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Tag: Texas

  • Texas Has Basically Legalized Marijuana. We Have the Proof.  – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

    Texas Has Basically Legalized Marijuana. We Have the Proof.  – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news

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    Texas Has Basically Legalized Marijuana. We Have the Proof.  – Cannabis Business Executive – Cannabis and Marijuana industry news





























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  • Texas’s “Pro-Life” Abortion Law Has Literally Led to More Infant Deaths

    Texas’s “Pro-Life” Abortion Law Has Literally Led to More Infant Deaths

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    Antiabortion advocates talk a big game about protecting the “sanctity of life,” but in reality do not care about life at all—not the lives of mothers, whose rights they think nothing of taking away, or the babies they force pregnant people to carry to term. The most recent example of this hypocrisy? A new study showing that infant deaths increased in Texas in the wake of its near-total ban on abortions.

    On Monday, a study published in the JAMA Pediatrics journal revealed that in 2022, the year after Texas’s Heartbeat Act went into effect, the infant mortality rate went up by nearly 13%, versus an almost 2% increase in the rest of the US. Deaths as a result of birth defects increased in the state by 22.9%—compared to a nationwide decrease of about 3%—presumably because the Texas law bans abortion after six weeks, which is well before tests are done to detect fetal abnormalities. Alison Gemmill, who led the study, told USA Today, “It just points to some of the devastating consequences of abortion bans that maybe people weren’t thinking about when they passed these laws”—a statement that is definitely giving antiabortion lawmakers way too much credit. Wendy Davis, a senior adviser for Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, pointed out that since the study only looked at 2022—and not the years that followed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, when many more states enacted abortion bans—“the situation on the ground today is [likely] even more dire.”

    What do people who call themselves “pro-life” think of all this? Not much—and definitely not that they should rethink how their policies have had terrible consequences on countless real, live people.

    In a statement, a spokesperson for Texas governor Greg Abbott said the Heartbeat Act has led to “thousands of children have been given a chance at life.” Amy O’Donnell, a spokesperson for Texas Alliance for Life, told USA Today, “We don’t apologize for the fact that we don’t support discrimination against children facing disabilities or fatal diagnoses in or out of the womb. And that’s the line that we just believe should not be crossed.” She did not comment on the fact that the Texas law inflicts unimaginable trauma on people forced to give birth to children they know won’t survive, only to watch them die.

    The Donald Trump campaign—whose candidate regularly brags about killing Roe v. Wade—does not appear to have commented on the news. As a reminder, earlier this month, Trump told a group that wants abortion “eradicated entirely” that he knows “where you’re coming from” and pledged, “I’ll be with you, side by side.”

    A window into a second Trump term

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    Maria Bartiromo jumps on the “Biden will be on drugs for the debate” train

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  • Infant mortality rate rose following Texas abortion ban, study shows

    Infant mortality rate rose following Texas abortion ban, study shows

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    In the wake of Texas’ abortion ban, the state’s infant death rate increased and more died of birth defects, a study published Monday shows.

    The analysis out of Johns Hopkins University is the latest research to find higher infant mortality rates in states with abortion restrictions.

    The researchers looked at how many infants died before their first birthday after Texas adopted its abortion ban in September 2021. They compared infant deaths in Texas to those in 28 states — some also with restrictions. The researchers calculated that there were 216 more deaths in Texas than expected between March and December the next year.

    In Texas, the 2022 mortality rate for infants went up 8% to 5.75 per 1,000 births, compared to a 2% increase in the rest of the U.S., according to the study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

    Among causes of deaths, birth defects showed a 23% increase, compared to a decrease of about 3% in the rest of the U.S. The Texas law blocks abortions after the detection of cardiac activity, usually five or six weeks into pregnancy, well before tests are done to detect fetal abnormalities.

    “I think these findings make clear the potentially devastating consequences that abortion bans can have,” said co-author Suzanne Bell, a fertility researcher.

    Doctors have argued that the law is too restrictive toward women who face pregnancy complications, though the state’s Supreme Court last month rejected a case that sought to weaken it.

    Infant deaths are relatively rare, Bell said, so the team was a bit surprised by the findings. Because of the small numbers, the researchers could not parse out the rates for different populations, for example, to see if rates were rising more for certain races or socioeconomic groups.

    But the results did not come as a surprise to Tiffany Green, a University of Wisconsin-Madison economist and population health scientist who studies the consequences of racial inequities on reproductive health. She said the results were in line with earlier research on racial disparities in infant mortality rates due to state differences in Medicaid funding for abortions. Many of the people getting abortions are vulnerable to pregnancy complications, said Green, who was not part of the research.

    Stephen Chasen, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with Weill Cornell Medicine, said abortion restrictions have other consequences. Chasen, who had no role in the research, said people who carry out pregnancies with fetal anomalies need extra support, education and specialized medical care for the mother and newborn — all of which require resources.

