Judge Hidalgo Warns Harris County Budget Is ‘Overdrafted’
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo compared the county’s finances to an “overdrafted debit card” during a Thursday press conference, warning of rising costs and looming federal funding cuts as leaders prepare next year’s budget and tax rate.
Mounting Costs and Legal Obligations
Hidalgo said much of the county’s increased spending stems from mandatory expenses, such as jail staffing requirements when inmate populations grow. She noted these are often mistaken for “new investments” in public safety, when they are actually legal obligations.
$400 Million Threat to Public Hospital System
Harris Health, which operates Ben Taub Hospital — one of only two Level 1 trauma centers in the region — could lose $400 million if federal funding cuts move forward. Hidalgo stressed that such a loss would be devastating to a system that treats all patients, regardless of insurance status.
Broader Risks to County Services
Other federally funded programs, from public health to veterans’ assistance, could also be in jeopardy. Hidalgo cited the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which supports Harris County’s Thomas Street Clinic, as an example where cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced services, and delayed care in the coming years.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Tropical Storm Erin Expected to Become First Hurricane of Season
Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to strengthen into the Atlantic’s first hurricane of 2025 by Saturday morning, reaching major Category 3 status by Sunday as it passes north of Puerto Rico.
No Direct Threat to U.S.
As of now, Erin is not expected to make landfall in the U.S. Most forecast models keep the storm over the Atlantic, tracking between Bermuda and the East Coast. It’s projected to pass near Bermuda around Wednesday.
Impacts for Puerto Rico and East Coast
Puerto Rico could see 1 to 2 inches of rain, rough surf, and a high risk of rip currents this weekend and into early next week. On the U.S. East Coast, beaches may experience dangerous rip currents from Aug. 21–27, along with a small chance of light rain showers.
Storm Monitoring Continues
Meteorologists warn that any shift in Erin’s path could change its impact. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30, is entering its most active months—August, September, and October—with an above-normal number of storms predicted.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Harris County to Debate Raises for Law Enforcement
Harris County Commissioners are set to discuss potential pay raises for sheriff’s deputies and constables during Thursday morning’s meeting in downtown Houston.
Push for Higher Salaries
Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, along with the county’s eight elected constables, are seeking significant salary increases. The discussion follows the Houston Police Department’s approved raises in May and a county decision that same month to establish pay parity with HPD.
Proposed Pay Changes
According to the Harris County Deputies’ Organization, the proposed plan would boost a deputy’s starting salary from about $57,000 to $78,000. Higher-ranking positions, such as majors and chiefs, would also see increases.
Constables Seek Equality
The county’s eight constables, who currently earn about $178,000 annually, are asking for their pay to nearly double. They argue in court documents that commissioners should “correct this inequality” between their salaries and those of other law enforcement leaders.
Funding Still in Question
While commissioners have already pledged to adjust salaries, they are expected to focus on how to fund the increases during Thursday’s meeting.
For more Harris County updates, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Rain chances set to climb late this week as a tropical wave reaches Texas
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Our forecast is on repeat for Thursday. It will be another warm morning in the 80s with a hot afternoon in the 90s before you have a chance of getting a cooling downpour.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms should again develop as high temperatures peak in the mid-to-upper 90s, and some of those storms could slow down your commute. The threat of lightning could also change some after-school plans, too. Where it rains, temperatures will quickly cool down into the upper 70s and low 80s.
When does the tropical wave impact us?
Starting Friday we’ll have a stronger southeast breeze and increasing amounts of tropical moisture. Moisture levels will peak late Friday through Saturday, bringing us a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms. These storms could bring heavy rain that leaves behind a quick inch or two of rainfall. Frequent lightning is likely, and tropical funnels are possible closer to the coast.
With this rainy pattern, how are we doing in terms of rainfall or drought conditions?
Drought conditions? None for us here in Southeast Texas! One thing to note about our daily downpours, though, is that they haven’t been equal in bringing rain to everyone. There are a few spots that are about 5 inches behind in rainfall that’s needed to saturate the soil, so if a hotter and drier pattern were to settle in over the next few weeks, then we might start to see more drought conditions locally. Also, we know the daily downpours have not reached everyone equally, so some lawns might be looking a little worse than others right now.
