Her case has prompted student protests, renewed scrutiny of the university’s disciplinary system and a state investigation into the alleged assault.

In an Oct. 14 letter to faculty leaders obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, the woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, described a conversation she said took place shortly after she reported the alleged assault in November 2024. According to her secondhand account, the president of her sorority told her that Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff had questioned Jane Doe’s delay in reporting the alleged assault, which the sorority leader interpreted as casting doubt on her story.

“President Kotlikoff’s initial response was along the lines of, ‘Why did she wait so long to report it?’” Jane Doe wrote in the letter. She said that conversation made her less confident that the administration could handle her experience with the sensitivity and fairness she had expected.

Kotlikoff did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email inquiry about Jane Doe’s letter.

The letter, transmitted through her attorney, comes as Cornell faculty consider a resolution declaring no confidence in the university administration’s ability to address what faculty members have described as an “ongoing crisis” of sexual assault on campus.

The resolution was introduced after revelations about Cornell’s handling of Jane Doe’s allegations that she was raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.

Faculty members began debating the resolution at a meeting last Wednesday, where Kotlikoff faced pointed questions about the university’s response to sexual assault allegations and its oversight of fraternities. The faculty’s Senate is expected to resume debate on Oct. 28 before holding an electronic vote.

In her letter, Jane Doe said she wanted faculty members to have information that might be relevant to their deliberations. She emphasized that she was not trying to tell them how to vote.

“My intention is not to prescribe how the Senate should interpret this account, but rather to provide information that its members may wish to consider or investigate further,” she wrote.

Messages seeking comment were left for Jane Doe’s lawyers, Thomas Giuffra and W. Whitney Seals.

Trump is meanwhile hoping $5,000 checks can boost Republican turnout in November’s midterm elections — but even some of his devoted fans doubt the government will pay them. The offering has become a go-to tactic for Trump when he faces a political jam.

A federal judge on Monday questioned the Trump administration’s claims about its efforts to redevelop a historic Washington golf course, challenging its contention that a recent tree-cutting spree was not an indication that work was moving forward on the project, which is temporarily blocked by a court order.

Here's the latest:

Trump says ‘it’s time’ for Ukraine to agree to a deal with Russia

The U.S. president is upping the pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a deal with his country’s Russian invaders after relations between the two men soured again.

“We want Zelenskyy to make a deal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We’ve given a lot to Ukraine. We’ve gotten absolutely nothing back except grief, death, tremendous monetary loss.”

He says if that doesn’t happen, “I think it’s going to be a very bad thing.”

He also claimed Europe is growing weary of the conflict, though European countries have been trying to offset any scaling back of U.S. supplies.

Trump says ‘just stick with me’ on potential Hubbard freedom

The president says he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Stephen Hubbard, who is the first American known to be convicted of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

“Just stick with me ... I don’t want to talk about it,” Trump said about a potential deal to free Hubbard, who was sentenced in Russia to nearly seven years in prison in 2024.

He confirmed the administration has been “focused” on Hubbard, saying, “It’s time to have Mr. Hubbard back.”

Trump on Le Pen: ‘She’s the conservative voice’

The U.S. president left the door open to backing far-right French leader Marine Le Pen, a potential front-runner in next spring’s presidential election.

“Well, I don’t know her. I haven’t met her,” Trump said Tuesday when asked about a potential endorsement.

Still, he said he believed she was badly treated and said she was the victim of weaponization. Trump didn’t elaborate, but Le Pen was found guilty twice of embezzling public funds in France.

“She’s the conservative voice,” Trump added.

Trump ultimate decider for fraud rewards, Trump says

The president says he’ll be the “arbitrator” of who deserves the reward money for his new anti-fraud initiatives.

“I am going to do something which I think people will like,” Trump said. “I will be the arbitrator of all these decisions.”

The White House earlier Tuesday said the Justice Department will administer the program. Successful whistleblowers can receive up to $30,000, and Trump insisted they will get their money “immediately.”

Rubio accuses Iran of using Nazi tactics in the Strait of Hormuz by targeting commercial shipping

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is accusing Iran of using Nazi tactics in the Strait of Hormuz by targeting commercial shipping, which he says is a throwback to World War II.

In an interview with the Indian outlet News1, Rubio said Tuesday that people should pay more attention to what Iran is doing and trying to do to close the strait.

“We have a nation-state that is openly saying, ‘We are targeting commercial vessels; we are trying to kill sailors who have nothing to do with the war; we are trying to sink commercial ships,’” Rubio said. “You haven’t seen that since the second world war. They are doing Nazi U-boat tactics. And that’s what the world should be rallying around and condemning.”

By contrast, he said that U.S. forces in the region are defending commercial shipping and the vast majority of attempted Iranian attacks have been thwarted.

Trump pledges to spend more than $400 million on midterms

President Donald Trump says he plans to spend more than $400 million on the Nov. 3 midterm elections, a figure that would represent the vast majority of his super PAC, MAGA Inc.

In a Truth Social post Tuesday, Trump claims already to have spent more than $300 million, “on Advertising, Direct and Indirect Voter Contact, Rallies, Rally Arenas, Telerallies, Get Out the Vote Programs, Election Integrity, and more.”

Trump had boasted early in the year about building a political war chest exceeding $1.5 billion.

However, some Republican strategists had complained late in the summer and early fall that Trump was late to unleash money held in MAGA Inc, his main super PAC, which posted $416 million on hand as of the end of August.

As of Tuesday, Trump’s super PAC and aligned groups had spent $191 million on advertising, the lion’s share and costliest of all their expenses. They had another $65 million booked through Nov. 3, making the ad total $256 million, according to AdImpact, an ad-tracking firm.

European leaders say Ukraine-Russia peace ‘process is back on track’ as US envoy heads for Russia

After weeks of the U.S.-Ukraine alliance careening toward a possible breaking point, the leaders of Ukraine, Norway and Finland said Tuesday that progress has been renewed to bring an end to the years-long war with Moscow.

“U.S. and European teams have done substantive work on key issues together with Ukraine,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said at a press conference Tuesday.

He added that President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff will be flying to St. Petersburg on Wednesday to meet with Russian leaders and exchange ideas from the Oslo meeting.

“Today was a good day for peace,” Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said.

Bloomberg is making a late $80 million investment in midterm races

Michael Bloomberg is making a major late investment in the midterms, spending about $80 million to help bolster Democrats in the races’ final stretch.

Howard Wolfson, a longtime adviser to the former New York City mayor, said the bulk of the spending -- about $50 million -- would focus on the House. That includes about $16 million to the House Majority PAC, a super PAC dedicated to electing Democrats, and $24 million to the group Everytown for Gun Safety.

The spending was first reported by the New York Times.

Wolfson said Bloomberg has long been a supporter of House Democrats and believes the money will be able to move the needle.

“I think the Democrats are well positioned for a good night, but there’s a big difference between Democratic control of the House at 218 and Democratic control of the house at 230. And the larger the majority the better,” he said.

As for the timing, he said: “Our view is that late giving provides you with more information to make decisions” about where to spend.

Trump, Vance host event on fraud

The two are announcing a new $25 million effort to incentivize Americans to report cases of fraud.

“This is so big and important, and there’s never been anything like it,” Trump said.

As he kicked off the event, Trump called Vance, who he’s tapped to lead the administration’s anti-fraud efforts, and his task force “JD and the untouchables.”

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson talks on the campaign trail about her priorities as a working mom

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, 44, told a crowd in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday that she’s currently the youngest woman in the chamber, but she’s excited for Ashley Hinson, 43, to try and change that.

Britt joined Hinson, the congresswoman running to be Iowa’s next senator, for a conversation on how the two Republican moms bring a rare perspective to Congress. Britt and Hinson both have two school-aged children.

“You’ve got a lot of social media stars, but not a lot of statesmen. This woman is a statesman,” Britt said of Hinson. “She takes her intellect, she takes her diligence and she says: ‘How do we actually achieve a result?’ And I do think that’s the mom in us.”

The two talked about the policy priorities they want to continue to work on together, including child care affordability, contraception access and technology guardrails to protect kids online.

Hinson faces Democrat Josh Turek in a competitive – and costly – race to defend retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst’s seat.

“You want something done – give it to a busy mom,” Hinson said.

Zelenskyy says some intel sharing has resumed after talks with US officials

Standing next to leaders from Norway and Finland in Oslo, Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Kyiv is once again receiving early warnings from its partners following recent Russian attacks that occurred without prior notice to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that this change happened after talks with his American counterparts, including a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in the day.

“We are thankful that intelligence works now and I’m speaking about early warning, which is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming,” Zelenskyy said. “So we are thankful to American side now that it works.”

Immigrant rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers in California accuse Trump administration of trying to intimidate voters

They blasted the federal government’s claims of widespread voter fraud at a press conference in Los Angeles Tuesday, a day after the Justice Department charged 28 people as part of a statewide sweep targeting alleged noncitizens who officials say have illegally registered or voted in U.S. elections.

“Today, people in our communities are being asked whether the very government sworn to protect their rights is now a source of fear,” said Mark Gonzalez, a Democratic state assemblymember.

The Justice Department sued California last week in an attempt to bar the state from counting mail-in ballots in the midterms from people the federal government suspects are noncitizens.

Wisconsin Republican congressman says opponent’s campaign is built on lies

Republican Rep. Bryan Steil said in his only debate Tuesday with Democratic challenger Mitchell Berman that Berman’s campaign against him is “built on a stack of lies.”

“He will say and do anything to get elected,” Steil said.

Steil said despite Berman’s claims, he worked to increase funding for Medicaid in Wisconsin by $1 billion.

Berman, an emergency room nurse, said that was like “putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole.”

The southeastern Wisconsin district leans Republican but Democrats are investing in the race hoping to flip the district in a wave year.

Steil hit Berman for claiming he was against taking corporate political action committee money while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which takes PAC money, is running ads in the race.

Berman said Steil hasn’t done enough to lower costs and that “people in our communities are hemorrhaging.”

Sen. Cory Booker is the next potential White House candidate to make a 2026 Southern swing

The New Jersey senator, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and is considering a 2028 bid, will spend Thursday in Alabama and Friday in South Carolina.

South Carolina will host Democrats’ first 2028 presidential primary. Alabama in recent cycles has held a Super Tuesday primary. Black Democrats anchor Democratic electorates in both states.

In Alabama, according to a schedule from a Booker aide, the senator will campaign with U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures and gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones. Figures is running in a district Republicans redrew after the Supreme Court gutted the federal Voting Rights Act. Jones, a former U.S. senator, is trying to upset Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

In South Carolina, Booker will campaign with gubernatorial candidate Jermaine Johnson and Senate nominee Dr. Annie Andrews. This marks Booker’s third Alabama trip this year and second to South Carolina.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker gives $1 million to Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Georgia governor campaign

The billionaire Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate has personally contributed $1 million to Bottoms’ political action committee, according to a Pritzker adviser.

Bottoms has been massively outspent by Republican billionaire Rick Jackson, who has personally put $100 million-plus into his campaign.

Pritzker already contributed $1.2 million to Texas governor candidate Gina Hinojosa. Hinojosa, a Latina, and Bottoms, a Black woman, would break barriers. Texas has never elected a Latina governor. No Black woman has been elected governor in any state.

Black and Hispanic voters will be influential in Democrats’ early presidential primaries.

Quentin Fulks, a former top aide to Pritzker, encouraged him to contribute to Bottoms after having supported Hinojosa. Fulks managed Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock’s 2022 reelection campaign.

Pritzker angered Congressional Black Caucus members by not backing U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly in Illinois’ U.S. Senate Democratic primary. Pritzker backed his lieutenant governor, Julianna Stratton, who’s also Black. Stratton won.

Senate Democrats launch first ad in Mississippi as their midterm optimism spreads in the South

Senate Democrats’ top campaign spending group is wading into Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race for the first time this year, an aggressive move in a deep-red state that signals a party on the offensive as Republicans look to protect a slim majority.

The Senate Majority PAC will spend $1.2 million on a new television advertisement to boost Scott Colom, a district attorney, in his campaign against Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. The ad, first disclosed to The Associated Press, is set to start Wednesday and run through Election Day.

“Senate Majority PAC has been watching this race closely, and it is clear Colom is running a competitive race that has put Hyde-Smith on her heels,” group spokesperson Lauren French said in a statement.

With just two weeks to go in the race, it’s unclear what impact the ad will have in a matchup that’s been set since Colom won a March primary. Still, it’s a substantial investment in a race that’s seen only about $8 million in total spending, with Colom outspending Hyde-Smith nearly $4.6 million to $3.2 million, according to AdImpact.

In the 2024 presidential race, Trump won Mississippi by nearly 23 percentage points, and a Democrat hasn’t won a Senate race in the state since 1982.

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Beijing opposes US sanctions on Chinese tech companies

Beijing has expressed “firm opposition” to the Trump administration’s sanctions on five Chinese companies connected to a former Google engineer over alleged intellectual property theft.

The move “severely harms the legitimate rights and interests” of Chinese businesses, the country’s commerce ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

The U.S. State Department said Monday that Linwei Ding, who founded Shanghai Zhisuan Technology, had touted his experience with the American tech giant and claimed his company could replicate Google’s super intelligence infrastructure technology.

Ding was charged with stealing artificial intelligence trade secrets from Google while secretly working with two companies based in China. He was later convicted on several counts of economic espionage and theft of trade secrets.

China’s commerce ministry said its AI development is “the result of long-term cultivation in basic research, continuous innovation investment, and adherence to independent scientific and technological innovation and open cooperation.”

It urged the U.S. to “correct its erroneous practice” and said it would take “necessary measures,” without specifying them.

Former elected Republicans criticize Trump for antisemitic comment

Barbara Comstock, a former congresswoman from Virginia, said “Trump once again lets loose his anti-Semitic rhetoric” and called it “a bizarre defense of” Roger Marshall, the Kansas senator.

Trump was defending Marshall against Democrats’ ads that criticize the physician for aggressive collection of small medical debts from his patients. Trump quipped that the ads paint Marshall as a “Shylock,” a slur that plays on stereotypes of Jewish people and is derived from William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.”

Joe Walsh, a former congressman from Illinois, noted on social media that “Trump publicly used the antisemitic term again” and predicted “no one on the right” would condemn it.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the president’s use of the word.

Trump draws backlash for using antisemitic term during Kansas speech

The president used the word “shylock” on Monday night while defending Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall for collecting overdue payments from patients of his medical practice.

He had faced criticism for using the same word last year during an event in Iowa. At the time, he insisted that he wasn’t aware that it referenced antisemitic stereotypes about Jewish people caricatured as unscrupulous moneylenders.

He told reporters at the time that he’d “never heard it that way.”

Amy Spitalnick, who leads the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said on social media that Trump’s usage of the word “after he was called out for doing so” shows it’s “not an accident.”

“He has consistently normalized antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes,” she said.

Rubio: Americans should be ‘proud’ that Trump is willing to meet with Chinese, Russian leaders

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in India on Tuesday that he saw nothing wrong with the leaders of “the three most powerful nuclear-armed nations on Earth” meeting.

A proposal for Trump to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Asia-Pacific summit next month in China to discuss issues including Russia’s war with Ukraine has been criticized by many for abandoning Ukraine.

“I hear people on the TV, ‘Oh, you’re rewarding so-and-so by talking to them.’ Well, that’s absurd,” Rubio said. “I think if there’s an opportunity, and the president’s expressed an openness to do it, for the United States, Russia and China at the leader level, to have a conversation about things like arms control, that’d be a very positive thing for the world. That should be something the world should be enthused by.”

Rubio said concerns that such a meeting might imply weakness are misguided.

Trump and Vance to announce a $25M whistleblower program

Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to announce the program during a joint afternoon appearance in the Oval Office.

Under the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, or WHIP, anyone who submits a tip to fraud.gov that leads to a fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action is eligible to receive up to $30,000.

The Justice Department will administer the program.

During the Oval Office event, Trump is expected to present a check for $10,000 to Nick Shirley, a right-wing influencer who posted a video last year that said members of Minnesota’s Somali community were running fake childcare centers to collect federal subsidies.

The White House says a woman who ran a childcare center and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States was featured in Shirley’s video.

The S&P 500 added 0.3%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 479 points, or 0.9%, with an hour remaining in trading, while more swings for stocks in the artificial-intelligence industry had the Nasdaq composite up a more modest 0.1%.

Stock prices tend to follow the path of corporate profits over the long term, and several companies delivered results for the latest quarter that were better than analysts expected. Big expectations for growth generally are what have allowed the U.S. stock market to hit records recently despite worries about high inflation, higher interest rates and other challenges weighing on Wall Street.

Equifax rallied 11.3% for one of the market's biggest gains after reporting a bigger profit for the summer than analysts expected, despite high mortgage rates slowing some parts of its business.

Hasbro climbed 10.6% after the toy company said its “Magic: The Gathering” game made more than $600 million during a quarter for the first time. 3M rose 5.1% after the company behind Ace bandages and Scotch-Brite sponges likewise reported a stronger-than-expected profit, even as shoppers broadly feel discouraged by high inflation.

Stocks got a lift after the price for a barrel of Brent crude erased an early gain to fall 0.7% to $108.79. Earlier in the morning, it got near $112 and approached its highest price since the war with Iran began in late February.

The drop in oil prices will relieve some of the pressure on inflation, if it lasts. Brent's price has been yo-yoing between $97 and $112 per barrel this month on uncertainty about when the energy industry will return to normal.

For now, airlines and other companies with big fuel bills enjoyed the benefit of Tuesday's drop. American Airlines rallied 4.2%, and United Airlines flew 2.4% higher.

Another winner was Braze, a customer engagement platform. Its stock soared 51.3% to $45.46 after Salesforce said it would buy the company for $47.50 in cash for each share. Salesforce fell 0.3%.

Keeping the market in check was General Motors, which sank 7.2% despite reporting a bigger profit than analysts expected. It also announced a program to send up to $20 billion to investors by buying back its stock.

The pressure is on companies to deliver bigger profits not only now, but also in the future. GM gave a forecasted range for profit over the full year of 2026 whose midpoint fell short of analysts’ expectations.

AI stocks, meanwhile, continued to swirl. They've been at the center of the market’s recent uneasiness, as euphoria around the technology’s boom gives way to worries that high interest rates in the bond market will slow the borrowing that’s allowed companies to buy so many AI chips. Last week was the U.S. stock market’s worst since June because of weakness for AI-related companies.

CoreWeave has been particularly shaky. It initially fell more than 6% at the start of Tuesday's trading, only to swing to a gain of 5% before pulling back to a rise of 1.9%.

Such reversals are nothing new for the company, which has borrowed money to buy AI chips that it rents out to customers over the cloud. A day earlier, it careened between a gain of 7% in the morning and a loss of 3.5% in the afternoon following last week’s tumble of roughly 25%.

Tuesday's struggles for AI stocks began in Asia, where a South Korean AI company, Elice, confronted a rough welcome to the stock market. Its stock dropped 32% in its first day of trading in Seoul, and South Korea's Kospi index fell 3.7% overall.

In other stock markets abroad, indexes in Europe pared bigger losses from earlier in the day. The CAC 40 in Paris slipped 0.4%, and the FTSE 100 in London fell 0.3%.

A day earlier, indexes fell sharply across Europe following violent protests that could ultimately force governments on the continent to increase their spending to ease voters’ anger. That in turn could put more pressure on their bond markets, which are already strained because of worries about heavy debt loads and strained budgets.

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AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Michelle Chapman contributed to this report.

The woman began showing symptoms on Oct. 7 and was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja on Oct. 11, where she was later diagnosed with Ebola.

Health Minister Muhammad Pate said authorities had begun tracing 44 people identified as contacts of the patient. “We are doing everything possible to contain this case by tracing all the contacts the individual may have had,” he said.

Uganda had previously reported Ebola cases but was later declared free of the virus.

Nigeria is the latest country to report an Ebola case as the latest outbreak spreads across the region. Kenya confirmed its first case earlier this month and has since recorded nine infections.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said two weeks ago it was stepping up surveillance following the detection of Ebola in Kenya and strengthening the country’s preparedness for a potential outbreak.

“These efforts have focused on early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of health care workers,” the agency said.

Nigeria established an Ebola task force in June following the outbreak in Congo in mid-May.

“We do not want a repeat of what happened during the last outbreak when a carrier entered the country, and everyone was scrambling to respond," Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, said when the task force was announced. “We have covered a lot of ground and established structures to address any potential threat.”

The spread of Ebola beyond Congo has heightened longstanding fears among health authorities about the rapid transmission of the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has infected more than 9,000 people and killed more than 4,300 people.

The latest outbreak is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record and is on track to exceed the deadliest on record, West Africa’s regional outbreak between 2014 and 2016, which killed 11,000 people, WHO has said. Nigeria was one of the countries affected, recording 20 cases before it was declared over in the country after three months.

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AP’s Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

The White House said that under the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, or WHIP, anyone who submits a tip to fraud.gov that leads to a fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action is eligible to receive up to $30,000, and that the Justice Department will administer the program.

During the announcement, Trump said payments will work out to a 1% commission on the dollar amount of fraud the tip helps uncover. Trump also said he will decide who gets to collect reward money in cases where more than one person claims to have provided the tip.

“I will be the arbitrator of all these decisions,” Trump said during an Oval Office event Tuesday with Vance and other administration officials. “It'll be a binding arbitration.”

Trump said journalists could participate in the program.

The Republican president has undertaken an aggressive effort to eliminate fraud in government, establishing a task force on the topic in March and putting Vance in charge of it.

Critics have accused Trump and his family of profiting from the presidency through their many business ventures. The White House has countered by saying that Trump acts only with the best interests of the American people in mind.

Vance, who said his work leading the task force is “fun,” said tax dollars are being stolen.

“The president has said it must stop. It is stopping. And if you want to help us stop it, you get to share in the rewards," the vice president said.

Trump was expected during the event to present a $10,000 check to Nick Shirley, a right-wing influencer who posted a video last year that said members of Minnesota’s Somali community were running fake childcare centers to collect federal subsidies.

The 24-year-old's video caught the attention of the Trump administration and conservative activists, though inspectors said the centers were operating as expected. Investigations, searches and arrests followed.

“When you expose fraud, you help save America,” said Shirley, adding that fraud steals from poor and needy people.

In July, one woman, Fahima Mahamud, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States by submitting inflated reimbursement claims for meals allegedly served to children at her childcare center, according to the Justice Department.

The White House says Mahamud was featured in Shirley's video.

His agent, Rich Paul, said over the summer the Knicks would have been James' first choice in free agency had New York not won its first NBA championship since 1973 last season.

It's the thrill of the chase, to end a championship drought — much like he did in Cleveland — that in part drives James to keep playing after racking up a list of accomplishments unrivaled by his modern-day peers.

It's why James is opening the season Tuesday night at “The World's Most Famous Arena” wearing No. 23 for the Philadelphia 76ers instead of the home team.

While the spotlight is on the Knicks ahead of the game as they raise their championship banner, all eyes will be on James once the ball tips as he makes his debut with the Sixers.

The 76ers get a first look at the potent lineup they put together this summer in hopes of winning their first NBA title since 1983. James and fellow All-Star newcomer Jaylen Brown will start alongside holdovers Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

There are some natural questions on how that All-Star starting four plus Edgecombe will coexist when all have been the primary ball handlers on their respective teams in the past. Who gets the ball in crunch time? Who has to sacrifice the most? Who has the most to gain?

Watching the answers unfold in real time will be fascinating for the Sixers and their fans.

“We're just getting together,” James said after the Sixers' preseason finale. “It's not going to be perfect. We've got some things to build on.”

The offseason all the way through the countdown to the Sixers' home opener Thursday against Cleveland has been nothing but a swirl of excitement in Philadelphia. James jerseys are flying off the racks. Murals of him have popped up all over the city. He drew more than 10,000 fans to a public scrimmage and preseason games sold out. There's a public fascination with his helicopter rides from New Jersey to New York.

Even his younger teammates admit to being a bit awestruck when they first met James.

Knicks coach Mike Brown — set to enjoy a championship celebration ahead of the game — has one of the longer professional relationships in the NBA with James. Brown coached the Cavaliers from 2005 through 2010 until he was fired, but the duo led the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2007.

Brown said at the Knicks’ preseason game earlier this month in Philadelphia that it was easy to be awed by all that James has accomplished.

“Year 24 is insane,” Brown said. “It’s unheard of. It’s not human. People talk about (Victor Wembanyama) being not human because of what he can do for his size. You kind of throw LeBron in that category because of his durability and still doing it at the age that he has at a high level. It’s amazing to watch.”

A four-time NBA champion with three teams, James is already the NBA’s career scoring leader. The leader in games, minutes, field goals and field goals attempted, too.

There's not much left for him to accomplish, except win that fifth ring.

Philadelphia is waiting.

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See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Wright made the disclosure Tuesday at a press event hosted by CenterPoint Energy in Houston, joined by representatives from the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

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Wright said the funding is intended to squeeze more capacity out of existing infrastructure rather than build new facilities. He described that strategy as a faster path to increasing power supply and pushing prices down.

“The fastest way to get new power onto the grid, which pushes down prices, is to liberate more power from the existing generation facilities we already have,” Wright said.

He pointed to New York as a cautionary example, where transmission constraints force the state to burn oil instead of cheaper natural gas during peak demand — a dynamic that drives up electricity prices across New England.

On LNG exports and domestic demand

When asked whether the U.S. can expand liquefied natural gas exports while keeping up with rising domestic demand, Wright said yes — citing growth in domestic production as the reason natural gas prices are roughly half what they were 20 years ago, when the U.S. was a net importer.

Wright also drew a contrast between states with strong energy production growth and those — including California, New York and Massachusetts — that have scaled back electricity output, arguing the latter have paid for it with persistently high energy prices.

On diesel and fuel costs

Wright acknowledged that ongoing global conflicts have kept diesel prices elevated but said the administration is pursuing several strategies to bring them down, including increasing domestic refinery output, coordinating with India on refinery capacity and pushing European partners to release diesel reserves.

A resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Wright added, could also free up additional diesel exports to global markets — though no timeline was offered.

The signing took place at Houston Christian University and marks the expansion of HCU’s Guaranteed Admission Program — known as GAP — to the largest school district in Texas.

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What the program offers

Under the partnership, HISD students who meet eligibility requirements are guaranteed admission to HCU along with merit scholarship dollars to help make college more affordable.

Jill Quinn, HISD’s Deputy Chief of College, Career and Military Readiness, broke down exactly how students can qualify.

“All they have to do is apply, and we help them do that,” Quinn said. “Their GPA earns them access to admissions if they’re over a 3.0, or if they have three years of math.”

Scholarship amounts are tied directly to a student’s GPA — the higher the GPA, the more money a student receives. Quinn said that accessibility is what makes the program especially meaningful.

“For our students, when they work hard at our high schools, they’ll be able to have access to money to make their college journey more affordable,” Quinn said. “We’ll help them get a great education at a lower cost.”

What it means for students, families

James Steen, HCU’s Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, said the GAP program has already been serving students in the Houston metro area for several years — but bringing HISD into the fold is a significant milestone.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity now to the largest ISD in the state of Texas,” Steen said.

HISD Chief Academic Officer Alyssa Rocha echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the partnership is designed to remove barriers for students who may not know where to start when it comes to college.

“This partnership makes that connection much more concrete and affordable, especially for our students who work so, so hard every day but might sometimes not be sure where to begin or what their options look like,” Rocha said.

Rocha also highlighted the role the merit scholarship plays for families concerned about the cost of higher education.

“The Merit Scholarship is truly life-changing, gives our students meaningful information about their options,” she said.

A message to students

Sandy Mooney, acting president of Houston Christian University, said the partnership sends a clear message to every HISD student who has worked hard throughout high school.

“Your efforts matter,” Mooney said. “There is a future and your achievements will be recognized. Your future holds tremendous possibilities.”

Mooney added that HCU’s commitment goes beyond simply opening the door to admission.

“We want these students to thrive at HCU, to discover their gifts and to develop their talents and ultimately graduate to make a difference in their professions and in their communities,” she said.

Counselors play key role

Both organizations emphasized the critical role high school counselors and advising specialists will play in connecting students to the program.

Rocha encouraged counselors in attendance to stay engaged with HCU and help students understand their eligibility and options.

“I encourage you all to stay connected with HCU, help connect students with HCU so that they can know the eligibility requirements and what is possible for them,” Rocha said.

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Quinn added that keeping students close to home is another reason the partnership resonates.

“A lot of our kids really want to stay home, and so having access to a great school in your home city is something that we’re really excited about,” Quinn said.

HISD board member Karen Duffy was also in attendance for the signing.

For at least a week, the Ukrainian leader has said that his country's military has not received early warnings about ballistic missiles aimed at the capital. He said such intelligence saves lives by allowing alerts to the public and giving military units time to try to intercept the missiles.

Zelenskyy said the change happened after talks with his American counterparts, including a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in the day.

“We are thankful that intelligence works now, and I’m speaking about early warning, which is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming,” Zelenskyy said on a visit to Norway. “So we are thankful to American side now that it works.”

Speaking to reporters in India, Rubio acknowledged mutual frustration between the U.S. and Ukraine over intelligence sharing and weapons supplies but emphatically denied that the Trump administration has made any changes to previous policy on either issue.

In other developments, Russia unleashed another missile and drone blitz of civilian areas in Ukraine, killing at least nine people, officials said, as Zelenskyy sought more American and European help.

Zelenskyy was joined in Norway by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has tried without success to steer Russia and Ukraine toward a settlement to end the war. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also met with the Ukrainian president in Norway's capital.

Gahr Støre said Witkoff planned to fly to St. Petersburg on Wednesday to meet with Russian leaders, exchange ideas from the Oslo meeting and share proposals from European and American colleagues.

“Today was a good day for peace,” Stubb said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is willing to listen to new U.S. proposals about Ukraine but doesn’t expect any “miracle” from Washington.

Zelenskyy speaks with Rubio after U.S. support slows

With further U.S. support for Ukraine in doubt as relations between Zelenskyy and Trump sour again, the Ukrainian leader said he spoke with Rubio, who is on a trip to Asia.

That conversation came after Zelenskyy told a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers Monday that he believes “some political decision has been made to slow down ... support for us.”

Ukraine has nearly run out of American-made Patriot air-defense interceptors that it needs to stop Russia’s ballistic missiles, according to Zelenskyy, who has pleaded for Washington to send more. But he said the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles that other countries have purchased for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also said he sought Rubio’s help to ensure that the United States continues to share vital intelligence with Ukraine after Kyiv received no or belated warnings about Russian missile attacks in recent days.

The Ukrainian leader also said speed restrictions were still in place on his country's use of Starshield, the military-grade version of U.S. company SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink, hampering battlefield operations.

Trump also has waived sanctions on Russia, a move that Zelenskyy slammed as helping Putin push on with Moscow’s full-scale invasion, which will hit the five-year mark in February.

Zelenskyy said he had “a substantive conversation” with Rubio.

“I am grateful for his readiness to help and his clear position,” Zelenskyy said on social media.

Rubio, who arrived Tuesday in India on an official trip, denied that the U.S. is withholding assistance from Ukraine.

“Nothing has changed,” he told reporters.

The Patriot ammunition Ukraine needs is in short supply and is also required elsewhere in the world, Rubio said.

“There has not been some deliberate political directive to go out and harm Ukraine,” he said.

Europe is helping Ukraine avoid surrender, official says

With the Russian army held up on the front line, Putin is trying to bomb Ukraine into submission while robbing it of vital U.S. support, Western leaders and analysts say.

European countries, worried about Russia’s plans on the continent and viewing Ukraine as a bulwark against Moscow's ambitions, are trying to take up the slack of any falloff in U.S. supplies, but some key assets are American-made.

European countries and European Union institutions have allocated 237 billion euros ($266 billion) to support Ukraine, compared with 115 billion euros ($129 billion) from the U.S., according to Germany’s Kiel Institute, which tracks assistance to Kyiv.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday questioned whether U.S. negotiators have been honest brokers in peace efforts. Ukrainian officials say the Trump administration has encouraged Kyiv to surrender land to Russia in return for peace.

“Although American negotiators have been trying to push Ukraine into surrender for … one and a half years now," Ukraine has not surrendered on Putin’s terms "because Europe has been supporting Ukraine,” Kallas said.

Russian attacks cause power outages in 12 Ukrainian regions

Four people were killed and 27 others wounded, including children, in Russian missile and drone attacks on the Kyiv region over the past day, regional police said.

Three were killed and six were wounded in the Obukhiv district, where warehouses were damaged, police said. In the Bucha district, one woman was killed and 21 people were wounded, eight of them children, while hundreds of buildings were damaged, according to police.

On Tuesday morning, three people were killed and four injured when two vehicles caught fire in a Russian attack on the Kyiv-Odesa highway, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said. The dead included the driver of a shuttle bus that was hit. The bus transports people from Kyiv to the National Military Memorial Cemetery.

Two more people were killed in a Russian attack Tuesday on warehouses on the outskirts of Dnipro in central Ukraine, authorities said.

National grid operator Ukrenergo reported power outages in 12 regions of Ukraine following the Russian attacks.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that its forces carried out drone strikes on logistics centers, port infrastructure and three cargo ships in the port of Reni in the Odesa region. It said that another bulk carrier was hit at sea on its way to Odesa.

Meanwhile, air defenses intercepted 136 Ukrainian drones over multiple Russian regions overnight, the ministry said.

___

Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal. Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri in New York, Stefanie Dazio in Berlin, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

PSG and Barcelona head the standings, though Liverpool or even surprising Stuttgart could end Tuesday on top of the table.

The game in Paris takes place in a very different context to when PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 away last week.

What began in France as protests against school conditions has expanded to include a wide range of other groups and causes. There have been violent clashes, fires and looting.

An emergency meeting with top government officials on Monday confirmed PSG-Barcelona and other soccer matches in European competitions could go ahead after the possibility of calling off games and other big events was discussed.

Dortmund wins early game

Serhou Guirassy scored twice but Borussia Dortmund wasted plenty more chances in a 2-1 win over Azerbaijan's Sabah.

It wasn't the sort of convincing victory the German team was hoping for, after last week saw a loss to Bodø/Glimt before a draw at Union Berlin which allowed Bayern Munich to take the Bundesliga top spot off Dortmund.

Pavel Kacor's leaping volley in the 90th minute earned Slavia Prague a 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce, which had been leading 2-0 early on before a defensive blunder by Mattéo Guendouzi let the Czech side back into the game.

Liverpool could go top with a win over Villarreal if PSG and Barcelona draw, or on goal difference if Andoni Iraola's team can rout its Spanish opposition.

Stuttgart has won both of its games but Atletico Madrid will be sterner opposition for the German team.

City aims to get back on track after last week's PSG loss when it faces Greece's AEK Athens, while troubled Napoli seeks a first point against Norway's Bodø/Glimt.

Also, Roma plays Slovan Bratislava and Porto hosts PSV Eindhoven.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy plans to announce the decision Tuesday afternoon during a visit to Boeing's manufacturing plant in Everett, Washington, the official said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the certification ahead of the announcement.

The single-aisle 737 Max 10, which can have up to 230 seats, was introduced at the Paris air show in 2017 to help Boeing compete with rival Airbus. But technical and regulatory hurdles have repeatedly delayed certification of the largest version of Boeing's bestselling 737 family.

Boeing said in its 2020 annual report that it expected to make the plane's first delivery in 2023. The company now expects to begin deliveries in 2027.

