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Tropical storm remnants drench Gulf states after tornadoes hit the Midwest

Dave Collins, David Fischer And Stephen Smith, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:31:50 +0000

The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.

Severe weather also pummeled parts of the Midwest, where a separate line of strong storms knocked down structures and left tens of thousands of residents without power.

Arthur was the first tropical storm of the season in the Atlantic basin, and although it quickly downgraded within a day of forming, the lingering system created dangerous conditions in Louisiana and Mississippi. In one rural Louisiana parish, more than 2 feet of rain fell in 48 hours and most of that soaking came Thursday, said Donald Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.

It flooded at least 200 homes in Avoyelles Parish, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northwest of the state capital, Louisiana state Rep. Daryl Deshotel said.

“Even by this region’s standards, that’s catastrophic rain,” Jones said.

The National Guard and state wildlife officials were working with rescue crews, officials said. No deaths have been reported.

One tornado had been confirmed in Avoyelles Parish, along with three others near New Orleans, Jones said.

Coni Dubois said several inches of water flooded her home overnight in Houma, southwest of New Orleans, but others in the community had worse damage. She’s lived through many hurricanes and other storms, but never witnessed thunder and lightning like this.

“It was unbelievable, it literally sounded like hell broke open,” Dubois said. “I thought for sure we had a tornado on top of us. The lightning and the thunder was so consistent, the whole house was lit up like daylight for about 20 minutes.”

Arthur weakened into a low-pressure area along the upper Texas coast Wednesday night. Rain fell at rates of up to 3 inches (8 centimeters) per hour in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi on Thursday, prompting flash flooding, tornado warnings and widespread power outages. The region had already been soaked by heavy rain earlier in the week.

Amid relentless rainfall in central Louisiana, Cody Coco said he rescued stranded workers — waist deep in water —- at a cypress sawmill operation he runs near his home in Avoyelles Parish. He said the water has continued to rise all throughout the day.

Coco, 40, said he also used a boat to rescue the four pigs he kept in a pen. Video he shared on his Facebook page shows the hogs swimming out of their enclosure in a torrent of murky water. Coco says they are now safe on higher ground.

“If I’d left them in the pen, they’d have drowned,” Coco said. “They were happy to see me.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno posted a video on Facebook describing relatively minor damage and cleanup efforts. Ahead of the storm, police prepared boats and set up barricades in flood-prone areas. They also opened sandbag distribution sites across Louisiana.

Just across the Mississippi River in Avondale, a tornado wrecked four homes, Jefferson Parish spokeswoman Rachel Strassel said. Two people were hospitalized with minor injuries and later released.

The Midwest, meanwhile, was also dealing with damage after a strong line of storms.

More than 130,000 homes and businesses were without power Thursday afternoon in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia, according to poweroutage.us.

A tornado was reported Wednesday evening near Effingham, Illinois, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southeast of Springfield. Several people suffered minor injuries, officials said.

Firefighters responded to damaged homes, collapsed structures, car crashes, downed power lines, gas leaks and blocked roads, Effingham Fire Chief Brant Yochum said.

Marla Washburn and her husband, Todd, hunkered down in their basement as a suspected tornado tore through their neighborhood about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north in Blue Mound. They could hear debris smacking into their house and a school across the street lost its roof, which came crashing onto their home.

“The whole house shook," Washburn said in a phone interview, adding that the neighborhood looks like Armageddon.

“You don’t know whether to laugh or cry, but we’re OK," she said. “You look at it and you go, ‘I don’t even know where to start to clean up.’”

Gearing up for a big weekend of celebrations? How one stop at Kroger will get you everything you need and more

Javana Vela — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:02:23 +0000

Houston families preparing for a busy weekend of celebrations can find everything they need in one stop at Kroger. From Father’s Day cookouts to FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties, the grocery retailer is offering a variety of food, party trays, gifts and seasonal promotions.

Ryan Terrasas, merchandising and entertainment specialist for Kroger, highlighted several Father’s Day favorites available throughout the store. Shoppers can choose from grilling essentials, including steaks, chicken, burgers, and hot dogs, along with ready-to-serve options like Kroger’s in-house smoked ribs and brisket.

To round out the meal, Kroger is stocked with chips, dips, buns, condiments, and bakery treats. Customers can also order customized cakes and cookie cakes featuring Father’s Day messages. Floral arrangements, balloons, and candy gifts are also available for those looking to add a personal touch to their celebration.

In addition to Father’s Day offerings, Kroger is helping customers cool off for the start of summer with a special promotion. Customers who download a digital coupon can redeem a free pint of Kroger ice cream through July 3.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ returns to Houston

Kroger’s Kirby location is hosting a fan celebration featuring Houston Dynamo FC appearances, activities, and giveaways. The event is designed to bring fans together as excitement builds around the international soccer competition.

For those hosting watch parties at home, Kroger offers customizable party trays from the deli, bakery, and sushi departments. Customers can order wings, vegetable trays, fruit trays, sushi platters, and themed cakes to feed groups of all sizes.

Whether celebrating Dad, cheering on a favorite soccer team or both, Kroger is making it easy for Houstonians to prepare for a festive weekend.

Ready to win $25? Enter our In the Kitchen with Kroger sweepstakes HERE for your chance to win a Kroger gift card. You must be a KPRC 2 Insider to enter, don’t worry it’s free to sign up! Enter daily until June 26th. We’ll announce our winner during Houston Life.

Man who admits setting cross on fire in Chicago park is charged with a hate crime

Ed White, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:25:39 +0000

A 21-year-old man has been charged with a hate crime, arson and other offenses for a cross that was set on fire in a Chicago park, police said.

Merlin Lu admitted to a TV station this week that he was responsible for the recent cross burning in Grant Park. But he insisted that he was protesting President Donald Trump and Christian nationalists and was not using the cross as a historical symbol of hate against Black people.

Lu appeared in court Thursday on four felonies and four misdemeanors, including a hate crime, property damage and burning a cross to intimidate. A judge denied a request by prosecutors to keep him detained.

Defense attorney Alexander Michael told the judge that Lu was exercising free speech in a “foolish manner.” He also disputed that it could be a hate crime against certain Christians.

On June 9, in the middle of the day, Lu created a cross with two pieces of wood, wrapped it in toilet paper, doused it with kerosene and started a fire, Cook County prosecutors said in a court filing. The fire left burn marks on the trunk and limbs of a tree.

Lu told WMAQ-TV before his arrest that his intent was not to intimidate Black people. He said he was protesting the “ruling class” and Christian nationalists who support Trump, and attached a red hat to symbolize the MAGA hat favored by the president's allies.

“I did know about this historical relevance beforehand. But I didn’t know the severity, how racially motivated it may seem from what I did,” Lu said of a burning cross. “Cause my protest has nothing to do with race, nothing to do with gender.”

Someone put a large, multicolored, glass fiber heart with the word, “resilient,” in the place where the burning cross stood in the park.

Lu's LinkedIn page says he has attended college in Indiana and Chicago and was studying chemistry.

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MLB owners propose banning high school signings, adding an international draft

Ronald Blum, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:28:39 +0000

Baseball owners proposed banning high school players from signing with major league teams, raising the age for international amateurs and slashing the money spent on signing bonuses in negotiations Thursday for a new collective bargaining agreement.

The amateur draft for players residing in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico would be cut from 20 rounds to 12 beginning in 2027 under the proposal Major League Baseball made during a bargaining session with the players' association. An identical 12-round draft would be started for international prospects, a proposal the union has rejected in the past.

Starting in 2028, a prospect for the amateur draft would have to be at least 20 years old by the Sept. 1 of his signing year and two years removed from the graduating year of his high school class — a restriction that also would eliminate players who completed their first year of junior college.

The amateur draft started in 1965, high schoolers have been eligible along with college players who are in or have just finished their junior years.

Raising signing ages would likely lead to players being older when they become eligible for free agency, which currently requires six years of major league service.

MLB cited increased revenue in college baseball as reasoning. In addition, MLB said 75% of high schoolers signed from 2012-19 did not reach the major leagues.

“Expanded scholarships, NIL opportunities, revenue sharing and significant investments in facilities and player development have made college baseball an increasingly important pathway that is producing major league-ready talent at an accelerated rate," MLB said in a statement. “By creating a draft system centered around college-aged players and making most college players eligible one year earlier, more players will benefit from both a college education and an elite development environment while reaching professional baseball — and ultimately the major leagues — more quickly.”

The players' association claimed the plan would decrease compensation by $1 billion over five years, including $400 million from this year to 2027.

“MLB made another set of proposals that are flat-out bad for baseball, ones that would cripple the next generation of players and damage the future of our game,” the union said in a statement.

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips supported keeping more prospects in college longer. He said in a statement that improvements in facilities, technology and scholarships “are creating more opportunities for student-athletes and providing additional pathways to develop at the collegiate level before taking the next step to the professional ranks.”

MLB said it will not seek to reduce the 120 minor league teams in the top four levels when it negotiates new professional development licenses in 2030 to replace expiring 10-year deals. It would cap bonuses for undrafted players at $10,000 — Middle Tennessee two-way player Trace Phillips was bypassed in the draft last July and signed with Tampa Bay for $629,200.

For international amateurs, the age to sign would be raised to 18 on the Sept. 1 of their signing year, up from 17.

“The game's greatest stars are precocious talents. We always want to have a great window for them,” said Scott Boras, baseball's most high-profile agent. “International markets recognize this, as well. When you bar a labor force from opportunity in America, it is not an American concept.”

Each separate draft would have $200 million in signing pools in 2027. There would be hard caps for each draft.

Teams would be able to trade draft picks but a club couldn't trade its first-round pick in consecutive drafts. A team couldn't acquire more than three additional selections among the first three rounds. In addition, MLB proposed requiring up to 10 prospects to attend the draft, and each would get a $50,000 draft attendance bonus.

Spending on signing bonuses for players eligible for the 2025 amateur draft have totaled $401.81 million and signing bonus pools for 2026 increased by 2.5%.

Each team would have the same amount to spend under the proposal rather than the current system which gives higher pools to teams with poorer records in the previous year. Pittsburgh is at just over $19 million this year and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at slightly under $4 million. Teams currently can go over their pools and often do as much as 5%.

Teams have spent $196.38 million on signing bonuses for international amateurs in 2026. The current signing period runs from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15 each year, but the initial international draft would be no earlier than September 2027 and no later than March 2028.

MLB proposed eliminating competitive balance round picks that began in 2023 and cutting the draft lottery that started in 2023 from the top six picks to four.

Bargaining began May 13 and the sides exchanged initial proposals two weeks later as management proposed a salary cap for the first time since 1994, which resulted in a 7 1/2-month strike and the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.

Baseball's five-year collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1 and management is expected to immediately impose a lockout, as it did in December 2021. An agreement was reached on the 99th day of the lockout, preserving a slightly delayed 162-game schedule.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Trump administration can replace Washington slavery exhibit in Philadelphia, appeals court says

Michael Casey And Claudia Lauer, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:25:44 +0000

The Trump administration can replace a slavery exhibit at George Washington’s home in Philadelphia, a federal appeals court panel said Thursday, striking down a lower court's injunction that required the National Park Service to reinstall the interpretive panels.

The unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court judge wrongly interpreted Philadelphia's contract claims involving Independence National Historical Park, saying the city merely having standing to sue did not mean its arguments had merit. The panel also praised the plans for the replacement installation, writing that they were “full of historical context,” despite objections from historians and city officials that the content appears whitewashed.

The ruling comes a week after a Massachusetts federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore sites changed under an executive order calling for the nation’s museums, parks and landmarks to not display elements that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.” The federal government has asked for a stay on that ruling while it appeals.

It was unclear how the Massachusetts ruling would affect the restoration or replacement of the panels at the President's House Site. About half the large panels at the outdoor exhibit had been restored before a February pause in the work.

Messages to spokespeople for the Department of Interior and the National Park Service were not returned.

In a statement on Instagram late Thursday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker vowed to pursue legal avenues to reverse the decision.

“We cannot and WILL not rest until the full story of American history – including the existence of Slavery at the President’s House here in Philadelphia – is told, for our Nation and the World to see,” she wrote.

Dawn Chavous, a volunteer for Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, one of the advocacy groups that helped develop the site in the 2000s, said they are disappointed with the decision but are speaking to their attorneys and considering options.

“For decades, ATAC has worked to ensure that the stories of the enslaved African descendants who lived and labored at the President’s House are not erased, overlooked, or misrepresented,” the group said in an emailed statement. “That commitment remains unwavering. We believe that historical truth matters, and we will continue to advocate for the protection, preservation, and accurate interpretation of this important chapter of American history.”

The city of Philadelphia sued in January after the National Park Service, in response to President Donald Trump's executive order, removed the explanatory panels from the President’s House Site, where George and Martha Washington lived with nine of their slaves in the 1790s, when Philadelphia was briefly the nation’s capital.

The city had worked in tandem with the federal government, historians and private partners to create the exhibit in the early 2000s — as part of a longstanding cooperation agreement over the downtown historical park — and contributed $1.5 million toward its creation.

The city argued that the federal government must consult with the city before making changes to the President's House Site. Justice Department lawyers argued the administration alone can decide what stories are told at National Park Service properties.

In its ruling Thursday, the appeals panel said the maintenance portion of the contract between the city and the federal government could not be interpreted to mean the site would remain as it was when it was completed.

“The duty to ‘maintain’ is better understood as a general management obligation that accompanies ownership, not a promise that the exhibits will forever remain in place regardless of the owner’s wishes,” the opinion said.

___

Casey contributed from Boston.

New York Knicks revel in their NBA victory parade as joyous fans and celebs fill the streets

Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:08:49 +0000

Jalen Brunson held up the golden NBA championship trophy for a forest of outstretched hands to touch as fans celebrated the New York Knicks' first title in 53 years with a booming parade through Manhattan's skyscraper-flanked “Canyon of Heroes.”

“Damn, New York, we really did it,” Brunson, the finals MVP, said at a celebration at City Hall. “Somehow, someway, I knew we were going to find a way to get this done.”

Moments later, Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented keys to the city to the Knicks' players, coaches, owners and staff. Wearing a team jersey under his suit jacket, Mamdani said he and other fans “waited because we knew deep down in our sick, suffering hearts” the Knicks would someday win.

Blue and orange confetti swirled through the air during the parade. Massive cheers of “Let’s go, Knicks!” and “Knicks in five!” kept erupting.

And OG Anunoby, who scored the go-ahead basket in Game 4 of the finals on a tip-in with 1.2 seconds left, left his parade float to interact with fans, holding the NBA Cup in-season championship trophy in one hand and a bottle of Patron tequila in the other.

Director Spike Lee, perhaps the team’s most iconic fan, was on a float with Brunson, savoring the moment. “I’ve never been to a parade — ever — and I’m glad it’s this one,” Lee said.

The MVP’s mom, Sandra Brunson, wore a shirt with photos of Jalen and husband Rick, who played for the Knicks and is an assistant on coach Mike Brown's staff. She echoed her son’s words, saying: “It was all worth it.”

Karl-Anthony Towns hoisted the Eastern Conference championship trophy and a cigar on top of a parade bus while Mamdani danced. Later, Towns approached a group of kids with the NBA trophy to let them get their hands on it, bringing joyful screams.

Knicks fans turn out in force

Several blocks from the parade route, fans stood shoulder to shoulder — sometimes on each other’s shoulders — or climbed traffic lights and sanitation trucks. Far away on the Brooklyn Bridge, people gathered just to hear the loudspeakers.

“I had to be here today,” said Shareefa Wallace, 34, who got up at 3 a.m. to make her way from suburban Long Island. She grew up in the city going to Knicks games, and she sported the souvenir jersey of a legend from that era, Patrick Ewing.

Owner James Dolan thanked fans for waiting more than a half-century. Brown encouraged fans to keep their energy going “because this championship is about you guys.”

‘The New York vibe’

Nearby bars and delis filled with fans, some wishing they’d arrived at dawn. But many seemed at peace with only experiencing the parade from a distance.

“We just want to be with the New York energy and the New York vibe,” said Jean Strong, who came to the parade from Harlem with his nephew and sister.

Terrell Emerson, a chef who grew up in Queens, said he drove from Maryland with his daughter Madison — named in honor of the Knicks' home arena, Madison Square Garden.

Beaming, Madison held a handwritten sign announcing she’d skipped her fifth-grade graduation to be there.

Stars and Knicks legends

Knicks great Walt “Clyde” Frazier — a member of the ’70s champion teams — led the parade in a stylish convertible, wearing his NBA title rings. Frazier had late teammates and coaches on his mind.

“They would be amazed at what has happened to the Knicks and how they’ve really captivated the city this year,” Frazier said. “This has exceeded any expectations I ever thought that we’d have.”

Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, Jon Stewart, Mariska Hargitay, Tracy Morgan and other celebrities joined the party, while Knicks play-by-play announcer Mike Breen emceed the City Hall ceremony.

Alicia Keys, the singer who collaborated with Jay-Z on the 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind,” performed a medley that mixed her song with the classic “New York, New York.”

A parade decades in the making

The mere fact that the parade is happening is historic in itself. Although the Knicks won the championship twice in the 1970s, the city didn’t host a parade for them either time. Then-Mayor John Lindsay had cut down on ticker-tape extravaganzas for financial and other reasons. Instead, he held a 1970 reception at the mayoral mansion and a jam-packed ceremony in 1973 outside City Hall.

This time, the city went all out. A police officer could be seen holding a sign reading, “This is really happening.”

And a massive security operation

Officials said 10,000 police officers were deployed to secure the event, which follows ebullient but sometimes chaotic street celebrations and some violence during the Knicks' title run, including a five-game final against San Antonio.

The Fire Department said at least nine people were taken to hospitals but didn’t immediately respond to a request for more details.

Before the parade, a small group of people were crushed against a barrier near Fulton Street, a key subway hub, pinned between a swelling crowd and a group of police officers shoving the barrier.

Some 650 sanitation workers were assigned to clean up what could be tens of thousands of pounds (kilograms) of debris, if recent history is any guide.

Why does New York throw ticker-tape parades?

Ticker-tape parades derive their name from the narrow strips of paper used by telegraph-era “stock ticker” machines. New York brokerage firm workers tossed the paper from office windows during parades in the late 19th century, adding a swirling spectacle.

Over the years, especially up to the mid-1960s, the city rolled out ticker-tape parades for visiting foreign leaders, historic anniversaries and feats in aviation, war, sports, music, space travel and more.

The Knicks' parade was the 210th, coming after a bash for the WNBA's New York Liberty in 2024.

___

Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz and Julie Walker in New York and AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney in Southampton, New York, contributed.

Trump from 'hunted' to 'hunter': New book details Trump's push to test the limits of executive power

Will Weissert, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:01:39 +0000

Showing off towering new flagpoles he had erected on the White House North and South Lawns last summer, President Donald Trump suggested that he wanted to make similar renovations in his first term but was worried about the negative press.

“You guys were after me,” he told reporters. “I was the hunted. And now I’m the hunter."

The incident, recalled in “Regime Change,” New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's new book on the first year of Trump's second term, encapsulates how different Trump's return to the White House in 2025 has been from his first term.

The book spells out a thesis that Trump himself believes: Had he not lost the 2020 election, he would not be as powerful in his second term as he is now — emboldening him to trample norms, dismantle established institutions and push the limits of presidential power.

Trump still falsely claims to have won in 2020. But a second term coming then might have been marred by pushback from members of his own administration, the coronavirus pandemic and the runaway inflation it caused, as well as an antagonistic Congress controlled by Democrats. He hasn't faced those issues this time.

Here are some takeaways from the book:

Vance or Rubio in 2028? Trump will loom large in the choice

The authors recount how Trump frequently quizzed aides about whether Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be better to succeed him.

Some donors promoted Rubio and some aides thought the secretary and the president had better personal chemistry than Trump and Vance. But Trump also indicated that he was impressed by Vance’s intellect and abilities during television interviews — particularly tough ones, the book says.

Trump is also said to be impressed by the background of Rubio, who is the son of Cuban immigrants. The book describes how, after Trump redecorated the Oval Office to fill it with gold flourishes, someone asked the president about the likelihood that the next president would undo all that he had done. Trump retorted: “Cubans love gold.”

But, Haberman and Swan write, Rubio and Vance are also friends. An example they offer is Rubio texting Vance after the 2024 Republican vice presidential nominee's comments about “ childless cat ladies ” became a scandal. Rubio offered to campaign with Vance to show his support.

As those two men jostle for position before 2028, it’s possible Trump won’t soon yield the spotlight to them.

The president frequently talks about the two and a half years left in his term, a timeline that carries him right up to Inauguration Day 2029 — suggesting that he's unlikely to let the Republicans running in the presidential race overshadow him.

A case in point occurred during an Oval Office meeting with Trump, Vance and Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the House Democrats. As Haberman and Swan recount, the president showed off “Trump 2028” baseball caps, prompting Jeffries to gesture at Vance and ask, “How does he feel about that?” Trump responded “Ah, he’s fine. He doesn’t care,” adding, “We’re giving him a little more training.”

Vance, speaking up for himself, offered, “No comment.”

Panic inside the White House over the Epstein files release

Haberman and Swan detail the deep level of alarm over the administration’s handling of the release of files from the investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. That included White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles convening a crisis response meeting in the Situation Room and Vance suggesting enlisting friendly interviewer Tucker Carlson to sit down with Epstein’s imprisoned former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.

That revelation has now raised questions about whether the reporters got audio recordings of what was said in a secure area of the White House, which would be a security concern.

Trump redecorated while the first lady was away

The book details how the president and first lady are the first first couple to sleep in separate bedrooms since Richard and Pat Nixon, though Bill and Hillary Clinton slept apart briefly when his affair with Monica Lewinsky became public. First lady Melania Trump sleeps in the White House’s traditional master bedroom of the Executive Residence — Room 219 — while the president sleeps in Room 220, next to second-floor space known as the Yellow Oval.

The president fitted his bedroom with gold and other flourishes, carrying in some objects himself from the corridor where his wife had selected the decor during the first term, the book said. Because the first lady wasn’t in Washington much during the start of the second term, she wasn't there to stop the president from rearranging things.

Among the items moved was a gold-leaf-framed mirror that had been part of the first lady’s redesign of the second-floor Queen’s Bedroom. But that actually ended up outside, on the Colonnade outside the Oval Office, where it is used to facilitate selfies.

The first lady had also overseen first-term Rose Garden renovations and objected to Trump wanting to pave over the area for his patio space reminiscent of his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. The president relented, and the surrounding grass was covered, but not the roses. She lost a larger battle, the authors write, as the East Wing was demolished to make room for the $400 million ballroom her husband is building.

Trump long had a Venezuela fixation

The president began his second term talking frequently about seizing Greenland and making Canada the 51st state, but was privately more focused on Venezuela — even suggesting it could become a state where he'd be allowed to appoint the governor.

Initially, Trump allowed special envoy Ric Grenell to negotiate with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but he was eventually sidelined as Rubio made the case that Maduro would string along the administration for years, in an attempt to wait until Trump was out of power in 2029, Haberman and Swan write.

Rubio told White House officials that Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was corrupt but serious and could most likely keep Venezuela together. Rubio spoke with Rodriguez on the night U.S. forces stormed into Venezuela and deposed its president. He told her she had to bring stability to her country and prevent mass migration and violence. Rodriguez remains head of Venezuela after Maduro's ouster.

Trump also told the authors during a March 2026 interview that he had a “love affair” with Venezuela that began with his years of owning the Miss Universe pageant and the beautiful women representing that country in it. That wasn’t enough to improve his opinion of Ukraine, though, which Trump said he didn't like, except for its women who kept winning Miss Universe, the book says.

Trump said he was talking to a historian. It was Gary Player's caddy

Haberman and Swan conclude with the president telling them about a historian introduced to him by golfer Gary Player who described the president as the most powerful man the planet had ever known — surpassing even Alexander the Great, William the Conqueror and Napoleon.

Trump, who promoted the anecdote himself on social media Thursday, was unable to recall the historian's name during that interview. However, a White House staffer later revealed to the authors who the golf legend actually had been talking about. It was Player's longtime caddy.

Heat alerts continue in Houston into Father’s Day Weekend

Anthony Yanez — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:39:54 +0000

Tonight’s Forecast:

We have very high humidity which will limit any cooling overnight tonight. Friday morning will be waking up in the lower-80s, but it will be feeling like the lower-90s. Please be careful and if you plan to exercise outdoors, this is the coolest time of the day.

Friday Morning

Friday’s Forecast:

Friday will be another hot and humid day across Southeast Texas. Morning temperatures will start near 80 degrees before climbing into the low to mid-90s during the afternoon. When you factor in the humidity, however, it will feel closer to 105 to 110 degrees for much of the day.

We’ll also be keeping an eye on a few scattered showers and thunderstorms developing late in the day and into Friday night as a weak boundary approaches from the north. Not everyone will see rain, but any storm that develops could produce brief heavy downpours due to the tropical moisture in place. Most of the day will be dry, with the best chance for rain arriving after sunset and continuing overnight.

Friday's Highs

Father’s Day Weekend:

Heat will definitely be a factor for this weekend if you have any plans for the Juneteenth weekend. As we head into Friday we expect to hit a high of 94. Doesn’t sound so bad of course until you factor in the humidity which will make it feel like 109! This trend will continue into Saturday and Sunday where we reach feels like in the triple digits. We only have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms for Friday and Saturday. Make sure to stay hydrated and wear your sunscreen if your plans take you outside.

Heat Advisory

With a Heat Advisory in effect, it’s important to take the heat seriously, this is not the kind of weather to push through.

Heat is one of the deadliest weather hazards we face, and when heat index values are soaring into the dangerous range, your body can overheat faster than you might expect.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially during the hottest afternoon hours, and if you have air conditioning, use it. Fans alone may not be adequate in this kind of extreme heat.

Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing if you do head outside, seek shade when possible, and check on elderly neighbors, young children, and pets. And never, under any circumstances, leave a person or animal alone in a closed car.

It takes only minutes for a car’s interior to reach life-threatening temperatures.

How to stay safe

10-day forecast:

The 10-day forecast is a familiar one for Southeast Texas, hot, humid, and steamy. Highs will stay in the low to mid 90s with heat index values continuing to run well above 100 degrees into next week.

Isolated storm chances will pop up from time to time. In other words, it’s a classic Houston summer, keep the water bottle handy and the AC running.

10 Day Forecast

Hands-on training at Houston City College Southeast prepares students for high-demand careers

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:37:36 +0000

Houston City College Southeast is making it easier for Houston-area residents to jump into well-paying, in-demand careers. Enrollment is now underway for fall classes, and many short-term certification programs are being offered with no-cost tuition through Eagle Connect programs. Whether you’re ready to weld, dispatch, sell homes or teach, HCC’s Southeast campus focuses on hands-on learning that employers want.

Real skills, real workplaces

HCC Southeast focuses on practical, industry-aligned training. Welding students practice on industry-standard equipment; logistics learners work through real supply-chain scenarios; aspiring real estate agents study market fundamentals and licensing prep; and future teachers get classroom experience that builds confidence. The college partners with local employers to keep curriculum current and skills job-ready.

Short programs, faster job starts

Many programs are short-term certifications designed to move students into the workforce quickly. With no-cost tuition available for eligible Eagle Connect programs, the barrier to reskilling or upskilling is lower. Career services at HCC provide advising, resume help and connections to local employers to help graduates land interviews.

How to get started

Enrollment for fall is open now. Visit HCCS.edu to explore program details, check eligibility for no-cost tuition and begin the application process.

Have questions about which pathway fits you best? Contact the HCC Southeast campus for guidance on course schedules, financial options and certification timelines.

Houston-area residents seeking a hands-on route to a new career will find practical, accelerated options at Houston City College Southeast. From welding bays to classroom practicums, the college is focused on workforce outcomes that matter to students and employers alike.

US gas prices dip below $4 for 1st time since March but remain 25% higher than last year

Michelle Chapman, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:06:29 +0000

The average U.S. price for a gallon of gas fell below $4 on Thursday, hitting a level not seen since the first full month of the war with Iran and providing a bit of relief to consumers squeezed by soaring costs.

Although the tentative peace deal between the U.S. and Iran and the resumption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are pushing energy prices downward, the cost of gas is still much higher than before the war began on Feb. 28.

According to motor club AAA, a gallon of regular gasoline averaged $3.999 on Thursday. It was the first time since late March that prices were that low. And the drop aligns with easing crude oil costs overall, with markets expressing optimism in recent weeks about the prospect of a peace deal.

Even with prices dropping, American drivers are collectively paying about $1 more per gallon than they were before the war, and gas is 25% more expensive than it was this time last year. That has caused many households to tighten their budgets and rethink how they want to spend their money.

More expensive bills beyond gas

Research has shown that short-term swings in the cost of gas leads consumers to adjust their driving and wider spending, with some even pulling back on core necessities such as groceries when gas prices get high, said Dylan Brewer, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Economics.

If costs continue to fall in the coming weeks, he said, more people may be able to “loosen their belts a little bit.” Businesses that rely on gas and diesel to transport their goods will also benefit, but it could take a few months for that to trickle through the supply chain, Brewer added.

Gas isn't the only thing that's gotten more expensive during the war. Groceries, airline tickets and even condoms and shoes cost more amid global supply chain disruptions. Even if oil and other core necessities such as fertilizer begin flowing from the Middle East again, experts warn that the high costs will likely persist long after the fighting ends.

“Product prices across the United States are projected to keep climbing for the rest of 2026," Pat Penfield, a professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University, said Thursday.

Penfield pointed to depleted inventories and supply chain problems caused by the war, noting that farmers, for example, had to pay more for fertilizer and other supplies this spring, which will “ripple through to increased food prices by autumn.” At the gas pump, meanwhile, limited refinery capacity in the U.S. “remains a significant bottleneck” toward bringing down prices further, he said.

What prices at the pump look like nationwide

Steep fuel costs have already pushed U.S. inflation to its highest level in three years. And many consumers are still paying much more than $4 per gallon to fill their tanks.

That price is a national average, with costs varying between states due to factors like proximity to supply and differing tax rates. In California on Thursday, the average price for regular gas was about $5.64, according to AAA. Next costliest was Hawaii, at $5.57. Meanwhile, prices in Indiana and Texas sat at about $3.40 and $3.49 a gallon, respectively.

Recent relief for fuel prices arrived with a drop in costs for crude oil, the main ingredient in gasoline.