What’s happening in the tropics?
We are keeping a close eye on the tropical wave that’s expected to move through the western Gulf Thursday and Friday. Right now it has a low chance of development, but it will likely boost our rain chances late Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Erin 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.
AI Boom Threatens to Drive Up Texas Power Prices, Strain Grid
Texas’ surging artificial intelligence industry is fueling a boom in data center construction that could strain the state’s already questionable electric grid and push up power prices for homes and businesses, experts warn.
A University of Houston study projects the state could face an annual electricity shortfall of 27 to 40 gigawatts by 2035 as AI-driven data centers expand. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the grid for most of the state, forecasts overall demand could nearly double by 2030, with data centers, cryptocurrency mining and industrial electrification driving much of the growth.
ERCOT’s 2025 Long-Term Load Forecast shows requests for grid connections from data centers projected for 2030 have jumped from about 29,600 megawatts to nearly 78,000 megawatts — a 160% increase. Peak demand, which currently tops out at about 85 gigawatts, could reach between 145 and 218 gigawatts by 2031, according to grid officials.
Meeting that demand may require more than $30 billion in new transmission infrastructure, along with expanded renewable energy generation and additional natural gas plants. Without those investments, analysts say the state could see higher electricity prices and more frequent grid stress events.
Lawmakers, mindful of the deadly 2021 winter blackout, have approved legislation giving ERCOT the authority to cut power to data centers during emergencies. The new rules require facilities to install shutdown switches and clarify who pays for infrastructure upgrades.
The growing demand has also raised concerns over water use. In drought-prone areas, AI data centers are projected to significantly increase freshwater consumption for cooling, which can account for up to 40% of a facility’s energy use. Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are developing hybrid cooling systems aimed at reducing that figure to less than 5%.
Private investors and energy companies are moving to meet the demand. Private equity firm Silver Lake has committed $400 million to acquire or develop up to 6 gigawatts of data center capacity across North America, with Texas as a primary focus. Dallas-based Vistra Corp. says the surge in demand will drive structural growth in the state’s power market and boost company revenues.
Without significant upgrades and innovations, experts say, the very technology powering Texas’ economic growth could also be one of its biggest threats to grid reliability.
Crenshaw, Pfluger Push Bill to Speed Carbon Capture Permits in Texas
Texas lawmakers are pushing to accelerate federal approval of carbon storage projects, citing years-long delays they say are stalling investment and climate initiatives.
U.S. Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, and August Pfluger, R-San Angelo, introduced the Primacy Certainty Act of 2025 in early August, seeking to give states greater authority over Class VI underground injection wells used for carbon capture and storage.
The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to act on a state’s application for “primacy” — the authority to issue permits under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act — within 180 days. If the agency fails to respond within 210 days, the bill would automatically grant the request, provided the state’s rules meet federal standards. It would also require the EPA to appoint a state liaison, use existing infrastructure funding to process applications and submit annual reports to Congress on staffing and resource needs.
Industry advocates say the change could transform Texas into a national leader in carbon capture, potentially cutting permitting times from years to months. According to the Houston CCS Alliance, projects in the Houston area alone could store up to 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2030 and 100 million metric tons by 2040.
The proposal follows the EPA’s June announcement that it intends to grant the Texas Railroad Commission primacy over Class VI wells, joining a small group of states including North Dakota and Wyoming. Texas already regulates Classes I through V wells and has more than 160 Class VI applications pending.
Supporters say the measure would unlock billions in private investment and create jobs while advancing climate goals. Critics have warned that easing federal oversight could undermine environmental safeguards.
The bill is pending in the U.S. House, while the EPA’s proposed primacy approval for Texas remains under review.
Kerr County Officials Caught Off Guard by Deadly Flooding
Internal emails and texts obtained by ABC News reveal Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) officials were initially confused about the severity of the July 4 flooding in Kerr County.
