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Trump Administration Releases MLK Assassination Files

The Trump administration has released over 240,000 pages of records related to the 1968 assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The files are now available on the U.S. National Archives website following a January executive order by President Trump.

King Family Criticizes FBI’s Surveillance

The King family voiced concern over the release, citing the FBI’s historic surveillance of MLK under J. Edgar Hoover’s leadership. They called the campaign invasive and politically motivated, intended to discredit King and the civil rights movement. The family emphasized that the records stem from COINTELPRO, an FBI program notorious for undermining political activists, including King, the Black Panther Party, and others.

Fears of Misuse and Legacy Damage

While the family supports transparency, they warn that these files could be used to tarnish King’s legacy. “We strongly condemn any attempts to misuse these documents,” the family stated, urging readers to consider the historical context behind the records.

Critics Call Timing a Distraction

Rev. Al Sharpton and others criticized the timing, suggesting the release serves to distract from political controversies surrounding Trump, especially calls to release files tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Bernice King posted on social media, “Now, do the Epstein files,” reflecting broader public sentiment.

What the Records Include

The newly released files consist of FBI investigations, CIA materials connected to the case, and State Department records on James Earl Ray’s extradition. It remains unclear if the documents reveal new insights, as historians are still reviewing them, similar to the JFK files released in March.

The Assassination and Conspiracy Claims

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray confessed but later recanted, claiming he was framed by a man named Raoul. Allegations from a Memphis tavern owner and a former FBI agent tied the murder to a wider conspiracy involving the mafia, Memphis police, and even figures connected to the Kennedy assassination.

In 1999, a civil jury concluded that King was killed as part of a conspiracy involving government agencies, though the Justice Department has dismissed those findings as unreliable.

How to Access the MLK Files

The public can view the records on the National Archives’ website. Most files are scans of aged documents, with some pages blurred or faint, alongside photographs and audio recordings.

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

Yeah, it’s hot, but rain is coming back to cool us off again

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — This week Houston could register a temperatures in the triple digits for the first time in 2025, but this near-record heat will be short-lived as another round of tropical downpours blows in by Friday.

After the sun rises, temperatures will quickly climb to the low 90s by noon and into the upper 90s for the afternoon. We predict a high of 99, one degree hotter than the 98 observed Monday afternoon. Monday’s high of 98 ties for the hottest reading so far this year.

We’ll have plenty of fair-weather cumulus clouds in the sky, but no rain is anticipated Monday.

Tell me about this week’s heat. Is it really going to be that hot?

Well, this week will likely be the hottest week of summer… so far. It’s nothing too extreme by our standards, but you do need to be careful you don’t overdo it in this hot weather. Wednesday and Thursday will challenge record highs with temperatures of 100 degrees. Heat index values in the afternoon will peak between 100 to 110 each day through Thursday. Houston has not been under a Heat Advisory since mid May, but it’s possible a Heat Advisory could be issued this week before the rain returns. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities or exercising during the peak heating of the day, which is usually between 2 and 6 p.m. Signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, sudden thirst, heavy sweating and/or muscle weakness. This is when you want to act fast to avoid heat stroke by going into an air conditioned building, drinking water, and using cold compresses to cool off. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition with symptoms that can include a throbbing headache, loss of consciousness, no sweating, and hot, red, dry skin. It is a life-threatening condition where you should call 911 immediately.

What should I know about the rain chances late this week?

Last week’s tropical disturbance is getting recycled over the northern Gulf, and that tropical moisture reaches Southeast Texas on Friday, sticks around Saturday, and departs on Sunday. At this time we expect the tropical moisture to remain disorganized, but there is a chance it could try to organize into a tropical depression. For now we are predicting scattered downpours starting Friday with another round or two on Saturday.

What’s happening in the tropics?

Pretty quiet in the tropics for now. 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.

Brett Hankison Sentenced to Nearly 3 Years in Prison in Breonna Taylor Case

Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights during the fatal 2020 raid on her home.

Hankison was convicted for firing 10 rounds blindly into Taylor’s apartment. Although his bullets didn’t strike anyone, some entered a neighboring unit.

DOJ Recommended Leniency

The Department of Justice had recommended Hankison receive just one day in prison, a suggestion that drew criticism from Taylor’s family.

Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, expressed frustration, calling the DOJ’s approach “disrespectful” and criticizing the presence of a new prosecutor at sentencing who she felt argued more for the defendant than for justice.

Protests and Public Outcry

Outside the courthouse, demonstrators protested in support of Taylor’s family. Four protesters, including Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin, were arrested during the demonstration.

Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend who fired a shot during the raid believing intruders were breaking in, said he felt “grateful” for some justice, noting Hankison once threatened that Walker would spend his life in prison.

Judge Denies New Trial

Before sentencing, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings rejected Hankison’s request for a new trial, calling his motion “nebulous and disjointed.”

Hankison was acquitted of a separate charge related to the civil rights of Taylor’s neighbors. Prosecutors maintained his gunfire was reckless, endangered lives, and violated Taylor’s constitutional rights.

