68.4 F
Houston
Friday, May 8, 2026

Home Blog Page 186

Lil Nas X Pleads Not Guilty After Arrest in Los Angeles

Charges and Bail

Lil Nas X pleaded not guilty to four felony charges following his Aug. 21 arrest in Los Angeles. At a Monday, Aug. 25 hearing, the judge set his bail at $75,000. The charges include three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.

If convicted, he faces up to three years in jail and fines of up to $10,000 for each charge, according to California law.

Rapper Lil Nas X was arrested early Thursday in Los Angeles after police say he charged at officers responding to reports of a nearly naked man walking along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.

Incident on Ventura Boulevard

Police responded to reports of a nude man walking along Ventura Boulevard just before 6 a.m. on Aug. 21. Officers later confirmed the man was the “Industry Baby” rapper. During the encounter, police allege he struck an officer, leading to his arrest.

Photos published by TMZ appeared to show him earlier that morning wearing only underwear and boots.

Medical Treatment and Booking

After his arrest, Lil Nas X was taken to a hospital for treatment before being discharged and booked into custody later that day. He was formally charged and entered his not-guilty plea four days later.

Recent Struggles and Music Updates

In recent months, the rapper has spoken openly about personal challenges, including health issues and struggles with confidence. In April, he shared from a hospital bed that he was dealing with facial paralysis but reassured fans he was recovering.

Despite these setbacks, Lil Nas X released his EP Days Before Dreamboy in March and has hinted at more music to come.

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

Houston City Council to host 1st evening public session on Tuesday

Houston City Council will hold its first-ever evening public comment session on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

The evening session is part of a new pilot program designed to make it easier for Houstonians to participate in local government. Traditionally, public hearings are scheduled at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, limiting access for residents juggling work, traffic, and family responsibilities.

“This is about meeting people where they are,” said Council Member Mario Castillo, who proposed the change. “We want to hear from more Houstonians—not just those who can take off in the middle of the day.”

How the Pilot Program Works

  • Schedule: The last Tuesday of each month, from Aug. 26 through Dec. 16, will feature an evening session.
  • Time: Public comment begins at 6 p.m. instead of 2 p.m.
  • Goal: To expand civic engagement and allow more residents to share their concerns and ideas.

While the first session will take place at City Hall, officials are considering rotating future evening sessions to community spaces such as libraries and cultural centers. Bringing back hybrid meetings that were first implemented due to COVID-19, were also discussed in prior meetings to encourage both in-person and virtual comments. Furthermore, staff also acknowledged potential costs, including security and broadcasting, but emphasized the value of community accessibility.

“This is a small but meaningful change,” Castillo added. “We’re hoping it opens the door for more voices to be heard.”

How to Register to Speak

If you want to address City Council during an evening session, you must register by 3 p.m. on the Monday before the meeting.

Residents can sign up by:

  • Calling 832.393.1100
  • Emailing speakers@houstontx.gov
  • Visiting the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, Room P101

What’s Next

The pilot will run through Dec. 16, after which City Council will review participation numbers and public feedback to determine whether evening sessions should become permanent in 2026.

The dates of the 5 evening public sessions are the following.

  • Tuesday, Aug. 26
  • Tuesday, Sept. 16
  • Tuesday, Oct. 28
  • Tuesday, Nov. 18
  • Tuesday, Dec. 16

“This is a step toward more inclusive civic participation,” Castillo said. “We’re making space for voices that have too often been left out.”

Stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine for weekly coverage of Houston City Council.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Detained at ICE Office in Maryland

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was taken into custody Monday morning after checking in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at its Baltimore field office.

Detained Without Explanation

According to his attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, ICE officers immediately detained Abrego Garcia upon his arrival but gave no explanation for the arrest.

“We asked the ICE officer what the reason for his detention was, the ICE officer didn’t answer,” Sandoval-Moshenberg said, adding that officers refused to provide paperwork or disclose where his client would be taken.

Facing Deportation to Uganda

Less than 24 hours after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, ICE notified his attorneys that Abrego Garcia could be deported to Uganda and ordered him to report to the Baltimore office. His legal team has since filed a new lawsuit challenging the detention and potential deportation.

Background of the Case

The development follows Abrego Garcia’s rejection of a plea deal that would have sent him to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. His attorneys argue the government is pressuring him to accept guilt by threatening deportation to East Africa.

Judge’s Prior Order

In July, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to restore Abrego Garcia to ICE supervision through the Baltimore office. The ruling allowed the Trump administration to pursue “lawful immigration proceedings” but required 72 hours’ notice if deportation to a third country was planned.