The delays have held up a key part of Boeing's business. Speaking at an investors conference last month, CEO Kelly Ortberg said the Max 10 accounted for roughly 30% of Boeing’s 737 backlog. The company’s website lists its total 737 backlog at more than 4,500 aircraft.

The Max 10 is an important piece of Boeing’s effort to regain ground in the narrow-body market. For airlines, the larger plane offers a way to carry more passengers on a single flight, potentially lowering costs per seat. For travelers, it could eventually mean more seats on popular routes, though the impact on fares will depend on how airlines deploy the planes and how much competition they face.

Certification of the Max 10 would complete Boeing’s lineup of four 737 Max models and represent another milestone in the company’s efforts to restore its reputation and financial footing after years of safety, quality and production challenges. The Federal Aviation Administration cleared the smaller Max 7 for airline operations in August.

Boeing’s struggles have been particularly acute since two deadly crashes involving the smaller Max 8 killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019 off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia. In 2024, a panel flew off of an Alaska Airlines Max 9 in midair, renewing scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing and safety practices.

The Max 10 is intended to compete with Airbus’s A321neo model family, which entered service in 2017. The largest A321neo can carry more passengers and fly farther without refueling than the Max 10.

Still, Boeing designed the Max 10 to carry more passengers while burning less fuel than older aircraft — a potentially attractive combination for airlines facing soaring jet fuel costs amid the U.S. war with Iran. Those rising costs have put added pressure on airlines to control expenses.

Certification means the FAA has determined that the Max 10’s design meets safety standards, following engineering reviews and flight testing. But Boeing must continue to show it can consistently build the aircraft to the approved design, and each plane must be cleared before it can fly passengers.

In the wake of the fatal Max 8 crashes, the FAA overhauled how it certifies Boeing aircraft. But over the past 18 months, the agency has gradually eased some of its restrictions on the company, increasing the limit on how many planes Boeing can produce. In July, the FAA also said Boeing could once again issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 Max and 787 planes at the end of production, allowing the company to take back some responsibility for determining whether finished aircraft are ready to fly.

Boeing's Everett site offers additional flexibility because the Max 10 is longer than other variants of the 737 Max family. Ortberg said the aircraft could not be arranged nose-to-tail on its production line in Renton, Washington, where Boeing builds the 737, but could be accommodated in Everett. That would allow Boeing to produce a greater mix of longer aircraft as it ramps up production, Ortberg said.

Major customers for the Max 10 include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Ryanair. Alaska Airlines joined that list in January, ordering 105 Max 10s, with options for 35 more.

The Houthis have largely encircled Taiz, cutting it off from most supply routes and putting civilians at “grave risk,” U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said Tuesday. The U.N. says the siege has left many residents without food and other necessities as prices soar.

The attack on Taiz came a day after a Houthi strike on a government military camp killed 73 recruits, the deadliest strike since the resurgence of the conflict over the summer, according to a senior Yemeni government official.

The conflict has only intensified since forces from the internationally recognized government and Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport in July, shattering a 2022 ceasefire deal that largely stopped fighting in the country's civil war.

Yemen has become a widening front in the Iran war that began in February — and the Houthis have increasingly launched attacks on Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Britain said on Tuesday that it would expand its military support for Saudi Arabia to include “defensive” air patrols by Royal Air Force jets.

UN says Houthi siege of Taiz risks humanitarian crisis

Heavy fighting between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces caused extensive damage in a densely populated residential area of Taiz. Six people were wounded in the Houthis' deadly attack there.

Resident Zainab Ali said she was away when the strike occurred but returned to find her home had been destroyed.

“We are a family of orphans, and we do not know what to do,” she said.

In an update late Tuesday afternoon, Yemen’s government forces claimed they had thwarted Houthi attacks in several areas across Taiz, without providing evidence. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim.

The Houthis have besieged Taiz as part of their monthslong offensive against Yemeni government forces, repeatedly targeting it with missiles and artillery.

“Humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to enter the city and its passage must be facilitated. Civilians wishing to leave must be allowed to do so freely and safely,” Türk, the U.N. human rights chief, said.

He urged the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces to avoid using explosive weapons in areas where they could hit civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Britain pledges additional support to defend Saudi Arabia

While Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that it intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis, the country has struggled to defend against the rebel group's missile and drone attacks despite far superior U.S.-supplied arms.

“Saudi Arabia is in a very difficult position,” but the United States is not prepared to send troops to help, Tom Barrack, the U.S. envoy to Syria and Iraq, told the Global Security Forum in Doha, Qatar.

Barrack said President Donald Trump “has been clear that he supports Saudi Arabia, and the backing that they need logistically we'll supply, but America getting involved in a ground kinetic battle somewhere else seems fruitless.”

U.K. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said the British government would expand its support to Saudi Arabia to include defensive patrols to protect Saudi cities from attacks. It means British planes would attack missiles or drones in the air, but would not strike Houthi targets on the ground. Britain had already offered to help with in-air refueling of Saudi planes.

The Egyptian government also will deploy air defense systems and aircraft to help repel missiles and drones fired toward Saudi Arabia but won't deploy ground troops to Yemen, according to a regional official who was briefed on the matter. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters.

The matter still requires parliamentary approval.

Houthis attacked a Yemeni military camp as recruits were being trained

The Monday strike on the al-Alam military camp hit while recruits were lining up in formation for a training session. More than 200 recruits were wounded in the attack.

Videos from the area circulated online and analyzed by AP showed many motionless bodies lying on the sandy ground of the camp.

The recruits were all aged between 18 and 20, Shabwa governor Awad Ibn al-Wazir told AP. They were being trained to provide security in the province and not for combat operations, he said.

Yemen plunged into civil war in 2014, when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of northern Yemen and forced the government into exile.

A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year in an attempt to restore the government to power. The conflict killed more than 150,000 people and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

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Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb in Beirut, David Rising in Bangkok, and Jill Lawless in London, contributed to this story.

Both candidates are making a final push to win over voters in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races.

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Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, and with early voting already underway, both campaigns are urging supporters to head to the polls before Nov. 3.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is scheduled to make two stops in the Houston area Tuesday, Oct. 20, as part of his statewide “Come and Take It” bus tour.

His scheduled appearances include:

Conroe: 11:30 a.m. at The Table at Madeley

Fort Bend County: 5:30 p.m. at Safari Texas Ranch

Paxton, who campaigned in Fort Worth on Monday, is highlighting his record as attorney general and his conservative priorities.

“I’m asking you to look at my record and compare that with a guy named James Talarico,” Paxton said.

He has also emphasized affordability and economic opportunities for Texas families.

“My agenda is very simple. I’m going to fight so that every Texan can buy a home, raise a family, and live a healthy life without struggling to make ends meet,” Paxton said.

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico is also bringing his campaign to the Houston area as part of his “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts” tour.

Talarico has two appearances scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21:

Houston: 11:30 a.m. at the University of Houston

Richmond: 7 p.m. at Safari Texas Ranch

Talarico, who also campaigned in Fort Worth on Monday, has focused his campaign on lowering costs for working families and making health care more affordable.

“Texans voted to bring down health care costs, but corrupt political deals have gutted our health care, sending premiums skyrocketing, all to fund tax cuts for billionaires,” Talarico said.

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The Democrat is hoping to make history by becoming the first member of his party elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas in nearly four decades.

“And on November 3rd, we are going to do something extraordinary,” Talarico told supporters.

Early voting underway in Texas

The campaign visits come as Texans are already casting their ballots in the Nov. 3 general election.

Early voting began Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Friday, Oct. 30.

With the election approaching, both candidates are focusing on voter turnout, including in the Houston area, where Harris County and surrounding communities represent a significant number of Texas voters.

William Reaves, 77, was sentenced to death after being convicted of first-degree murder for the 1986 shooting of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. He would become Florida’s eighth prisoner over the age of 70 to be executed this year, which has highlighted the nation's aging death-row population and underscored how Florida has outpaced the rest of the country in executions.

Reaves was set to receive a three-drug injection starting at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke.

Last year, Florida set a state record with 19 executions in a single year. Another execution is scheduled for November, which would tie that mark if both are carried out as planned.

DeSantis, who leaves office in January, has said previously that his goal is to bring justice to victims’ families who have waited decades for the death sentences to be carried out.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Reaves’ final appeal without comment Tuesday afternoon.

Reaves fought with a deputy after dropping a gun

According to court records, Raczkowski responded to a 911 call at a Vero Beach convenience store in September 1986. Reaves acknowledged that he had placed the call at a payphone outside the store.

While Raczkowski and Reaves spoke, a gun fell out of Reaves' shorts, officials said. The men struggled over the firearm and Reaves eventually regained control over it. Investigators said the deputy attempted to run away before Reaves shot him four times. The deputy later died from his wounds.

Reaves was initially convicted and sentenced to death about a year after the shooting. The Florida Supreme Court reversed the conviction because of a conflict of interest with the prosecutor and ordered a new trial. Reaves was convicted and sentenced to death a second time in 1992, and subsequent appeals have been unsuccessful.

Lawyers challenged lethal injection procedure

The Florida Supreme Court rejected Reaves’ final appeals last week.

One issue raised by his attorneys was Florida's method of execution. All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.

The court has previously upheld this lethal injection protocol against similar challenges. It differs from the single-drug injection used by states like Tennessee, where death row inmate Christa Pike was rushed to the hospital last month after surviving two lethal doses of pentobarbital.

Defense attorneys also argued that the jurors who recommended the death penalty for Reaves were never told that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rated Reaves, an Army veteran, as 100% disabled by post-traumatic stress disorder, which was caused by his service in the Vietnam War. More than 100 veterans sent DeSantis a letter on Monday asking him to stop the execution.

Florida is close to matching last year's record-setting numbers

A total of 47 people were executed in the U.S. in 2025. Besides leading all other states last year, Florida has carried out more than half the 31 total executions in the U.S. so far this year. In July, Florida executed two prisoners in one day, the first state in nearly a decade to do so.

Jesse Guardado, 64, is next scheduled to die by injection in Florida on Nov. 5. He was convicted of robbing and killing a woman in order to buy drugs in 2004.

The Senate Majority PAC, aligned with Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, will spend $1.2 million on a new television advertisement to boost Scott Colom, a district attorney, in his campaign against Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. The ad, first disclosed to The Associated Press, is set to start Wednesday and run through Election Day.

“Senate Majority PAC has been watching this race closely, and it is clear Colom is running a competitive race that has put Hyde-Smith on her heels,” group spokesperson Lauren French said in a statement.

With just two weeks to go in the race, it's unclear what impact the ad will have in a matchup that's been set since Colom won a March primary. Still, it's a substantial investment in a race that's seen only about $8 million in total spending, with Colom outspending Hyde-Smith nearly $4.6 million to $3.2 million, according to AdImpact.

Jake Monssen, campaign manager for Hyde-Smith, noted that the spending was coming late in the race.

“Team Cindy is confident that voters will reject this radical agenda at the ballot box on November 3rd,” he said.

Democrats believe Hyde-Smith is vulnerable

Hyde-Smith, first appointed and then elected in 2018, is running for reelection in a state Republicans have long dominated. In the 2024 presidential race, Republican Donald Trump won Mississippi by nearly 23 percentage points over Democrat Kamala Harris, and a Democrat hasn’t won a Senate race in the state since 1982.

However, some Democrats believe Hyde-Smith is vulnerable, and she underperformed Trump by 6 percentage points in 2020, the year he lost his White House reelection bid to Democrat Joe Biden.

The television ad touts Colom's time as district attorney, while labeling Hyde-Smith a “do-nothing” senator.

“A decade in power, Hyde-Smith hasn’t passed one piece of legislation, but she did vote to kick people off Medicaid,” a narrator says in the ad, which will run on television stations statewide alongside a digital campaign.

Harris and other high-profile Democrats have raced to campaign with Colom

Colom's campaign manager, Gerard Henderson, said that the contest against an incumbent senator is competitive because “thousands of Mississippians volunteered and chipped in.”

“We clearly have the resources and momentum to win,” Henderson said in a statement.

Colom has raised Democratic hopes in a year when electoral winds are at their backs. Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock was the latest high-profile Democrat to campaign with Colom last week, and Harris, who was Biden's vice president, is set to rally with Colom on Thursday.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and were expected to face a friendlier map this year with fewer seats to defend. But high costs and gas prices amid an unpopular war in Iran under a Republican president have made Democrats optimistic, with the Senate Majority PAC spending its final weeks investing in conservative territory. It's already announced spending in Kansas, where megachurch pastor and Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.

Colom would be his state’s first Black senator since Reconstruction, the 12-year period after the U.S. Civil War when the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments were adopted.

Some Democrats have criticized national groups for not spending more in Southern states like Mississippi.

“I worry, to be very honest, that Democrats are missing a real opportunity to invest in a serious and sustained way in the South,” Warnock said Sunday on NBC’s ”Meet the Press."

With more than 1.8 million votes counted and results reported from 84% of voting areas and locations, 75% of voters supported remaining in Canada, while 25% backed beginning a process toward separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta.

The referendum was not a direct vote on independence. Approval would have set Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada.

“It’s a great result for Canada that Albertans have chosen unity,” Carney told reporters Tuesday before a Cabinet meeting in Ottawa.

Carney said that the roughly one-quarter of Albertans who voted to begin the separation process did not necessarily want independence, saying only a smaller “hard core” group may actually want to leave Canada.

Some voters said they supported another referendum to express frustration with Ottawa rather than a desire to leave Canada.

“The result is absolutely clear. It’s a vast majority in favor of staying in Canada. And now is the time to work together for all Albertans and all Canadians,” Carney said.

‘Alberta needs to be treated better’

Carney said he spoke with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday morning about the referendum’s results and greater federal-provincial cooperation, including immigration. He said their first priority was supporting victims and families affected by the deadly military training fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.

Alberta's separatists, however, saw a silver lining.

“It is fair to say that at least a quarter of Albertans feel that Alberta needs to be treated better,” said Keith Wilson, a leader of the separatist movement.

Smith welcomed the early results, saying they showed widespread support for remaining in Canada.

“Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Smith posted on social media.

Smith, who called the referendum amid pressure from separatists within her governing United Conservative Party, or UCP, despite opposing independence, said that she would address the province Tuesday evening about the results and Alberta’s future.

“We are a solid country that’s united from coast to coast to coast,” Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Alberta deputy premier who led the Forever Canadian campaign against separation, told supporters.

The results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling stations to extend voting hours Monday.

A fringe cause has become a movement that won’t disappear

Alberta, home to the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is cowboy country and a conservative stronghold whose political culture has long had more in common with the American West than much of Canada. Resentment toward Canada's federal government in Ottawa runs deep, but hasn't traditionally translated into widespread support for independence.

Despite the overwhelming rejection, separatist leaders have said they turned a fringe cause into a movement that won’t disappear.

Separatist parties traditionally attracted only 1% or 2% of the vote, former Premier Jason Kenney said. Anger over COVID-19 restrictions helped mobilize activists who later embraced the separatist movement, he said.

Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state have helped Carney rally support in Alberta, where Liberal prime ministers have historically been unpopular.

At a separatist referendum night gathering at an Edmonton restaurant, the crowd fell quiet as results rolled in.

“We’re not going anywhere,” said Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project. “We’ve dominated the conversation in the last year. We’ve been educating Albertans on the benefits of independence, and we’re going to continue moving forward.”

Rath had said he would be thrilled with 30% support. He wants Smith ousted as UCP leader and said the party could splinter, potentially creating a new pro-independence party.

Ian Brodie, a prominent conservative and political scientist at the University of Calgary who served as chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper, dismissed current independence organizers Rath and Mitch Sylvestre as “nobodies.”

“Even on a very soft question — whether to hold a referendum on separation — they couldn’t gain real traction in the Olds-Didsbury district,” said Brodie.

The district elected a Western Canada Concept separatist in a 1982 provincial byelection.

A referendum on a referendum

Edmonton voter Shawn Campbell said he voted to begin the separation process even though he doesn’t want Alberta to leave Canada.

“It sends a message to Ottawa that Albertans are not happy,” he said.

Dustin Degenhardt, a voter in the town of Wainwright, said that Albertans have long been mistreated by Canada's federal government.

“Alberta has essentially been treated as, you know, a colony,” he said after voting Monday. “They want to take and take and take from us, and not return anything.”

Dave Malka, 59, of Edmonton, criticized spending money on a “referendum on a referendum” rather than health care.

With Trump threatening Canada, Malka said, “It seems to be happening at the absolute worst time when we should be united. Instead we’re fighting among ourselves.”

___

Ty ONeil contributed to this report from Wainwright, Alberta.

The company announced plans to hire more than 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time employees across its U.S. operations network, including 26,500 positions in Texas.

Amazon said it will continue posting new job opportunities weekly from October through December. Many seasonal employees will have the opportunity to transition into full-time positions.

Amazon expands health care benefits for seasonal workers

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, seasonal employees who work at least 30 hours per week will become eligible for health care coverage, a benefit already available to Amazon’s regular full-time employees.

Employees hired on or after Jan. 1 will have access to the coverage starting on their first day. Seasonal workers already in qualifying roles will become eligible on the same date.

Amazon said health care plan options start at $5 per week, with $5 copays.

How much do Amazon holiday jobs pay?

Amazon said full-time operations employees start at a minimum of $20 per hour, with average hourly pay reaching nearly $24.

When benefits are included, average total compensation for full-time employees exceeds $32 per hour.

Seasonal employees earn an average of $20 per hour and may have opportunities to move into full-time roles.

How to apply for Amazon jobs in Houston

People interested in seasonal, part-time or full-time opportunities can find openings and apply through Amazon’s official hiring website.

Applicants can visit Amazon’s jobs website to search available positions and explore opportunities in the Houston area.

Amazon said additional openings will be posted weekly through December.

Meanwhile, an Israeli attack on an apartment in Gaza killed two people and wounded others. The Israeli military said it had targeted a Hamas militant.

Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Tuesday. Read our full coverage here.

Britain extends ‘defensive’ military support for Saudi Arabia

Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said Royal Air Force Typhoon jets would “conduct defensive counter-air operations over Saudi Arabia, helping to protect Saudi cities, civilian populations and critical national infrastructure from Houthi attack.”

That means the British planes would shoot down airborne drones or missiles, but not strike Houthi targets on the ground, Streeting said.

The U.K. also is sending a military transport and an unspecified number of military advisers to Saudi Arabia, and is extending its offer to provide in-air refueling of Saudi planes operating against the Iran-backed rebels for another 90 days, Streeting said.

Pre-dawn Israeli attack on Gaza apartment kills 2

The attack before dawn Tuesday killed a husband and wife and wounded others, according to Shifa Hospital. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas militant. Other Israeli strikes on Monday killed at least four people.

Israel's military has killed more than 1,500 Palestinians in Gaza since Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire last year, according to the territory’s health ministry, which maintains detailed records and is regarded as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.

The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its toll but says women and children account for nearly half of those killed.

Death toll from Houthi attack on training camp reaches 73

The recruits were all aged between 18 and 20, and some were still missing a day after the Iranian-backed rebels hit the government's al-Alam military training camp with ballistic missiles, Shabwa governor Awad Ibn al-Wazir told The Associated Press as he announced the new death toll.

Monday’s strike was part of a recent surge of fighting in Yemen, which started when forces from the internationally-recognized government and Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport in July, shattering a 2022 ceasefire deal that had largely paused Yemen's civil war.

UN says Houthi siege of Taiz risks humanitarian crisis

A Houthi missile hit a residential area in the besieged city of Taiz on Tuesday, killing two teenage girls and wounding six other people, local authorities said.

The Houthis have besieged Yemen’s third-largest city as part of their monthslong offensive against Yemeni government forces, repeatedly targeting it with missiles and artillery.

The rebels have largely encircled the city and cut off most supply routes from government-held areas, putting civilians at “grave risk,” U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said Tuesday. The siege has sent prices soaring, leaving many residents without food and other necessities.

“Humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to enter the city and its passage must be facilitated. Civilians wishing to leave must be allowed to do so freely and safely,” Türk said.

Qatar says Israel isn't committed to negotiating an end to Gaza war

A senior Qatari official says Israeli leaders are instead focused only on “war and death and destruction” in the leadup to Israel’s first national elections since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

“Sadly, right now we do not have a partner for peace in Israel,” said Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry and adviser to the Qatari prime minister, speaking to The Associated Press on stage at the Global Security Forum in Doha.

Al-Ansari said: “You look at all the statements coming out from all the political parties and all the political candidates right now in the elections. Does any of them even talk about peace with Palestinians? Does any of them even talk about stability of the region?”

Qatar also warned that Iran's targeting of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and threats to undersea internet cables would cause the greatest harm to countries in the region, including Iran itself. Ibrahim Al-Hashimi, director of the Foreign Ministry's media department, said such actions “must stop immediately.”

Netanyahu holds call with Trump over Iran

Netanyahu suggested that Israel and the United States could launch new attacks on Iran in a video he posted of a call with Trump.

During the call, Netanyahu thanked Trump for his endorsement, which came about a week before Israel’s national elections. Netanyahu faces a tight reelection race widely viewed as a referendum on his leadership before and after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack and through a series of inconclusive wars, including with Iran.

“Donald, we have a job to finish. You said it, and we’ll finish it together. We’ll finish it, and no one else will do it,” Netanyahu said in the video.

Iran says it won't surrender enriched nuclear material

Top security official Gen. Mohsen Rezaei said during a meeting with Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir on Tuesday that Iran won't negotiate with the United States until Washington takes steps to build trust and meets Tehran’s conditions.

Rezaei added in a statement reported by Iran’s state broadcaster that his country would not surrender “a single particle of enriched nuclear material.”

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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.

This comes after Infantino apologized last week in Zurich, Switzerland, to FIFA's 37-member ruling council — which he chairs — for “mistakes” he made in assembling a now-scrapped $4.2 billion sell-off plan for the World Cup.

The council is the main decision-making body at FIFA with a global spread of officials.

The planned meeting with Asian soccer leaders is to be held in a five-star hotel in Tokyo with the media largely excluded.

Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the AFC, expressed early opposition to Infantino and his plan to create a subsidiary to run the World Cup but may have moved closer to Infantino, The Athletic has reported.

Infantino has offered to critics an open, independent review of how FIFA makes its decisions.

Infantino is electioneering

An Associated Press tally indicates Infantino is close to landing the simple majority of the 211 FIFA member federations he needs to win reelection in March to a fourth term. Some of the deciding votes could some from Asia.

The AFC had joined the criticism of Infantino in the wake of the proposed World Cup sell-off, but its members appear far from united. Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, has expressed support for the FIFA leader while Jordan has declared its opposition.

The FIFA Council is scheduled to meet next on Dec. 16 in Doha, Qatar.

The AP count shows 87 of the 211 FIFA Member federations have indicated support for Infantino — either in individual comments or by endorsing statements of support by their regional confederations. The largest block of opposition comes from Europe.

The FIFA voting system

No sitting FIFA president has lost an election since 1974. The deadline for a candidate to file against Infantino is Nov. 18.

FIFA rules state candidates must have “played an active role in association football (e.g. as a player or an official within FIFA, a confederation or an association, etc.) for two of the last five years before being proposed.” They must have “declarations of support” from at least five of the 211 members.

“FIFA is a massive patronage network,” Jules Boykoff, a political scientist at Pacific University and a former professional soccer player, told the AP. “It brings in billions from the men's World Cup and distributes it to football associations around the world in exchange for loyalty.”

“The funds that FIFA distributes to soccer bodies around the world are meant to develop soccer, but there's scant oversight,” Boykoff added. “To say FIFA is in need of structural overhaul it to make an enormous understatement.”

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Counter Terrorism Policing said the men, a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old dual U.K.-Iranian national, were arrested under the National Security Act.

One of the suspects was first arrested on Sept. 27, when the suspected plot against the U.S.-run base at RAF Fairford took place. The air base in western England has been used to bomb Iran during this year’s war.

The second suspect was first arrested on Oct. 1. Until Tuesday the men had been bailed pending more investigation.

Scores of residents were evacuated from their homes near the base as armed police officers and army bomb-disposal experts swarmed the rural area. Police later said they had found a quantity of an accelerant — gasoline — in three vans at the site, but no explosives.

British authorities have linked Tehran to the incident, which led the U.S. to pull its bombers from RAF Fairford. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the apparent plot was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, or IRGC.

Iran has denied involvement, although it has previously said that it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target.

Five other men in their 20s were arrested earlier then released on bail pending further investigation. No one has yet been charged.

Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing in the U.K., said detectives are looking at “many lines of enquiry involved in this hugely complex investigation.”

“This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement,” he said in a statement.

“Our investigators are continuing to examine what that level of involvement was and the ambition behind it," he added.

Last week the head of Britain's MI5 spy agency warned that both Iran and Russia were expanding their attacks against the U.K., and that the RAF base incident was not unique.

Ken McCallum, who leads the U.K.’s domestic security service, said Tehran is seeking to intensify its attacks in Britain beyond the traditional targets of Iranians opposed to the country’s Islamic authorities.

In all, more than 50 people have been arrested over Iran-linked plots in the past year, McCallum said.

During the peak Wednesday night into Thursday morning, it will be possible to see up to 20 meteors per hour in ideal viewing conditions, according to the American Meteor Society. Meteors are still visible for a few weeks before and after the peak.

The Orionids are viewable in the northern and southern hemispheres after midnight. While they get their name from the Orion constellation, they are visible across the night sky, according to NASA.

Orionids can be especially bright and fast, and can leave glowing trains that can last for several seconds. Here’s what to know about the Orionids and other meteor showers.

What is a meteor shower?

As the Earth orbits the sun, several times a year it passes through debris left by passing comets and the occasional asteroid. The source of the Orionids is debris from Halley’s comet, which passes near Earth every 75 years.

When these fast-moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere, the debris encounters new resistance from the air and becomes very hot, eventually burning up.

Sometimes the surrounding air glows briefly, leaving behind a fiery tail — the end of a “shooting star.”

You don’t need special equipment to see the meteor showers that flash across the sky annually, but it will help to find a spot far enough from city lights and other light pollution.

How to view a meteor shower

The best time to watch a meteor shower is typically after midnight, or in the early predawn hours, when there’s usually less interference from moonlight.

Competing sources of light — such as a bright moon or artificial glow from lights on the ground — are the main obstacles to a clear view of meteors. Cloudless nights when the moon wanes smallest provide optimal viewing opportunities.

Be patient: It can take several minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.

When is the next meteor shower?

The next major meteor shower, the Southern Taurids, is expected to peak Nov. 5, when there will be just a crescent moon, making for favorable viewing conditions.

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The Associated Press’ health and science coverage receives financial support from the AP Fund for Journalism and private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The Rays and their low payroll and small-ball style are heading to the World Series seeking the first championship in franchise history.

After a three-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees in their Division Series, the Rays eliminated the Cleveland Guardians in six games by winning three in a row to close out the AL Championship Series.

Next up is a matchup against the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers, another thrifty club from a small market that also has never won a World Series.

Caminero, the All-Star third baseman who hit 42 homers during the regular season, finally connected for the first time in the postseason, launching a drive off the left-field foul pole to give the Rays a four-run cushion in the seventh inning of a 7-3 win Monday night.

He savored every second of his home run trot, emphatically pounding his chest before reaching first base and imitating Randy Arozarena’s signature pose before crossing the plate while his former Tampa Bay teammate watched from the stands.

“Tampa, this is for you!” Caminero shouted to fans after the game. “Come on now! Let’s go!”

Veteran slugger Yandy Díaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, also blasted a two-run shot, going deep in the eighth after the Guardians closed to 5-3. Díaz also celebrated with a slow trot that wasn’t quite as demonstrative.

Díaz held the tomahawk steak, a tradition he started when the Rays clinched the AL East title, and flexed his arms while taking sprays of sparkling wine from teammates.

“Protein, medium well, big biceps,” Díaz said with a smile.

The Rays have time to enjoy their victory before heading to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in Game 1 on Friday night.

They got here by winning 98 games in the regular season thanks to excellent pitching, strong defense and a group of unselfish hitters with a knack for bunting and playing fundamental baseball. They opened the season with a payroll of $90.5 million that ranked 26th in the majors.

“These guys deserve it. It’s a special group,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “These guys did an unbelievable job coming together, exploding for 98 wins and building belief in one another. I’ve never seen a group come together like this one has with so many different ways to beat an opponent on a given night, so many ways to play to the scoreboard. They don’t bludgeon people; they just find ways to win and a lot of different ways to do it.”

The Rays are in the postseason for the sixth time under manager Kevin Cash. They lost the World Series to the Dodgers in 2020 and the Phillies in 2008.

This group has dominant pitching led by ace Drew Rasmussen, ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta and closer Bryan Baker.

“I thought this team really came together about as well as you could in the spring training setting, given the roster turnover that took place," Cash said. “There were a lot of new faces. And you could sense it was a pretty close-knit group.”

Now, the Rays are four wins from capturing the first World Series crown in the franchise's 29 seasons.

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See AP’s full MLB coverage here

The organizations are holding a press conference today at LULAC Headquarters, 150 W. Parker, fifth floor, to formally declare a “State of Emergency” in response to a series of incidents involving ICE that they say have caused irreparable harm to immigrant families and the broader community.

• Harris County shatters early voting record on Day 1 with at least 104,000 ballots cast

Two young girls left alone after mother detained

Among the most striking cases presented at the press conference involved two sisters — Alicia and Britany, ages 10 and 11 — who have been living alone in their Conroe apartment since their mother was detained by ICE.

The girls were present at the press conference and made themselves available for interviews.

“These are the two girls that are living alone while their mother is detained by ICE,” organizers said in announcing the event.

Calls for accountability following death, injury of immigrants

The coalition cited the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE this summer as a catalyst for the declaration. Organizers say that since that incident, what they describe as inhumane treatment by ICE has continued without accountability.

“After the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE this summer, the inhumane treatment continues without any sign of accountability or of recognizing the consequences of their unconstitutional actions and the horrendous suffering on families and our communities,” organizers said in a statement.

In a separate case, Miguel Parra was struck by an ICE vehicle in the past week. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare stated today there is enough evidence to take the case to a grand jury and seek an indictment against the ICE agent involved.

While coalition leaders praised the DA’s position, they pushed for immediate action.

“Though we are proud of our DA’s work, our question is, if that is so, why has this not happened? Make it happen! NOW!” organizers said.

• Father of three killed after softball game: Family seeks answers as sheriff urges an end to deadly conflicts

Mexican government representative to attend

Arq. Alejandro Yeverino, a representative of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, was also in attendance at the press conference, signaling international attention to the cases being raised by Houston advocates.

Little Joe to be honored at upcoming awards event

The coalition also announced that Little Joe will be recognized at the upcoming GHCFJ Liberty and Justice Awards.

Tuesday, October 20

• KPRC 2 Insiders, here’s your chance to win a $250 Kroger gift card! (October 2026 - February 2027)
• Annual Herb Fair
• Novatio School
• Your Bucket List Guide
• • Booking.com
• Premier Legal Group
• Join UT MD Anderson’s 11th annual Boot Walk to End Cancer® at Helix Park Nov. 14
• • UT MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer^®

Monday, October 19

• Fort Bend Women’s Center shares resources for domestic violence survivors
• • Fort Bend County Women’s Center
• Día de los Muertos: Simple ideas for a meaningful ofrenda honoring a loved one
• • Walmart (visit your local stores for Día de los Muertos items; Selection varies by store)
• Fortis College
• Great Wolf Lodge Halloween Fun: Trick-or-Treat Trails & Family Activities
• • The Travel Mom
  • Great Wolf Lodge
• 3 years after getting full mouth dental implants, this Houston man’s smile is still sparkling
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, October 16

• Houston Life celebrates 10 years on the air with epic lookback of the broadcast

Thursday, October 15

• BOO! HL visits Houston Zoo to preview their annual Zoo Boo and all the month-long creepy crawly fun
• • Houston Zoo
  • Zoo Boo

Wednesday, October 14

• Monster Jam returns to Houston with The Amazing Spider-Man Truck
• • Monster Jam
• The Woodlands Christian Academy takes learning beyond the classroom
• • The Woodlands Christian Academy
• Fortis College prepares Houston students for careers in Sterile Processing
• • Fortis College
• Landry’s Chef Series: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse celebrates 45 Years with new Fall menu
• • DelFrisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
• Meet Gonzo247, the man behind some of Houston’s most iconic street art
• • Gonzo247

Tuesday, October 13

• 3rd annual Buffalo Bayou Mural Festival celebrates 105 murals in Houston’s East End
• • Buffalo Bayou Mural Festival
• Smart home upgrades to refresh your space from floor to garage
• • Home Improvement Expert, Kathryn Emery | Be The Best Home
• Conjure up two bewitching Halloween drinks with Cursed Cauldron
• • The Cursed Cauldron
• Is Hotel Galvez really haunted? Houston Life explores one of Galveston’s spookiest hotels
• • Grand Galvez Ghost Tours

Monday, October 12

• Join UT MD Anderson’s 11th annual Boot Walk to End Cancer® at Helix Park Nov. 14
• • UT MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer^®
• Houston Filipino Street Festival brings food, music and fireworks to Sugar Land
• • Houston Filipino Street Festival
• Houston Dynamo Legends Brian Ching & Wade Barrett celebrate Ching’s legacy ahead of big honors
• • Houston Dynamo FC Texas Derby Game
  • Brian Ching to be inducted into Houston Dynamo FS Ring of Honor
  • Brian Ching to be inducted into Houston Sports Hall of Fame
• The Perfect Pumpkins brings picture-perfect fall porches straight to your door
• • The Perfect Pumpkins

Friday, October 9

• Walt Disney Elementary teacher Jo Meek named KPRC 2 Teacher of the Month
• • KPRC 2 and Houston Life launch Teacher of the Month Contest to celebrate outstanding K-12 educators across Houston
• Thing 1 and Thing 3 stir up trouble ahead of Cat in the Hat’s return to the big screen
• • The Cat in the Hat | Official Movie Site | Warner Bros. Pictures
  • Houston Pumpkin Festival at Discovery Green
• Plan a fall day in Pearland: From haunted tours and seasonal dining to boutique shopping and more
• • Visit Pearland
• From “Ghost” to “Scandal” to “Law & Order”: Tony Goldwyn chats latest chapter
• • NBC’s “Law & Order”
• KPRC 2 Insiders, here’s your chance to win a $250 Kroger gift card! (October 2026 - February 2027)

Thursday, October 8

• Landry’s Chef Series: Fall flavors land at Morton’s The Steakhouse
• • Morton’s The Steakhouse
  • KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for a chance to win a $200 in Landry’s gift cards!
• Huzzah! The 52nd annual Texas Renaissance Festival opens this weekend
• • Texas Renaissance Festival
• The classic American road trip is back! Why you should head west to Nevada’s Reno-Tahoe Territory
• • Your Bucket List Guide
  • Reno-Tahoe Territory
• Kid‑tested spooky‑season toy guide: slime, heroes, zombies and more
• • Mr. Dylan Emery | Kid-Trepreneur, Entertainer & Spokesperson
• Join UT MD Anderson’s 11th annual Boot Walk to End Cancer® at Helix Park Nov. 14
• • UT MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer^®

Wednesday, October 7

• Dr. Ian Smith shares nutrition tips for navigating Menopause in his 30th book
• • Dr. Ian Smith’s new book ‘The New Menopause Kitchen’
  • ‘The New Menopause Kitchen’ Facebook group
• Texas Oncology Breast Care
• 7th annual ‘In a Pickle Festival’ bringing a whole lot of dill to Kingwood
• • In a Pickle Festival
• Walt Disney Elementary teacher Jo Meek named KPRC 2 Teacher of the Month
• • KPRC 2 and Houston Life launch Teacher of the Month Contest to celebrate outstanding K-12 educators across Houston

Tuesday, October 6

• Houston Attorney featured on new season of NBC’s The Traitors
• • NBC’s “The Traitors: New Blood”
• Veg ER
• “Gloria: A Life” brings Gloria Steinem’s story to the stage at Cypress Stage
• • “Gloria: A Life” at Cypress Stage
• Michael Douglas looks back on 60 years in Hollywood with new memoir ‘One Helluva Ride’
• • ‘One Helluva Ride’ by Michael Douglas

Monday, October 5

• Ventriloquist, singer and comedian Terry Fator chats new tour, new book and new music
• • Terry Fator
• Ready to hoop? The H-Town Classic is coming to the Academy in Katy this weekend
• • Academy Sports + Outdoors
• Best-selling author Brad Meltzer inspires readers with 40th book in his children’s series
• • Follow Brad Meltzer on Instagram
• Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, October 2

• Houston Bluesfest brings generations of blues to POST Houston
• • Houston Bluesfest (10% off tickets with code HL10)
• Join UT MD Anderson’s 11th annual Boot Walk to End Cancer® at Helix Park Nov. 14
• • UT MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer^®
• Meet Gonzo247, the man behind some of Houston’s most iconic street art
• • Gonzo247
• One of the most famous love stories of all time: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ now on stage at Alley Theatre
• • “Romeo and Juliet” at Alley Theatre

Thursday, October 1

• Houston Cinema Arts Festival opens with Mahershala Ali’s new film, “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother”
• • Houston Cinema Arts Festival
• What is a “poop root”? How tree roots can cause plumbing problems
• • Mission AC & Plumbing
• Call Me Mother exhibition spotlights Black maternal health
• • “The Call Me Mother Experience” at The Health Museum
  • Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton
• Pack your skis! Why Austria’s Skiwelt should be on your winter bucket list
• • Your Bucket List Guide
• Houston Christian University

Monday, September 28

• Oktoberfest 101: 4 beers, fun facts, food, and stein hoisting
• • What’s on Tap Radio
  • Equal Parts Brewing
• Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson chat new Apple TV comedy “Brothers”
• • Apple TV’s “Brothers”
• 3 simple design tips to make your space feel more stylish with Benjamin Johnston
• • Ben Johnston Design

Friday, September 25

• Tokyo X brings Japanese culture, sumo wrestling and 10-yen cheese coins to Houston
• • Tokyo X
  • Shōgeki Sumo
• Inside the AI-powered Novatio School, rethinking what a school day can look like
• • Novatio School
• What to know before bringing home a puppy plsu spotting puppy mill red flags
• • Houston Humane Society
  • Texas Humane Legislation Network

Thursday, September 24

• Join UT MD Anderson’s 11th annual Boot Walk to End Cancer® at Helix Park Nov. 14
• • UT MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer^®
• Grab your boots and get ready for some serious fair fun at the 90th annual Fort Bend County Fair
• • Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo
• Dessert Gallery celebrates 31 years of keeping Houston sweet
• • Dessert Gallery
• Making magical memories: The Travel Mom takes her 3-year-old grandson on a Disney Cruise
• • The Travel Mom
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Vacation Giveaways

Wednesday, September 23

• BOO! HL visits Houston Zoo to preview their annual Zoo Boo and all the month-long creepy crawly fun
• • Houston Zoo
  • Zoo Boo

Tuesday, September 22

• A book lovers dream returns to POST Houston this weekend at Readers Fest
• • Readers Fest at Post Houston
• A double knee replacement didn’t stop this Houstonian from skiing, golfing, and playing tennis
• • Dr. Berger Outpatient Hip and Knee
• Cheers to Fall: Pumpkin drinks, dishes and desserts to try this season
• • Goodtaste TV with Tanji Patton
• How Allied Outdoor Solutions can completely transform your space
• • Allied Outdoor Solutions
• From Gotham to H-Town: Who’s behind the wheel of Houston’s Batmobile?

