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Conroe Council Backs Lawsuit Against Planned Gas Compressor Station

Edward Saenz
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Conroe Council Backs Lawsuit Against Planned Gas Compressor Station

Conroe officials are joining residents in opposing a high-pressure natural gas compressor station planned near Interstate 45, citing safety concerns and a lack of transparency from the company behind the project.

The Conroe City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution supporting a lawsuit filed last month by the Bartholet family, owners of Bartholet Home Furnishings. Their store sits less than 150 feet from the proposed site. The lawsuit, filed July 23, seeks a temporary restraining order to stop construction. A hearing is set for Aug. 29 in the 457th District Court.

An engineer testifying against the project warned that in the event of an explosion, the surrounding area could be “incinerated,” threatening homes, businesses and commuters within a one-mile radius.

Council members said they were not made aware of the compressor station when easements were discussed in 2023. Councilwoman Marsha Porter, who was on the council at the time, said she was “outraged and horrified” that details about the facility were not disclosed.

State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, also called for a halt to the project. In a letter to the Texas Railroad Commission, he urged a public hearing and said that “public input must be a priority, not an afterthought.”

The station is part of the 193-mile Blackfin Pipeline, operated by Whitewater Midstream. The line is designed to transport up to 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily and includes four compressor stations — one in Conroe and three in rural areas.

Whitewater has defended the project, saying it complies with all regulatory requirements. The company says the pipeline will generate about 2,000 construction jobs and an estimated $70 million in taxes.

Residents and city officials remain concerned that the Conroe site is too close to businesses and neighborhoods, with some pledging to continue the fight in court later this month.

Would you like me to also create a shorter version of this — like a news brief under 200 words — for quick publication?

Tropical Disturbance Brings Rain, Rip Currents to Houston Area

Edward Saenz
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Tropical Disturbance Brings Rain, Rip Currents to Houston Area

A tropical disturbance that formed in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week weakened before reaching Texas, but it delivered heavy rain, thunderstorms and dangerous rip currents along the coast.

The system, identified as Invest 98L, developed over the Bay of Campeche and briefly carried a 40 to 50 percent chance of strengthening into a tropical cyclone, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigated the storm Thursday, but forecasters said it lacked the circulation needed to organize into a tropical system.

By Friday afternoon, the disturbance had moved inland near the Rio Grande, lowering development chances to near zero. Still, it pushed tropical moisture into the Houston area and much of South Texas, increasing the risk of localized flooding and street ponding.

Rainfall totals reached 1 to 2 inches in some spots, with isolated heavier downpours. The Houston area saw scattered thunderstorms Friday into Saturday, though forecasters said widespread flooding was unlikely.

The disturbance also fueled rough surf and rip currents along beaches from Corpus Christi to Galveston, prompting safety advisories for swimmers. Officials warned beachgoers to use caution through the weekend as elevated waves and gusty winds lingered.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Erin continued to strengthen in the Atlantic but posed no threat to Texas.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has been forecast to be above average, and officials urged residents to remain prepared for additional systems in the coming weeks.

Millions of Afghans Forced Back Amid Crisis

Que Onda Editorial
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Millions of Afghans Forced Back Amid Crisis

More than four years after the Taliban seized Kabul, Afghanistan is facing overlapping humanitarian emergencies as millions of Afghans are expelled from neighboring countries. The United Nations says over 1.5 million Afghans have returned in 2025 alone, many of them from Iran and Pakistan.

Expulsions from Iran and Pakistan

Iran has ordered undocumented Afghans—estimated at two million people—to leave. Since June’s war between Iran and Israel, Afghan expulsions from Iran have surged, fueled by accusations of espionage. Pakistan also renewed deportation drives in April, canceling hundreds of thousands of residence permits.

Harsh Return Conditions

Returnees often arrive disoriented, exhausted, and with few resources. Aid once offered by UNHCR has been slashed from $2,000 per family to just $156, barely enough for survival. Inside Afghanistan, life is marked by Taliban restrictions on women, water shortages, and widespread hunger. UNICEF says one-third of Afghans lack clean drinking water, while the World Food Program warns 3.1 million face starvation.

Aid Cuts and Health Crisis

International aid has declined sharply. The U.S. halted nearly all programs in April, followed by cuts from the U.K. This funding loss has closed over 400 health facilities and malnutrition centers. Local journalist Zahra shared one tragic story: a pregnant woman and her baby died after being unable to reach an open clinic due to Taliban travel restrictions for women.

Calls for Global Action

With UNHCR operating on less than a quarter of needed funds, aid groups are struggling to respond. “More humanitarian aid is urgently needed to protect and assist Afghans forced to flee,” the agency said. UN experts have warned that the crisis amounts to “crimes against humanity” and urged the international community not to turn away.