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  • A look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far

    A look at the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far

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    The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is underway and lasts until Nov. 30. You can check here for hurricane season updates.

    For the latest tropical development updates, you can check here.

    What You Need To Know

    • NOAA predicts above normal activity this hurricane season

    • Atlantic sea surface temperatures are experiencing record warmth

    • La Niña conditions are expected during the peak of hurricane season


    NOAA predicts above normal activity across the Atlantic basin this year. It’s primarily because of record warm sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic and the expected return of La Nina conditions this summer, both being contributors to tropical activity.

    Here are the names that are being used in 2024. This list, excluding any names that get retired, will be re-used in 2030. 

    You can learn more about 2024’s list of names here.

    Here are this season’s tropical tracks so far.

    Alberto

    Alberto was the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed in the western Gulf of Mexico on June 19, becoming a tropical storm.

    It made landfall in northeastern Mexico on June 20 with max winds of 45 mph, bringing heavy rain, coastal flooding and wind impacts to northern Mexico and South Texas. It dissipated quickly later that day.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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  • How to run safely during the heat of summer

    How to run safely during the heat of summer

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    The temperature is heating up, but you still want to do your daily run. How can you run safely in the heat?

    What You Need To Know

    • Summer is not the time to set your speed records

    • Hydrate before and during your run to keep away muscle fatigue and cramping

    • Keep an eye on your heart rate, using either a monitor or smartwatch


    Give yourself time to adjust to the heat and set realistic expectations. Summer is not the season to set personal records.

    Acclimate to the heat

    The transition to summer weather can happen quickly. This makes it more difficult to acclimate to the summer heat when running. Ideally, you will have two weeks for your body to get used to the heat.

    Slow down your pace. Intense workouts generate more heat, making you hotter more quickly. Do an easy run instead.

    Humidity

    Check the humidity levels. High humidity can prevent sweat from evaporating on the skin, which means the body doesn’t have a way to cool itself. This could make you overheat faster.

    If you choose to run outdoors, find shady spots and avoid peak heat hours. Running midday is not ideal. Instead, opt for early morning or late evening runs.

    What you wear matters. Nick Doering, store manager of Fleet Feet in St. Charles, Mo., recommends wearing light layers of synthetic fabric for wicking away moisture.

    Hydration

    Some people don’t like to carry water on a run, but when it’s hot, you need to hydrate. Doering recommends even pre-hydrating to prevent muscle fatigue, as much as increasing liquids two days before.

    “We have lots of hydration products like Nuun, or for the extra heavier sweaters, we have to Endurolytes, which is basically a salt tablet.”

    If you can carry water on a run, do it. He suggests two ounces per mile to keep away cramps and stay hydrated.

    Heart rate

    Keep an eye on your heart rate. To calculate your target heart rate range for moderate physical activity, take 220 minus your age, then multiply that by 64% and 76%.

    For vigorous physical activity, take 220 minus your age and multiply it by 77% and 93%. You don’t want your heart rate to exceed the higher number.

    Running with dogs

    Find a buddy to run with when training on hot days. That way, you can make sure you both stay safe.

    If you choose to run with a four-legged buddy, make sure you keep them hydrated and safe as well. Remember, if the ground is too hot for your hand, it will be too hot for your dog’s paws.

    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn and her dog Boomer. (Spectrum News/Stacy Lynn)

    Running in the summer may not be easy, but it will make you a stronger runner, and come cooler, fall weather. It might surprise you at just how fast you can run.  

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • The summer solstice’s impact on June’s full strawberry moon

    The summer solstice’s impact on June’s full strawberry moon

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    Most of the country has experienced summer-like temperatures this week, with nearly 85% seeing readings above 90 degrees. The official astrological start to summer happens Thursday afternoon.

    What You Need To Know

    • Summer officially arrives Thursday afternoon

    • It is the earliest solstice in the northern hemisphere since George Washington was president

    • Full strawberry moon will appear larger and brighter since it occurs so close to the solstice


    It takes the Earth 365 ¼ days to revolve around the sun. The sphere of the Earth does not wobble perpendicular to the plane it is moving, it is tilted by 23.5 degrees.

    It’s thanks to this tilt that we have seasons. The northern and summer hemispheres will be tilted toward and away from the sun at different intervals of the year.

    Summer solstice occurs when a hemisphere is turned toward the sun.

    Summer solstice

    The summer solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere annually on June 20 or 21. It is when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer and is located the farthest north in the sky.

    The days closest to the summer solstice have the most daylight and are known as the year’s longest days. This year summer will begin in the northern hemisphere on June 20 at 4:51 p.m. EST, marking it the earliest start to the season since 1796, when George Washington was president, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.

