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The New Faces of Hogwarts: HBO Max Casts Harry, Ron, and Hermione for ‘Harry Potter’ Series

Michael Esparza
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The New Faces of Hogwarts: HBO Max Casts Harry, Ron, and Hermione for ‘Harry Potter’ Series

HBO Max has officially cast the new Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley for its upcoming television adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series, marking a fresh start for the iconic trio. After an extraordinary global search with over 30,000 children auditioning, the roles have been awarded to newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron.

The New Trio

  • Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter) is a relatively new face in the industry, with credits including an upcoming Sky comedy film Grow alongside Nick Frost and Golda Rosheuvel.
  • Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger) brings strong stage experience, having starred in London’s West End productions such as Matilda the Musical and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express. This will be her screen debut.
  • Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley) has appeared in advertising campaigns and minor roles but is now stepping into a major franchise role.

Casting Process and Producers’ Comments

The casting was led by directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, who conducted an extensive search for children aged 9 to 11 from the UK and Ireland. Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and executive producer/director Mark Mylod expressed enthusiasm about the trio’s chemistry and talent, stating, “The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen.” They also thanked the tens of thousands of children who auditioned, highlighting the abundance of young talent discovered.

Series Details

The HBO Max series aims to be a faithful adaptation of Rowling’s seven-book saga, with each season expected to cover one novel, allowing for a more detailed exploration than the original films. J.K. Rowling is involved as an executive producer, underscoring the commitment to preserving the books’ integrity.

Filming is set to begin at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the UK, with the series expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027. The show will stream exclusively on HBO Max and is planned to span at least a decade.

Supporting Cast

Alongside the new trio, the series has cast notable actors such as John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall.

In summary, HBO Max’s casting of Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout as Harry, Hermione, and Ron respectively heralds a new chapter for the Harry Potter franchise, promising a faithful, richly detailed retelling of the magical saga with a talented new generation of actors.

Texas Dream Act in Limbo: FIEL Houston Co-Founder Warns of Economic and Educational Impact

Indira Zaldivar
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Texas Dream Act in Limbo: FIEL Houston Co-Founder Warns of Economic and Educational Impact

HOUSTON, TX — As two controversial bills threaten to roll back in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students in Texas, community voices like Aura Espinosa, co-founder of FIEL Houston, are sounding the alarm on what’s at stake—not only for students, but for Texas’ future.

House Bill 232 and Senate Bill 1798 aim to undo the bipartisan Texas Dream Act of 2001, which has, for over two decades, allowed undocumented students who graduated from Texas high schools to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Despite near-unanimous support when it passed, the law now faces the possibility of repeal.

“They deserve a right to go to college,” Espinosa told Que Onda Magazine.

In a recent interview, Espinosa emphasized the real-life consequences these bills could bring to immigrant students across the state.

“We know many people who are hard-working students, and they deserve a right to go to college and finish without worrying about their immigration status,” she said.

She warned that if in-state tuition is revoked, university enrollment could drop sharply.

“The enrollment will probably decrease and as the enrollment decreases; the less people will graduate because there will not be a lot of funds for them to cover to continue their higher education.”

Though universities would likely feel the immediate impact, Espinosa believes the ripple effect would extend much further. “At the beginning it will impact universities but in the long run it can affect institutions as well as workplaces.”

Public backlash builds

As of now, HB 232 remains pending in committee after an April 30 hearing in the Texas House. SB 1798 was not placed back on the Senate’s intent calendar after May 26. Despite this, neither bill is officially dead, leaving their fate—and the fate of thousands of students—in limbo.

The public response has been overwhelmingly negative. A review of public comments submitted to the Texas House Committee on Higher Education showed that over 97% of Texans who voiced their opinions on HB 232 were opposed to it. Among the 34 pages of comments were concerns about both the human and economic costs of repeal.

Business leaders, educators, and students argue that Texas has benefited from the Dream Act, with higher graduation rates contributing to an educated workforce and billions in economic activity. Repealing the act could lead to the loss of more than $460 million annually in state economic output, including significant declines in wages and spending power.

Message to undocumented students: ‘keep fighting’

Espinosa offered a direct message to undocumented high school students who may be disheartened by the uncertain future.

“Keep studying, keep fighting, unite [with] any organization that fights for this bill [Texas Dream Act] to stay as it is right now because it’s going to impact their future,” she said. “

If there is no in-state tuition, they will be able to go to college, but they will pay international fees. And I think that will be devastating for Texas.”