Hurricane Erin Strengthens to Category 5

Que Onda Editorial
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Hurricane Erin Strengthens to Category 5

Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm, becoming the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. The National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 160 mph as of Saturday morning.

Current Location

The storm is about 105 miles north of Anguilla and 235 miles east-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Erin is moving west at 17 mph and expected to pass near or north of the Leeward Islands this weekend.

Watches and Warnings

Tropical storm watches are in effect for St. Martin, St. Barts, Anguilla, and Barbuda. These islands could see rain, gusty winds, and up to six inches of rainfall through Saturday. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also at risk of flash flooding, mudslides, and winds of 40–50 mph from the storm’s outer bands.

Forecast Path

Erin is projected to stay east of the Bahamas before turning north by early next week. Forecast models keep the storm hundreds of miles offshore from the U.S. mainland, moving between Bermuda and the East Coast.

Coastal Impacts

Even without a direct hit, Erin is expected to generate dangerous rip currents and coastal erosion from Aug. 20–27. North Carolina’s Outer Banks could see waves of 8–12 feet, while parts of South Carolina and Virginia may see waves up to 6 feet.

Seasonal Outlook

NOAA predicts an above-normal hurricane season, with peak activity in August, September, and October. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on Nov. 30.

For more on hurricane preparedness, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Tropical moisture will spark scattered downpours this weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Tropical moisture will spark scattered downpours this weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A tropical low made landfall during the Friday midday hours near Brownsville. It’ll move north through the state this weekend, bringing in moisture that’ll lead to more downpours in our area. Saturday will be the wettest of the two days, but the overall coverage should stay around 40%.

When should we expect rain on Saturday?

Coastal showers and storms are already ongoing for some. We expect the storms will impact Houston closer to the noon hour and again quiet down in the evening.

Will there be more storms on Sunday?

There is a 30% chance of additional afternoon downpours on Sunday, but the tropical moisture should be gone.

What else is happening in the tropics?

We have our first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season. Erin is now a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds. Erin will continue to move west before taking a northerly turn later today and tomorrow. No direct landfall is expected from Erin in the U.S. or 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.

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

Snow Tha Product Slams Hispanic Trump Supporters in New Comic ‘SABADO’ Video

Indira Zaldivar
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Snow Tha Product Slams Hispanic Trump Supporters in New Comic ‘SABADO’ Video

A portrayal of the political divide within the Hispanic community in the U.S. set to the lively beat of banda mexicana music.

Mexican American rapper Snow Tha Product’s latest video, “SABADO”, tackles political divides within the Hispanic community during President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant era, blending sharp humor with the rhythms of regional Mexican banda.

“Antes de que empiece la fiesta quiero que se sepa que uno de nosotros votó por Trump” (Before the party starts, I want it known that one of us voted for Trump), Snow opens over a guitar riff moving to a speeding tempo.

The festive mood of the music video quickly shifts as the revelation sparks shame among partygoers. Snow plays the role of family whistleblower, exposing the Trump supporter in the Latino family after a mail envelope gives them away.

“El primo traumado con ser americano con cara de paisa y le fue a Trump” (The cousin obsessed with being American, looking like a paisa, but went for Trump), she raps, mocking the assimilation tactics some see as a betrayal of immigrant roots.

The song weaves in not only political tensions heightened by mass deportations and ICE raids, but also deep-rooted cultural issues like colorism.

In another line, a “prima fresa” is called out for marrying a white man, supposedly to “improve the race” by having blue-eyed children. Snow fires back: “I like my brown skin” (Me gusta mi piel morena).

The music video doubles as a celebration of representation, featuring recognizable Latino stars like Brown Bag Podcast ‘s Letty Peniche and DoKnow, plus TikToker Jesus Acevedo in the fiesta crowd. Notable cultural symbols include partygoers smashing a piñata shaped like an ICE agent and waving a cardboard cutout of TV host Don Francisco best-known for “Sabado Gigante.”

With the line “Trapos sucios lávalos” — a Spanish saying meaning “wash your dirty laundry” — she urges the fractured community to confront its political and cultural divides head-on.

The video closes with a teaser for her follow-up single “DOMINGO”, set to drop Aug. 27.

For more on Latin music and Hispanic stars, stay tuned to ¡Que Onda Magazine!

Sean Kingston Faces Federal Sentencing

Indira Zaldivar
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Sean Kingston Faces Federal Sentencing

Rapper Sean Kingston, 35, will be sentenced Friday in federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after being found guilty of wire fraud, organized fraud, and grand theft. The conviction stems from a scheme that defrauded multiple luxury businesses out of more than $1 million.