    Full strawberry moon

    The full strawberry moon is expected to peak Friday evening and will appear brighter and larger than usual, says Spectrum News’ Space Expert Anthony Leone.

    This will be the first time since 1988 that the first June full moon occurs during summer. However, two years in recent history came close.

    June 2016’s full moon occurred on the date of the solstice, but during the morning hours so not officially summer, since the solstice did not happen until that night. June 1996 had two full moons that month; technically, one of those moons occurred during the summer.

    But two full moons in a month categorize the second one as a blue moon (that’s where the saying, “once in a blue moon” comes from), meaning 1996’s strawberry moon occurred early in the month during late spring.

    Nomenclature

    One would think that if it’s nick-named “strawberry” moon, it should appear with a reddish hue, but it depends on where you live, says Leone.

    The name of the moon was deemed as such thanks to the Native American Algonquian tribes that lived in the northeast part of the United States. It was to mark the time when the fruit, strawberries, were ripe.

    Other tribes, such as the Ojibwe, Dakota and Lakota, reflect this as well. According to NASA, an old European name for this moon is the Mead or Honey Moon to account for the harvest of honey. Some even say that’s where the term “honeymoon” came from because of the custom of marrying in June.

    Appearance

    The full moon is opposite the sun and will rise just as the sun is setting and inversely set when the sun is rising. With the sun at the highest point north, this means the moon will be at the lowest, making it appear larger.

    The Old Farmers’ Almanac refers to this as the “Moon Illusion.” Thanks to its low position, it will have more atmosphere to pass through, says Leone. 

    “Depending on where you are in the world, the moon could appear reddish, like a strawberry, when it is close to the horizon.” Adding, “the best time to see it is when it is rising, before it becomes its usual goldish or silvery color as it climbs the evening sky.”

    He recommends downloading the app “Moon” to find out when it rises from your location. The full strawberry moon will rise Friday at 10:07 p.m. EST.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • Tropical Storm Alberto forms in the Gulf of Mexico

    Tropical Storm Alberto forms in the Gulf of Mexico

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    Tropical Storm Alberto has formed in the western Gulf of Mexico, becoming the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alberto is the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

    • It’s forecast to make landfall in northeastern Mexico overnight

    • It will bring heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and wind impacts to parts of Texas


    Alberto has max winds of 40 mph in the Gulf of Mexico and is moving west at 9 mph. It’s forecast to make landfall in northeastern Mexico sometime early Thursday morning.

    However, it’s important to not just focus on the track of the storm. This disturbance is very large, with heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and wind impacts expected far from its center.

    Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande. The northeastern coast of Mexico is also under a Tropical Storm Warning.

    Heavy rainfall is expected across parts of the western Gulf Coast.

    Flooding is possible across parts of south Texas as rainfall totals could exceed 5 inches this week as the storm moves inland.

    We continue to monitor two other areas with potential to develop in the Atlantic basin. 

    More Storm Season Resources


    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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  • Record-breaking heat likely for most of the country this week

    Record-breaking heat likely for most of the country this week

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    Summer may officially begin on Thursday, but Mother Nature isn’t waiting around until then. Nearly 84% of the U.S. population will experience temperatures 90 degrees or higher this week.

    What You Need To Know

    • The heat will encompass nearly two-thirds of the country

    • Cities could break decades to even century-old records

    • “Extreme Heat Risk” will be experienced by millions of people

    Notable cities that will experience “Extreme Heat Risk” include Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Albany and Boston. The heat is expected to last most of the week, potentially the longest duration of heat experienced in decades in some locations.

    Extreme Heat is the number one weather killer, resulting in hundreds of deaths each year.. A heat wave is not formally declared until we have three or more straight days of highs in the 90s.

    Heat dome

    The reason for the heat is thanks to a large ridge of high pressure and the position of the high. With it located along the east coast, the winds in the middle part of the country and Midwest will be out the south and southwest.

    This warm fetch of air will bring the heat and humidity on Monday to those locations. As the high shifts further east off the coast of the eastern seaboard, the hot air will move into Ohio River Valley, northeast and New England regions.

    Meanwhile, areas located along the outer periphery of the ridge will see daily isolated rain and storm chances. Known as “ridge-rider” storms as the ridge blocks the storms from entering regions dominated by it. 

    Tuesday’s highs

    The heat moves further east into New England and along the east coast by Tuesday. 

    Here are the potential records that could be compromised. 

    Wednesday’s heat

    The heat looks to be most extreme by Wednesday, putting millions more at “Extreme Heat Risk.”

    Here are the records with the best chance of falling on Wednesday. 

    Friday will be even hotter for some

    The heat dome will shift westward by late week, bringing a return to the upper 90s for the Mississippi River Valley. Temperatures in the 90s look to stick around through the weekend into next week. 