Brent crude, the international standard, sat under $80 per barrel Thursday. And U.S. benchmark crude tumbled to below $76 per barrel. That's still a little higher than the roughly $70 price tag before the war, but far below the $100-plus price from just a few weeks ago.

Why oil costs are falling

Prices fell overnight Wednesday into Thursday after President Donald Trump signed the tentative agreement with Iran. It calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and, in a significant concession from Washington, waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely.

Major ship owners have also begun moving vessels through the Strait of Hormuz since the memorandum of understanding was signed Wednesday, according to maritime data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence, although some reported that only more limited side routes were open. And U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. Navy has lifted its own blockade to allow some transit to and from Iranian ports.

Still, it could take weeks or months for traffic to return to prewar levels. Before the war, the strait carried a fifth of the world’s crude oil. And Gulf oil producers that throttled back production will need time to get the oil moving again.

Some ship captains may take their time to determine if the passage is safe. The agreement between the U.S. and Iran calls for a permanent end to hostilities and starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear program, though Trump left the door open to resume attacks.

Refineries also typically pay for crude oil a month or more in advance, so even after oil prices drop, they won’t immediately be processing cheaper products. Energy shocks have been even starker in places that rely more heavily on imports from the Middle East — notably countries across Asia and Africa.

Some GOP senators and Trump allies have harsh reviews of his agreement to end Iran war

Thomas Beaumont And Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:20:09 +0000

Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, including top national security figures, were voicing strong reservations Thursday —- and some outright condemnation — of the Trump administration's agreement to end the fighting in Iran.

The memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump started a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear program. While Trump allies noted the agreement is not final, the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran’s sale of oil and the plan for a $300 billion fund to rebuild Iran and its economy were met with criticism from Republican leaders and conservative influencers, including some close Trump supporters.

“President Trump has pursued peace through strength. I hope the intermediaries working on this deal are not undermining that objective,” said Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who has urged Trump to keep up the pressure on Iran and last month warned against striking a bad deal.

“The $300 billion fund for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran — though not funded by U.S. taxpayers — would make Iran’s payoff under President Obama’s 2015 deal look like a pittance by comparison,” Wicker said, referring to the Democratic administration's Iran agreement that Trump withdrew from during his first term.

The criticism from within Trump’s own party — though hardly unanimous — comes as he is trying to bring an end to the unpopular war fewer than five months from midterm elections, where Republicans are facing headwinds in their effort to hold their narrow majorities.

Trump calls his critics ‘fools’

Wicker’s points were backed by a number of his colleagues, many of whom supported the war when it began.

“History demonstrates giving billions of dollars to the theocratic lunatics who want to kill you is an exceptionally bad idea," said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a staunch supporter of the war. “And so I hope we don’t do that.”

Trump on Truth Social called his critics “fools” and said the $300 billion payment to Iran by the United States is “fake news.” The interim pact promises a $300 billion fund for postwar reconstruction. It’s not clear where that money will come from — but Trump said, as Wicker noted, the U.S. would not contribute.

“All there is for the U.S. is Success, Lower Oil Prices, and Victory,” he posted.

Some senators question financial provisions

As the memorandum was released to Congress on Thursday, several Republican senators said it left them with questions, many of them about its financial provisions.

Majority Leader John Thune and South Dakota colleague Sen. Mike Rounds were seeking clarity on how financial incentives to Iran and conditions barring funding terrorism would be enforced, because “right now, a lot of money's going to go to Iran,” Rounds said.

To be sure, there were Republicans more closely aligned with Trump's America First policies in the Senate and elsewhere who were giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Sen. Roger Marshall stressed the point in the memorandum that supporters say gives the U.S. the upper hand. In a social media post, the Kansas Republican said one of the most important provisions “lays out a key commitment that strengthens regional security and ensures that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

Louisiana GOP Senate candidate John Fleming, who has focused on Trump's most loyal supporters ahead of a June 27 Republican primary runoff, said that means Trump has suggested that the U.S. will strike Iran again if it does not live up to the agreement.

“The criticism may be worthy if there isn't follow-through,” Fleming said. “He's using the speak-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick in offering them plenty of help, but at the same time he's got that stick ready if they don't live up to their agreements."

MAGA voices send a warning

Still, some of Trump's strongest supporters in conservative media have warned against the agreement.

Conservative radio host Mark Levin suggested a strategic rethinking to hold off on an agreement with Iran until after the midterms.

“We should consider slow-walking the enemy, building up our munitions, our oil reserves, get the price of gasoline down, get through the midterms, then knock them out,” he said in a social media post. Instead, the U.S. seemed to be “rushing to a deal, building up their oil industry” and agreeing to governments “transferring billions to them.”

Right-wing social media influencer Laura Loomer, who has long supported Trump while also promoting conspiracy theories, was more pointed in her criticism.

“Who is giving the President tainted, pro-Islamic intel?” she posted on X.

What all the critics shared is an abiding distrust of the Iranian regime, no matter their relationship to Trump.

“It does smack of the kind of appeasement," said former Vice President Mike Pence, whose relationship with Trump was fractured after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. “Bottom line. I don’t trust the Iranians.”

___

Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

World Cup fans came to Houston. Social media shows many heading straight for Whataburger

Brittany Taylor — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:20:55 +0000

International soccer fans have traveled thousands of miles to experience the FIFA World Cup atmosphere in Houston, but many appear to be spending at least part of that journey in a place Americans know all too well: the drive-thru.

While Houston’s restaurant scene is known for its award-winning barbecue, Tex-Mex, steakhouses and diverse culinary offerings, social media videos suggest many visiting fans are checking another item off their American bucket list: fast food.

International fans react to Texas culture during FIFA World Cup visit

Videos posted across TikTok, Instagram and X show fans lining up at restaurants including Whataburger, Chick-fil-A, Waffle House, IHOP, Chipotle, Raising Cane’s and KFC. Others have documented first-time experiences trying Texas barbecue, breakfast tacos, oversized hamburgers and late-night food truck fare.

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For some visitors, the appeal appears to be curiosity.

Houston-area World Cup 2026 watch parties, events across the city

After all, American fast food has become one of the country’s most recognizable cultural exports. For decades, movies, television shows and social media have helped shape international perceptions of American dining, often centered around burgers, fries, fried chicken and larger-than-life portions.

@erinoconnellxxx
Comment any other American fast food recommendations. ALSO promise we’ve eaten in local restaurants & cafe’s I just haven’t posted yet 🤭 #boston #worldcup #raisingcanes
♬ original sound - Erin O’Connell

And yes, there are stereotypes.

Around the world, the United States is often associated with fast food culture, supersized meals and quick-service restaurant chains. So it may not be surprising that some international visitors want to see if the real thing lives up to the hype.

That trend may also explain why some downtown restaurants haven’t seen the surge of World Cup customers they may have anticipated.

Instead of making reservations at upscale restaurants, some fans appear to be prioritizing iconic American chains they can’t easily find back home.

LIST: Bars where you can watch the FIFA World Cup around Houston

In Texas, Whataburger has emerged as one of the biggest attractions. Social media posts show visitors posing with the state’s beloved orange-and-white cups, comparing menu items and sharing reviews of their first burgers and spicy ketchup experiences.

Others have ventured beyond fast food in search of Texas staples such as brisket, smoked ribs, Tex-Mex platters and street tacos.

For Houston’s food scene, that’s probably a win either way.

Whether fans are sitting down at a local barbecue joint, grabbing tacos from a food truck or making a late-night stop at Waffle House, many visitors are getting a taste of a different side of the American experience.

And if social media is any indication, the road to the World Cup may be paved with burgers, brisket and breakfast tacos.

Arizona prosecutors dismissing fake elector case but vow to seek new indictment

Jacques Billeaud, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:43:20 +0000

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is dismissing a sprawling criminal case that alleged President Donald Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and others tried to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss in the state.

The decision announced Thursday marks the third such fake elector case filed by states to be dismissed, though the Democratic attorney general is vowing to bring it back to a grand jury in hopes of securing another indictment.

The legal maneuver is aimed at getting around a Friday deadline for starting new grand jury proceedings after Mayes lost an appeal earlier this month. The appeal was filed after defense attorneys argued successfully that the original grand jury hadn’t been shown the relevant parts of a law that governs how presidential contests are certified.

“This case is complex and will require substantial presentation of evidence and time to accommodate defendants’ request to testify and present evidence,” prosecutors wrote, explaining the new presentation of the case to a grand jury won’t happen by the deadline. Mark L. Williams, an attorney for Giuliani, said his client and the others charged in the case did nothing wrong and were only exercising their rights to free speech and to petition the government.

“This action was brought to punish Mr. Giuliani and the other Republican defendants for exercising their constitutional rights,” Williams said. “It’s appropriate that it’s being dismissed.”

Kelli Ward, the state GOP’s chair during the 2020 election season and one of the 18 defendants in the case, wrote on social media that Mayes had damaged the reputations and finances of those charged and “certainly seems unwilling to admit her overreach & put this behind us. She wants to keep persecuting her political opponents.”

Mayes’ office has declined to comment on Ward’s criticism.

Courts have dismissed similar cases in Michigan and Georgia, and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. Those cases ended after Trump defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Cases related to the fake elector scheme remain in Nevada and Wisconsin.

The Nevada charges were dismissed in 2024 after a judge concluded Clark County, the state’s most populous county and home to Las Vegas, was the wrong venue for the case. Later that year, though, the case was refiled in Carson City, Nevada’s capital.

The Arizona case had been stalled for well over a year while Mayes pursued the appeal.

In Arizona, defense lawyers argued the law allowed for multiple slates of electors to be submitted to Congress in case the results were disputed. Federal law was amended in 2022 to specify that any given state could put forward only one slate of electors and that state governors are responsible for signing off.

Joe Biden won Arizona in 2020 by 10,457 votes.

The state attorney general has faced steep challenges in making her case.

It was filed nearly three and a half years after the 2020 election and levels complicated conspiracy charges against the 18 defendants. A dozen dismissal requests filed by defense attorneys have slowed progress in court.

The first judge on the case recused himself in late 2024 after an email surfaced in which he told fellow judges to speak out against attacks on Harris’ campaign for the presidency. The next judge ordered the case to be sent back to a grand jury.

Of the 18 Arizona defendants, two were former Trump aides, five were lawyers working for Trump and 11 were Republicans who submitted a document falsely claiming Trump won Arizona.

Three defendants have resolved their cases, including one who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge.

The rest pleaded not guilty. Some said they signed the certificate in case Trump won court challenges and a new slate of electors was needed urgently before Congress’ Jan. 6 deadline to tally votes.

The case has factored into Arizona’s attorney general race, where both Republicans vying to challenge Mayes in the Nov. 3 general election have publicly said they would dismiss the charges if they were elected to the post. Mayes is running unopposed in the July 21 primary.

Mike O’Neil, an Arizona pollster and political analyst, said he believes Mayes would face criticism from Democrats if she had decided to abandon the case altogether. “People who are upset about this aren’t the people who would vote for her anyway,” O’Neil said.

US Open starts on soft Shinnecock with strong wind. Sam Stevens takes the early lead

Doug Ferguson, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:05:28 +0000

Shinnecock Hills has never looked like this for a U.S. Open, not with such receptive greens and putting surfaces slow enough to keep shots from rolling off the edges and down the slopes.

About the only familiarity Thursday was the scoring, kept in check by a strong wind that finally shooed away the fog and gave Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and the rest all they could handle.

Sam Stevens overcame a double bogey to start his round — a hole that took him over two hours to play because of the fog — and strung together six birdies that carried him to a 2-under 68, making him one of only six players from the early starters to beat par.

McIlroy saved par on a wild ride along the fourth hole, hit a pitching wedge into 12 feet on the downwind par-5 fifth hole for eagle, closed with two bogeys and was more than happy with a 69, particularly considering it was 11 shots better than the start he had at Shinnecock in 2018.

Also at 69 were Ludvig Aberg and 2023 British Open champion Brian Harman, Max Greyserman and Ben James, the college star in his second week as a pro.

Scheffler, needing a U.S. Open title for the career Grand Slam, had to rely heavily on his short game to salvage a 72.

“The greens haven't been too firm, the fairways haven't been too firm, so I've really felt like it's pretty scorable,” said Stevens, who had only his second sub-70 round in his fourth U.S. Open. “Obviously, it's difficult, but overall it's an awesome place. I think the setup is great right now.”

For one day — half of the opening round — the USGA might have been leader in the clubhouse.

Coming off two Opens at Shinnecock when the course got out of control, the USGA planned to slow the greens to 10 1/2 on the Stimpmeter — rare for any major, much less the U.S. Open — and keep plenty of water on the putting surfaces.

It was all due to the wind, which did not disappoint. The sustained wind approached 25 mph, and gusts were even stronger. And if that wasn't enough, it shifted directions in the middle of the day.

“It was tough around here without wind, and then it was blowing pretty hard — really hard,” Keegan Bradley said after a 70. “The USGA did a great job setting the course up because if the greens were any faster or firmer, we might not be playing right now.”

McIlroy hit wedge to 3 feet on No. 3, his 12th of the day, not the play he envisioned. He was trying to land it four paces short of the pin. It went four paces long and spun back to set up an easy birdie.

“The greens obviously are very receptive with them expecting this wind,” he said.

For all the concern about wind and the course drying out, it turned out to be another weather that got in the way — fog. Thirty minutes after the U.S. Open began, play was stopped and led to a two-hour delay. It was particularly tough on Stevens.

He laid back off the tee at No. 10 and was preparing for his approach when the horn sounded. When he returned, his 6-iron came up short and back down the hill, he chunked his wedge and his U.S. Open began with a double bogey.

“Didn't get to hit my second shot for 2 1/2 hours, or whatever it was,” Stevens said. “Got off to kind of a weird start, but made a birdie on the very next hole. It felt like I settled in after that ... The greens were a bit softer. I felt like you could hit good shots close to the hole, and then made a few nice putts, so overall good.”

McIlroy, whose lone U.S. Open title was 15 years ago on rain-softened Congressional, did some of his best work on the fourth hole. He pulled his tee shot into the knee-high, wispy hay on the left, and his next shot bounced off a cart path some 50 yards away. He hit wedge over where the gallery had been standing and holed an 18-foot putt. He followed that with his eagle — his first at the U.S. Open since 2017 at Erin Hills — until getting tripped up at the end.

“The greens are pretty slow and quite receptive. I think they need to be at this point. It’s a challenging golf course already, and you put 30-mile-an-hour winds on top of it, it tests the best players in the world pretty well,” McIlroy said. “I think they were prudent with the course setup.”

Scheffler fell to 3 over when he missed the fairway in high grass to the right on No. 8, did well to punch out into a bunker, blasted out to 18 feet and three-putted for double bogey. Then, his blind shot to the ninth green came back off the front of the green. He holed a 6-foot putt to save par, and that proved key as he limited the damage with a 34 on the back.

“If you told me when I was staring at my par putt on 9 that I would post 2 over today, I would definitely have taken it at the time,” Scheffler said. “Overall, it was a good battle.”

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Two former Hospital Galveston correctional officers arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with female inmates

Corley Peel — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:56:09 +0000

Two former Texas Department of Criminal Justice correctional officers have been arrested following an investigation into sexual misconduct involving two female inmates at Hospital Galveston.

Kenneth McDaniel Jr. and Kamron Kirk were taken into custody June 18, 2026, and booked into the Galveston County Jail. Both are charged with Civil Rights Violation/Improper Sexual Activity with Person in Custody, a second-degree felony. Both men were terminated from TDCJ following the conclusion of an administrative investigation.

RELATED: 2 correctional officers relieved of duty after female inmate alleges sexual assault at Hospital Galveston

According to TDCJ, The Office of Inspector General launched the criminal investigation after a female inmate reported to TDCJ staff that she had been sexually assaulted by two correctional officers during her time at the facility. The investigation identified McDaniel and Kirk as suspects.

TDCJ Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin said the agency has zero tolerance for this type of misconduct.

“We will not tolerate people in positions of power using their authority to abuse those in their care. The agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy for officer misconduct, and we hold those responsible fully accountable under the law,” Lumpkin said.

Inspector General Lance Coleman praised the law enforcement partners who helped make the arrests possible.

RELATED: ‘We should not be assaulted’: High-profile prisoner alleges sexual assault by prison guards at Hospital Galveston

“We are grateful for the vital support provided by the U.S. Marshals Service in Galveston County and our local law enforcement partners in arresting these individuals and bringing them to justice,” Coleman said.

TDCJ says the security and safety of the incarcerated population and staff is its top priority. The agency states that all claims of sexual assault are taken seriously and immediately investigated. Agency policy prohibits male officers from being alone with individual female inmates and bans cross-gender unclothed searches.

Attorney Dick Deguerin, who represents both female inmates, released the following statement:

“No matter what you think someone is convicted of, they’re not sentenced to be tortured and sexually abused. It’s high time something was done about it.”

An Uber carrying Argentina soccer fans was hit in shootings in Kansas City that left 1 man dead

John Hanna, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:05:30 +0000

An Uber driver taking fans of Argentina’s soccer team to a World Cup match was among four people injured in a series of shootings in Kansas City, Missouri, that also left one man dead, police said.

A 22-year-old male suspect, described as armed and dangerous, remained at large Thursday.

The five shootings occurred Tuesday between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m, in a 5-mile stretch of Kansas City, three of them on Interstates 70 and 670 as they cut through downtown. All of the shootings were at least 4 miles away from Arrowhead Stadium, where Argentina won its first match against Algeria.

Two American fans of Argentina's team, arriving for Tuesday's match, told Argentine outlet La Nación that someone in a car came alongside and fired two shots at the Uber they were riding in, hitting the driver in the leg. They said they first thought the sound was a car tire popping until they saw the driver had been hit.

They had to go to the police station to provide statements about what happened. Officers then took them to the stadium in patrol cars, they said. The driver's injuries were not life-threatening, police Capt. Jacob Becchina said.

That shooting and two others on the interstates occurred while cars were traveling east, one of them from neighboring Kansas, police said. The others occurred further east on Truman Road, a major thoroughfare through the city.

Police said three adults and a minor, a teenager, were injured, and all were hospitalized, though only one adult had life-threatening injuries, Becchina said.

About 6:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a vehicle crashing into a pole along Truman Road, east of the other shootings. The driver was taken to a hospital, and workers there discovered what appeared to be a gunshot wound while treating him. He died of his injuries.

“Victims all indicated they were driving down the highway or roadway when one or more shots were fired into their vehicles,” Becchina said in an email.

Becchina said detectives believe the non-fatal shootings occurred “in close succession,” from west to east, connected by the one suspect.

Police later tracked the suspect to a home in the suburb of Independence, about 2 miles further east of where the fatal shooting victim was found, and a standoff ensued. But when police entered the home about 8 a.m. Wednesday, the suspect was not there.

Officials across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas, also have a warrant out for the suspect over a June 11 incident involving an illegal discharge of a firearm, Nancy Chartrand, the spokesperson for its police department said.

Landmark $211M tax-break deal could trump SpaceX’s deal in South Texas

Texas Tribune, Berenice Garcia — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:02:40 +0000

Subscribe to The Y’all — a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.

McALLEN — A South Texas community once cited as the poorest in Texas is courting an Austin-based defense technology startup that promises to bring 10,000 jobs over 10 years, more than SpaceX’s initial promise of 300 back in 2014.

The Cameron County commissioners court approved a $211 million tax break for Saronic Technologies in hopes that the company will select the Port of Brownsville for its $3.2 billion naval shipyard called Port Alpha. The tax break would come in the form of a 95% tax abatement agreement over 20 years.

If Saronic accepts the deal, Brownsville would strengthen its position as one of Texas’ emerging technology hubs, sparked by SpaceX’s arrival many years ago.

“This is exactly the kind of investment that positions Cameron County as a statewide and national leader in innovation and workforce excellence,” County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. said in a statement.

The prospect drew a lot of attention from the community and prompted more than two dozen people to address the county commissioners during a meeting this week, both in support and against the tax abatement agreement.

Those against the agreement argued it would shift the tax burden from the company, which is valued at $9.25 billion, over to residents. Opponents also said the abatement would take away money from public schools.

“Why is it fair that a billion dollar company comes to our small city and asks for a tax break?” said Victoria Oseguera, a Brownsville resident. “Providing jobs is not enough.”

Supporters of the tax incentives said the company would bring much-needed jobs to the area. The 10,000 jobs Saronic is expected to create would outnumber the approximately 4,000 employees SpaceX has in South Texas. SpaceX is expected to grow to 8,000 employees by the end of the year, according to Brownsville officials.

“This project will build an ecosystem of suppliers, advanced manufacturers, tech, AI, highly skilled people, a pipeline of local talent and, lastly, opportunities for local entrepreneurs and local businesses,” said Gilberto Salinas, president and CEO of the Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation, which is offering Saronic an additional $10 million incentive.

Salinas said projects like Saronic’s Port Alpha would transform the economic landscape of Brownsville and import money that would create generational wealth.

“We need to do a better job of shedding that tagline of the poorest city in the United States,” Salinas said.

Most of the jobs Saronic will add — 7,401 — would fall under production and maintenance, which includes welders, electricians, plumbers, crane operators and assembly line workers.

Another 1,200 positions would be in engineering and design, 700 in administration and support, and 699 in research and development.

As part of the tax abatement agreement, 35% of their full-time workforce is required to be local residents.

If Saronic falls short of job projections, the tax abatement would decrease.

Additionally, the company must agree to participate in job fairs, partner with Workforce Commission Cameron and two other local educational institutions on training programs, submit annual reports to the Texas Workforce Commission and comply with all local, state and federal permits.

Opposition vs. Opportunity

Christopher Basaldu, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, told county commissioners that the project would further pollute the area and would not bring the economic benefits to those who need them.

“This company has no morals and they only wish to exploit cheapened land and cheapened labor,” Basaldu said. “You think that this is going to bring opportunity? It brings opportunity to very wealthy people who don’t live here. It doesn’t bring opportunity to the poorest and most marginal of us all.”

With the Port Alpha project, Saronic aims to build “the fleet of the future” that consists of autonomous warships. The company boasts that the shipyard would be the most advanced in the world and would quickly and affordably assemble vessels of varying sizes, from small tactical boats to large ships.

Late last year, Saronic secured a $392 million contract from the U.S. Navy for autonomous maritime capabilities, and earlier this month, one of the company’s AI-powered boats rescued two crew members of a downed U.S. Army helicopter that was shot down by Iran near the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to questions and a request for an interview, Saronic issued a statement confirming the company had not yet selected a location for Port Alpha.

“Saronic’s nationwide search for a location to build Port Alpha remains active and ongoing,” read a statement from a company spokesperson. “Recent filings are a standard part of the vetting process for sites under consideration, reflecting the thorough and deliberate approach required by Port Alpha’s unique requirements.”

Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Federal regulators order grid operators to speed power to energy-hungry AI data centers

Matthew Daly And Marc Levy, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:27:10 +0000

Federal regulators on Thursday ordered regional grid operators to help large energy users connect more quickly to the nation’s inefficient and aging electric transmission system, a step they said is needed to accommodate surging demand from power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright had urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to act in an effort to help the United States better compete with China for superiority in the fast-growing AI sector.

Tech companies and data center developers welcomed the chance to connect faster to the country’s power supply for the biggest energy users ever built in the United States, including some that consume more electricity than a small city.

Utilities, states and regional grid operators had worried that the Republican administration’s plan would remove their authority to manage the process, but FERC said the order leaves states in control of retail electric rates, terms and conditions. Clean energy advocates have urged regulators not to undermine state-level efforts to require the use of renewable energies.

The commission’s actions come as a backlash grows against data centers over concerns about the massive amounts of energy and water they use and fears about noise and air pollution, water shortages and a loss of open space or farmland.

Unanimous vote and affordability

FERC members voted unanimously to direct six regional grid operators to ensure that AI data centers and other large power users are “able to connect to the transmission system in a timely and orderly manner.”

Laura Swett, an appointee of President Donald Trump who chairs the commission, called the vote “historic” and said it would push the country’s electricity market into the future while respecting states’ rights, protecting reliable electric service and shielding ratepayers from shouldering the costs of connecting big power users to the grid.

“I know that Americans across the country are concerned about affordability, and so are we,” Swett said, referring to the five-member commission. As chair, “I am taking extremely seriously the mission that Congress has entrusted us to ensure that rates are reasonable,” she said.

The vote comes eight months after Wright asked the independent agency to take more control over ensuring that the vast network of massive computing warehouses needed to power AI are connected quickly to high-voltage transmission lines.

Wright hailed the commission's action, saying it would "remove barriers, accelerate development and ensure America has the affordable, reliable and secure energy needed to power a new era of prosperity."

Data centers would pay the full cost of any grid upgrades needed for their connection, under the commission order. But that order can do little to address the tightening energy supplies that are driving up electricity bills in some areas and raising warnings of blackouts as the construction of data centers outpaces the speed of new power plants coming online to serve them.

Robert Montejo, a lawyer who represents data centers, said the most important message from FERC’s action is that AI “has fundamentally changed the electricity landscape. The grid and prior policy were not built for the pace and scale of demand we’re seeing from AI infrastructure, and FERC is signaling that standing still is no longer an option.”

The six regional grid operators under the order serve 200 million Americans, or two-thirds of FERC’s jurisdiction. FERC, meanwhile, invited utilities that handle their regional transmission systems to also participate and analysts said the agency could eventually pressure them, too.

A search for power

Tech giants are scrambling to find enough power for their data centers and report that, in some places, it will take years to connect to the electric grid.

The Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned electric utilities, said FERC’s order builds on regional and state processes already underway while “supporting flexibility and innovation.”

Besides power bottlenecks, the tech industry is running into widespread opposition from communities where residents don’t want to live next to or near a data center.

More than 4,000 data centers now operate in the U.S., according to one estimate, with an additional 3,000 planned or under construction.

Trump has tried to deflect public concerns about AI, seeing the fast-evolving technology as crucial for the U.S. to attract foreign investment and maintain its economic and military prowess. He signed an executive order this month establishing a framework for the federal government to vet the national security risks of the most advanced AI systems for up to a month before their public release.

In December, FERC took an earlier step to help data center operators get electricity quickly, voting to allow tech companies to effectively plug a data center directly into a power plant and Thursday’s order sought to ensure that option is accessible around the country.

Power demands from data centers

FERC told grid operators to respond within 30 days on how they will ensure there is adequate power supplies for new and future data centers, and within 60 days on plans to integrate large power users in line with the new guidelines. Swett told reporters after the meeting that she hoped faster connection processes are in effect in “as little time as possible.” She didn't set an exact timeline.

Jeff Dennis, executive director of the Electricity Customer Alliance, said FERC’s order is responsive in particular to big power users and state regulators.

Tech giants are confronting unclear rules to connect data centers to high-voltage transmission systems, while states need more clarity on who should bear the cost of regional transmission projects approved at the federal level, he said.

Rob Gramlich, a Washington-based energy consultant, said states should quickly develop rules to accommodate large power users and prevent cost shifts to residential and business customers. FERC could assert broader jurisdiction over interconnection issues if states don’t act quickly, he said.

Data from the Electric Power Research Institute shows that data centers now account for about 5% of U.S. electricity demand, but could triple by 2035.

Tech companies have continued to raise their spending on building and equipping data centers, but there is evidence that construction is lagging and projects are hitting roadblocks, including permitting delays, growing local opposition or bottlenecks around gas turbines, transformers and skilled labor.

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Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pa.

Stocks rise on Wall Street, erasing much of their loss from a day earlier

Elaine Kurtenbach, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:22:13 +0000

Stocks rose on Wall Street Thursday and erased most of their losses from a day earlier to notch weekly gains.

The market's reversal was powered by sharp gains for big technology companies. The decline on Wednesday was driven by anticipation that the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates this year in an effort to fight inflation.

On Thursday, stocks faced less pressure as bond yields eased and oil prices spent most of the day falling.

The S&P 500 rose 80.48 points, or 1.1%, to 7,500.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 72.15 points, or 0.1%, to 51,564.70. The Nasdaq composite surged 496.28 points, or 1.9%, to 26,517.93. Every major index notched weekly gains.

U.S. markets will be closed Friday for Juneteenth.

Technology stocks had some of the biggest gains and the most influence on the broader market's rise. Intel surged 10.6% after President Donald Trump announced that the semiconductor giant will make chips for Apple in the U.S. Other big semiconductor companies gained ground. Nvidia rose 3% and Micron Technology jumped 8.7%.

On the losing end, SpaceX fell for the second straight day since its ballyhooed debut on the U.S. stock market last week. The Elon Musk-led rocket maker and AI company was down 3.6% following a 4.9% loss Wednesday.

Oil prices wavered after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Brent crude, the international standard, spent most of the day lower before settling 0.4% higher at $79.85 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude fell 0.2% to $75.85 per barrel.

Airlines had some of the bigger gains. American Airlines rose 3.7% and United Airlines rose 2.1%. Cruise line company Carnival jumped 3.2%.

Energy companies lost ground. Exxon Mobil fell 2.1% and Chevron fell 2.2%.

Prices for crude oil are still above roughly $70 per barrel from before the war, but are well below the $100-plus price from a few weeks ago.

Higher oil prices have been weighing on markets throughout the U.S. war with Iran. The current deal between the nations waives sanctions against Iran and allows it to sell its oil freely. It also opens up the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil supply is shipped.

“While investors are welcoming the agreement as a constructive step for geopolitical risk, uncertainty remains elevated around potential flare-ups, the pace of shipping normalization, control of the waterway, the cost of access, and the path forward for Iran’s nuclear program.” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial, in a research note.

Rising energy costs have been putting more pressure on already hot inflation. The average price of gasoline in the U.S. has dipped below $4 a gallon, but is still 25% higher from a year ago. Prices have been rising for a wide range of goods because of higher shipping costs.

Hotter inflation prompted the Federal Reserve to shift course from cutting its benchmark interest rate to likely raising rates by the end of the year. Lower interest rates can boost the economy by making borrowing easier for businesses and households, but it also tends to stoke inflation.

The Fed has been trying to balance its job of curbing inflation while supporting employment growth. The jobs market has remained relatively strong amid rising inflation, with low unemployment and solid job growth.

The central bank closed its two-day meeting on Wednesday by maintaining its benchmark interest rate at its current level. But it signaled that it might raise the rate at least once by December.

“This shift in the risk distribution helps explain why around half of the committee thought that an interest-rate hike this year might be needed,” said James McCann, senior economist at Edward Jones, in a research note.

