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Tunnel Collapse in Los Angeles Ends with Safe Rescue of 31 Workers

Edward Saenz
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Tunnel Collapse in Los Angeles Ends with Safe Rescue of 31 Workers

At least 31 workers were safely rescued after a tunnel collapse occurred Wednesday evening at a large industrial complex in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

Workers Escaped Collapse Deep Underground

The incident happened inside an 18-foot-wide tunnel being built for municipal wastewater management. The collapse occurred several miles from the sole entry point, deep underground. Trapped workers managed to climb over a 12 to 15-foot pile of loose soil and meet coworkers who helped them exit using a tunnel vehicle.

Leaders Praise Successful Rescue Effort

“Tonight, we were lucky,” said LAFD Interim Chief Ronnie Villanueva during a press conference. Mayor Karen Bass, also on the scene, told reporters, “We’re all blessed today in Los Angeles. No one injured. Everyone safe, and I am feeling very, very good, that this is a great outcome. And what started as a very scary evening.”

Specialized Crews Respond Quickly

More than 100 LAFD personnel, including specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams, responded. Workers were brought to the surface in groups of about eight, using a cage hoisted by a crane. It is unclear if this was the usual method of entry or a special rescue measure.

No Serious Injuries Reported

At least 27 workers were checked by paramedics on-site, and all appeared uninjured, according to the LAFD.

Tunnel Project Ongoing

The tunnel is part of a wastewater project scheduled for completion in 2027, according to ABC affiliate KABC.

Mayor Bass thanked the first responders and shared on X, “Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.’s true heroes.”

Follow every update from this story with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Mother of Six Found Dead in Los Angeles Encampment Identified

Indira Zaldivar
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Mother of Six Found Dead in Los Angeles Encampment Identified

Authorities have revealed the cause of death for Lucrecia Macias Barajas, a 46-year-old mother of six who was found dead in a homeless encampment in downtown Los Angeles in May.

Cause of Death Ruled Accidental Overdose

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner announced on July 9 that Barajas died from “the effects of fentanyl and methamphetamine.” Her death, along with that of 39-year-old Fredy Pojoy Sajqui, who was found beside her, was ruled an accident.

Bodies Discovered in Downtown Los Angeles Tent

Barajas and Pojoy Sajqui were found unresponsive inside a tent near Miramar Street and South Beaudry Avenue on May 12. Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced them dead at the scene. Examinations were completed two days later, and both deaths were certified on July 9.

Family Remembers Barajas as a Veteran and Caring Mother

Barajas’ daughters told KTLA their mother was an Army veteran and rejected the notion that she was a homeless drug addict. “She was just at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said daughter Amely Becerra.

Community Concerns and Government Response

Local residents described the area as a known drug hotspot and said they had raised concerns with the city repeatedly. On the day the bodies were discovered, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a model ordinance aimed at addressing dangerous encampments and providing support for unhoused residents.

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

Saharan dust drops rain chances Thursday, but they go back up this weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Saharan dust drops rain chances Thursday, but they go back up this weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We get a break today after two days of widespread storms. Today could still bring rain but it will be a lot more isolated with just a 30% chance of rain.

Temperatures will warm into the mid 90s. Any storm that pops up Thursday could get strong with heavy rain, lightning, and wind gusts over 40 mph.

You’ll probably notice the sky looking hazy gray all day due to the Saharan air, and anyone sensitive to these dust particles could experience a flare up of allergies or asthma symptoms.

How long does the Saharan dust stick around?

For one day only. It departs early Friday as another round of tropical moisture rolls in.

Does this mean more rain for the weekend?

Yep. Scattered downpours are expected both Saturday and Sunday, especially in the afternoon. Be prepared to run for cover if a heavy thunderstorms impacts your outdoor plans.

Is there any triple-digit heat in the forecast?

Not at this time. In fact, we still haven’t hit 100 so far this summer! Next week, the rain faucet should turn off, which should push temperatures back into the upper 90s but still shy of the triple digits.

What’s happening in the tropics?

Another Saharan dust cloud is coming for Texas, and we’re watching the Gulf for tropical development late next 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.

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

Texas Flood Warning System Stalled for a Decade Before Deadly Kerr County Disaster

Edward Saenz
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Texas Flood Warning System Stalled for a Decade Before Deadly Kerr County Disaster

Missed Opportunities for Prevention

For more than 10 years, Texas state and local agencies failed to secure about $1 million to install a flood warning system in Kerr County, an area along the Guadalupe River known as “flash-flood alley.”

The system was intended to protect 50,000 residents and the many campers and tourists who visit each summer.