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • Premature baby with umbilical cord attached found abandoned near bayou, Texas cops say

    Premature baby with umbilical cord attached found abandoned near bayou, Texas cops say

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    Officials in Texas are investigating after they say a premature baby was found abandoned near a bayou.

    Officials in Texas are investigating after they say a premature baby was found abandoned near a bayou.

    Screengrab from KHOU.

    Officials in Texas are investigating after they say a premature baby was found abandoned near a bayou.

    The baby girl was found wrapped in a towel with the umbilical cord still attached in Katy, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a June 15 Facebook post.

    Daniela Fedele told KHOU she was on a walk with her family when they found the baby.

    “I noticed two little feet moving and then my husband was right behind me with the dogs, and I yelled to my husband. I’m like, ‘oh my god, a baby, a baby,’” Fedele told the outlet.

    The baby was taken to a hospital and was last listed in fair condition, Gonzalez said.

    Authorities are looking for a man who was seen holding the baby, officials said.

    Surveillance video obtained by KRIV shows the moment the baby was left on a small bridge, and a man can be seen running away.

    “The baby was a newborn, still had a fresh placenta on the baby, so it was freshly born this morning,” Juan Garcia, of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s Child Abuse Unit, told the news outlet.

    Authorities are asking anyone with information to call 713-830-3250 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

    Katy is about a 30-mile drive west of Houston.

    Jennifer Rodriguez is a McClatchy National Real-Time reporter covering the Central and Midwest regions. She joined McClatchy in 2023 after covering local news in Youngstown, Ohio, for over six years. Jennifer has made several achievements in her journalism career, including receiving the Robert R. Hare Award in English, the Emerging Leader Justice and Equality Award, the Regional Edward R. Murrow Award and the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award.

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  • Spreading lies about chronic wasting disease in Texas deer is beyond comprehension | Opinion

    Spreading lies about chronic wasting disease in Texas deer is beyond comprehension | Opinion

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    OPINION AND COMMENTARY

    Editorials and other Opinion content offer perspectives on issues important to our community and are independent from the work of our newsroom reporters.

    White-tailed deer does and fawns were among the 301 animals killed July 25 through 28 at Maple Hill Farms, a captive deer facility in Gilman, Wisconsin where chronic wasting disease was discovered in August, 2021. Does And Fawns Maple Hill Farms July 2022

    What are certain fringe politicians, podcasters, aging rockers and blatant self-promoters thinking?


    Paul A. Smith

    USA Today Network file photo

    Wildlife health

    Thank you for the clear-eyed June 9 commentary, “State must deal with wasting disease threat to Texas deer,” (5C) about the deadly threats posed by chronic wasting disease. The vast majority of Texans concerned with preserving a healthy wild deer herd are fully supportive of the extensive efforts by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to contain and eliminate this awful disease.

    It is beyond comprehension that fringe voices are waging such a virulent campaign against any who take this disease seriously. I can’t help but think that certain politicians, podcasters, aging rockers and blatant self-promoters are harboring their own heads full of damaged prions.

    – Roy Leslie, San Antonio

    Fueling violence

    The Fairmount neighborhood has always been a safe place for the LGBTQ community. Businesses on Magnolia Avenue, Celebration Community Church on Pennsylvania and Westside Unitarian Universalist Church are welcoming to all. As a straight cisgender couple, my husband and I enjoy the area because everyone seems so chill and non-discriminatory.

    Holding an anti-transgender disinformation seminar during Pride Month at the Fire Station Community Center is disrespectful to the community and invites danger to a neighborhood that is one of the few safe spaces in Fort Worth. (June 5, 2A, “Fort Worth OKs anti-LGBTQ ‘ideology’ event at city center”) The groups involved in this event spread incorrect information about gender-affirming care, and their rhetoric fuels violence. The city made a mistake by allowing this event.

    – Amy Ramsey, Fort Worth

    School decisions

    Let’s make sure we all understand the Fort Worth school board’s recent decisions.

    The board commissioned a study, due this year, to better understand declining enrollments and underused facilities. Deciding not to wait for the commissioned report, the board decided to close several schools.

    But because of predictable community reaction, the board reversed that decision. The board will use bond funds to upgrade all middle schools, even though some will be closed in the future.

    It’s rather questionable decision-making for those governing an $800-million-a-year enterprise.

    – William Koehler, Fort Worth

    Texas prisons

    It will take more than the sheriff and Texas Rangers to resolve the overcrowding and inmate death issues in Texas county jails. Prison and jail administrators and corrections officers should be educated in criminology, sociology, correctional law, management, sociology of organizations, minority relations and psychology. This would prepare individuals to lead their organizations, work with at-risk populations, understand social and cultural issues, and apply effective problem-solving strategies. These skills are important because the research suggests that most prison and jail deaths are preventable.

