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CTE mentioned in NYC Shooting; What to Know

What Is CTE?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries. It’s most often seen in athletes—such as football and hockey players—and military veterans. Symptoms, which usually appear years after repeated trauma, include memory loss, confusion, mood swings, and trouble with clear thinking.

CTE Mentioned in NYC Shooting Case

Police say the 27-year-old gunman behind Monday’s Midtown Manhattan shooting, identified as Shane Tamura, left a note claiming he suffered from CTE. Tamura, who died by suicide after the attack that killed four people, had played high school football but never went pro. Investigators have found no evidence he had a traumatic brain injury or any links to the military or NFL.

CTE Diagnosis and Research

CTE can’t be confirmed in living individuals. While doctors may suspect it based on symptoms and personal history, a definitive diagnosis is only possible after death, through brain autopsy. Experts look for telltale changes in brain cells, especially involving tau proteins.

Boston University’s Role in CTE Research

The UNITE Brain Bank at Boston University is one of the leading centers studying CTE. It holds over 1,500 donated brains, with more than 800 confirmed CTE cases—mostly from athletes and veterans exposed to repeated head trauma.

Stay informed with the latest news this weekend at QueOndaMagazine.com

Record highs will be challenged the next couple of days, but more cooling downpours are on the way

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — July will end hot and mostly dry, but the few days of August bring back higher chances for cooling downpours.

Temperatures will start off Tuesday morning in the mid 70s, typical for late July. Then as the atmosphere dries out under a mostly sunny sky, highs will peak around 100 degrees. Since the air will dry out, the heat index will only be a few degrees above the actual air temperature and well below Heat Advisory territory.

What’s on tap for the end of July?

We’re forecasting two more triple digit days with highs of 100 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday. Humidity levels should also be somewhat manageable early on in the week, which will also keep rain chances minimal to none. However, we are expecting moisture levels to climb heading into the weekend. Pair that with highs in the upper 90s, that’s when we could see a few Heat Advisories issued across the region. Typically we’d need a heat index value of at least 108 to warrant a Heat Advisory be issued for Houston.

So how about the first weekend of August?

Rain chances climb the first few days of the new month. The heat dome and drier air preset during the first half of the week will give way to another round of tropical moisture rolling in from the east during the second half of the week. Rain chances go up to 40% Friday, 60% Saturday, and 40% on Sunday. That will keep high temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s.

What’s happening in the tropics?

All is quiet in the Atlantic basin for now, but we are seeing signs it may come to life by mid August. Meanwhile, the Eastern Pacific remains very active. 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.

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

U.S. Accepts Luxury Jet from Qatar for Trump’s Use

The Trump administration has accepted an “unconditional donation” of a luxury jet from Qatar, according to a memorandum of understanding reviewed by ABC News.

The Air Force plans to retrofit the aircraft—described as a “flying palace”—for use by President Donald Trump.

Agreement Signed with Qatari Officials

The deal was formalized earlier this month through an agreement between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Soud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. The aircraft was donated “as is,” with no restrictions on future use or disposal.

Refitting Costs Remain Classified

Although the cost of retrofitting the plane has not been disclosed, lawmakers speculate it could reach up to $1 billion. The Air Force confirmed the funding would come from the Sentinel program, which is intended to replace aging nuclear missiles. Officials said that restructuring efforts in the program would prevent any immediate delays.

Controversy Over Use and Ownership

Sources told ABC News that the current plan is to eventually transfer ownership of the aircraft to the Trump presidential library foundation once Trump leaves office. Critics have raised concerns about the use of taxpayer money on a plane that may only be used by Trump for a few months.

“Why would we ask the American taxpayer to spend upwards of $1 billion on a plane that would then only be used for a handful of months and then transfer directly to the president?” asked Sen. Chris Murphy, D-N.Y., during a June Senate hearing.

No Strings Attached, Memo Says

According to the agreement, the aircraft is a “bona fide gift” with no expectation of favoritism or return. It states the plane “may be used or disposed of by the DOD in its sole discretion,” provided it complies with U.S. law. The memo also includes language clarifying that the donation should not be interpreted as a form of bribery or undue influence.