Monday, September 21

• Kindness and community returns to Houston with award-winning ‘Come from Away’ at Stages Houston
• • ‘Come from Away’ at Stages Houston
• A Look Inside Surgical Tech Training
• • Fortis College
• How the City of Houston is keeping older adults in mind during Falls Prevention Awareness Week
• • Falls Prevention Awareness Week
• Full-arch implants in Houston: rebuild your smile with lasting stability
• • Texas Dental Implant Center
• ROCO, Houston’s Chamber Orchestra, kicks off season 22 with packed lineup for opening weekend
• • ROCO Houston Chamber Orchestra

Friday, September 18

• Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Salvador Dalí’s rare art comes to Houston thanks to Madame Christine Argillet, the last living link to the iconic artist
• • The Argillet Collection
  • “Salvador Dalí: The Argillet Collection”
• KPRC 2 Community: Standing with Houston families facing childhood cancer
• • Candlelighters
• The wait is over! Houston hot spot Burger Bodega has landed in Katy
• • Burger Bodega
• What’s in your water? Water purification company NECOA shows how Houston’s water measures up
• • NECOA
• Look Up: Discover Astrotourism in Australia’s Northern Territory
• • Australia’s Northern Territory
  • Your Bucket List Guide

Thursday, September 17

• Ben Chavez brings his “Golden Era” to the stage with “Last Day, County Fair”
• • Tickets to “Last Day, County Fair”
  • Follow Ben on Instagram
• Hands-On Training for High-Demand Jobs
• • Fortis College
• Lauren Kelly visits Jimmy Fallon at Rockefeller Center to chat Rodeo, Beyoncé and his fall season
• • NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
• Breathtaking destinations for the fall travel season
• • Travel Expert, Jeanenne Tornatore | The Outside Insider

Wednesday, September 16

• Get Growing: What to Plant in Your Houston Fall Garden
• • Urban Harvest Planting Guide
• ‘The Music Man’ brings Broadway charm to the Hobby Center
• • Theatre Under The Stars “The Music Man”
• Meet Fariha Nasir the interior designer crafting spaces that tell stories
• • Fariha Nasir Pennies for a Fortune

Tuesday, September 15

• What’s the beef with beef? Good Ranchers talks imported meats and what to look out for
• • Good Ranchers
• The art and beauty of Ballet Folklórico with Instituto de Arte Nokali
• • Instituto de Arte Nokali
• Comfort Foodies serves up love, culture and big flavor for Latin Restaurant Weeks
• • Comfort Foodies
  • Latin Restaurant Weeks
• KPRC 2’s “Enough”

Monday, September 14

• A cello concert in the great outdoors? Free shows coming to two Texas state parks
• • Wild Notes Foundation
• Houston native Armani Greer steps into the spotlight in Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married Again?’
• • Armani Greer
• Ready for Recess? Inside the new River Oaks spot built for the whole family
• • Recess River Oaks
• Filling the vital need for non-emergency medical transport
• • CarlMichaels Transportation & NEMT

Friday, September 11

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo “Mission Rodeo” podcast
• Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with traditional favorites at The New York Deli & Bagel Shop Bakery
• • The Bagel Shop Bakery
• 25 years after 9/11, Todd Hill’s story lives on through faith, purpose and hope
• • 9/11: Reflections of the Past 25 Years
  • Todd Hill 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Kefita coffee bringing authentic Ethiopian coffee and culture to Houston
• • Kefita Coffee
• Owen Wilson, Rodrigo Santoro & Scott Waugh chat high-stakes action thriller ‘Runner’
• • ‘Runner’ (2026) in theaters now

Thursday, September 10

• Veteran’s fishing wish granted by nonprofit
• • Twilight Wish Foundation
• Quality roofs, easy process: Why Adams Roofing treats roofs as a complete system
• • Adams Roofing
• The Travel Mom
• • Beaches
  • Trafalgar
  • National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions
• Two veterans, two comebacks: Why they’re saying “you’re not done yet”
• • Fenix Shepard
  • Loved Unconditionally: A Spiritual Memoir of Trauma, Addiction Recovery, and Finding God Beyond Religion

Wednesday, September 9

• The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
• • Texas Oncology
• 5 tips to avoid plumbing disasters
• • Village Plumbing & Air
• Việt Cultural Fest brings student robotics to Houston
• • Việt Cultural Fest
• The Perfect Pumpkins brings picture-perfect fall porches straight to your door
• • The Perfect Pumpkins

Tuesday, September 8

• The Travel Mom
• • Universal Kids Resort
• KPRC 2 Community: Standing with Houston families facing childhood cancer
• • Candlelighters Fun Walk
• Texas Dental Implant Center

Monday, September 7

• With love, from Fredericksburg! How the visitor bureau can help plan your stay
• • Visit Fredericksburg
• History, wine and Texas Charm at Das Peach Haus in Fredericksburg
• • Das Peach Haus
  • Dietz Distillery
  • Fischer & Wieser
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
• Step inside history at Fredericksburg’s National Museum of the Pacific War
• • National Museum of the Pacific War
• Make the most of your trip to Texas Hill Country with the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest
• • Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival
  • K Estate Winery & Vineyards
• Dot’s Bakery
• Albert Hotel

Friday, September 4

• Netflix’s “A Different World”
• • Stars from ‘A Different World’ reboot on Netflix chat about why the new series is a must-watch
• Dr. Rosie Thomas
• • Dr. Rosie Thomas explains the tax strategies small business owners need to know
• Rhythm Energy Question of the Week

Thursday, September 3

• Hank Schwaeble
• Hank Schwaeble’s “Normal for the Spider”
• Preemo’s Bakeshop
• “Miss Dee’s Kitchen” at The Hobby Center
• Jurassic Quest
• The Day Savers: A National Tradesmen Day Contest

Wednesday, September 2

• Southern Smoke Festival
• Houston Texans new Rivalries uniform is love letter to H-Town
• • Houston Texans Apparel
• 3 simple design tips to make your space feel more stylish with Benjamin Johnston
• • Ben Johnston Design

Monday, August 31

• National Matchmaker Day: Expert tips for setting up friends like a pro
• • Jenn Pinkerton
• Is your home Wi-Fi ready for back to school? Here’s what parents should know
• • Ezee Fiber
• Transform your existing patio into an outdoor retreat
• • Allied Outdoor Solutions
• The hidden reason you’re struggling to lose weight after 40
• • Optimal Body

Friday, August 28

• Houston Life celebrates 10 years on the air with epic lookback of the broadcast

Thursday, August 27

• Bar Moon brings cocktails, live music and a night out to Post Oak
• • Bar Moon
• Happy 190th birthday, Houston! Celebrate with FREE family-friendly activities at The Heritage Society
• • The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
• Companion Energy volunteers pamper pets at Houston Humane Society ahead of Clear The Shelters
• • Companion Energy
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• Harris County Public Library
• George Observatory

Wednesday, August 26

• Next Level Urgent Care
• Woodlands Christian Academy
• Happy National Dog Day! How dogs bring us together plus easy homemade treats for your furry friend
• • National Dog Day: Small Treats. Big Wags: The Neighborhood Edition
  • 6 free dog treat recipes
• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Derrick Shore and Cathy Hernandez take on the the ‘Minute-To-Win-It Oreo Challenge’

Tuesday, August 25

• Kam Franklin steps into the spotlight with her first solo album, ‘Land of the Neon Sun’
• • Kam Franklin’s Website
  • Preorder “Land of the Neon Sun” and receive a priority wristband to her album release party
• Singing, dancing, and a little murder, Night Court returns for another year of musical mayhem
• • Night Court at the Hobby Center
• Time Mission lands in Houston, bringing a new kind of social gaming adventure
• • Time Mission Houston

Monday, August 24

• 5 years of STEM magic: Crystal Lister shares 2 fun chemistry experiments
• • Mommy and Me The Listers
• From one restaurant to 6 locations, Local Table has been serving Houston for a decade
• • Local Table
• Next Level Urgent Care

Friday, August 21

• Antico Casa from Antico Pizza brings frozen Neapolitan-style pies to Houston (Aug. 20–23)
• • Antico Fine Food
• Donald and Lisa Pliner share their love story, fashion journey and legacy
• • The Selling of One’s Sole
• Kandi Burruss brings one-woman show “I Do, I Did, I’m Done,” to Houston
• • “I Do, I Did, I’m Done” Tickets
• Houston’s Starduster Lounge puts its spin on the viral martini trend
• • Starduster Lounge
• Next Level Urgent Care

Thursday, August 20

• Houston author Mariah Kingsley brings a fresh perspective to romance stories
• • “Fractured” on Amazon
• Labor Day Getaways: Vail Peaks, Coastal Sun in Corpus Christi and Tennessee’s Real-Deal Travel
• • Visit Corpus Christi
  • Discover Vail
  • Tennessee Vacation Instagram
  • Travel Expert, Jeanenne Tornatore | The Outside Insider
• Easy Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Actually Eat, Recipes & Packing Tips
• • My Diary of Us Lunchbox Guide

Wednesday, August 19

• Houston humidity, meet your match: Simple tips for frizz-free hair
• • Frequency Salon
• Mambo Seafood
• Meet Fariha Nasir the interior designer crafting spaces that tell stories
• • Fariha Nasir Pennies for a Fortune
• Actors Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris take us inside ‘The Brink of War’
• • The Brink of War

Tuesday, August 18

• What do school accountability ratings really tell us? Local non-profit Good Reason Houston breaks it down
• • Good Reason Houston
• How the UH Mariachi Pumas continue to bring Mariachi to a new generation
• • Follow UH Mariachi Pumas on Instagram
  • Houston Theater Week Presented by Huntington Bank
• How 80s supermodel Kim Alexis is living her best life after 55
• • Kim Alexis
• Clear the Shelters is back: Houston pets are ready for homes
• Next Level Urgent Care

Monday, August 17

• For one Katy grandfather, an 11,000-mile motorcycle ride is about more than the road
• • Do What You Love to End ALZ program
  • Follow Scott “Sugar Bear” Brown on YouTube
• Houston hip-hop legend Willie D is inviting everyone to his big 60th birthday party
• • The Roast of Willie D: Cooked by Legends Tickets
• Personalized Dental Implants: Dr. Michel Azer on restoring smiles in Houston
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, August 14

• Enter to win a getaway for two from The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau
• With love, from Fredericksburg! How the visitor bureau can help plan your stay
• • Visit Fredericksburg
• History, wine and Texas Charm at Das Peach Haus in Fredericksburg
• • Das Peach Haus
  • Dietz Distillery
  • Fischer & Wieser
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
• Step inside history at Fredericksburg’s National Museum of the Pacific War
• • National Museum of the Pacific War
• Make the most of your trip to Texas Hill Country with the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest
• • Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival
  • K Estate Winery & Vineyards
• Dot’s Bakery
• Albert Hotel

Thursday, August 13

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Disco, roller skates and 1980s fun: The Garden Theatre brings the musical world of ‘Xanadu’ to the stage
• • The Garden Theatre’s “Xanadu”
• Melanie Lynskey chats new Netflix film ‘Don’t Say Good Luck’
• • Netflix’s Don’t Say Good Luck
• Houston Dynamo FC celebrates 20 years of its 2006 MLS Cup Championship
• • Houston Dynamo FC
• Next Level Urgent Care

Wednesday, August 12

• Get ready for mystery: ‘The Girl on the Train’ now on stage at Alley Theatre
• • Alley Theatre’s “The Girl on the Train” tickets
• Water heater warning signs Houston homeowners shouldn’t ignore
• • Mission AC & Plumbing
• Humble’s Cris Sosa advances to AGT live shows after hilarious cereal comedy set
• • Comedian Cris Sosa
  • NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”
• Kenny and Ziggy’s owner Ziggy Gruber whips up traditional Jewish kugel for National Deli Month
• • Kenny & Ziggy’s

Tuesday, August 11

• Houston Theater Week is almost here! Here’s how to snag BOGO tickets to 400+ shows
• • Houston Theater Week Presented by Huntington Bank
• Back-to-School Anxiety: What Parents Need to Know
• • Houston Christian University
• How the DiIorio family is celebrating 70 years of family, farming and community
• • DiIorio Farms
• Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly talk love, loyalty and drama of ‘Ransom Canyon’ Season 2
• • Ransom Canyon on Netflix

Monday, August 10

• Clear the Shelters is back: Houston pets are ready for homes
• Eclipse cruises take off: The Travel Mom on why astro‑tourism is booming with Princess Cruises
• • The Travel Mom
  • Princess Cruises
• Bear Grylls takes the cast of ‘The Chosen’ Into the Wild in new Prime Video series
• • Prime Video’s “The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls”
• Next Level Urgent Care
• These women athletes from Afghanistan escaped Taliban rule. Now the players of Houston Shine FC find joy in soccer again
• • Houston Shine FC

Friday, August 7

• Houston’s Pink Phurree dragon boat team heads to France to celebrate breast cancer survivorship
• • Pink Phurree Dragon Boat Team
• Now playing: Queensbury Theatre’s brand new production of Mean Girls The Musical
• • Queensbury Theatre’s ‘Mean Girls The Musical’
• 12-year-old Houston golfer Alaina Villarreal makes her debut on Stephen Curry’s UNDERRATED Golf Tour
• • UNDERRATED Golf Tour
  • Alaina Villareal
• Protein-packed rice for easy weeknight meals with SunRice Protein+
• • SunRice

Thursday, August 6

• Kenny and Ziggy’s owner Ziggy Gruber whips up traditional Jewish kugel for National Deli Month
• • Kenny & Ziggy’s
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ to Houston
• • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents The Greatest Show On Earth
• Houston City College Is Where Art Meets Innovation
• • Houston City College
• Find Calm at the Coast: Travel Mom Emily Kaufman Celebrates ‘Spa Weekend’ at Terranea Resort
• • The Travel Mom
  • Travel Guard’s Spa Weekend Getaway Sweepstakes

Wednesday, August 5

• It’s National Sandwich Month: Husband-wife duo behind Yuma brings Brazilian flavor to a Cuban classic
• • Yuma
• WWE Superstar Trick Williams previews Survivor Series: WarGames coming to Houston
• • WWE Survivor Series: Wargames
• Ready to dance? Houston Rockets Clutch City Dancers to hold open auditions
• • Clutch City Dancers open Auditions
• Next Level Urgent Care

Tuesday, August 4

• Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly talk love, loyalty and drama of ‘Ransom Canyon’ Season 2
• • Ransom Canyon on Netflix
• Houston’s own Cris Sosa competes on NBC’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 21
• • Comedian Cris Sosa
  • NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”
• Gexa Energy marks 25 Years by volunteering with Meals on Wheels, The Beacon and Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore
• • Gexa Energy
• Brassica Shares the vegan secret behind its signature chocolate chip cookie
• • Brassica
• Master P Brings Hip-Hop History to Houston With Cash Money and No Limit Reunion Tour
• • Cash Money & No Limit Tour

Monday, August 3

• Houston students and teachers share their work beyond the classroom in new exhibition “The Sequence Is Yours”
• • Contemporary Arts Museum Houston‘s ‘The Sequence Is Yours’ Exhibition
• Sip, savor and celebrate Labor Day Weekend at the Galveston Island Wine Festival
• • Celebrity Chef Brian Duffy serves up a preview of the Galveston Island Wine Festival
  • Moody Gardens Galveston Island Wine Festival
• Modern dental implants give Houston patients natural, comfortable smiles
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, July 31

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• ‘Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire’ brings high-octane family fun to Houston
• • Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live Glow-N-Fire at Toyota Center
• There’s a story behind every building: Take a tour of Downtown Houston with Preservation Houston
• • Preservation Houston

Thursday, July 30

• Meet the twin sisters who turned their cheesecake passion into a successful business
• • KK Cheesecakes
• How HCU’s high-tech simulation lab is preparing nursing students for in-demand jobs
• • Houston Christian University Linda R. Dunham School of Nursing
• Gexa Energy marks 25 Years by volunteering with Meals on Wheels and The Beacon
• • Gexa Energy
• Garbage Girlfriend

Wednesday, July 29

• Houston Shakespeare Festival is back at Miller Outdoor Theatre with a reimagined lead in “The Tempest”
• • Houston Shakespeare Festival
• In the CLASSROOM with Kroger: How they’re helping parents and kids start the school year happy, healthy, and prepared
• • KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for your chance to win a $250 Kroger gift card!
  • Kroger
• Happy National Lipstick Day! Here’s the lowdown on choosing a matte, glossy, or satin pigment 💄
• • Makeup Artist Darcie Teasley
• Tony Danza is coming to Houston this week, here is where to see him
• • Doc’s Houston Presents Tony Danza - “Standards and Stories”

Monday, July 27

• Back-to-school safety: What kids should know and what parents should watch for in case of a school emergency
• • CPR and Safety Lady Gail Gould
  • Back to School Safety Webinar with CPR and Safety Lady Gail Gould
• Anaheim: The Urban Basecamp You Didn’t Know You Needed In Southern California
• • Gabe Saglie The Travel Guy
• Houston students turn thousands of plastic bags into an award-winning business
• • Plastic Free July
  • Next Use
• Allied Outdoor Solutions

Friday, July 24

• Houston celebrates Art House Theater Day with a “Car Wash” screening and preshow party
• • Houston Art House Theater Day
• The best tacos in Texas arrive in Houston this weekend + Texas Monthly Taco Editor‘s spicy gig getting paid to eat tacos
• • 2026 Texas Monthly Taco Fest South
  • Huncho’s Tacos
• BISSELL Pet Foundation Empty the Shelters
• Rosenberg Animal Control and Shelter

Thursday, July 23

• Meet the Houston Rig Hands: The city’s pro 3-on-3 basketball team 🏀🏀
• • Follow Houston Rig Hands on Instagram
  • BIG3 Playing at Toyota Center Tickets
• Houston City College’s Coleman Campus: Training the next generation of health care workers
• • Houston City College
• Vic Mignogna on Anime Matsuri, Star Trek & life with Dominique Sachse
• • Follow Vic Mignogna on Instagram
  • Anime Matsuri

Wednesday, July 22

• 16th annual Mayor’s Back 2 School & Health Fair brings free supplies, screenings to Houston families
• • Mayor’s Back to School & Health Fair
• Tips for Planning the Perfect Summer Getaway
• • Travel Expert, Jeanenne Tornatore | The Outside Insider
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Official Guide to Breckenridge
• Celebrate National Tequila Day at Zanti Cucina Italiana in River Oaks
• • Zanti Cucina Italiana
• Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman heading to Houston for blues experience
• • Performing Arts Houston Presents “Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience”

Tuesday, July 21

• How CenterPoint Energy says they’re building a stronger, more resilient electric grid
• • CenterPoint Energy Action Center
• NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior”
• Ox St. Kitchen
• Ivan Chavez Chavos BBQ
• The world’s fragrance community comes together at FRAGCON in Houston
• • Global Fragrance Convention

Monday, July 20

• Houston’s Girl Gone Grilling shares her buffalo chicken stuffed garlic bread
• • Katherine Salom “Girl Gone Grilling”
• Powerhouse performer Christina Wells, now in a wheelchair, is still lighting up Houston stages
• • Christina Wells
• When a smile needs more than veneers: one Houston patient’s transformation
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, July 17

• Hidden Omakase serves up a Summer favorite while continuing its comeback story
• • Hidden Omakase
• East Houston Medical Center works to improve access to health care in the community
• • East Houston Medical Center
• “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
• 13th Annual Ohana Surf Dogs Competition

Thursday, July 16

• 93Q’s Cowboys & Angels Concert Brings Country Stars to Houston
• • 93Q’s Cowboys & Angels
• Here’s Blue Willow Bookshop’s summer reading picks you need to add to your TBR
• • Blue Willow Bookshop
• UniverSoul Circus brings big top thrills to Houston Life
• • UniverSoul Circus

Wednesday, July 15

• Llamas, haunted houses, and mermaids?! Houston realtor Noel Collier talks HGTV’S ‘Extreme Buyers Club’
• • HGTV’s ‘Extreme Buyers Club’
  • Noel Collier Group
• Protect Yourself After a Crash: What to Do If You’re Illegally Solicited
• • The Miller Law Firm, home of The Texas Bulldog
• Skip the oven and beat the summer heat with this no-bake chocolate raspberry tart
• • Florence Jackson
• Raising Cane’s and the Norris family to honor Chuck Norris’ legacy on National Chicken Finger Day
• • Raising Canes

Tuesday, July 14

• Casa de Cultura turns a Houston gallery into a living archive one family story at a time
• • Photographer Violeta Álvarez
  • FreshArts
• The late Chuck Norris continues to empower kids through Kickstart Kids martial arts program
• • Kickstart Kids
  • Raising Canes
• Protein-Packed Plates: Casa do Brasil, Los Tios and a High Protein Bowl with Tanji Patton of Goodtaste TV
• • Goodtaste for the Soul with Tanji Patton

Monday, July 13

• Remembering the iconic artist David Adickes on his 99th birthday and his lasting legacy in Houston
• • David Adickes Art
• Spend the Summer at Moody Gardens: Animal encounters, weekly themes, and how to register
• • Moody Gardens
• There’s a story behind every building: Take a tour of Downtown Houston with Preservation Houston
• • Preservation Houston
• Celebrate 713 Day with Houston Rap Legend Lil’ Keke
• • Follow Lil Keke on Instagram
• Best places and deals around Houston to celebrate 713 Day

Friday, July 10

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Houston Hula Academy brings the spirit of Polynesia to Houston Life
• • Houston Hula Academy
  • Drums of the Pacific
• A car lover’s dream! Where to see life-size Hot Wheels cars in the Houston area
• • Hot Wheels Legends Tour
• Fire Up The Grill: Easy Grilling for a Crowd
• • III Catering
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Thursday, July 9

• Meet the Houston 6-year-old golfer makes national tournament history
• • Ascend Golf Academy
• Fort Bend County Fair Celebrates 90 Years with Pat Green, Sawyer Brown and a Star-Studded 2026 Lineup
• • Fort Bend County Fair
• Houston City College: College that fits your schedule
• • Houston City College
• Goode Company Seafood celebrates 40 years
• Goode Company Seafood x Texas Parks and Wildlife

Wednesday, July 8

• Fort Bend County Fair
• Fung’s Kitchen
• East Houston Medical Center hosts free FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties and a chance to win a free trip to the final
• • East Houston Medical Center
• Houston’s Ensemble Theatre marks 50th anniversary with premieres, revivals and, honoring the past
• • The Ensemble Theatre
• Stars of Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’ chat reimagining the iconic story
• • Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie

Tuesday, July 7

• KPRC 2 Insider
• Inside the New Era of Fitness: How 24 Hour Fitness Is Rethinking the Modern Gym
• • 24 Hour Fitness
• Cosmic Ice Cream and Trill Burgers teaming up for National Ice Cream day
• • Cosmic Ice Cream
  • Trill Burgers
• Houston Ballet’s Dance 2 Thrive program brings movement, music and wellness to the Community
• • Houston Ballet
  • Dance 2 Thrive registration form

Monday, July 6

• Why Trae Tha Truth Keeps Turning His Birthday Into Houston’s Biggest Give-Back
• • Traeday 2026
• PopUp Bagels lands in Houston — grip, rip and dip your way to a viral bagel
• • PopUp Bagels
• When a smile needs more than veneers: one Houston patient’s transformation
• • Texas Dental Implant Center
• Your Bucket List Guide
• Flora Houston
• Make this at home! The Two-Ingredient Cocktail Popping Up Around Houston During the FIFA World Cup 26™
• • Bucanita by Buchanan’s

Thursday, July 2

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• These women athletes from Afghanistan escaped Taliban rule. Now the players of Houston Shine FC find joy in soccer again
• • Houston Shine FC
• ‘Read With Jenna’ debuts cozy Book Nook aboard MSC Seascape sailing from Galveston
• • ‘Read with Jenna’
• Keep Kids Safe Around Water: Expert Guidance on Supervision and Drowning Prevention
• • Bivona Law Firm
• New Sprouts in Kingwood Is Here | And Yes, You Can Sample Just About Anything
• • Sprouts Farmers Market

Wednesday, July 1

• Celebrate America’s 250th with Houston Life’s special Fourth of July Show
• • Houston Christian University’s Independence Hall
  • Baytown’s Fourth of July Festivities
  • PBS’s Annual A Capitol Fourth celebration
  • Houston Zoo
  • Blue Bell Creameries
• LIST: Fourth of July fireworks, parades, celebrations across Greater Houston

Tuesday, June 30

• This Thai-inspired hot dog brings new flavor to your Fourth of July cookout
• • MaKiin Concepts Hospitality Group
• Firework Safety | Cy-Fair Fire Department, TX
• United Against Human Trafficking
• Houston native shares how being stranded at sea during COVID inspired a documentary, memoir and mission to help others
• • Angela Harger Productions
• 5 Things Houston Homeowners Should Know Before the Next Power Outage
• • GenPro.com

Monday, June 29

• Meet the cast of ‘Young Washington’ ahead of the film’s July 3rd release
• • ‘Young Washington’
• From Houston to American homes: Good Ranchers celebrates America’s 250th with homegrown meat
• • Good Ranchers
• New Zealand by train: Scenic journeys, culture and food
• • Gabe Saglie The Travel Guy
• Gexa Energy gives back: Make-A-Wish reveal brings joy to local child
• • Gexa Energy
• Hands-on training at Houston City College prepares students for high-demand careers
• • Houston City College

Friday, June 26

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Best Friends Animal Society hosts a free pet adoption event this Saturday
• • RSVP to Best Friends “Bring Love Home” Adoption Event
• Houston’s own Tyce Green stars in Disney’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’
• • Houston Broadway Theatre’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
• Stay connected with reliable internet during hurricane season
• • Ezee Fiber
• Better STAAR scores, bigger goals: Here’s why Good Reason Houston focuses on a path to a living wage
• • Good Reason Houston
• Baytown Is Going Big for the Fourth of July
• • Visit Baytown
• Rodney Atkins

Thursday, June 25

• Best Friends Animal Society hosts a free pet adoption event this Saturday
• • RSVP to Best Friends “Bring Love Home” Adoption Event
  • Best Friends Houston
• A New Sprouts Farmers Market Has Opened in Webster—Here’s What You’ll Find Inside
• • Sprouts Farmers Market
• Why this financial expert says small business success starts with financial organization
• • Aragon Tax Return Services
• Mattress expert links poor sleep to serious health risks
• • Texas Mattress Makers

Wednesday, June 24

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announces historic agriculture complex benefitting Texas youth
• • Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Vegan recipes to add to your summer cookout menu
• • Dr. Chinwe Orabuchi
• Could your roof be hiding storm damage: What Houston homeowners should know
• • Adams Roofing
• Companion Energy brings ‘Energy that Cares’ to the Houston Humane Society
• • Companion Energy
• Travel Mom Emily Kaufman says now’s the time to book Australia
• • Travel Mom
  • Visit Sydney
  • Visit South Wales

Tuesday, June 23

• Houston Life goes LIVE from new IKEA Webster ahead of Grand Opening
• • KPRC 2 Insiders, Enter for a chance to win IKEA gift cards!
  • IKEA
  • IKEA Webster: Friends and Family Shopping Event

Monday, June 22

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Family-owned restaurant Foreign Grill shares Uzbek flavors ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ match
• • Follow Foreign Grill on Instagram
• Prime Day Picks to upgrade your home
• • Home Improvement Expert, Kathryn Emery | Be The Best Home
• Meet the Houston skincare brand embracing beef tallow with no frills and all the beneficial ingredients
• • NutréLux Beauty
• Future-Proof Careers: Celebrating the HVAC Technicians Who Keep Houston Cool
• • Fortis College
• Why cruises are the hottest ticket this summer - expert tips & where to go
• • Carnival Cruises
  • Travel Expert, Jeanenne Tornatore | The Outside Insider

Thursday, June 18

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for your chance to win a $250 Kroger gift card!
• • Kroger
• The South Dakota Road Trip You Didn’t Know You Needed
• • Your Bucket List Guide
  • Travel South Dakota
• Hands-on training at Houston City College Southeast prepares students for high-demand careers
• • Houston City College
• Stay connected with reliable internet during hurricane season
• • Ezee Fiber

Wednesday, June 17

• WANTED: An audience ready to laugh at the Texas Outlaw Comics tonight at Houston Improv
• • Texas Outlaw Comics
• The cast of Netflix’s ‘I Will Find You’ talks bringing the bestselling thriller to life
• • Netflix’s Harlan Coben’s “I Will Find You”
• Saunawelt opens Houston’s first public European sauna house
• • Saunawelt
• Village Plumbing, Air & Electric shares summer safety tips as company celebrates 80 Years of servicing Houston
• • Village Plumbing

Tuesday, June 16

• ‘Heart & Hustle: Houston’ Star Muneera Page opens up about fame, friendship and season two
• • OWN’s “Heart & Hustle: Houston”
• Looking for a Father’s Day activity? See more than 100 exotic cars at Velocité in Houston
• • Velocité – A Father’s Day Tradition in Motion
• AEW Star Thunder Rosa balances two wrestling worlds while inspiring fans to chase their dreams
• • All Elite Wrestling at Smart Financial Centre
  • Follow Thunder Rosa on Instagram
• Transform your outdoor space with Carvestone - Plus, a chance to win $5,000 in outdoor furniture
• • Allied Outdoor Solutions

Monday, June 15

• Local 17-year-old filmmaker makes her mark with movie focusing on men’s mental health
• • “Used to Be” tickets
• WWE star Braun Strowman chats season 2 of ‘Everything On The Menu’
• • USA Network’s “Everything on the Menu With Braun Strowman”
• How Houston Habitat for Humanity is helping families build generational wealth
• • KPRC 2 Habitat for Humanity
  • Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Houston’s own Cris Sosa competes on NBC’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 21
• • Comedian Cris Sosa
  • NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”

Friday, June 12

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Why the Rothko Chapel may be Houston’s most transformative space
• • Rothko Chapel
• Keep your home cool and save on energy with these tips from Champion & Nash
• • Champion and Nash
• Marco’s Pizza brings New York-style pizza to your neighborhood
• • Marco’s Pizza
• Meet Yassine Cheuko, personal bodyguard to soccer superstar Lionel Messi

Thursday, June 11

• FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston

Wednesday, June 10

• Houston physician and educator Dr. Tim Garson makes history approachable and relatable to modern life in new book
• • Dr. Arthur “Tim” Garson
  • Book: “Five Thousand Years of Controversies: A Family’s Journey Through World History”
• Ishida Dance Company presents ‘Waiting/Rex’ at Asia Society Texas
• • Ishida Dance Company Tickets
• Father’s Day finds and summer-ready home upgrades
• • Kathryn Emery
• Peptides and functional health: How Antiage Institute helps Houstonians age better
• • Antiage Institute

Tuesday, June 9

• How a community effort saved Houston’s printmaking legacy
• How custom coasters are made by hand at Red Bird Press studio
• • Red Bird Press
• A 34-Day soccer watch party in Houston with Diplo, wagyu burgers and VIP lounges?
• • The Ranch Presents Pitch Live
• Find the right mattress with expert help in Texas
• • Texas Mattress Makers

Monday, June 8

• Meet Saxboy Billy, the man behind the viral “Puerto Rico Song”
• • Follow Saxboy Billy on Instagram
• Celebrate Culture through music and movement with Tx2 Dance Company
• • T2 Dance Company
• NBC’s ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18: What Lauren Kelly learned from the Hosts
• • NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior”
• Replace an entire arch, not just a tooth: How ONEARCH changes lives
• • Texas Dental Implant Center
• Visit San Antonio