The Fed's stronger signal for an eventual rate hike prompted a jump in bond yields on Wednesday, but they eased on Thursday.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.45% from 4.49% late Wednesday. The yield on 2-year Treasury, which more closely tracks action by the Fed, fell to 4.18% from 4.20% late Wednesday.

Markets were mixed in Europe after closing lower Asia.

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Senior Producer Mayuko Ono contributed to this report.

US lifts blockade of Iran and Iranian supreme leader endorses direct talks with American officials

Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:34:44 +0000

The U.S. on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel, as the tentative agreement to end the war took effect.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance announced that he may postpone a trip to Switzerland that had been planned for Friday and included a ceremonial signing of the deal. And a Trump administration envoy told U.S. lawmakers in a private briefing that Iran will invite the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites.

In other developments, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the U.S. in a statement read by state media.

“It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s opinion,” he said.

It was Khamenei’s first reaction to the agreement, and it indicated a shift in Iran’s approach. Hard-liners, especially Khamenei’s father, the previous supreme leader, have long opposed direct talks, especially after the U.S. pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

The supreme leader has not been seen in public since he was wounded in a strike at the start of the war.

Trump envoy tells lawmakers Iran will invite UN inspectors to its nuclear sites

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff told lawmakers that Iran will invite the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites and begin work on identifying and uncovering the locations of Tehran’s enriched material, which is believed to be buried under rubble.

The private briefing was described by two people familiar with the conversation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to share the closed-door details.

Witkoff told congressional leadership and members of national security-related committees that the agreement that the U.S. struck with Iran did not include any side deals, but a side letter was drafted between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency extending the invitation.

Witkoff disclosed the existence of the letter and invitation in the briefing, according to the people.

Witkoff said the letter to IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi would enable him to bring U.S. nuclear inspectors to Tehran.

The agreement states that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium must at minimum be diluted under international supervision. It also says that Iran shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons — a commitment it has made previously.

Uncertain timeline could make it more difficult to promote deal

Vance's visit might have helped start talks on the next, potentially even more critical, round of negotiations between the two sides.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also postponed a planned visit to Switzerland, where Islamabad officials were to host the ceremony, because the agreement had already been signed, said two senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The uncertain timeline could raise new questions and make it even more difficult for the Trump administration to promote a deal that many in the U.S. — including some congressional Republicans — have criticized as too favorable to Tehran.

“Our plan is to go to Switzerland. I don’t know exactly when,” Vance said during a briefing with reporters at the White House when asked about not flying, as planned, to the signing ceremony.

That injected new doubt into an agreement that President Donald Trump said he signed to avoid “economic catastrophe” in the U.S.

Vance's announcement came a day after Trump signed the pact with Iran while dining with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles. The deal is slated to take immediate effect and extends a ceasefire while giving each side 60 days to hammer out broader agreements on larger issues.

Trump said the deal would avoid continued stress on the U.S. economy after the war caused oil prices to skyrocket, made financial markets skittish and fueled inflation. He repeatedly said he did not want to be compared to Herbert Hoover, whose policies helped exacerbate the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Vance defends U.S.-Iran deal

The vice president, who was initially personally skeptical of the U.S. going to war with Iran, has increasingly become the administration’s face of the conflict and has been outspoken in defending the deal. Asked about concerns it concedes too much, the vice president said repeatedly that the accord would force Iran to “change their behavior.”

Vance shrugged off accusations that its rollout has been piecemeal and sometimes contradictory, saying, “I don’t think our public messaging has been chaotic."

He also offered a surprisingly blunt warning to Israel, which has pushed the U.S. to take a harder stance against Iran and launched attacks on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon throughout the war, including just before the deal extending the ceasefire was reached. Those attacks complicated the peace efforts with Iran.

Trump “is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time," Vance said. “And he happens to be the head of state of the world’s superpower.”

The vice president said more than 12.5 million barrels went through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday night. That could further soothe oil prices that spiked during the war but have been falling since the U.S. and Iran announced a tentative deal to end the conflict.

He said the U.S. easing its blockade of Iran means "honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side."

U.S. Central Command said American warships “will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect.”

Shipping starts to pick up

At least two oil tankers left Iran and crossed the U.S. military blockade without being stopped. A merchant shipping tracking website said the ships were carrying a combined total of 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil.

Iranian state media said shipping had “normalized” at Iran’s southern ports but added that the strait remains supervised and under the control of the Iranian military, and transiting through the vital waterway still requires coordination.

Major shipowners began moving vessels through the strait after the agreement was signed, according to maritime data company Lloyd’s List Intelligence, though Lloyd's did not give data on how many ships have passed through the strait as of Thursday.

In a media briefing, Richard Meade, editor-in-chief of Lloyd’s List, said for the first time in 110 days, ships owned by major companies are transiting the strait after effectively being marooned there since February.

Tankers controlled by major ship owners Grimaldi Group, Cosco, Knutsen and NYK have passed through the strait. And two Iranian-flagged, sanctioned crude oil tankers owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company have entered the strait, according to Lloyd’s List.

Phillip Belcher, marine director of Intertanko, a trade group for global independent tanker owners, said the main central route of the strait is still closed and has an estimated 80 mines that need to be cleared.

But ships have been passing through the smaller northern route, which goes through Iranian waters, and the southern route, which goes through Omani waters.

Lloyd’s List estimated that 550 merchant ships will need to exit the Persian Gulf. It could take weeks or months to fully reopen the strait, and the two alternative routes do not have as much capacity as the strait's central passage.

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Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; Aamer Madhani in Zurich; Collin Binkley in Washington; Mae Anderson in New York; and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

Supreme Court sides with a Texas man who says it’s not a crime for marijuana users to have guns

Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:08:02 +0000

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday against a broad federal ban on gun ownership by marijuana users, the latest in a line of firearm cases from a court that has expanded gun rights.

The justices decided unanimously in favor of Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas man who argued that a law barring guns from anyone who regularly uses illegal drugs violates the Second Amendment.

Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that his opinion narrowly limits the government's power to take guns away from drug users who are not considered dangerous. Hemani, who was not charged with any other crimes or accused of using the weapon under the influence, is thankful he “finally has closure,” lawyer Zachary Newland said.

The decision is a loss for President Donald Trump’s Republican administration, which had defended the 1968 law despite arguing against other gun restrictions. Its core argument “fails under every measure,” Gorsuch wrote.

The law was originally meant to keep guns away from dangerous people, but the millions of people who now use marijuana can't all be characterized that way, Gorsuch wrote. While recreational use is illegal under federal law, about half of states allow it and cannabis use for health purposes is widespread.

“Whatever one thinks of these developments, the federal government has not just tolerated them; it helped fuel them,” Gorsuch wrote. “All of which leaves it awkwardly positioned to suggest that the millions of Americans who now regularly use marijuana are categorically and unusually dangerous.”

The law was also used in a case against Hunter Biden, who was convicted in Wilmington, Delaware, of buying a gun while addicted to cocaine in 2018. He was later pardoned by his father, Democratic President Joe Biden.

Someone addicted to an illegal drug could potentially still be prosecuted after Thursday’s decision.

“We do not address efforts to ban addicts, or those presently intoxicated, from possessing a firearm,” Gorsuch wrote. Prosecutors could charge a marijuana user if they had evidence the person was dangerous, he said.

Recreational use remains illegal on a federal level even after the Trump administration reclassified medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in April.

Gun rights and pro-cannabis groups join forces

The case made for some unusual political alliances.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Rifle Association supported Hemani’s case, as did cannabis legalization groups such as NORML. On the other side were gun safety groups including Everytown that usually oppose the administration on Second Amendment issues.

The ACLU applauded the ruling, saying that nearly half of Americans have reported using marijuana at some point in their lives.

“The court has sent a strong message that the government cannot criminalize the conduct of large numbers of people by making categorical and unfounded assumptions about whether they are dangerous,” said Cecillia Wang, legal director at the ACLU.

NORML applauded the decision as a “vindication of personal freedom” and the Second Amendment Foundation called it a “major victory for gun owners.”

The group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which opposes legalization of the drug, condemned it.

“While the justices in this case appear to be most concerned with historical battles over Second Amendment rights, public health and safety are the collateral damage in this decision,” said CEO Kevin Sabet.

Gun control groups were more measured, with Everytown saying the decision still recognizes that “drugs and guns can make for a dangerous mix.”

It is rare to see standalone criminal charges filed against people accused solely of owning guns and using drugs, though they are more often filed against people also accused of other crimes.

The opinion is the latest in a series of firearm cases to reach the Supreme Court since its landmark ruling expanding gun rights in 2022 led to a wave of challenges around the country.

Since then, the high court has upheld a law aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence and strict regulations on ghost gun kits but has struck down a ban on bump stocks, an accessory that enables rapid fire. The justices are also considering a second firearm case this term over strict regulations on carrying guns in Hawaii.

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Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.

Obama Center opens in Chicago with a call to defend democracy and a celebrity crowd

Scott Bauer, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:07:31 +0000

Former President Barack Obama formally opened his presidential center in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy as three former presidents joined him on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures.

“I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,” the nation’s first Black president told the crowd.

Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder took turns on the stage ahead of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, who closed the show singing “Higher Ground” as the former presidents, world leaders and others danced along.

President Donald Trump was conspicuous both in his physical absence and by not being mentioned by any of the speakers or performers. Trump called the $850 million center a “total disaster” in a social media post in February.

Obama voiced his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion and sense of duty, praising both Democrats and Republicans, including those he defeated.

“Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did,” Obama said. “It is our greatest inheritance.”

Reflecting on his arrival in Chicago in 1985 as an untested political organizer, he said he could not have built the Obama Presidential Center anywhere else. He met his future wife Michelle nearby, their wedding reception was within walking distance, his children were born in the neighborhood and he launched his first candidacy not far away.

“It’s an expression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what I hold most dear I owe to the people of this city and the people of the surrounding neighborhoods,” Obama said.

Michelle had some emotional words for her husband

The Obamas and their daughters shared the stage with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and many other leading Democrats were in the audience.

Michelle Obama spoke directly to her husband when she stepped up to the podium. “Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt in the heat. Not once did you let it harden you.

“Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence,” she said. “Your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage. Your dazzling brilliance and unpretentious decency. Your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber. And to do it all as a first.”

She ticked off highlights from her husband's eight years in office, including ordering the raid that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, “standing up for marriage equality” and “listening to science.”

“And you did it all with such grace and class and cool,” she said. “You made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park.”

Obama appeared to wipe away a tear as she praised him.

Michelle Obama also referenced the current “anxious and divisive times” and warned against being cynical or complacent as “everything feels so upside down.” She pitched the center as “a respite from all that.”

A-list entertainers sang inspirational anthems and protest songs

Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem and Aguilera delivered a rousing rendition of “What a Wonderful World.” Pearl Jam’s Vedder, joined by Chicago teenagers in the nonprofit Guitars Over Guns program, sang an original song called “Better Believe,” written just for the dedication.

Legend sang “Someday We’ll All Be Free” and was joined by the rapper Common and Uniting Voices Chicago for their Academy Award-winning song “Glory.”

Bono, who said he was representing the Irish, joined with The Edge in singing the U2 song “City of Blinding Lights.” The Roots served as the house band. And Springsteen sang “Land of Hopes and Dreams” before turning to the Obamas and saying “I love you.”

Wonder sang “All I Do” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)” before the grand finale, joined by the performers who preceded him.

The VIP crowd included several potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert; actor Tom Hanks; tennis legend Billie Jean King and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.

Former world leaders in attendance included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Event kicked off weekend of celebration

The three-hour invite-only celebration included commentary from a nearby park where thousands gathered, and it was livestreamed to many more. It kicks off a weekend of events as the center opens to the general public on Juneteenth.

“This is not a monument to the Obamas,” said Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Foundation’s chief executive and former Obama top adviser. “This is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible.”

The opening, like the ribbon-cuttings of other presidential libraries over the years, had a heavy focus on accomplishments. This former president also expressed some regrets — such as the increase in political polarization during his two terms. “It’s one of the few regrets of my presidency — that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,” Obama said in his final State of the Union.

“Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business,” Obama said Thursday. “In some cases, my own shortcomings and mistakes.”

General admission tickets for the center are sold out through the end of October. More than a million visitors a year are expected at the nearly 20-acre campus.

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Associated Press writer Mike Catalini contributed to this report from Washington, D.C.

Vance, skeptical of foreign wars, becomes the face of Trump's Iran war deal

Michelle L. Price And Seung Min Kim, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:01:12 +0000

JD Vance was supposed to be spending the week promoting his new book, the kind of event a potential presidential candidate like the vice president typically uses to speak to a wide audience about his life and values ahead of a campaign.

Instead, the rollout of Vance’s second book, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” has been largely crowded out by something else he’s put his name on: the deal to end the Iran war.

The Republican vice president has embraced the role of chief defender of the agreement he and President Donald Trump signed with Tehran, giving a series of interviews touting it as a success, releasing a video championing it and parrying questions about it during a briefing at the White House.

It’s a striking emergence for a politician who's known for his skepticism of foreign military interventions and who seemed reluctant to speak on the conflict when Trump launched it in February.

The vice president is poised to yoke himself further to the conflict’s outcome, when he’s expected to kick off a new phase of negotiations with Iran — though when that will occur was still up in the air Thursday.

Vance becoming a hype man for the agreement seems to be an all-in gamble that, should he decide to seek the White House in 2028, voters will reward him for being the face of ending an unpopular conflict.

It’s also setting Vance up as the presumptive fall guy should the deal with Iran falter.

Trump joked about such a possibility on Wednesday.

“If it works out, I’m going to take the credit," Trump said. “If it doesn’t work out, I’m blaming JD.”

Officials release text of the deal after backlash

Vance on Thursday referred to Trump's comment as a joke and said he wasn't worried. He added: “Look, the entire team has worked very well on this, and we’ve got this thing to a very good place for the American people.”

The White House in a statement called Vance the president's “right-hand man and an invaluable member of the President’s talented national security team.”

"That’s why the Vice President was trusted to lead these negotiations alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner," White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said. "What President Trump and his team achieved on the battlefield and at the negotiating table is nothing short of remarkable and will strengthen American security for years to come.”

But backlash, including from conservatives, began growing this week after the U.S. digitally signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran on Sunday.

Vance spokesman Luke Schroeder said in a statement: “It’s unfortunate that some Republicans are attempting to undermine the President’s efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East and ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon.”

Officials gave shifting answers about when they would release the text, but leaked copies of a draft were quickly met with anger and skepticism from Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers, as well as Israel and pro-Israel advocates. Their criticisms included concerns that the deal, meant to open a two-month negotiating period, seemed to offer Iran wins up front while guaranteeing little in return and that Trump’s stated reason for launching the conflict, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, remains unresolved.

Vance has reiterated that Iran must meet its obligations.

In response to the backlash and mounting questions, the U.S. on Wednesday provided the text of the agreement to journalists.

The agreement states that Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be buried under rubble, must at minimum be diluted under international supervision. It also states that Iran shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons — a commitment it has made previously. But beyond stating that the U.S. and Iran will negotiate over Iran's nuclear program, other commitments still need to be worked out.

Criticism on the right persisted after the text was released.

Conservative radio host Erick Erickson, a hawk who has defended the war, said Wednesday: “This is an American surrender.”

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, another potential 2028 presidential candidate, criticized the agreement and said to reporters, “I think the president, unfortunately, is receiving bad advice.”

Trump's Operation Epic Fury has angered wings of his movement

The conflict, which has stretched into its fourth month, has cleaved Trump’s broad Make America Great Again coalition and angered both those who favored a harder line against Iran and those drawn to Trump’s “America First” foreign policy underscored by a message of “no new wars.”

Critics, including Republicans, have already started pointing fingers in Vance's direction, questioning whether the deal resembles the 2015 nuclear agreement struck by Democratic President Barack Obama and whether this new agreement achieves Trump’s stated objectives for launching the war, dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Trump ally and Iran hawk, had been skeptical of the agreement and referred to Vance on social media as “the architect of the deal."

After the agreement was released, Graham issued a tepid statement of support, saying, “I see little downside to trying.”

Ben Domenech, The Daily Wire’s opinion editor, said on Fox News that everything he was hearing about the deal “seems bad” and appeared to cast blame on Vance by alluding to his first book, “Hillbilly Elegy."

“Are we going to backslide into being some kind of ‘hillbilly Obama’ kind of GOP?” Domenech said.

GOP allies say Vance can navigate the politics

The Trump administration has not offered formal briefings to Congress on the details of the memorandum, but Vance has quietly started doing outreach to some Republican senators on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, a close ally of Vance's, said the vice president would be able to assuage even critics within his own party who are skeptical of the deal because “JD is just the president’s messenger, and the president’s going to prove them all wrong.”

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said the deal “certainly adds to the national security and geopolitical chops” of Vance, who spent two years as a U.S. senator for Ohio before ascending to the vice presidency.

But Cramer acknowledged the risks if the agreement goes awry.

“I guess the nice thing is, if you’re not the No. 1 person, you can take credit and avoid risk, avoid the criticism, but probably not so easily,” Cramer said.

Vance argues Iran is not a quagmire like the Iraq war

In interviews this week, Vance has sought to speak directly to the skeptics in his party, a preview of the difficult explanations he may be pressed to make as a candidate on the war.

On Megyn Kelly's show, the vice president said the critics “believe Iranian propaganda” about the deal. But he acknowledged some of the frustrations on the hawkish right while trying to reassure the anti-interventionists that the Iran conflict isn't the war in Iraq, where he served as a Marine.

Democrats have stressed that even as Vance becomes the face of the Iran deal, the fate of any administration official who harbors presidential aspirations — particularly hawkish Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has largely been quiet in the agreement's final phases — will be tied to its outcome.

“I think any member of this administration is going to rise or fall on the basis of the Iran war and the handling of the economy,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii.

___

Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report.

Brazilian soccer fans at the World Cup heed warning not to dress Rocky statue in team gear

Dan Gelston, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:19:13 +0000

Brazilian fans that went the distance up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps to pose with the Rocky statue left the fictional fighter just as they found him.

Every Brazilian fan — in Philadelphia to watch their national team play Haiti on Friday at the World Cup — that stopped for a snapshot or a selfie with the 9-foot-11, 1,300-pound beast left the statue dressed in only his bronze trunks and boots.

No taking chances of getting hit by the Rocky curse.

Yes, the Rocky statue, long a symbol of resilience, heart and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia, has taken a few more hits of late (even in retirement).

Visiting American sports fans have long learned the hard way that dressing the statue with colorful jerseys, scarfs, hats, anything found in your local Rally House, has only meant that team would suffer a knockout blow at the home of the local Philly team.

Scoff all you want.

The bad fortune stretched to soccer when fans of the Ecuador's national team took over the Rocky steps and sang and danced and waved flags and ... dressed Rocky in a team jersey and tied the country's flag around the fictional fighter's neck.

It didn't go well.

Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years.

And there ain't gonna be no rematch.

Brazil fans noticed the outcome and one of their fan groups, the Green and Yellow Movement, urged visitors to keep their clothing to themselves.

“ ANTENCAO TORCEDOR!” the Instagram post warned.

Everyone is paying attention.

The translated text read: “It's totally forbidden to put a Brazil shirt on the Rocky statue in Philly!!!!!”

Even Visit PA cheekily got in on the fun and tried to warn foreigners that — just like Ivan Drago learned the hard way — Rocky was not to be messed with.

“Countless football teams (as in American Football, not Fútbol — same curse, different sport) have all dressed the Rocky Statue in their colors and gone on to lose,” the Instagram post said. “Ecuador dressed Rocky last weekend Coincidence? Sadly, history says no.

“Philadelphia can't wait to host you! (but Rocky does not need your kit)”

Brazilian fans paid heed to the warning through Thursday afternoon, and scores of fans simply took the spot in front of the statue and raised their arms in triumph just as Rocky did after so many fights, and many, many movies.

“This is a moment in Brazil,” said Lorival Guerreiro, who traveled from Limeira, Brazil, for the World Cup. “They promote this place to celebrate before the game. The Brazilians come here to celebrate our team."

When the bronze statue was left on the steps after filming the “Rocky” movies, the museum fought to have it removed. It was eventually relocated to South Philadelphia before returning to the bottom of the steps in 2006. The statue was a huge hit and became a point of pilgrimage for people around the world.

According to the Philadelphia Visitor Center, about 4 million people visit the steps each year — rivaling the nearby Liberty Bell in annual foot traffic. The pop culture icon was recently moved to the top of the steps.

Roberto De Freitas, a native of Porto Alegre who now lives in Florida and is attending his third World Cup, climbed the steps for a photoshoot with perhaps Philadelphia's most famous landmark. He was dressed in Brazil's colors — down to the green sneakers — and was set to attend Friday's game.

He hoped five-time World Cup champion Brazil would take a page from Rocky's corner and win some more.

“We have five titles,” De Freitas said. “We are trying to get that sixth one.”

De Freitas had not yet heard of the Rocky curse but had no plans to tempt fate once he learned of the potential consequences.

“That's what they said,” he asked with a laugh. “I'm for sure not going to do it.”

For the record, De Freitas said “Rocky” was his favorite of all the movies in the series.

The Rocky Shop at the base of the steps was loaded with tourists who snaked their way through fighter T-shirts and plush offerings of Mr. T's character, Clubber Lang. Peruvian sports journalist Jampool Cuadros Estrada tried on a Rocky robe as a cameraman followed him around the store for their latest World Cup report.

Philadelphia, home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian-born immigrants, has a bit of a recent connection with the South American country. The Philadelphia Eagles opened their Super Bowl championship season with a win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil in 2024.

Facing pressure to win its first World Cup title since 2002, Brazil was outplayed early and needed Vinícius Júnior’s 32nd-minute goal to get a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday.

Brazil now needs to beware Haiti — a noted heavy underdog, just like Rocky.

“Brazil has the pressure. Haiti has the freedom,” Haitian singer Wyclef Jean wrote on social media. “And sometimes freedom is the most dangerous thing on the pitch. I can't wait!!!!”

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

FDA panel backs first-of-its-kind flu vaccine using mRNA technology

Lauran Neergaard And Matthew Perrone, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:10:07 +0000

A new kind of flu vaccine moved a step closer to the U.S. market Thursday as federal health advisers recommended approval of the first made with the same mRNA technology that was key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Food and Drug Administration is evaluating Moderna's new shot, dubbed mFlusiva, for older Americans ahead of the winter flu season. Moderna is seeking full approval for the vaccine's use in people ages 50 to 64 — along with authorization for use in those 65 and older while it conducts additional testing.

The FDA's independent advisory committee evaluated Moderna's studies of the vaccine and voted unanimously that its benefits appear to outweigh any risks for both age groups. The FDA will consider that recommendation in making a final decision by early August.

Tens of thousands of Americans die from influenza every year, and older adults are among the most vulnerable. There are various types of flu vaccines already available in the U.S., including three specifically recommended for people 65 and older. But vaccines made with the Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology are faster to manufacture than other types — something experts say might help if the shape-shifting flu virus mutates in a way that requires suddenly brewing new doses to match.

“Having this technology available puts us in a better position to be prepared for emerging strains in the future,” said Dr. Flor Munoz-Rivas of Texas Children’s Hospital, one of FDA's advisers.

In a study of 40,000 people age 50 and older, Moderna’s mRNA vaccine reduced flu cases by about 27% compared with those given another routinely used vaccine brand. In a smaller study of people 65 and older, Moderna's shot also generated a strong protective immune response compared with a high-dose flu vaccine already recommended for that age group.

Data showing strong immune reactions “were very compelling,” said FDA adviser Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins University, adding that "the vaccine looks very promising.”

Moderna’s Dr. Rituparna Das told panelists that the company’s ability to quickly manufacture mRNA vaccines that closely match the latest flu strains could prevent thousands of hospitalizations in older Americans.

Severe flu cases in the U.S. generally rise in years when the flu shot doesn’t closely match the circulating virus. Moderna officials noted that flu strains for each fall's vaccines now are chosen several months earlier than the yearly recipe update for COVID-19 shots that mostly are mRNA-based — and there can be a mismatch if the flu virus mutates after the recipe is made.

At the meeting, FDA vaccine reviewer Dr. Timothy Brennan suggested the agency was open to approving the vaccine for older adults ahead of the coming flu season, despite the need for more information about its use in frail seniors or people with weak immune systems.

If it's approved, Moderna is planning its required next-step study to include 400,000 people 65 and older, half given the mRNA vaccine and the rest given one of today’s special-for-seniors shots. It's supposed to repeat that study for two flu seasons.

Moderna's data showed no major safety issues although the shot did cause some temporary reactions including injection-site pain, fever, headache, tiredness and aches. The latter reactions are common in a variety of vaccines, but occurred somewhat more often than with today's flu shots. The FDA said that's typical of mRNA vaccines.

Those temporary reactions can be a signal that “your immune system is responding,” said Dr. Hayley Gans, a Stanford Medicine pediatrician and FDA adviser who stressed it will be important to explain that to vaccine recipients.

Earlier this year, Moderna’s data was at the center of a highly unusual public dispute as a then-top FDA official blocked the company’s application for its first-of-its-kind shot.

The embattled vaccine chief at the time, Dr. Vinay Prasad, said the company should have compared its shot to a high-dose flu vaccine recommended for seniors rather than a standard-dose brand. It was a sign of FDA’s heightened vaccine scrutiny under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Moderna challenged that decision, noting that FDA staff had approved that main study’s design and citing a separate, smaller study comparing the mRNA shot with a high-dose vaccine for seniors. Days after the spat, the FDA accepted Moderna’s application.

Moderna also is studying the vaccine in younger adults and plans a separate study in 9- to 17-year-olds this fall.

____

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

College sports bill clears a key Senate hurdle despite SEC, Big Ten opposition

Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:03:03 +0000

A bill that top lawmakers and athletic leaders have described as the best chance to stabilize college sports cleared a key vote in the Senate on Thursday with bipartisan support after weeks of input from schools, conferences and athletes.

The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act aims to regulate payments to players, limit them to one free transfer over their careers and create a rule to restrict coaches from changing jobs during a season. It advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee on a 19-9 vote and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Thursday’s vote came hours after the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference, the two most powerful in college sports, reiterated their position that “revisions are needed to secure our support for the bill.” Several senators who voted against it cited concerns raised by the two conferences, which could spell trouble for its chances.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who supported the bill, said he would like to be able to bring it up for a vote in the Senate next month, before the August recess. He said the legislation will "continue to get refined as time goes on.”

“It was a really strong vote coming out of the committee,” Thune said.

The bill takes a step forward

The committee vote advancing the bill followed endorsements from several athletic conferences, the NFL and its players union, and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The Olympic committee backed the revised measure after lawmakers added additional protections for women’s and Olympic sports.

“The new agreement also reflects the critical importance of Olympic sports," Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the Republican chair of the committee, said in opening remarks. “That is a major part of what this bill is about. College athletics is not only football and men’s basketball.”

NCAA President Charlie Baker applauded the Senate action Thursday, saying it was a “powerful statement to the growing bipartisan support for targeted intervention.”

In an interview with AP after the vote, Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell — the top-ranking Democrat on the committee — said the vote result felt “pretty darn good.” The legislation is the product of months of negotiations between Cruz and Cantwell as other attempts in Congress to intervene in college sports have failed to advance far.

“This is a big milestone,” Cantwell said.

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz was among the six Democrats who voted with most Republicans in advancing the bill.

“It took me awhile to get there, and I think there's more work to be done,” he said.

Big Ten and SEC aren't on board

The SEC and Big Ten said hours before Thursday’s committee meeting that their “critical revisions have not been accepted.”

Among their concerns, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has argued the bill could invite the very litigation it is intended to prevent. Both conferences have also objected to a provision allowing conferences to pool media rights, saying they are unconvinced it would generate the additional revenue supporters say it could.

“What we did today was say we’re not going to let the most powerful, richest conferences dictate to the rest of America what’s going to happen to 500,000 athletes,” Cantwell said after the committee vote.

Support and opposition for the bill does not fall neatly along party lines, reflecting the national reach of SEC and Big Ten schools and broader divisions in Congress.

While President Donald Trump has backed the bill, multiple Republicans opposed the legislation Thursday, while several Democrat supported it.

Some of the senators who voted against the bill represent states that are home to prominent SEC and Big Ten programs, including Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, and Republican Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

“Universities in Mississippi and around the SEC are concerned that some further progress needs to be made on the media rights,” Wicker told the AP.

Earlier this month, the Congressional Black Caucus also urged the Senate to suspend action on the bill in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that effectively disabled a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. Democratic Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, a member of the CBC, voted against the legislation Thursday.

A long road ahead

Clearing the committee is just the first step in a long process.

Passage through the Senate is far from guaranteed, as leaders already have a packed schedule and a dwindling number of legislative days left before the November election. The bill would need to clear a 60-vote threshold in the 53-47 Republican-controlled chamber.

The bill will also still need to clear the House. Earlier this year, the House Republican leadership had been working toward a vote on its own college sports bill, known as the SCORE Act, before the Congressional Black Caucus announced its unanimous opposition.

Still, supporters on Thursday called the committee action a massive step forward.

“Today we are proving that we are resilient in keeping this product moving,” Cantwell said.

___

AP National Writer Eddie Pells in Southampton, N.Y., contributed to this report.

___

Follow the AP's coverage of college sports at https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports.

Ivory Coast says striker Elye Wahi will be allowed into Canada for the team's next World Cup match

Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:48:50 +0000

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, under investigation for alleged betting-related offenses, has received authorization to enter Canada for his nation's World Cup match against Germany, the Ivorian soccer federation said Thursday.

The federation earlier said the 23-year-old Wahi was not going to be able to travel to Canada, but it issued a statement Thursday stating the necessary authorizations had now been obtained.

Wahi started in Monday's 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia. The Elephants play Germany on Saturday in Toronto in their second match of the tournament.

Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Canada’s immigration minister, declined to comment on the case, citing a need for authorization from the individual involved.

The French soccer league said Wednesday that an “unusual amount of bets” were placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a game on May 17 while playing for Nice. The French league was alerted by partners monitoring betting markets about suspicious betting activity concerning Nice’s home game against Metz, which ended in a 0-0 draw and in which Wahi was shown a yellow card.

The French league said it passed that information to police and gambling authorities, as well as the French soccer federation.

Asked whether Wahi was questioned by police, the Marseille prosecutor's office told The Associated Press “a 23-year-old professional football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1 championship, was arrested on May 29, 2026, as part of their investigation."

The office added “the investigation concerns alleged offenses of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering.” The player was questioned while in police custody and was released without being detained.