    Without intelligent, competent and inspiring leadership, there is little chance of creating constructive corrections environments and operations. It is time to re-address the training and educational requirements for prison and jail administrators, and corrections officers.

    – Leslie J. Smith, Grapevine

    Phones rob kids

    Thank you, Brian Byrd, for addressing school phone bans in your June 4 commentary, “To help ‘anxious generation,’ start with school phone bans.” (12A) It saddens me to see young people and adults with their heads staring at their smartphones, fingers flying. I am certainly guilty of this at times, but the cost to our children’s development is incalculable.

    Our phones are an exciting source of information. So is a good book. Our phones are an escape from reality. So is a walk in the woods. This is definitely a problem that needs our attention.

    – Lindy Hudson, Fort Worth

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  • Felony conviction doesn’t bar Trump from Texas ballot

    Felony conviction doesn’t bar Trump from Texas ballot

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    Former President Donald Trump’s felony convictions have led to a lot of questions about what he can and can’t do with a criminal record. He will likely be able to vote in November. He can’t possess firearms. He can run for president. 

    A June 8 Threads post said Trump’s conviction means he can’t appear on the ballot in the red state of Texas, an important state for the Republican candidate because it delivers 40 electoral college votes. 

    “Trump can’t be on the Texas ballot because of our state constitution,” the post said. It appeared about one week after a Manhattan jury convicted Trump of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

    The post continued: “The United States Constitution does not prohibit felons from holding elected federal office. However, various federal statutes provide that a conviction may result in loss of or ineligibility for office. Texas law prohibits any person convicted of a felony from being a candidate for public office or holding any public office position. A full pardon restores eligibility to run for office.”

    The post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

    The post wrongly states that Texas’ constitution would knock Trump off the ballot. 

    “The qualifications of federal office are outlined by the U.S. Constitution, not the Texas Constitution,” Alicia Phillips Pierce, a spokesperson for Texas’ secretary of state, told PolitiFact in an email. 

    The Texas secretary of state’s website lists the qualifications for the presidency and does not  mention criminal history. That’s because it wouldn’t disqualify a candidate from running for the presidency.

    The U.S. Constitution upholds the principle that voters decide who should represent them, and its qualifications are limited to natural-born citizenship, age (35 by Inauguration Day) and residency in the United States (14 years).

    Texas election code prohibits anyone who is “finally convicted of a felony” from running for office in the state, but that doesn’t cover the U.S. presidency, which is a federal office, said Mimi Marziani, an adjunct professor at University of Texas at Austin law school who has taught constitutional law.

    “It does mean that if Trump were finally convicted — after his appeals, etc. — that he would be ineligible to run for, say, Texas Governor,” said Marziani, a lawyer in private practice and former president of the Texas Civil Rights Project, a nonprofit group advocating for voting rights. 

    Texas election code states that a political party is entitled to have the names of its nominees for president and vice president on the ballot as long as those nominees meet the qualifications “prescribed by federal law.”

    Andy Taylor, an election lawyer in Texas who has represented many Texas Republicans, agreed that the claim that Trump’s felony conviction bars him from the ballot is wrong. 

    “Trump can and will be on the ballot in Texas,” Taylor said.

    People convicted of felonies have run for president in the past. Lyndon LaRouche was convicted in 1988 of tax and mail fraud conspiracy and ran for president multiple times from 1976 to 2004. Eugene Debs was convicted of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 for an anti-war speech, then ran for president under the Socialist Party banner from a federal prison in Alabama in 1920. 

    Trump faces sentencing July 11. It is unknown whether he will receive jail time.

    Our ruling

    A Threads post said, “Trump can’t be on the Texas ballot because of our state constitution.”

    The U.S. Constitution does not state that felony convictions bar someone from running for president, and the federal framework supersedes any state rules on whether someone can run for president. 

    The state constitution can establish requirements only to run for state office, not a federal office such as president. 

    We rate this statement False.

    RELATED: Read all of PolitiFact’s coverage on Donald Trump indictments

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Kyle Family Finds Safe Haven After Losing Their…

    Austin Pets Alive! | Kyle Family Finds Safe Haven After Losing Their…

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    A Human and Animal Partnership Served As A Beacon of Hope

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  • The Dish: Texas restaurants

    The Dish: Texas restaurants

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    The Dish: Texas restaurants – CBS News


    Watch CBS News



    We head to Texas for a taste of the Lone Star State’s cuisine and culture, from a pitmaster in Houston with multiple world championship titles to a family-run restaurant in Austin serving up Tex-Mex fare. Watch these stories and more on The Dish.

    Be the first to know

    Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.