Friday, June 5

• The music collective behind the Houston remix for FIFA World Cup 2026™
• • Bombón
  • Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Sonic ID
• Why Alley Theatre’s “Misery” is leaving Houston audiences gasping
• • Misery at Alley Theatre
• Young Houstonians will learn how to train like a pro at the Simple Truth Will Anderson Jr. ProCamp
• • Will Anderson Jr. Football ProCamp

Thursday, June 4

• Magician Michael Carbonaro is ready to wow fans in Houston with his new show ‘WONDERBOY’
• • Michael Carbonaro at Houston of Blues
• HCC Southwest ramps up hands-on training in AI, robotics and cybersecurity
• • Houston City College
• The Travel Mom’s tips for planning and booking a breathtaking Alaskan cruise
• • The Travel Mom
  • Holland America Cruises
• Spice Routes: Cardamom Challenge a culinary passport awaits at Houston’s stunning Ismaili Center
• • Ismaili Center

Wednesday, June 3

• Celebrate Freedom Festival returns to Emancipation Park this Saturday
• • Juneteenth Houston
• Why this red velvet cornbread recipe belongs on your Juneteenth table
• • Chef Cassi
• Houston Rockets Skills Camp returns to various locations this summer
• • Houston Rockets Youth Skills Camp
• KPRC 2’s 2026 Hurricane & Flood Survival Guide
• IMDB “Masters of the Universe”

Tuesday, June 2

• CPR and AED basics: Simple skills that can help save a life
• • Register for FREE CPR webinar on June 3
  • Gail Gould
• Meet the local break dancers uplifting women and youth through hip-hop, culture, and the arts
• • BGirl City Worldwide
• Cool Treats in the Heights: Where to find Hawaiian shaved ice and frozen cocktails
• • Happy Go Lucky

Monday, June 1

• Houston Author Jenny Block drops new book about finding authenticity, success and joy in life
• • Follow Jenny Block on Instagram
• The laughs keep coming in season 2 of Netflix’s ‘The Four Seasons’
• • Netflix’s “The Four Seasons”
• Discovery Green celebrating summer with free family fun and soccer-inspired events
• • Discovery Green
• Why natural looking dental implants are the new luxury in facial rejuvenation
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, May 29

• Texas Teen Pageant Queens use their platforms to empower foster kids, fight bullying, and inspire future farmers
• • Kyleigh’s Kidz
• Immersive Gamebox is launching ‘Soccer Arcade,’ the world’s first immersive soccer experience
• • Immersive Gamebox
• Tanji Patton reveals what’s next after 11 seasons of Goodtaste TV
• Sweet, Savory & Spicy: Creative cantaloupe recipes worth trying this Summer
• • Goodtaste with Tanji Patton

Thursday, May 28

• Game day skin care tips for FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties and summer heat
• • Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Sherry Ingraham
• A Quick Drive From Houston, This Louisiana Resort Delivers Vegas-Style Luxury Without the Flight
• • Coushatta Casino Resort
• Licasa Treatment Center Opens in Conroe to expand compassionate mental health and addiction care
• • Licasa Treatment Center

Wednesday, May 27

•  Powering Houston’s future: Electrical apprentices showcase skills at annual Wire-Off Competition 
• • IEC Texas Gulf Coast
• Los Souldees is the local band bringing the sounds you love from the past with a fresh Houston twist
• • Los Souldees

Tuesday, May 26

• Lone Star College
• A Houston little boy’s toughest battle led to a monster surprise!
• • Gexa Energy
• Captain MC’s Seafood
• The Window Source Houston

Friday, May 22

• Get your bike ready for summer rides with these simple safety tips
• • Sun & Ski Sports
• This easy road trip from Houston comes with luxury suites, gaming, and a powerful legacy
• • Coushatta Powwow
  • Coushatta Casino Resort
• Hear the hits - ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ in Houston
• • “The Carole King Musical” at Theatre Under the Stars
• Support local veterans while having fun at the Patriots Charity Classic
• • Patriots Charity Classic Event

Thursday, May 21

• The World comes to Houston! Here’s what to expect ahead of the FIFA Fan Festival™ kicking off in EaDo
• • FIFA Fan Festival™
• This easy road trip from Houston comes with luxury suites, gaming, and a powerful legacy
• • Coushatta Casino Resort - New Legacy Tower
• SUMMER SWEEPSTAKES: Enter to win 3 weeks of free airport parking from The Parking Spot
• • The Parking Spot
• Train for Houston’s in demand jobs at HCC Northeast - Public Safety, Automotive, & more
• • HCC Northeast
• Schlotzsky’s Deli launches new stacked subs in Houston - Try three bold flavors
• • Schlotzsky’s Deli

Wednesday, May 20

• Schlotzsky’s Deli launches new stacked subs in Houston - Try three bold flavors
• • Schlotzsky’s Deli
• Swap, shop, sustain: Houston’s eco-friendly clothing event returns this Sunday
• • The Houston Clothing Shop
• A Houston little boy’s toughest battle led to a monster surprise!
• • Gexa Energy
• Early detection, AI tools, personalized care redefine preventive health
• • Fountain Life Houston Clinic
• Get your backyard summer ready with pest control, pool upgrades, trampolines and whole home backup power
• • Kathryn Emery
• Need summer plans? This easy Galveston getaway has dinosaurs, beaches & lazy rivers
• • Moody Gardens

Tuesday, May 19

• In the Kitchen with Kroger: Memorial Day hosting doesn’t have to start from scratch
• • KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for your chance to win a $250 Kroger gift card!
  • Kroger
• Moody Gardens
• Houston Ballet closes 2025-2026 season with two standout productions
• • Houston Ballet
• From award-winning tv to action-packed films, Bob Odenkirk chats ‘Normal’
• • Follow Bob Odenkirk on Instagram

Monday, May 18

• Celebrate World Ocean Day in Galveston with art, music & ocean fun for free 🌊 🌊
• • Artist Boat
• A collector’s dream: U.S. Coins & Jewelry opens brand new showroom for buying and selling
• • U.S. Coins and Jewelry
• Mental Health Awareness Month: How to spot the signs when stress becomes something more
• • The Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
• Spring couple transforms builder-grade patio into beautiful backyard with Allied Outdoor Solutions
• • Allied Outdoor Solutions
• Why natural looking dental implants are the new luxury in facial rejuvenation
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, May 15

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• At Houston’s Alley Theatre, “Dear Alien” explores the beautiful weirdness of being human
• • “Dear Alien at Alley Theatre
• Gear up inside the newly renovated and relocated Sun & Ski Sports Memorial City
• • Sun & Ski Sports Memorial City
• The Travel Mom on the perks of RV life on the road
• • The Travel Mom
  • Go RVing

Thursday, May 14

• Musaafer Houston Beekeeper cocktail program highlights honey from local neighborhoods
• • Musaafer
• Help us save lives at the KPRC 2 Community Blood Drive with Gulf Coast Blood
• • Schedule an appointment
• Port Aransas
• Children’s Museum Houston

Wednesday, May 13

• Why one Fulshear homeowner calls his generator “The Easy Button”
• • GenPro.com
• Family fun meets coastal charm in Port Aransas, Texas’ premier Gulf Coast getaway
• • Port Aransas
  • Red Dragon Pirate Cruises
• Local chef turns pandemic setback into a thriving Filipino food pop-up business
• • Aleng Nina’s
  • Chef Nina’s Pop-up Event at Third Place

Tuesday, May 12

• Rob Riggle among authors featured in ‘A Celebration of Reading’ 2026
• • Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation
• Texas’ legendary 1877 tall ship ELISSA joins Sail250 voyage to New York Harbor
• • The Official Official Tall Ship of Texas
  • Galveston 250 Kickoff Party Tickets
• The Future of noninvasive wellness is in Sugar Land
• • Oasis Aesthetics & Wellness and Oasis Dry Eye Center
• Chef Jose Hernandez on his roots, restaurants, and fresh pasta
• • Savoir Restaurant
  • Patton

Monday, May 11

• Texas breweries shine at World Beer Cup as American Craft Beer Week kicks off
• • What’s on Tap Radio
• Could Retirement Living Actually Feel Like a Resort? Inside Life at Eagle’s Trace
• • Eagles’ Trace by Erickson Senior Living
• Empty Bowls Houston returns for its 20th anniversary
• • Empty Bowls Houston
  • Houston Food Bank

Friday, May 8

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Children’s Museum Houston and Houston Life present a first look inside the ‘Gallery of Wonder’ on KPRC 2
• Easy at-home kitchen STEM activities to spark curiosity with Children’s Museum Houston
• • Children’s Museum Houston
• Rung Film Festival returns to Houston, highlighting Pakistani storytellers on the big screen
• • Rung Film Festival
• Scammed out of $90,000: Houston woman shares warning for seniors
• • AARP Houston
• KPRC 2’s “Eat Like a Local”

Thursday, May 7

• Celebrate National Hamburger Month with OMG! Burger
• • OMG! Burger
• How Houston City College Is Building the City’s Workforce
• • Houston City College
• The Insperity Invitational presented by United Healthcare happening in The Woodlands this weekend
• • Insperity Invitational
• Bridge the Gaps

Wednesday, May 6

• From local finds to feel-good vibes, ‘Shop Fulshear First’ family-friendly night market
• • “Shop Fulshear First”
• Why you keep repeating the same unhealthy relationship patterns and how to change them
• • Jenn Pinkerton
• Houston Grand Opera

Tuesday, May 5

• Bun B announces “UGK Been Ridin’ Dirty,” Celebrating 30 Years of a Southern Hip-Hop Classic
• • Bun B Presents “Been Ridin’ Dirty” Tickets
• From classroom to center stage: The Tommy Tune Awards showcase Houston’s rising theatre talent
• • Tommy Tune Awards Finalists List
• Houston Life co-hosts learn calligraphy with live event artist Jenny Blaschke
• • Jenny Blaschke

Monday, May 4

• “Houston’s Enchilada Queen” Sylvia Casares serving up big flavor & family tradition
• • Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
• This Houston program uses comedy to build confidence and change lives
• • Comedy Unlocked
  • The Opportunity Center
• Hot products: Summer grillin’ and chillin’ with Lifestyle and Home Improvement expert Kathryn Emery
• • Kathryn Emery
• New Smile: AI-driven design at Texas Dental Implant Center
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, May 1

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Teatro Indigo
• Teatro Indigo at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
• Mahjong for a Cause
• Sam Houston Race Park

Thursday, April 30

• St‑Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• National Pet Month is here! Houston SPCA offers tips for responsible pet ownership
• • Houston SPCA
• From Knee Replacement to the Boston Marathon: A Story of Movement, Medicine, and Meaning
• • Dr. Richard A. Berger Outpatient Hip and Knee Surgery
• Tyler Henry “The Hollywood Medium” heading to Houston for unforgettable live show
• • Tyler Henry Live at Smart Financial Center
  • Connect with Tyler Henry

Wednesday, April 29

• In the Kitchen with Kroger: Celebrate Mother’s Day with Kroger, the world’s largest florist
• • KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for your chance to win a $250 Kroger gift card!
• Sail into Alaska with Princess Cruises - tips from The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman
• • The Travel Mom
  • Princess Cruises
• How wearing denim became an international symbol of supporting assault survivors and victims
• • National Denim Day
  • Fort Bend Women’s Center
• Country superstar Parker McCollum surprises nurses ahead of National Nurses Week

Tuesday, April 28

• Inside Golden Roastery: A popular Middle Eastern shop serving traditional desserts and coffee
• How to make a popular Arab dessert Kunafa
• • Golden Roastery (Walk-in offer only; get 20% off Kunafa items from now to May 10)
• Help us save lives at the KPRC 2 Community Blood Drive with Gulf Coast Blood
• • Community Blood Drive at KPRC 2
• Cedric The Entertainer brings the laughs in new Netflix animated film ‘Swapped’
• • Netflix’s ‘Swapped’

Monday, April 27

• Summer safety for kids: what parents need to know
• • Bivona Law Firm
• From Blueprint to Backyard Oasis: A Missouri City Transformation Designed for Real Life
• • Allied Outdoor Solutions
• First annual AAPI Fest coming to Alief
• • AAPI Fest
  • Kaminari Taiko of Houston,
• The story behind Agnes and Sherman where Asian flavors meet American comfort food
• • Agnes and Sherman
  • AAPI Restaurant Weeks
• Hosts Mike “The Miz” Mizanin and Rocsi Diaz chat reboot of ‘American Gladiators’
• • American Gladiators

Friday, April 24

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Step inside August Wilson’s “Fences” at Houston’s Alley Theatre - A timeless story of love, legacy, and second chances
• • August Wilson’s “Fences” at Alley Theatre
• Prime Video’s ‘Cocaine Quarterback’ Owen Hanson visits Houston, shares incredible comeback story
• • “Cocaine Quarterback” on Prime Video
• National Bucket List Day: A Trafalgar River Cruise with The Travel Mom
• • The Travel Mom
  • Trafalgar

Thursday, April 23

• Silambam Houston highlights the beauty of Indian classical dance at the Hobby Center
• • Silambam Houston
• A preview of Great Age on the Green, Houston’s new festival celebrating aging boldly
• • Great Age on the Green
• Kids learn money the fun way with Financial Fortunes card game
• • Financial Fortunes Card Game
• Teeing off for the LPGA’s first major of the season - The Chevron Championship
• • The Chevron Championship

Wednesday, April 22

• Houston is driving the Biotech future - starting with students
• • Texas Medical Center BioPath Program
• From ‘Dance Moms’ to the stage and page: Nia Sioux’s next act
• • Follow Nia Sioux on Instagram
• From ‘Dance Moms’ to the stage and page: Nia Sioux’s next act
• • Nia Sioux’s Memoir “Bottom of the Pyramid”
• Wildflowers, western heritage, and a Mother’s Day to remember at The George Ranch
• The George Ranch

Tuesday, April 21

• Orchid care 101: Simple tricks to keep your orchids blooming longer
• • Ace Berry
  • Flora & More
• Affordable luxury: New upholstered bed collection unveiled at Texas Mattress Makers
• • Texas Mattress Makers
• Music, food and rodeo fun for all at the Galveston County Fair & Rodeo
• • Galveston County Fair & Rodeo
• Texas Dental Implant Center

Monday, April 20

• Robins Landing Neighborhood Floor Plans - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Homeownership Process - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Volunteering - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• ReStore - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Third Ward - Houston Habitat for Humanity

Friday, April 17

• ‘Houston Life’ is live today at the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Spring
• • Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market® SPRING
  • Dog Collar World
  • Linked by Stevi
  • The Hive
  • Big Creek Farms
  • EK The Boutique
  • House of Cottonwood
  • ParkerJoe

Thursday, April 16

• TUTS presents ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’ rides into the Hobby Center
• • Monty Python’s Spamalot at TUTS Tickets
• One ticket, endless fun at the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo
• • Galveston County Fair and Rodeo
• Carpet Giant celebrates 50 years of proudly serving generations of Houstonians
• • Carpet Giant Website (mention Houston Life to get $150 off your purchase of $1,000)
• Faith ‘One Arm Wonder’ Malton and Zack ‘Pitbull’ Ruhl rappel 30 stories for non-profit Camp For All
• • Camp For All
  • Faith Malton

Wednesday, April 15

• Brush up on your makeup routine at Blushington River Oaks
• • Houston Life Deals (Get 20% off beauty services at Blushington River Oaks)
  • Blushington River Oaks
• The King himself shares how to save 20% on tickets to the Texas Renaissance Festival
• • Texas Renaissance Festival
• Ethan’s Ohana
• Cube Against Cancer 2026 Houston
• Cube Against Cancer
• Fortis College

Tuesday, April 14

• Former Texans WR Steven Sims Jr. to host FREE youth football camp
• • Must See Foundation
• Why it’s not just the generator - it’s the company behind it
• • Gen Pro
• How the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce helps local companies grow
• • Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Step Onward Foundation uses music to fight homelessness in Texas
• • Step Onward Foundation
  • Sunday Funday Community Celebration

Monday, April 13

• Robins Landing Neighborhood Floor Plans - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Homeownership Process - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Volunteering - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• ReStore - Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Third Ward - Houston Habitat for Humanity

Friday, April 10

• Your guide to the Houston Barbecue Festival this weekend: Top pitmasters, unlimited BBQ samples, and more
• • Houston BBQ Festival
• Texas CASA’s partner agencies train volunteers to be a voice and a lifeline for children in the foster care system
• • Become a CASA
• ‘Grow the Game’ Initiative expands soccer access in Houston ahead of the World Cup with Guinness World Records attempt
• • Airbnb GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™
• Houston’s Garden Theatre celebrates 5 years with Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”
• • The Garden Theatre
• Father daughter duo Steve Zahn and Audrey Zahn chat new film ‘She Dances’

Thursday, April 9

• The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary kicks off 22nd annual ‘Chic Boutique’
• • Chic Boutique
• Aramie Payton brings Broadway pedigree to Alley Theatre’s revival of “Fences”
• • Alley Theatre
• Layoff leads Houston creator to viral small business mission
• • Follow David on Instagram
• At just 19, Jalyn Hall is stepping into his moment
• • NBC’s “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins”
• KPRC 2’s “Eat Like a Local”

Wednesday, April 8

• Houston Underwater Film Festival returns this weekend with stunning ocean films 🌊🌊
• • School, college and scuba students: claim a free ticket by emailing huff@hups.org
  • Houston Underwater Film Festival Tickets
• Celebrate Earth Month by sipping sustainably!
• • Wine and Travel Contributor Daniela Garrido
• Shred Day Houston: Safely destroy documents and fight hunger on April 18
• • Comerica Shred Day Houston
• Trade-show-tested home picks: Coffee, Water, Bidets and Moving Gear
• • Kathryn Emery Home Improvement & Lifestyle Expert
• A kid’s guide to top play picks to cut screen time and spark creativity
• • Kid-trepreneur Dylan Emery

Tuesday, April 7

• Grand Marshals Kam Franklin & Brian Ching preview the 39th annual Art Car Parade
• • Houston Art Car Parade
• This Texas artist is turning Titanic artifacts into art
• • Souls of the Titanic
• In Houston, Your Windows May Not Last as Long—Here’s What to Know (and What to Do About It)
• • Pella Windows and Doors
• Houston’s Trillest Chef bringing bold flavors of H-Town the national stage
• • Follow Chef Machete on Instagram
• Texas Dental Implant Center

Monday, April 6

• Houston’s Garden Theatre celebrates 5 years with Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”
• • The Garden Theatre
• Sysco’s World Cup-themed food show is a preview of how Houston plans to feed the world
• • Sysco World Cup-themed food show
• The Houston Art Car Parade

Friday, April 3

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• WWE Wrestler Je’Von Evans
• WWE Monday Night Raw at Toyota Center Tickets
• IBEW Local 66
• KPRC 2’s “Eat Like a Local”

Thursday, April 2

• Disney on Ice
• The Chevron Championship
• Maxine Sharf brings ‘Maxi’s Kitchen’ to Houston Life with her mom
• • Follow Maxine Sharf on Instagram
  • “Maxi’s Kitchen: Easy Go-To Recipes to Make Again and Again”
• Father daughter duo Steve Zahn and Audrey Zahn chat new film ‘She Dances’

Wednesday, April 1

• Spring gets sweeter with two easy recipes: Carrot cupcake and blueberry crumble bun
• • Follow Cookbook Author Florence Jackson on Instagram
• This Houston Restaurant Hasn’t Raised Prices Since Its Food Truck Days
• • Black Restaurant Week
  • Chitalian Pizzeria
• Tarot, the Fool card and finding meaning on Derrick’s birthday (April Fool’s Day)
• • Tarot Card Reader Amber Ambrose
• Theatre Under the Stars presents ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ through April 5th
• • TUTS “Back to the Future: The Musical”

Tuesday, March 31

• Send Well Wishes to Tessa on her last day
• • Tessa Barrera announces she’s leaving ‘Houston Life’
• Calling all book lovers: Houston indie bookstore crawl returns for its third year of literary adventure
• • 2026 Houston Bookstore Crawl
• Preview the 13th annual Insperity Invitational presented by United Healthcare
• • Insperity Invitational
• Texas roots and coastal growth, how the Oyster Bros in Palacios are redefining the gulf oyster
• • Oyster Bros
• Goodtaste with Tanji Patton

Monday, March 30

• How Autism Moms of Houston became a lifeline for families raising children who are neurodivergent
• • Autism Moms of Houston
  • Autism Awareness Festival
• An offer fit for a new you! Grab the Alloy Personal Training Houston Life Deal
• • Alloy Personal Training Houston
  • Houston Life Deals
• Who’s responsible when a child is hurt at daycare?
• • Bivona Law
• At just 19, Jalyn Hall is stepping into his moment
• • NBC’s “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins”

Friday, March 27

• Family fun, charity, & of course golf shine at Texas Children’s Houston Open ⛳
• • Texas Children’s Houston Open
  • TCHO Cleats for Kids

Wednesday, March 25

• Tessa Barrera announces she’s leaving ‘Houston Life’
• Plan aims to turn Garden Oaks Theater into an arts hub before it’s too late
• • Save the Garden Oaks Theater
• Fore! Preview the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open
• • Texas Children’s Houston Open
• Women, Wealth, and breaking ‘The Success Lie’
• • Chantell Preston
  • “The Success Lie” by Chantell Preston
• McGovern Allergy & Asthma Clinic
• Gexa Energy

Tuesday, March 24

• From puppy playtime to pesky nipping, helpful springtime tips for dog owners
• • Stephanie Bennett’s Believe in Dog Training
• How one Houston program is helping kids discover confidence—and their future
• • Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America
• Houston Ballet’s Busy Spring: Nutcracker Market, Sons de L’âme & YAGP Finals
• • Houston Ballet
• Breaking barriers and popping corks with CEO and Master Sommelier June Rodil
• • Master Sommelier June Rodil
  • Goodnight Hospitality

Monday, March 23

• Blooming Wonders at ARTECHOUSE
• • Spring arrives at ARTECHOUSE Houston with ‘Blooming Wonders’
• Texas Dental Implant Center
• • Trusted Dental Implant Care in Houston — Board-Certified Periodontist Helps Complex Cases
• Disability Attorney Marc Whitehead
• • Expert tax advice: Are your Social Security and Disability benefits taxable?
• Allied Outdoor Solutions
• • From basic to beautiful: See this stunning backyard transformation in Weston Lakes

Thursday, March 19

• Springtime fun at the Houston Zoo
• • Zoo Bloom
  • All you can Zoo
  • Saving the Galápagos Islands

Wednesday, March 18

• Houston Latino Film Festival celebrates 10 Years with Cheech Marin
• • Houston Latino Film Festival
• Find the good vibes every weekend for Jazzy Sundays in the Parks
• • Jazzy Sundays in the Parks
• Get to know Dash rising star, Avery Patterson
• • Houston Dash
• Kevin Williamson makes fans SCREAM all over again in latest franchise installation
• • Kevin Williamson
• Self Employed? Tax Filing Moves That Help You Qualify for a Mortgage
• • Habayit Home Loans
  • Mortgage Expert Rich Bonn’s Upcoming Webinar

Tuesday, March 17

• Houston’s Mezclada Dance Company blends hip hop, Latin and contemporary dance forms into high-energy performances
• • Performing Arts Houston New/Now featuring Mezclada Dance Company
• METRO rolls out systemwide changes: A first look at the new technology to help streamline your ride
• • Metro Houston
• Houston Life Deals: Fun & savings for the entire family
• • HoustonLifeDeals.com
• Frontier Utilities teams with Kids’ Meals Houston to pack thousands of meals
• • Frontier Utilities

Monday, March 16

• Affordable rodeo-ready outfits you can find at Target this season
• • Target.com
• Houston’s growing need for linemen: Why the trade pays and how to start
• • IBEW Local 66
• ET hosts Nischelle Turner and Kevin Frazier share highlights from the 98th Academy Awards
• • Entertainment Tonight Oscars Coverage
• Houston Ballet principal dancer Karina González brings Frida Kahlo to life in Broken Wings
• • “Broken Wings” at Houston Ballet Tickets
• The Largest Indoor Waterpark in the U.S.? It’s Just a Road Trip from Houston
• • Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

Friday, March 13

• HL Rhythm Energy Question of the Week
• Houston Life Deals: Fun & savings for the entire family
• Outriding the Devil: Angela Ganter’s incredible rodeo comeback
• • Outriding the Devil premieres at River Oaks Theatre
• ‘Aliens’ 40th anniversary cast reunion and more at Pop Culture Con 2026
• • Pop Culture Con
• Alley Theatre brings Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” to Houston with a fresh twist
• • “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Alley Theatre Tickets
• Bounce your way to better fitness: trampoline workouts in West U
• • Motiv Fitness at West University
• Moon 2 Mars Festival returns to Space Center Houston with out-of-this-world fun and concerts this spring break
• • Space Center Houston

Thursday, March 12

• KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for your chance to see Tim McGraw at RODEOHOUSTON
• The Birthday Joy Program helps kids in foster care, shelters and group homes celebrate their special day
• • the Birthday Joy Program Website
• Inside “The Feminine Universe” Houston’s new all-women immersive art experience
• • The Feminine Universe Art Show Tickets
• Bring the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo home with these sips and bites
• • Entertaining Expert Paul Zahn
• Spring is in full swing at CITYCENTRE Houston
• • CITYCENTRE
• Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

Tuesday, March 10

• Enjoy Spring Break at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
• • Houston Museum of Natural Science
• Honoring the fallen & recognizing community heroes
• • Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
  • BP America
• Houston author Margie Seaman proves it is never too late to chase a dream
• • Margie Seaman
  • “Someday Is Our Horizon” by Margie Seaman on Amazon

Monday, March 9

• NestFest beach cleanup invites volunteers to protect nesting sea turtles on the Galveston Coast
• From bumper boats to STEAM activities, enjoy a FUNonmenal spring break at Discovery Green
• • FUNomenal Spring Break at Discovery Green
• This veteran-owned business is helping Houstonians keep the heat the out and the savings in with new windows
• • The Window Source
• You’ve been diagnosed with cancer, now what? Non-profit CanCare pairs you with survivors who can help
• • CanCare
• Spring Break Staycation: Why The Travel Mom says Houston families love Great Wolf Lodge
• • The Travel Mom
  • Great Wolf Lodge

Friday, March 6

• Houston Life Deals
• Pickle vs. anime: Largest pickle festival in Texas comes to Rosenberg with anime-inspired food
• • In A Pickle Festival
• Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks: Best days to book, when to fly and top savings
• • Expedia Air Hacks Report
• The Parking Spot making airport parking a breeze
• • The Parking Spot
• A rustic dream venue just outside Houston
• • Country Oaks Venue
• Rare Texas artifacts step out ‘From the Vault’ at The Bryan Museum
• • The Bryan Museum
• Rhythm Energy Question of the Week

Thursday, March 5

• Gold Buckle Foodie Awards at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Houston Life Deals
• Avoiding vacation headaches: New Vrbo survey on group travel reveals common pet peeves
• • Vrbo
• Houston wellness trend: A local body sculpting technique focused on lymphatic health
• • The Tox
• Catching up with Russell Dickerson ahead of debut RODEOHOUSTON performance
• • RODEOHOUSTON

Wednesday, March 4

• Houston Life Deals
• Moon 2 Mars Festival returns to Space Center Houston with out-of-this-world fun and concerts this spring break
• • Space Center Houston
• What to Wear to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Your Ultimate Style Guide 
• • Boot Barn
• Destin-Fort Walton Beach, more than beaches: reefs, fishing, little adventures
• • Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach
• Baz Luhrmann’s ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert’ gives fans a front-row seat to The King
• • “EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert” Film

Tuesday, March 3

• Diana Ross coming to Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
• Learn about the untold history of Black baseball
• • Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy
• Houston Life Deals
• Modern dental implants give Houston patients natural, comfortable smiles
• • Texas Dental Implant Center
• Houston native Kyrie McAlpin Talks ‘The Burbs’, Keke Palmer & a very Seth MacFarlane Christmas party

Monday, March 2

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• • Houston Life kicks off opening day at 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Suits & Boot Injury Lawyers

Friday, February 27

• Gabriel Basso takes us behind the scenes of Netflix’s ‘The Night Agent’
• • Netflix’s “The Night Agent”
• Mudbug Mania: Tanji Patton celebrates crawfish season in Houston
• • Goodtaste with Tanji Patton
  • Crawfish Shack
  • Crawfish Hideaway
• Theatre Under The Stars reveals 2026-27 season with Broadway tours & local shows
• • Theatre Under the Stars
• Boot Barn
• What to see and do in Malta — beaches, history and booking tips from The Travel Mom
• • The Travel Mom

Thursday, February 26

• Diana Ross at The Sugar Land Smart Financial Center
• KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for a chance to see Creed perform at RodeoHouston
• Get a peek inside RodeoHouston’s World Championship BBQ Cookoff
• • Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Soulful river cruises that connect Black travelers to heritage and culture
• • AmaWaterways Soulful Experience River Cruise
• Houston Life Deals
• Allied Outdoor Solutions
• HCC Southeast College

Wednesday, February 25

• Behind the scenes of TUTS’ ‘Million Dollar Quartet’
• • Tickets to ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at Theatre Under the Stars
• Houston influencers share their best thrifting tips for Rodeo
• • Find your nearest Goodwill store
• Plan the ultimate spring break getaway for everyone at Moody Gardens
• • Moody Gardens
• Ride along: METRO Police Chief explains new safety measures for Houston transit
• • Metro Houston

Tuesday, February 24

• Spring Break, but make it San Antonio
• • Visit San Antonio
• Alley Theatre’s ‘English’ explores identity, belonging, and the weight of learning a new language
• • Tickets to ‘English’ at Alley Theatre
• Looking for a Career Change? Here’s How You Could Be Job-Ready in 10 Months
• • Learn more about programs at United Education Institute Houston

Monday, February 23 (WE ARE BACK!!!)

• Indian Film Festival of Houston celebrates France with film, food and culture
• • Indian Film Festival of Houston Website
• KPRC 2 INSIDERS: Enter for a chance to see Riley Green perform at RodeoHouston
• • Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Chris Hemsworth will keep you on the edge of your seat in ‘Crime 101’
• • “Crime 101” Movie Times
• Modern dental implants give Houston patients natural, comfortable smiles
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

February 6 - 20

• Houston is off air due to the Winter Olympics, but that doesn’t mean we’ll stop entertaining you. Be sure to follow us on social media to see all the HL fun. We’ll be back Feb. 23.
• • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Thursday, February 5

• Papa Johns Pizza
• The Cody Stephens Foundation saves lives with free heart screenings for young athletes
• • Cody Stephens Foundation
• Get ready for the return of the one and only Monster Jam in Houston
• • Tickets to Monster Jam at NRG Stadium
• Getting your best night’s sleep: How the latest materials and technology can help you sleep better
• • Texas Mattress Makers
• What is an “Orphan Generator”? And why it could put Houston homes at risk during an outage
• • GenPro.com
• Follow Mersha the Mini Panther on Instagram (Use MERSHA20 to get a discount at PrettyLitter)

Wednesday, February 4

• Simon & Garfunkel Story at The Sugar Land Smart Financial Center
• Behind the scenes of ‘Real Women Have Curves’ on stage at Alley Theatre
• • Tickets to ‘Real Women Have Curves’ at Alley Theatre
• Decoding body language: How to spot liars, read subtle signals, and communicate with confidence
• • Jan Hargrave
• In the Kitchen with Kroger: Why they are your one stop shop for the Big Game and Valentine’s Day
• • Kroger

Tuesday, February 3

• MFAH’s new exhibit explores Frida Kahlo’s lasting legacy
• • ‘Frida: The Making of an Icon’ at MFAH
• United Way of Greater Houston’s 211: Help is one call away
• • United Way of Greater Houston’s 211 Helpline
• After the freeze - now what? How to care for perennials and shrubs in Houston
• • Gardening with Skip
  • Houston Home and Garden Show
• Go back in time at Popfancy Dessert Bar’s new retro 80’s sci-fi arcade cafe
• • Popfancy Fan Cafe

Monday, February 2

• Kenny G at The Sugar Land Smart Financial Center
• The relationship advice that helps couples feel closer — even during hard conversations
• • Connection Expert Jenn Pinkerton
  • Connectin Cards Couples Edition on Amazon
• Paris Hilton’s “Infinite Icon”
• Arandas Bakery
• Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, January 30

• Monster Energy Supercross heads into Houston featuring the world’s fastest racers
• • Monster Energy Supercross at NRG Stadium This Weekend
• From Trinidad and Tobago to Top Chef: Tristen Epps’ journey is rooted in culture
• • Chef Tristen Epps
  • A Classically Black Dinner - Vibrant + Modern + African
• Few physicians leave a legacy like this: Houston honors cancer pioneer Dr. Philip Salem
• • Salem Oncology Center
• The Travel Mom: Family-Friendly Wave-Season Deals from Princess
• • The Travel Mom
  • Princess Cruises

Thursday, January 29

• The Simon & Garfunkel Story at The Sugar Land Smart Financial Center
• Former KPRC 2 reporter shares ‘With Love From Harlem’: The story behind America’s First Black power couple
• • ReShonda Tate’s new book ‘With Love from Harlem’
• American Home Buyer
• How personalized aesthetics - Botox, fillers & lasers - can help you age better
• • Anti Age Institute
• The cast of ‘Bridgerton’ takes us behind-the-scenes of the ton for season 4
• • Netflix’s Bridgerton Season 4

Wednesday, January 28

• KPRC 2’s new evening anchor Stephania Jimenez makes her Houston debut with passion and purpose
• • Follow Stephania on her KPRC 2 Instagram Account
• Cars, boats and more: What to know about this year’s Houston AutoBoative Show 2026
• • Houston Autoboative Show (Save $20 with Family Four Pack Option)
• Get a taste of Old Town Katy with Tanji Patton of Goodtaste TV
• • Goodtaste with Tanji Patton
  • Peanut Butter Pie from Southern Dough
  • Southern Dough Baking Co.
  • Humble Grounds Coffeehouse
  • Harvest Kitchen & Bakery
• A Family Business Built on Trust: Luke’s Plumbing & Air Conditioning Serves Houston for Over 30 Years
• • Luke’s Plumbing & Air Conditioning

Tuesday, January 27

• Remembering the iconic artist David Adickes on his 99th birthday and his lasting legacy in Houston
• • David Adickes Art Website
  • Follow ‘Adickes Art’ on Instagram
• Plan a Vacation Day: Experts share 2026 travel trends and how to protect your trip
• • The Travel Mom
  • Follow The Travel Mom Emily Kaufman on Instagram
  • Travel Guard Insurance
• Texans Serving Texans: Gexa Energy gives back
• • Gexa Energy
• Bill Skarsgård steps beyond horror roots in new film, ‘Dead Man’s Wire’

Monday, January 26

• Houston relationship and intimacy expert dishes on the small relationship habits that make love last
• • Houston Relationship Therapy
  • VIVID Relationships app
• Crawfish & Noodles gearing up for a busy crawfish season
• • Crawfish & Noodles
• Traveling smarter in 2026: What travel experts say to book now
• • Travel Expert Jeanenne Tornatore
  • Follow the Outside Insider on Instagram

Friday, January 23

• Discover why Sam Houston Race Park is a top spot for family outings with “Houston Life”
• • Sam Houston Race Park
  • Corgi Races
  • Shannon Jewelers Presents Diamond Dig
  • Wiener Dog Races