Wahi’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Ivorian soccer federation said it has not been officially notified “of any judicial or administrative proceedings” concerning Wahi. The soccer body said if “offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him.”

“Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team," it added.

Wahi joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January and scored nine goals in 18 games in all competitions, helping the team reach the French Cup final.

The French league season ended May 17. Wahi scored twice less than two weeks later to help Nice stay in the top division, a 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne in the second leg of the promotion-relegation playoffs.

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

New York mayor, other leaders push to ban horse-drawn carriage rides after Indian teen's death

Philip Marcelo And Holly Ramer, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:57:07 +0000

A teenager from India who was killed when a Central Park carriage horse bolted from its driver was on a family trip celebrating his high school graduation and died trying to save his mother.

Romanch Mahajan, 18, jumped out of the carriage after his mother fell out and hit his head on the ground, his father, Deepak Mahajan, told The New York Times.

“He was screaming, ‘Mom!'” the young man’s father told the newspaper. Mahajan said he, his wife and younger son escaped with minor injuries, though their carriage clipped another horse-drawn vehicle and toppled over.

The family arrived in New York from India on Monday, the same day Romanch learned he had been accepted to a university in Jaipur. They had spent the day visiting many of the city’s popular tourist attractions and were unwinding on a carriage ride when the driver got off to photograph them. Moments later, the accident occurred.

Video showed the horse sprinting through the park as two people appeared to jump from the four-wheeled carriage. A second video shows the cab toppling over after clipping the wheels of another carriage on the park’s busy loop.

“This incident should be taken very seriously,” Mahajan said. “It took my son's dream away.”

Calls to ban the quaint attraction revived

Horse carriages, which cost about $72 for the first 20 minutes, were not running Thursday in the park, which sees millions of visitors every year. It was not immediately clear when they would resume.

The company that owns the carriage involved in the fatal crash also suspended the driver indefinitely, and the horse will be retired from the business, according to the union representing the industry. The union has said the driver dismounted to take a photograph of his passengers, which they are not supposed to do.

“We’re absolutely gutted and stunned by this tragedy,” said Alexander Kemp, a vice president with the Transport Workers Union Local 100, the labor union representing carriage drivers and owners. “We have shuttered the stables and ceased operations today while we have extensive internal discussions of safety protocols and how they can be improved.”

Mahajan's death is believed to be the first human fatality involving a horse carriage since they were introduced in Central Park more than 150 years ago, according to the union and the Central Park Conservancy, which manages the 850-acre park.

The conservancy was among those on Thursday that called for the industry to be suspended until more protections could be put in place. There have now been eight horse-related incidents in Central Park over the past 13 months, the group said.

“If any other activity in the Park posed a comparable risk to visitors, it would be suspended immediately while steps were taken to address those dangers,” the conservancy said.

The influential nonprofit revived the debate over the carriages when, for the first time, it threw its support behind a long-simmering bill that would ban horse carriages and help drivers transition into new jobs.

The organization argued that the carriages are a public safety hazard in the increasingly crowded park, noting that other U.S. cities, including Chicago and San Antonio, have also recently done away with the nostalgic rides.

Carriage owners and drivers fear end to livelihood

Animal welfare groups have also long complained that the horses are overworked, can get easily spooked on city streets and live in inadequate stables while their drivers regularly flaunt city rules.

“The record is undeniable: crashes, runaways, horse deaths, injuries, and now a devastating loss of human life,” Edita Birnkrant, head of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets said on Thursday.

Onur Altintas, who owns four horses and a carriage operating in Central Park, said Wednesday’s death was tragic but shouldn’t lead to the industry ending.

He said the industry provides hundreds of jobs to drivers, stable hands, farriers, and others in horse-related trades.

“We are sad about what happened. Nobody wants that. But it’s not like this is happening every day,” said Altintas. “Car crashes and plane crashes are happening every single day. One horse makes an accident, and the world is destroyed? Come on.”

New York City leaders, meanwhile, vowed to work to put an end to the quaint attraction, which harkens back to a romanticized, bygone New York.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the legislative body would hold a hearing next month on Ryder's Law, the bill backed by the conservancy.

“The time to act is now,” she wrote on the social platform X.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani also reiterated his support for ending the industry, saying he’d work with the council, the industry and animal welfare advocates to “deliver a just transition that protects workers while ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all.”

If the industry were phased out, Altintas said he would have to find another way to support his family and four children.

Instead, the longtime owner and driver said the industry needs better regulations to make it safer. He said “90%” of horse-related accidents could be avoided simply by installing hitching posts throughout the park so drivers could safely tether and secure their horses, including at popular tourist photo stops.

The Transport Workers Union on Thursday said legislation introduced into the council last week would do just that.

“Drivers can’t leave their carriage. They have to be on it all the time,” Altintas said. “But it’s impossible. We have to go to the restroom. We have to eat. We have to do things.”

____

Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire.

Creative Marketing Solutions Manager

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:38:02 +0000

KPRC 2 is looking for a Creative Marketing Solutions Manager to lead the execution of creative marketing initiatives that support audience growth, client initiatives, and business objectives across broadcast, digital, social, and streaming platforms.

This role is responsible for managing commercial production, promotional campaigns, branded content, and sponsored content initiatives while leading a team that delivers high-quality creative work across the organization. Reporting to the Marketing Director, the Creative Marketing Solutions Manager will help shape and execute innovative marketing initiatives, support the development of new creative opportunities, and ensure operational excellence across all projects.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative builder and leader who can balance creative execution, team leadership, and business objectives while continuously improving how work gets done.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day execution of creative marketing initiatives, including commercial production, station promotion, branded content, and sponsored campaigns.
Manage and develop a team responsible for delivering high-quality creative work across broadcast, digital, social, streaming, and emerging platforms.
Partner closely with sales, marketing, audience growth, newsroom, and content teams to execute integrated campaigns that support audience and business goals.
Collaborate with sales leadership to develop creative marketing solutions, sponsorship activations, and branded content opportunities for clients and partners.
Identify opportunities to expand creative marketing capabilities, develop new creative offerings, and evolve multiplatform campaigns that drive audience engagement, brand awareness, and revenue opportunities.
Ensure projects move efficiently from concept through delivery, maintaining timelines, quality standards, budgets, and stakeholder communication.
Establish and refine workflows, production standards, and creative processes that improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
Monitor campaign performance and identify opportunities to improve creative effectiveness, audience impact, and future marketing solutions.
Stay current on emerging trends, storytelling formats, platform best practices, and evolving audience behaviors, bringing forward ideas that help strengthen KPRC 2’s creative marketing capabilities.
Coach and develop team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and creative excellence.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, media studies, or related field or equivalent job experience.
Proven success leading creative, production, marketing, branded content, or commercial production teams in a media, agency, or content environment.
Strong understanding of content creation and campaign execution across broadcast, digital, social, streaming, and video platforms.
Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, develop new approaches, and help build programs, processes, products, or creative offerings.
Background supporting client campaigns, sponsorships, branded content, or integrated marketing initiatives.
Ability to understand business objectives and translate them into effective creative campaigns and marketing solutions.
Experience managing complex creative projects and coordinating multiple stakeholders across departments.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Track record of improving workflows, processes, or systems that increase efficiency and creative output.
Familiarity with local media, agency, branded content, or integrated marketing environments preferred.

Location: KPRC2

8181 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074

Application Requirements: Please submit a resume along with a brief note highlighting 3-5 examples of creative campaigns, branded content, or marketing initiatives you’ve led or played a key role in developing that delivered meaningful results. Portfolio or work samples are required. Please include links or attachments showcasing your work.

For each example, include:

Your specific role in the project
The strategy behind the idea (not just execution)
The platforms used (broadcast, digital, social, streaming)
How you collaborated across teams (sales, editorial, clients, or partners)
The outcome or impact (audience growth, engagement, revenue, or brand lift)

Send materials and completed application to Wes Rodda, Marketing Director at wrodda@kprc.com

Click HERE to download and complete employment application.

Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening, investigative background check, employment/education verifications and reference checks. You must hold a valid driver’s license and be insurable under Texas Law.

No Phone Calls Please

KPRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In addition to complying with the requirements of federal law, KPRC will comply with applicable state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

Man who had worked as a babysitter arrested, accused of sexually abusing child in Montgomery County

Christian Terry — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:34:30 +0000

A 21-year-old man, who investigators say had worked as a babysitter and nanny, has been arrested after accusations he sexually abused a child.

Evan Joseph Moore is charged with indecency with a child. He was arrested on Wednesday.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office say the investigation began after authorities received allegations against Moore, who had worked as a babysitter and nanny in Montgomery County for several years.

Man killed after alleged car thief steals vehicle, runs over owner in NW Houston, HPD says

Authorities say during the course of the investigation, a child under the age of 14 disclosed sexual abuse by Moore.

Moore was taken into custody without incident and authorities say additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

“Due to Moore’s prior employment as a caregiver for children in the community, investigators believe there may be additional victims. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who may have been a victim of Evan Moore to come forward,” the sheriff’s office said.

14-year-old Conroe boy found shot in parking lot of apartment complex; 2 other teens arrested

To speak with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit please call 936-760-5876. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Multi-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867) or online.

South Africa keeps its World Cup hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic

James Robson, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:28:18 +0000

Teboho Mokoena started the game with tears in his eyes and finished it with a smile on his face after converting a second-half penalty in South Africa's 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic on Thursday at the World Cup.

Thapelo Maseko’s long range shot late in the match caught the hand of Czech opponent Pavel Sulc in the area.

Mokoena, who was shown on camera with tears rolling down his cheeks during the pre-game national anthem, stepped up to the penalty spot and sent his shot low past Czech Republic goalkeeper Matej Kovar in the 83rd minute.

The South Africa midfielder said he was overwhelmed before kick off, thinking about his late grandfather.

“I know, wherever he is, he would be proud of me," Mokoena said. "I just felt his presence in that moment. I thought if he was here, he would be proud of me because I know he believed in me when nobody believed in me.”

Michal Sadilek had given the Czechs the lead in the sixth minute at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alexandr Sojka played in Sadilek and he slid a shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Both teams lost their opening matches, and both knew another setback would seriously hinder their chances of reaching the round of 32.

South Africa faced some strong criticism following its 2-0 loss to World Cup co-host Mexico, which raised the prospect of the country extending its run of never having advanced to the knockout phase of a World Cup — even as host in 2010.

“If we go on like that and if we can make another performance like today I think we have a chance to go in the second round,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.

South Africa will next face South Korea on Wednesday in Group A, but will be without Mokoena, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament.

The Czechs lost to South Korea 2-1 in their opening match and will likely need to beat Mexico in their final game on Wednesday to advance.

___

Associated Press writer R.J. Rico contributed to this report.

___

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

Gunmen attack Niger airport, killing 11 soldiers and 2 civilians, officials say

Wilson Mcmakin, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:27:50 +0000

Gunmen attacked the main airport in Niger's capital early Thursday, killing 11 soldiers and two civilians in an exchange of fire that also left 22 of the attackers dead, authorities said.

Niger’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the attack in Niamey was foiled and that 20 suspects were arrested along with weapons and ammunition.

Witnesses reported gunfire and explosions during the attack, and an Associated Press journalist saw soldiers searching people on the road to the airport in the aftermath of the violence.

Hours later, the National Civil Aviation Agency said the airport was operating normally.

Niger, led by a military junta since a 2023 coup, has struggled to contain deadly jihadi violence that has battered parts of Africa’s Sahel region, including neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali that are also run by military juntas.

It was the second attack at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey this year, after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a similar attack in January that targeted Niger’s drone assets.

The airport is a strategic hub that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali joint military force.

The military has beefed up the airport security following the January attack, but jihadis in Niger and the wider region continue to pose serious threats, analysts say.

“The symbolism of the airport as headquarters for AES will drive intent by militants to target it,” said Beverly Ochieng, a senior security analyst at Control Risks, referring to the regional Alliance of Sahel States.

Cuba’s Communist Party approves emergency economic plan opening to private enterprise

Andrea Rodríguez, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:43:08 +0000

Cuba’s powerful Communist Party on Thursday approved an emergency economic package featuring unprecedented free-market measures aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy as pressure from the U.S. and the European Union heightens.

The document, which has not yet been made public, will be submitted Thursday to Cuba’s National Assembly. It envisions expanding opportunities for private enterprise, greater autonomy for municipalities and state-owned companies and measures to attract additional foreign investment, including from Cubans abroad.

In recent days, residents in several Havana neighborhoods staged protests, banging pots and pans as power outages spread across the island.

“Cuba resists heroically and creatively, but has endured for too long a barbaric, undeserved and unbearable punishment, to which is now added the threat of military aggression,” President Miguel Díaz-Canel said late Wednesday in the closing speech of the Communist Party session. The speech was published Thursday.

The announcement comes after months of increasing pressure from the U.S. and high-level talks between the two countries that have included Raúl Castro’s grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro. The U.S. has levied numerous sanctions against Cuba and has indicted Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by Miami exiles.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said at a White House press briefing that the administration is watching the island's actions to determine how to respond.

“We’re going to see what they do. And obviously, if they do one thing, we’re going to do something,” Vance said. "If they make smart decisions, we’re going to have a much better relationship with that island.”

Pressure from the European Union also ratcheted up Thursday, with lawmakers passing a resolution condemning “the systematic repression” by the Cuban government and demanding “profound economic and political change.” The resolution also called for EU sanctions targeting Díaz-Canel and the leadership of Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), a business conglomerate operated by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. Both have already been sanctioned by the U.S.

Díaz-Canel said the emergency plan and the policy document prepared by the Communist Party’s Central Committee were shaped by the experiences of China and Vietnam, two communist countries that have introduced market-oriented economic reforms while maintaining one-party rule.

The document will be submitted to the National Assembly for debate during a special session that, like the recent party meeting, was convened without prior public notice.

Seung Min Kim in Washington and Sam McNeil in Brussels contributed to this story.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

How to request mosquito help in Houston area counties

KPRC Content Center, Juliana Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:43:52 +0000

Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance. They carry diseases like West Nile virus — and counties across the Houston area have programs in place to monitor, treat and respond to problem areas near you.

If you’ve got a problem with mosquitoes in your area, there are ways to request help from your county.

Harris County

In Harris County, the Mosquito & Vector Control Division offers services to monitor the breeding of mosquitoes and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Harris County.

You can submit a form -- an Inspection Request for Mosquito Breeding Site -- to talk with a representative from the HCPH Mosquito Control Division regarding the mosquito problem you are experiencing. If needed, the office will schedule an inspection of your property for potential mosquito breeding sites. During the inspection, any mosquito breeding sites will be identified and source reduction recommendations will be provided. It notes, “This is not a request for treatment to eliminate mosquitoes.”

Harris County does have an interactive map that shows areas where spraying has been proposed and has occurred this year.

Brazoria County

If you are experiencing an issue with mosquitoes that you would like to report, Brazoria County says you should make a request for service.

The form asks for your location, name and contact information and the time of day when mosquitoes are most active.

Chambers County

Chambers County has a Mosquito Control Form you can access here.

Galveston County

Galveston County publishes its spray schedule and maps here. Mosquito Control services are available to all county residents. Direct services include inspections, larvicide applications, and truck sprays. The county does not spray private roads or properties.

Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County officials will conduct aerial mosquito spraying next week as part of an emergency effort to reduce mosquito populations and help protect residents from mosquito-borne illnesses.

You can report mosquito activity here.

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Mosquito Control website says: Technicians set traps for mosquitoes in all residential areas of Montgomery County.

They identify the mosquito species that were collected and test them for mosquito-borne diseases, such as the West Nile virus. Surveillance efforts also include locating and cataloging mosquito breeding sites in the county right-of-way and on public property.

Wharton County

The City of Wharton sprays for mosquitoes as needed. Wharton County OEM has more information here.

Liberty County

The Liberty County Office of Emergency Management facilities mosquito spraying. Contact information is here.

For More information on truck-based spraying visit: https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/truck-spraying.html

Brazoria County ‘fighting transparency’ as bodycam video withheld in John Mendoza Jr. shooting, lawyer says

Bryce Newberry — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:53:24 +0000

The family of John Mendoza Jr., the 18-year-old Texas State student shot and killed by former Brazoria County Deputy Kevin Tippit on June 1, is still looking for answers, and their attorney claims the county is trying to keep them in the dark.

RELATED: Sheriff breaks silence after Brazoria County deputy shooting leaves 18-year-old dead in his family’s garage

Attorney Charles Adams said in a statement a scheduled meeting with Sheriff Bo Stallman, in which he was hoping for an investigation update and for John Mendoza Sr. to see video of the incident, was cancelled at the last minute after the county hired outside legal counsel, who then told Adams all communication must go through them, and offered nothing to the grieving family except a vague “the Texas Rangers are handling it.”

The outside attorney, Norman Giles, confirmed to KPRC 2 News he’s representing the county in the case, and said, “Brazoria County is cooperating fully with the Ranger investigation, including the County not prematurely releasing any information that could adversely impact the investigation.”

Earlier this week, Brazoria County didn’t release body and dash cam video as requested by KPRC 2 News and other media outlets, but instead asked the Texas Attorney General’s Office for a ruling.

RELATED: Hundreds gather at Lake Jackson vigil Texas State student shot, killed by Brazoria County deputy

BCSO has also refused to answer questions about what specific policies Tippit violated, leading to his termination.

Adams says Brazoria County is “spending tax dollars fighting transparency instead of building a case against a murderer.” He remains firm in his belief that Deputy Tippit intentionally shot John Jr., saying witness accounts and private camera footage show the teen gave the deputy no justification to use any force whatsoever.

The case is expected to go to a grand jury at some point, but the timeline still is not clear.

STATEMENT FROM DA

Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck sent KPRC 2 News the following statement Thursday morning:

“For years Brazoria County has participated in a governmental risk pool that provides resources and coverage, including outside counsel to assist the County and its officials in matters such as this. Mr. Giles is part of that team.

Regarding the ongoing Texas Rangers investigation, the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office has no comment on pending investigations, litigation, or grand jury matters."

Brendan Sorsby drops lawsuit against NCAA after getting an injunction to play despite gambling

Stephen Hawkins, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:38:40 +0000

Brendan Sorsby has dropped his lawsuit against the NCAA, making the quarterback ineligible again and ending his college career because of gambling.

The expected motion for dismissal of the suit was filed Thursday by the 99th District Court in Lubbock County. That was three days after Texas Tech said he wouldn't play this fall, and exactly a month after Sorsby filed his lawsuit that set off a legal saga that rattled college sports.

That Texas court issued a temporary injunction June 8 that made the transfer quarterback eligible to play even after admitting that he placed bets on his own team while at Indiana as a freshman four years ago. Those were among thousands of impermissible bets he made while in college.

Sorsby had to be ineligible for NCAA play to be able to apply for the NFL's supplemental draft. The submission deadline for that rarely used draft is Monday, and the 22-year-old quarterback tentatively plans to work out for NFL teams on July 10.

The injunction last week by Judge Ken Curry had prevented the NCAA from enforcing its ruling that the quarterback was ineligible to play what would have been his final college season. Sorsby transferred to reigning Big 12 champion Texas Tech in January after the past two seasons at Cincinnati.

Cody Campbell, the billionaire booster who is chairman of the Texas Tech regents, announced in an open letter Monday night that Sorsby would not be part of the team this fall. He wrote that the decision was made with Sorsby and his family, with the draft deadline and ongoing legal process among the key factors.

That letter came on the same day the NCAA and Big 12 Conference had filings in separate courts related to the case.

Sorsby already faced a two-game suspension as part of the temporary injunction. The continued legal wrangling made uncertain what his status could be for Tech's remaining games.

The temporary injunction had cleared the way for Sorsby, after the first two games, to play despite being declared ineligible after he admitted making thousands of bets worth at least $90,000 while at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech. Those included at least 40 bets on Indiana while he was a freshman there in 2022, though none on the games in which he played for the Hoosiers that season.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Inside the colorful, compelling and controversial jersey designs at the World Cup

Steve Douglas, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:43:37 +0000

There will be blood, sweat and tears on players’ soccer jerseys at the World Cup — and plenty of deeper cultural and historical meaning, too.

Here, The Associated Press runs you through some of the more compelling — and controversial — backstories from the kit designs on show in soccer’s biggest event, currently taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Cape Verde's flight paths

For its World Cup debut, the smallest nation by population at the tournament is paying homage to the roughly 525,000 inhabitants who live on 10 volcanic islands off the coast of Africa. A geometric, triangular print across its blue (home) and white (away) jerseys represents the network of flight paths that connect the islands. The idea is that the people of Cape Verde are united behind the players at the World Cup — and that togetherness showed as the team held firm to seal an unlikely 0-0 draw with heavily favored Spain in their first match.

Belgium's surrealism

“This is not a jersey,” reads a message on the collar of Belgium's multicolor away shirt. No, the Belgians aren't losing their minds. It's just a nod to the European nation's surrealist heritage — and notably the work of its master in this artistic movement from the early 20th century. Throughout his career, Belgian artist René Magritte questioned the enigmatic relationship of mind and eye, reality and language, writing under “The Treachery of Images” — his iconic painting of a pipe — the words: “Ceci n’est pas une pipe (This is not a pipe).” The light-blue jersey features pink patterns and black detailing, incorporating soccer-inspired motifs such as pitch lines and a ball. “True to the surrealism theme, the kit sparks the imagination and invites conversation,” the Belgian federation says.

Haiti's battle scene

The original jersey submitted by this Caribbean nation included a depiction of the final battle of the Haitian War of Independence in 1803 on its front. In the words of Colombian sportswear manufacturer Saeta, it was a “tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future.” It didn't go down too well with FIFA, which rejected the image during its approval process, deeming it too political. So an updated blue soccer kit was needed, one that no longer includes the battle artwork.

Argentina's swirling paint technique

The defending World Cup champion is mixing sporting heritage with artistic expression in its jerseys. The home kit — worn by Lionel Messi for his hat trick against Algeria on Tuesday — features three shades of blue on its stripes, an homage to the South American nation's World Cup-winning uniforms from 1978, 1986 and 2022. As for its dark blue away jersey, that's inspired by a traditional painting technique from capital city Buenos Aires — filete porteño — that's used for ornamental design, combining brilliant, swirling colors with specific lettering styles.

France's American connection

France arrived for the World Cup with an away kit that honors a gift the nation famously gave to the United States: the Statue of Liberty. The jersey has a green hue that resembles the oxidized color of the iconic sculpture designed by a Frenchman — Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi — and given to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of French-American friendship. On the jersey is a logo in copper — the original color of the statue — with the words “Nos différences nous unissent” (Our differences unite us).

Iran's endangered Asiatic cheetah

The most striking imagery on Iran's home (white) and away (red) kits is an Asiatic cheetah low across the front. There also are cheetah spots on the sleeves up to the shoulder. The Asiatic cheetah, an equally fast cousin of the African cat, is one of the world’s critically endangered species — one that Iran has long tried to save. There were as many as 400 in the 1990s but the numbers have dwindled to less than an estimated 70 remaining in Iran.

Norway's runic font

Norway's kit might be the sharpest at the World Cup — literally. The font used for the names and numbers of players is inspired by runic writing — characters in several Germanic alphabets used in northern Europe from ancient times until the adoption of the Latin alphabet. The writing is pointy, geometric and easily visible, representing the Norwegian team's desire to embrace its centuries-old history. Flanking the large blue cross across the chest are Viking art patterns in an Urnes style.

Colombia's yellow butterflies

Look closely at Colombia's typically vibrant yellow jersey and you'll notice a burst of butterfly patterns. That's an homage to the classic novel by the nation's Nobel Prize-winning author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” and the stories that made him literature’s best-known practitioner of magical realism — the blending of the everyday with fantastical elements such as a man trailed by a cloud of yellow butterflies.

Mexico's Aztec calendar

Mexico's home jersey brings back the Aztec calendar design that was popular in the 1990s. In the run-up to the World Cup, the team visited the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and posed for a photo with the uniforms in front of the Aztec “Piedra de Sol” or Stone of the Sun, best known as the Aztec calendar.

Saudi Arabia's architecture

Dotted across Saudi Arabia's dark green home jersey are symmetrical lavender squares or diamond shapes, a tribute to doorway decoration — namely geometric, triangular architecture — commonly seen in homes in the kingdom. Wild lavender flowers fill Saudi's desert landscapes in springtime, so purple is a celebrated color in the nation and regarded as a symbol of generosity.

Brazil's Amazonian frogs

What might immediately jump out when looking at Brazil's navy blue-and-black away jersey made by Nike is a yellow “Jumpman” logo synonymous with Michael Jordan-promoted sportswear. However, more closely linked to Brazilian culture is the color of the kit, inspired by the skin of the poison dart frog found in the Amazon. It's a nod to the danger posed by Brazil, the record five-time world champion.

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This story has been corrected to remove a reference to Haiti as a World Cup debutant. This is Haiti's second World Cup.

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Associated Press writer Luis Andres Henao contributed to this report.

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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Where is screwworm in Texas? Track cases here.

Texas Tribune, Berenice Garcia, Jayme Lozano Carver, And Stephen Simpson — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Subscribe to The Y’all — a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.

A small fly has the potential to impart a big impact on Texas’ beef and agricultural industry.

On June 3, the New World screwworm was detected in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since then, the agency reported more screwworm infestations in Texas.

The fly poses a multibillion-dollar crisis for the state’s cattle industry, which generates $41 billion a year. It could also increase already record-high beef prices nationwide.

It’s unclear how many cases could hit Texas. Nearly 28,000 cases have been detected in Mexico since November 2024, according to Mexican officials.

State and federal officials are working together to stop the northern migration, which they have tracked since 2023. In response to the cases, USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission have ramped up animal surveillance of animals near the confirmed detections by setting up zones around each infestation. Animals are not allowed to leave infested areas without being properly inspected.

Officials are also increasing fly traps, surveillance of wildlife and releasing sterile flies, which are used to break the reproduction cycle of the parasitic screwworm fly.

What is New World Screwworm?

New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that is attracted to living tissue, burrowing their larvae into open wounds. After they hatch, the maggots then feed off that living flesh, causing damage to the animal. If untreated, the damage can even cause the animal to die.

Screwworm can also burrow through openings in the skin, such as the corner of an eye or through the nose.

From a biological standpoint, all mammals are vulnerable to screwworm, including pets and humans. However, livestock and wildlife tend to be the most susceptible because they spend their entire lives outdoors.

Dogs and cats are vulnerable through small wounds or scratches that break the skin. Health officials recommend pets be medicated for fleas and ticks year-round, said Casey Locklear, veterinarian and parasiticides lead for Elanco Animal Health.

“As a pet owner, if you were to notice that your dog or cat had a wound, especially if it’s foul smelling, it’s enlarging, you may actually see the maggots,” Locklear said. “If you see a wound, get treatment early. Whether that’s for yourself or your pet, early treatment is key.”

Native Americans mark the US 250th with pride, pain and patriotism

Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:05:54 +0000

Swiftly marching toward westward expansion, the United States in the 1800s brought with it a tidal wave of displacement and cultural suppression for Native Americans.

A century of broken treaties already had spawned distrust of the federal government, and widespread forced assimilation was accelerating. With shifting cultural and social circumstances came declining populations. Survival was hanging in the balance.

Renowned for their masterful beadwork, Lakota women had a strategy.

Incorporating symbols of American patriotism into their work was more than a simple embrace of the stars and stripes. It was an act of quiet resistance that provided an avenue for conserving their values as U.S. policies unraveled their communities.

So with America's 250th birthday come mixed emotions rooted in pain, pride and even patriotism. Native youth are writing essays about what 1776 means to them. Museums are displaying elaborate beadwork as a window into that past, while contemporary Native artists are offering critics in paintings on more modern political struggles.

It's a milestone marking resilience — and a fresh opportunity to look at the nation's history through an unexpected, and perhaps less varnished, lens.

Native Americans and the US have a unique relationship

Curators and tribal scholars say the Native experience cannot be overlooked or minimized when talking about the complex tapestry that is America.

“The United States could not exist without Native history having been here first,” said Aaron Carapella, who is of Cherokee descent and creates maps of Indigenous territories. “There’s so many influences that Native people embedded into the fabric of what we call America.”

A student of history, Carapella finds it unlikely that most of the Founding Fathers would have expected tribes to persist as sovereign entities. Rather, they thought tribes would be absorbed into American society.

Implementation of laws like the 1830 Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson and the 1887 Dawes Act enacted by President Grover Cleveland led to forced relocations through brutal journeys like the Trail of Tears. Land grabs resulted when millions of acres of tribal landholdings were broken up.

Bounties in Minnesota and the Southwest along with militias in California further eroded tribal territories. Then came the boarding schools, where Native children were sent in an effort to erase their connections to culture, language and religion.

It's not ancient history. Tribal leaders say their people are still living with the effects of those policies.

Today, there are 575 tribes with inherent sovereignty recognized by the U.S, with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina joining the list in December. The government-to-government relationships are unlike arrangements many other countries have with Indigenous populations.

N. Bruce Duthu, chair of Native American and Indigenous Studies at Dartmouth College and a member of the United Houma Nation, has taught and lectured around the globe. He said it’s hard for Indigenous leaders in Bolivia and elsewhere to believe that tribes in the U.S. have been able to build power over the last half-century. It’s an ongoing fight, but Duthu points to successful efforts to influence environmental policies and pass major legislation to hold nontribal citizens accountable for crimes committed in Indian Country.

“The U.S. is routinely at the top of the heap in terms of a country that, despite all the flaws, at least now in the last 50 years or so, seems to have gotten it right,” Duthu said.

There's a deep history of influence

Native influences span from the notions of democracy shared with the Founding Fathers to the warrior ethos exhibited by the fierceness with which tribal nations fought to protect their land — from other tribes, foreign nations and the federal government.

It's not unlike the patriotism many Americans feel today. And for some Native Americans, it's a fundamental part of who they are; they have one of the highest per-capita rates of military service in the country.

At the center of the “Stars, Stripes and First Americans” exhibit at New Mexico’s Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is a painting by Kee Yazzie titled Diné Code Talker. The brushstrokes pay homage to the Navajo Code Talkers, who used their language to create an unbreakable code that played a critical role in U.S. victories during World War II.

Danyelle Means, the museum's executive director and a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, said other tribes also had code talkers. That included the Choctaw Nation and Comanche, Kiowa, Hopi, Muscogee, Sioux and Seminole recruits.

“Veterans are a huge part of celebration and ceremony within Native communities and are often revered and have their own societies within these communities,” Means said. “So it is something — that aspect of the U.S. and being a warrior for this country — that is very deep-seated in so many Native communities.”