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  • Israel rescues 4 hostages kidnapped in a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7

    Israel rescues 4 hostages kidnapped in a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7

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    Israel said Saturday it rescued four hostages who were kidnapped in a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, in the largest hostage recovery operation since the war with Hamas began in Gaza.

    What You Need To Know

    • The army said the hostages were rescued in two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat

    • The rescue comes as international pressure mounts on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed in its war in Gaza, which reached its eighth month on Friday

    • Saturday’s operation is the largest recovery of alive hostages since the war erupted, bringing the total of rescued captives to seven

    • Hamas kidnapped some 250 hostages during its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which triggered the Israel-Hamas war. About half were released in a weeklong cease-fire in November

    The army said it rescued Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, in a complex special daytime operation in Nuseirat. The hostages were rescued in two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat, it said.

    Hamas kidnapped some 250 hostages during its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which triggered the Israel-Hamas war. About half were released in a weeklong cease-fire in November. Israel says more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of those believed dead, and divisions are deepening in the country over the best way to bring them home.

    The rescue comes as international pressure mounts on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed in its war in Gaza, which reached its eighth month on Friday. Seeking a breakthrough in the apparently stalled cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East next week.

    Israel’s offensive has killed at least 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures.

    Saturday’s operation is the largest recovery of alive hostages since the war erupted, bringing the total of rescued captives to seven.

    Two men were rescued in February when troops stormed a heavily guarded apartment in a densely packed town and another hostage, a woman, was rescued in the aftermath of October’s attack. Israeli troops have so far recovered at least 16 bodies of hostages from Gaza, according to the government.

    Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing growing pressure to end the fighting in Gaza, with many Israelis urging him to embrace a deal announced last month by U.S. President Joe Biden, but far-right allies are threatening to collapse his government if he does.

    One of those rescued on Saturday, Argamani, has been one of the most widely recognized hostages since she was abducted from a music festival.

    The video of her abduction was among the first to surface, images of her horrified face widely shared — Argamani detained between two men on a motorcycle, one arm outstretched and the other held down as she screams “Don’t kill me!”

    Her mother, Liora, has stage four brain cancer and in April released a video pleading to see her daughter before she dies.

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  • Texas police arrest suspect in Charlotte shooting after CMPD questions him in Houston

    Texas police arrest suspect in Charlotte shooting after CMPD questions him in Houston

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    CMPD said a suspect in a May homicide in Charlotte has been arrested in Houston, Texas, and will be extradited.

    CMPD said a suspect in a May homicide in Charlotte has been arrested in Houston, Texas, and will be extradited.

    File Photo

    Police in Houston, Texas, on Monday arrested a suspect in a Charlotte homicide.

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg police traveled to Houston to question Jose Francisco Ulloa-Martinez, 42, about the death of Kevin Merlos-Saravia, 23. Police had obtained a warrant for first-degree murder, according to a Friday press release from CMPD.

    On May 26, CMPD responded to a call in the 6100 block of Winged Elm Court around 5 a.m., where police found a man dead from a gunshot wound. The victim was later identified as Merlos-Saravia.

    The neighborhood is in southeast Charlotte between Albemarle Road and East Independence Boulevard.

    Ulloa-Martinez will be extradited to Mecklenburg County, CMPD said. Federal ICE agents worked with Houston police to arrest him.

    Police did not say what they think might have led to the shooting.

    Related stories from Charlotte Observer

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  • Can Cannabis Cool Your Heat Dome Misery

    Can Cannabis Cool Your Heat Dome Misery

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    It is HOT outside, and we are talking record breaking, miserable, change shirts several times a day hot. Those who are suffering the most are the Desert Southwest, California’s Central Valley, and western and southern Texas. Some of the new records – Death Valley (122); Needles, Calif. (115); Phoenix (113); Las Vegas (111); Fresno, Calif. (107); Amarillo, Tex. (102); Sacramento (101); Kanab, Utah (101); Reno, Nev. (98); and Flagstaff, Ariz. (91). Part of the issue is there is a huge heat dome over the air, trapping hot  air for days (and nights). Even with air-conditions, it is tough, but can cannabis cool your heat dome misery.

    High tempertures play havoc with your body.  Extended hot weather days can cause poor sleep, lack of appetite, hot or damp skin, headaches, loss of motivation, irritability and more.  Staying cool and keeping your body at a reasonable temperature of 97° – 99° is critical as it cause dangerous complications like dehydration, heat stroke and more.

    Cannabis is one thing in box of tools to keep your body at a normal temperature. It can does reduce your body temperature—temporarily. Several studies indicate marijuana can, reduce the body temperature short term. Food like spicy mustard, chili flakes and wasabi can also provide quick relief. The cannabis cool effect is thought to happen because of the way THC interacts with a receptor called TRPA-1. This receptor controls important functions, including pain relief and body temperature.