For more on Taylor’s case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Paramount Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault and Harassment by Former Executive

Paramount Pictures is facing two lawsuits from former employees who allege the company ignored sexual assault, harassment, and a hostile work environment created by a senior executive.

Both suits, filed in July in California, center on Patrick Smith, former senior vice president of worldwide print production. He resigned earlier this year following an internal investigation.

Allegations of Assault and Harassment

One woman, identified as Jane Doe, claims Smith sexually assaulted her multiple times between 2016 and 2018, including groping her in her office and assaulting her in his car. She alleges that assaults continued until she left Paramount in 2022.

The other Jane Doe accuses Smith of persistent harassment from 2017 to 2019, including sexual comments and pressuring her to attend a conference where he implied they would have sex. She claims Smith retaliated against her professional work after she rejected him.

Culture of Silence and Retaliation

The lawsuits argue Paramount fostered a “code of silence,” enabling misconduct and punishing those who spoke up. One Jane Doe said Smith bragged that HR offered to “take care of it” when a complaint arose, suggesting retaliation against accusers.

The complaints also allege Smith made derogatory remarks about female colleagues, including ageist and sexist comments.

Paramount’s Silence

Paramount has not responded to multiple requests for comment. The lawsuits accuse the studio of ignoring complaints despite Smith’s alleged history of misconduct at other companies.

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

Bill Cosby Remembers Malcolm-Jamal Warner After His Death

Bill Cosby spoke with ABC News to reflect on the life and legacy of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, his on-screen son from The Cosby Show, who died Monday at age 54 after drowning in Costa Rica.

Warner, beloved for his role as Theo Huxtable, was caught in a strong current while swimming on the Caribbean coast. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful.

A Close Bond Beyond Television

Cosby described Warner as a dedicated professional and a “great studier” during their eight seasons together. Their connection extended well beyond the show, with Cosby sharing that Warner regularly called him and that he viewed Warner much like a grandson.

Career Beyond The Cosby Show

Warner’s career thrived after his breakout role. He starred in series like Sons of Anarchy and The Resident, and won a Grammy in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance. His recent work included a podcast about Black identity in America.

Tributes From Hollywood

Tributes from across the entertainment industry poured in. Tracee Ellis Ross praised Warner for making “the world a brighter place,” while Jamie Foxx called his passing “speechless,” saying, “Rest in power, my brother.”

Note on Cosby’s Legacy

Bill Cosby himself has faced numerous accusations of sexual assault and harassment. He served three years in prison before his 2018 conviction was overturned on appeal. Cosby continues to assert his innocence.

For more on the fallen star’s last goodbye, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Liam Neeson Confesses Love for Pamela Anderson After Filming

Liam Neeson revealed he is “madly in love” with Pamela Anderson after filming the new “Naked Gun” reboot together. Neeson, 72, plays the son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic Frank Drebin, while Anderson, 57, stars as the female lead.

“She’s just terrific to work with. I can’t compliment her enough,” Neeson told People. “She’s funny and so easy to work with.”

A Strong Bond, Not a Romance

Since meeting on set, Anderson has posted playful photos with Neeson on Instagram. She praised him as “the perfect gentleman” who “brought out the best” in her.

Despite the chemistry, the pair dismissed romance rumors. Neeson said he is “done with dating,” and Anderson described Neeson as “a friend forever.” “We definitely have a connection that is very sincere, very loving,” she added.

Neeson’s Past Love and Personal Loss

Neeson was married to actress Natasha Richardson, who tragically died in 2009 after a skiing accident led to a fatal brain injury. The couple married in 1994 and had two children.

Naked Gun Returns with New Cast

Neeson’s latest comedic role comes after appearances in shows like Atlanta and Derry Girls. The reboot is directed by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island.

The original Naked Gun trilogy, a parody of police procedurals, earned over $216 million at the box office. The new film is scheduled for release on August 1.

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

Russia and Ukraine Intensify Drone Strikes Before Potential Ceasefire Talks

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Russia and Ukraine exchanged waves of drone strikes overnight as both sides prepare for possible ceasefire negotiations later this week. The strikes are setting new records in scale and frequency, with both nations ramping up their drone capabilities.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it downed 107 Ukrainian drones across seven regions, including 28 near Moscow. This followed Ukraine’s earlier strikes, which led to Russia intercepting 221 drones in one day — its highest daily count since June 6.

Airports Disrupted and Kyiv Hit Hard

Ukraine reported Russia launched 426 drones and 24 missiles overnight. The air force intercepted most, but debris impacted several areas. In Kyiv, explosions killed at least one person and injured nine, damaging residential buildings, a supermarket, a kindergarten, and even a metro station entrance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said multiple regions across the country were attacked, leaving at least two dead and 15 injured overall.

Calls for Expanded Drone Arsenal

Zelenskyy ordered the military to increase the range and frequency of Ukrainian drone strikes, targeting Russian weapons production sites. He emphasized that “only real pressure on Russia can stop this aggression.”