Thursday, January 22

• WEIGH IN: What are your must have products during a freeze?
• Cars, boats and more: What to know about this year’s Houston AutoBoative Show 2026
• • Houston Autoboative Show (Save $20 with Family Four Pack Option)
• Honoring Dr. Philip A. Salem for innovations in cancer care and research
• • Salem Oncology Center
• Bert Kreischer talks fatherhood, fame, and his new scripted comedy series, “Free Bert”
• • Netflix’s “Free Bert”
• Last chance to enjoy the Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
• • Ice at Discovery Green

Wednesday, January 21

• Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz & Chase Sui Wonders chat comedy series ‘The Studio’
• • Apple Tv+’s ‘The Studio’
• Allied Outdoor Solutions
• Living Designs Furniture
• The Women’s Resource empowers women and girls through free financial and career coaching services
• • The Women’s Resource
• Houston woman helps bring Black cowboy history to PBS
• • Alma’s Way on PBS Kids
  • Black Cowboy Coalition

Friday, January 16

• School Makes You Super: KPRC-TV reporter and mom Haley Hernandez debuts first children’s book to ease school anxiety
• • Buy ‘School Makes You Super" here
• Children’s Museum Houston celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• • MLK Day Celebration at Children’s Museum Houston
• Two experts explain why Key Largo, Florida should be on your 2026 travel list
• • The Travel Mom
• The man known as “the human lie detector” works to keep serial killers behind bars
• • Killer Confessions

Thursday, January 15

• Young voices, lasting legacy: Houston students honor Dr. King in 30th Annual Oratory Competition
• • Foley MLK Jr. Oratory Competition
• Breaking through the plateau with Dr. Ian Smith’s ‘The Last 15′
• • Follow Dr. Ian Smith on Instagram
  • Purchase “The Last 15″ on Amazon
• Mindful eating tips and a pesto vinaigrette recipe to kickstart a healthier new year
• • Leaf & Grain
• Stay powered and protected with GenPro.com, Houston’s premier generator specialists
• • Call or log on to book an estimate and receive a functional mini generator worth $50 for FREE

Wednesday, January 14

• Check out the fun, food and giveaways for Houston Rockets fans this week
• • Houston Rockets Game Day Tickets
• A Kroger pharmacist’s guide to everyday wellness in 2026
• • Enter for a chance to win a Kroger gift card
  • Kroger
• Mix-MATCH Festival returns with over 20 performances celebrating Houston’s creative spirit
• • Tickets to 3rd Annual Mix-MATCH Festival
  • Daisies & Pancakes

Tuesday, January 13

• Kick off the new year with magic: Magician Curt Miller returns with his show “The Conjurer”
• • Curt Miller
  • Tickets to The Conjurer: An Intimate Magical Experience with Curt Miller
• Brad Meltzer Book Signing
• • Follow Brad Meltzer on Instagram
• Innovative Lasers of Houston

Monday, January 12

• Turn to tea this year to slow down, reset, and satisfy without regrets
• • Tea Please
• The Travel Mom: Family fun at Knott’s Berry Farm - a California getaway everyone will love
• • The Travel Mom
  • Visit Buena Park
  • Knott’s Berry Farm
• Pet adoption events for the new year at Fort Bend County Animal Services
• • Fort Bend County Animal Services
• New Year, New Smile: AI-driven smile design at Texas Dental Implant Center
• • Texas Dental Implant Center

Friday, January 9

• Shop The Sale Houston with proceeds benefitting childhood cancer research
• • The Sale Houston
• A new chapter begins: Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones chat about their new pairing
• • TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle
• Former radio personality, Sarah Pepper returns to Texas to emcee 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon
• • Follow Sarah Pepper on Instagram

Thursday, January 8

• Belle comes to Houston - Kyra Belle Johnson stars in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ now at the Hobby Center
• • Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” Tickets at Hobby Center
• Mathew Knowles launches new Destiny’s Child nationwide tribute tour; Houston is first stop
• • Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute Tickets
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Wednesday, January 7

• The story behind Luke’s Plumbing and Air Conditioning serving Houstonians since 1991
• • Luke’s Plumbing & Air Conditioning
• Where karaoke meets claw machines: Welcome to Klaw‑Oke Kingdom in Pearland
• • Klaw-Oke Kingdom
• Brace yourself, the 1993 Oilers vs. Bills game is featured in new docuseries ‘Don’t Call it a Comeback’
• • VICE TV’s “Don’t Call It A Comeback”
• New Year, Strong Start: EōS Fitness Experts Share Tips to Crush 2026 Goals
• • EōS Fitness

Tuesday, January 6

• Houston bagel pros talk schmear, slices and specials ahead of National Bagel Day
• • Bagel Shop Bakery
• Comedian Chinedu Ogu takes H-Town-rooted comedy on a national tour
• • Chinedu at Punch Line Houston
• Start your new year weight loss journey at Health Solutions and Weightloss
• • Health Solutions and Weightloss
• Enroll Now: Key deadlines and tips for 2026 Marketplace coverage
• • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Monday, January 5

• Rosca de Reyes Season is here - and this Houston bakery is busy
• • Arandas Bakery
• Damp or Dry January? These non-alcoholic wines actually taste like wine
• • Daniela Garrido | Wine and Travel Expert
• New Year, New Smile: AI-driven smile design at Texas Dental Implant Center
• • Texas Dental Implant Center
• Freeze Miser

Friday, January 2

• Tough but fair: NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas visits Houston Life
• • NBC Nightly News
  • Tom Llamas
• Tarot Card Reader Amber Ambrose
• Opening weekend kicks off at Sam Houston Race Park TODAY!
• • Sam Houston Race Park

Thursday, January 1

• New Year’s fitness made simple: Tips and a low-impact workout for beginners
• • Hoodfit
• Chantell Preston
• HiFi at The Finn

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Paris police said the curfew in two designated zones — around Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district — had restored “public peace” overnight and would remain in place “for as long as necessary.” The curfew zones leave out other areas hit on Saturday, including the Champs-Elysées and the area around the Saint-Lazare train station and parts of the Rue de Turbigo in central Paris, where protesters set up barricades and lit fires.

In Lyon, one of France’s largest cities, authorities also renewed a curfew in the city center from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., saying no disturbances had been recorded overnight.

Marseille, France’s second-largest city, imposed a curfew for unaccompanied minors starting Tuesday night. Lecornu said the targeted curfews “helped keep last night calm.”

Student unions and groups from the “ yellow vest ” movement, whose protests over fuel prices shook France in 2018 and 2019, have called for another day of protests Saturday.

Soldiers from Sentinelle, the anti-terrorism operation that has patrolled French cities since the 2015 Islamic State group attacks, will take over guarding sensitive sites to free up more police officers and gendarmes for crowd control, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told lawmakers Tuesday.

“The deployment (of police forces) for next Saturday will be massive,” Lecornu told the National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament, without giving figures.

Suspect held over Limoges city hall fire

Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in the arson attack that charred the historic city hall in Limoges, in central France, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said, adding that the person was being held in police custody and may not have acted alone.

French media reported that the suspect was close to radical environmentalist movements and was on a watchlist of people considered potential threats to national security. Darmanin declined to comment on the suspect’s profile, but said far-left groups appeared to have organized to attack symbols of the state throughout France.

Footage of the 143-year-old building in flames, its bell tower collapsing, spread widely online over the weekend. U.S. Vice President JD Vance shared it on X, blaming the unrest on immigration and writing, “I pray that France, a beautiful country of amazing people, will stop this madness before more of its landmarks burn.” President Donald Trump, who also relayed the video, said migrants had “taken over France.”

French officials have instead blamed the violence on far-left groups and opportunistic looters. At least 2,400 people were arrested after rioters in cities across France on Saturday clashed with police, set cars on fire and stormed public buildings, during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.

On Sunday evening, small groups set fire to trash bins, bicycles and other objects in the streets and looted businesses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities.

In Paris on Monday night, a police helicopter circled over Place de la République overnight, a central point in the weekend clashes, sweeping the square with a searchlight to check that the curfew was being respected.

Early Tuesday morning, workers used a crane to remove a giant fluorescent yellow vest draped over the statue at the center of the square, then used pressure washers to blast graffiti off the monument.

Louise Belanger, a volunteer who came to help with the cleanup, said she still could not apprehend the level of violence. “Normally when you are 20 you should be optimistic, you should be starting to build something (...) If you are only anger and violence, what are you going to do? This is sad for everybody in society,” she said.

Courts promise ‘extremely firm’ response

Speaking in Lille, northern France, Darmanin said 149 people had been jailed nationwide as of Tuesday at noon. According to the Justice Ministry, of the roughly 2,400 people arrested since Saturday, more than 800 have been sent before prosecutors, most of whom were either put on trial immediately or ordered to appear at a later hearing.

In Paris alone, about 300 people have been sent before prosecutors following the Oct. 17 protests, the city prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

Darmanin said he had asked prosecutors to appeal any sentence they considered too lenient. “People with no criminal record ending up in prison for property crimes is extremely rare, if not unheard of,” he said, arguing that the French justice system will be “extremely firm.”

In Lille, he said, three men aged 20 to 25 with no criminal record were each sentenced to 10 months in prison and jailed immediately for looting a video game store in the city’s old town.

The National Assembly is launching an inquiry into the Oct. 17 violence and the authorities’ policing strategy, its speaker, Yaël Braun-Pivet, said, with findings expected “by the end of the year.”

Protests continued Tuesday on a smaller scale. Some 400 people, mostly high school and university students, marched in the western city of Rennes, and about 750 in Lyon, under pouring rain.

___

Sylvie Corbet and Oleg Cetinic, in Paris, contributed to this report.

A recent Texas poll found that 79% of voters support tax incentives for employers that help provide child care through on-site facilities, subsidies or flexible scheduling. According to KPRC 2 political analyst Natalie Arceneaux the broad support reflects a challenge that extends beyond the household budget and into the state’s workforce and economic future.

“I think it’s always been an economic issue around, again, affordability,” Arsenault said.

She pointed to the financial burden of infant care, noting that families can spend approximately $11,000 a year on child care, based on a 2024 assessment. For many parents, that expense can force difficult decisions about whether to remain in the workforce or stay home to care for their children.

The cost of care, she said, becomes a significant factor in determining whether working makes financial sense for a family.

Child care costs create workforce challenges

The affordability of child care is closely tied to the ability of parents to pursue employment, but Arsenault said a strong economy must offer more than job opportunities.

Texas also needs jobs that pay enough for people to cover living expenses while raising a family, she said.

“If we can’t create jobs in an economy that supports having a family when people want to have a family, then, yeah, I think that’s a knock against Texas,” Arceneaux said.

Her comments highlight a broader question facing policymakers: whether the state’s economic growth is translating into financial stability for working families.

When the cost of child care consumes a significant portion of a household’s income, parents may have to weigh the cost of working against the expense of care. Those decisions can affect not only individual families but also the availability of workers for Texas employers.

Arceneaux calls for more creative child care solutions

While employers and policymakers often focus on traditional child care centers, Arsenault said solutions could also include tapping into resources already available within families and communities.

She noted that multigenerational households are increasingly part of the conversation, with grandparents and other relatives sometimes moving closer to family members to help care for children.

Rather than focusing exclusively on placing children in outside facilities, Arsenault suggested exploring ways to incentivize and support alternative arrangements.

“I think we need to get a bit more creative,” she said.

She raised the possibility of leveraging community resources and existing family support networks as part of a broader approach to addressing child care needs.

The discussion comes as employers and policymakers face questions about how to make child care more accessible while helping parents remain in the workforce.

Could child care influence the November midterms?

Arceneaux said child care could become a more prominent issue for voters, even though it directly affects only certain segments of the population at any given time.

The issue reaches beyond parents who currently have young children, she said. It also matters to people who hope to start families in the future.

Arceneaux connected the cost of raising children to concerns about declining birth rates, noting that financial pressures can influence whether people feel ready to have children.

“If you can’t afford to take care of yourself, then you’re probably thinking, ‘I can’t afford to bring a life into this world either,’” she said.

That dynamic could broaden the political appeal of child care affordability, making it relevant to younger voters and prospective parents as well as families already struggling to cover care expenses.

With 79% of voters in the cited Texas poll supporting tax incentives for employers that help with child care, the issue may offer an opportunity for policymakers in both parties to address a shared concern among working families.

As the November midterms approach, the debate over child care could become part of a larger discussion about wages, workforce participation, economic opportunity and the cost of starting a family in Texas.

Arceneaux’s central point is that child care is not simply a private family expense. It is also a workforce issue — and one with economic and political implications for the state.

“You see the variety and diversity,” Turturro says. “It’s always around you. When I’m on the train, there are so many different kinds of people. Especially the 7 train. I get a lot of things from the 7 train.”

Turturro’s Pino, the racist pizzeria worker of “Do The Right Thing,” came from guys Turturro grew up around. His Brooklyn-born trash-talking bowler Jesus Quintana from “The Big Lebowski” was based on a Lower East Side man Turturro met just after the man got out of jail. Turturro liked his voice.

“I interview a lot of people and I take things from them. They know I’m going to,” Turturro says. “Sometimes I keep in touch with certain people, but sometimes you feel kind of bad about that. Like a thief in the night.”

Sitting outside at a cafe around the corner from his Park Slope brownstone, Turturro chuckles. The symmetry with his latest New York character is almost too perfect. In “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” Turturro stars as Harry Lehman, an aging pickpocket in an increasingly cashless and digital New York.

The film, which Sony Pictures Classics releases in select theaters Friday, is a fitting capstone for the 69-year-old Turturro, a shape-shifting character actor who has always worked best when you don’t see him working.

“The whole skill of it is that the person doesn’t know,” Turturro says of pickpockets. “I used to make a list of everything I had in common and everything I didn’t have in common with a character. A lot of things resonated with me. People don’t look at you anymore.”

“The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” written and directed by Noah Segan, is an elegiac ode not just to a bygone, analog New York but to a rich generation of New York actors. Steve Buscemi co-stars as a pawnshop owner and Giancarlo Esposito plays a police detective. A lot of the movie’s joy is seeing such archetypal New York performers on their home turf.

Turturro’s soulful performance has brought him something rare for the much-loved but relatively seldom-honored actor: Oscar buzz. “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York” could land him his first nomination.

“I worked so hard and long before that it’s wonderful when things actually come together,” says Turturro. “It’s rarer than people think, you know what I mean?”

‘I don’t look like Robert Redford'

Turturro could just as easily be talking about the New York Knicks, whose championship he’s still basking in. “Miraculous,” he says, smiling. The sun was also shining on Turturro on a recent bright autumn day in Brooklyn. “The Only Living Pickpocket” had just played at the New York Film Festival, where many of Turturro’s longtime friends and collaborators, like Joel and Ethan Coen, came to support him. The moment has made him reflective.

“When I first started, I thought: I don’t know if I’m going to work. I feel like I have the ability, but I don’t look like Robert Redford,” says Turturro.

Ironically, it was a film with Redford, 1994’s “Quiz Show,” that Turturro attributes to him and his wife of 40 years, Katherine Borowitz, being able to stay in New York.

“I got ‘Quiz Show’ and I was going to get paid,” recalls Turturro. “I said, ‘Well, maybe we have enough.’ So we stayed here.”

Since then, Turturro has played street-wise New York hustlers, high-minded intellectuals and world-weary schlubs. He’s played a corner store owner (“Jungle Fever”), an NYPD hostage negotiator (“The Taking of Pelham 123”), a court-appointed defense attorney (“The Night Of”), a mob boss (“The Batman”), a scriptwriting playwright (“Barton Fink”) and a gigolo ( “Fading Gigolo,” which he directed). Like few actors, he has captured the city, from Broadway to the Bowery to Bayside.

In a changing city, Turturro abides

The kinds of characters Turturro has made a living capturing can feel like an endangered species in a more sanitized, high-priced New York. Turturro grants that the city has changed. Cab drivers, he notes, no longer tell you their life story while barely keeping an eye on the road. But regardless of the number of pickpockets left, Turturro finds the same spirit is alive.

“There are different people now in New York. But if you go to certain pockets, you can find them,” he says. “We were in neighborhoods for this and I was like, ‘Wow, this is a whole other world.’ We shot way out past Coney Island. Sometimes I had a dressing room in a hair salon. I’d watch the clientele.”

So Turturro can often be spied walking around Brooklyn like he always has been. He takes the subway home after Knicks games. For the most part, people are cool.

“Everyone treats me the same, and that’s the way I like it. I can understand people who are like superstars. But that does really reduce your options in life. It removes you from life, like, taking the train home after a game,” says Turturro. “If you lose yourself, what do you have? You don’t have anything.”

___

This story was updated to correct the name of Turturro's new movie in the headline.

Murphy celebrated Milwaukee’s NL Championship Series sweep by saying the Los Angeles Dodgers had Hall of Famers but his team had gamers. The theme wasn’t much different from pep talks he gave his college teams.

“It’s kind of déjà vu,” said Cory Mee, who played for Murphy at Notre Dame from 1989-92. “I’ve heard this before.”

Murphy won exactly 1,000 games during a college coaching career that included stops at Maryville (Tennessee) and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (California) before longer stints at Notre Dame (1988-94) and Arizona State (1995-2009). He now is on baseball’s biggest stage as the Brewers face the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series starting Friday.

He may have tempered his approach since making a cold call to then-Notre Dame athletic director Gene Corrigan and talking his way into the Fighting Irish coaching job at the age of 28.

But his knack for getting players to believe remains as strong as ever.

“Watching him with these Brewers, it struck me that he’s got a formula,” said Mike Moshier, who played for Notre Dame from 1986-89. “His algorithm is the same now as it was 40 years ago.”

That formula includes playing strong fundamentals, creating belief, outworking opponents, keeping everything fun and preparing for any obstacle.

“He does a really good job of explaining the expectation of how we’re going to respond, what toughness and discipline look like, to be able to respond to tough moments,” said Brett Wallace, who played for Murphy at Arizona State and again in the minor leagues and with the San Diego Padres.

The legend of the mud chart

There’s perhaps no greater example than the “mud chart” Murphy designed to help Notre Dame’s 1989 team earn an elusive NCAA Tournament berth.

Notre Dame was in a double-elimination Midwestern Collegiate Conference tournament seeking the league’s automatic NCAA bid. The Irish fell 16-15 to Detroit and dropped into the losers’ bracket, so their season would end unless they won five straight games.

Constant rain delays meant the last four of those games would take place in a span of 22 hours. One began at 1:30 a.m. and ended after 4 a.m.

Murphy designed a chart including a square for each of the 45 innings separating Notre Dame from its goal. Murphy figured the Irish needed to win or tie just about every inning. Whenever Notre Dame did that, he’d put a mud smudge in the corresponding square.

“It was posted in the dugout,” Mee said. “Every inning, he just stuck his hand in the dirt, put some water on it and put a thumbprint on it.”

Notre Dame won those five games to earn its first NCAA bid since 1970. Murphy went 318-116-1 at Notre Dame, which had been .500 or below each of the five years before his arrival.

“People would ask me after I was done playing baseball, who was the best manager I’d ever played for, expecting someone in the big leagues,” said Dan Peltier, a Notre Dame outfielder from 1987-89 who played three seasons in the majors. “I’d say right away it was Pat Murphy. I knew his style of managing would translate well into the big leagues as long as he had the right group of guys.”

Demanding his players' best efforts

Murphy is now a two-time NL manager of the year with a reputation for getting the best out of his players. This season, he has removed both three-time All-Star William Contreras and rookie Cooper Pratt from games because he didn’t believe they sufficiently hustled.

He took that to another level during his college years.

Former Notre Dame outfielder Mike Rotkis recalled a 28-10 loss at Western Michigan in Murphy’s debut season. When the Irish returned to campus, Murphy had them do sprints.

“It was like the scene in ‘Miracle,’“ Rotkis said, referring to the Kurt Russell movie about the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. “I can’t go anymore, you’re trying to run as fast as you can and you’re barely walking, you can barely lift your leg. He’s like, ‘All right, that was an embarrassment. Don’t let it happen again,’ and walked out.”

Murphy made practices so intense that games didn’t seem as tough.

“He didn’t accept anything but the best from you,” former Notre Dame pitcher Chris Michalak said. “It wasn’t easy, but games were easy after practice. The games became fun.”

Earlier this postseason, Murphy noted a motivational ploy he attempted involving Craig Counsell, who played for Notre Dame from 1989-92 and later became Murphy’s boss as manager in Milwaukee.

Murphy believed Counsell was too shy and needed to emerge as a leader, so he told the infielder to shout “Mine!” while taking ground balls during workouts.

“There would be this shortstop out there yelling ‘Mine!’ for every ground ball, and people would be like, ‘What the hell was that?'" Murphy said. “But I was trying to bring it out of him, and he wanted to kill me.

“That was a mistake. He did just fine without yelling ‘Mine!' for ground balls.”

Murphy also pulled occasional pranks. Moshier remembers when the team stopped at a fast-food restaurant on a road trip and Murphy yelled for everyone to get back to the bus.

“The minute everyone got out of the restaurant, he sneaked in to get his order first,” Moshier said. “That’s classic Murph."

Murphy eventually left for Arizona State and went 629-284-1 with four College World Series appearances, including a runner-up finish in 1998.

His Arizona State tenure ended bitterly when he resigned amid an NCAA investigation. He entered the pro ranks and managed in San Diego’s farm system before going 42-54 as the Padres’ interim manager in 2015 following Bud Black’s dismissal.

When the Padres opted against keeping him beyond that season, Murphy became a bench coach for Counsell, Milwaukee’s manager at the time. Murphy got promoted when Counsell left for the Chicago Cubs after the 2023 season.

After working alongside Murphy for so long and now competing with him, Counsell understands why his college coach's approach has worked so well in the big leagues.

“It’s authentic," Counsell said last month before a Cubs-Brewers game. "That’s the No. 1 thing. It’s just who he is. That’s his authentic style. That’s how he’s coached. You’ve got to be yourself, and that’s what he’s doing.”

Carrying college lessons to their work lives

Many of Murphy’s former college players keep in touch with him. They notice how he has matured. Murphy turns 68 next month, and he survived a heart attack in 2020.

His style remains similar, but he’s smoothed his edges.

“He was terrifying (at Notre Dame) because he was unpredictable,” Moshier said. “You’d either get the funny, comic, sarcastic Murph, which was great. Or you’d get this really serious, really demanding, critical Murph. And you never knew which you were going to get, so he always kept you a little bit on edge.

“But I’ve seen him change over the years. Just interacting with him the last 10 years, I think his ego has been sort of softened a bit. He’s a bit more grateful for the opportunities that he’s had.”

Wallace has a unique perspective after playing for him in college, in Triple-A and again with the Padres.

“The way you lead a group of 16- to 21-year-olds is different from the way you lead a group of minor leaguers and a group of big leaguers,” Wallace said. “He learned along the way how to be authentic, how to be himself and how to communicate with a group of people. The biggest thing about Murphy is he’s genuine and really authentically himself.”

Wallace now works with college players as California’s hitting coach. Mee is an assistant coach at Mount St. Mary’s and Michalak is a longtime coach in the minors. All carry Murphy’s lessons into their own coaching.

Moshier has established a leadership development company and says his years with Murphy help him in the workplace as far as valuing candor and knowing when to have tough conversations.

They’re watching their former coach with pride.

“He’s the most complex, interesting, talented guy I know — super complex guy,” Moshier said. “But you’d want to go to war with him.”

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

In an interview with GQ magazine about grief and family, recorded in New York in late September and published on Tuesday, Harry was asked if he grieves his “complicated” relationship with his father and brother.

“Yes, of course,” he replied, adding that people often ask him about it because it's a “massively relatable issue for so many people.”

“Some people don’t want it to work out – I want it to work out," he said. “Of course I do ... with everything else that’s going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile — that’s the key point.”

Harry, his wife Meghan and their two children moved back to the U.K. in late August, six years after their decision to leave their roles as working royals and move to California widened a gulf in the royal family.

The couple's criticism in interviews included accusing an unspecified royal of racism and calling palace staff insensitive to Meghan’s mental health.

But Harry, who is fifth in the line to the throne, said last year he would like to reconcile with his family and spend more time with his father, who is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Asked if he thought he could repair the family rift, Harry told GQ: “Look, scars stick around forever," but letting go of the past is "something that I would encourage everybody to do.”

“For me, there’s enough drama in the world and enough drama in people’s lives than to continue with issues with family,” he added.

A spokesperson later said his “some people” comment was “absolutely not intended as a swipe at his brother or any other member of his family.”

Multiple counties are reporting record-breaking turnout on Day 1 of early voting, offering fresh tea leaves for election watchers to analyze in the U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.

Harris County, the state’s largest and a blue-leaning cache of votes, set its record for turnout for the first day of voting in a midterm. Dallas County, meanwhile, saw its highest number of Day 1 early votes ever.

The phenomenon isn’t limited to blue counties. The GOP stronghold of Montgomery County experienced record midterm turnout, as did North Texas’ Ellis County and Central Texas’ Bell and McLennan Counties.

As early voting continues and election watchers run wild with their way-too-early predictions, Renzo Downey, the lead writer of our premium newsletter The Blast, is here to guide you through how to interpret the onslaught of data.

Step No. 1: Give it a few days.

Campaign consultants on both sides of the aisle caution that it’s difficult to glean too much from a single day of the early vote.

“You could probably ask a consultant from either party, and they would say that increased turnout benefits their side,” consultant Derek Ryan told The Blast.

The earliest of early voting will skew toward the party with the most enthusiasm, and both sides agree that that’s currently the Democrats. The question, as early voting drags on, is whether Republicans can mobilize their supporters.

President Donald Trump is headed to Lubbock and Waco next week for appearances with Paxton. Those are two of the larger red areas that Ryan says he’ll be watching over the next two weeks.

“There’s an increased energy level amongst Democrats, and so they’ve been waiting for two years to show up to vote,” Ryan said. “There’s only a finite number of [previous Democratic primary voters] in the state, so once that pool starts to shrink, do the Republicans start to make up some of the ground there?”

Step 2: Watch for new voters.

One cohort some consultants are focusing on is young and first-time voters. Independent consultant Samuel Temple said the more political newcomers show up, the better for Democrats.

“There’s the old saying that stable times in the stock market help you sleep at night, but market volatility pays the bills,” Temple said. “The same thing is likely true here. If the Dems want to flip statewide seats beyond Talarico and maybe [railroad commissioner nominee Jon Rosenthal], they need to see a bunch of unknowns show up.”

Step 3: Don’t forget that high turnout has helped Republicans, too.

GOP consultant Ross Hunt said turnout will break all midterm election turnout records, but rejected the idea that analysts can glean which party benefits from high turnout. Like Ryan, Hunt said it will come down to each party mobilizing its base.

“Everyone always wants to know, ‘Well, if turnout is high, is that good for us?’” Hunt said. “There are some situations in which there’s an answer to that question, but usually the aggregate level of turnout or percentage level turnout really doesn’t bear directly on the outcome.”

Hunt noted that the number of Republicans in the state have increased significantly since 2018, the last heavily contested midterm.

“Where Republicans really are bleeding, at least at the Senate level of the ballot, is when it comes to those voters who do not participate in private party primaries but have tended to vote Republican in the past,” Hunt said. “Those voters are the ones who are really divided in their vote, whereas most of the Democratic-leaning independents are all lined up solidly for Talarico, so that’s really what’s putting Paxton in a bad position right now.”

Ryan said he’ll be watching for the 1.2 million previous Republican primary voters who sat out the March primary.

“Those people were probably getting 10 texts a day, multiple mail pieces and phone calls and seeing all sorts of streaming ads,” Ryan said. “The fact that they didn’t show up, it leaves you with the question of why didn’t they show up to vote in such a contested Republican primary, and do they still plan on voting Republican in this election.”

Step 4: Watch rural voters.

Another benchmark Ryan is watching is the rural turnout. Republicans need at least 25% of the overall turnout to come from counties outside the top 25 largest counties. Matt Angle, a Democratic strategist and the founder and director of the Lone Star Project, also cited a 25% rural vote share.

Angle said Democrats need the five largest counties to make up 40% of the turnout. And as far as demographics are concerned, Democrats need the Hispanic vote share to be around 25% and white voters under 60%.

“I’m back at square one where I don’t know what’s going on with me,” the actor said on the latest edition of her podcast “MeSsy,” along with co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has been public about her own battle with MS.

Applegate first publicly announced in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with the disorder that causes the immune system to attack the cells in the central nervous system.

On Monday's podcast, Applegate revealed that despite the misdiagnosis, she still has “every symptom of someone with MS,” adding, “I still have to use wheelchairs when I go to the doctor’s office. I can’t walk from the car to the room.”

There is no single test for MS, and a diagnosis usually involves ruling out other causes. It can take years and seeing multiple doctors before one puts the clues together.

Applegate said the news had put her in an odd place since she and Sigler have become prominent advocates for people with MS.

"It’s weird because I feel like I let everybody down,” she said. “It’s very unnerving, and it’s really confusing for me.”

Most autoimmune diseases, especially in adults, aren’t caused by a specific gene defect. Instead, a variety of genes that affect immune functions can make people susceptible. Scientists say it then takes an “environmental” trigger, such as an infection, smoking or pollutants, to set the disease in motion.

On the podcast and earlier this year while promoting her memoir, "You with the Sad Eyes,” the Emmy-winning Applegate has been candid about unpredictable symptoms that have forced her to use diapers and scoot down stairs on her butt.

“My life has in some ways shrunk to the size of my California king,” she writes in her book.

The property is located in the 3200 block of Chris Drive, where tall weeds have overtaken the lot and obscured a large hole toward the back of the property.

Michael Brophy, a neighborhood resident, described the issue as a major concern for the community.

When asked to rate the severity of the problem on a scale of 1 to 10, Brophy gave it an “11″ without hesitation.

Residents want the lot cleaned up and hole secured

The concerns extend beyond the overgrown grass. Residents want the property cleaned up and the hole properly filled or secured to prevent potential accidents, particularly involving children.

The lot is next to a city park with unrestricted public access through a neighboring fence, raising additional concerns about the possibility of someone wandering onto the property and encountering the hazard.

City violation notice dates back to July

A city violation notice has been posted on the property since July, stating the hole needs to be filled in.

However, it’s now mid-October, and the dangerous hole remains unfilled and the lot overgrown.

2 Helps You contacted the City of Houston Department of Public Works Director Randy Macchi for an update on the property and what steps would be taken to address the reported concerns. A response had not been received at the time of reporting.

The issue remains on the radar as residents wait for the property to be cleaned up and the potential safety hazards to be addressed.

2 Helps You also plans to stay on top of this until a solution is delivered. Remember we should never be your first call, but we don’t mind being your last.

The Gamecocks received 23 first-place votes from a 31-member national media panel Tuesday. UConn, USC, Duke and Michigan round out the top five.

It is the fifth time in the past seven years that Staley's team has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason.

“It's a gift and curse,” Staley said. “I tend to not look at the number, but our players do. They look at it and feel like there’s a sense of respect to being No. 1. They also know that it’s pressure packed with the type of non-conference shcedule we have, we’re going to be challenged. If we stand there at No. 1 at the end of our non-conference season that’s something to be truly to be proud of.”

South Carolina will face five ranked teams in the first month of the season, including UConn, USC and Duke.

“It’s a doozy of a schedule. something we have to do for us to actually keep having the roster we have,” Staley said. “Some of them are NIL games. some of them are games we just got to play because they are super competitive and we want to test ourselves.”

UConn, which lost to South Carolina in the Final Four last season, garnered six first-place votes and has been ranked in the top 10 of every preseason poll since 1994.

This is the third consecutive year that South Carolina and UConn have been 1-2 in the preseason poll, though the Huskies were on top a year ago. The two play each other on Nov. 24 in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Southern California picked up the other two first-place ballots. Expectations are high for the Trojans, who have a healthy JuJu Watkins back after she missed last season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The No. 3 ranking matches the one they had two years ago.

Duke has its highest ranking in the preseason poll since 2013 when the Blue Devils were second. Michigan has its best ranking ever in the preseason Top 25. The Wolverines were ranked in the top 10 for the final 18 weeks of the poll last season.

“They came to Michigan to do things that have never been done before,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said of her stellar junior class led by Olivia Olson and Syla Swords. “We're in the position we're in because they came here and made a difference.”

The first regular season poll will be released Nov. 9.

The rest of the rankings

Texas, Louisville, Vanderbilt, LSU and Iowa round out the top 10. Defending national champion UCLA is next with North Carolina, Notre Dame, Kentucky and TCU following the Bruins.

Washington, Minnesota, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Maryland are 16-20 while the final five in the Top 25 were Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Illinois, West Virginia and N.C. State.

It is the first preseason ranking for No. 17 Minnesota since 2019. Coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s team is coming off its first NCAA tourney berth since 2018 and first Sweet 16 appearance since 2005, but lost leading scorer Tori McKinney for the season with a knee injury suffered last week in practice.

Conference supremecy

The Big Ten has nine teams in the Top 25, the most ever for one conference in the preseason poll. The Southeastern Conference has seven, including four in the top 10. The ACC has five and the Big 12 three. The Big East has one.

“When I left the Big East we had eight or nine teams in the Top 25 as well and it was the best league in the country. I couldn't imagine I'd goto a place that would be even greater,” said Barnes Arico, who is in her 15th year at Michigan. “With expansion this conference got better and better. The knock has been that the Big Ten hasn't won a championship, but UCLA did that last year and now we have some of the best players in the country returning this year.”

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Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college basketball coverage here

He and his wife, Manjula, were back with a meaty plotline — and the voices of actual Indian American actors: Sunil Malhotra, a veteran voice-over artist, and Janina Gavankar (“The Morning Show”).

“Bringing Apu back feels like a reclamation. It truly IS his homecoming,” Malhotra and Gavankar said Sunday in a joint Instagram post.

Apu's unheralded return is a remarkable twist to a yearslong discourse about how the character has represented a painful stereotype for some South Asian Americans. After a 2017 documentary by comedian Hari Kondabolu, “The Problem With Apu,” the character was largely exiled from the screen.

How a documentary on Apu became a turning point

In “The Problem With Apu,” Kondabolu, a self-described fan of the Fox show, tried to process his misgivings. He interviewed a slew of celebrities of South Asian origin, including Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Hasan Minhaj, about growing up with the character. They shared memories of being bullied and called “Apu” as an insult. Adding to their view of Apu as just a caricature was that Hank Azaria, a white actor, voiced him.

With the full name of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Jr., he felt like the “forever foreigner, someone who represents Indians in the United States through this sole typology of being a convenience store owner, being a recent immigrant, having this heavy accent, being really limited in this sort of like American identity,” says Bhoomi Thakore, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Connecticut. Thakore notes that Kondabolu's film raised the notion that Apu was the only portrayal of an Indian character most people knew when he debuted in 1990.

Azaria stepped away from the role after the documentary, continuing to voice other “Simpsons” characters, as Apu fell silent, seen only in the background. Kondabolu, however, had never called for Apu to be canceled. On Monday, he praised “The Simpsons” for devising “a clever solution to all this” and hiring Malhotra and Gavankar.

“I’m also still proud of the public conversation about race and representation my documentary started,” he told The Associated Press in an emailed statement. “Finally, I’m hoping this stops all the hatemail in many languages that has been sent my way over the past decade.”

After years in the background, Apu appears here to stay

In a 2018 episode, “The Simpsons” responded to Kondabolu's documentary by having Lisa Simpson bemoan how “something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. ... What can you do?” The camera then panned to a framed photo of Apu. The gag was branded by some as weak for not directly addressing the controversy.