Influence has permeated art and culture

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., is commemorating the 250th with an installation of two dresses that highlight heritage and Native American servicewomen.

Made a century apart, one is a Lakota beaded dress likely made for a July Fourth celebration and the other is a modern jingle dress worn by members of the Native American Women Warriors that includes a patch honoring Lori Piestewa, who is believed to be the first Native woman killed in combat on foreign soil. The Hopi soldier died from injuries following an ambush in Iraq in 2003.

Those military operations came after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Navajo artist Pauline Thomas called it a scary time, knowing that more Native soldiers would be heading off to war. The 73-year-old created a weaving following 9/11 that is now part of the exhibition in New Mexico.

For Thomas, her weavings mark moments in time, but they're also a way for Navajo customs to live on. Her 12-year-old granddaughter already is winning blue ribbons for her weavings.

“I think it’s very, very important,” Thomas said from her hometown of Naschitti on the Navajo Nation. “I don’t want my people to lose their culture. I want them to learn more about their ancestors, where they came from.”

The way forward has many paths

Jami Powell, curator of Indigenous art at Dartmouth College's Hood Museum of Art, uses the phrase “colonial entanglements” to describe the complexity of U.S.-tribal relations. She tells her students that things aren't always black and white.

“And it is OK to have feelings of ambivalence around these issues and the difficult histories that led to this current moment,” said Powell, a citizen of the Osage Nation.

The Hood Museum is displaying the work of Native artists as part of its 250th commemoration. Both subversive and pointed, the pieces broaden the conversation and get visitors thinking about the next two centuries, Powell said.

Ensuring Native youth have a voice in that future is a driving force for Tracy Canard Goodluck, executive director of the Center for Native American Youth.

A member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and of Mvskoke Creek heritage, Goodluck said the power of those voices rang loud and clear in essays submitted for a recent competition focused on the 250th. They touched on sovereignty, self-determination and maintaining a connection with land and culture.

“They know who they are, where they come from, their identity, their culture, their history,” Goodluck says, “and we need to create pathways for them to be able to share that with everyone.”

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This story is published through the Global Indigenous Reporting Network at The Associated Press.

14-year-old Conroe boy found shot in parking lot of apartment complex; 2 other teens arrested

Brittany Taylor — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:26:11 +0000

Two teenagers were arrested and charged after a 14-year-old boy was found shot at an apartment complex in Conroe on Thursday morning.

The Conroe Police Department responded to a shooting around 6:14 a.m. at the Alta Sergeant apartments, located at 650 Sgt. Ed Holcomb Blvd. N.

Responding officers found the 14-year-old suffering from a single gunshot wound. He was provided medical aid before being transported to a Montgomery County hospital in stable condition.

Officers identified the apartment where the teen had been shot and learned that two juvenile boys, ages 14 and 15, were at the location at the time of the shooting but fled before police arrived.

Conroe police detectives and crime scene investigators responded to the scene to investigate.

A few hours later, both juvenile suspects were taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. Both were transported to the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details have been released.

Because the victim and suspects are juveniles, their names will not be released.

California billionaire tax proposal has enough support to get on the November ballot, official says

Sophie Austin, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:50:18 +0000

A proposal to temporarily increase taxes on billionaires in California to counter federal cuts to healthcare for low-income people has sufficient public support to qualify for the November ballot, the state’s top elections official said.

Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a Democrat, said Wednesday night that petitioners have collected more than the roughly 875,000 signatures needed to place the proposed tax before voters. It will qualify June 25 unless proponents pull the measure.

The proposal, backed by the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Workers West, would impose a one-time, 5% tax on individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 billion and who were living in the state as of Jan. 1, 2026. The goal is to generate $100 billion in revenue, mainly to fund the state’s Medicaid system with some money going to food assistance and education programs.

The union didn't respond Thursday to a request for comment on the announcement that the proposal has secured enough support to qualify for the ballot.

States have been debating how to respond to the major tax breaks and spending cuts legislation President Donald Trump signed last year. The proposal has already divided Democrats and major labor unions and triggered an expensive campaign to defeat it. The proposed tax is backed by prominent progressives including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The measure has faced staunch pushback from Silicon Valley tech moguls as well as Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and prominent players in Sacramento. They include the California Medical Association and California School Boards Association, which helped launch a committee this week to oppose it. Newsom also opposed a ballot measure in 2022 to increase taxes on the wealthy, which would have funded programs that help people buy electric cars or install more chargers. Voters rejected it.

Critics say the measure would decrease state revenue over time by pushing the ultrawealthy to leave, taking the money they would contribute in income taxes with them. That would deal a huge blow to a state that relies on its top 1% of earners for nearly half of its personal income tax revenue.

“This flawed measure is the wrong approach for California’s small businesses and working families,” said Roger Salazar, a spokesperson for Golden State Promise, a political committee fighting the tax.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that the proposal would generate tens of billions of dollars in the first few years, but that income tax revenues could subsequently decline by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Since the proposal was announced in October, Google co-founder Sergey Brin has donated $82 million to a political committee called “Building a Better California” that backs a variety of initiatives designed to blunt the billionaire tax proposal. It has raised more than $118 million, counting Brin’s contributions, from fewer than a dozen donors.

State lawmakers passed budget bills this week that aim to raise revenue in other ways, including by extending a tax on healthcare providers. Newsom and legislative leaders agree to this approach, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón said.

“The budget, as approved by the Legislature and now being negotiated with the Governor, does not include the billionaire’s tax,” the Democrat said in a statement. “Instead, it reflects additional revenues to address our long-term structural deficit.”

Families of kids with disabilities warn Education Department changes could break a flawed system

Heather Hollingsworth, Annie Ma And Moriah Balingit, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:10:17 +0000

For months, and sometimes longer, parents of kids with disabilities say they have waited for the Education Department to make progress on their complaints of bullying or other discrimination.

Now that the department is offloading civil rights enforcement and special education, some parents and advocates warn a process that has largely been stalled since President Donald Trump took office will see only more chaos and roadblocks.

“It’s to the point I don’t even check in anymore with the attorney,” said Nicole May, an Ohio mother. May filed a complaint in spring 2024 with the department’s Office for Civil Rights, alleging her teenage daughter was bullied over her hearing aids and was getting in trouble in class because she couldn’t hear her teachers. More than two years later, the case lacks a resolution.

Under the changes announced Tuesday, the Department of Justice will take over civil rights enforcement in schools, and the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education. The moves help fulfill Trump’s campaign promise to dismantle the Education Department. Linda McMahon, the education secretary, pitched the changes as a way to get more help to families of kids with disabilities.

Advocates said special education doesn’t belong in a health department, which usually treats disabilities as conditions to manage, instead of differences in how children learn. The top Republican on the Senate education committee agreed, saying he’d pursue legislation to keep special education out of Health and Human Services.

Some families already are taking discrimination cases elsewhere

For many, though, the response to the announcement was a sigh of resignation.

The Education Department’s civil rights office had long been the last resort for parents who believe their child is facing discrimination at school, with a mandate to review all complaints. Under Trump, the backlog of cases has ballooned, and resolutions have dwindled. Increasingly, attorneys say they are turning elsewhere to try to obtain justice for children.

The reaction is a marked change from a year ago, when parents and attorneys were in a panic as Education Department staff and attorneys were slashed.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services has shrunk by roughly a third since 2024, and the Office for Civil Rights is roughly 40% smaller. Meanwhile, in the Department of Justice, the Education Opportunities Section has shrunk by half, according to estimates provided by Justice Connection, a network of department alumni.

“I think a lot of people are mad, but they are like, ‘What are we going to do?’” said Emily Harvey, the co-legal director at Disability Justice, formerly Disability Law Colorado, who has watched her cases languish.

When Trump took office, she had a federal complaint pending, alleging some Colorado schools were illegally rejecting enrollment from kids outside their neighborhood boundaries because they had disabilities. Harvey also has a case pending at the Department of Justice, alleging a district south of Denver restrained and secluded disabled students hundreds of times, even though the practice is supposed to be reserved for emergencies.

“I feel like they’re probably collecting dust on a virtual shelf somewhere,” Harvey said.

In response to the federal backlog, she helped to push for a new state law that expands the types of civil rights cases Colorado education officials can pursue.

States across the U.S. already investigate various special education complaints, including when parents allege schools aren’t following a child’s individualized education program, or IEP. But the Colorado legislation, signed into law in May, allows the state to pursue the types of cases typically handled at the federal level, such as those involving allegations of discrimination and harassment.

Harvey said she didn’t think the federal civil rights office was ever perfect. “But I think it’s become even less help for people who are trying to resolve issues,” said Harvey, who worked as an Education Department civil rights attorney in 2020 and 2021.

Boston-area special education advocate Craig Haller said he’s heard nothing on a complaint he filed early last year with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights. Ever since the Trump administration started dismantling the department, he has leaned more on Massachusetts’s state system for resolving special education matters.

He recently used that system to help a student whose high school didn’t take into account his special education plan when it suspended him.

“I got it fixed for my client,” Haller said. But without the federal Office for Civil Rights, “I can’t get it fixed systematically.”

Department workers say the dismantling has made their jobs harder

While only Congress can close the Education Department, McMahon, a billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has signed 10 additional agreements to give department functions to other federal agencies.

So far, those agreements have not reduced the number of employees working on specific programs. But the union that represents department workers says staff have run into issues with equipment and access at their new postings.

“It’s hard to describe how inefficient the implementation of the (agreements) has been,” said Rachel Gittleman, the union’s president.

The Education Department said Wednesday the latest agreements will help the Office for Civil Rights run “more effectively and efficiently.”

“Compliance and enforcement of federal civil rights laws will remain a priority,” the department said in a written statement.

Taken together, the fracturing of programs, enforcement and oversight for disabled students across multiple agencies raised questions of what would fall through the cracks, special education advocates said.

Robyn Linscott, who directs education and family policy at The Arc of the United States, a major disability rights group, recalled attending a three-hour listening session the Education Department hosted in January. Families, educators and advocates described barriers to accessing proper support and services. Although they acknowledged breaks in the system, not a single parent advocated for moving oversight of special education to Health and Human Services.

Still, she isn’t surprised the Trump administration moved the program anyway.

“It has only been 24 hours, but I think we anticipated this move for over a year,” she said on Wednesday.

In Congress, senators from both sides of the aisle said they would try to stop the move to put special education in Health and Human Services.

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said he would “publicly commit” to working with his Democratic colleague, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, on legislative action that would push the administration to change course. Cassidy, who lost a primary election this spring and has less than six months left in his Senate term, has personal knowledge of the education challenges faced by kids with disabilities: His wife co-founded a network of charter schools for students with dyslexia.

If special education is moved, he said Wednesday, it should go to the Labor Department. That agency, he said, is better positioned to support people with disabilities as they learn and work.

Ultimately, what matters to parents is whether they can get the services their children need, said Rob Harris, an IEP advocate in Colorado. Families spend an inordinate amount of time navigating systems that should be working together to serve children, but often aren’t. Harris has navigated those systems himself: His 19-year-old daughter is blind.

“Families don’t experience the government through organizational charts,” Harris said. “We experience it through the services our children receive.”

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Associated Press writers Bianca Vázquez Toness and Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

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The Associated Press’ education 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.

With a sledgehammer and a shovel, volunteers raced to save passengers in Texas plane crash

Gene Johnson, Amy Taxin And Hallie Golden, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:32:43 +0000

The business jet barreled cockeyed down the dark highway, knocking down one light pole after another, an orange glow of sparks trailing it.

From a distance, Ivan Franco thought it must be a car. But as he approached in his tow truck, he saw it was a plane — broken in half, its fuselage resting on its side, bright fire beginning to rise above. He stopped and rifled through the rescue kit his company keeps in the truck, grabbing a sledgehammer as well as three fire extinguishers, which he handed off to police officers.

“At that moment, you don’t think much about what to do, because I knew the plane could explode since it was on fire,” Franco told The Associated Press in Spanish. “My idea was to try to break the windows because the pilots hadn’t come out yet.”

Franco was one of several motorists who happened across the crash in Laredo, Texas, late Tuesday night and rushed to help — putting their own lives in danger to help those on board escape as smoke filled the cabin.

Passersby helped save lives

Police were also on the scene quickly, and their teamwork with the good Samaritans undoubtedly saved lives, officials said.

“The officers and the good Samaritans that went to the scene, our firefighters that responded — I do also want to commend each and every one of them,” Laredo Police Chief Mike Rodriguez said during a news conference Wednesday. He said he asked his staff to track down all the civilians who helped.

The Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet departed Tuesday evening from the Mexican resort city of San José del Cabo and was bound for Austin, Texas, the FAA said in a statement. The plane was operated by NetJets, a company owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway that lets people buy part ownership in private jets. NetJets said in a statement that it was cooperating with authorities.

The crash occurred after its pilots reported mechanical problems while requesting an emergency landing at a nearby airport. The fuselage came to rest across a concrete barrier, while its tail broke off and fell to a lower section of roadway.

One person was killed: Joshua Baer, a leader in Texas’ technology and startup sectors. Three teenage passengers and two pilots survived, as did a person in a truck struck by the plane as it crashed. Authorities have not released more detail about the passengers' connections to one another.

Investigators combed through wreckage Wednesday for clues to the cause.

It was the third significant aviation accident in as many days in the U.S. A B-52 crashed Monday during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California and killed all eight people aboard, while on Sunday, 12 people were killed when a plane on a skydiving outing in Missouri crashed.

‘It looked like part of a movie’

Among the motorists who stopped in Laredo was Zayra Garza, an esthetician who was driving her co-workers home when she saw the wreckage. She recorded video as her husband ran to help.

“It looked like part of a movie. I was in shock,” Garza said. Most worrisome was the fire: “I was concerned that it could have just exploded at any time.”

Garza saw people leave their cars to try to smash the cockpit glass. Her video shows the aircraft's door popping open slightly from inside as a voice cries “Help! Help! Help!” The rescuers strain to lift the door farther open as the three teenagers dart out, followed quickly by one pilot and then by another.

Franco, a 23-year-old from Laredo, frantically swung the sledgehammer through heavy smoke. Others struck at the window with a shovel and tools from their own vehicles.

Cockpit windows are designed not to shatter

They accomplished little more than spiderwebbing the cockpit window with small cracks: Airplane windshields have multiple layers of glass and are designed to remain structurally sound even if the outer layer shatters. The windows must be able to withstand a bird strike at cruising speed and hold up to extreme pressure differences at high altitudes.

“They are basically bulletproof,” said retired airline pilot John Cox, who is CEO of Safety Operating Systems.

Police officers tried to remove the final person inside — Baer — as the smoke grew thicker. Officers doubled over coughing after turning away from the smoke.

Eventually firefighters with oxygen masks were able to get inside.

Firefighters also removed a dog from the plane that was suffering from smoke inhalation. The dog was turned over to animal control and was expected to survive, said Jose Baeza, an investigator with the Laredo Police Department.

Five officers were treated for smoke inhalation; the five people who survived the crash were also released from a hospital.

As the plane crashed on the northbound lanes of the highway, its wing hit a truck traveling southbound. The driver of that vehicle also survived, Baeza said.

There has been an outpouring of support on social media for those who stopped to help, heralding their bravery and selflessness.

Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño called it “nothing short of a miracle that this tragedy did not become a mass fatality event,” thanks in part to the late hour when the crash occurred and the quick action of first responders.

Franco said that as he tried to help, all he could think of was getting people out of the plane. But to do it, he had to conquer another feeling.

“You’re in constant fear," he said. "You don’t know what situation you’re in.”

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Johnson and Golden reported from Seattle. Taxin reported from Santa Ana, California. AP journalists Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska; Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; and Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, contributed.

FIFA hydration breaks have sparked criticism from different groups. But what do they actually do?

Dorany Pineda And Jennifer Mcdermott, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:10:53 +0000

For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA is mandating all soccer players take hydration breaks to protect them from the threats of extreme heat. But the new rule has sparked criticism from different groups.

Some experts have warned that this summer's World Cup — co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada — could be the hottest in the tournament's history. In response to concerns about extreme heat, FIFA implemented three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half regardless of temperatures or whether stadiums are enclosed or air conditioned. But some critics say they're interrupting the game's flow and give coaches a chance to shift momentum in their team’s favor, while some scientists have said the breaks are too short to make a significant impact on cooling and rehydration when conditions are sizzling.

“When we look at the three-minute hydration breaks, we're really looking at this as a way to mitigate anything that could potentially lead to an incident or an emergency,” said Joshua L. DeVincenzo with Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

FIFA's mandatory breaks, regardless of temperatures

FIFA said the mandatory breaks are to “ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches,” and the rules draw upon the experiences of past tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. last summer when temperatures soared.

Some coaches said the breaks make sense when temperatures are extreme, but they questioned whether they were necessary at every match. The pauses have also been criticized for interrupting the spectacle for fans, with broadcasters cutting to commercials.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said they're making the most of the hydration breaks.

“You can’t get on the field but the players can come near you while drinking water and we can give them instructions,” he said. “We take advantage to try to correct something during the game, it’s something good for the coaches.”

Even highly-trained, elite athletes can get heat stress

Athletes pushing themselves physically in hot and humid conditions risk getting what's called exertional heat illness. It happens when the body gets too hot and is accompanied by significant strain on the heart, nerves, muscles and central nervous systems.

Symptoms include muscle cramps, extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration.

When internal body temperature exceeds 105 F (40.5 C), athletes might feel confused, aggressive or lose consciousness, said Yuri Hosokawa with the Faculty of Sport Sciences in Japan’s Waseda University, in an email, “all of which are characteristic signs of exertional heat stroke and require immediate medical attention.” She co-signed a letter to FIFA in May urging stricter heat guidelines for player safety, including that cooling breaks be at least six minutes.

Exertional heat stroke is among the leading causes of death in athletes.

Dehydration also exacerbates the risk. Athletes in the heat can sweat 1 to 2 liters (50 to 67 ounces) an hour, and most drink less liquids than they expel. Losing as little as 2% of one's body weight to dehydration can impair physical performance.

Ryan Calsbeek, professor of biological sciences at Dartmouth College, said the human body performs better when it’s warmer, but there’s a critical threshold above which that improvement in performance not only stops, but precipitously drops off.

“Your body starts to really fall apart, you lose the ability to cool off fast enough,” he said. “And the physiological mechanisms just break down.” That happens when the wet bulb globe temperature, which includes temperature, humidity, cloud cover and wind, reads above about 95 F (35 C), though some people will be more heat tolerant.

The increased confusion from extreme heat could impact an athlete’s ability to make strategic decisions, he said.

“It’s these marginal differences in performance that I think can determine the outcome of a match,” Calsbeek said. “If you have individuals that do better in extreme conditions, whether it’s extreme heat or high altitude or whatever the case may be, those small differences could play a critical, pivotal role in determining the outcome.”

Hydration breaks should be longer, some experts say

The three-minute mandatory hydration breaks are meant to protect players, and referees, from extreme heat illness and help them maintain their physical performance.

Players can cool off and replenish lost water and salt from sweating.

That could mean putting wet, cold towels on parts of a player's body. If done well, that could reduce their body temperature by about 0.22 F (0.12 C) per minute, said Douglas Casa, CEO of the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute who also co-signed the letter.

“Some people can tolerate a little more fluids comfortably and then do intense exercise. Some people can’t because it sloshes around in their stomach and they don’t feel super comfortable, so they might not drink as much in such a short period of time,” he added.

In a 2024 study, researchers found that three minutes lowered athletes' core temperature by about 0.72 F (0.4 C) during simulated soccer running in a heat chamber. But this happened in ideal conditions where they drank 350 to 400 milliliters of cold water and draped a cold towel on their shoulders.

Draping ice towels over a player's shoulders can be helpful, but only if they rehydrate as well, said Julien Périard in an email, a study co-author and director of the University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise who also signed the letter.

That’s why it’s important the three minutes be well planned, but “even in ideal settings, the breaks can slightly help but will not eliminate the risk of heat illness in response to a rise in core temperature,” he said.

Casa said time dictates the volume of impact, whether from fluid or cooling.

How much time a player needs to recover also varies. “Depending on your body, you might need more or less time. But those kinds of breaks are crucial so that your body isn’t just being forced to keep trying to play catch up... to keep trying to cool you down without any kind of rest or a break,” said Bharat Venkat, director of the Heat Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles.

As our planet gets hotter, mandating hydration breaks and changing where, when and how sports are played will be necessary.

“No matter what sport you play, there’s going to be adjustments that have to be made in the face of climate change, ” he said.

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Tales Azzoni contributed from Guadalajara, Mexico.

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

Thank you, Robert Arnold: KPRC 2 Investigative Reporter signs off after 26 years serving Houston

Andrea Slaydon, KPRC Investigates team — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:24:00 +0000

After more than three decades in journalism and 26 years at KPRC 2, veteran investigative reporter Robert Arnold is preparing to sign off for the final time.

Arnold announced that Friday, June 19, will be his last day at KPRC 2, bringing to a close a journalism career that has spanned 31 years and helped shape investigative reporting in Houston.

“After 26 years at KPRC and 31 years as a journalist, I have decided to live life without a deadline,” Arnold wrote.

Veteran investigative reporter Robert Arnold is retiring from KPRC 2 after 26 years at the station and a 31-year journalism career serving the Houston community.

Before joining KPRC 2 in 2000, Arnold began his journalism career at KNUZ/KQUE radio and later worked the overnight police beat at KTRH radio.

“I joined KPRC in 2000, and the past three decades have been fulfilling, awe-inspiring, humbling, exhausting, joyful, and, most of all, a privilege,” Arnold wrote. “I am immensely grateful to everyone who trusted me to tell their story. I remember every face and every living room.”

Over the years, Arnold became known for his relentless pursuit of accountability reporting, digging through records, cultivating sources, and tackling complex investigations that made an impact across the Houston area.

Veteran investigative reporter Robert Arnold is retiring from KPRC 2 after 26 years at the station and a 31-year journalism career serving the Houston community.

KPRC 2 News Director Ana Lastra said Arnold’s contributions helped define investigative journalism at the station.

“Robert built a career here on accountability,” Lastra said. “He chased stories other people walked past, asked the questions sources didn’t want to answer, and turned documents and data into journalism that changed outcomes for Houstonians.”

Lastra credited Arnold with helping launch “The Evidence Room,” KPRC 2’s award-winning true crime documentary series, and said his work elevated investigative storytelling across the newsroom.

Robert Arnold's career spanned decades of breaking news, investigative reporting and documentary storytelling.

“Every season got better, in large part because of how he put them together,” Lastra wrote. “Robert knew the cases inside and out, and the victims’ families trusted him to tell them.”

Throughout his career, Arnold covered some of Houston’s biggest stories, including 31 named storms that impacted the Gulf Coast.

Robert Arnold's career spanned decades of breaking news, investigative reporting and documentary storytelling.

“Think about that — 31 times he stood between this community, and the worst weather Houston can throw at it, reporting through the wind and the aftermath when it mattered most,” Lastra wrote.

KPRC 2 Investigates team - led by Robert Arnold - wins a 2025 Lone Star Emmy in Documentary for 'The Texas Killing Fields'.

She also recalled Arnold’s tireless reporting during the Astroworld tragedy, when he worked sources, verified information and provided continuous updates as the story unfolded.

But colleagues say Arnold’s impact extends far beyond the stories that aired on television.

“He’s always a resource, ready to hand off a contact to a fellow reporter,” Lastra wrote. “Breaking news is happening? OK, Robert has already called three sources. He’s made this team better.”

Veteran investigative reporter Robert Arnold is retiring from KPRC 2 after 26 years at the station and a 31-year journalism career serving the Houston community.

In reflecting on his career, Arnold thanked the photographers, producers, editors and colleagues who helped bring stories to life.

“Any successes or accolades I have received over the years are a reflection of the talented photojournalists, editors, producers, and colleagues I have been fortunate enough to work alongside,” he wrote.

Veteran investigative reporter Robert Arnold is retiring from KPRC 2 after 26 years at the station and a 31-year journalism career serving the Houston community.

As for what comes next, Arnold offered a glimpse of the road ahead with a favorite quote from author J.R.R. Tolkien:

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

Robert Arnold's career spanned decades of breaking news, investigative reporting and documentary storytelling.

While Houston viewers may no longer see Arnold reporting from the field, his legacy of accountability journalism, mentorship and public service will continue to influence the newsroom he leaves behind.

“Robert, thank you,” Lastra wrote. “You leave this newsroom stronger than you found it, and you leave a standard the rest of us will keep chasing.”

Leave a comment below for Robert and we will make sure he gets the messages!

Stranded ships have begun transiting the Strait of Hormuz, maritime data company says

Mae Anderson, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:44:42 +0000

Major shipowners have begun moving vessels through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. and Iran signed an interim agreement to end their war, maritime data company Lloyd’s List Intelligence said Thursday.

In a media briefing, Richard Meade, editor in chief of Lloyd’s List, said for the first time in 110 days, ships owned by major companies were crossing the strait after effectively being marooned there since February.

The strait is a critical passageway for the world’s oil and natural gas. Before the war, the waterway off Iran's coast carried a fifth of the world’s crude oil. Its closure during the war has created a historic energy crisis.

Lloyd’s List did not say how many ships were transiting through or had passed through the strait as of Thursday. It said tankers controlled by major ship owners Grimaldi Group, Cosco, Knutsen and NYK had passed through the strait. Two Iran-flagged, National Iranian Tanker Company-owned, sanctioned crude oil tankers entered the strait, according to Lloyd’s List.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. Navy lifted its blockade of the strait to allow some ships through Iranian ports.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X that an Italian merchant ship owned by the Grimaldi Group was among the first vessels to transit the strait after the agreement’s signing.

Maritime data and tracking company Kpler said it observed six verified ship crossings on Wednesday and another 11 on Thursday.

Phillip Belcher, marine director of Intertanko, a trade group for global independent tanker owners, said the main central route of the Strait of Hormuz was still closed and has an estimated 80 mines that need to be cleared. But ships have been passing through the smaller northern route, which goes through Iranian waters, and the southern route, which goes through Omani waters.

“Those two routes now seem to be fully open,” Belcher said.

However, it will take weeks or months to fully reopen the strait, and the two alternative routes don't have as much capacity as the central passage in the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is like a highway where the road in the middle is closed and you’re using that hard shoulder,” Belcher said. “That’s now being used as the main route. We need to get back to having the highway open.”

Lloyd’s List estimated that 550 merchant ships will need to prepare to exit the Persian Gulf, including 160 tankers, 200 bulk carriers, 60 container ships and 10 vehicle carriers.

Hegseth attacks NATO allies and announces a review of US forces in Europe

Lorne Cook, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:55:22 +0000

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at NATO allies on Thursday as he announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe whose outcome will depend on how fast the Europeans take responsibility for their own security.

The review was yet another surprise for European allies and Canada as they learn to deal with an increasingly unpredictable ally. U.S. officials and senior military officers had promised to coordinate closely with the Europeans as America draws down.

In recent months, U.S. President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have sent conflicting signals about whether America is reducing or increasing its military footprint in Europe, as well as threatening to annex Greenland, a semiautonomous island that is part of ally Denmark. Just weeks ago, the Trump administration said that it would no longer provide as much military support should any NATO member come under attack.

“This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” Hegseth told his NATO counterparts. “It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz later said the allies have long been aware of U.S. plans to pull troops from Europe at some point and that they must take care of their own security.

“We know that we must do more and we are doing it,” Merz said.

Public dressing down over bases, gender and migration

In a fiery speech at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth lambasted European allies for failing to provide U.S. forces access to bases in Europe to launch attacks on Iran, calling it “shameful.”

“These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all,” he said. The review would also assess whether the U.S. has full access and overflight “when we need it.”

While defense ministers and military officers sat in silence, Hegseth railed against migration and gender equality policies in Europe, in remarks reminiscent to those of Vice President JD Vance in February last year that angered many Europeans.

“Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity. Europe’s borders flew wide open, welfare states expanded, defense budgets cratered, along with Europe’s belief in itself and its civilization,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth's comments largely mischaracterized European policies today. On defense, European allies and Canada have launched an unprecedented effort to boost defense spending and expand their armed forces. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted on Thursday that they spent $90 billion more on defense last year, a 20% increase over 2024. And while Europe accepted large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers more than a decade ago, most countries have tightened their borders since.

It does not augur well for a summit of NATO leaders in Turkey on July 7-8.

A rare and short visit to NATO

It was a rare visit to NATO by Hegseth, his first this year after skipping a meeting in February. The Pentagon chief did not stay long, leaving well before the gathering was over and hours before Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to press allies for more weapons for his country.

Speaking to reporters at Brussels airport before flying home, Hegseth said, “It was great to hear country after country say, ‘We’re going to meet our target. We’re going to meet our target.’ There are still a few outliers, and we will be clear with them as we do this review.”

NATO’s supreme allied commander, an American, is working on backup plans to defend Europe after the U.S. signaled on June 3 that it would no longer supply an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refueling planes and dozens of fighter jets, among other military assets, in a crisis.

The Trump administration insists that it needs to be able to plan for two simultaneous conflicts and wants more military resources at hand should it clash with China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Under NATO’s collective security guarantee – Article 5 of its founding treaty – the 32 allies pledge that an attack on one of them will be considered an attack on all. It does not oblige them to provide military support, although many likely would.

In essence, the United States is scaling back how it might help should an ally trigger Article 5.

US nuclear weapons will stay

The U.S. has by far NATO’s biggest armed forces. It does not intend to withdraw its nuclear weapons in Europe, which are key to NATO’s deterrence. To underscore that point, NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group issued its first statement in 19 years after Thursday’s meeting.

In the statement, it “recalled that the strategic nuclear forces of the Alliance remain the supreme guarantee of Allied security and underpin NATO’s extended deterrence architecture.”

The ministers “agreed to continue enhancing NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission by modernizing NATO’s nuclear capabilities, strengthening its nuclear planning capacity, and adapting to achieve its security interests.”

Rutte played down the impact of the U.S. decision, saying that the NATO Force Model – the system for organizing what forces member countries will provide commanders in times of peace, crisis or conflict – is just “a planning tool,” and not a reflection of what would actually happen.

“If war breaks out, we will all max out what we need to do to make sure we can fight the war,” Rutte told reporters. “In the planning phase, it is important to know what we can count on. What is in theory there.”

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Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed.

NHL clears Mike Babcock to coach the Oilers after review of his Columbus tenure

Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:55:53 +0000

The NHL said Thursday it completed a review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, cleared him to coach the Edmonton Oilers if they opt to hire him.