As the legislative session continues, advocates across the state are watching closely—and speaking loudly—to preserve a law that many say has paid off for both the state and its immigrant youth.

Resources for undocumented students pursuing a college degree

The following links are resources for students regardless of immigration status.

Stay tuned for more updates on these bills with us on Que Onda Magazine.

NPR Sues Trump Over Executive Order to Cut Public Media Funding

Indira Zaldivar
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NPR Sues Trump Over Executive Order to Cut Public Media Funding

Lawsuit Challenges Federal Funding Cuts

National Public Radio and three local stations have filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump, claiming his recent executive order to eliminate public funding for NPR and PBS is unconstitutional.

Stations Join Legal Action in Washington

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Washington, D.C., includes NPR, Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio, and KUTE, Inc. The plaintiffs argue that the executive order violates the First Amendment by targeting public media based on its content.

NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher testifies during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on March 26, 2025. NPR and several member stations are suing the Trump administration over an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding NPR and PBS.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

Executive Order Accuses NPR of Bias

Earlier this month, Trump signed an order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies to halt funding to NPR and PBS. The order also instructs them to eliminate indirect financial support. Trump alleged the broadcasters show “bias” in their reporting.

First Amendment at the Center of Dispute

In the lawsuit, NPR and the stations argue the executive action is “textbook retaliation” for reporting the president finds unfavorable. They claim it represents “viewpoint-based discrimination” and interferes with their right to editorial independence and expressive association.

Broader Implications for Public Media

The case marks a significant legal challenge with broader implications for public broadcasting’s protection under the Constitution. The plaintiffs say the order threatens not only their funding but also press freedom nationwide.

Keep up with NPR’s lawsuit against the Trump administration with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Another round of rain and storms could impact the commute Wednesday morning

ABC13 Houston
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Another round of rain and storms could impact the commute Wednesday morning

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — After a stormy start on Tuesday, the sky will turn mostly sunny, and we can expect drier but steamy conditions for the afternoon. High temperatures will climb in the upper 80s to the low 90s.

You don’t want to put away your umbrellas quite yet. We are in for multiple rounds of rain and storms for the rest of the week, with the risk of street flooding and severe weather as well.

Any more severe weather or flooding expected this week?

With the kind of pattern setting up this week, we can’t rule out a shower or storm being on the strong to severe side. Hail, gusty winds, and heavy rains will be the main threats with the strongest storms that develop. As for rainfall amounts, most of southeast Texas will pick up one to three inches of rain collectively over the next 7 days. Coastal communities could see less, and our far northern counties could see more. Street flooding will be a concern as the heavy rain falls.

Will it be just as hot with these rainy days?

Not necessarily! With rain and the inherent cloud cover we typically get during these rainy and stormy days, afternoon high temperatures for this week and into the first few days of June will likely be closer to their seasonal average, in the mid-to-upper 80s. The catch, though, is that if a shower or storm rolls through. While that will cool you off in the short term, it’ll also make it feel extremely muggy at times. We are also expecting mold counts to go up with the week during this unsettled and rainy stretch.

Hurricane season begins in less than a week. What can we expect this season?

Hurricane season begins on June 1, and this year we are anticipating another active one. Both hurricane outlooks from NOAA and Colorado State University predict an above-normal season. From NOAA specifically, the prediction is 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes, and possibly three to five major hurricanes. Two big reasons are the lack of an El Niño or La Niña and the trend of seeing warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures. And while these outlooks aren’t landfall forecasts for the United States, given these conditions, there is the possibility for storms to move into the Gulf this year.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Polk Street Exit in Downtown Houston Closes Through June for I-45 Expansion’s Major Drainage Work

Que Onda Editorial
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Polk Street Exit in Downtown Houston Closes Through June for I-45 Expansion’s Major Drainage Work

Exit Closed for Northbound US 59 Traffic

The Texas Department of Transportation has closed a key downtown Houston exit as part of ongoing freeway construction. Beginning Tuesday morning, the US 59 northbound exit to Polk Street is now shut down and will remain closed through the end of June.

Drainage Installation for Major Freeway Project

According to TxDOT, the closure allows crews to install massive drainage culverts beneath the freeway. These installations are necessary for future changes coming to I-45 and US 59 in downtown as part of the long-term North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP).