In a 2020 New York Times interview, Azaria, who by then hadn't voiced Apu in a few years, announced he would bow out because “it just didn't feel right.” Later that year, in response to racial reckoning demonstrations, “The Simpsons” announced it would no longer cast white voice actors as characters of color. The show then recast two Black characters, Carl Carlson and Dr. Julius Hibbert, with Black actors.

Kondabolu had not spoken with “The Simpsons” producers about Apu’s comeback, he confirmed to the AP, “but they didn’t owe me that.” And it does sound like Apu is here to stay.

“We love this character and wanted to bring him back in a smart, Simpsons-y way that allowed him to evolve,” executive producer Matt Selman said in a statement. “We’re excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.”

Apu was also embraced by South Asians, despite the controversy

A few weeks after “The Simpsons” responded to the documentary, author and producer Amar Shah wrote a series of social media posts and then a Washington Post op-ed on why he felt mostly sentimental toward Apu. When he watched Apu, he thought of his own Indian father hard at work as a convenience store owner and how that shaped his Florida childhood.

“Apu even now is a character that I wouldn't mind my kids seeing represented because they'll see aspects of themselves and of their own grandparents,” says Shah, reflecting on his 2018 piece. “I can totally empathize with someone of South Asian origin having a different POV (point of view) than me but this is my childhood. This is my story.”

After watching this latest episode, Shah didn't sense any significant difference with Malhotra's performance.

“Obviously, there's a different voice, tenor, texture and all that. But, the character is always going to be there, his genuine humanity,” Shah says. “I think if they had incorporated this change earlier, it would have been a lot better.”

At a time of anti-South Asian hate, Apu's return is welcomed

Apu is being revived amid a climate of rising anti-South Asian and Indian hate. Stop AAPI Hate and other research groups have found online use of racist slurs and threats against South Asians and Indians have jumped in the past few years.

Texas Railroad Commission candidate Bo French, a Republican, recently posted a photo of South Asian University of Texas students cheering at a football game and called them “a problem.” Just last week, a man was charged with planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple outside Chicago. Against that backdrop, Shah welcomes the show's careful approach reincarnating the character.

“It's great to see that the show has evolved in time and now, especially with the discrimination and, really, the targeting of South Asians and Indian Americans as of late — questioning our patriotism, our American identity and even whether we're college football fans,” he says.

The return also coincides with much more representation of prominent South Asian Americans, such as actor and showrunner Mindy Kaling, and people who have broken barriers in office, like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

When Apu first appeared, says University of Virginia associate professor of media studies Shilpa Davé, he was one of the only consistent representations of South Asians on TV.

Now, she says, “South Asians have become a part of the landscape from ‘Bridgerton’ to … ‘Never Have I Ever’ and there’s a plethora of different kinds of representation.”

___

Associated Press journalist Mallika Sen contributed to this report.

Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said Royal Air Force Typhoon jets will “conduct defensive counter-air operations over Saudi Arabia, helping to protect Saudi cities, civilian populations and critical national infrastructure” from missiles and drones fired by the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.

That means the British planes would try to shoot down missiles or drones in the air, but Streeting said the British planes won’t strike Houthi targets on the ground.

The U.K. will also send a military transport plane and an unspecified number of military advisers to Saudi Arabia, Streeting said.

The announcement follows Britain’s decision last month to offer in-air refueling of Saudi planes operating against the Houthis. That mission is being extended by another 90 days, Streeting said.

The conflict between the Houthis and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government has reignited, with the Houthis aiming missile and drone strikes at Saudi Arabia, against which the oil-rich kingdom has struggled to defend itself. The country's main international airport in Riyadh was struck several times earlier this month.

Streeting called the attacks “despicable” and said targeting the airport showed “the lengths the Houthis are going to to escalate the situation in the region.”

The Associated Press reported last month that Saudi Arabia had asked its allies, including France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defense support to the region to help defend against missiles and drones fired by Houthis and other Iran-backed groups.

The U.S., which bombed the Houthis under the Biden and Trump administrations, has declined to do the same this time around.

Streeting said in a written statement to Parliament that “the government remains clear that there is no long-term military solution to the conflict in Yemen.”

“We continue to support a U.N.-led political process as the best route to a durable peace,” he said.

Yemen first plunged into civil war in 2014, when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of northern Yemen and forced the government into exile.

A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year in an attempt to restore the government to power. The conflict created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, and killed more than 150,000 people.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s spokesman denied Britain was being dragged in to the conflict.

“Our support for Saudi Arabia is considered, proportionate and focused on helping them defend themselves from relentless Houthi attacks,” spokesperson Tom Wells said.

Egypt has also announced military assistance, saying it will provide “all possible forms of support” to help Saudi Arabia “defend its security and stability.”

The Egyptian government will deploy air defense systems and aircraft to help intercept missiles and drones fired toward the kingdom, a regional official briefed on the matter said.

The official said Egypt’s support would be defensive and would not include deploying ground troops to Yemen. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said Saturday that his government would take “any measure” to defend Saudi Arabia and called for parliament to convene to authorize the deployment of troops and military equipment.

Parliament held two days of deliberations and is scheduled to reconvene for a vote next week.

___

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this story.

The annual analysis by SafeHome.org evaluated 152 U.S. cities, comparing factors including violent and property crime, registered sex offenders, pedestrian fatalities and the number of law enforcement officers.

Houston ranked No. 16 among the most dangerous cities for trick-or-treating, down from No. 15 in last year’s study.

The report cited Houston’s high violent crime rate, elevated pedestrian risks and property crime rate as contributing factors.

How Houston compares to other Texas cities

Several other Texas cities were included in the analysis, with rankings varying across the state. Here’s how the cities compared in the study’s national rankings:

• Frisco: No. 3 safest city nationally
• El Paso: No. 55
• Fort Worth: No. 75
• Austin: No. 96
• San Antonio: No. 114
• Dallas: No. 115
• Houston: No. 16 most dangerous

Frisco ranked as the safest city in Texas and the third-safest nationally. Laredo, at No. 41 on the study’s most-dangerous-city ranking, was identified as the highest-ranked city outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Houston’s crime and pedestrian safety numbers

The study highlighted several safety metrics for Houston, including crime rates and pedestrian fatalities.

According to SafeHome.org, Houston recorded:

• 25.7 law enforcement officers per 10,000 people
• 34.8 registered sex offenders per 10,000 people
• 88.6 violent crimes per 10,000 people
• 380.7 property crimes per 10,000 people
• 0.5 pedestrian fatalities per 10,000 people

The report placed Houston among the 25 U.S. cities with the highest violent and property crime rates, as well as among the 15 cities with the highest pedestrian fatality rates.

The rankings reflect the study’s selected measures and do not mean every neighborhood in Houston carries the same level of risk.

Which cities ranked as the most and least dangerous?

Memphis, Tennessee, ranked as the most dangerous city for trick-or-treating, followed by St. Louis, Missouri; Little Rock, Arkansas; Oakland, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

The five safest cities in the analysis were Pembroke Pines, Florida; Yonkers, New York; Frisco, Texas; Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Chandler, Arizona.

As families prepare for Halloween, parents can take practical precautions by using sidewalks and crosswalks, choosing well-lit routes, keeping children visible to drivers and accompanying younger trick-or-treaters.

Read the full report here.

Plans were announced Tuesday for a huge new visitor attraction that backers say will give Liverpool a tourist draw about its famous sons to rival Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood.

Apple Corps Ltd., the company that oversees The Beatles’ business interests, said an expanded version of The Beatles Story museum is coming to the center of Liverpool in 2028. It’s scheduled to open soon after the release of Sam Mendes’ quartet of feature films about John, Paul, George and Ringo, which are expected to unleash a new wave of global interest in the band that transformed rock ‘n’ roll.

The plan will see Apple Corps take over The Beatles Story and move it from its current home in Liverpool’s docklands to the former St. John’s Market, a 100,000-square-foot (9,290-square-meter) site across from the city’s main Lime Street train station.

Apple Corps said the new venue will use “immersive technology, original artifacts and spectacular reconstructed sets” to take visitors from the band members’ childhoods in postwar Liverpool through their hardscrabble years in the bars of Hamburg, Germany, to the explosion of “Beatlemania” and global fame.

Sets and props from Mendes' movies will create versions of Liverpool’s Cavern Club, where the band got its start; the famous Abbey Road studios in London; and Shea Stadium, the site of their legendary 1965 performance.

The nearby St Johns Beacon, a 400-foot (122-meter) former radio tower, will be transformed into a tourist attraction inspired by the band’s song and animated movie “Yellow Submarine,” offering views over the city.

“Just like Graceland or Dollywood, it’s fitting that The Beatles will have a world class destination for fans to visit in the center of the city where the story started,” Apple Corps chief executive Tom Greene said.

Apple Corps said a portion of the ticket revenue will support a charity set up to nurture new artists in Liverpool.

The two surviving Beatles welcomed the development. Paul McCartney said the band’s success “couldn’t have happened without Liverpool and I can’t wait for people to be able to step into our story and share the experience.” Ringo Starr said “Liverpool was, and still is, music city.”

The announcement is the latest chapter in a Beatles boom, 56 years after the band’s breakup. Apple Corps has already announced that a new fan experience will open in late 2027 in the band’s former London headquarters at 3 Savile Row, whose rooftop was the site of The Beatles’ last public performance in 1969.

Mendes is directing a quartet of biopics starring Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Paul Mescal as McCartney and Barry Keoghan as Starr. All are due for release in April 2028.

The legacy of The Beatles has helped transform Liverpool into a culture and nightlife destination, reviving the city’s economy after decades of decline following the closure of its docks.

Mike Jones, a Beatles expert at the University of Liverpool, said the “double boost” of the films and attractions will bring in many more Beatles fans.

“I’m not sure that the city’s quite prepared for it,” he said, calling it both a risk and an opportunity. “What we have to resist is the Disneyfication of Liverpool, the Disneyfication of the Beatles."

That said, there's a lot more that people should know about the band and its legacy, Jones said.

“There’s a rich story to be told about the relationship between Liverpool and the Beatles, a very rich story," he said. "And I’m not sure that story’s been told."

The investment, made in partnership with Harris County Public Health during fiscal year 2026, addressed 23 dangerous properties and 93 nuisance violations, according to Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office.

The work covered communities across Precinct 2, including North Shore, Highlands and South Belt.

One of the largest projects involved a former hotel at 15822 East Freeway in Channelview. After the property became vacant, officials received reports of squatters, suspected drug activity, illegal dumping, theft and multiple fires over the past year.

Parts of the building had collapsed, while other sections remained standing but were considered unstable. The structure was demolished and the property cleared in February, according to the precinct.

The cleanup effort is part of a countywide nuisance abatement program Garcia brought to Commissioners Court using American Rescue Plan Act funds. After that funding was largely exhausted, Commissioners Court unanimously approved a $500,000 agreement between Precinct 2 and Harris County Public Health to continue the work within the precinct.

Nuisance violations addressed through the program include unsafe structures, unsanitary conditions, illegal dumping and uncovered swimming pools.

“Public safety doesn’t just mean men and women with badges and a gun stopping crime. It includes eradicating the places in our neighborhoods that make families feel unsafe,” Garcia said.

Residents can report nuisance properties by calling 3-1-1.

The Department of Homeland Security said the agencies should remove DeepSeek products as well as third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek from their IT systems, according to a notice made public on Monday.

The latest warnings reflect “the depth of strategic distrust between Beijing and Washington” even as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping work hard to keep their personal relationship “warm and constructive,” said George Chen, partner and chair of digital practice at Washington-based The Asia Group consultancy.

The Homeland Security order, dating back to late July, also blocks civilian agencies from procuring DeepSeek products and services.

DeepSeek's open-source models are widely available in countries including the United States, and are mostly free to use.

The notice in the Federal Register alleges that DeepSeek’s models “present multiple threat vectors.” Concerns include that DeepSeek's servers are located in China and that Chinese authorities could potentially access private company infrastructure and sensitive U.S. data, the order says.

Asked in Beijing about the U.S. ban, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China “will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”

“China consistently opposes the overstretching of the concept of national security,” she told reporters.

China's Ministry of Commerce also expressed “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” against the U.S.'s move, saying late Tuesday that the U.S. side disregarded the consensus reached between Xi and Trump and ignored the broader landscape of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

Through discriminatory restrictions under “the guise of national security,” the U.S. is trying to suppress and contain China, the commerce ministry statement said. “China will closely monitor the situation and take all necessary measures to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.”

DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China and the U.S. have recently made progress in some collaboration on AI governance, including a U.S. proposal for setting up a notification system on national security-related incidents, but they remain at odds on many issues.

AI is expected to be on the agenda when Trump and Xi meet again in mid-November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China. The two leaders last met in September as Xi made a state visit to Washington.

U.S.-led restrictions still ban China from accessing some of the world’s most advanced AI chips and the machines that make them.

The U.S. also has said Chinese AI startups including DeepSeek had engaged in large-scale “distillation,” or extraction of capabilities, from frontier American AI models, claims that Beijing has dismissed.

And last week, Beijing rolled out its own proposals to restrict exports of certain advanced AI models.

The California-based grocery chain is planning stores in Bellaire, Cedar Park and Mansfield as part of a nationwide expansion that includes about 30 new locations across 16 states.

The upcoming stores are listed as “coming soon” on Trader Joe’s website, but specific opening dates have not been announced for most of the locations. The company has confirmed that the Bellaire store is expected to open in 2027.

• Is Trader Joe’s coming to the Houston Heights? Here’s what we know

The three planned locations are:

• Bellaire: 5130 Bellaire Blvd., Suite 100, Bellaire, TX 77401.
• Cedar Park: 1800 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, TX 78613.
• Mansfield: 1580 E. Debbie Lane, Mansfield, TX 76063.

The Bellaire location will bring Trader Joe’s to the Bellaire Boulevard shopping area. The company said its team is working toward opening the store in 2027 and will share additional details as they become available.

The Cedar Park store will expand the chain’s presence in the Austin area, while the Mansfield location will add another option for shoppers in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Trader Joe’s has not announced exact opening dates for the three Texas locations.

• Trader Joe’s shoppers could get nearly $100 from $7.4 million settlement, deadline to file claim is approaching

The company’s official announcement for the Bellaire store says it is targeting an opening in 2027. Shoppers can check the Trader Joe’s store-opening announcements page for updates.

Another Trader Joe’s is also planned for Spring, north of Houston, at 21364 Kuykendahl Road, according to previous reporting by the Houston Chronicle. That project is separate from the three locations included in the latest nationwide expansion list.

The new Texas locations are part of a broader expansion that includes stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

• Smucker sues Trader Joe’s, saying its new PB&J sandwiches are too similar to Uncrustables

The retailer is known for its private-label groceries, specialty snacks, frozen meals and seasonal products.

While the company has identified the upcoming locations, most do not yet have confirmed opening dates. Customers can monitor the chain’s official store announcements for updates.

“The president has the most influential endorsement in American or international political history,” Vance said during an interview with journalist Mark Halperin.

“I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on the midterms,” Vance said, while traveling Monday to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley of North Carolina. “So, I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.”

Vance has campaigned for a foreign leader — then-Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, last spring before the right-wing leader’s party lost that country's parliamentary election.

Vance’s deference to Trump on Netanyahu comes at an extraordinarily sensitive time for Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel. Concerns about antisemitism have surged across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections.

Republicans have been eager to portray Democrats, notably Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, as hostile toward Jews and Israel, while they deal with their own internal schisms.

Vance has faced skepticism from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel.

Last month, Vance spoke privately in Las Vegas to the Republican Jewish Coalition, a leading GOP group committed to advocating for a strong U.S. relationship with Israel and against antisemitism.

Vance left a positive impression on his RJC audience while stopping short of disavowing influential conservative podcast host Tucker Carlson.

Vance has faced general questions about his association with Carlson, a former Fox News host who faced backlash last year for interviewing antisemite Nick Fuentes on his podcast.

In June, Vance sharply criticized members of Israel’s government for opposing Trump’s efforts to resolve the war with Iran.

In July, Vance said elements of the Israeli government had tried to influence American sentiment to derail negotiations.

“There are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” Vance said during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.

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This story was first published on Oct. 19, 2026. It was published again on Oct. 20, 2026, to correct that Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s prime minister, not its president.

Lines stretched out the door at polling sites across the county. The Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center led all 75 locations with 3,153 votes cast by 6 p.m. Here is a look at the top five busiest polling locations on Day 1:

• No. 1 — Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center: 3,153 votes
• No. 2 — Kingwood Community Center: 2,794 votes
• No. 3 — Juergens Hall Community Center: 2,755 votes
• No. 4 — Metropolitan Multiservice Center on West Gray: 2,734 votes
• No. 5 — George Bush Community Center: 2,693 votes

Voters cited a range of issues driving them to the polls, including the cost of living, overseas conflicts and concerns about long-standing political leadership.

“The coffee that I buy two years ago was $12 for a big can and now it’s $25 for the same thing, it’s ridiculous.”

Another voter echoed similar economic frustrations.

“Cost of living is way too high, war in Iran, our support to Ukraine.”

For some, the motivation was political change.

“30 years of one party dominating the state, it’s time to get the other guy’s chance.”

Immigration was also mentioned as a key concern among voters at the site. One voter pointed to ongoing global conflict as a top priority.

“Probably the war — like it’s my biggest issue right now.”

When asked which conflict specifically, the voter responded: “Like the war in Iran.”

Election officials reminded voters to check nearby polling locations, as wait times vary by site. Harris County has 75 early voting locations available, and officials say operations ran smoothly on Day 1.

Early voting runs for 11 more days. Officials encouraged voters to plan ahead and take advantage of less crowded sites when possible.

“I mean, I guess it’s good for some people. I really don’t care," said Jamie Alvarez, who attended Trump's recent Alaska rally in a red, white and blue outfit. "I don’t feel like your vote should be bought. I feel like you should vote for who you feel is going to do the best job.”

Joseph Eatherton was attending that same rally and said he was “not sure if it's necessary." When asked whether Trump could deliver on the promised money, he said, “I don’t know, and I hate being an armchair quarterback."

The offering of government checks has become a go-to tactic for Trump when he faces a political jam. He's previously endorsed $2,000 in dividends from tariff revenues and large refunds from spending cuts achieved by the Department of Government Efficiency, neither of which materialized. The latest example could reveal how much voters still trust Trump as they decide control of Congress in the midterm elections on Nov. 3.

Staunch supporters such as Lucy Martinez, the president of a Republican women's club who attended a recent Trump rally in Texas, said there's no doubt in their minds.

“I think that I will get the $5,000,” she said. Out of all the presidents, Trump is someone “who kept his promises to his people and all the United States.”

Trump has dished out payments as elections approach

However, many voters are already embittered by his economic leadership. His critics see a president who failed to tame inflation and keep America out of overseas conflicts, and whose agenda has fueled higher prices as the war with Iran appears to be at a stalemate.

“The trust on this is already gone for most people,” said Amy Frederiksen, a former Republican Minnesota Senate majority leader who now runs a public affairs firm.

“I just don’t see the energy around that line,” she added. “Most people know that’s a blatant over-the-top promise like several he’s made in the last couple of years, and they’re not buying it.”

As the midterms approach, Trump has also pledged a $90 payment to 20 million Medicare enrollees and $500 “rebates” for people the administration says were overcharged for their Obamacare plans. He has automatically enrolled every U.S. child in “Trump accounts” to invest in stocks.

The $5,000 payouts would only occur, Trump says, if Republicans keep their majorities in the House and Senate. Trump acknowledges that the cost would exceed $1 trillion, but it's not clear that the White House is seriously engaging with the proposal's ramifications, from the increased deficit to the likely boost to inflation.

The White House said the payments are possible because of Trump's trade deals, investment commitments by foreign countries, government stakes in private companies and deals for oil and minerals.

The administration's position is that the payments will help people recover from the inflation that began in 2021 under then-President Joe Biden, though Republicans, at the time, attributed that inflation to excessive government checks tied to pandemic relief.

When The Associated Press asked several weeks ago if the administration was modeling the economic impact from the checks, Christopher Phelan, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, said he would “refrain” from answering.

Roughly half of registered voters say Donald Trump does not keep his promises to Americans, according to an AP-NORC poll from September. About 3 in 10 say Trump tries to keep his promises but is unable to, while only about 2 in 10 say he keeps his promises.

Republican voters are more accommodating. About half say Trump tries to keep his promises but is unable to, and about 4 in 10 say he keeps his promises.

Republican candidates aren't echoing Trump's promise

Trump is talking about the payments as a sure thing.

“If the Republicans win, you’ll each have $5,000 in your pocket and economic success for our country like we have never seen before,” he said at a Saturday rally in Kentucky. “And remember, ’cause they like to say, ‘Oh, well, maybe he won’t do that.’ Uh, I always do it.”

Campaign spending tracked by AdImpact suggests that Republicans are not running advertisements either on television or online about the promise. The few advertisements that do exist are from pro-Democratic groups such as Rolling Sea Action Fund that conclude with the voiceover, “Come on, do you really think he’s sending you a check? Yeah, right, we won’t get fooled again.”

At a Friday rally in Georgia, Trump noted that he had previously delivered a $1,776 “Trump dividend” to troops in the military. But those payments came from a congressionally approved housing supplement.

Trump claims the nation could not afford the payments if Democrats hold a chamber in Congress because the nation would be “flat broke.” But he said that one caveat is that the money could only be spent in the U.S., rather than in China, Japan or France. He joked that people should spend the check at his luxury club in Palm Beach, Florida.

“Let’s have lunch at Mar-a-Lago, where for $5,000, you’ll get one hamburger and a small dessert,” he told the crowd in Georgia.

Some in the crowd took Trump at his word that he would fight to get them the money. But they added the caveat that if he didn’t come through, it would not be his fault.

“I could use $5,000,” said Mike Boatman, a 58-year-old from Evansville, Indiana, who travels the country attending the president’s rallies. “I mean, he’s done everything he’s said he’s going to do.”

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Bohrer reported from Wasilla, Alaska, and Barrow reported from Dalton, Georgia. Associated Press reporters Aaron Kessler and Linley Sanders in Washington and Lekan Oyekanmi in San Antonio, Texas, contributed.

Helen Haines, a 65-year-old independent politician, was in hospital in critical but stable condition after being struck by a car outside her office in the city of Wangaratta, in Victoria state, on Monday in what police alleged was a “targeted” incident.

Brendan Nugent, from nearby Tarrawingee, was charged with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a federal official, police said in a statement on Tuesday.

Suspect to face court on Wednesday

Nugent has been in police custody since shortly after Haines was injured and a crowd of bystanders subdued him. He will appear in a Wangaratta court on Wednesday, when he could potentially be released on bail.

His father, Rod Nugent, released a statement Tuesday describing Haines as a “deeply respected, valued and much-loved member of our local community.”

“Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable,” the father said, adding that he would cooperate with police.

The incident shocked Australians as political violence is rare here and politicians have always been accessible to the public. Most lawmakers are not accompanied by security officers and go about their work and personal lives on their own.

The prime minister thanks a bystander for intervening

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he phoned local barber Ricky Jefferies, who had run from his store to help members of the public detain the suspect, to thank him on Tuesday for intervening.

“It’s a reminder that at the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character,” Albanese said in Melbourne.

Jefferies earlier told reporters he searched the driver’s pockets and removed a knife. Police confirmed a knife had been found. Jefferies also said he did not consider himself a hero.

“It was crazy,” he said. “A lot of people got involved immediately and they didn't even check for danger. They just ran to help.”

The lawmaker's family says it's grateful for the ‘swift assistance of bystanders’

Haines’s family released a statement expressing thanks for the “swift assistance of bystanders” as well as health workers and police.

Haines, who was first elected to Parliament in 2019 and had been reelected twice since, was initially taken to a hospital in Wangaratta, a city of 30,000 people. She was airlifted later on Monday to a hospital in the state capital, Melbourne, 236 kilometers (147 miles) away.

The Alfred Hospital didn't respond Tuesday to a request for comment on media reports that Haines had had a leg amputated.

Albanese announced on Monday that the national counterterrorism team was investigating, incorporating police and intelligence agencies. Police have since said the incident appears to be isolated.

“This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear. We don’t know what the motivation is,” he said.

Recent data has shown that threats of political violence have grown in Australia. The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation spy agency, Mike Burgess, on Tuesday reiterated an earlier warning that politically motivated violence was a top security concern, along with espionage and foreign interference.

Police reported in 2025 that threats against parliamentarians had doubled over the past three years. Official data showed more than 1,000 such threats against politicians in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Albanese and lawmakers from across the political spectrum spoke to media outlets Tuesday, urging their colleagues, reporters and the public to turn down the heat in increasingly fractious political debates. Many also said they hoped Australia’s easygoing culture of approachable politicians wouldn’t change.

The injured lawmaker was not considered controversial or polarizing

Haines was not known for polarizing views. The daughter of dairy farmers and mother of three was a nurse, midwife and academic before entering politics, and advocated for rural health matters. She was initially elected in 2019 with a campaign focused on health equity, rural prosperity and climate action.

Albanese said eyewitnesses had reported the suspect passed Haines in his SUV as she stood by the trunk of her parked car. The SUV then turned and came back before the driver allegedly drove into the politician, the prime minister said.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the driver allegedly reversed and struck Haines a second time, pinning her against her car, after initially hitting her.

One of the bystanders who came to Haines' assistance, Cody Lepoidevin, told reporters he thought he was witnessing a hit-and-run when the SUV backed away after she was first struck.

But instead of fleeing the scene, Lepoidevin said the driver “then reversed and drove back into her.”

Australia has a low rate of political violence

Elsewhere in the world, authorities have warned of growing threats to lawmakers. The United States has seen a rise in political violence over the past decade.

That includes the 2022 hammer assault on the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, in California; the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally during his presidential campaign, as well as another on the president at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April; and the assassinations in 2025 of a Democratic Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah.

In Britain, killings of politicians have also prompted bolstered security. Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, while Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the militant Islamic State group.

In July, the former British politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe was found beaten to death with a hammer at her home. A man has been charged with murder and terrorism-related offenses.

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Graham-McLay reported from Wellington, New Zealand.

Kayem Foods Inc., based in Chelsea, Massachusetts, is recalling approximately 1,584,361 pounds of products after an investigation found that a warehouse cooler experienced temperature fluctuations that could have allowed harmful pathogens to grow.

The recall was announced by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Oct. 17, 2026. It carries a Class I classification, the agency’s highest-risk category, meaning consuming the affected products could cause serious health consequences or death.

The recall includes a variety of fully cooked meat and poultry products produced between March 31 and Oct. 7, 2026.

Affected items include hot dogs, bacon, smoked brisket, sausages, ham, turkey and other ready-to-eat deli meats sold under multiple brand names, including:

• Kayem
• Al Fresco
• McKenzie
• Triple M
• Deutschmacher
• Genoa
• Jordan’s
• Essem
• Winnisimmet St. Butchery

The products were shipped to retail stores and foodservice locations nationwide, as well as to Hong Kong.

Consumers can check the complete list of recalled products, including UPCs and product labels, on the USDA’s official recall page.

According to the FSIS, the issue was discovered after a retail customer complained about receiving products that were warm upon delivery on Oct. 1.

Kayem Foods investigated the complaint and determined that various ready-to-eat meat and poultry products had been stored in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature deviations.

The company said a cooling-system malfunction led to the problem and that it had corrected the issue.

There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses linked to the recalled products, according to federal officials.

The FSIS is concerned that some of the recalled products may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

Anyone who purchased the affected products should not eat them. Consumers should throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase.

The products subject to recall bear one of the following establishment numbers inside the USDA mark of inspection:

• EST. M/P 7839
• EST. P 20935A
• EST. M 9520

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Kayem Foods customer service at 800-426-6100 or email info@kayem.com.

For additional food safety questions, consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.

India and the United States seek to revive trade negotiations stalled for months by tensions over American tariffs and the Indian government's purchases of Russian oil.

“We’re very, very close. I would say we’re about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement,” Rubio told reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday. “I think there’s a small number of items left to wrap up, so I think that will happen shortly.”

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties in trade, energy, technology and defense, along with talks on regional developments.

Jaishankar and Rubio also held a trilateral meeting with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also was visiting India. Rubio said that the three officials met to discuss “regional energy security and advance our shared economic priorities.”

Washington imposed tariffs of up to 50% on most Indian goods in August 2025 after trade talks broke down. Under a framework agreed upon in February, the tariff rate was reduced to 18%, but the negotiations have since stalled.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the talks had “plateaued.” Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, however, said last week that the first tranche of a trade deal was in its final stages.

India says its final tariff rate should be similar to those of competing manufacturing countries such as Vietnam.

India’s purchases of discounted Russian crude since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 have strained ties with the United States at times. The Indian government has said that it would expand energy imports, including from the U.S., while diversifying suppliers to maintain market stability and keep prices affordable.

Despite tensions, the two countries continue to deepen defense and technology ties, with Washington viewing India as a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific.

Rubio's visit to India follows a trip to Uzbekistan this week to promote trade and ties with Central Asia.

Rubio told reporters in the United States on Saturday before his departure that India had diversified its energy sources, but continued to buy substantial volumes of Russian oil, making an immediate shift to other suppliers difficult.

“You’ve got countries like India, for example, that have voluntarily diversified their energy portfolio, but are still getting a substantial amount of energy from Russia because it’s hard to pivot from one day to the next,” he said. “But they’re also an important ally and partner of the United States.”

Rubio is scheduled to visit a refinery in the city of Jamnagar in Gujarat state on Wednesday and meet with business leaders, according to the U.S. State Department.

The Jamnagar facility, operated by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, is the world’s largest refining complex. In March, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the company was investing $300 billion to set up an oil refinery in Brownsville, Texas.

Rubio last visited India in May.

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A previous version of this story was corrected to show that Rubio's comments on India diversifying its energy portfolio were made on Saturday while he was still in the U.S., not on Sunday in Uzbekistan.

The snack brand announced its new “Holi-LAY’S” collection on Monday, Oct. 19, with flavors inspired by traditional holiday dishes and sweet treats. The chips will roll out at stores nationwide and select retailers between late October and December.

The five new flavors include three savory options inspired by holiday meals and two sweet varieties featuring chocolate.

• Cheddar Scalloped-Style Potatoes: Inspired by the creamy, cheesy side dish, these chips aim to deliver a savory cheddar flavor.
• Roasted Holiday Turkey: These chips feature roasted turkey and rich gravy flavors.
• Maple Bacon: A combination of sweet maple and smoky bacon flavors.
• Wavy Milk Chocolate: Wavy potato chips covered in milk chocolate for a sweet-and-salty combination.
• Wavy Dubai-Style Dark Chocolate: Potato chips coated in dark chocolate with pistachios, inspired by the popular Dubai-style chocolate trend.

The new flavors will arrive in phases throughout the holiday season.

Lay’s Cheddar Scalloped-Style Potatoes and Roasted Holiday Turkey chips are scheduled to hit shelves nationwide beginning Oct. 25.

The Maple Bacon flavor will make its U.S. debut beginning Nov. 8.

For those looking for a sweeter snack, Lay’s Wavy Milk Chocolate and Wavy Dubai-Style Dark Chocolate covered potato chips are scheduled to begin appearing at select retailers Dec. 1, with availability expanding in 2027. All five flavors are limited-time offerings.

The company is also launching the Happy Holi-LAY’S Sweepstakes on Oct. 26.

Fans can scan the code on qualifying Lay’s bags or visit HappyHoli-Lays.com to enter for a chance to win holiday-themed prizes, including branded chip bowls, a charcuterie set, a holiday sweater, a multicooker and a Lay’s collaboration with Le Creuset featuring a signature oval casserole dish.

For more information about the new flavors and sweepstakes, visit the official Lay’s website.

Each day, morning and afternoon temperatures will rise by a couple of degrees. Gone are the mornings in the 40s and afternoons in the 70s. It won’t be hot, but we’re losing that crisp fall feel the rest of the week. There is good news with humidity. It will stay low through the weekend.

Warm and dry through early next week:

We are in a weather pattern called an omega block. Looking below you can see the Greek Symbol for Omega. This blocking pattern occurs when two areas of low pressure “block” high pressure from moving. Because we’re under the high, we’ll experience dry weather with warm temperatures. This pattern won’t change until early next week.

Tracking the tropics:

There is an area off the east coast that has a 40% chance of becoming our next tropical system. It will bring strong winds and coastal flooding from Delaware to the Outer Banks. There is already 8-12′ waves. It will not make direct hit on the United States.

Extended forecast:

I know you are all wanting to know when the next cold front will move through. There is some indication our next front arrives at the end of the month. I have this on the 10-day on Wednesday the 28th. I don’t have a drastic drop in temperatures on Thursday because this isn’t a high change it occurs. But if this front looks like it really may happen you’ll see changes on these dates. Of course we’ll keep you posted.

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that people who regularly ate late in the evening or around bedtime had a 20% to 30% higher risk of liver disease compared with those who avoided eating late.

The findings were published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

The study examined data from three large nationwide research projects: the Nurses’ Health Study, the Nurses’ Health Study II and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Researchers compared participants’ eating habits and lifestyle factors with reports of liver conditions, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, commonly known as fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis.

Fatty liver disease develops when excess fat builds up in the liver. In some cases, it can lead to inflammation, liver damage and cirrhosis, a condition involving severe scarring of the liver.

Researchers said the findings may be connected to the body’s circadian rhythm, the internal clock that helps regulate sleep, metabolism and other biological processes.

The liver plays an important role in processing nutrients, regulating blood sugar and managing how the body stores and uses energy. Eating when the body is preparing for sleep may interfere with some of those processes, researchers said.

“Confining your calorie intake to several hours before bedtime might be beneficial,” said lead study author Dr. Robert Wilechansky, a hepatologist at Oregon Health & Science University who specializes in liver transplantation.

However, researchers cautioned that the study does not prove late-night eating directly causes liver disease. The research was observational and relied on participants’ reports of their eating habits, meaning other factors could help explain the connection.

Additional research is needed to determine whether changing meal times can improve liver health.

Wilechansky is involved in a clinical study at Oregon Health & Science University that will examine whether shifting food consumption earlier in the day leads to measurable improvements in people with underlying fatty liver disease.

For now, researchers say allowing more time between the last meal of the day and bedtime could be one potential way to support metabolic and liver health, although further studies are needed to confirm the benefits.

In battleground states across the country, these faith leaders and hundreds of their colleagues will assume the role of poll chaplains for one day. They will deploy to nine states — Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia and Texas — where contentious races are expected to raise political tensions.

Faiths United in Saving Democracy, a nonpartisan coalition of interfaith and secular partners, is helping to train and certify this volunteer force of clergy members and lay peacekeepers in time for the Nov. 3 elections.

They’ll wear identifying hats and vests, and stay outside the poll centers, with the goal of maintaining a calm, reassuring presence to encourage more voters to exercise their rights without fear or hesitation, said co-founder Barbara Williams-Skinner. As of Oct. 19, they've recruited 1,235 poll chaplains and peacekeepers, she said.

A non-partisan effort to take the fear out of voting

While the idea of poll chaplains has been around for several years, Williams-Skinner said “2026 is going to be different” because there is widespread concern that the presence of federal immigration agents could create a chilling effect.

“The fear is real,” she says, worrying that it could deter eligible voters in mixed-immigration-status families and communities of color. Department of Homeland Security officials have consistently said they have no plans to send immigration agents to the polls, although DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said they could show up for a specific reason, such as arresting someone if they have a warrant.