The league launched an investigation at the request of the NHL Players’ Association in light of the Edmonton Oilers’ interest in hiring Babcock. The league in a statement said even in the least favorable light, there was no basis to restrict Babcock’s employment.

It was not immediately clear if or when the Oilers would name Babcock coach. They have been looking for a replacement since firing Kris Knoblauch following a first-round playoff exit that came after back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final.

Babcock, 63, has not coached in the NHL since 2019, when he was fired by Toronto 23 games into his fifth season in charge. The Blue Jackets hired him on July 1, 2023, and Babcock resigned in September after his requests for personal photos from players in an attempt to get to know them drew criticism as an invasion of privacy.

A statement from the NHLPA called the allegations very concerning and said, "Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”

The NHL dropped its planned investigation at the time because Babcock stepped down. It got underway this week after the final ended

Babcock coached Detroit to the Stanley Cup in 2008 and has made two other trips to the final, along with guiding Canada to Olympic gold medals in 2010 and ’14.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

An ancient oak tree said to have sheltered legendary Robin Hood has died

Brian Melley, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:02:14 +0000

A massive ancient oak tree linked to the legend of Robin Hood may have been loved to death.

The 1,200-year-old Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is believed to have died after it didn’t sprout leaves this spring, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said Thursday.

Visitors over the past two centuries who viewed the tree's gnarled limbs and sprawling canopy in Nottingham compressed the soil, making it difficult for rain to reach its roots, the conservation group said.

The forest has been under threat for years and the tree had been rumored to have died in the past — only to have the group confirm it was still alive.

That is no longer the case.

“The tree’s failure to produce leaves this year is heartbreaking for everyone,” Hollie Drake of the RSPB said in a statement announcing the death.

The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor and took refuge in the forest when being pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham.

It got its name after being mentioned in a book on oaks by Major Hayman Rooke in 1790 that led to the first wave of fans who flocked to the forest.

It's impossible to say what killed the tree, but the footprints of millions contributed to its downfall, along with intervention to shore up its massive limbs using cables and poles. Climate change that has brought heat waves and drought was also blamed.

Tree experts found the root system strangled and starved.

“Ancient trees like the Major Oak are the ‘conservation white rhinos of the U.K.’ but their decline is far less visible,” said Ed Pyne, of the Woodland Trust. “Saving them is vital to the health of the world we live in and yet most disappear quietly, without the recognition or care given to the Major Oak.”

In addition to its place in folklore, the forest is known for Sherwood oaks that floated the ships of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson’s Royal Navy in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and as timbers in the roof of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The Major Oak was spared from the saw and has been protected by a fence since the 1970s.

“The Major Oak will continue to stand at the heart of Sherwood as a natural monument for visitors to come and see, living on in the legend of Robin Hood and continuing to provide as much support to the forest’s ecosystem in death as in life,” Drake said.

Kenyan McDuffie concedes DC mayoral primary to Janeese Lewis George

Gary Fields And Matt Brown, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:38:09 +0000

Washington, D.C., mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie on Thursday conceded the Democratic primary race to Janeese Lewis George.

Although the official certification of the primary race is continuing, McDuffie said in a statement that “it is clear that the voters have chosen a different path.” The former member of the D.C. council said he had contacted Lewis George and congratulated her. He thanked his supporters and urged them to continue working for the city.

"The campaign may be over, but the work of building a safer, more affordable, more prosperous city continues.”

The Associated Press has not declared a winner in the race. Lewis George had a little less than 53% of the vote Thursday morning, which is just a few percentage points above the 50% threshold to avoid ranked choice voting.

The city is scheduled to release preliminary ranked choice voting results on Sunday. AP will call the race before then if it is clear that the ranked choice process will be avoided.

Lewis George has pledged to aggressively stand up to federal intervention into Washington, D.C.’s, affairs, setting up a potential showdown with President Donald Trump over his administration's moves to challenge the city’s limited autonomy.

If the results stand, Lewis George is likely to win November’s general election in the heavily Democratic city. The winner in the general election will replace Muriel Bowser, who decided not to run again after three terms.

Lewis George would join Robert White Jr., who won the Democratic primary for the district’s delegate to Congress, as the top local officials who likely will contend with the federal government’s intentions for the city. They each campaigned on a promise to take a harder line than their predecessors against the Trump administration’s moves on the district, including its deployment of the National Guard on an ongoing, open-ended mission meant to fight crime.

“As mayor, I will work with anyone who makes D.C. safer,” Lewis George told a crowd of cheering supporters Tuesday night, “but I will also stand up to Trump.”

Washington has limited autonomy and federal leaders retain significant control over local affairs, including approval of the budget and laws passed by the D.C. Council.

Trump further encroached on that autonomy last year when he briefly federalized the city’s police force and deployed an ongoing law enforcement surge that included the National Guard. His efforts to downsize the federal government also roiled the capital region, costing thousands of people their jobs. And he has been reshaping the city by renovating storied landmarks and putting his name or image on buildings.

Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist and a member of the D.C. Council, has already come under fire from Trump, who last week threatened to place the city under federal control if she won.

“Maybe we’d take back Washington, run it on the federal basis,” he said.

Lewis George, 38, and a third generation Washingtonian, has vowed to overrule an executive order by the city’s police chief permitting local law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Lewis George argued the order “hurt the trust of our community.”

She also pledged to use any levers available to her through the city’s home rule compact to resist what she called authoritarian infringements on the district’s local governance.

“We have legal tools we can use to fight back,” she told the AP in an interview before the vote. “And we know that when we have gone to court, we’ve won.”

Bowser found herself walking a fine line between staying in Trump’s good graces and responding to the concerns of constituents, many of whom said she didn’t push back hard enough on Trump’s actions. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the 18-term, 89-year-old delegate to Congress, meanwhile, faced mounting concern from critics who said she wasn’t forcefully pushing back on the Trump administration’s moves against the city.

From a tropical storm alert to dangerous heat at FIFA Fan Fest in EaDo

Sandy Torres, Austin McAfee — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:01:17 +0000

From Tropical Storm Arthur to a dangerous heat event — all within 24 hours — FIFA World Cup 2026 fans at the FIFA Fan Festival in Houston have seen it all, and they’re not going anywhere.

The sun was shining from kickoff to the final whistle of the Portugal-DR Congo match Wednesday at Houston Stadium, but the heat was impossible to ignore. Temperatures hovered in the 90s, with feels-like readings threatening to push into triple digits.

‘Rain or storm — it don’t matter’

Despite the sweltering conditions, fans from across the country made the trip to Houston to be part of the action. Morning rain before the match did nothing to dampen the energy, with fans sitting, standing and staying glued to the big screens throughout.

Nathan Kalonji, who traveled from Illinois, said nothing was going to stop him from being there.

“It was not going to stop me. I was going to be regardless rain or storm rain storm snow it don’t matter I was gonna be here,” Kalonji said.

Yet the energy on the grounds was electric. Thousands of fans packed the FIFA Fan Festival, dancing and chanting under misting tents to cool off. At the Bank of America booth, fans waited up to two hours in line for a free FIFA World Cup 2026 charm bracelet — a souvenir they simply couldn’t leave without.

Fans were also spotted clutching water bottles, draping towels over their shoulders and ducking under umbrellas to catch whatever shade they could.

For Houston native David Leon, the weather was actually a welcome surprise.

“Actually it feels good compared to usual I’m enjoying it,” Leon said.

Roman Martinez, also from Houston, made the most of a day off — and called the final score before the match even started.

“It’s my day off. I came with my homeboy to see Portugal versus Congo. It’s probably going to be a tie. That’s what I’m thinking. The weather is better so I’m going to come out and enjoy drink a little bit,” Martinez said.

Martinez was right — the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Out-of-towners get a taste of Houston humidity

Fans from cooler climates got a crash course in Houston weather — and some were still waiting in the heat for that must-have charm bracelet. Julia Gutierrez, who made the trip from Denver, Colorado, was standing in line at the Bank of America booth waiting for her free FIFA World Cup 2026 charm bracelet when KPRC 2 caught up with her. She said the humidity was a whole new experience.

“Honestly the heat and the humidity is very different up in Denver. We don’t have it. We have a lot of hotness, but I don’t feel it. It doesn’t rub off on me, but this is yeah I’m sweating for sure,” Gutierrez said.

India Taylorpotts, originally from England and now seven months into life in Houston, had a similar take.

“I’m used to English weather God bless, literally so hot, but I love it I love it I love the atmosphere everything about Houston,” Taylorpotts said.

Diego Diaz, a fan from El Paso, came to the Fan Festival fresh off watching the Portugal-Congo match at Houston Stadium and had no complaints about the conditions. Cristiano Ronaldo did not score in the match, but Diaz said the experience was still unforgettable.

“I was really close to Cristiano, sadly he didn’t score, but it was a dream come true not going to lie, this is nothing for me to be honest, a little bit humid, the humid is different,” Diaz said.

FIFA committed to fan safety across all 16 host cities

FIFA is well aware of the heat and the unpredictable weather conditions facing fans across North America, including here in Houston. The organization is working around the clock with authorities in all 16 host cities to keep fans safe.

In a statement, a FIFA spokesperson told KPRC2 the organization’s emergency preparedness runs deep.

“FIFA’s emergency preparedness team works closely together with national meteorological and emergency management authorities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as with partners across all 16 Host Cities. A comprehensive, tournament-wide preparedness exercise focusing on severe weather scenarios has further strengthened cross-agency coordination and operational readiness. Stadiums are required to maintain robust risk management and evacuation procedures, including lightning and severe weather protocols aligned with local legislation and international best practice.”

The spokesperson added that FIFA is monitoring conditions in real time and is ready to act if needed.

“FIFA will continue to monitor conditions in real time and stands ready to apply established contingency protocols should extreme weather events occur. Through close collaboration with host governments, medical experts and emergency authorities, FIFA remains committed to delivering a safe, resilient and memorable tournament experience for everyone involved.”

Fan Festival officials in EaDo also told KPRC 2 that a team monitors Houston weather around the clock, tracking conditions that could affect both the Fan Festival grounds and Houston Stadium. Shade structures and misting stations are available on the grounds, but officials are urging fans to stay hydrated above all else.

Our KPRC2 weather team said the heat is the biggest thing fans have to worry about. There is shade and misting stations, but drinking plenty of fluids is the way to go.

18-wheeler involved in major crash on 610 East Loop Northbound at I-10 East

Brittany Taylor — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:56:39 +0000

An 18-wheeler was involved in a major crash Thursday morning.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at 9:38 a.m. on IH-610 East Loop Northbound at IH-10 East.

The two left interchange ramp, right interchange ramp are impacted due to the collision.

It is unknown if any injuries have been reported.

International fans react to Texas culture during FIFA World Cup visit

Juliana Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:53:53 +0000

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken Houston by storm, with hundreds of international fans traveling to the city for the first time.

As many expected, the experience has brought plenty of culture shock for visitors from around the world.

Texas is known for its barbecue and the famous travel center chain Buc-ee’s. In many parts of the world, however, everyday customs are much different.

Many countries don’t have as many fast-food restaurants, and local grocery stores often don’t feature dozens of aisles packed with multiple brands of the same product. Another popular topic of discussion among visitors has been air conditioning.

For many countries, air conditioning units aren’t the norm in homes and businesses. But when visitors arrive in Texas — especially Houston — and experience the summer heat, they quickly realize why air conditioning is considered a necessity.

One fan from Germany has gained attention on X while documenting his experiences with Texas culture.

German social media influencer Freddy (@FreddyLA7 on X) has shared updates throughout his time in Texas, from trying Whataburger for the first time to taking a trip to a local Walmart.

He also had the chance to meet members of the Houston Police Department, who served him authentic Texas barbecue and introduced him to country music.

Our most American experience so far🇺🇸

We met with the Houston Police department and ate typical Texan BBQ together. It looked in there just like in the movies. They even put on Ella Langley just for us.😂 pic.twitter.com/zN5r2gTlqL
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) June 15, 2026

Freddy isn’t the only international fan experiencing culture shock. Visitors from around the world have been sampling Texas staples, including Whataburger, Chick-fil-A and traditional Texas barbecue.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bob Travel (@bob_travel__)

Shaun, an influencer from Iceland (@shaunvlog_ on X), traveled from Scotland and made a stop at the iconic Buc-ee’s.

“You know what I love about Buc-ee’s? That it is an inspirational brand,” he said in the video.

When the Scots discover Buc-ee’s in America 😍🦫 pic.twitter.com/P25OmmTV02
— Shaun 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 (@shaunvlog_) June 11, 2026

One family visiting from Europe also made a stop at the familiar restaurant chain Chili’s. The family was surprised by some of the menu items, with one member commenting that a chicken sandwich looked much larger than expected.

@itsandrewandlaura Everyone’s getting a kick out of Europeans trying American food RN so here’s an Aussie fams first time at @Chili’s Grill & Bar in Texas 😅😂🌶️ #Aussies #Chilis #America #fifa #worldcup ♬ original sound - itsandrewandlaura🇦🇺🇺🇸

With only six World Cup matches remaining in Houston, international visitors are encouraged to explore local barbecue spots, visit the highly talked-about Buc-ee’s and check out some of Houston’s most popular restaurants before heading home.

Ukrainian drones set a Moscow refinery ablaze in a major attack on the Russian capital

Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:24:35 +0000

Ukraine struck a major Moscow oil refinery Thursday for a second time in a week, sending huge plumes of black smoke over the capital and disrupting hundreds of flights at its airports in one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion over four years ago, officials said.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil facilities, aiming to cut Moscow’s revenue for the war and make Russians feel the consequences of the invasion. Some areas have reported fuel shortages.

The attack by dozens of drones came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held “an important coordination call” with the presidents of the United States and France and had won key pledges of further support from this week's G7 summit.

“If Ukraine is going to burn, your Moscow will burn too," Zelenskyy said, adding that the attack was part of Kyiv's effort to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. "It is time to end the aggression, time to end this war.”

Ukrainian attack embarrasses Putin again

The Moscow attack was the latest embarrassment for Putin. Ukrainian drones attacked his hometown of St. Petersburg earlier this month as he welcomed foreign VIPs to his showcase economic forum in the city.

Putin on Thursday was in Kazan, some 700 kilometers (430 miles) east of Moscow, hosting leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as Russia seeks to bolster business and other ties with the regional bloc.

Russia’s state-controlled TV channels only briefly mentioned the attack on Moscow. Pro-Kremlin newspapers reported it, with some praising the performance of air defenses while noting that the strike highlighted the need to further strengthen the defensive shield around the capital.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the lower house of Russia’s parliament, warned that Moscow would respond by ramping up its strikes.

“Their action will lead to our counteraction and launching harsher blows, with more powerful weapons,” Volodin said in televised remarks.

Some Russian hawks urged the Kremlin to respond with nuclear weapons. Nationalist Konstantin Malofeyev criticized the military for “fighting at half-strength in a gentlemanlike way.”

“War means victory at any cost,” Malofeyev wrote on his Telegram channel, suggesting the use of “the nuclear weapons that our ancestors created and stockpiled while mobilizing the entire country’s strength precisely for this purpose -– to win."

Fires rage at Moscow refinery

Thick, black smoke and occasional flames spewed from the Moscow Oil Refinery amid its red-and-white smokestacks on the southeastern edge of the city, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Kremlin. Sooty, black rain fell on cars, according to local video.

“One of the most popular questions asked by Muscovites this morning is ‘What is going on?’" Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. "I can answer. Your country started a war of aggression against ours. For years, it has been killing our people. Now that you know what’s going on, ask Putin when he is planning to end it.”

The refinery is one of Russia’s biggest, according to its website, producing more than a third of the Moscow region's fuel. It was last attacked by Ukraine on Tuesday, but officials said that fire was swiftly put out.

Thursday's fire at the refinery was “largely contained,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said hours afterward, adding that remaining hotspots were being extinguished.

As Ukraine pressed its strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure, fuel supplies appeared to be under strain. Gas station chains in multiple regions have introduced restrictions on what drivers could buy. Russian independent news outlet Agentstvo reported that one out of every four gas stations has introduced some kind of restrictions.

Authorities in the capital said in a statement hours after the attack that “supplies of oil products to Moscow and the work of all gas stations in the city continue as normal.”

The attack also temporarily halted flights from four Moscow airports, transport and aviation authorities said. The Russian business daily Kommersant counted more than 500 delayed or canceled flights at the airports, based on their online flight information.

In the greater Moscow region, a drone hit a residential building in the town of Zhukovsky, according to Gov. Andrei Vorobyov. Buildings elsewhere were damaged by drone debris, injuring 17 people, including two children, he added.

Ukraine seeks more help from NATO, EU

“Russia is on the back foot: militarily, economically and politically,” ‪EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas‬ said on X after meeting Thursday with Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. “Now is the time to provide Ukraine with even greater support and to exert even more pressure on Russia to end the war.”

Zelenskyy held talks Thursday in Brussels with NATO and European Union leaders, and the German and Ukrainian defense ministers signed an agreement to jointly develop an air defense system to counter ballistic missiles. Zelenskyy described it as the start of an “anti-ballistic missile coalition” and invited others to join.

Russia has relentlessly struck Ukraine with those types of missiles, which air defenses struggle to counter.

Russia says it downed over 500 Ukrainian drones

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses overnight shot down 555 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions, with almost 200 intercepted as they approached Moscow. That was roughly double the number of drones that Russia launched at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force.

“If Putin does not want to end this war and wants to continue it, we will not sit quietly — we will respond,” Zelenskyy said in a voice message to a group chat with journalists.

He has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump, but Putin has refused, and U.S.-led peace efforts have fizzled.

Ukraine disrupts Russian supply lines

Along with pledges of more diplomatic and military help at the G7 summit, Ukraine recently has gained momentum on the battlefield against Russia’s bigger army, thanks to its high-tech drones, Western officials and analysts say. Longer-range drones are choking Russian supply lines in occupied regions of Ukraine, in addition to disrupting oil production.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the G7 summit was “very important for Ukraine” because its supporters — crucially including the U.S. — vowed to help it, although he provided no details. The U.S. under Trump has cut back assistance to Ukraine, leaving the Europeans as the biggest suppliers of military and financial aid. Trump and Zelenskyy have had a sometimes strained relationship.

“America is with us on Ukraine, that is very important,” Macron said as he and Trump left the Palace of Versailles near Paris.

In other developments Thursday, Russia struck the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine with two glide bombs that killed a 64-year-old man who was fishing in a river, said Oleh Hryhorov, head of the regional military administration. A Russian strike on the central city of Dnipro killed one man and wounded nine, said Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.

___

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

Black Cowboy Museum cancels Juneteenth trail ride, parade due to weather concerns

Brittany Taylor — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:49:27 +0000

The Black Cowboy Museum has canceled its 2026 Juneteenth Trail Ride, Parade and outdoor activities planned at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds due to forecasted weather conditions.

In a statement, museum founder and CEO Larry Callies said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.”

“The safety of our riders, horses, volunteers, and community remains our highest priority,” Callies said.

While the outdoor festivities have been canceled, the museum said the Juneteenth celebration will continue indoors.

The The Black Cowboy Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19, with free admission for all visitors.

Guests are invited to explore exhibits highlighting the history and legacy of Black cowboys and their contributions to Texas and American history.

The museum is located at 1104 Third St. in Rosenberg.

Officials thanked the community for its understanding and said they look forward to welcoming visitors for the Juneteenth observance despite the weather-related changes.

What to know

The 2026 Juneteenth Trail Ride, Parade and outdoor activities have been canceled.
The cancellation was made due to forecasted weather conditions.
The Black Cowboy Museum will remain open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 19.
Admission will be free for all visitors.
The museum is located at 1104 Third St. in Rosenberg.

European Union seeks to reopen communication channel with Russia

Lorne Cook And Mike Corder, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:10:47 +0000

The European Union has made a tentative bid to open a line of communication with Moscow so the continent is not sidelined in any potential talks to end Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine, officials said Thursday.

The news emerged as Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, Russian officials said Thursday. A major oil refinery was hit for a second time in a week and commercial flights at Moscow airports were disrupted.

Against the backdrop of conflict, and despite reservations among some European leaders, the EU has been quietly seeking to reopen communications with Moscow even as it doubles down on its support for Kyiv. President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has tried to cut out Europe and Kyiv and negotiate Ukraine’s future with Washington.

“⁠In the past few weeks, brief contacts were made at diplomatic level to open communication channels, but nothing was discussed on substance,” an EU official with knowledge of the approach said on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive move. A second official, also speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media on the matter, confirmed the Russia outreach is taking place but declined to comment further.

“In any future scenario, the EU has specific interests that will need to be defended, therefore it is important to have established diplomatic channels with Russia. The EU is not a mediator. It supports Ukraine in its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace,” the first official added.

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Putin has repeatedly said Europe cannot play any kind of mediation role in settling the conflict but has not ruled out speaking to the EU.

“We have never refused contacts with representatives of the European Union in any format,” he said earlier this month. “We are not rejecting contacts. If they want to talk, they know how to reach us. They can pick up the phone and call. If they want to come, they are welcome to do so. It is not Russia that is refusing engagement.”

The officials said European Council President Antonio Costa “has been coordinating closely with European leaders on possible engagement with Russia and the issues to be discussed when the right moment comes.”

News of the moves came as EU leaders met in Brussels for their summer summit, where Ukraine was high on the agenda. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected to address the 27 leaders, who are seeking closer ties with Kyiv.

Leaders of EU countries in the Baltics expressed skepticism about the initiative.

"There has to be someone on the other side willing for peace,'' Latvia’s new Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said. Otherwise, "there's no point for contact.''

Luxemburg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden said that if Europe wants a voice in Ukraine's future, "at some point in time, yes, we need to sit at the table.”

The EU leaders overwhelmingly urged support for Ukraine as they arrived for the summit. On Monday, Ukraine officially opened negotiations to join the EU, launching a process that will require its government to commit to years of political reforms even as it fights the Russian invasion.

The EU outreach to Russia also closely follows this week's meeting of the world's seven leading industrialized nations in the French spa town of Evian-Les-Bains, where Europeans managed to get Trump to join G7 leaders in offering “unwavering support for Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy said his country won key pledges of further support from world leaders attending the G7 summit in France, including the United States.

___

Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands.

Average 30-year U.S. mortgage rate falls to 6.47%, tracking lower bond yields as Iran war winds down

Matt Ott, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:02:42 +0000

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell this week, tracking Treasury yields that have retreated since a deal to end the war with Iran was announced.

The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 6.47% from 6.52% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.81%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, often sought by borrowers refinancing a home loan, also came down this week. That average rate fell to 5.81% from 5.84% last week. A year ago, it was at 5.96%, Freddie Mac said.

Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.

With inflation still well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, officials at the U.S. central bank left the benchmark interest rate where it was on Wednesday. It was the first meeting with new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who replaced Jerome Powell after his eight-year run as the U.S. central bank’s leader.

A number of Fed policymakers said they are actually willing to consider at least one interest rate hike this year.

Rates have been mostly trending higher since the conflict between the U.S. and Iran began in late February, disrupting the flow of crude oil from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide. That’s sent oil prices sharply higher, helping drive up inflation, bond yields and mortgage rates.

However, earlier this week, the U.S. and Iran came to a tentative agreement to end the war and allow Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and sell its oil freely.

That sent the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note down from 4.53% last week to 4.44% Thursday. It was just 3.97% in late February, before the war broke out.

As recently as late February, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage had slipped just under 6% for the first time since late 2022. It’s hasn’t fallen below that threshold since. Two weeks ago, it climbed to 6.53%, its highest level since Aug. 28.

While average long-term mortgage rates remain lower than they were at this time last year, their mostly upward trajectory and uncertainty over how much higher they may go has kept many would-be homebuyers on the sideline.

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes declined in the first three months of the year compared to a year earlier, extending a nationwide housing slump that dates back to 2022 when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales were essentially flat in April, but accelerated in May to their fastest pace since December.

Still, sales of existing U.S. homes continue to hovering close to a 4-million annual pace, far short of the historic norm that is closer to 5.2-million.

Though mortgage applications fell according to the most recent Mortgage Bankers Association survey, they jumped 10.8% the week before.

Pending home sales also rose last month, an encouraging sign for the housing market heading into the second half of the year after a lackluster spring homebuying season.

Man killed after alleged car thief steals vehicle, runs over owner in NW Houston, HPD says

Michael Horton — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:03:05 +0000

A man was killed Thursday morning after an alleged car thief stole his vehicle and struck him while fleeing the scene in northwest Houston, according to police.

The incident happened around 7:45 a.m. near the intersection of Antoine Drive and Holly View Drive.

Investigators said the victim was working on his vehicle when an unknown suspect jumped inside and drove away. As the suspect fled, police said the vehicle’s owner was fatally struck.

The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned about a block away on Sheraton Oaks Drive.

Authorities have not released a description of the suspect.

Houston Police Department officers remained at the scene Thursday morning as the investigation continued.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Houston.

“Survival of the fittest”: Insiders say screwworm could improve the Texas cattle industry, beef

Texas Tribune, By Stephen Simpson, Photos By Justin Hamel, The Waco Bridge — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Subscribe to The Y’all — a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.

WACO — Brian Uptmore, a rancher and auctioneer based just outside of Waco, has had the same routine over the past several years. Every morning, he makes his rounds, feeds his cattle, checks them for respiratory issues and makes other basic health assessments.

Recently, however, he’s added a new step to his routine. These days, he’s paying closer attention to flies.

“It’s not like COVID where we can’t see it,” said Uptmore. “We can handle it. It will just require producers to check on their cattle more often than once every two months.”

Brian Uptmore and Bodie Gist auction off cattle at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

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Brian Uptmore and Bodie Gist auction off cattle at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Uptmore’s outlook on the parasitic New World screwworm is in stark contrast to most in the cattle industry. Since new cases of screwworm — once thought to be eradicated 60 years ago — have emerged, many national departments have mobilized to combat the pest, which could cause cataclysmic losses to Texas’ $15 billion cattle industry.

“This is going to lean up the industry, but it’s going to make better cattle managers,” said Uptmore, who is also an auctioneer for West Auction Inc., where 1,500 cattle pass through their doors a week. “This is part of the business. It’s survival of the fittest.”

Brian Uptmore auctions off cattle at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

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Brian Uptmore auctions off cattle at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins stood alongside Texas officials at the Knipling Bushland U.S Livestock Insect Research Laboratory and declared “war on New World screwworm,” bringing all available resources into the fight against the parasitic insect.

“South Texas ranchers are the front line of this battle against screwworm,” Rollins said. “We know what the enemy looks like. We now understand what we have to do.”

But a little over 190 miles away, it was all quiet at the Uptmore ranch. The Waco-based rancher proceeded with his regimen of applying topical fly treatments to his cattle, using fly tags and more. To Uptmore, the parasitic larvae are a simple problem to solve for ranchers who are responsible enough to take it on.

Cattle stand in the shade on Brian Uptmore’s ranch in West, Texas on June 12, 2026. Uptmore plans on buying 20 cattle per week and selling 100 a month, keeping each herd separated by age.

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Cattle stand in the shade on Brian Uptmore’s ranch in West, Texas on June 12, 2026. Uptmore plans on buying 20 cattle per week and selling 100 a month, keeping each herd separated by age. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Screwworm is a parasitic fly that targets the wounds of animals and lays its eggs in any openings, leaving the eggs to hatch into maggots and burrow into the animal to feed on living flesh. It is notorious for devastating the cattle and livestock industry, but the fear of this fly is mainly determined by where someone resides in the supply chain.

“To be honest, we personally don’t worry about it,” said Deborah Horner, a worker at West Auction. “Hopefully, it has gotten caught and treated before it reaches here.”

Local, state and federal officials are working to track screwworm cases and containment efforts, including the release of sterile flies to mate with screwworms so they lay unfertilized eggs. Experts, including Rollins, say the screwworm outbreak may continue for at least a few months.

Garrett Rieger, inspector for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), watches the cattle move through the auction ring at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026. Rieger’s brother is a state livestock inspector and was temporarily reassigned to South Texas to help monitor New World Screwworm.

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Ranchers and producers are concerned that it’s too late to stop the spread of screwworm, and that inevitable quarantines and loss of cows will cripple the already weakened cattle industry. Despite the grim outlook, cattle sellers and buyers see some positives in the screwworm’s arrival, as improved precautionary measures can only benefit consumers.

“Things like this take out the unprepared and lower quality producers, but what is left is a better product in the end,” Uptmore said.

Brian Uptmore on his ranch in West, Texas on June 12, 2026.

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Brian Uptmore on his ranch in West, Texas on June 12, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

The responsible rancher

While checking a group of cows earlier this month, Robbie Graff, manager of Rock Creek Ranch near La Pryor, Texas, spotted something odd in the navel of his three-day-old calf.

Graff quickly identified that something wasn’t right and contacted state officials. His prompt reaction led to the first confirmed case of New World screwworm in the United States since its eradication more than 50 years ago.

Keeping a constant eye on livestock and acting fast is key to controlling screwworm, Graff. said.

“The calf is completely healed, so the process works if you get everything done quickly. Just be very vigilant, try to check your cattle every day, especially if you have baby calves,” Graff said in a video statement posted by the USDA.

Though screwworm was eradicated in the 1960s, the U.S. experienced a resurgence of the pest from 1972 to 1976. That outbreak infested tens of thousands of cattle across six states, cost tens of millions of dollars to contain and was only defeated after a massive national effort.

Cattle in the holding pen before being moved through the auction ring at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026.

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Cattle in the holding pen before being moved through the auction ring at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

U.S. producers have not treated livestock for screwworm in more than 40 years, putting the industry’s future on shaky ground. A producer is a broad, industry term for anyone engaged in commercial agriculture production; this can include sheep, bison, cattle and more. A rancher is a type of producer who raises grazing livestock, such as cows.

“Texas livestock producers and all Texans must now be vigilant in their efforts to manage and combat the invasive pest,” Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said in a statement after the first screwworm case was confirmed in Texas.

It’s unclear how many screwworm cases could hit Texas. Nearly 28,000 cases have been detected in Mexico since November 2024, according to Mexican officials.

In response to the cases, USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission have ramped up surveillance of animals near confirmed detections by establishing zones around each infestation. Animals are not allowed to leave infested areas without being properly inspected.

The USDA also announced a potential partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deploy AI-controlled drones, along with other potential strategies to squash screwworm.

The main issue producers face with screwworm, besides the potential loss of cattle, is restricted movement during a quarantine, which can lead to sales losses.