Background on Trump and Air Force One

President Trump has repeatedly criticized the current Air Force One fleet—Boeing 747-200s that have been in use since 1990. The Air Force already has a contract with Boeing to replace them, but the new Qatari jet presents a potential alternative.

The aircraft, a Qatari Boeing 747, was spotted at Palm Beach International Airport earlier this year after Trump toured it. The Washington Post was the first to report the full details of the agreement.

For more on the controversial and possibly “unconstitutional” jet gift, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Trump Denies Ever Visiting Jeffrey Epstein’s Private Island

President Donald Trump dismissed claims that he ever visited the private island owned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the allegations “old history” during a press event in Scotland on Monday

Fallout Over Staff Theft, Trump Says

When asked about his past ties with Epstein, Trump said their relationship ended in the mid-2000s after Epstein allegedly poached staff from Trump’s businesses.
“He hired help, and I said, ‘Don’t ever do that again,’” Trump told reporters. “He did it again, and I threw him out of the place. Persona non grata… that was it.”

Conflicting Accounts from Past Reports

Trump’s explanation differs from other reported versions of their falling-out. In 2019, The Washington Post cited a bidding war over a Palm Beach mansion as the source of their rift. Meanwhile, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung claimed Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago “for being a creep.”

Mentions of Clinton and Summers

Turning to Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trump brought up former President Bill Clinton and ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, claiming they accepted Epstein’s invitations. Trump said such offers were common among high-profile Palm Beach figures.

“I Never Had the Privilege”

“I never had the privilege of going to his island,” Trump said. “In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn’t want to go to his island.”

Vance Defends Trump

Also on Monday, Vice President JD Vance defended Trump, stating he has “nothing to hide” about his connection to Epstein.
“Trump has been incredibly transparent about that stuff, and some of the stuff takes time,” Vance said. “He wants full transparency.”

For more on the Trump administration, stay informed at Que Onda Magazine.

Celebrate Astronaut Days at Space Center Houston This August

Don’t Miss the Fun: August 2–3, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Space Center Houston will celebrate Astronaut Days this upcoming weekend from Aug. 2 to 3, with a variety of interactive exhibits, presentations, and special guest appearances from veteran astronauts.

Meet the Astronauts

Special guests include astronauts Don Thomas, Anna Fisher, and Carl Walz. Dr. Thomas will speak on Saturday, Aug. 2, during “Astronaut Mission Memories” in the Mission Briefing Center. Walz will appear both days, and Fisher joins on Saturday only.

Tour the Astronaut Training Facility

Guests can take a tram tour of NASA Johnson Space Center’s Astronaut Training Facility, nicknamed the “astronaut’s toybox.” This elevated path provides a view of where astronauts train for missions and engineers build next-gen space vehicles. The tour is included with general admission and subject to availability.

Breakfast with an Astronaut

For an upgraded experience, attendees can purchase tickets to “Breakfast with an Astronaut,” featuring a catered breakfast by Wolfgang Puck. Guests will hear firsthand stories from a veteran astronaut and join an interactive Q&A session.

Interactive Activities and Demos

Throughout the day, guests can enjoy a variety of science activations, live demonstrations, and hands-on experiments:

  • The Smells of Space
  • Chef Kitchen Demo
  • Lunar Outpost Station featuring the new Lunar Terrain Vehicle
  • Science Deck and Postcards to Space
  • Space Playlist with Kinetic Lights, curated by astronauts

Pop-Up Labs

  • Radiation (UV Beads): Make bookmarks while learning about AstroRad suits.
  • Functional Training Test: Simulate astronaut recovery tests post-mission.
  • Under Pressure: Use marshmallows to demonstrate vacuum pressure in space.
  • Story Corner: Enjoy a reading of “You Are Going”, an Artemis generation story.