The coalition has offered training online and in person. Participants get information about immigrant rights, de-escalation techniques and phone numbers to call in tight situations, Williams-Skinner said.

The initiative, strongly rooted in the Black church, has expanded to include diverse faiths as well as non-religious people, she said.

“This is a movement built by unusual coalitions,” she said. “You have white, Mainline Protestants, Quakers, traditional Baptists, Black church leaders, imams, rabbis — all kinds of people who probably would not work together or haven’t worked together in the past.”

While most participating groups are moderate or progressive, Williams-Skinner says it is a strictly nonpartisan initiative.

“We don’t get hung up on who’s moderate or who’s conservative. People just need to be able to vote, unafraid,” she said.

Concerns about voter intimidation motivate chaplains

A Pew survey following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025 showed 85% of Americans, across political lines, believe political violence is on the rise.

Polling places have been targeted by protesters in past elections. In 2022, members of a group claiming to monitor ballot drop boxes in Arizona were ordered to stay at least 250 feet (75 meters) away after voters complained about intimidation. In 2020, following Election Day, a crowd stormed a vote-counting center in Detroit, many incited by online conspiracy theories about election fraud.

As the mob banged on the center’s doors and windows, the Rev. Steve Bland was among several faith leaders who put their bodies between the building and the crowd. Bland, who leads Detroit's Liberty Temple Baptist Church, is continuing that work as a poll chaplain.

The pastor says de-escalation often involves “using the right words to calm a situation” or giving intimidated voters the moral support and reassurance that they are safe to exercise their civic right. Bland said he did precisely that for an elderly, Black woman during a prior election.

“She left and came back with two of her grandsons who also voted,” he said. “Without that intervention, three people wouldn’t have voted that day.”

The Rev. Bankole Akinbinu, senior pastor of Baptist Grove Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, said training in conflict resolution and de-escalation has given him the confidence to serve as a poll chaplain. A millennial, he has sought to engage younger people by recruiting peacekeepers from college campuses.

His motivation comes from seeing voter suppression attempts in North Carolina and other states.

“I look at our forefathers and the struggle they had to endure to afford us the privilege of voting,” Akinbinu said. “I look at my children and the nation I want to hand them.”

Steven Huefner, deputy director of the Election Law Program at The Ohio State University, says poll chaplains might be able to calm the frayed nerves of a voting public that is constantly exposed to divisive rhetoric and news about political violence. While political violence has increased, he says, it's not widespread.

“Election workers are well-trained and can run elections quite well,” he said.

Faith leaders have historically played the role of peacekeepers, said Wendy Cadge, professor of sociology at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and founder of the think tank Chaplaincy Innovation Lab.

And now chaplaincy — beyond traditional worship spaces — is attracting more clergy.

“People are feeling called to chaplaincy because they want to be with people in difficult times,” Cadge said. “They don’t want to worry about what color the carpet is in the church or if their youth programs are attracting enough people. It’s a different kind of work.”

Chaplains find inspiration in theology

Clergy deploying on Election Day say they are heeding a strong, faith-driven calling to serve as poll chaplains.

In Arizona, Rev. Katie Sexton, executive director of Arizona Faith Network, embraces the initiative as a way to reach across the political divide.

“The ballot box is a place where we’re all seen as equal,” she said, adding that it reflects the Christian belief that all humans are created in the image of God. “There is such power in that.”

On Oct. 6, Sexton and several others participated in a training session — one of the last before the midterms — at Temple Chai, a Reform synagogue in Scottsdale.

Rabbi Emily Segal, who leads the congregation, will be a poll chaplain for the first time next month. The work, she says, aligns with what the Torah and Talmud teach about a healthy and just society.

Throughout American history, interfaith coalitions have created powerful change and served as sources of inspiration, Segal said. “Any time we can come together with faith partners around our shared values for societal good is a real source of holiness for our community.”

Bridget Moix, a Quaker leader, will travel to her native Ohio on Election Day.

“In our faith tradition, we think about voting as a sacred act we want to protect,” she said.

For Reirin Gumbel, resident teacher at the Milwaukee Zen Center, it’ll be a third time, come November.

“As Buddhists, the Metta Sutra we chant says every being has the same rights, and that we should have compassion toward all,” she said.

Imam Mohammed Ali Elahi, spiritual leader of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, is considering becoming a poll chaplain for the first time. In a highly contentious campaign in Elahi’s state, Abdul El-Sayed is the first Muslim Democratic candidate to run for a U.S. Senate seat.

The imam said he is tired of anti-Muslim vitriol that has surfaced ahead of the midterms.

“As interfaith clergy, we stand for principles not personalities,” he said. “The Quran tells us to stand for what’s right — truth, justice, peace, human rights and the dignity of human beings, whoever they may be.”

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

The 3.75 megawatt-hour lithium-ion battery system, which can power the Peace Bridge Place affordable housing complex for several days, is among the largest battery systems in a U.S. residential building, manufacturer Viridi and developer Good Carbon Co. said Tuesday.

“We want our electric power to be resilient, affordable and available. Distributed battery storage accomplishes all three,” Viridi CEO Jon M. Williams said. “The only thing that has been holding up installations at scale is safety; a lot of the products on the market over the last 10 years have burned things down.”

Deploying large batteries that can safely power apartment buildings is an important step toward replacing fossil fuels with renewables, experts say, but they're uncommon because of the cost and concerns about fire risks. Already, larger batteries are paired with solar and wind projects, and homeowners are using smaller batteries to store excess energy from rooftop solar and for backup power.

How batteries help keep electricity flow steady

Batteries help maintain a steady flow of power when sources such as solar and wind are not producing. They charge when the sun is shining or when wind is blowing. That energy can then be used when demand is high.

Batteries can also store excess electricity from hydropower, and New York is one of the top hydropower-producing states. Buffalo is close to Niagara Falls, where most of the state's hydropower is produced.

When electricity demand is high, Peace Bridge will use the battery. It will get paid by the utility for not drawing from the grid and for sending power back if needed. This helps lower the complex’s overall electricity costs, which benefits residents. The building can use the system during outages, too.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency helped fund the Peace Bridge Place project, as part of its focus on including disadvantaged communities in the clean energy transition.

“It goes a long way toward demonstrating the safety and viability of these types of projects,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris.

Viridi has manufacturing facilities in Buffalo and Richmond, California, where a state grant assisted with renovations. California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said he's impressed with the company.

More than two-thirds of California's electricity comes from clean energy and batteries get a lot of credit for that, Hochschild said. As electricity demand grows, batteries help ensure the grid is reliable, reduce pollution and contain costs, he added.

“I believe the battery industry is the single most important energy industry for the next several decades,” said Hochschild, who co-founded the Electric Innovation Initiative to use electricity instead of fossil fuels more broadly throughout the U.S. economy.

Viridi’s system passed a ‘near impossible' test

As large battery fires have garnered attention, some communities have opposed further development. However, the failure rate for batteries has decreased as more are installed, according to the Electric Power Research Institute.

Viridi spent six years and $10 million figuring out how to make a fireproof container for batteries. Half the cost was for batteries Viridi destroyed during testing.

Viridi uses plates, pouches and spacing to isolate each battery cell. If one fails, the energy dissipates instead of spreading to the next battery, so that no gas, smoke, heat or fire escapes the container, Williams said.

Jigar Shah, an expert in clean energy financing and deployment, said the Peace Bridge Place system is a milestone in overcoming safety concerns.

To ensure nothing would catch fire when used inside a residence, Viridi's system had to pass a test where the battery was forced to fail while a cheesecloth covered the container. The cheesecloth did not char or ignite, according to the test report record.

Viridi announced in April it met stringent Underwriters Laboratories safety standards so its system could be installed indoors without adding additional fire suppression to a building.

Shah, who led the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office during the Biden administration, said Viridi is the only company to consistently pass this “near impossible” test.

Shah thinks far more U.S. homes will use batteries for backup power by 2030. The U.S. can meet much more electricity demand and avoid costly upgrades to the grid if batteries are strategically deployed, he added.

New York and California officials want forward-thinking energy solutions

Viridi and Good Carbon Co. chose the Peace Bridge apartments because the all-electric building uses a geothermal system for heating and cooling rather than natural gas and needed additional, resilient power. The electricity demand locally can exceed the available supply, so the utility National Grid supported the endeavor, Williams added.

Peace Bridge is considered affordable housing because renters earn no more than 80% of the area's median income, Good Carbon said. It said energy storage will be an important part of future multifamily housing projects.

Viridi has been manufacturing in Buffalo since 2018. A medical research building in the city is using its battery system, too. Viridi's plant could build enough battery packs in a year to supply energy for about 14,000 average U.S. homes for 24 hours, Williams said.

Harris, at NYSERDA, said the state needs more options like this for maintaining a reliable grid and managing costs. Gov. Kathy Hochul has made that a priority.

“If we don’t need to build generation, we can utilize the grid that we have more effectively, that’s extremely valuable to us,” she said.

In California, 2,000 battery storage systems are being added each week and the largest in the world is under construction in Fresno County, Hochschild said. He thinks the battery industry is poised to take off.

He said, “We’re just getting started.”

___

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The air emissions report published by the Houston Advanced Research Center revealed that the industry’s impact on air quality depends heavily on how data centers are powered. The outlook is far worse if the facilities rely on natural gas plants.

“What we are showcasing here is that there is a significant increase in different pollutant emissions that needs to be addressed because otherwise this could have strong implications for the population and environment,” said Carlos Gamarra, vice president for energy, air and IT for HARC, whose team produced the air quality impact scenarios.

Between 2002 and 2024, Texas sharply cut its major air pollutants — particularly from transportation, industry and the power generation sectors — even as the state’s population grew by millions and its economy roughly doubled, according to the report, which used federal and state agencies’ data on air emissions.

At least 288 data center projects are planned across the state, according to a recent Texas Tribune analysis. The scale of the projected data center build-out means that the sector’s future emissions trajectory now depends heavily on how electricity is supplied. According to the report’s modeling, emissions could plausibly range from a marginal increase to a reversal of two decades of progress in reducing air emissions.

By 2031, the report projects that statewide nitrogen oxide emissions could rise 35% — even under a cleaner “net zero” scenario where data centers connect to the grid and deploy wind and solar on site. Under a different scenario where data centers choose traditional on-site natural-gas power sources, those emissions could increase nearly 400%. Such emissions can damage the human respiratory system with long-term exposure, causing chronic lung disease.

“We need to treat data centers as the industrial facilities they are … to hold them accountable to the same industrial and power generation emissions standards that produced Texas progress,” Gamarra said.

The report’s researchers argue that it’s not too late to stop this outcome. Instead of relying on the cheapest, fastest power options, Gamarra said, Texas lawmakers and industry leaders have the opportunity to shape the state’s air quality by choosing cleaner choices like renewable and wind and implementing regulation that could help reduce the impact.

How do data centers impact air quality?

Data centers need electricity to keep their servers running. Those servers also need cooling systems to avoid overheating, and some of the most water-efficient technologies use the most electricity to operate. As AI computing chips get more powerful and run at hotter temperatures, the need for cooling increases — and that means more energy.

Data centers can get that electricity in a number of ways. Historically, the most common method has been connecting to the Texas power grid. But there’s a wait to get connected. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the grid operator, in the last two years received over 500 requests to connect large electricity users, many of which are data centers, compared to two dozen such requests the year before that, according to state records from this summer.

Proposed data centers in Texas range from five to 11,000 megawatts in planned capacity, which reflects the maximum power an individual facility could use in any given moment. The estimated electricity that large projects could need from the grid added up to 439 gigawatts — which would equal roughly a third of all the power generation in America.

Gov. Greg Abbott has temporarily halted new data centers from connecting to the state’s power grid pending an audit examining each facility’s power demand, water and cooling use, public financial assistance and community impacts.

Data center developers and operators that can’t wait for a grid connection look for alternatives.

“The challenge right now is for these data centers when they try to connect to the grid, they have long timelines, like three to five years, and they cannot wait,” Gamarra said. “So they start deploying their own on-site energy systems, and they don’t always pick the cleanest version of on-site generation because of timelines.”

He also notes that cleaner, more renewable technologies cannot always provide continuous energy to the data centers. Operators that choose cleaner technologies pay a higher price.

Going back on Texas air quality progress

Researchers modeled how four power supply scenarios could affect air pollutant levels over the next five years, based on projections of data center energy demand. The report studied a number of scenarios, comparing pollution from data centers connected to the grid versus combinations of on-site generation, including natural gas, solar and wind.

Gamarra attributed Texas’s declining emissions over the past two decades to changes in the electricity mix, especially the growth of wind and solar, pollution controls across power generation for industry and transportation, and the retirement of coal-fired generation.

That progress could be reversed if natural gas plants are the primary power sources for data centers.

Levels of nitrogen oxides would increase 136% by 2031 and approach the level they were at in 2004. Volatile organic compounds would exceed their 2002 level by 32%. Levels of particulate matter, microscopic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, would increase to levels not seen since 2006.

Some scientists call particulate matter the deadliest form of air pollution because it can trigger health problems such as asthma attacks, irregular heartbeat and respiratory diseases.

The report also found that the power sources of data centers can drive enormous swings in air pollution. On-site natural gas engines emit about four times as much nitrogen oxides as grid power for the same data center, according to Gamarra.

At least 32 natural gas-fired power plants are planned in Texas — more than any other state — according to the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project.

“We need to pay attention to it because we don’t want to go back to the emissions levels we had in the early 2000s.”

Carlos Gamarra

Nitrogen oxide emissions from data center power generation could be two to 10 times higher if all new demand were met with combustion instead of grid supply paired with solar and wind, depending on which demand forecast is used.

Major metros like Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin frequently struggle to meet federal air pollution standards already, mainly due to intense traffic, vehicle exhaust and high summer temperatures.

Even under the cleanest power supply scenario, the report found that the sheer volume of data center power demand leads to an increase in emissions.

“If the industry grows as is expected to grow, we need to be careful with air quality. We need to pay attention to it because we don’t want to go back to the emissions levels we had in the early 2000s,” Gamarra said.

There’s also a role for data center operators to play, Gamarra added. Operators could choose cleaner power when possible and meet existing pollution-control standards. They could also disclose electricity use, power sources and resulting pollution so communities can assess impacts before development decisions are made.

Disclosure: Houston Advanced Research Center has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune within the past five years. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in our journalism. Find a complete list of them and more information about our financial and disclosure policies here.

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Houston’s Top Headlines 📰

Man in critical condition after being shot during argument over ownership of SW Houston lounge

A man is in critical condition after being shot during a dispute outside a lounge in southwest Houston Monday night, according to the Houston Police Department. Police said officers responded to a shooting around 10:15 p.m. Oct. 19 in the 6200 block of Bellaire Boulevard, in front of Costa Lounge VIP.

Harris County shatters early voting record on Day 1 with at least 100,000 ballots cast

Harris County shattered its early voting record on Day 1, with 104,201 ballots cast by 6 p.m. — blowing past the previous record of 63,000 votes set during the 2018 midterm elections. The milestone was confirmed by the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

Lines stretched out the door at polling sites across the county. The Richard and Meg Weekley Community Center led all 75 locations with 3,153 votes cast by 6 p.m.

Eagles QB and Channelview native Jalen Hurts sidelined indefinitely with blood clots; season at risk

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season because of blood clots in his lungs, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the health matter.

KPRC 2’s new show ENOUGH at 10 p.m.

KPRC 2’s new show, ENOUGH, airs Sunday through Thursday at 10 p.m. ENOUGH is a new commitment to accountability journalism — digging deeper into the issues affecting Houstonians and pushing for answers about what’s working, what isn’t, and what happens next. Here’s what you missed if you did not catch the latest episodes:

• Early voting: Harris County judge candidates split on property taxes and safety

Things 2 Know 💡

Greg Abbott raked in $9 million from data center-related donors as he called for regulations

Houston-area haunted houses: When 2026 Halloween attractions open

Houston firefighters share heating and fire safety tips as temperatures begin to drop

In case you missed it...

• Italian court partially grants extradition for Harris County capital murder defendant Lee Gilley
• Father of three killed after softball game: Family seeks answers as sheriff urges an end to deadly conflicts

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Police said officers responded to a shooting around 10:15 p.m. Oct. 19 in the 6200 block of Bellaire Boulevard, in front of Costa Lounge VIP.

• Harris County shatters early voting record on Day 1 with at least 100,000 ballots cast

According to investigators, the shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups over ownership of the lounge. During the argument, one man pulled out a gun and shot the other man once, police said.

“Evidently, a fight ensued between two parties over ownership of the location. During that time, one produced a firearm and shot the other one time,” Houston Police Department Lt. J.P. Harlicka.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Investigators said a man with blood on his shirt was seen helping the victim after the shooting.

Police did not provide additional information about the man or his relationship to the victim.

• Italian court partially grants extradition for Harris County capital murder defendant Lee Gilley

The suspect is described as a heavyset Hispanic man who left the scene in a black Ford Raptor pickup truck, according to police. No firearms were recovered at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Houston Police Department.

Far from it.

The opening night rosters in the NBA have been turned in — and there are 17 French players on those lists, the most of any international land. Canada, which has had more player representation than any other country outside of the U.S. over the last several years, has 16 players on opening night rosters.

In all, there are 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries on rosters to open this season. Of those, 70 are European.

Australia has nine players on opening night rosters, followed by Germany (seven), and Nigeria and Serbia (six each). Every NBA roster has at least one international player, with Dallas, Miami and Washington leading the way with seven each.

International players have taken the NBA's Most Valuable Player award in each of the last eight seasons, with Miami's Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greek, of Nigerian descent) winning for Milwaukee in 2019 and 2020; Denver's Nikola Jokic (Serbia) winning in 2021, 2022 and 2024; Philadelphia's Joel Embiid (Cameroon-born, now an American citizen) in 2023; and Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada) in 2025 and 2026.

Homecoming games

There was a ton of superstar-level player movement this offseason, with LeBron James going to Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto and more.

Here's a look at some notable return games by players headed back to former homes this season:

— Oct. 21, Utah's Jaren Jackson Jr. returns to Memphis.

— Nov. 10, Boston's Paul George returns to Philadelphia.

— Nov. 18, Milwaukee's Tyler Herro returns to Miami (for the first Antetokounmpo vs. Bucks game, too.)

— Nov. 19, Portland's Damian Lillard returns to Milwaukee.

— Nov. 23, Brooklyn's Julius Randle returns to Minnesota.

— Dec. 25, Philadelphia's LeBron James returns to Los Angeles to face the Lakers.

— Jan. 21, Philadelphia's Jaylen Brown returns to Boston.

— Jan. 28, Miami's Antetokounmpo returns to Milwaukee.

— Feb. 6, Portland's Ja Morant returns to Memphis.

— Feb. 15, Minnesota's LaMelo Ball returns to Charlotte.

Player stat targets of note

— Cleveland's James Harden is 661 points from becoming the ninth player in NBA history with 30,000. He'll also likely become the 11th player with 9,000 assists; he's 127 away there.

— Houston's Kevin Durant (32,597) is 1,046 points away from matching the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant for No. 4 on the NBA's career scoring list.

— Denver's DeMar DeRozan (26,711) enters this season 16th on the scoring list and Golden State's Stephen Curry (26,528) is 19th. It's well within the realm of possibility that they're near No. 10 Shaquille O'Neal (28,596) by season's end.

— Miami's Klay Thompson is 74 3-pointers from tying Ray Allen (2,973) for third on the all-time list, behind only Curry and Harden.

Jokic chasing history

If Denver's Nikola Jokic finishes in the top two of the MVP balloting — something he's done in each of the last six years — he'd set a record. Nobody has done that seven years in a row.

Jokic won the award in 2021, 2023 and 2024, plus was second in 2022, 2025 and 2026.

He's the third player with six consecutive top-two finishes. Boston's Bill Russell won in 1958, 1961, 1962 and 1963, while finishing second in 1959 and 1960. Another Celtics legend, Larry Bird, was second in 1981, 1982 and 1983 before winning in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

Many Indy milestones await

Indiana's first win this season will be a cause for celebration — it'll be the Pacers' milestone 2,000th victory in regular-season play since joining the NBA. The Pacers also had 427 regular-season wins in their ABA era.

The Pacers' Rick Carlisle is scheduled to coach his 2,000th regular-season game on March 8 against Charlotte. He needs 65 games to hit 2,000; that game is the 63rd on Indiana's current schedule, which doesn't account for two that will be added as the NBA Cup tournament plays out.

Carlisle is 30 wins from tying Rick Adelman (1,042) for 10th-most in NBA history.

Coaching, team milestones to watch

A few other milestones that could be reached this season:

— Miami's Erik Spoelstra is two wins shy of tying Cotton Fitzsimmons (832) for 16th on the NBA's all-time list for coaches. Spoelstra is also 34 wins shy of matching one of his idols, Jack Ramsay, for 15th; Ramsay won 864 games in his career.

— Golden State’s Steve Kerr will likely climb into the top 25 on the coaching wins list. Kerr enters the season 28th with 603 regular-season victories, 10 behind No. 27 Mike Dunleavy, 25 behind No. 26 Doug Moe and 35 behind No. 25 Chuck Daly.

— All of Kerr’s wins have come with the Warriors; only Gregg Popovich (1,390 with San Antonio), Jerry Sloan (1,127 with Utah), Spoelstra (830 with Miami), Red Auerbach (795 with Boston), Red Holzman (613 with New York) and Phil Jackson (610 with the Lakers) won more with one team. Kerr is obviously well within reach of Holzman and Jackson on that list.

— Orlando's 33rd game of the season, which would be Dec. 31 at Indiana, will be the 3,000th regular-season contest in Magic history. New Orleans' 68th game, currently set for March 12 at home against Toronto, will be No. 2,000 in Pelicans history.

— The Los Angeles Lakers' 34th game this season (Dec. 31 at New Orleans) will be their 7,000th in franchise history, including playoffs.

___

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

That was way off. She wouldn’t get one until three years after the crash.

It could have been longer if not for an unusual meeting with an organ procurement organization, or OPO, that taught the frustrated Screws how hospitals vary in which organs they accept or refuse — and she flew across the country for a better chance.

“I wish that there was more clarity with patients about when is an organ coming up that could be a match for you and why is it not a match,” said Screws, who received a transplant at her new hospital in just weeks. She wishes she had asked sooner, “What is the thing that’s holding this up?”

Screws’ journey shows how the transplant system often struggles to inform patients about options that can be incredibly difficult to navigate on their own. Among them are where to seek care, whether to get on multiple hospitals’ transplant lists, and how to discuss if you’d accept a less-than-perfect organ rather than continue waiting. And in the background, viable organs can be wasted. About 1 in 5 donated organs go unused, usually because a recipient wasn’t found in time.

For kidney transplants, the most common type, a large study found "there’s about a 16-fold variation in how quickly a patient will get transplanted at one center versus another,” said Dr. Syed Ali Husain of NYU Langone Health, who researches such differences.

One reason is that some surgeons have more experience than others using kidneys with complex anatomy like extra arteries, or those from older, sicker donors that still may be better than dialysis for the right patient, he said.

There’s far less information about rare types of transplants like the intestine, which is biologically more difficult to handle than some other organs.

“We offer them but they’re declined so often that it’s demoralizing,” said Lisa Stocks of California’s OneLegacy, one of the nation’s largest OPOs, who showed the data to Screws.

Screws was one of just 88 people in the U.S. to receive a new intestine last year, compared with more than 27,000 kidney transplants.

Whatever the organ, most patients don’t know what to ask, said Dr. Allyson Hart of Minnesota’s Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute. She helped design tools for a new patient-friendly online database that can help people compare waiting times and other characteristics of different transplant hospitals.

Too many patients think “they just needed to wait for five years and they would get transplanted,” Hart said, when often “that’s actually not what happens.”

Transplants are on the rise

With just over 49,000 transplants performed in the U.S. last year, more people than ever are getting new organs. That’s mostly thanks to over a decade of increases in donations from the deceased, recovered by OPOs that act as a bridge to transplant hospitals.

But about 100,000 people are awaiting a transplant, the vast majority of whom need a kidney. There’s growing pressure to retrieve and use more donated organs, even as donor registrations recently dipped and an aging population means organs increasingly come from older, sicker donors. And the government is in the midst of a yearslong overhaul of the transplant system.

One pending move threatens to close some of the nation's 55 OPOs under a controversial grading system that holds them accountable for the number of organs they procure and how many are transplanted — the latter, they argue, being out of their control because surgeons decide when an organ is right for their patient. Some, including OneLegacy, are part of lawsuits seeking to block such closures.

Regulators also grade hospitals, and Husain said some of the reluctance to use less-than-perfect organs has long stemmed from concern about getting a lower score if even a few of them fail.

Medicare is running a pilot project to see if financial incentives or penalties will push hospitals to perform more kidney transplants, so fewer of those donated organs go to waste.

A foodie who could no longer eat

In late 2024, OPOs around the country began receiving emotional letters from Screws and some of her family members. They detailed how a May 2022 car crash, a month after her wedding, required the removal of Screws' small intestine, the organ that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients. The self-described “passionate foodie” who loves to cook now got all her nutrition from an overnight IV drip that left her severely nauseous and unable to return to her engineering job or pursue plans with her husband to start a family.

“This accident completely derailed my life and the wait for a new organ has been excruciating,” wrote Screws, adding that her original transplant doctors “feel that it is possible there is a lack of awareness of small bowel transplant among organ procurement organizations.” She asked that the OPOs “confirm your organization’s matching programs are properly searching for and prioritizing small intestine donations.”

To OPOs required to recover as many organs as possible, it was a shocking question. They work closely with grieving relatives of deceased donors but seldom get questions from would-be recipients. Stocks, the OneLegacy nurse, realized OPOs have data that could help patients advocate for themselves, and started combing records.

How are donated organs retrieved and distributed?

Every transplant center has its own organ-specific waiting list linked to a nationwide automated matching system. The OPO in charge of each deceased donor enters information about organs deemed suitable for use, which generates lists of possible matches at multiple hospitals in order of priority. A patient who matches baseline biological characteristics still might not show up as a candidate if the surgeon added some additional requirements, such as wanting a donor to be younger than 40.

Transplant teams must quickly decide on an offer, based on lab tests, scans and other medical records. If they decline, the organ then is offered to the hospital with the next-in-line possible match.

“It’s the right donor at the right time. You can never predict these things,” said Dr. Cal Matsumoto at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, the second transplant center where Screws registered, and where she wound up getting a new intestine.

Matching begins before surgery to recover the organs, and distance also plays a role, as some organs last longer than others outside the body. Oftentimes, surgeons travel to personally remove certain tricky-to-handle organs rather than relying on a local surgeon to retrieve and ship them.

“Generally if it’s a very good donor, so to speak, there’s going to be a heart team, a lung team, a pancreas team and a liver team, so there’s a lot of coordination” even to schedule recovery, said Matsumoto. For intestines, he said, that also involves surgeons negotiating how they’ll divide critical blood vessels shared by nearby abdominal organs.

But the process is far from perfect: In a study published last year, a group of kidney patients who died on the waiting list had a median of 25 organ offers their transplant team had declined — organs that were eventually used in someone else.

An intestine with a quirk that’s working well

It turned out that Screws' local OPO, OneLegacy, had made nine offers for her during 2024 that were all rejected. Stocks said she had “candid conversations” with the transplant team about why they were declined, such as technical preferences about the retrieval, so she'd know better how to evaluate potential new donors.

Meanwhile, Stocks also showed Screws how to use a database run by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients to decide whether to also seek care at a hospital that does more intestine transplants.

In June 2025, just a few weeks after “double listing,” Screws received a new intestine at Georgetown. It came, she learned, from a donor in Chicago. It was longer than is usually transplanted, but Matsumoto said it wound up fitting fine.

Screws’ original hospital, UCLA Health, cited patient privacy rules in declining to comment except to say that it follows federal transplant guidelines and that its transplant teams “continuously strive to enhance processes in service to our patients.” While its intestine program is small, UCLA is a major provider of kidney and other transplants.

Screws is careful to say her frustration wasn’t with her doctors, but with the lack of centralized, easy-to-understand information about what to expect. She had never heard of OPOs until her transplant coordinator mentioned them or realized there had to be a bridge between donors and transplant surgeons.

“My main takeaway was that there is more subjectivity to selecting an organ than I would have previously thought,” Screws said. Hers was “larger than average and maybe another surgeon wouldn’t have accepted that.”

___

The Associated Press’ health and science coverage receives financial support from the AP Fund for Journalism and private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The pressing question before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane over the multiple-day hearing in Houston will be —- can the $4.9 billion Texas foster care system keep the 6,800 children in its care safe without a federal court overseeing its every move? 

“That ‘micromanagement’ has run its course,” attorneys for the state, led by Gibson Dunn partner Allyson Ho, argued in recent court filings. “It’s time to return Texas’s foster-care system to Texas. The State has earned that result.”

Filed in 2011, the lawsuit has put the state’s foster care system, which is housed under the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, under constant court oversight. Since 2018, court-appointed monitors have traveled throughout Texas to check on children in state care. Their reports have provided unprecedented details about the unsafe conditions children are living in while in the state’s care, children dying in the state’s care, and caseworker to children ratios, among other statistics. 

If the case were to be dismissed, it’s not clear if the state would want to provide such transparency on foster care conditions moving forward and, more importantly, be trusted to continue improving care for children. The agency did not respond immediately for a request for comment ahead of the hearing.

“Fixing this broken Texas system takes time,” Yetter told The Texas Tribune in a statement on Friday. “We’ve seen welcome improvements. But the court-ordered reforms are in progress, not done. It’s crazy for the state to try to end the remedies now. Children will suffer.”

The agency’s newer team of private attorneys, hired specifically to move the lawsuit to dismissal, has insisted that the agency be released from monitoring. They cite that the agency, for the most part, has complied with the court’s mandate that both foster care casework and children’s living conditions improve, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to do it. 

The most recent court monitors reports say the state dropped overall wait times for callers to the abuse hotline decreased, more than 82% of caseloads involving children in permanent foster care remained within a manageable threshold of 14-to-17 children per worker and “significant” progress has been made into the investigations of foster care providers.

There’s been a nearly 50% drop in the number of children removed from their homes, thanks in part to a 2021 law change that made it harder for the state to remove children from their parents because of neglect. To be removed for neglect, which at one time represented most of the cases the agency investigated, the child no longer had to be in “substantial risk of physical or mental harm,” but rather had to be in “immediate danger.” 

That revised criteria is responsible for fewer cases coming in DFPS’ front door. In fiscal year 2025, DFPS investigated 581 possible child abuse and neglect-related fatalities, down from 997 in fiscal year 2022. In 2011, about 12,000 children were in long-term foster care compared to about 6,800 in 2025. 

The agency is also working harder at keeping children in their homes or with relatives instead of removing them, while an child abuse and neglect investigation proceeds. 

Still, there are concerns that when children are finally removed, they are much more traumatized and need more extensive help if they do wind up in a long-term foster care placement. One of the latest monitors’ reports detail they had “significant concerns” with the system putting foster children in homes that had histories of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The monitors say they are concerned that HHSC allows homes to stay open if the child placing agency, private organizations that the state contracts with to find homes for foster children, disagrees with the closure. They also note some homes reopened under a new child placing agency after HHSC had previously recommended that they close.

In DFPS’ own self-evaluation report prepared for its upcoming sunset review, the agency stated that although fewer children are removed from their homes, caseworkers are seeing more “high acuity” children who need more behavioral and mental health help.

“Although fewer children are entering care, those who do often have significant trauma or behavioral health needs requiring higher levels of support. This underscores the continued need for high-quality, trauma-informed services for children in conservatorship,” the report stated. 

In 2017, the agency became a separate, standalone entity that reports directly to Gov. Greg Abbott, not the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. DFPS’ makeover has meant boiling down the agency’s role considerably, restricting it to answering and investigating child abuse allegations and working harder at keeping families together instead of removing children and placing them into foster care. 

Also nine years ago, Texas lawmakers approved a massive privatization effort that today means just over half of the state’s foster care children are now managed and placed in homes and residential settings by community-based, private contractors. As of last November, DFPS reported the combined value of its five large multi-year contracts was $1.34 billion. 

The results of the privatization rollout have been mixed. This summer, the agency fired one of its largest contractors – EMPOWER – which managed the care of roughly 3,000 children in Dallas and seven other counties, following the deaths of two children in its care in the past two years. 

“The Texas foster care system is in a period of flux, as it shifts into full privatization, and improvements to the system are too new to conclude they are durable,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys stated in a recent filing.  

The state’s defense attorneys insist that the firing of EMPOWER following its deficiencies shows the system is now working as it should. 

“(The state is) actively identifying threats to children’s safety and acting swiftly to protect those children,” the agency’s legal team argued in a filing. “The State uncovered Empower’s failures, took control of Empower within two days, checked on nearly every child in Empower’s care within six weeks … That’s the system working as it should to protect Texas children.”

Meanwhile, child deaths in other parts of the state continue to grab headlines. In the spring, an Edinburg mother who had an extensive history with DFPS investigators over her mental state, was arrested and charged with the capital murder of her two children in San Antonio. And both the agency and law enforcement in Houston have been quietly investigating the death this summer of a 13-year-old found dead inside her foster parent’s car.  

The state, on the other hand, argues that expensive reforms to the agency have helped the agency reach a stage where further court monitoring should be eliminated. 

“Each of those systems is now built and working,” lawyers for the state argue in filings. “So even if the State did not perfectly comply with every order, the conditions that created the unreasonable risk of serious harm have been remedied.”

As that newfound interest mounted, so did property tax bills. As homeowners in the neighborhood increasingly worried about their climbing tax bills, community advocates came to a realization: many hadn’t claimed a benefit that might have helped keep those bills in check.

That benefit: the homestead exemption, which shaves at least $140,000 off the value that school districts tax and triggers more property tax savings if cities and counties offer their own exemptions.

The exemption results in potentially thousands of dollars saved in taxes annually while unlocking a number of other benefits intended to keep bills from rising too quickly.

Without claiming the exemption, many West Dallas homeowners risked being priced out of the neighborhood and displaced, said Johana Miranda, who runs the Homestead Preservation Center at the Wesley-Rankin Community Center, a nonprofit in West Dallas.

“It comes down to being able to afford another year of taxes,” Miranda said. “It does make a huge impact on the decision of staying or having to leave.”

West Dallas homeowners aren’t alone in potentially missing out. As homeowners receive their tax bills this month, hundreds of thousands of Texas homeowners who may be eligible for the homestead exemption aren’t claiming the benefit, policy experts and appraisal districts told The Texas Tribune.

In Dallas County, that estimate was 57,000 households — who have left nearly $310 million on the table by not claiming the exemption, according to research by the Child Poverty Action Lab, a Dallas-based nonprofit. In Travis and Bexar counties, roughly 60,000 homeowners in each county may unduly be going without the exemption, appraisal districts told the Tribune. Some 113,000 Harris County homeowners could be eligible but aren’t claiming the exemption, the appraisal district said. 

That’s about 1 in 5 households in Travis County who might be eligible but don’t have the exemption, and roughly 1 in 10 in the others. Appraisal districts don’t have a precise number because of several factors, including the fact that appraisal districts don’t directly identify who’s eligible, just who might be. 