“We still have to make movement; we still have to make commerce; you have to make trade,” Uptmore said. “My concern is how this will affect movement and commerce.”

A buyer’s bid card at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

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A buyer’s bid card at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

State and federal officials are encouraging producers to report anyway because any delay can lead to a costly spread of screwworm that affects not just one producer but the entire state.

“If you find a problem, please turn it in, because they are dropping sterile flies within two days of the report, and it has been very effective,” Graff said. “We haven’t had another case on this ranch since they started dropping flies.”

Responsible reporting and cattle management are how Texas producers can protect themselves from this parasitic fly, and those who don’t follow those measures won’t survive, Uptmore said.

“You’ve got to have thick skin to be in this business,” he said. “It’s like a UFC fight. If you aren’t prepared, you are going to lose. But the positives are that those who remain there will be better quality meat and producers with better practices and management.”

Allie and David Reedy check in ranchers and their cattle ahead of Thursday’s livestock sale at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026.

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Allie and David Reedy check in ranchers and their cattle ahead of Thursday’s livestock sale at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Checkpoints and precautions

While producers are in a state of unrest over the fate of their cattle, buyers aren’t particularly concerned, given the consistent reassurance from ranchers as well as state and federal officials that there is no risk to the food supply.

“The amount of precautionary measures and checkpoints in place ensures there is no risk. As long as we are providing good quality meat, then the industry will survive,” Uptmore said.

The same day Rollins was touring South Texas telling ranchers the federal government hadn’t forgotten them, a state cattle inspector sat in his seat at West Auction and quietly observed every cow that was presented before the auctioneer.

A worker moves cattle into the auction ring chute at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026.

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A worker moves cattle into the auction ring chute at the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

“We always have so many eyes on the cows here, it’s just nothing out of the ordinary,” said Heather Stuver, who works the front desk at the cattle auction and has family members who are ranchers. “There are a lot of checkpoints between us.”

In the cattle pens alone, there are over 15 staff members, along with a few dogs, watching every movement to ensure that the cows presented to buyers are safe for breeding or consumption.

Before the cows even reach the cattle pen, they undergo various inspections, including those by the USDA, state authorities and cattle sellers.

To most of the staff who work at the cattle auction, the screwworm is just another pesky fly to deal with in the usual way with sprays, misting, fans and other precautions.

“It’s annoying. Not scary,” said Horner, a staff member at West Auction. “The technology we have today is much better than what we had in the past. I am not as panicked as others.”

Cattle sellers and buyers say the fly damage will occur mainly on ranches where they aren’t doing consistent checks, and any failure there will be caught before it reaches them.

“This issue requires more effort and tracking for all parties, and in the end, we probably will have better cattle from it,” he said. “It’s a serious issue, but not a dealbreaker. They will bounce back.”

Doug Williams rearranges the gates between holding pens to move cattle through the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026.

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Doug Williams rearranges the gates between holding pens to move cattle through the West Auction barn in West, Texas on June 11, 2026. Justin Hamel/The Waco Bridge/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Suspect in killing of a Russian artist critical of Putin has been arrested in Poland

Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:44:19 +0000

Polish authorities have arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting a Russian activist critical of President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and are investigating whether Russia is behind it, senior officials said Thursday.

The killing is the latest act which Polish authorities believe could be part of a campaign of Russian sabotage aimed at sowing fear and demoralizing Ukraine's closest allies. Poland, a NATO and European Union member, has in recent years become a place of refuge for political dissidents from Russia and Belarus, as well as Ukrainian war refugees.

“Early this morning, police apprehended a suspect in the murder of a Russian man — a murder that shocked all of Poland,” Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński told a news conference in Warsaw.

He said the suspect is a 36-year-old man who carried a passport belonging to the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia with links to organized crime and crimes committed in Poland dating to 2022. The arrest took place in a hostel housing foreigners in Piastów, near Warsaw, he said.

Robert Kuzovkov, a 44-year-old known by the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, was killed on Monday morning near his home in the eastern Polish city of Biala Podlaska, near the border with Belarus. Prosecutors said the perpetrator fired two shots at him, then shot him three more times at close range before fleeing.

Kuzovkov, who died of gunshot wounds to the head, chest and back, had painted unflattering caricatures of Putin, Kadyrov and other high-ranking Russian officials. One depicts Putin being cradled in the arms of the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. He had refused offers of protection by Polish authorities.

Polish officials said Russia was under suspicion due to the profile of the victim and the way he was killed, though they stressed that they are still investigating.

“We are treating this case very, very seriously because, frankly, there is reason to suspect that there may have been people who commissioned this potential assassin,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in Brussels, where he arrived for a summit on Thursday.

“I do not need to convince anyone that this concern involves the possibility of state-sponsored terrorism. This would not be the first such case in Europe, as Europe has seen incidents of this kind before. However, in Poland it would be the first case of a politically motivated assassination carried out on behalf of a foreign state.”

Since it invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been accused of trying to assassinate its opponents abroad, including targeting exiled activists in France and Lithuania.

Officials in Germany have also broken up plots targeting the head of a German weapons supplier to Ukraine and a Ukrainian military official.

Polish authorities arrested a man in 2024 in what they said was a plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. That same year, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected was killed in Spain, with Russian operatives as the prime suspects.

A city's push for facial recognition on public buses ignites debate over security and privacy

Jeff Mcmurray, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:06:27 +0000

Officials in Kansas City, Missouri, are preparing to equip cameras on some public buses with facial recognition software capable of identifying passengers who appear on a list of banned riders or missing persons.

Supporters and opponents alike view the effort as a major litmus test for tapping the AI-powered software on a U.S. public transportation system, positioning Kansas City as the latest epicenter of a fierce debate over whether the safety benefits of artificial intelligence are worth the privacy costs.

“The idea of running face recognition on a camera that is pointed on live spaces in public is a line that until recently has never really been crossed in the last 25 years,” said Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst for the Project on Speech, Privacy and Technology at the American Civil Liberties Union.

The state of Missouri declined to help fund the project as expected due to concerns with the facial recognition component. Still, the city is pushing ahead with local and federal money, said Tyler Means, chief mobility and strategy officer at the Kansas City Transportation Authority.

“Privacy is always a tricky thing,” Means said. “We’ve always had cameras on our buses. It’s just new technology. I think in time it’ll smooth over and people will realize, ‘Well, it didn’t really feel any different.’”

Cameras that recognize a face

SafeSpace Global, the Knoxville, Tennessee-based company partnering with Kansas City to run the cameras, started using live facial recognition years ago to alert nursing homes when residents left the building, then brought the technology to correctional institutions and schools. Kansas City’s buses represent the company’s inaugural venture in transportation.

Images captured by cameras aboard the buses would immediately be checked against any active alerts, generated when a missing person, banned rider or someone on a law enforcement watch list designated by the transportation authority is identified.

If no match or safety issue is detected, the facial data won't be retained. After the buses return to the depot, the transportation authority would archive the regular video footage on a local server for up to five years.

“It’s not sitting there filming all the time,” SafeSpace Global CEO Scott Boruff said. “It just captures the face and goes away.”

But Stanley with the ACLU warned that it's nearly impossible to limit the scope of a surveillance project when artificial intelligence is involved.

“It may be used for a very narrow watch list today, but there are very good reasons to think it’ll expand over time,” he said.

Backers of the effort point out that security cameras are already found nearly everywhere — even on Kansas City's buses — and some law enforcement agencies have used facial recognition software to identify suspects spotted on video.

Cameras with other types of AI-powered software have been installed on public buses and school buses in other cities to read the license plates of nearby vehicles and ticket the ones spotted committing infractions such as illegally parking in a bus lane. Privacy advocates are concerned about those devices as well, but they're particularly alarmed by cameras that could actively record faces even when no crime is committed.

“City residents should not be guinea pigs for transit systems to test Silicon Valley’s latest unproven, biased surveillance tech,” said Will Owen, communications director for the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project.

Lessons from elsewhere

Shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, police in Tampa, Florida, used facial recognition cameras in the Ybor City neighborhood to search for crime suspects, but there was immediate opposition and the program was soon abandoned, Stanley said.

More recently, New Orleans police secretly relied on facial recognition surveillance cameras run by a private company despite a city ordinance prohibiting the technology, The Washington Post reported last year. Although the program was believed to have been paused, Stanley wrote a report for the ACLU last month that found it was still operating in some capacity, citing emails an activist obtained through an open records request.

Detroit partnered with some gas stations and liquor stores in 2016 to install high-definition cameras that relayed live feeds of violent crimes directly to the police department. But after a New York Times investigation found footage was paired with facial recognition software to make arrests, some of the accused filed successful lawsuits claiming they were wrongly targeted due to faulty technology that misidentified Black suspects.

James Craig, the police chief at the time, said officials felt the backlash and changed the rules over how facial recognition could be used without scrapping the program entirely. But he still advocates for the technology, provided it’s used correctly, and says it would be a shame for cities to abandon one of their best tools for securing the streets.

“If the police department or the city doesn’t have the insights to build in strong policies, transparent policies and accountability, the knee jerk reaction is, ‘Well, let’s just ban it,’” Craig said.

KC delays rollout, eyes ‘bigger’ plan

The cameras were expected to be installed on Kansas City's buses this spring, but organizers halted the effort just before launch, derailing hopes that they would be up and running in time for the World Cup matches the city began hosting this week.

The delay was partly technical — a need to upgrade Wi-Fi routers to support both the cameras and a new fare collection system on the buses — and partly financial due to state government funding falling through, illustrating the headwinds U.S. cities often encounter when seeking to deploy facial recognition.

Despite the delays, Means said he's confident the program will launch this year and “a little bit bigger” than initially planned, with potentially as many as 30 buses instead of the nine that had been planned under the pilot.

Boruff, the SafeSpace Global CEO, said the company is ready to start installing the Kansas City cameras as soon as the money comes through, although it'll likely take three to four months to configure the software for the city's specific needs.

Ryana Parks-Shaw, a City Council member serving as mayor pro tem, said she's not disappointed that the rollout has been delayed.

“I think they need to take their time and do it right,” Parks-Shaw said. “I believe that any use of this kind of technology must be approached carefully, transparently and with clear guardrails.”

As for securing buses during the World Cup without the facial recognition cameras, Means said the reconfigured plan includes up to 40 more officers patrolling stops and transit centers.

“We're kind of going old school to address what we hoped the technology would do,” he said.

How Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley, a ‘tight end guy,’ plans increased role for position

Aaron Wilson — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:20:06 +0000

For a creative offensive mind with a strong background that included working with New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski, Nick Caley operated last season with a hand tied behind his back.

Due to injuries, though, the Texans offensive coordinator and former Patriots tight ends and fullbacks coach and Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach and pass game specialist didn’t get to run his entire strategy to incorporate his ideas.

Veteran starting tight end Dalton Schultz was sidelined for the Texans’ AFC divisional round playoff loss to New England due to a strained calf. Tight end Cade Stover missed a large chunk of the season after breaking his foot against the Rams in the opening game. And Brevin Jordan tore his patellar tendon during a training camp practice. The Texans had to deploy offensive tackle Blake Fisher as their primary blocking tight end.

While Schultz caught a career-high 82 passes, Caley had bigger plans at tight end. Now, he’s planning an increased role for the tight ends. That means more double tight end, triple tight end and perhaps even split back formations for running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks.

The Texans utilized 12 personnel on 24.26 percent of their offensive snaps last season. They were in 11 personnel -- one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers - 58.11 percent of the time. And they were in 21 personnel -- heavy formations -- 17.63 percent of the time.

“I am a little bit biased there because of my background with tight ends, but you remember it is important,” Caley said. “I think you always want to be multiple. To nobody’s fault, last year we got thinned out pretty early with Brev prior to us ever getting to the season. Cade goes down in the fourth quarter of the Rams game for call it two-thirds of the season, and we’re in the jumbo world a lot.

“We want to be multiple. We want to have balance, 11, 12s, 13s, 20, etcetera, and I think that’s always good to be able to do those things. So, that’s important. We’ve got a really good group of receivers. We’ve got a really good group of backs. We’ve got a really good group at tight end now, too, and we’re healthy. So, it’s been a lot of fun just trying to mix those groupings here and evolve that.”

Nick Caley at a press conference with DeMeco Ryans

Since last season, the Texans signed a healthy Schultz to a one-year, $12.6 million extension, signed former New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau and drafted University of Michigan tight end and Germany native Marlin Klein in the second round.

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 30: Marlin Klein #17 of the Michigan Wolverines makes a touchdown reception against the New Mexico Lobos at Michigan Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)

Moreau’s arrival also brings a connection to Las Vegas, a market closely associated with sports and online gaming platforms such as cafecasino lv.

That gives Caley options from a receiving and blocking standpoint.

“Cales is a tight end guy,” Schultz said. “He’s always trying something. There are always little wrinkles like, ‘Hey, let’s do this out of this formation. Let’s try this out of this. Let’s motion it.’ I don’t think he goes to bed without thinking about ball, I don’t think he can turn it off.

“We’re always coming in, mixing stuff up. He’s really good about letting us know, ‘Hey, on this, let’s do this different.’ That’s been fun, where you can get away with trying some of that. You’ve got a little bit more time to spend on stuff like that.”

Moreau has added an experienced presence and an outspoken, trash-talking voice to the offense. He has been mentoring the younger players.

Stover has fully recovered from offseason hernia surgery.

Jordan has regained his speed after rehabbing from the patellar tendon tear.

“We’re not quite there yet,” Schultz said. “We’ll see when the reins come off everybody, but I’m excited. We have a very well-rounded room and a bunch of guys that do a lot of different stuff really well. I think Foster has been a great addition for us, just bringing the energy, the juice.

“He’s a classic Louisiana kid, chirping everything all the time. We need that, especially on offense. We need that sort of thing. I think our room has come together nicely. We’ll continue to work and to get better and show that we can contribute in many different ways in this offense.”

The Texans, with new tight ends coach James Ferentz, a former Texans and Patriots center and the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, want to employ more of a roll-up-their sleeves, hard-nosed approach to blocking this season.

“It’s hard because, as a tight end, you’re asked to do everything,” Schultz said. “You constantly have to be working on everything. I know that’s not the best answer or the easiest thing to do. It’s hard when you’re asked to pass block against Will Anderson. It’s hard when you’re asked to run block against Danielle Hunter. It’s hard when you’re asked to go one-on-one against Derek Stingley. You’re asked to do all these things and all the different facets.

“I think with Ferentz coming in, he has a really good kind of offensive line, physical run blocking background. I’m hoping through some of that work, that’ll kind of allow a little bit more growth in the run game, for me specifically. Just by working through some of those fundamentals and techniques that is just a different view and a focal point than what I think we’re used to technique-wise.”

Klein strained his hamstring during organized team activities and was sidelined for the Texans’ minicamp. He is expected to make a full recovery for training camp.

“Good athlete, he’s a big dude, he moves well,” Schultz said. “I think in this offense, specifically, you are asked to do everything. Knowing where to be and where to line up and how to execute is like a big hurdle. It’s a big learning curve.

“I think as a young guy, being able to soak that up and to get that information and use it well and able to go out and actually line up and execute at full speed, it’s hard to do. So far, I think he’s done a good job of that. Training Camp kind of is the true test of putting the pads on and figuring out like when the bullets are flying. We’ll see. I’m excited for him.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com

U.S. Supreme Court unanimously sides with Texas man, rules it’s not a crime for marijuana users to have guns

Texas Tribune, By Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:59:58 +0000

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court sided Thursday with a Texas marijuana user who wants to legally own a firearm, the latest in a line of firearm cases from a court that has expanded gun rights.

The justices, in a unanimous decision, sided with Ali Danial Hemani, who argued that a law barring guns from anyone who uses drugs illegally violates the Second Amendment. Hemani wasn’t charged with any other crimes or accused of using the weapon under the influence.

The decision is a loss for President Donald Trump’s Republican administration, which had defended the 1968 law despite arguing against other gun restrictions. The measure was also used in a case against Hunter Biden, who was convicted in Wilmington, Delaware, of buying a gun while addicted to cocaine in 2018. He was later pardoned by his father, then-President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

The opinion is the latest in a series of firearm cases to reach the Supreme Court since a landmark ruling expanding gun rights in 2022 led to a wave of challenges around the country.

The legality and use of cannabis, meanwhile, has also shifted significantly in recent years. More than half of U.S. states have now legalized it broadly, and it’s gained widespread use for health purposes.

Recreational use remains illegal on a federal level, however, even after the Trump administration reclassified medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in April.

It’s rare to see standalone criminal charges filed against people accused of owning guns and using drugs. The charge is more often filed against people also accused of other crimes.

The case made for some unusual political alliances. The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Rifle Association both supported Hemani’s case, as did cannabis legalization groups like NORML. On the other side were gun safety groups like Everytown that usually oppose the Trump administration on Second Amendment issues.

Two sides of a political chasm share one fear in Colombia’s presidential race: A return to the past

Megan Janetsky And Astrid Suárez, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:14:27 +0000

The memories of Colombia’s six decades of armed conflict are still like open wounds etched on its victims’ bodies and minds.

For Blanca Nubia Monroy, it’s a black-and-white scale of justice tattooed on her forearm, identical to the one used to identify her 19-year-old son's body after he was kidnapped and killed by Colombian soldiers in 2008.

For Sigifredo López, it's flashbacks from the seven years he was held captive by guerrillas in the South American country's dense jungles and the trauma of surviving after his companions were massacred in 2007.

Both have radically different views of who should win Colombia’s presidency on Sunday, with Monroy throwing her support behind peace activist Iván Cepeda and López backing Trump-endorsed Abelardo de la Espriella, who has promised a scourge on crime.

But their fear is the same: Returning to a more violent past.

“It all takes a toll, both physically and emotionally,” said López. “Emotionally, there’s the fear that still simmers deep down, something you don’t openly express, the fear that everything we’ve already lived through could happen again.”

Polarization ‘brewing for decades’

In Colombia’s most polarized presidential election in years, voters will choose between de la Espriella and Cepeda – two candidates with sharply different visions for how to find peace in a country long marked by war.

The armed struggle between Marxist guerrillas, Colombian military forces and right-wing paramilitaries has resulted in more than 10 million people — one in five Colombians — becoming victims of conflict, according to a government registry documenting killings, kidnappings, forced displacement and more.

The trauma of war and the fight for peace are embedded in Colombian politics. Despite a 2016 peace pact with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas, conflict rages in many parts of the Andean nation, becoming a defining theme in Sunday's vote.

Polarization within Colombian society over how to handle violence has “been brewing for decades,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, Bogotá-based deputy Latin America director of International Crisis Group.

“Increasingly on both sides, there's an us and a them. That's very dangerous in a country like Colombia with a long history of political violence. ... The spark could light at any moment."

On one side is Cepeda, who has pledged to continue Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” agenda of negotiating peace pacts with a range of criminal groups, from drug mafias to insurgent fighters. That strategy sought to rewire how Colombia deals with conflict, but has largely failed, stoking a rebuke as armed groups have taken advantage of ceasefires to grow in strength.

On the other is de la Espriella, a lawyer who has promised an all-out offensive on crime, echoing El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s war on gangs. While Bukele’s crackdown has drawn attention across the region for sharply cutting homicide rates, it also fueled allegations of human rights abuses.

Fears of state violence

The 67-year-old Monroy is reminded of the civilian toll from past military offensives every time she thinks of her son, Julián Oviedo Monroy, or looks at the tattoo on her arm.

Her son, who had dreamed of joining Colombia’s military to lift his family out of poverty, disappeared in 2008 along with other poor young men on the fringes of Bogotá. Months later, his body was unearthed in a clandestine grave in the conflict-torn northeast. His body was identified by his tattoo.

“It’s like still having him here,” she said, looking down at the tattoo she got as an homage to her son and his photo that she keeps in her wallet.

Monroy's son became one of 6,402 victims in one of the worst atrocities of Colombia’s conflict. Colombian military officers carried out extrajudicial executions against civilians in a scandal known as “false positives” carried out largely between 2002–2008 under ex-President Álvaro Uribe. Officials then falsely said the murdered civilians were enemy combatants killed in the war with FARC rebels.

Around a dozen high-ranking security officers later acknowledged they killed Monroy's son and asked for forgiveness in a peace tribunal established after the 2016 peace pact to unearth the ugly truths of the war — a court that de la Espriella has promised to dismantle.

Monroy criticized the mounting violence under incumbent president Petro, saying Cepeda would have to come down with a heavier hand on criminal groups.

But what outweighed her criticism was fear of the military campaign promised by de la Espriella, who has vowed to wipe out “anyone who I’ve declared a military target like cockroaches, like rats.”

“God willing, this man doesn’t come to power, because ‘false positives’ will become a reality again,” she said of de la Espriella.

‘Colombia is being kidnapped’

For López, 62, the fear is returning to the “hell” he lived in for seven years from 2002-2009 when he was kidnapped by FARC guerrillas and held captive in the jungles they controlled.

López was working as a local assemblyman in western Colombia at a time when the rebels had declared politicians military targets. They kidnapped him and 11 other lawmakers.

López was being held in solitary confinement in 2007 when his companions were massacred by rebels. He heard the gunshots echo over the rebel camp, a memory that haunts him. The case turned López into a symbol — a survivor of the FARC's kidnapping of over 21,000 people over five decades of conflict.

Now in Cali, the city where he was kidnapped, he lives with a state-appointed security detail because of threats against his life. He's watched with fear over the past four years as violence has mounted. Because of that, López, a self-declared leftist, said de la Espriella has his support.

“Colombia is being kidnapped,” López said. “I’m with Abelardo because his priority is to restore safety to Colombians. He understands ‘total peace’ isn’t won by negotiating with criminals, but by exercising the legitimate force of the state.”

Under current president Petro, armed groups have used weapons like drones to wage war, bombings have racked up a civilian toll and one presidential candidate was assassinated in June 2025. In May, the International Red Cross said the impact of armed conflict on civilians in Colombia over the past year had reached the worst point in a decade.

This week, the country's largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), announced a temporary ceasefire in order to not interfere in Colombia's elections. Other criminal groups made no such promises.

With the wave of violence, López said, “victims are being revictimized."

Just as Monroy fears what could come from a sharp swerve to the right, López worries about what could happen if Colombia continues on its current path.

“My fear is for the new generation, that the same thing that happened to me could happen to them if the country keeps being handed over to guerrillas and organized crime,” López said.

___

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Woman accused of stealing jewelry from the dead at a mausoleum in west Houston

Ninfa Saavedra — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:58:16 +0000

Harris County Precinct 5 Constables are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman accused of burglarizing a mausoleum at a west Houston cemetery.

According to Precinct 5 Constable Terry Allbritton, surveillance video captured a woman opening glass cases containing cremated remains at a cemetery along the Katy Freeway near North Eldridge Parkway.

Investigators say the woman stole jewelry and other valuables from inside the mausoleum.

The surveillance footage also shows the woman accompanied by a toddler during the incident, authorities said.

Deputies believe the suspect may be connected to at least one other theft reported earlier this year at the same cemetery.

The woman is described as being between 30 and 45 years old and having tattoos on her back.

Officials released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking anyone who recognizes her or has information about the case to contact Precinct 5 investigators.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Texas History: The story of Juneteenth in Houston and its significance to Black communities across the US

Carlos Hernandez — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 02:39:01 +0000

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news that the war had ended and enslaved people had been freed more than two years earlier by the Emancipation Proclamation.

On June 21, 1865, the Tri-Weekly Telegraph reported Gen. Granger traveled from New Orleans to Texas to deliver his first five orders issued by the United States.

Portrait of Brigadier General Gordon Granger

One of the orders included Order Number 3, which read, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freed are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

General Oder, No. 3 clipping from June 19, 1865

According to our history books, on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.”

Since the Civil War was still underway when the proclamation was signed, those states that seceded from the Union, including Texas, did not adhere to the Proclamation. The Civil War ended in April of 1865, and that’s when Gen. Granger and his troops traveled to Galveston to deliver this new executive of the United States.

Texas was the last state to see it’s enslaved populations freed. It took 2.5 years after the proclamation for approximately 250,000 slaves in Texas to be freed that June 19, after 250 years of unspeakable human misery.

Although the first celebrations were more of political rallies, it wasn’t until 1867 after Texas’s emancipation when Juneteenth was marked by festivities.

[Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900] hosted by The Portal to Texas History

Throughout Texas, communities of formerly enslaved people celebrated the remembrance through formal thanksgiving ceremonies, parades, and events. According to the Texas State Historical Association , this became part of the calendar of public events by 1872 under the direction of the Freedmen’s Bureau.

[Emancipation Day Celebration band, June 19, 1900] hosted by The Portal to Texas History

That same year, a new tradition would begin in our own city. In 1872, former slave Rev. Jack Yates along with a few other community members, who were also former slaves, united to raise $1,000 to purchase ten acres of parkland to host Juneteenth celebrations. This land on Dowling Street became known as Emancipation Park.

However, the magnitude of Juneteenth celebrations declined through the years due to economic and cultural forces. During the 1970’s late Houston Democrat Rep. Al Edwards introduced a bill calling for Juneteenth to become state holiday. It wasn’t until 1979 when Governor Wililam P. Clement Jr. signed into law, becoming the first state to recognize “Emancipation Day” as an official holiday.

Today Juneteenth celebrations spread all across the country. Several institutions and museums like the Smithsonian have even sponsored Juneteenth activities.

Every June 19, thousands of Houstonians continue to visit Emancipation Park every year in the celebration commemorating the end of slavery in Texas.

U.S. filings for unemployment benefits fall to 226,000 last week as layoffs remain historically low

Matt Ott, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:43:30 +0000

The number of Americans applying for jobless aid fell modestly last week as layoffs remained in the same historically low range of recent years.

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits in the week ending June 13 dropped by 4,000 to 226,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s in line with the 225,000 new applications forecast by analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet.

Weekly filings for unemployment benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.

Despite concerns that the conflict in the Middle East would further squeeze a flagging labor market, hiring has picked up in recent months following a miserable 2025 that saw fewer than 200,000 job gains. For comparison, about 1.5 million jobs were added in 2024.

U.S. employers delivered a surprising 172,000 new jobs in May and the economy is averaging 188,000 job gains in the three months since the Iran war began in late February. That’s the best three months of hiring since early 2024. The unemployment rate remains historically low at 4.3%.

Job openings also rose in April as employers posted 7.6 million vacancies, up from 6.9 million in March and the most since May 2024.

The government reported last week that rising gas prices — triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz off Iran’s southern border — pushed U.S. consumer inflation in May to 4.2%, its highest level in three years. Despite recent declines, prices for oil and gas remain elevated, which can squeeze consumers’ budgets and make businesses think twice about hiring.

Earlier this week, Iran and the U.S. agreed to a deal to end the war and allow Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and sell its oil without restrictions.

Lower interest rates can boost the economy and hiring, but also tend to stoke inflation, leading a number of Fed policymakers to say they are actually willing to consider at least one interest rate hike this year. That could potentially help bring inflation down, but higher borrowing costs generally make businesses more reluctant to hire.

Optimism over artificial intelligence has also injected a degree of uncertainty about the job market due to the investment required to develop it and because the powerful technology could alter or even replace some jobs.

Among the companies that have cut jobs recently are Verizon, UPS, Amazon, Disney, Starbucks and Walmart.

Weekly jobless aid applications have stabilized in a range mostly between 200,000 and 250,000 since the U.S. economy emerged from the pandemic recession. However, hiring began slowing about two years ago and tapered further in 2025 due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, his purge of the federal workforce and the lingering effects of high interest rates meant to control inflation.

The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claims, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, rose by 4,000 to 223,250.

The total number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the previous week ending June 6 rose by 24,000 to 1.81 million, slightly more than analysts predicted.

A special election in the UK could hasten the rise of Andy Burnham and the end for Keir Starmer

Jill Lawless, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:45 +0000

Keir Starmer isn’t on the ballot, but the U.K. prime minister’s future is on the line in a special election on Thursday.

Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England are electing a new lawmaker, and the leading contender is Andy Burnham of the governing Labour Party, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and oddsmakers’ favorite to be the next prime minister.

If Burnham defeats a candidate from the anti-immigration party Reform UK and wins the seat for Labour, he’s almost certain to challenge the embattled Starmer for leadership of the party, and the country.

Burnham has pledged that “if people put their trust in me, I will change politics” — a big promise for a politician who, if he wins, will be just one of 650 lawmakers in the House of Commons.

But the scores of journalists from around the world who have flocked to Makerfield during the campaign are evidence that this is no normal by-election.

In an election-day video, Burnham said he would take the fight for change “as high as I can possibly take it.”

Polls close at 10 p.m. (2100GMT), with results due early Friday.

Starmer struggles since landslide win

About 75,000 people are eligible to vote in Makerfield, a constituency that encompasses several towns and villages on the edge of Greater Manchester, 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of London.

They hold in their hands the fate of Starmer, whose popularity has cratered since he led the center-left Labour Party to a landslide election victory in July 2024.

Starmer’s government has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living, and been hamstrung by repeated missteps, including his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as the U.K. ambassador to the United States.

A dismal performance in May’s local elections spurred scores of Labour lawmakers to demand Starmer’s resignation. He has refused to budge, but senior colleagues are trying to force a change. Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary in May, saying that “where we need vision, we have a vacuum.”

Then Josh Simons, the Labour lawmaker for Makerfield, stepped down to trigger a special election and give Burnham the chance to return to Parliament.

Britain’s parliamentary system allows governing parties to change leader midterm, with the winner becoming prime minister without the need for a national election. Under Labour rules, a lawmaker can challenge the leader if they have backing from a fifth of the party’s House of Commons lawmakers — a number that stands at 81.

Streeting said Tuesday that he hopes Starmer will agree to step down, but that if he doesn’t, “there will need to be a contest, and I would be prepared to do that.”

A Burnham victory will pile pressure on Starmer to quit

Streeting is an assured communicator with a base of support among parliamentary colleagues, but Burnham is considered the more likely successor.

The 56-year-old politician nicknamed the “King of the North” has led Manchester since 2017, overseeing rapid regeneration for the city where the Industrial Revolution was forged. Burnham is pledging to repeat his signature brand of “Manchesterism” on a national scale.

“It’s not right, the way the country has been run,” Burnham said on the campaign trail last week, claiming “London-centric politics” has failed other regions of the U.K.

Starmer, meanwhile, has tried to keep calm and carry on, insisting during a G7 summit in France this week that he has no intention of leaving his post.

“I will fight if there’s a challenge,” he said. “We won a significant general election result in 2024, with a mandate to bring about change. I’m not going to walk away from that.”