Drone War By the Numbers

In July alone, Russia launched nearly 5,000 drones and 148 missiles into Ukraine, averaging 234 drones per day. Ukraine’s drone attacks are also escalating, with Russia claiming to have downed over 2,300 Ukrainian drones this month.

Ceasefire Talks and U.S. Pressure

Zelenskyy renewed calls for ceasefire talks, with plans for another meeting with Russian officials. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged President Donald Trump’s 50-day ceasefire ultimatum but noted that achieving peace is a long and complex process.

Peskov hinted at a future meeting between Trump and President Vladimir Putin, stating, “It is possible, and over time it will definitely happen.”

However, he added that the groundwork for significant agreements still needs to be done.

For more on the Russia-Ukraine war, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Teenager killed, two 15-year-olds injured in pool party shooting at NE Harris Co. apartments: HCSO

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities say a teenager is dead and two others were hurt after an overnight shooting at an apartment pool party in northeast Harris County.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting happened Sunday at The Henry at Liberty Hills Apartments off Liberty River Drive, near Highway 90 and the Beltway.

Major A. McConnell with the HCSO said this all started at a pool party just before midnight, where he says between 25 and 30 teenagers were present with no parental supervision.

The sheriff’s office believes everyone involved is a teenager – around 15 to 17 years old, and that there were multiple shooters who fired into the crowd.

A young man, believed to be 15 or 16, was killed. Two other 15-year-olds, a male and female, were injured, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff said the girl was flown to the hospital by Life Flight and is critical, and the boy is in serious condition.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says the party at the apartments was promoted on social media.

Investigators have only been able to speak with a few people, so deputies are urging anyone with information to call them or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine and ABC13 Houston.

Hottest week of summer, so far, has arrived

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The hottest week of summer (so far) has arrived with high temperatures staying in the upper 90s or even hitting 100 degrees each day this week.

Get ready for a steamy Monday! We started off today with temperatures in the upper 70s/low 80s and under mostly sunny skies, we should see high temperatures soar into the upper 90s. Heat index values could be closer to 104. An isolated shower or two will be possible this afternoon but most of us will stay dry.

Tell me about this week’s heat. Is it really going to be that hot?

Well, this week will likely be the hottest week of summer… so far. Wednesday and Thursday could even be record breaking heat days with high temperatures of 100 degrees. Highs will be in the upper 90s or even topping 100 degrees in the afternoon through Thursday of this week. Heat index values in the afternoon will range between 100 to 110 in the afternoon each day. Wednesday could be the hottest, which could even prompt our first Heat Advisory of summer to be issued, so you’ll want to remember your hot weather safety tips all week long. This heat arrives thanks to the combination of a big heat dome, ridge and surface high pressure over the gulf.

What are those hot weather safety tips again?

Remember to stay hydrated drinking plenty of water, wear sunscreen and use sun protection to cover your skin and avoid strenuous outdoor activities or exercising during the peak heating of the day, which is usually between 2 and 6 p.m. Be sure to take breaks in air conditioning too if you have to be out and about. Signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, sudden thirst, and heavy sweating and/or muscle weakness. This is when you want to act fast to avoid heat stroke. Speaking of, signs of heat stroke include those of heat exhaustion plus confusion and dizziness where you should act fast and call 911.

And what about those late week rain chances?

Rain chances slowly climb into the end of the week. This is as the heat dome moves on and we see the return of onshore flow from the gulf. All the while, higher levels of moisture swirl back into the gulf early this week. While it’s unlikely we see organized tropical development, showers and storms could bring heavy rains across the Gulf Coast beginning Tuesday in the east, lasting through Saturday to the west. For Southeast Texas, we could see these heavier, tropical downpours Friday and Saturday, but it’s only a 30% chance of that right now.

What’s happening in the tropics?

Pretty quiet in the tropics for now. There are two areas, one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific, with low odds of developing. 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.

Number of Missing Drops Sharply in Texas Flood-Hit County

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In Kerr County, Texas, the number of people still missing after the devastating July 4 floods has dropped from nearly 100 to just three, local officials announced. The floods left the state reeling, with a death toll standing at 134 statewide, including 107 deaths in Kerr County alone.

Intensive Search Efforts

The city of Kerrville credited the reduction in missing persons to the relentless efforts of over 1,000 local, state, and federal responders. City Manager Dalton Rice expressed gratitude for the exhaustive search and verification work that helped reduce the list of missing from over 160 to three.

Statewide Search Continues

Alongside the three individuals still missing in Kerr County, authorities report that three people remain missing in Travis County and one in Burnet County.

Impact on Communities

Among the dead in Kerr County were 70 adults and 37 children, including victims at Camp Mystic, where at least 20 girls went missing during the flash floods. The disaster has left debris and destruction across communities, including vehicles and equipment strewn across public spaces like Louise Hays Park.

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