Other communities, like nearby Comfort, successfully implemented flood sirens that helped evacuate residents during emergencies. Kerr County instead debated sirens for years, citing concerns about cost and noise, and ultimately moved forward only with plans for sensors—plans that were never funded.

Repeated Rejections and Inaction

After a deadly flood in 2015 revived interest in warning systems, efforts to secure funding repeatedly failed. Kerrville, the county’s largest city, refused to contribute to a joint grant proposal. The state’s emergency management agency denied funding twice, and after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, disaster aid was diverted to other counties.

Later, the state offered an interest-free loan through the flood infrastructure fund, but local authorities declined, saying the terms weren’t favorable.

Deadly July 4 Flood

When heavy rains hit in the early hours of July 4, the Guadalupe River rose quickly, with no system in place to warn residents and campers. At least 120 people died, and many more remain missing.

“There wasn’t enough fight in them, and there needs to be more fight this time,” Nicole Wilson, a San Antonio mother who evacuated her daughters before the flood, told The Associated Press.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and local officials have urged the public to avoid placing blame in the aftermath. But some, like Ingram city council member Raymond Howard, voiced frustration. “That’s just mind-boggling,” Howard told The Associated Press. “This is more important. This is lives. This is families. This is heartbreaking.”

Past Funding Attempts Fell Short

In 2016 and 2017, Kerr County applied for federal hazard mitigation grants but was denied due to incomplete planning requirements and later because funds were redirected following Hurricane Harvey.

In 2024, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority revived the project, requesting $1 million from the Texas Water Development Board. The board offered a $50,000 grant and a $950,000 loan, but the authority declined, saying the loan terms were inadequate.

Future Funding Promised

In response to the disaster, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s spokesperson told The Associated Press that lawmakers will approve funding for emergency sirens during a special session later this month. “The state will provide emergency warning sirens where needed,” he wrote.

But for many families, that help has come too late.

For more on this tragedy, follow every update with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Teen Girl Found Dead in Morgan Hill; Boyfriend Arrested for Murder

Indira Zaldivar
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Teen Girl Found Dead in Morgan Hill; Boyfriend Arrested for Murder

Body of Missing Teen Located

Police in Morgan Hill, California, have found the body of 18-year-old Marissa DiNapoli, who was reported missing on June 30 after failing to return home. Her body was discovered on July 2, and the Santa Clara County Coroner confirmed her identity the next day.

“This is not the outcome any of us wanted and we are heartbroken by this news,” Morgan Hill police said, describing DiNapoli as a vibrant member of the community.

Suspect Arrested at Border

Authorities arrested 20-year-old Martin Mendoza on July 7 as he attempted to cross back into the U.S. from Mexico. Mendoza, who police identified as DiNapoli’s boyfriend, has been charged with first-degree murder and using a knife in the killing. He was arraigned on July 8 and is being held without bond.

Timeline of Disappearance

DiNapoli last communicated with her family on the morning of June 28, saying she planned to stay with a friend. Surveillance footage later showed her leaving a home near Morgan Hill with Mendoza around 9:45 a.m. that same day. Her car was later found in the area.

Cause of Death Revealed

Court documents reported by local outlets reveal DiNapoli had been stabbed multiple times in the back.

Community in Mourning

Central High School, where DiNapoli attended, is offering counseling services for students and staff. Police urged the community to continue supporting the DiNapoli family during this difficult time.

The family released a statement asking for privacy and requesting that supporters honor Marissa’s memory through “prayers, kind words, and cherished memories,” instead of creating donation pages.

Ongoing Investigation

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Morgan Hill Police Detective Kyle Tolentino at 669-253-4962 or kyle.tolentino@morganhill.ca.gov.

Congressional Push to Relocate Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston Sparks National Debate

Edward Saenz
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Congressional Push to Relocate Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston Sparks National Debate

A new provision tucked into a sweeping federal spending package could finally bring NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston—more than a decade after the city was controversially passed over for one of the program’s retired orbiters.

The legislation, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” was approved by the U.S. Senate in early July and includes $85 million to fund the shuttle’s relocation and exhibition at Space Center Houston. The move has the full backing of Texas Republicans, including Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and Gov. Greg Abbott, who say it’s a long-overdue correction to a perceived historical snub.

“This is about bringing Discovery home to the city that supported its missions from liftoff to landing,” Cornyn said in a statement.

Discovery, which flew 39 missions between 1984 and 2011—including the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope and John Glenn’s return to space—is currently housed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum annex in Chantilly, Virginia. The museum took ownership of the orbiter in 2012 under a long-term custodial agreement, and has publicly opposed the effort to transfer it to Texas.

The proposed legislation mandates that NASA identify a shuttle to relocate within 30 days of the bill becoming law, and complete the transfer within 18 months. It specifically prioritizes institutions linked to the Commercial Crew program—criteria that apply directly to Space Center Houston, located next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, which served as mission control for every shuttle flight.