Photo Opportunities and Characters

Don’t miss photo ops with the floating astronaut, Mark III suit, and a meet-and-greet with Commander Quest. On Saturday only, view a special LEGO display near the Lunar Outpost.

For more ideas on exploring Houston and finding things to do, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Judge Blocks Trump-Era Effort to Cut Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood

A federal judge has ruled that Planned Parenthood clinics across the U.S. must continue receiving Medicaid reimbursements, halting the Trump administration’s latest attempt to defund the organization.

Nationwide Protection Restored

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued the order Monday, replacing an earlier, narrower ruling. Her decision blocks a provision in Trump’s tax law that aimed to strip Medicaid funding for one year from abortion providers that received over $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023—even those that also provide other services like birth control, STI testing, and cancer screenings.

Judge Warns of Health Risks

Talwani cited serious health risks for patients if care is disrupted, including more unintended pregnancies and untreated STIs. “Patients are likely to suffer adverse health consequences where care is disrupted or unavailable,” she wrote in the decision.

More Than Just Abortion Services at Risk

While Planned Parenthood wasn’t named directly in the law, its leaders say the policy clearly targets their nearly 600 clinics across 48 states. Other healthcare providers have also been affected, including one in Maine. If the cuts were enforced, Planned Parenthood says it could be forced to close nearly 200 clinics in 24 states, leaving more than 1 million patients without care.

Planned Parenthood Responds

“We’re suing the Trump administration over this targeted attack,” said Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson. “This case is about making sure that patients who use Medicaid can still get birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment at their local Planned Parenthood health center.”

Lawsuit Targets Federal Health Department

The legal challenge was filed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its branches in Massachusetts and Utah against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Federal Government Pushes Back

The Department of Health and Human Services has not responded to the latest ruling but previously criticized the original injunction. Spokesperson Andrew Nixon said, “States should not be forced to fund organizations that have chosen political advocacy over patient care.”

Medicaid’s Role

Medicaid provides healthcare coverage for millions of low-income and disabled Americans. Nearly half of all Planned Parenthood patients rely on Medicaid for essential health services.

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

Extreme Heat Grips Eastern U.S., affects 185 Million Americans

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More than 185 million Americans from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston are facing extreme heat warnings this week. Heat index values — which combine temperature and humidity — are expected to reach between 108 and 116 degrees across many regions.

Southeast Faces Most Intense Conditions

The most dangerous heat is forecast for the Southeast, where heat indices could soar up to 120 degrees in parts of Mississippi and Louisiana. The Carolinas through Florida may experience “feels-like” temperatures between 105 and 115 degrees.

Midwest and Northeast Also Under Alert

Sweltering temperatures are also impacting the Midwest, with weekend heat indices ranging from 97 to 111 degrees in cities like Lincoln and Minneapolis. The Northeast, including Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, is expected to see heat indices between the mid-90s and 104 through Monday.

Wildfire Smoke Adds to Hazards

Air quality in parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut remains poor due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. Hazy skies and another plume of smoke could affect the I-95 corridor by Tuesday afternoon.

No Relief Day or Night

High humidity and persistent tropical moisture are expected to keep “feels-like” temperatures between 105 and 115 degrees through Wednesday, especially in cities like St. Louis, Memphis, Charlotte, Savannah, Tampa, and Jackson. Nighttime temperatures are only expected to drop into the 70s, offering little overnight relief.

Record-Breaking Heat

Tampa hit 100 degrees on Sunday, breaking a 130-year-old record. Much of the Southeast, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, will remain under a maximum-level extreme heat risk through midweek.

Health officials remind the public that nearly 2,000 Americans die annually from extreme heat and urge caution during this dangerous heat wave.

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

Four Adults Arrested for Abusing and Imprisoning Nine Children in Florida Home

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Four adults in Fort White, Florida, have been arrested for allegedly abusing and imprisoning nine children in their home, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Accused Family Members and Charges

Brian and Jill Griffeth, along with their adult children Dallin, 21, and Liberty, 19, face charges of aggravated child abuse. All four were taken into custody on July 22 and are being held on $500,000 bond each.

