and hears you. You need a cast that tolerates you. You need a whole village of people that have agreed that they’re not going to let you drown. I’ve have all of that.”
A clearly stunned Michelle Stafford of “The Young and the Restless” won best actress as Phyllis Summers, a trophy she first earned in 2004.
“I am honored to be an actor. It is the greatest gig. It is a privilege,” she said. “I’m honored to entertain people.”
Van Dyke received a standing ovation as he used a cane to make his way to the stage, accompanied by his wife, Arlene, who held the trophy.
“I brought this lady up because she was also on the show,” he said. “She played the cop who arrested me.”
Producer Norman Lear was 100 when he received his final Primetime Emmy nomination in 2022 and died the next year.
Van Dyke has won four Primetime Emmys, including three in the 1960s for his classic comedy series “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” Van Dyke beat out last year’s winner Alley Mills of “General Hospital,” Australian actor Guy Pearce of Amazon Freevee’s “Neighbours,” Linden Ashby of “The Young and the Restless,” and Ashley Jones of “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” continued its domination of the daytime show category with a fourth consecutive victory. The singer, who moved her show from Los Angeles to New York last year, was on hand to collect the trophy.
“The move has been so great, not just for me and my family but for our whole show,” she said, singling out NBC. “Thank you for thinking of mental health and not just a product.”
Courtney Hope, who plays Sally Spectra on “The Young and the Restless,” earned supporting actress honors. She originated the role on “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 2017 before moving to “Y&R” in 2020.
Melody Thomas Scott, who has played Nikki Newman on “The Young and the Restless” for 45 years, and her producer-husband, Edward Scott, were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Scott worked on “Y&R” for years before moving to his current job on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
“I can’t tell you how encouraging a thing like this is,” joked Thomas Scott, who made her acting debut at age 8 in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie.”
Her husband told the crowd, “I promise to do my very best to try to continue to amaze you.”
The wife-and-husband team of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos won daytime talk series host for their “Live with Kelly and Mark.” Ina Garten won best culinary series for “Be My Guest” on Food Network.
The ceremony honoring soap operas, talk and game shows aired live on CBS from The Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The 51st annual Daytime Emmys returned to their usual place on the calendar, just six months after the show’s 50th edition aired in December after being pushed back because of last year’s Hollywood writers and actors strikes.
His family, who called him Alex, are devastated by the loss.
“Everybody is shattered. Everybody is heartbroken. We can’t find any understanding of why someone would do such a senseless violent crime to someone who was so peaceful and kind to everybody,” his brother, Daniel Amaya told ABC13, from his home in Virginia.
He and his family are traveling to Houston on Saturday to make funeral arrangements.
“It shouldn’t be like this. He was a good person. He didn’t deserve this,” Daniel said.
Alex was found shot to death inside his car on the ramp connecting the North Beltway and the North Freeway northbound at about 6:30 p.m.
First responders were dispatched to a single-car crash but discovered a murder.
Houston police told his family they are investigating it as a possible road rage, Daniel said.
“He didn’t like to violate the law. He really drives the speed limit and I’m thinking if it was road rage, maybe someone got upset because he was driving too slow,” he said.
Amaya said his brother had just gotten off work.
His red Volvo, which he proudly shared photos of when he bought it last year, has five bullet holes.
Houston police have no suspect description, according to a press release.
The 46-year-old was a kind and hard worker, Daniel said. He has two pleas. One is for the killer and the other is for any witnesses.
“Turn yourself in. It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “This person cannot be out there free-roaming the streets and killing innocent people. Somebody had to have seen something. Please come forward.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-TIPS.
Friends have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the victim’s funeral.
The safety of sugar substitutes is once again under scrutiny as a recent study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic suggests a link between the sugar alcohol xylitol and heightened risks of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular-related deaths. Published in the European Heart Journal, the study raises concerns about the widespread use of xylitol in various food products and its potential impact on public health.
Xylitol, a sugar alcohol naturally occurring in small amounts in fruits and vegetables and produced by the human body, has gained popularity as a low-calorie sugar substitute. However, its use in sugar-free gum, candies, toothpaste, and baked goods has raised alarms among researchers, especially considering its increasing consumption, particularly in products labeled “keto-friendly.”
The study, led by Dr. Stanely Hazen and his team at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, builds upon previous research that found a similar association with another popular sugar substitute, erythritol. The research team aimed to investigate whether naturally occurring xylitol levels in the body could predict cardiovascular risk, especially in individuals without known risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Analyzing data from over 3,000 participants, the researchers found that individuals with higher levels of xylitol in their blood had approximately double the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death over the following three years compared to those with lower levels. Further experiments with mice, blood samples, and human volunteers suggested that xylitol might activate platelets, leading to increased clotting, a significant risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
While the study highlights the potential dangers of excessive xylitol consumption, it also acknowledges its limitations. The observational nature of the study means it can only establish an association, not causation, between xylitol intake and cardiovascular risk. Additionally, the participants studied were already at high risk for or had documented heart disease, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings to the broader population.
Despite these limitations, Dr. Hazen advises caution and recommends limiting intake of artificial sweeteners, including xylitol, in favor of natural sugars from fruits and vegetables. However, other experts like Dr. Joanne Slavin from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities emphasize the importance of personal choice and moderation, noting that sugar alcohols are typically used in small amounts in consumer products.
As researchers continue to investigate the mechanisms and implications of xylitol consumption, the study underscores the importance of balanced dietary choices and further scrutiny of artificial sweeteners in public health policy and consumer education initiative
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.