Impact on Access to Downtown Destinations

The Polk Street exit is commonly used to access major downtown landmarks, including the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB), Daikin Park, Toyota Center, Shell Energy Stadium, Discovery Green, and several prominent hotels and restaurants.

Suggested Detour Routes

Drivers heading north on US 59 are advised to take the Gray/Pierce exit instead. From there, motorists can reach Chartres Street or take Spur 527 into Midtown for alternate access to downtown.

Preparing for a New Downtown Freeway Layout

TxDOT spokesperson Danny Perez explained in an interview with our news partner ABC13 Houston that this drainage work lays the groundwork for a future transformation of Houston’s freeway system.

“The main lanes of I-45 and the main lanes of I-69, they’re going to be below grade, meaning they’re going to be depressed,” Perez said.

“To make that work, we’re going to have a significant drainage system in the area,” Perez told ABC13 Houston.

North Houston Highway Project Timeline

The North Houston Highway Improvement Project spans from North Beltway 8 down through downtown Houston. While the Polk exit closure is short term, the larger highway expansion will unfold in phases. Some parts of I-45 won’t see mainlane construction for years, and the full project isn’t expected to be completed until 2038.

Keep up with more developments on TxDOT’s North Houston Highway Improvement Project with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Thousands of power outages reported across Houston area during storms

ABC13 Houston
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Thousands of power outages reported across Houston area during storms

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Thousands of residents in the Houston area are in the dark as thunderstorms rolled in overnight.

According to data provided to ABC13 by FindEnergy.com, as of 9:28 a.m., more than 82,000 people are experiencing outages across several counties, including: Harris, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Polk, Liberty, Trinity, Brazoria, Austin, Fort Bend, Walker, Chambers, Grimes, Galveston, Matagorda, Waller, Jackson, Wharton, Washington, Colorado, and Calhoun counties.

At about 2 a.m., that number skyrocketed to more than 206,000 amid the powerful rain and wind.

Data shows that CenterPoint Energy has 63,092 customers who are impacted, and Entergy Texas has 13,847.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston alongside Que Onda Magazine and our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Demi Lovato and Jordan Lutes Are Married: Inside Their California Wedding

Indira Zaldivar
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Demi Lovato and Jordan Lutes Are Married: Inside Their California Wedding

Pop icon Demi Lovato and musician Jordan “Jutes” Lutes are officially married. The couple tied the knot on May 25 in California, as confirmed by Vogue magazine. Their wedding comes nearly two years after they first announced their engagement.

A Vivienne Westwood Bridal Moment

For the ceremony, Lovato wore a custom off-the-shoulder corseted gown by British designer Vivienne Westwood. Lovato, who has long admired Westwood’s designs, praised the way the silhouettes “complement the curves of your body,” Vogue reported via Instagram.

At the reception, Lovato changed into another Westwood piece—an ivory silk satin column dress with a beaded, draped corset. “There was so much attention to detail on the reception dress beading,” Lovato told Vogue. “The pearl detail and draping are such a special element, and each strand was draped and attached by hand, one by one. It’s a one-of-a-kind piece that makes me feel so special.”

From Music to Marriage

Lovato and Lutes first met during the creation of Lovato’s 2022 rock-inspired album Holy Fvck, where Lutes co-wrote three tracks. Their relationship soon inspired music, including the album’s final song, “4 Ever 4 Me.”

“I actually haven’t written love songs in a long time,” Lovato told Zane Lowe on Apple Music. “I started feeling these feelings, and I was like, I have to get them out of my chest. … My whole heart is in that song.”

A Love Years in the Making

The couple had previously shared their excitement about marriage in a romantic Valentine’s Day post. “Jordan, I cannot WAIT to marry you!!” Lovato wrote on Instagram.

“The past 3 years have been the best 3 years of my life and I have you to thank for that. I’m obsessed with your heart, your love and your light. I can’t wait to grow old with you and start a family together 🥹🥹.”

Photos from the wedding and reception, shared by Vogue, captured the pair’s joy and Lovato’s unique fashion choices, highlighting a celebration as bold and heartfelt as the music that brought them together.

For more entertainment news, keep up with Que Onda Magazine daily.

City of Houston announces summer pool schedule with 8 opening ahead of Memorial Day

ABC13 Houston
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City of Houston announces summer pool schedule with 8 opening ahead of Memorial Day

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — MacGregor Park is one of eight pools now open in Houston.

Dozens came out to not only beat the H-town heat, but to come together as a community.