Without a homestead exemption, the owner of a median priced home in Dallas County could expect to pay $7,062 in property taxes last year, according to another report from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law’s Housing Policy Clinic and the Child Poverty Action Lab. With a homestead exemption, they would have paid $4,573 — resulting in 35% savings on their tax bill. An older homeowner’s bill would have come out to $1,872, thanks to additional breaks for homeowners over the age of 65.

Homeowners don’t automatically receive the break and not everyone knows about the exemption, policy experts, nonprofit workers and appraisal district officials said. 

To get the exemption, homeowners have to fill out an application, prove they own the home and that it is their primary residence, among other requirements. But the process can be complicated, especially for those who encounter language barriers or face other complications when proving they own their home. That’s especially true for first-time buyers or heirs who inherit their homes who are not using a lender or real estate agent to complete the process, said Heather Way, who heads the Housing Policy Clinic.

“How are you supposed to even know that this exemption exists if your real estate agent or mortgage broker hasn’t told you about the exemption?” Way said.

Disparities in who claims their homestead exemption falls along racial and wealth lines. Homeowners in Hispanic and Black neighborhoods in Dallas County claim the exemption at lower rates than those in predominantly white and Asian neighborhoods, the Child Poverty Action Lab said. A similar disparity exists between poorer and wealthier neighborhoods, researchers found.

Local governments, appraisal districts and nonprofits have combed through records to try to reach individual homeowners to implore them to claim the break. State lawmakers have chipped away at barriers to getting the homestead exemption, but policy experts have suggested a litany of ways that lawmakers could still act. 

At the same time, the number of homeowners who have claimed the exemption has grown, said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican who authored measures in recent years to increase the exemption amount offered by school districts. The comptroller’s office reports some 6.28 million Texas homeowners had an exemption in 2025, which Bettencourt says is 580,000 more than two years prior.

Bettencourt acknowledged an education gap around the homestead exemption but said it’s unlikely that all eligible homeowners will ever claim it, though he wants them to. The main way the state could increase awareness of the homestead exemption is to keep increasing it, he argued.

“The higher the homestead exemption, the more likely people are to notice it,” Bettencourt said.

What’s behind the gap

In Dallas County, Child Poverty Action Lab researchers found that homeowners in wealthier neighborhoods claim the homestead exemption at higher rates than those in poorer neighborhoods. Of the 57,000 estimated Dallas County properties that could be eligible for the break, some 40,000 properties sit in low-income areas.

In Travis County, there are gaps in poorer places like Del Valle and Manor than in wealthier neighborhoods like Hyde Park or Westlake, said Cynthia Martinez, chief strategy officer at the Travis Central Appraisal District.

“People with means are more likely to know what a homestead exemption is right off the bat,” Martinez said.

One possible explanation for the disparity: wealthier people often employ property tax consultants who can inform them about the homestead exemption and help them apply for it, said Ashley Flores, senior director at Child Poverty Action Lab. But hiring a tax consultant may be too expensive for lower-income homeowners, she said.

Applying by oneself can be difficult. It’s not always easy to find the homestead exemption application on an appraisal district’s website and it contains jargon that might be intimidating for a homeowner to fill out. Many appraisal districts allow homeowners to apply online, but others may not.

Language barriers persist. Not every appraisal district provides the application in Spanish. The Texas comptroller’s office provides an application in Spanish, but even when there is a translation, property tax jargon can be tough to understand, Miranda said.

“I’ve encountered a lot of clients that obviously speak Spanish, but they wouldn’t understand the questions that were being stated or asked,” Miranda said.

Even when a home is someone’s primary residence, homeowners sometimes have a hard time proving it. They might inherit the home from a family member and do not have their name on the deed because they didn’t use a lender or a real estate agent to make the ownership transfer formal. Heirs can claim the homestead exemption if they’re not on the deed, but may need additional documents like a death certificate or a recent utility bill to prove they live there.

That kind of proof isn’t always readily available, Miranda said.

Older homeowners who haven’t claimed their exemption may face other hurdles. To get a homestead exemption, homeowners must have an up-to-date driver’s license or state identification. But older Texans may have stopped driving long ago and allowed their driver’s license to expire. 

That reality became apparent when appraisal districts began sending letters to homeowners confirming their exemption eligibility, a requirement under a state law passed in 2023.

“We had a lot of adults calling on behalf of their parents, saying, ‘You sent my mom or dad this letter, and they live in their home, but they don’t have a license or ID anymore. What are we supposed to do?’” Martinez said.

In West Dallas, Miranda said she has driven people to the DMV to obtain IDs to help them remain eligible.

Homeowners who are undocumented, meanwhile, are completely boxed out from getting a homestead exemption. It’s illegal for them to obtain a driver’s license that would enable them to claim a homestead exemption. 

It’s unclear how many homes that might be eligible for a homestead exemption are owned by undocumented immigrants.

Missing out

Low-income Dallas County households who haven’t claimed their exemption would see an average savings of $5,000 if they did, including possible refunds, according to the Child Poverty Action Lab. For a household with two adults and two children, that’s equal to the cost of about five months’ worth of food or three months of healthcare expenses.

“There’s only a couple things that homeowners can do to realize lower housing costs, and one of those is claiming the homestead exemption,” said Joey Blatt, director of the Child Poverty Action Lab’s Housing Impact arm. “So it’s really a primary way for homeowners to realize more affordable housing.”

Other tax benefits kick in with the homestead exemption on school district taxes.

For one, properties with the homestead exemption also benefit from the state’s 10% appraisal cap, which limits how fast a home’s taxable value can rise each year. But the cap doesn’t necessarily limit how much a tax bill can grow because it doesn’t prevent local governments raising tax rates.

Homeowners who qualify for a homestead exemption get deductions from any jurisdiction that offers an exemption. For example, in addition to the school district’s, homeowners could get additional exemptions from a city, county, community college or hospital district.

There are additional benefits for older homeowners. Homeowners age 65 and or have a qualifying disability receive an additional $60,000 exemption on top of the $140,000 exemption they receive from school districts. Their school tax bill freezes the moment they turn 65 or whenever they claim the exemption. Often on fixed incomes, older Texans get the option to pay their property taxes in installments. They may also get additional tax breaks from local school districts if those districts offer additional breaks.

How to close the gap

State law requires appraisal districts to proactively identify and notify homeowners who may be eligible for the exemption but haven’t claimed it. Appraisal districts must send homeowners letters explaining that they may qualify for the exemption.

Even so, appraisal districts can only do so much when the onus of claiming the homestead exemption ultimately falls on the homeowner. The Bexar Central Appraisal District sent notices to nearly 82,000 homeowners officials believed were eligible in January, appraisal district spokesperson Jennifer Rodriguez said. By October, roughly a quarter of them had claimed the exemption, she said.

It’s possible some homeowners think the notice is junk mail — that a homestead exemption sounds too good to be true.

“The amount of junk and spam, especially in neighborhoods where people are hungry for homes, it becomes really challenging to know what’s real and what’s not,” Breen said.

In the meantime, some cities, nonprofits and appraisal districts have tried other ways to help people claim their homestead exemption.

The Travis Central Appraisal District puts on workshops and informational sessions and sends officials to community events to help people claim their exemption, Martinez said. In some cases, district employees show at homeowners’ doorsteps to inform them they could be eligible. The district is also encouraging lenders and real estate agents to inform homebuyers about the exemption, she said.

Several ideas could close the gap, including improving Spanish-language materials and increasing local and state resources to boost outreach, experts say. 

Now, the process of applying for a homestead exemption is spread across 253 appraisal districts. The state could centralize the process through one online application portal managed by the Texas Comptroller’s office, Way said.

“Right now, you have each appraisal district paying for its own [application process], contracting out with third-party software vendors,” Way said. “It’s so inefficient.”

Instead of requiring homeowners to provide a copy of their ID to apply, the Legislature could require the Texas Department of Public Safety to allow appraisal districts access to the agency’s real-time data showing driver’s licenses and state IDs. State law already requires DPS to provide some license and ID information to appraisal districts, but doesn’t require the agency to give appraisal districts real-time access. Doing so would streamline the application process while ensuring that only qualified homeowners are getting the benefit while allowing appraisal districts to precisely target eligible homeowners, Way and Martinez said.

It’s not likely lawmakers would automatically give new homeowners a new homestead exemption when they first buy their home instead of making them apply. Bettencourt dismissed the idea of automatic enrollment and using DPS data, citing concerns about accuracy of the data and potential fraud, though he said he’s potentially open to smaller changes.

There’s only so much the state can do to help or convince people to apply for the exemption, he said.

“At some point in time, it becomes pushing on a rope of human nature,” Bettencourt said.

Texas homeowners can apply for a homestead exemption, which can cut thousands of dollars off the taxable value of a home. That gives homeowners a break on the taxes they pay to public schools, often the biggest chunk of an owner’s tax bill, and often on the taxes they pay to cities and counties, too.

Despite the savings potential, many homeowners don’t claim the exemption. Homeowners may face hurdles when it comes to applying or having the right documents in order. Others simply might not know about the exemption.

That means many homeowners are missing out on considerable savings on their property tax bill, which local tax offices sent out this month. 

Here’s what to know about claiming a homestead exemption. 

Who qualifies for a homestead exemption?

Homeowners who have at least some ownership stake in their primary residence and live in that residence as of Jan. 1 can apply for an exemption. Homeowners may not claim more than one primary residence in Texas or anywhere else in the country.

Homeowners who are undocumented effectively do not qualify for a homestead exemption. It’s illegal for undocumented immigrants to obtain a Texas drivers license, which is crucial for claiming the exemption. 

How much is the homestead exemption? 

Texas law sets the homestead exemption school districts must provide at $140,000. So, if a home is worth $200,000, a qualifying homeowner only pays school property taxes on $60,000 of that value. Homeowners age 65 and or have a qualifying disability receive an additional $60,000 exemption on top of the $140,000 exemption they receive from school districts. 

The school tax bill freezes the moment a homeowner turns 65. Older Texans get the option to pay their property taxes in installments, and may also get additional breaks from local school districts if those districts offer them.

Homeowners with a homestead exemption can also automatically start receiving exemptions from any property taxing entity, like cities and counties, that offer one.

Properties with the homestead exemption also benefit from the state’s 10% appraisal cap, which limits how fast a home’s taxable value can rise each year.

What are the requirements to apply for a homestead exemption?

Most homeowners must have a valid Texas driver’s license or state ID and provide a clear copy of that identification.

The address on their identification must match the property address. However, the addresses do not need to match for active duty military members and residents of nursing homes or assisted care facilities.

An heir may obtain an exemption if their name isn’t on the deed or title. They must submit an affidavit proving their ownership interest as well as documents including a death certificate, a recent utility bill showing that they reside at the property and any legal documents that establish the inheritance.

There are other documents homeowners will need to claim additional exemptions like one for homeowners with qualifying disabilities or for surviving spouses of veterans.

How do you apply for a homestead exemption?

Check with the appraisal district in person or on their website for a homestead exemption application. Homeowners may use the Residence Homestead Exemption Application provided by the Texas Comptroller (download it here), which appraisal districts must accept.

Applicants can file for a homestead exemption at no cost with the county appraisal district. Many appraisal districts allow homeowners to file their application online, but homeowners may also mail their application and drop it off in person. They may have to if the local appraisal district doesn’t allow online applications.

Under state law, an appraisal district has 90 days to determine whether to approve a homestead exemption.

If a homeowner is approved, they generally don’t have to reapply unless their eligibility changes or the appraisal district asks the homeowner to verify their eligibility.

When can you apply for a homestead exemption? 

Homebuyers may apply once they own and occupy the home as their primary residence, including first-time homebuyers. 

Homeowners who live in the home as of Jan. 1 must apply for the exemption by April 30.

For homeowners who purchase their home after Jan. 1, applying for the exemption may be slightly more complicated.

If the previous owner already had an exemption on the property, a new homeowner will have to wait until the new year to apply for their own exemption.

If the previous owner didn’t have an exemption, homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to receive an exemption for the rest of the year. 

What if you missed the deadline to apply?

Homeowners can still claim the exemption retroactively. Most eligible homeowners can apply until two years after that year’s property taxes have been paid, so they could receive a refund for the difference between what they paid and what they would have paid if they had claimed the homestead exemption.

Certain homeowners — disabled veterans, for example — may have as long as five years to apply for specific exemptions.

How can you check if you have a homestead exemption? 

Appraisal districts don’t typically send an official approval letter if they accepted a homestead exemption application. 

Homeowners can verify whether they’ve been approved for the exemption by checking their property record on the appraisal district’s website or by contacting the appraisal district. The exemption will also show up on homeowners’ notice of appraised value appraisal districts mail in April or on their tax bill mailed in October.

But when James Gunn and Peter Safran were plotting the projects with which they wanted to launch their era of DC Studios, writer-director Mike Flanagan came in with a pitch that would fuse both genres.

Neither Safran nor Gunn were looking for a standalone movie about Clayface, a lesser-known villain from the Batman comics. But they were won over by Flanagan’s vision, which eventually became a script by Flanagan and Hossein Amini.

“It fit within the broader framework of how James and I saw the broad spectrum of film and television shows we want to make,” says Safran. “But it really was Mike Flanagan’s passion and pitch. You always look for volunteers and not recruits.”

Not many studios would push “Clayface” to the front of the pack, but Gunn, who started in horror, and Safran, who helped launch “The Conjuring” franchise, made “Clayface” — with James Watkins eventually coming on to direct — part of their first wave of DCU films, following “Superman” and “Supergirl.”

“Clayface” is a darker detour for DC. And, if it proves successful, it just might open up a darker frontier for comic book movies.

“From the get-go, this was not designed to be a traditional superhero movie,” Safran says. “It was always supposed to be a character-driven story that uses the DC mythology. If you took the DC elements out of it, it would just be a great horror movie.”

That makes “Clayface” something unusual in the normally calculated realm of superhero movies. It’s R-rated. It’s modestly budgeted at $40 million. And it stars the relatively unknown Tom Rhys Harries as a little-known DC villain.

“A lot of people wouldn’t necessarily know who Clayface is, but they wouldn’t need to,” says Watkins, the Welsh filmmaker of “Speak No Evil” and “The Woman in Black.” “It’s its own movie.”

‘Supergirl’ disappointment puts pressure on ‘Clayface’

That, Safran says, is by design. He and Gunn have emphasized filmmaker-first projects at DC, carving a more idiosyncratic, multigenre path that has won them fans but also added some degree of risk.

“Clayface,” which opens in theaters Oct. 22, will debut shortly after Skydance and David Ellison’s takeover of Warner Bros. Ellison is keeping Gunn and Safran to lead DC, even though they’re coming off a misfire in the box-office disappointment of “Supergirl.” That puts more pressure on “Clayface” to perform.

“If you look at the cumulative choices that we’ve made, I think it’s pretty clear we’re trying to do things differently,” says Safran. “Not everything is going to work. The pressure we feel for ‘Clayface’ is honestly the pressure we feel for everything we put into the world.”

There have been a few movies to meld horror and superheroes together, including Wes Craven’s “Swamp Thing” (1982), Sam Raimi’s “Darkman” (1990) and “Brightburn” (2019), a sinister twist on the “Superman” origin story that Gunn produced.

But Clayface, a Batman villain created in 1940 by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, is still an unlikely character to put center stage. In the comics, he began as Basil Karlo, a B-list actor who, furious that he wasn’t cast in a horror remake he had previously starred in, wears the movie’s Clayface costume to kill the film's actors.

Winning over skeptical DC fans

Some fan skepticism has followed “Clayface.” Last week, Gunn defended the choice on the social media platform Threads after a user asked, “Who the (expletive) asked for a ‘Clayface’ movie?”

Gunn replied: “Although it may seem like it, Hollywood isn’t a place where the only way to make a movie is the public voting on what IP they want to see that they’ve seen countless times before.”

Watkins’ film, taking inspiration from the two-part episode “Feat of Clay” from “Batman: The Animated Series,” twists the original Clayface story slightly. Rising movie star Matt Hagen (Harries) is disfigured by a mob boss (Eddie Marsan) and rapidly falls out of Hollywood. After numerous unsuccessful surgeries, he resorts to an experimental process created by the scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie) that uses an untested, claylike living organism to rehabilitate his face.

“Part of the joy was being surprised at what’s looking back at me in the mirror every day,” says Harries, smiling.

To a large degree, “Clayface” progresses as a character study, one of an actor whose livelihood falls away from him and whose attempts to get back on the red carpet turn increasingly dark. His journey, though, hinges less on vanity than on his relationship with Caitlyn.

“I was approaching it the whole time like: Matt thinks he’s in a romantic comedy,” says Harries. “The fulcrum of the whole thing is his relationship with Caitlyn Corr. Without that, you don’t get the propulsion for Matt to be doing what he decides he needs to.”

Shape-shifting in genre and body

As “Clayface” devolves, Matt’s face and body increasingly shape-shift in chilling body horror transformations. That can include his own body changing or Matt taking the form of other characters around him. While CGI and visual effects were used, Watkins leaned into practical effects.

“I like horror when it’s most relatable, when it actually gets under the skin,” Watkins says.

In the third act of “Clayface,” that’s taken to body-changing extremes as Matt dons the appearance of those around him. Often, actors were swapping into scenes moment to moment with Harries.

“We’d often play a scene with Tom and then someone else would play the same scene,” says Watkins. “Sometimes Tom would copy them, sometimes they would copy Tom.”

If the superhero movie has sometimes been too rigidly formulaic, “Clayface” proves the genre has more elasticity than it's been shown to have. In “Clayface,” even the lead role was an ensemble piece.

“I won’t mention any actor’s name because it’s a bit of a spoiler,” Watkins says. “But one of the cast members was saying to me his son asked, ‘So who are you in the movie?’ And he said, ‘I’m Clayface.’”

Díaz and Junior Caminero each hit a two-run homer, Freddy Peralta pitched 5 1/3 gritty innings and the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night to win their third pennant in 29 seasons as a major league franchise.

The Rays will face the NL champion Milwaukee Brewers in the first matchup in which both teams are seeking their first World Series title since 1980, when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals.

Game 1 is Friday night in Milwaukee.

“We got one more bite!” Rays manager Kevin Cash told his team as the clubhouse celebration started.

Díaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, made sure the Rays wouldn't let this one slip away. He gave them a four-run lead with a 416-foot shot off Hunter Gaddis in the eighth.

“Yandy had a claim to back and he did his part,” Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander said. “That was unbelievable.”

Díaz’s drive to left field all but wrapped up Tampa Bay's first World Series appearance since losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games at the end of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

“I’m really glad he backed it up, that’s for sure,” Cash said. “We know when Yandy goes, our offense seems to really take off.”

The loss by Cleveland extended its World Series championship drought to 78 years.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our group,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It just hurts. It stings. Really felt like we had a team to go and just weren’t able to get there.”

On the 18-year anniversary of their first AL pennant in 2008, the Rays jumped ahead 2-0 in the second on Richie Palacios’ two-run double and clinched it with closer Bryan Baker on the mound.

The Guardians wouldn’t give up and had the go-ahead run at first base in the eighth when Kevin Kelly struck out Brayan Rocchio to leave the bases loaded after two runs had scored earlier in the inning.

Peralta, the ALCS MVP, allowed one run and five hits to earn his second win of the series in his third appearance. He threw six scoreless innings to win Game 2 and got two critical outs in relief in Game 4.

“I’m very happy to be here, to be part of this great group and this great organization,” said Peralta, acquired from the New York Mets before the trade deadline in early August. “This is not only mine. We all earned this. This is for the boys.”

A sellout crowd of 40,230 fans waved yellow-and-blue rally towels, rang cowbells and chanted “Let’s go Rays!” throughout the night at Tropicana Field, which needed major renovations after Hurricane Milton shredded the roof two years ago and caused extensive damage throughout the stadium.

The Rays played their 2025 home games across the bay in Tampa at the New York Yankees’ spring training complex, got new ownership before this season and secured a new stadium deal for a ballpark to be ready in 2029 near the NFL’s Buccaneers. They returned to the Trop to win 55 games in the regular season. Only the Brewers had that many home wins this year.

“This is for you!” Caminero yelled to the crowd from a microphone on the field after the game. “Let’s go! I can’t hear you!”

After sweeping the New York Yankees in the Division Series, the Rays fell behind the Guardians 1-0 and 2-1 in this series before taking three straight games.

Caminero gave Tampa Bay a cushion with his first career postseason homer in the seventh. The two-time All-Star sent a drive off the left-field foul pole to make it 5-1, becoming the first player to go deep on a splitter by All-Star closer Cade Smith.

The slugger turned around before reaching first base, looked toward his dugout and pounded his chest with both arms, cupped his ear rounding second to hear more cheers, stopped before reaching the plate, pointed into the stands at former Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena and imitated his crossed-arms pose before touching home.

“I saw him and I told him — before I got to home plate, I said: `Look at me,’ and I hit a homer. I said, `He called it,’” Caminero said.

“My guy. Come (with) me every game,” Caminero added. “Travel with us for Milwaukee.”

Caminero hit 42 homers in the regular season but needed 33 at-bats to get his first in October.

The Guardians answered against Tyler Wells and Ian Seymour by loading the bases with two outs in the eighth on two singles and a walk. Seymour walked Patrick Bailey to force in one run and hit Angel Martínez with a pitch to force in another. Kelly entered and fanned Rocchio on three changeups.

“Credit to our guys. It’s a gut punch there in the seventh. And our guys came right back," Vogt said. “Our guys never quit. They never stopped fighting. That’s who they are.”

Caminero led off the Tampa Bay second with single off opener Shawn Armstrong, who took the loss in his second start in three games. Left-hander Tim Herrin replaced Armstrong. Chandler Simpson reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second before Victor Mesa Jr. walked. Simpson advanced to third on Jonny DeLuca’s flyout to center. After Mesa stole second, Palacios looped a double to right-center for a 2-0 lead.

Armstrong, also the opener in Game 4, faced the first four batters, becoming the first pitcher in postseason history to start a game after pitching both of the previous two days.

DeLuca’s sacrifice fly off Joey Cantillo made it 3-0 in the third but the Rays missed an opportunity to break it open after they loaded the bases with no outs.

Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI single in the sixth drove in Cleveland’s first run.

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The city’s proud major league franchise still hasn’t won a World Series since 1948.

After the Guardians fell a little short once again with a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night, it will be the Rays meeting the Milwaukee Brewers in the Fall Classic — the first once since 1980 between teams seeking their first World Series title.

“Yeah, let it hurt,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said he told his club. “That hurts. I couldn’t be more proud of our group. It just hurts. It stings. Really felt like we had a team to go and just weren’t able to get there.”

Seemingly in control of the best-of-seven ALCS after winning two of the first three games, José Ramírez and the Guardians are left to lament three straight losses. Tampa Bay used clear superiority in its starting rotation, bullpen and late-series offense to eliminate Cleveland.

Seeing the Guardians’ best relievers repeatedly – including opener Shawn Armstrong in Game 4 on Saturday and again Monday in Game 6 — the Rays improved their swings as the series progressed.

Cleveland’s staff, which struck out 27 batters over the first three games, didn’t get its first strikeout Monday until Daniel Espino fanned Victor Mesa Jr. in the fifth inning.

By then, Tampa Bay held a 3-0 lead, grinding out runs in trademark fashion. And, as they did over the prior two games, the Rays' pitching staff kept the Guardians at arm’s length.

“It just seemed like when we had the hit that we wanted, just runners weren’t where they needed to be,” designated hitter Jo Adell said. “That’s the name of the game. And they threw the ball well. I give credit where credit's due. They did a phenomenal job throwing the baseball and playing their game and we came up short. We weren’t able to match that.”

The Guardians nearly matched it in the eighth, when they almost overcame a 5-1 deficit. Chase DeLauter was initially ruled out on a grounder, but Cleveland challened and the call was overturned after a replay review, giving the rookie his second hit of the game. After Nathaniel Lowe's single, Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in struggling left-hander Ian Seymour, who promptly loaded the bases by walking Travis Bazzana.

Seymour then walked Patrick Bailey to score DeLatuer, and hit Angel Martínez with a pitch to force in Lowe and make it 5-3.

But with the bases still loaded, Kevin Kelly entered and struck out Brayan Rocchio on three pitches.

“We fought every pitch,” Bazzana said. “We went down 5-1 and fought back when it looked like it was over. Obviously, that’s not good enough to get it done, but that just shows some of the character that we have in this clubhouse.”

Cleveland led the AL with 41 comeback victories this season, but fatigue clearly caught up with the Guardians as Tampa Bay closed out the series. The Guardians didn’t hold a lead over the final 25 innings.

And Vogt was left wondering whether ace Gavin Williams, who struck out nine over five innings in his Game 3 victory, would’ve been the better option Monday on three days’ rest.

Instead, the manager used eight relievers Monday, and Tampa Bay showed no hospitality.

The Rays even got to Cleveland’s best reliever, All-Star closer Cade Smith, when the right-hander faced Junior Caminero in the seventh. Caminero pulled Smith’s first-pitch splitter off the left-field foul pole for a two-run homer that gave the Rays a 5-1 lead.

Yandy Díaz added a two-run shot off Hunter Gaddis to make it 7-3 in the eighth.

“That's a great baseball team,” Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan said. “Great baseball teams win big games. They played defense better than us, hit better than us, they pitched better than us. We didn’t beat ourselves. We got beat. So, as a competitor, I think we can live with that. Disappointing, but that’s a great team over there.”

Cleveland, which won the AL Central and came back to beat the Chicago White Sox in their Division Series by winning three straight, has advanced to the World Series four times since winning its most recent title by beating the Boston Braves in the 1948 World Series.

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See AP’s full MLB coverage here

The attack occurred Sunday in Croix-des-Bouquets, a once-peaceful community in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, that is now controlled by violent gangs.

The armed forces of El Salvador said in a statement Monday that the four aviation technicians were returning to camp when their armored vehicle was attacked with explosives and set on fire.

The military noted that the four men managed to flee the burning vehicle and it is working with international forces to “establish contact and determine the location of our military personnel.”

Salvadoran authorities said that helicopters were dispatched to the area but they, too, came under fire as they dispersed armed men in the area.

“Multiple attempts to approach by land and air have been made, but these have been hampered by the intensity of the fighting,” the Salvadoran military said.

The weapons and ammunition gangs are using are not made in Haiti and will continue to find ways to enter the country, Wien-Weibert Arthus, Haiti's deputy permanent representative to the U.N., told the U.N. Security Council Monday.

“This latest episode is a reminder, as if we really needed one, of the fact that the security challenges in Haiti are complex and complicated,” he said. “We hope that those who are missing will be able to go back to their families unscathed.”

Gang violence has displaced nearly 1.5 million people, a record, across Haiti in recent years, with more than 5,700 people killed or injured from January to mid-September, and more than 230 others kidnapped, according to the U.N.

A warning from the U.S.

Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., condemned the attack during the U.N. Security Council meeting on Haiti.

“We believe the four men survived, but they do remain unaccounted for,” he said. “We will bring you home.”

Waltz said that gangs attacked the armored vehicle with “hundreds of bullets and explosives.”

“To the gangs and gang leaders who carried out this cowardly attack, if you think you’re going to intimidate this coalition into retreat, you have made a terrible mistake,” he said.

The gang suppression force said in a statement that it's assessing the situation and has advised residents where the attack occurred to remain indoors.

“Gangs are testing the gang suppression force,” Jack Christofides, the force’s special representative, said at the U.N. Monday as he noted that attacks against the force have recently increased.

He warned that gangs have carried out reprisal killings in some areas following operations by Haitian and international forces, and that they have pushed deeper into places including the community of Kenscoff and the Artibonite region.

“The reality is that we cannot be everywhere at once,” Christofides said.

Haiti prepares for an election despite violence

The area where the armored vehicle was targeted is controlled by gangs including Chèn Méchan; Kraze Barye, led by Vitelhomme Innocent; and 400 Mawozo, led by Lanmo Sanjou. Both gang leaders have been sanctioned by the U.N. and the U.S.

Romain Le Cour, head of the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, said that while some gangs have been under pressure since the suppression force was deployed, “others want to show that they can strike back.”

“If these soldiers are indeed being held, the groups gain (an) edge to negotiate and to pressure the security forces,” he said.

In September 2025, the U.N. Security Council authorized the 5,550-member force to replace a former Kenya-led multinational force that struggled with a lack of funds and resources as it tried to help Haiti’s National Police quell gang violence.

The gang suppression force has more than 2,000 troops on the ground in Haiti, including soldiers from Chad, Jamaica and Guatemala.

“The force is making a difference with what it has,” Christofides said, adding that authorities have started to see early signs of reduced gang influence and control in certain areas.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Salvadoran troops. It comes as Haiti prepares for its first general election in more than a decade and showcases the power of the gangs that control an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince.

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the U.N. special envoy to Haiti, said at Monday’s meeting that electoral preparations “have reached an unprecedented level of progress.”

He said that more than 35 parties and political groups have registered, along with 3,500 candidates. Among them is former Haitian President Michel Martelly, who was sanctioned in November 2022 by Canada and in August 2024 by the U.S., which accused him of facilitating drug trafficking and sponsoring multiple gangs.

Purdy threw a touchdown pass, Christian McCaffrey ran for two scores and the 49ers made two late stops to hold off the Washington Commanders 23-17 on Monday night for their sixth straight win to open the season.

“You’re not always happy exactly with how some of the stuff was frustrating, but real proud of the guys for just the competitive stamina to keep it going all game,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I was really proud of the defense for finding a way to overcome.”

The Niners followed up an emotional win last week at division-rival Seattle by building a 20-point lead and then escaping at the end when the defense stepped up.

Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes in the second half to cut a 20-point deficit to 23-17, but Malik Mustapha broke up a fourth-down pass to Treylon Burks near the goal line with 1:54 to play to preserve the lead.

“I’m just reading the stem of the receiver, and then he broke out, and I was just trying to race to the pylon,” Mustapha said. “Once we got to the catch point, I just wanted to be physical at the point of attack and get that ball out.”

Washington got the ball back at its 46 with 52 seconds remaining and moved down to the 28 before Daniels was called for intentional grounding, giving the Commanders one last play from the 40. Daniels was then sacked by Keion White and Ogbo Okoronkwo before he could throw up a desperation pass.

The Niners extended their best start of a season since winning their first eight games in 2019 on the way to a Super Bowl appearance.

“We dug ourselves in a hole, and it bit us at the end of it,” Daniels said. “We have to be a four-quarter team, not just a half team.”

Purdy started the game fast with a 24-yard strike to Mike Evans on the third play of the game and an 11-yard touchdown to George Kittle to finish that drive. Purdy went 21 of 29 for 264 yards and officially became the highest-rated passer in NFL history as he passed the 1,500-attempt threshold to qualify. His 105.6 rating is ahead of Lamar Jackson's 102.7.

The Commanders were unable to bounce back from last week's tie against the New York Giants, when they mismanaged the clock in overtime to cost them a chance at a game-winning field goal.

The game was one-sided early, with the 49ers scoring touchdowns on the first two drives on Purdy's pass to Kittle and a 1-yard run by McCaffrey.

San Francisco expanded the lead to 20-3 late in the half on McCaffrey's second touchdown run as the Niners gained as many first downs (17) in the first half as the Commanders ran plays.

The 49ers outgained Washington 303 yards to 90 in the half but were held to three first downs and 72 yards after halftime.

“I’m obviously a little upset with how I finish the game,” Purdy said. “But I know that moving forward, every single game matters when it comes down to playoffs and getting in and all the things. So we’ll take this W as a team.”

Washington's best chance at scoring a touchdown in the first half ended when Daniels threw the ball away on fourth-and-2 from the 13.

“San Francisco’s already a tough team and we spent way too much time in the first half battling ourselves,” coach Dan Quinn said. “I’m sick about the ending, but we showed a lot of fight.”

Shanahan and Quinn renew their history

The game featured a matchup of coaches with a history together, after Shanahan working for two years in Atlanta as offensive coordinator for Quinn. That run included a trip to the Super Bowl in the 2016 season when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead against New England.

This is the second time they've squared off as head coaches since then, with Quinn winning with Atlanta in 2019 while Shanahan won three matchups when Quinn was the defensive coordinator in Dallas.

Shanahan has credited Quinn with teaching him the importance of people skills as a head coach.

Inju

ries

Commanders: WR Terry McLaurin exited in the first quarter with a left knee injury that required an air cast before he was taken off the field on a cart. Quinn said the team fears the injury is significant. ... DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) also left in the first half.

49ers: Evans left late in the first half with Achilles tendinitis. He missed practice this week because of soreness in the tendon and broken ribs. Shanahan said Evans won't need additional testing and the injury isn't believed to be long term. ... LB Luke Gifford (groin) and DB Upton Stout (shoulder) also left the game.

Up next

Commanders: After a bye, host Philadelphia on Nov. 1.

49ers: Visit Atlanta on Sunday.

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Acquired by the Rays from the New York Mets before the trade deadline, Peralta turned around his season in Tampa Bay and helped his new team win its third AL pennant. Peralta was 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in three appearances, including two starts, in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians.

“This is crazy," Peralta said. “I’m very happy to be here and grateful to be here because when I was in July, I had no idea where I was going to be. I think that this was the right place."

When Rays manager Kevin Cash announced the ALCS MVP winner on the postgame stage at Tropicana Field, he said: “Fastball Freddy.”

“His velocity was so high out of the gate, you were wondering how much he was going to be able to maintain it,” Cash said. “But I also think that might have been because of the inning that he pitched in Game 4, coming in and getting some big outs. But couldn’t be more impressed with the way he continued to take deep breaths and just make pitch after pitch for us.”

Peralta relied on his overpowering four-seamer throughout the series. He gave up one run and five hits over 5 1/3 innings Monday night in a 7-3 win. The two-time All-Star also tossed six scoreless innings in Game 2 and got two important outs in relief in Game 4.

Now, Peralta gets to face his first team in the World Series. The right-hander spent eight seasons in Milwaukee, going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA last year. But he is eligible for free agency this fall, so the Brewers traded him to the Mets in January.

“Amazing, because Milwaukee is a team and a city that gave me the opportunity to make my dream, and also Milwaukee is going to be always in my heart," Peralta said. "But this is a time to compete ... and excited to go.”

Peralta went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts for New York before coming to Tampa Bay in an Aug. 2 trade. He was 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts for the Rays and was selected the AL pitcher of the month for September.

Going back to the regular season, Peralta has made 10 straight appearances while allowing one run or fewer in all 10 as his team went 10-0 in those games.

“When I got here, everything changed," Peralta said. “I remember when I (got) to the clubhouse, we were in Colorado playing against the Rockies, and as soon as I stepped in the dugout in the first inning, I felt the vibes. I felt something different. And I think that’s why we’re here now."

Peralta credits pitching coach Kyle Snyder along with bullpen coach Jorge Moncada and bullpen catcher Charlie Valerio for his turnaround.

“They helped me a lot,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough because the way that they helped me is amazing, something I’m never going to forget in life. I’m very grateful to have people like that here, people that I never saw before and now they are part of my family.”

After celebrating with his teammates, Peralta still couldn't believe he was taking the ALCS MVP award home.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I think I have to see it when I go home tonight and start thinking about it, because I still am in shock because I don’t believe — I believe it because it’s here and it was announced already and I talked. But I never think about it. Even in the moment, it surprised me because I thought it was going to be somebody else because there’s a lot of talent, a lot of players that did a great job. And I think it could be anybody.”

Next up is a World Series start against the Brewers. Peralta could pitch Game 2 in Milwaukee on regular four days' rest or Game 3 next Monday back at Tropicana Field.

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