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Man tied up, stripped and beaten with cinderblocks during nightclub robbery, prosecutors say

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PASADENA, Texas (KTRK) — A man and woman were arrested after prosecutors say they tied up, stripped, and beat a man while trying to rob a nightclub.

Andre Partee and Jasmine Rohne are each charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.

Robert Cerny says he was working on cars behind Tropical Night Club on Spencer Highway Sunday night when the suspects approached with a laser-equipped gun.

He said he was struck over the head several times with the butt of the gun.

“When they came up and struck me with the gun, I think they expected me to go down. You know what I mean? But, like, he was, like, real thin and wiry…so he didn’t really have power when he hit me, so it didn’t work,” Cerny said.

Cerny said the couple stripped him of his shirt, then used his belt and shoelaces to tie his wrists before forcing him to lie facedown on the ground.

He said the two beat his legs with cinderblocks before piling the cinderblocks on his back.

“They had about four or six cinder blocks, and then the girl would sit on top of it,” he said.

He said the man held a gun to his head and repeatedly told him he would shoot him before both suspects returned to their original mission: robbing the nightclub.

A surveillance camera captured one of them crouching behind a wheelbarrow while holding bolt cutters.

Cerny said to cut power to the business, which prompted a woman working there to investigate.

“She goes around front saying, ‘What’s going on?’ They came out on her with a gun,” Cerny said.

Police say the suspects stole cash and were in the middle of making their getaway when officers arrived.

Both are due in court on Tuesday morning.

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This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Pct. 4 announces arrest warrant for man seen wielding machete at woman in NW Harris Co.

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HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — An arrest warrant has been issued for a man police said wielded a machete at a woman last week in northwest Harris County, according to charging documents.

The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office says that last Thursday, a woman said she was on her way to work and stopped at a light in the 9500 block of Grant Road near Champion Forest Drive.

At one point, the woman said that the suspect, identified in court documents as Lawrence Taylor, began yelling from his Ford F-150 truck and called her an obscenity.

The woman said she was unaware of what he was upset about, but as the light turned green, the man pulled in front of her and got out, holding a machete.

Court records said that the man began hurling obscenities at the woman, saying, “cut your (expletive) head off.” Officials said the man then drove away.

Precinct 4 posted on social media that Taylor has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and has a bond of $50,000.

Police said anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to contact law enforcement.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Houston Prepares for Artemis II Launch Watch Party at Space Center Houston

HOUSTON, Texas — As excitement builds for NASA’s next chapter in lunar exploration, Space Center Houston is set to host a highly anticipated watch party for the upcoming Artemis II launch.

Community Invited to Celebrate Historic Mission

The live watch party will take place Wednesday, April 1, with doors opening at 4:50 p.m. for the public and 4:30 p.m. for media. The event will commemorate NASA’s first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years, marking a major milestone in space exploration.

The event has officially sold out, underscoring Houston’s deep connection to NASA and strong public interest in the mission.

Event Details and Speakers

The evening will be emceed by Robert Southers and will feature remarks with William Harris and Keesha Bullock.

Hosted by the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center, the event offers Houstonians a front-row seat to history as astronauts prepare to return to deep space.

Artemis II Crew Ready for Launch

Meanwhile, the Artemis II astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — have officially arrived at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for liftoff.

The 10-day mission will send the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft on a lunar flyby, the first human journey to the Moon since Apollo 17.

A Milestone Moment for Houston

With a launch window extending through early April, Artemis II represents a major step forward in NASA’s Artemis campaign and a proud moment for Houston—long known as the heart of human spaceflight.

Even for those unable to attend the sold-out event, the mission serves as a powerful reminder of Houston’s role in pushing the boundaries of exploration.

For more on the Artemis II mission, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

‘Fireball Season’ Brings Surge in Meteor Sightings

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Peak Viewing Across the U.S.

Skywatchers across the United States are spotting more bright meteors as “fireball season” reaches its peak. According to NASA, sightings typically increase from February through April, with a 10% to 30% rise in visible meteors.