    Not all weed is created equal when it comes to body chilling phenomenon. According to some consumers, switching to tinctures and edibles rather bongs, pre-rolls, or other methods involving heating the product helps move to a cooling response quicker. 

    You can also replace drinking alcohol at home with cannabis beverages. Consuming this way is refreshing and as potent without dehydrating your body.

    RELATED: Heat Waves And Weed: 5 Ways Summer Heat Can Affect Your High

    Cannabis is popular as a non addictive sleep aid.  In hot weather, some struggle with both falling and staying asleep. The sleep-promoting effects of cannabinoids are due to their interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain’s arousal system. Together, these effects may help cannabis users feel sedated or sleepy.

    RELATED: 4 Super-Discreet Ways To Use Marijuana

    Here are some other ways to help stay cool during a heat wave.

    Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing

    If possible, avoid being out in the heat of the day

    Drink plenty of water

    Avoid heavy meals

    The best way is to build your day around not being in the heat and monitor your body so you don’t develop serious issues.

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    Sarah Johns

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  • All the things a death certificate is needed for in Texas

    All the things a death certificate is needed for in Texas

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    HOUSTON – The death of a loved one never comes easy, not only do you mourn the loss of this person, but so many other timely tasks are needing to be handled along with funeral arrangements.

    One of the most important requirements after a person’s death is obtaining a death certificate.

    But why?

    According to KRIEG Houston, a death certificate obtains essential information about the deceased person, such as name, date, place of death, gender, race, martial status and last address. It will also have the cause of death, details about the hospital or institution where they died, their birth details, parent’s names and their parents’ birth places. It records the date and place of burial or cremation.

    It serves as an official certificate of that person’s death to help the survivors access the deceased accounts, claim life insurance proceeds or arrange for burial or creation.

    The death certificate is typically shared with the decedent’s bank, financial institutions, insurance providers, the funeral home, and the appointed person to administer the probate estate.

    According to Neptune Society, establishments that may require a death certificate without the cause of death may include trusts, investments in stocks, bonds, 401K, and the IRA, a transfer of vehicles, a property transfer, banks, credit unions, income tax, attorneys, cell phone contracts, and qualifying for “bereavement time” with employers.

    How long does it take?

    In Texas, a death certificate is usually filed within 10 days of a person’s death. The timeframe varies based on questions surrounding the cause of death or if an autopsy or further investigation is needed.

    According to KRIEG Houston, once the death certificate is issued, it will be obtained through your county clerk’s office in the county of the deceased’s residence or the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. If requested directly from the state, the certificate can take between 4-6 weeks to arrive.

    Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.

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    Brittany Taylor

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  • Whew! Recent Study Reveals The Top 20 Dirtiest Cities In America

    Whew! Recent Study Reveals The Top 20 Dirtiest Cities In America

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    Whew, chile! Roomies, you might just be living in one of America’s dirtiest cities! A recent study left the internet in shambles after it revealed a list of the top 20 dirtiest cities in the United States.

    Top 20 Dirtiest Cities In America

    According to The Hill, LawnStarter, a lawn care provider, assessed over 150 major United States cities. Their study centered on pollution, living conditions, infrastructure, and resident satisfaction.

    Social media was shook after Houston, Texas, was crowned the dirtiest city to live in. The Hill reports that Houston ranked highest due to its major cockroach problem, high levels of pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial plants.

    Despite these assertions, some Houstonians express greater satisfaction with their city’s cleanliness compared to residents in 33 other major cities.

    Completing the top five list was Newark, New Jersey, securing the second position. It dropped from its number one position as the dirtiest city.

    The list proceeded with San Bernardino at number three, followed by Detroit, Michigan at number four, and Jersey City, New Jersey at number five.

    Multiple cities in California, including Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles and San Bernardino, were also identified among the dirtiest. San Bernardino, for the second consecutive year, had the highest number of dissatisfied residents regarding cleanliness. Furthermore, the study underscored the water challenges faced by the Southwest, which has intensified by drought and climate change. However, Las Vegas emerged as the most polluted region, securing the 19th position.

    See the full list below:

    1. Houston, Texas
    2. Newark, New Jersey
    3. San Bernardino, California
    4. Detroit, Michigan
    5. Jersey City, New Jersey
    6. Bakersfield, California
    7. San Antonio, Texas
    8. Fresno, California
    9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
    10. Yonkers, New York
    11. Shreveport, Louisiana
    12. New York, New York
    13. Birmingham, Alabama
    14. Ontario, California
    15. Los Angeles, California
    16. Modesto, California
    17. Palmdale, California
    18. Hollywood, Florida
    19. Las Vegas, Nevada
    20. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

    Social Media Reacts To The List

    Of course, the Roomie’s couldn’t resist weighing in and offering their reactions to the news in The Shade Room comment section. Numerous social media users were shocked to learn about the study’s discovery.