“We tried another pool, and that pool wasn’t open this week. And we tried this pool and it was finally open, so it was exciting. We’ve been trying to swim. It’s been years since I’ve been swimming,” Tereca Parks said.

“Peace. It’s peaceful. It’s close. Social. It’s a great way to socialize,” Samuel Chidera said.

According to the Parks and Recreation Department, the city has a total of 38 pools and a department spokesperson told ABC13 they should have anywhere between 31 and 37 up and running for the summer.

“The pool is a common place. Like I was saying earlier, Mo. Whether you can swim or not, or if you want to hang out at the pool, stick your feet in, reading a book, and people want to go there with their friends. And our pools, they’re free to the constituents of Greater Houston, so there’s no charge to it. There’s no hit on the pocket book,” Prentiss Collins, deputy director for Houston Parks and Recreation Department, said.

To help make that happen, more lifeguards are being trained. At the moment, the city has about 70, with many more going through the training and certification process.

“By the time we should get to the meat of the summer, we should have about 184 lifeguards on deck,” Collins said.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Storm threat increases for Memorial Day after hot holiday weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Storm threat increases for Memorial Day after hot holiday weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — You’ll want to keep your eye to the sky on this Memorial day as we have a greater chance for rain and even strong storms.

We’ll keep a partly cloudy sky and steamy conditions Monday morning with temperatures starting out in the mid 70s to low 80s. We’ll start off dry for most, but by mid-morning, the first few showers and storms of the day could approach College Station and our northern counties. A better chance for scattered showers and storms for the rest of Southeast Texas will arrive during the evening and overnight hours. Few could be strong to severe and bring hail, damaging winds, and localized heavy rains. An isolated tornado can’t be ruled out, though the risk for that is pretty low. Besides the rain and storms, it’ll be another hot and breezy day with high temperatures climbing back into the low 90s.

Any more severe weather or flooding expected this week?

With the kind of pattern setting up this week, we can’t rule out a shower or storm being on the strong to severe side Monday through Friday this week. Hail, gusty winds and heavy rains will be the main threats with the strongest storms that develop. As for rainfall amounts, most of Southeast Texas will pick up 1 to 3 inches of rain collectively over the next 7 days. Coastal communities could see less and our far northern counties could see more. Street flooding will be a concern as the heavy rain falls.

Will it be just as hot with these rainy days?

Not necessarily! With rain and the inherent cloud cover we’d get during these rainy and stormy days, afternoon high temperatures for this week and into the first few days of June will likely be closer to their seasonal average, in the mid-upper 80s. The catch though is if a shower or storms rolls through. While that will cool you off in the short term, it’ll also make it feel extremely muggy too at times. We are also expecting mold counts to go up with week during this unsettled and rainy stretch.

Hurricane seasons begins in less than a week. What can we expect this season?

Hurricane season begins on June 1st and this year we are anticipating another active one. Both hurricane outlooks from NOAA and Colorado State University predict an above normal season. From NOAA specifically, the predication is 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes and possibly 3 to 5 major hurricanes. Two big reasons why are because of the lack of an El Nino or La Nina and the trend of seeing warmer than normal ocean temperatures. And while these outlooks aren’t landfall forecasts for the United States, given these conditions there is the possibility for storms to move into the Gulf this year.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Memorial Day 2025: What’s Open and Closed

Indira Zaldivar
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0
Memorial Day 2025: What’s Open and Closed

Today marks Memorial Day, the federal holiday honoring U.S. military personnel who died in service. Observed on the last Monday of May, it also signals the unofficial start of summer.

What’s Closed:

  • Banks & Stock Market: Closed, though ATMs and online banking remain available.
  • USPS: No mail delivery; post offices closed.
  • Costco: All locations closed on Memorial Day.

What’s Open (Check Local Hours):

  • Retailers: Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Kroger, Publix, Lowe’s, and Sam’s Club will be open. Sam’s Club hours: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (Plus), 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Club).
  • Pharmacies: Walgreens will be open, but pharmacy hours may vary.
  • Restaurants: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, IHOP, Waffle House, Applebee’s, Hooters, Texas Roadhouse—all open with location-based hours.
  • Coffee Shops: Starbucks and Dunkin’ locations are generally open; use store apps or websites for exact hours.

Many stores are offering Memorial Day sales throughout the weekend.

On behalf of the Que Onda Magazine staff, we wish you a happy Memorial Day.

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