Alleged Abuse Inside the Home

Authorities say the children were locked in cages, forced to take non-prescribed medication, and denied proper schooling. The adults allegedly told the children to lie about what was happening inside the house.

One disturbing report claimed Jill Griffeth made a child lie on the floor, placed a sheet of plywood on them, and pressed down—causing splinters and pain. Punishments also included spraying vinegar into the children’s faces.

Church Report Led to Investigation

The investigation began after a mandatory reporter from the family’s church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—expressed concern. Around the same time, one child was found with a working stun gun at church camp.

Adopted Children Treated Worse

Of the nine children, five are biological and four are adopted. Deputies say the adopted children were treated more harshly. They didn’t know their birthdays or full names and were made to do chores while the biological children played and watched TV.

Additional Foster Child Found Safe

The couple had a 10th foster child who was not in the home. That child was located with a biological parent in Arizona and was found to be safe and healthy.

Further Allegations of Abuse

As the investigation continued, the adopted children said they were beaten with a cane and locked in their bedrooms by the adults.

All nine children in the home, ages 7 to 16, have now been removed by court order. The case remains under investigation. For more details, stay tuned at Que Onda Magazine.

NFL Players Face Penalties Over Super Bowl LIX Ticket Resale Scandal

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More than 100 NFL players are facing disciplinary action for allegedly reselling their Super Bowl LIX tickets at prices above face value, in violation of league rules, according to ESPN sources.

League Policy Violations and Penalties

Players from around half of the league’s 32 teams are expected to be fined and could be suspended. The NFL and the Players Association have agreed that violators will be fined the full face value of the tickets and will lose access to tickets for the next two Super Bowls. If the penalized players participate in those games, they’ll only be allowed to purchase seats.

Those who reject the fine risk suspension from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Sources said that many players have already accepted fines to avoid losing game time.

Ticket Resale Investigation Findings

An NFL memo obtained by ESPN stated that players and employees had sold tickets to a small number of “bundlers” working with ticket resellers. Prices on secondary markets for the February Super Bowl in New Orleans ranged from $2,588 to over $10,000, well above face value.

Stricter Penalties for Larger Roles

The memo noted that those who worked directly with the bundlers or played a larger role in the scheme will face harsher consequences. NFL chief compliance officer Sabrina Perel confirmed that both players and coaches were involved.

League Response and Future Safeguards

The league reminded all teams that its longstanding policy, which is part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits employees from reselling tickets for profit. To prevent future violations, the NFL plans to strengthen mandatory training ahead of Super Bowl LX, reinforcing that personal profit should never come at the fans’ expense.

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

Triple digit temperatures are back this week with a hot end to July

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — While we can’t rule out a stray shower Monday, but we’re transitioning to a warmer and drier pattern this week with triple digit temperatures possible Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monday is going to be a warmer and drier day, but a stray shower could roll through Southeast Texas during the afternoon. It’s a 20% chance for Monday compared to the 40% chance we had Sunday. Main story is the warmer afternoon with highs climbing into the upper 90s with an afternoon heat index around 100 to 104 degrees.

What’s on tap for the end of July?

Generally this week we’re drying out and warming up. We’re even forecasting two more triple digit days with highs of 100 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday. Humidity levels should also be somewhat manageable early on in the week, which will also keep rain chances minimal to none. However, we are expecting moisture levels to climb heading into the weekend. Pair that with highs in the upper 90s, that’s when we could see a few Heat Advisories issued across the region. Typically we’d need a heat index value of at least 108 to warrant a Heat Advisory be issued for Houston.

So how about the first weekend of August?

Rain chances start picking back up this upcoming weekend. The heat dome and drier air that will be preset during the work week will give way to another round of tropical moisture rolling in from the east. The highest rainfall totals will stay over Louisiana, but we’ll see daily rain chances return late-week and through next weekend.

What’s happening in the tropics?

All quiet in the Atlantic basin for now, but the Eastern Pacific remains very active. 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.

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