    Instagram user @318roo wrote “I refuse to believe any city is dirtier than New York gotta be cap.”

    Instagram user @richidollarz wrote, “Houston beating NY is WILDDDD.” 

    Another Instagram user @likewhat_youcee wrote, “Philly and Chicago not being on here leaves me a little skeptical of the list.” 

    While Instagram user @maintisha wrote, “Oh I get it!!! Y’all must be ranking the men!!!”

    Then Instagram usr wrote @itsrachelsimone wrote, “Didn’t Harlem have rats the side of a croc shoe.” 

    Instagram user @getemhuskey wrote, “Well since Houston so dirty STOP COMING DOWN HERE AND MOVING AFTER ONE SUNDAY FUNDAY EXPERIENCE!! We FULL B****!!”

    Finally Instagram user @athereshego921 wrote, “Sir I’m sitting on a nYC. subway platform now… who I gotta submit my evidence to? Because how? NY has to be the dirtiest city ever and I live here.”

    RELATED: WATCH: Spirit Airlines Gate Agent Recorded ‘Maliciously’ Tossing Items From Passenger’s Bag In The Trash

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    Ashley Rushford

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  • Dangerous heat is expected for parts of the country through Friday

    Dangerous heat is expected for parts of the country through Friday

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    A strong area of high pressure has positioned itself in the southwest part of the country, bringing extreme heat to not only the desert southwest but also to parts of Texas. This high will intensify over the next few days and block out any relief from Pacific arriving weather systems.

    What You Need To Know

    • A heat dome is set up over the soutwestern part of the country

    • Temperatures Wednesday through Friday are expected to be 20 degrees above normal

    • Excessive Heat Warnings and Advisories have been issued for millions of people

    Cities that will see potential records in the next few days include Las Vegas, San Antonio, Phoenix and Palm Springs.

    Heat dome

    High pressure is associated with sunny skies and calm weather, thanks to sinking air. When the high remains in the same location and strengthens, it becomes a heat dome, where hot air is trapped underneath the high, how your car heats if the windows are closed.

    This is happening in the southwest. The high also acts to block any incoming storm system and diverts them northward around it. With sinking air, clouds don’t form, and rain can’t fall, so you are left with hot air that transports from the air to the ground.

    Tuesday’s highs

    As the high was positioning itself south of California and Arizona on Tuesday, it transported heat into interior sections of those states, as well as Nevada, Utah and even eastward into New Mexico and Texas. With the high expected to drift further north, the heat will expand with it.

    Desert locations don’t have to worry about the heat index, but other areas will feel even hotter thanks to the humidity. San Antonio, Texas, reached a record high temperature of 103 degrees on Tuesday, but considering the humidity, the “feels like” temperature or heat index soared to 117 degrees, breaking the all-time highest heat index for that city.

    High temperatures for the rest of the week

    The National Weather Service has issued Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories for the rest of the week for regions expected to see extreme conditions. In locations with higher humidity levels, it will feel even hotter.

    Highs are expected in the triple digits with some locations not seeing the mercury go below 80 degrees, even at night. 

    Heat arriving early

    It may seem like the heat is arriving earlier than in years past, but for some, this is just a typical June. Phoenix and Palm Springs see daily average highs already in the low 100s this time of the year. But for Las Vegas, temperatures will be 15 degrees above average this week, peaking in the 110s.

    As for San Antonio, their average high during peak summer is only in the upper 90s, so temperatures surging into the low 100s any time of the year is abnormal.

    The heat dome looks to collapse by the weekend, bringing a reprieve from the extreme heat.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Stacy Lynn

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  • ‘World’s largest’ Buc-ee’s opening in Texas this week

    ‘World’s largest’ Buc-ee’s opening in Texas this week

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    Texas’ favorite gas station is reaching new heights this week, as the chain is set to open its largest location worldwide in Luling, Texas.

    The company said the new, 75,000-square-foot location will open its doors on June 10 at 6:00 a.m., and there will be an additional ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on the same day. Local dignitaries who will be present at the ceremony include Luling Mayor C.J. Watts and Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Hayden.

    The statement also acknowledged the significance of opening the new location in Luling, as the town was home to the first Buc-ee’s family travel center, which opened back in 2003. The store will also mark the 50th Buc-ee’s location in Texas and the southeast United States.

    Located at 10070 I-10, the new store will boast 120 gas pumps. The iconic snacks and hot foods the store have become famous for will also be available.

    This will mark the 35th Buc-ee’s in Texas. Overall, the company has 50 stores with stops now in Alabama, Florida, George, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and Colorado.

    The very first Buc-ee’s opened in 1982 in Clute, Texas.

    The franchise boasts to have the cleanest restrooms in America.

    Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.

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    Michael Horton

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