For more on Garcia’s wrongful deportation case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

SpaceX Scrubs 10th Starship Flight Test

0

SpaceX canceled its highly anticipated 10th test flight of Starship just moments before launch from its Starbase site in Texas.

Ground System Issue

“Standing down from today’s tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems,” the company said in a statement.

Setbacks in Starship Program

The scrubbed launch adds to a series of setbacks. In June, a Starship prototype exploded on the launch pad during a pre-flight engine test.

Test flight nine also ended abruptly after the spacecraft suffered a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” due to mechanical failures. The heavy booster was lost as well when it appeared to explode upon splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

Vision for Deep Space

Despite repeated failures, SpaceX continues developing Starship as a fully reusable rocket system designed to carry up to 100 people to deep-space destinations like the Moon and Mars.

For more on the Starship flight test, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Illegal Cannabis Site Cleared in Sequoia National Park

Park rangers have dismantled a large-scale illegal cannabis cultivation site inside Sequoia National Park, spanning about 13 acres.

Massive Cleanup Effort

The National Park Service (NPS) reported removing 2,377 mature cannabis plants along with nearly 2,000 pounds of trash and equipment. Crews used both hand labor and helicopter sling-loads to haul debris from the remote area.

Hazardous Chemicals and Weapons Found

Law enforcement first discovered the site in 2024, but cleanup was delayed due to toxic chemicals. Among the materials found was a gallon of Methamidophos, a pesticide banned in the U.S. since 2009, as well as a semi-automatic pistol.

Environmental Damage

Investigators documented severe ecological harm, including diverted creek water, irrigation lines, dug-out pits, destroyed vegetation, terraced hillsides, makeshift camps, and two miles of illegal trails. Evidence of poaching was also uncovered.

Broader Impact of Illegal Cultivation

According to the NPS, large cannabis grows drain six to eight gallons of water per plant daily, depriving wildlife and native plants. Runoff often carries dangerous pesticides into waterways.

Over the past 20 years, nearly 300,000 plants worth about $850 million have been eradicated from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Black Market Strain on Ecosystems

Though cannabis was legalized in California in 2016, strict regulations have fueled a thriving black market. Across the state, unregulated sites have caused widespread environmental destruction.

In Siskiyou County, more than 15,000 acres of illegal cannabis grows have nearly wiped out local wildlife. “You’re lucky to find a lizard,” said Rick Dean, the county’s environmental health director.

For more headlines like this, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Still sunny and hot for Monday with rain chances climbing this week

0

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) –Drier and sunnier days kick off the new week with rain chances climbing this week.

While the humidity went down during the day Sunday, humidity levels will creep back up as a weak cool front moves in early this week. Monday won’t be too humid with lots of sunshine and a warm afternoon. High temperatures Monday will climb into the mid-upper 90s. And while we can’t rule out a stray shower, Monday is trending to be dry once again.

What’s the latest on the rain and storm chances this week?

Rain chances climb this week thanks to the help of our sea breeze and more fronts approaching the region from the north. An early fall-like weather pattern will bring several cold fronts across much of the country this week, one on Tuesday and another on Friday. While we’re not expecting a major fall temperature drop for Southeast Texas at this time, we will likely get some rain and possibly thunderstorms from these fronts. Rain chances Tuesday through Sunday of next week sit at about 30 to 40 percent each day to account for showers or storms that develop with onshore flow from the Gulf and these fronts. And as all of this is happening, temperature wise Southeast Texas will stay pretty seasonal with afternoon highs in the low-mid 90s.

How are things looking for Labor Day weekend?

More – you guessed it – rain chances! In fact, another summer front looks to push down toward Houston to kick off Labor Day weekend, which could push rain chances even higher ahead of Labor Day. One thing we can say for sure is that we won’t be hitting 100 degrees on the holiday weekend!

What is happening in the tropics?

We are tracking Tropical Storm Fernand that is taking a slightly more easterly path than Erin (no threat to the Gulf) and another tropical wave that will move deeper into the Caribbean this week. 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.

Trump Administration Halts Offshore Wind Project

0

The Trump administration has ordered construction to stop on the nearly finished Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island, dealing another blow to the U.S. offshore wind industry.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said the pause was needed to “address concerns related to the protection of national security interests,” but did not specify what those concerns were.

Project 80% Complete

Developed by Danish company Orsted, Revolution Wind is about 80% built, with 45 of 65 turbines already installed. The project had cleared years of federal and state reviews and was expected to be fully operational in 2026, powering more than 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Strong Pushback from States

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont vowed to fight the decision, calling the project crucial to meeting regional climate goals. Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal called the halt “a major setback” and promised to challenge it.