However, moving Discovery may be more complicated than Congress anticipates. The shuttle’s sheer size and fragility make transportation a massive undertaking. The two modified Boeing 747 aircraft once used to carry orbiters are no longer airworthy, meaning Discovery would likely need to be transported by barge or flatbed trailer. Experts say the real cost of the move could approach $300 million—far beyond the $85 million included in the legislation.

The Smithsonian has also made clear it has no intention of giving up Discovery voluntarily. Museum officials argue that the shuttle is in its rightful place—on public display, free of charge, and safely preserved under their care. Critics of the relocation plan, including some Democrats and former NASA officials, have called the move political grandstanding and warned that tampering with the Smithsonian’s collection sets a dangerous precedent.

“There’s no doubt Houston deserves recognition,” said Cathleen Lewis, curator of international space programs at the Smithsonian. “But dismantling a beloved exhibit to score political points does a disservice to space history.”

Supporters in Texas disagree. They say Houston, long known as “Space City,” played a central role in every phase of the shuttle program and was unfairly excluded from receiving an orbiter in 2011. At the time, shuttles were assigned to museums in Florida, California, New York and Washington, D.C.—with none going to the home of NASA’s astronaut corps or mission control.

“This is about honoring Houston’s legacy,” said William T. Harris, CEO of Space Center Houston. “We are uniquely equipped to care for Discovery and share its story with future generations.”

NASA will be tasked with developing and executing a complex plan to safely relocate Discovery, potentially one of the most ambitious museum transfers in American history.

Whether the shuttle ultimately makes its way to Texas remains uncertain. But for Houston’s space community, just having a second chance to host a national treasure is cause for renewed hope.

HPD’s Increase in ICE Referrals Sparks Civil Rights Concerns

Edward Saenz
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HPD’s Increase in ICE Referrals Sparks Civil Rights Concerns

The Houston Police Department has dramatically increased the number of times it contacts U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with new data showing that more than half of those calls in 2025 have stemmed from routine traffic stops.

According to internal records, HPD officers contacted ICE at least 58 times following traffic stops as of May 31—up sharply from just one or two such cases in previous years. About 24% of those incidents resulted in ICE detaining the individual involved.

The spike comes in response to an internal HPD policy that directs officers to notify ICE when they encounter an administrative immigration warrant during a traffic stop or other public contact. These civil warrants—uploaded to a federal law enforcement database by ICE—flag individuals who have pending deportation orders, but are not tied to criminal charges.

Immigrant advocates and legal experts say the policy may erode public trust and violate constitutional protections.

“This is creating a dangerous arrest-to-deportation pipeline,” said Jennefer Canales-Pelaez of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. “People are afraid to call the police—even when they’re victims of crime—because any interaction could lead to deportation.”

A memo issued earlier this year by HPD Executive Assistant Chief Thomas Hardin instructed officers to contact ICE immediately upon identifying an immigration warrant during a stop, and to wait a “reasonable time” for ICE’s response. Officers reportedly still have discretion over which names are entered into the warrant database—an issue that critics say opens the door to racial profiling.

City officials, including Mayor John Whitmire, have insisted that HPD does not assist with immigration raids or target people based solely on their status. However, they defend the current policy as a legal obligation, noting that immigration warrants stored in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) must be acted upon when discovered.

“There is no proactive targeting,” said Doug Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers’ Union. “But once that warrant is in the system, the officer is required to follow federal procedure—or risk putting the city’s funding in jeopardy.”

Civil liberties advocates warn the policy may also infringe on Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures—particularly if officers extend the duration of traffic stops while waiting for ICE agents to respond.

In addition to constitutional concerns, critics say the policy places unnecessary strain on HPD resources. Houston’s police response times are already at 30-year highs, and officers waiting on ICE can further delay services elsewhere in the city.

The controversy comes as immigration remains a heated issue in Texas politics and as local governments wrestle with their role in federal enforcement. Some community groups are calling for City Council to hold hearings on the matter, and at least one council member has expressed interest in revisiting the policy.

“The people of Houston deserve safety and fairness—not fear,” said Council Member Letitia Plummer. “We cannot allow a traffic stop to become a deportation sentence.”

Bandido: Heart, Heritage, and the Fight for Glory

Michael Esparza
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Bandido: Heart, Heritage, and the Fight for Glory

From the vibrant arenas of Mexico to the global spotlight of AEW and Ring of Honor, Bandido has emerged as one of the most electrifying and inspiring figures in professional wrestling today. Known for his high-flying athleticism, fearless in-ring style, and iconic mask, he continues to honor the deep traditions of lucha libre while captivating international audiences. Whether performing at home or abroad, Bandido wins hearts not only through his talent but through the spirit, pride, and heritage he brings to every match.