Early morning messages expressed surprise at rising river levels, but within half an hour, the tone shifted to alarm as floodwaters swept through the region.
Tragedy Strikes at Camp Mystic
As water rescues unfolded, officials worried about the safety of campers at Camp Mystic. Initial reports suggested everyone was safe, but later messages showed uncertainty. The camp’s president and UGRA board treasurer, Dick Eastland, was among the more than 130 people killed, many of them children.
Warning System Plans Fell Through
Records show the UGRA knew of the area’s flood risks and had applied for a $1 million state grant in 2023 to install high-water detection systems. The project was dropped in 2024 over funding terms, replaced by a smaller $70,000 system that had not been implemented before the disaster.
Calls for Accountability
Staffers predicted angry public reaction and questioned how to explain the lack of an effective warning system. Some expressed hope the tragedy would push flood preparedness to the forefront, though they noted funding, bureaucracy, and technical challenges remain obstacles. State legislators are now investigating the events leading up to the flooding.
For more on the tragic Texas Hill Country floods, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Texas Democrats Plan Return for Second Special Session
House Democrats are set to return to Texas for the upcoming special legislative session, our news partner ABC13 sources confirm.
While the exact date of their arrival at the Capitol in Austin remains unclear, party members say they have achieved their goal of ending the first special session and raising national attention on mid-decade redistricting.
Focus on Hill Country Flood Relief
Democrats say they will push for Hill Country flooding relief to take priority in the next session. In a statement to ABC News, the Texas Democratic Caucus said their decision to return depends on whether Republican leadership prioritizes flood victims over redistricting plans.
“Members are still assessing their strategies going forward and are in a private meeting to make decisions about future plans currently,” he wrote. “If and when Texas House Democrats breaking quorum decide to go home is squarely dependent on the actions the Governor, Speaker, and Texas Republicans in charge make with regard to prioritizing flood victims over redistricting that hurts Texans.”
Redistricting Dispute Continues
The first special session collapsed without a quorum for two consecutive days, with only 95 members present. Hours later, the Senate passed a Republican-favored redistricting map that had prompted more than 50 House Democrats to leave the state earlier this month. Senate Democrats walked out in protest but maintained quorum.
Stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine for more updates on the Texas Democrats’ blocking redistricting attempts.
Scattered downpours Wednesday and tropical moisture moves in Friday
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As more students head back to school Wednesday, another round of downpours could put a damper on those afternoon recess and afterschool activities.
We are starting the day mostly dry but isolated rain in our coastal counties will be a possibility. Widely scattered showers and storms will again develop in the afternoon and could slow down your evening commute. The threat of lightning could also change some after school plans too. These storms will linger through sunset tonight before conditions dry out overnight. High temperatures will peak in the mid-to-upper 90s with things cooling down into the upper 70s or low 80s where it rains.
How does the weather look for the rest of this week?
We’ll see more rounds of afternoon downpours through the weekend. It will be hot with highs near averages in the mid-90s, and every afternoon there’s a 40%-60% chance for showers and thunderstorms. These storms could impact afternoon recesses and afterschool activities. Rain chances will climb a little more on Friday as a tropical disturbance clips South Texas.
With this rainy pattern, how are we doing in terms of rainfall or drought conditions?
Drought conditions? None for us here in Southeast Texas! One thing to note about our daily downpours, though, is that they haven’t been equal in bringing rain to everyone. There are a few spots that are about 5 inches behind in rainfall that’s needed to saturate the soil, so if a hotter and drier pattern were to settle in over the next few weeks, then we might start to see more drought conditions locally. Also, we know the daily downpours have not reached everyone equally, so some lawns might be looking a little worse than others right now.
What’s happening in the tropics?
Tropical Storm Erin has formed in the deep tropics and is forecast to become the first major hurricane of the season in the Atlantic. We are also keeping an eye on a tropical wave that’s expected to cross the Yucatan and move into the Gulf this evening. Right now it has a low chance of development, but could increase our rain chances for the end of the 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.