Conviction with His Mother

Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was convicted alongside his mother, Janice Turner, 63. Turner was sentenced last month to five years in federal prison and three years of probation. Prosecutors said the pair used Kingston’s celebrity status to secure high-end goods from jewelers, luxury bed makers, car dealers, and electronics companies without paying. Payments were made with fraudulent or worthless wire transfers.

Years-Long Scheme

The fraud, which ran for several years until March 2024, ended after a SWAT raid on Kingston’s Florida home and his arrest at Fort Irwin, California. Following the May conviction, Kingston was placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring, while Turner was taken into federal custody.

From Hitmaker to Prison

Kingston rose to fame in 2007 at age 17 with his chart-topping single “Beautiful Girls” and has since released three studio albums. His sentencing marks a dramatic fall from the peak of his music career.

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

Trump and Putin’s Relationship Faces New Test in Alaska

Michael Esparza
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Trump and Putin’s Relationship Faces New Test in Alaska

President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska — their first one-on-one meeting of Trump’s second term.

The backdrop is far tenser than their early encounters, as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on and Putin has become a growing source of frustration for Trump.

From Praise to Frustration

During his first term, Trump called Putin a “strong leader” and even a “genius” after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He once boasted that his personal rapport with the Russian leader could swiftly end the conflict. But in recent months, Trump’s tone has changed sharply, calling Putin “absolutely CRAZY” and expressing disappointment over continued bloodshed.

Shifting Strategy

While Trump has continued U.S. weapons support for Ukraine through European partners and imposed secondary tariffs on India to pressure Moscow, he has stopped short of harsher sanctions. Instead, he invited Putin for direct talks, describing Friday’s meeting as a “feel-out” session and a “listening exercise.”

High Stakes and Low Expectations

Analysts say Trump’s belief in eye-to-eye negotiations with strong leaders could collide with Putin’s reputation as a skilled manipulator. Former national security adviser John Bolton warned Putin’s real goal may be to rebuild his personal rapport with Trump — a move that could reshape the diplomatic dynamics of the war.

For more on U.S. international affairs, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Tropical low brings scattered downpours to Houston Friday and Saturday

ABC13 Houston
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Tropical low brings scattered downpours to Houston Friday and Saturday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A tropical low set to make landfall near the Texas-Mexico border Friday will bring us a decent chance for healthy downpours Friday and Saturday.

Friday will turn more active as a line of scattered thunderstorms will approach Houston by noon, bringing a quick-hitting round of heavy showers and thunderstorms in the early afternoon. The fast-moving nature of the rain should limit the potential for any street flooding issues. Temperatures will briefly make it into the mid 90s before cooling off into the 80s once the rain passes through. Things should quiet down Friday evening. Your chance of getting measurable rain is at 70%. Winds southwest of Houston in the counties around Matagorda Bay could gust over 30 mph, but this tropical low will bring more rain than wind.

When should we expect rain on Saturday?

Storms will fire up before sunrise west of Houston, and those storms could drop a quick 1-3″ of rain that might flood some low-lying roadways. We expect the storms will impact Houston closer to the noon hour and again quiet down in the evening.

Will there be more storms on Sunday?

There is a 30% chance of additional afternoon downpours on Sunday, but the tropical moisture should be gone.

What else is happening in the tropics?

Aside from the Gulf low, we are tracking Tropical Storm Erin. It continues churning through the central Atlantic and is predicted to become the first major hurricane of the season. 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.

Harris County Votes to Raise Constables’ Salaries to $293K

Indira Zaldivar
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Harris County Votes to Raise Constables’ Salaries to $293K

In a narrow 3-2 vote, Harris County Commissioners approved raising salaries for the county’s eight elected constables from about $178,000 to $293,000 a year. The raise, however, will only take effect if it is included in the county’s upcoming budget.

Opposition from Hidalgo and Ellis

Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis voted against the measure, citing the county’s financial shortfall. Hidalgo said she supports law enforcement pay increases but noted there is no funding available for such a large jump.

Broader Push for Law Enforcement Raises

The pay hike follows Houston Police Department raises in May and a county decision to match HPD’s pay scale. A proposal from the Harris County Deputies’ Organization would increase starting deputy salaries from about $57,000 to $78,000, with higher ranks also receiving boosts.

Budget Challenges Ahead

The county faces a $209 million budget gap, according to its budget director, with the proposed law enforcement raises accounting for about $100 million of that total. Commissioners are expected to make final funding decisions at next month’s meeting before the new budget deadline in October.

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

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