Unusual Spike in 2026

This year, activity has extended into March, marking one of the most active periods in recent years. The American Meteor Society reports a surge in larger, brighter meteors—known as fireballs—compared to previous years.

Why It Happens

Scientists believe Earth may pass through regions of larger space debris during this time, making meteors more visible. Improved technology, including smartphones and security cameras, has also increased the number of reported sightings.

What to Expect

Fireballs are brighter than typical shooting stars and can produce loud sonic booms as they enter Earth’s atmosphere. While the exact reason for this year’s spike remains unclear, experts say the heightened activity could continue in the coming weeks.

For the latest on space, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

NATO Intercepts Iranian Missiles Over Turkey

Escalation Continues One Month Into Conflict

The conflict involving Iran has intensified, with NATO confirming it intercepted Iranian missiles traveling through Turkish airspace. Iran has previously denied launching projectiles toward Turkey.

The developments come as the war—sparked by large-scale U.S.-Israeli strikes announced by Donald Trump on Feb. 28—enters its second month.

Regional Tensions Widen

Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf nations, while also attempting to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Fighting has expanded across the region, including intensified Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Shipping Incident Near Dubai

In a separate development, a Kuwaiti oil tanker was struck by an “unknown projectile” near Dubai, sparking a fire. All crew members were reported safe, and no environmental damage has been confirmed.

Uncertain Outlook

With ongoing military strikes, maritime threats, and conflicting claims, tensions remain high across the Middle East as international efforts to stabilize the situation continue.

For more on the U.S. military operations in Iran, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Student Dead After Shooting Teacher at Texas High School

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Incident Reported Near San Antonio

A 15-year-old student allegedly shot a teacher Monday morning at a high school in Central Texas, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Comal County, located about 30 miles north of San Antonio.

Suspect Dies at Scene

Officials said the teenage suspect died at the scene. It remains unclear whether the death was self-inflicted or caused by responding officers.

Teacher Hospitalized

The victim, a female teacher, was transported to a San Antonio hospital. Her condition has not yet been disclosed.

School Secured, Students Reunited

The campus was immediately placed on lockdown following the shooting. Law enforcement later confirmed there is no ongoing threat, and students were safely evacuated and reunited with their families.

Investigation Ongoing

Authorities have not released further details about the motive or circumstances leading up to the shooting. The investigation remains active as officials work to gather more information. For more on this developing story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Trump Claims Progress in Iran Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict

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“More Reasonable” Leadership Cited

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is engaged in “serious discussions” with what he described as a “new” and “more reasonable” Iranian leadership, as the conflict with Iran enters its fifth week.

However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to identify who the U.S. is negotiating with, citing safety concerns and internal divisions within Iran. “There are clearly people there talking to us in ways that previous leaders have not,” Rubio said.

Conflicting Signals From Iran

Iranian officials denied direct negotiations, stating that any communication with the U.S. has occurred through intermediaries. A proposed U.S. framework for a peace deal has reportedly been criticized by Iran as unrealistic.

Pakistan has indicated it may host upcoming talks, though details remain unconfirmed.

ռազմական Pressure Continues

Despite signaling optimism, Trump warned that failure to reach a deal could result in major U.S. attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure. He also suggested the possibility of further military escalation, including potential use of ground forces.

The administration has set a timeline of several weeks to achieve its objectives, as additional U.S. troops deploy to the region.

Uncertain Path Forward

While officials point to behind-the-scenes progress, questions remain about who holds power in Iran and whether any agreement can be secured. The situation continues to evolve as diplomatic efforts unfold alongside ongoing military operations.

For more on the U.S war with Iran, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Deaths in ICE Custody Surge Under Second Trump Administration

Record Mortality Rates Raise Alarm

Deaths among detainees in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody have sharply increased during the early months of President Donald Trump’s second administration, according to recent data. Analysts say this period is on track to become the deadliest for the federal detention system in years, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

As of late March 2026, at least 45 detainees have died in custody. The mortality rate has risen significantly—from about one death per 100,000 admissions in 2022 to 11 per 100,000 in early 2026. The increase comes as the detained population surpasses 70,000 individuals.