A Legacy of Lucha

Lucha libre is more than a wrestling style for Bandido—it’s a cultural legacy he proudly carries into every match. “I always try to show the people that lucha libre is part of our Mexican culture,” he says. “Our masks have mysticism. They allow us to be heroes in real life.” For Bandido, the challenge isn’t just winning matches, but representing the soul of a tradition. By blending traditional lucha with American wrestling and Japanese puroresu, he creates a hybrid style that feels both rooted and revolutionary. “I try to mix it all to create something different—something people like and enjoy.”

The Power of Family

Through every high-flying victory and painful setback, one constant remains: Bandido’s devotion to family. “My family means EVERYTHING,” he says. That connection was tested in a personal way during his rivalry with wrestling legend Chris Jericho. “When Jericho confronted my mom in the ring, it was a very defiant moment for me. I knew instantly that the match would be something special.” Wrestling isn’t just about belts or glory for Bandido—it’s about defending those he loves.

Rising After the Fall

Injuries are an inevitable part of a wrestler’s journey, and Bandido has endured his share. But through every hardship, his motivation never wavered. “It was a really, really hard time for me,” he admits. “The only thing that kept me going was my family—my daughter, my mom, father, grandma, and siblings. They always tried to keep me motivated.” Today, he sees those trials through a spiritual lens. “I understand now that everything is part of God’s plan. I want to share that with the world: never back down, and never think that God is leaving you alone.”

The Mask That Traveled the World

A symbol of tradition and transformation, Bandido’s mask has found fans far beyond his homeland. “My dream was always to see my mask outside Arena México in Mexico City,” he says. “Now, it’s all over the world—and that’s unbelievable!” Seeing fans wear his mask is a surreal validation of his work and passion. It’s not just merchandise—it’s a movement.

A Champion’s Challenge

Looking ahead, Bandido is preparing for a high-stakes rematch at Supercard of Honor against Konosuke Takeshita. Their last encounter left Bandido with a broken wrist and unfinished business. Now, as champion, he’s determined not to repeat the past. “This title includes my family,” he explains. “And since my family means EVERYTHING, I won’t let him take the gold so easily. I will put my soul into keeping it—for them.”

All In, All Heart

As All In Texas approaches, Bandido is excited for what he calls “the beginning of a new era” in wrestling. He hopes to compete in the Men’s Casino Gauntlet Match, but either way, he’s embracing the moment. “For me, Friday will be the most important night. I know I’ll have time to enjoy All In in the future,” he says with a smile.

Outside the Ring

Away from the spotlight, Bandido is far from the masked warrior fans see in the ring. “I like to travel a lot,” he shares. “Especially if it’s to a pretty beach.” That love for peaceful escapes offers a calming contrast to his high-impact wrestling style.

For the Next Generation

As someone who’s defied expectations and carved his path, Bandido has a message for young luchadores dreaming of their own spotlight:
“Don’t let ANYONE tell you that you can’t do it. Never back down and always pursue your dream!”

From the passion behind the mask to the fire in his heart, Bandido is more than just a luchador — he’s a symbol of pride, perseverance, and purpose. Whether he’s defending his title, honoring his family, or inspiring future generations, Bandido continues to represent the very best of lucha libre on a global stage.

Supreme Court Clears Way for Trump’s Federal Government Reorganization

Edward Saenz
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Supreme Court Clears Way for Trump’s Federal Government Reorganization

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump to move forward with his executive order to reorganize federal agencies and implement mass layoffs of federal workers.

The unsigned order lifted a lower court’s injunction, stating that the government is likely to succeed in arguing the legality of the order and related Office of Management and Budget guidance.

Court Stops Short of Ruling on Specific Agency Plans

The court clarified that it was not ruling on the legality of any specific agency reorganization or reduction in force plans, which could still face legal challenges.

Justice Opinions Split on Decision

Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed with the ruling but highlighted that questions remain about the administration’s specific plans. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, calling the decision “truly unfortunate” and “senseless” in a strongly worded 15-page opinion.

Trump Gains Another Supreme Court Win

The ruling is another legal victory for Trump, giving his administration the green light to begin reshaping 21 federal agencies, including major departments such as Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Treasury.

Critics Warn of Threats to Public Services

The coalition opposing Trump’s order—which includes labor unions, nonprofits, and local governments in several states—warned the decision puts vital public services at risk. They argue that mass layoffs and reorganizations without congressional approval violate constitutional checks on presidential power.

Despite the setback, the coalition vowed to continue its legal fight to protect government services and workers.

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

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