Trump’s Energy Agenda

President Donald Trump has prioritized fossil fuels while attacking renewable projects, recently calling wind and solar “THE SCAM OF THE CENTURY!” on social media. His administration has already halted one other offshore project, New York’s Empire Wind, before later allowing it to resume.

Industry and Environmental Response

Scientists say renewable energy is vital to combating climate change. Critics argue the administration is undermining progress while propping up coal. Kit Kennedy of the Natural Resources Defense Council said, “Every American is paying the price for these misguided decisions.”

Meanwhile, the group Green Oceans praised the halt, saying it would help protect the fragile marine environment.

For more on the Trump administration, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Serena Williams Surprises Crowd at Tennis Hall of Fame

0

Serena Williams shocked fans at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., when she appeared early to introduce “former rival, former fan and forever friend” Maria Sharapova for her induction on Saturday night.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion eligible for enshrinement in 2027, praised Sharapova as one of her greatest challengers. “Whenever I saw her name next to mine in the draw, I made sure I practiced harder,” she said.

Maria Sharapova Honored

Sharapova, the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 and one of only 10 women to complete a career Grand Slam, reflected on her career with gratitude. “It’s a gift to have someone who motivates you to reach those heights. And I’ll forever be grateful for bringing out the best in me,” she said of Williams.

In her speech, Sharapova encouraged others to embrace challenges: “Compete fiercely. Raise your standard. Set goals that intimidate you. And don’t forget to celebrate your victories, no matter how small.”

She also acknowledged her success off the court, having been the highest-paid female athlete for 11 straight years thanks to endorsements. Williams credited her with showing athletes how to excel in both sport and business.

Bryan Brothers Also Inducted

The Class of 2025 also included doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan. The twin brothers, who won 119 ATP titles, 16 Grand Slams, and Olympic gold, delivered their speech by alternating at the microphone before ending with their signature chest bump.

“Doubles was our love from Day 1,” Mike Bryan said. “We loved the strategy, the teamwork, sharing, and the highs and lows.”

Tennis greats Martina Navratilova, Jim Courier, Stan Smith, and Andy Roddick were in the audience to celebrate the inductees. Navratilova praised the Bryans for keeping doubles in the spotlight: “Not too many athletes transcend their sport. For twins to do it is amazing.”

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

‘Weapons’ Holds Strong at No. 1

For the third straight Friday, “Weapons” continues to dominate the box office, pulling in $4.67 million. The horror-mystery, starring Julia Garner as a teacher whose students vanish, is projected to hit $15 million over the weekend.

The film, which cost $38 million to produce, crossed the $100 million domestic mark on Thursday, becoming only the second original R-rated film of 2025 to do so.

‘Freakier Friday’ Stays in Second

“Freakier Friday” earned $2.8 million on Friday. The sequel to the 2003 hit reunites Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as the mother-daughter duo. It’s expected to gross $9 million this weekend.

Marvel’s Latest Rises to Third

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” moved up to third with $1.6 million. Vanessa Kirby stars as Sue Storm in Marvel’s newest installment.

Ethan Coen’s ‘Honey Don’t!’ in Fourth

The comedy-mystery “Honey Don’t!” debuted in fourth place with $1.44 million. The film features Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, and Charlie Day, and was described by The New York Times as “wry, weird and sometimes cruel.”

‘The Bad Guys 2’ Rounds Out the Top Five

“The Bad Guys 2” held steady in fifth, collecting $1.28 million in its fourth Friday in theaters.

Enjoy the drier weather… Moisture pools back in next week

0

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Slightly drier air has lowered humidity and dropped rain chances today to just 10% today. Mostly sunny skies will help temperatures rise into the mid to upper 90s.

What’s the outlook for next week?

More rain chances! Moisture levels will quickly climb Tuesday and stay elevated the rest of the week keeping 30-40% chance of rain in the forecast.

How are things looking for Labor Day weekend?

More – you guessed it – rain chances! In fact, another summer front looks to push down toward Houston to kick off Labor Day weekend, which could push rain chances even higher ahead of Labor Day. One thing we can say for sure is that we won’t be hitting 100 degrees on the holiday weekend!

What is happening in the tropics?

We are tracking Tropical Storm Fernand that is taking a slightly more easterly path than Erin (no threat to the Gulf) and another tropical wave that could eventually move west into the Caribbean. 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.