Expansion of Detention System

The rise in deaths coincides with expanded immigration enforcement and a rapid increase in detention capacity. The federal government is reportedly investing billions to convert facilities and add tens of thousands of detention beds.

Advocates argue that alternatives to detention—such as monitoring programs—have been reduced, while mandatory detention policies have expanded, including for some individuals seeking legal status.

Individual Cases Highlight Concerns

The death of Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian immigrant, has drawn attention to conditions inside detention facilities. His family alleges he was denied timely dental care for a severe tooth infection that later became life-threatening. Federal officials, however, say he declined certain treatments and received medical attention.

Other recent deaths include individuals found unresponsive in facilities, with some cases labeled as “presumed suicides.” Families and advocates have questioned those conclusions and called for independent investigations.

Growing Scrutiny and Calls for Accountability

Experts and immigration advocates warn that the rising death toll reflects systemic issues within detention facilities, including access to medical care and oversight. Some cases, including one ruled a homicide by a medical examiner, have intensified concerns about detainee safety.

As enforcement policies continue to expand, critics argue that stronger safeguards are needed to prevent further deaths and ensure humane treatment within the immigration system.

For more on Trump’s anti-immigration enforcement and its effects, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

1 dead, 2 critically injured after shooting at Galena Park basketball court, HCSO says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Three men were shot following a possible altercation at a Galena Park basketball court last night, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said one man was pronounced dead on the scene, and two other men were found nearby.

The sheriff said those two men are currently in the hospital in critical condition.

The three victims, according to the sheriff, are all in their late teens or early 20s.

The Sheriff’s Office believes this happened around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday at the Alvin D. Baggett Community Center on Keene Street.

Gonzalez said a possible fight broke out before a vehicle approached, and more than 20 shots were fired.

“This is a dangerous thing that happened,” he said. “Anybody could have been hurt.”

The sheriff is unsure whether or not all of the shots came from the vehicle or if there was an exchange of gunfire.

There are no suspects or motives at this time.

“We need the public’s help,” Gonzalez said. “We ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Houston.”

Gonzalez said they’re working to learn if there were any additional victims of this shooting.

For news updates, follow Chaz Miller on FacebookX and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Full pot of menudo among items taken from Mexican restaurant in The Heights, owner says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A restaurant in Houston Heights was robbed Saturday morning, with the suspects stealing equipment and food, including a pot of menudo, according to the restaurant’s owners.

In a post on social media, taco restaurant Tacos Doña Lena said its Heights location on 18th Street was robbed of food, equipment, and merchandise on Saturday. The post also mentioned that the restaurant chain had been robbed before at another location.

ABC13 spoke with Angel Cabrera, who is Doña Lena’s son, about the alleged robbery. Cabrera said the incident happened at about 3:50 a.m, when the suspects got into the restaurant by taking out the kitchen window.

According to Cabrera, the suspects took a pot of menudo, a Mexican soup, that was prepared and left overnight. The suspects also took three 24-packs of Mexican Coca-Colas, a rice cooker, and chicharron, Cabrera said. He said that one suspect was inside, handing the stolen items to the second suspect outside the restaurant.

This is the second break-in at this location in two years, Cabrera said. The restaurant has shared surveillance images of the alleged robbery, showing the suspect pulling out the window and taking multiple items from inside.

“I’m very disappointed. Do you know who you were stealing from? We’re not a big company. We’re just a family just trying to make it through every day,” Doña Lena’s granddaughter Aliyah Garcia Cabrera said when speaking about the alleged robbery.

According to Cabrera, the restaurant could not serve menudo on Saturday but said that the food item was back on the menu by Sunday.

For updates on this story, follow Kelvin Henry on Facebook and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.