Starmer suggested that he could offer Burnham a Cabinet post if he wins, telling Sky News on Wednesday that “I want him to have a big role in government.” Allies of Burnham indicated that he wasn’t interested.

Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester, said that if Burnham wins convincingly, “the pressure on Starmer will be very hard to resist.

“Starmer can say all that he likes that he wants to carry on,” Ford said. “But if the entire Cabinet turns around and says, ‘We’re not going to serve under you and we think you should go,’ then either he’ll go with dignity or go without dignity, but he’ll end up having to go quite quickly.”

Reform UK poses a challenge to Labour

Burnham’s victory isn't a given. The Makerfield area has elected Labour lawmakers for more than a century, but Reform UK has rapidly gained ground in post-industrial northern England, winning big in local elections last month.

Reform candidate Rob Kenyon, a local plumber, is hoping to tap into concerns about immigration — frequently expressed by voters despite relatively low numbers of immigrants in Makerfield. But Reform faces a challenge from Restore, an even more hard-line, anti-immigration and ethnonationalist party to its right.

A Burnham victory would be bad news for Starmer. But Ford said that a Reform win in Makerfield would spell “Gotterdammerung, apocalypse, disaster, chaos” for the Labour Party.

“Andy Burnham is miles more popular than every other (leadership) candidate available. Miles better known, miles better liked,” he said.

“If Reform take him out, then simultaneously you have a situation where the Reform threat looks much graver, and the best person available to combat the Reform threat has failed.”

Remembrance Park planned along Buffalo Bayou to honor legacy of African Americans

Christian Hudspeth — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:44:27 +0000

A new public space planned for downtown Houston aims to become a national destination for remembrance, reflection and learning along the banks of Buffalo Bayou.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis is set to unveil concept designs for Remembrance Park, a 5.8-acre project described as a first-of-its-kind, multi-sensory park dedicated to understanding the legacy of enslavement, oppression and freedom movements in the United States — and how those legacies connect to inequities that persist today.

Aerial view rendering of Remembrance Park

Harris County Commissioners approved a plan to transform Quebedeaux Park and the surrounding block into a memorial center back in 2020 — culminating to the planned Remembrance Park.

Organizers say the new park will connect three city blocks with art, native landscaping and shaded gathering areas, weaving together history and nature through a series of themed spaces intended to immerse visitors in the ongoing pursuit of freedom and justice.

Houston residents celebrate Juneteenth 2026 with celebration at Emancipation Park

“Remembrance Park is about remembering honestly and carrying that memory forward,” Ellis said in a statement. “This project will transform a place shaped by history into an inclusive greenspace for reflection, learning and gathering.”

Juneteenth gathering includes unveiling of lynching markers

The announcement comes as Ellis’ office plans a Juneteenth community gathering on Saturday, June 20, featuring a concept design presentation and the unveiling of historical markers honoring four men who were lynched in Harris County between 1890 and 1928.

The markers will honor John Walton, Bert Smith, John White and Robert Powell. The project is inspired in part by the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project, which works with communities to document and memorialize victims of racial terror lynchings.

What Remembrance Park could include

Witness Grove rendering

Organizers have planned eight interconnected spaces that will form the park’s visitor experience. Key features include:

Witness Grove — an entry space framed by mature live oaks, benches and a mist fountain designed for visitors to pause and prepare.
Memory Pavilion — a sunken sculpture garden on the former site of The Rice Home and Plantation, described as a place to “sit with history before moving through it.”
Hush Harbor Gardens — a network of gardens named for secret gathering spaces where enslaved people worshipped and found fellowship, reimagined here as shaded areas with sculpture, seating and water.
Remembrance Courtyard — a gateway space anchored by the “REMEMBER” sign, dogwoods and seating.
Cypress Grove — a stormwater-collecting depression designed to evoke Buffalo Bayou’s pre-development landscape.
Canopy — a structure spanning the site, shifting between shading roof, pergola and overlook pavilion and serving as a canvas for art and interpretive storytelling.
Bayou Mirror — a sheet of reflective water intended to connect visitors to the bayou and, when drained for performances, reveal imagery tied to African American faith and resilience.
Bayou Overlook and Terraces — switchback walkways leading down to the bayou trail with views back toward downtown.

Organizers say the park’s layout is also intended to support the Downtown Houston Public Realm Action Plan, which calls for a more walkable, connected and vibrant downtown.

Upper Deck rendering

Unveiling details

Ellis’ office said the public presentation will take place at the Harris County Administration Building at 1001 Preston Street on Saturday. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

Looking for a job? Daikin plans to hire about 400 workers at Waller career fair

Ninfa Saavedra — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:37:19 +0000

Job seekers in the Houston area will have an opportunity to land a new job this week as Daikin hosts one of its largest hiring events of the year.

The company says it is looking to fill approximately 400 production team member positions during a career fair at its Daikin Technology Park facility in Waller.

Houston transitions to a scorching forecast in the wake of Tropical Storm Arthur

The event will feature on-the-spot scheduling and immediate hiring opportunities for qualified candidates.

According to Daikin, production team members will start at $14.66 per hour and receive benefits beginning on their first day of employment. The company also highlighted opportunities for career advancement within the organization.

Career fair details

Daikin Technology Park Career Fair

Date: Friday, June 19, 2026

Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: 19001 Kermier Road, Waller, TX 77484

What job seekers can expect

Daikin says attendees can take advantage of:

Immediate hiring opportunities for production team members
On-the-spot scheduling
Starting pay of $14.66 per hour
Benefits beginning on day one
Opportunities for career growth and advancement

The hiring event comes as many employers across the Houston area continue to look for workers in manufacturing and production roles.

Job seekers interested in attending are encouraged to arrive prepared and ready to discuss employment opportunities with hiring managers.

For more information about careers with Daikin, visit the company’s careers website.

Bank of England holds main interest rate at 3.75% as Iran war inflation pressures ease

Pan Pylas, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:04:35 +0000

The Bank of England has held its main interest rate at 3.7% as the inflation pressures on the British economy have become more benign after the U.S. and Iran signed a deal to sign deal to end their war.

Thursday’s decision was widely anticipated after figures showed inflation did not rise as had been expected in May, holding steady instead at 2.8%.

Though that remains above the bank’s target of 2%, it raised hopes that the upward pressure on prices emanating from the spike in oil and gas prices after the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28 may have been less than anticipated.

Economists think rate-setters will opt against hiking rates over coming months, but only if the recent fall in energy prices is sustained. The pressure on central banks since the outbreak of hostilities in the Persian Gulf has been to raise rates. The European Central Bank hiked last week while on Wednesday, half of the policymakers at the U.S. Federal Reserve said that they could support a rate hike later this year.

Andrew Bailey, the Bank of England governor, said the recent decline in oil prices has been “encouraging” while noting they are still higher than before the war, a steer to markets that higher U.K. borrowing costs are possible.

“Whatever happens in the future, the higher energy prices of the past four months mean there’s already some inflationary pressure in the pipeline,” he said. “The Bank’s job is to make sure that doesn’t turn into sustained inflation above our 2% target.”

Two of the nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee remain concerned enough about those pipeline pressures that they voted for a quarter-point increase.

Because of the recent pullback in oil and gas prices, the bank has trimmed its forecast for inflation in the final quarter of the year to 3.25%. The hope is that inflation then starts to drop next year, freeing up the bank to cut rates, allowing mortgage lenders to offer cheaper home loans.

“If energy prices continue to moderate then the debate could once again turn again to rate cuts, but that might have to wait until next year,” said Luke Bartholomew, deputy chief economist at asset management firm Aberdeen.

Taiwan needs US weapons for self-defense as threat from China grows, diplomat tells AP

Didi Tang, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:02:34 +0000

Taiwan needs to purchase American weapons to ensure its self-defense in the face of a growing threat from Beijing, the island's top diplomat in the U.S. said, adding that he has seen no change in Washington's policy toward the self-governing island that China claims as its own.

A $14-billion arms sale package to Taiwan is still in limbo after President Donald Trump returned from Beijing in May and said he had discussed the proposal “in great detail” with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, heightening anxieties in Taiwan and raising concerns among lawmakers on the Capitol Hill.

“We need those arms for defensive purposes,” Alexander Yui Tah-ray, who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday in Washington. “We're trying to increase our defense expenditure. We try to increase our ability to defend ourselves better and survive times of crisis.”

The United States, like most countries, does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country. China prohibits any state it has diplomatic relations with from having formal ties with Taipei. But the U.S. is the island's strongest informal backer and arms provider.

Yui, while not formally an ambassador to the U.S., acts as Taiwan's top envoy in Washington.

The Trump administration has not moved forward with the $14 billion weapons sale proposal approved by senior lawmakers earlier this year. Trump has described the sale as a “very good negotiating chip” with China.

Washington is obligated by domestic law to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to deter aggression from China, which claims sovereignty over the island and vows to seize it, by force if necessary, to achieve what it considers to be unification. Beijing has always opposed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which has never been under China's communist rule.

Taiwanese diplomat says the island won't wait for ‘the U.S. cavalry’

Yui said Taiwan is aware that it must defend its territory.

“This is our responsibility, so we will not wait and depend for the U.S. cavalry to come and save us,” he said. “That’s why we’re willing to acquire, to buy U.S. equipment and arms to make ourselves stronger.”

Yui said the weapons sales need to be “commensurate” to the threat level, which is “actually pretty high” from China.

“First and foremost, we’re not the aggressors. It is the People's Republic of China who is sending all the planes and ships,” he said. “They're the ones huffing and puffing. They are the ones who’s trying to annihilate our freedom and democracy in Taiwan.”

China sends warships and military aircraft near Taiwan almost daily and has conducted major military exercises around the island in recent years.

Beijing sees the island as a core interest and has criticized those supporting Taiwanese independence for causing instability in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan diplomat sees no change in the US position toward the island

Yui stressed that there had been no changes to the U.S. position on Taiwan and that the Taiwanese government will respect the Trump administration's “tempo” in making announcements.

The arms sale has broad support in Congress, with lawmakers raising concerns to Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a hearing this month. Rubio affirmed that U.S. policy on Taiwan has not changed and that Washington does not “consult with the Chinese on these arms deals.”

“We’re aware of their position. They talk about it all the time,” Rubio said of Beijing. “They are not negotiated, and they are not consulted.”

Rubio said the proposal was not held up but under review and that the administration had other factors to weigh.

“It includes the availability of the stocks in the short term,” Rubio said of U.S. weapons stockpiles, which have been drawn down during the Iran war. “We have to balance that with our own procurement process.”

The administration did approve a separate $11 billion arms sale package to Taiwan in December that included high-mobility artillery rocket systems, or HIMARS, and howitzers.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on Thursday told reporters his administration maintains close contact with the U.S.

"We hope the arms purchase from the U.S. can be approved as soon as possible," he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called it “a dead end” for the Taiwanese government to seek independence by relying on the U.S. and through military means. "China’s opposition to American arms sales to Taiwan is consistent and clear," he said.

Yui is navigating the second Trump presidency

Yui arrived in Washington in late 2023 during Joe Biden's presidency. Biden had said several times that he would send troops to the island if Beijing attacked.

Now, Yui is navigating the caprices of the second Trump administration, which has struck a more conciliatory tone with Beijing following an intense trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs.

As much as Trump has raised eyebrows by ignoring a Reagan-era promise not to agree to prior consultation with Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan, he also said he could call Taiwan's President Lai, breaking a decades-long practice that no sitting U.S. president has directly spoken with the leader of the island.

In its national defense strategy published in January, the Pentagon said it seeks to deter China through strength, not confrontation. It says the U.S. “will build, posture, and sustain a strong denial defense” along a strategic line of islands, including Taiwan, to keep China out of the wider Pacific Ocean.

Yui ascribed what appears to be mixed messages to Trump's outside-of-the-box style but expressed confidence in Taiwan-U.S. relations.

“It's important to look at the actions, what is happening, not just the rhetoric,” Yui said. “The big stick is still there.”

___

Associated Press writer Simina Mistreanu in Taipei, Taiwan contributed to this report.

Putin hosts leaders of Southeast Asian nations, seeking to boost their business ties

Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:07:35 +0000

President Vladimir Putin hosted leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Wednesday as Russia seeks to bolster business and other ties with the nations of the regional bloc.

The two-day meeting, being held in Kazan, is set to consider ways to expand Russia’s “strategic partnership” with ASEAN nations that include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam, according to Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.

The regional bloc has maintained relations with Moscow as a “dialogue partner” and engaged Russian officials in annual top-level meetings, he said. The summit in Kazan, on the Volga River, marks the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations.

In a message greeting participants in a business forum held on the sidelines of the summit, Putin said he was confident that it will “create new opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, while also strengthening direct dialogue between our business communities.”

Ushakov said the agenda includes exchanging views on global and regional issues and reviewing efforts to develop Russia-ASEAN ties. He emphasized that the participants are set to underline their adherence to “forming a just and democratic multipolar world order based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

Ushakov praised what he described as “fruitful, equal and constructive dialogue” between Russia and ASEAN.

He told reporters that Putin would have bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders during the summit, which he will co-chair with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country holds the association’s rotating presidency.

Opening a bilateral meeting with Marcos, Putin noted their countries' “mutually beneficial cooperation built on good traditions, mutual respect and consideration of each other’s legitimate interests.”

Marcos thanked Putin for organizing the Russia-ASEAN meeting in Kazan and invited him to the ASEAN summit in Manila in November.

Putin also met with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Russia and ASEAN nations "jointly stand for forming a just world order, defend the principles of sovereign equality of states, (of) non-interference into internal affairs,” Putin said at a formal reception for heads of delegations Wednesday evening.

“All our states follow their own models of development and don't impose their views on anyone. And this is, indeed, our strength," he said. “Russia is ready for continuing active joint work with ASEAN member states with the goal of strengthening strategic partnership, in the interests of ensuring security, well-being and prosperity of our countries and peoples, as well as the Eurasian region as a whole.”

Another bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit was with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who met in Moscow on Tuesday with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

Putin praised Russia's ties with Turkey as “developing steadily,” with contacts between the countries being “truly friendly and being filled with new meaning.” Fidan said the two had multiple issues to discuss.

Some of ASEAN’s diverse member countries, including the Philippines, are seen to be aligned with the United States, while others have heavy trade and security engagements with China and Russia.

Several ASEAN members, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, have either imported Russian crude oil or expressed interest in purchasing it after global fuel prices soared in the wake of the war in Iran.

Impacted by storm damage? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about filing a claim

Dawn Campbell — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:38:08 +0000

Over the years, KPRC 2 has provided information on how to file a claim for hurricane, tornado, flood, and freeze damage. The severe thunderstorms that hit the Houston area Wednesday will once again have people cleaning up and making calls to insurance companies.

We looked at the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) site to gather the most up-to-date information about what residents should do after a storm as well as the most frequently asked questions about disaster claims.

Here are the steps you should take if you will be filing an insurance claim according to TDI:

Call your insurance company or agent as soon as possible, make sure they have your current phone number, and keep a record of everyone you talk to (Ask about advance payment if you need help quickly or living expenses if you can’t stay in your home.)
Take pictures and video of damage, don’t throw anything away until the insurance adjuster says it’s okay
Temporary repairs to prevent additional damage should be made - but don’t make permanent repairs until an adjuster sees the damage
Make sure your address is visible from the street, this may mean putting a sign with your address in the yard
If possible, try to be present when the adjuster visits so you can point out all the damage
Get multiple contractor bids and compare them with the adjuster’s report before settling the claim (TDI offers information about the signs of a contracting scam so you can avoid them)
Keep a list of repairs and save all receipts

One more note directly from TDI: Save proof that you paid the deductible on the claim. A state law makes it illegal for contractors or roofers to offer to waive a deductible or to promise a rebate for your deductible. It also allows insurance companies to request proof, such a receipt or canceled check, that you paid the deductible.

If you still have questions, TDI has a helpline that is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. The number is: 800-252-3439. If you need shelter or emergency food or water, contact the Red Cross at 800-733-2767.

Shelters available

Disaster Relief shelter at the BakerRipley Pasadena Campus

720 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77504

Memorial Baptist Church hosting site

6901 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77505 - Shelter, showers, electricity, food/water, clean-up crews and donations.

Salvation Army Relief Station in Pasadena & Deer Park

- The Salvation Army of Greater Houston announced Wednesday that it has opened a Relief Station in Pasadena, located at the corner of Burke and Yellowstone drives, between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., to provide meals, assistance information and clean-up kits.

- A second Relief Station will be established in Deer Park at the Central Baptist Church located on Center Street and Oak Street in the Oak Street parking lot. Service will begin between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. as well with both locations serving while supplies last.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims of yesterday’s storms and, as we are with all natural disasters, the Salvation Army of Greater Houston is here to help our communities in any way we can.” Said Salvation Army Major Robb Webb, who went on to say “As the citizens of Pasadena, Deer Park and surrounding communities begin the process of rebuilding the homes, businesses and lives, we hope our assistance will make that process easier.”

FAQ from TDI

Full list can be found here: FAQ: Homeowners insurance and disaster claims (texas.gov)

A storm blew my fence down. Will my homeowners pay for the repairs to my fence? - If your policy provides coverage for wind, you likely have some coverage for the fence. Coverage for fences is usually limited to actual cash value. That means your company will deduct depreciation from what it pays. You’ll also have to pay your deductible.

My neighbor’s tree fell on my house. Will my neighbor´s homeowners policy pay for the damage and tree removal? - Probably not, unless your neighbor was at fault. Your neighbor isn’t responsible for acts of nature. If your neighbor’s policy doesn’t pay, you can file a claim under your own policy. (Additional note: Trees and limbs falling in your yard (that don’t damage property) usually aren’t covered. Call your agent or company to ask if your policy will pay.)

A tree fell on my car. Will my auto insurance pay for the damage to my car? - Your auto policy will pay for damages if you have comprehensive coverage. If the tree was your neighbor’s, their homeowners insurance might pay if your neighbor is somehow at fault. If not, their policy likely won’t pay because your neighbor isn’t responsible for an act of nature.

The food in my refrigerator spoiled when the power was out. Will my homeowners policy pay to replace my food? - Most homeowners and renters policies will pay up to $500 or more for spoiled food if the power fails under certain circumstances. Often, there is not a deductible. Take pictures or keep a list of the food that spoiled.

I have insurance. Should I apply for FEMA aid? - Yes, go ahead and apply. If you have insurance of any kind (homeowners, wind, flood), you must use it first. If there is something your insurance doesn’t cover, including temporary housing, FEMA might be able to help.

Will my homeowners company send the claim check straight to me? - If you have a loan on your house, the company will usually send the check to your mortgage company. You’ll then have to work with the mortgage company to get the money released for repairs.

TDI provides answers to even more specific questions

FILING A CLAIM: How do I file a homeowners claim?
TYPES OF HOME INSURANCE: What are the types of home policies?
FLOODED CAR: What should you know about flooded car claims and repairs?
CARBON MONOXIDE: How can you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning at home?
WATER & MOLD DAMAGE: What should you know about water and mold insurance coverage?
CAR TOTALED: What should you know about auto claims if your car was totaled?
ROOF DAMAGE: What do you need to know about filing a claim about roof damage?
CLAIM CONCERNS: What if my insurance isn’t paying enough or has denied a claim?
WINDSTORM: Do your repairs need a windstorm inspection?

Resource links provided by TDI

Search for licensed fire sprinkler repair contractors
Office of Public Insurance Counsel: Check website for tips, call 1-877-611-6742, or email help@opic.texas.gov.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: 877-281-1431 (English) or 866-443-3144 (Español).
National Flood Insurance Program: How to file a claim
Texas FAIR Plan Association: 877-786-5665 (English) or 866-443-6738 (Español).
DisasterAssistance.gov: Apply for FEMA help, check the status of your application, or find a hotel that accepts FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance.
2-1-1 Texas: Call 2-1-1 for help with food, housing, health care, and more.
Windstorm Inspection Program
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Water-damaged vehicles title check
Helping storm victims: A toolkit for community groups
Preventing fraud after a storm: a toolkit for city and county officials

2 Newsletter: In the wake of Tropical Storm Arthur, Houston is bringing in the heat

Christian Hudspeth — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:29:50 +0000

Good morning, Houston. ☀️

If today felt like Houston pressed the “shuffle” button on weather, you’re not imagining it. We’re coming off tropical rains and a flood threat post-Arthur, and we’re pivoting fast into dangerous heat.

Later today, we’ll keep tracking watches/advisories and any new trouble spots on Click2Houston.com—and we’ll continue updates on KPRC 2+, so you can catch up on what you missed and stay on top of what changes in a hurry.

➡️ Love our morning newsletter? Share it with your family and friends!

Weather ⛅

TODAY: 90° TONIGHT: 90°

KPRC Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez says:

“A Heat Advisory goes into effect at 11 AM Thursday and runs through Friday evening, so the dangerous heat is the big story. After some morning clouds left over from Tropical Storm Arthur, skies will clear and temperatures will climb into the mid-90s. But the real concern is the heat index, with dewpoints surging into the upper 70s, it will feel like 108 to 110° during the afternoon hours. The advisory goes through Friday night."

What to do right now (the “Houston starter pack” checklist):

Keep alerts on + know your flood-prone routes.
If you see water over the road: turn around, don’t drown.
Hydrate early (not just once you’re already melting).
Check on neighbors, kids, and pets.
Never leave people or animals in a car—even for “just a minute.”

➡️ Pssst... Anthony’s got more. Check it out here

Get your forecast details here.

Houston’s Top Headlines 📰

FIFA World Cup fans from Europe experience Houston’s brutal heat, humidity for first time

Houston’s summer is elite-level… and FIFA visitors are finding out in real time. Fans from Sweden, England, and beyond told KPRC 2 they were stunned by the city’s brutal heat + humidity at Fan Fest—where mist stations, cooling areas, and hydration stations are doing the heavy lifting.

➡️ More from Corley Peel

US moves to extradite Harris County murder suspect who fled to Italy, authorities say

Attorneys say Italy has received a formal U.S. extradition request for Lee Gilley, who was scheduled for a Harris County capital murder trial in the 2024 death of his pregnant wife, Christa Bauer—before authorities say he cut off an ankle monitor, used forged documents, and fled to Milan.

➡️ More from Bryce Newberry

A Houston goodbye (and a big thank you) 🧡

Thank you, Robert Arnold: KPRC 2 Investigative Reporter signs off after 26 years serving Houston

After 26 years at KPRC 2 (and 31 years in journalism), investigative reporter Robert Arnold is signing off—his last day is Friday, June 19.

Arnold has set the bar for accountability reporting, helping launch “The Evidence Room,” and covering 31 named storms that hit the Gulf Coast. He is a friend to us all. Thank you for 26 incredible years!

Thank you, Robert Arnold

⚽ World Cup watch (Texas edition)

Houston and Texas keep popping up as the World Cup rolls on:

HOUSTON: Congolese and Portugal fans react to historic 1-1 draw at FIFA World Cup 2026

ARLINGTON: Harry Kane ties England’s record for World Cup goals in 4-2 win over Croatia

Things 2 Know 💡

LIST: What’s open and closed in Houston, Texas on Juneteenth 2026

Headed to Houston Stadium or FIFA Fan Fest? How you can park for $1

Fort Bend County to conduct aerial mosquito spraying amid public health emergency

Share your Pins! 📷

See a news story in your neighborhood? Capture a great weather moment? Just want to share a photo of your pet? Send your photos and videos to Click2Pins, and you may see them on air and online!

Don’t miss a minute

We’re tracking your forecast, bringing you traffic solutions, and covering important news LIVE from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on KPRC 2 and the KPRC 2+ livestream. Join us today!

Need a break from the Texas heat? Reliant offering free cooling centers and assistance across Houston area

Ninfa Saavedra — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:24:03 +0000

As temperatures climb across Southeast Texas, Reliant is once again helping residents beat the heat by providing access to cooling centers and other resources throughout the Houston area.

The energy company’s annual Beat the Heat program offers relief for seniors, people with disabilities, and families who may not have adequate cooling at home. The initiative includes cooling centers, portable air conditioner assistance programs, and financial support for eligible customers struggling to pay electricity bills.

Houston transitions to a scorching forecast in the wake of Tropical Storm Arthur

In Houston, residents can find cooling centers through partnerships with the Houston Health Department, Harris County Precinct 2, Community Family Centers and Tejano Center. The locations provide air-conditioned spaces where people can cool off during periods of extreme heat.

Headed to Houston Stadium or FIFA Fan Fest? How you can park for $1

According to Reliant, its portable air conditioner program helps eligible seniors, individuals with disabilities and families who do not have the means to cool their homes. Houston residents can also sign up for AlertHouston notifications to receive updates when emergency cooling centers open.

Some Houston-area cooling center locations include:

Acres Homes Multi-Service Center - 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.Houston, TX 77091
Alief Neighborhood Center - 11903 Bellaire Blvd.Houston, TX 77072
Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center - 6402 Market St.Houston, TX 77007
Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center - 3810 W. Fuqua St.Houston, TX 77045
Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center - 4410 Reed Rd.Houston, TX 77051
Third Ward Multi-Service Center - 3611 Ennis St.Houston, TX 77004
West End Multi-Service Center - 170 Heights Blvd.Houston, TX 77007
Kashmere Multi-Service Center - 4802 Lockwood Dr.Houston, TX 77026
Magnolia Multi-Service Center - 7037 Capitol St.Houston, TX 77011
Northeast Multi-Service Center - 9720 Spaulding St.Houston, TX 77016

Additional cooling locations are available through Harris County Precinct 2 community centers in Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, Channelview and Seabrook.

Residents in need of an air conditioning unit may also qualify for assistance through Harris County Precinct 2’s air conditioner program. Information is available by calling 713-274-2222.

Reliant also offers financial assistance through its CARE program, which helps qualifying customers facing hardship pay their electricity bills. Since 2002, the company says it has provided more than $18 million in statewide assistance through agency partners.

Heat safety tips

Officials recommend taking precautions during periods of extreme heat, including:

Drinking plenty of water
Limiting outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day
Wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing
Taking cool showers or baths
Checking on elderly relatives, neighbors and friends
Monitoring how medications may be affected by heat exposure

Residents can find a complete list of cooling center locations and eligibility information through Reliant’s Beat the Heat program.

An old well began gushing oilfield wastewater in a West Texas church parking lot, sparking a costly cleanup

Texas Tribune, By Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate News — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This story is published in partnership with Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for the ICN newsletter here.

GRANDFALLS — An old oil well sprang back to life under the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of Grandfalls in April.

Over the next eight days, more than 1.5 million gallons of toxic wastewater flowed out of the earth, according to state records. The state regulator, the Railroad Commission, spent $1.49 million plugging the leak and another $1.16 million disposing of the wastewater back underground. By early June, crews had stopped the flow and plugged the wellbore.

Wastewater, fortunately, did not enter the church. The imminent threat passed. But questions linger for the church’s pastor and Permian Basin residents. Why do old wells in the area keep blowing out? What will happen if the next leak isn’t under a parking lot, but a house or school?

The Permian Basin’s oil and gas wells generate prodigious quantities of wastewater, known as produced water. This salty, toxic liquid is pumped underground into injection wells, increasing underground pressure. This pressure is finding its way to the surface through old wells that burst and spew wastewater aboveground.

The Railroad Commission requested injection wells within a five-mile radius of Grandfalls to stop pumping waste underground while the leak was being plugged. Agency spokesperson Bryce Dubee said that the old well underneath the parking lot is still under investigation.

When David Tucker stepped in as the interim pastor at First Baptist last summer, his biggest concern was replacing an aging air conditioning unit. But once the leak sprang, Tucker, an oil and gas industry veteran, was uniquely qualified to help. He hopes the incident can lead to change.

“This was kind of a good thing because it brought attention to what’s happening,” he said, referring to the spate of oilfield leaks and geysers in the Permian Basin.

A drone video shows Railroad Commission workers at the site of the leak on April 22. The salty residue of the spill is visible on the parking lot pavement. Courtesy of Sarah Stogner

Tucker praised the Railroad Commission’s quick response but said the agency needs more resources to address the problem.

“They’re trying to do a good job. But they don’t have the money to do it. They’re overwhelmed,” he said. “The state needs to turn loose some more money to start funding this.”

Dubee, the RRC spokesperson, said the agency’s State Managed Plugging program “remains focused on addressing the well in Grandfalls.”

“We’re doing something subsurface”

Injection wells are designed to seal wastewater permanently underground. But a few years ago, wastewater started blasting out at the surface, causing geysers, leaks and sinkholes.

Tucker, the pastor, is no stranger to the problem. On his own property outside Grandfalls, he has called the Railroad Commission for help when old wells started leaking. Ranches near Grandfalls in Crane, Pecos and Ward counties have been hot spots for surface leaks, including a towering geyser in 2022 and a blowout in 2023.

“We’re doing something subsurface, and I think everybody knows it,” Tucker said. “We’ve turned a lot of the shale play into just one big crack. Everything’s communicating.”

Pastor David Tucker stands outside the First Baptist Church of Grandfalls. Tucker stepped in as pastor at the church last summer in addition to his full-time job in the oil and gas industry.

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Pastor David Tucker stands outside the First Baptist Church of Grandfalls. Tucker stepped in as pastor at the church last summer in addition to his full-time job in the oil and gas industry. Martha Pskowski/Inside Climate News

Unlike previous incidents, the leak that sprang on April 21 was smack-dab in the middle of town. The First Baptist Church, built in 1955, is on Grandfall’s main thoroughfare, Avenue D. It’s down the block from the town’s sole gas station and across the street from a K-12 school. The gusher in Grandfalls is the most significant oilfield wastewater incident to date within a populated area in Texas.

According to census data, 375 people live in Grandfalls. More than 20% of residents live below the poverty line and nearly half the population is Hispanic.

Inside Climate News obtained records from the Railroad Commission that document the agency’s response. Water testing results from a Midland lab showed the wastewater was loaded with chloride, sulfate and had total dissolved solids of 138,771 parts per million, or four times saltier than seawater. These results are consistent with produced water.

Water pools at the First Baptist Church of Grandfalls on April 21 while a Railroad Commission staff member looks on.

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Water pools at the First Baptist Church of Grandfalls on April 21 while a Railroad Commission staff member looks on. Courtesy of Schuyler Wight

Railroad Commission daily reports detailed how vacuum trucks slurped up the wastewater pouring out of the ground. From the night of April 21 into the next morning, 2,280 barrels, or 95,760 gallons, of wastewater were hauled away. In a 24-hour period between April 22 and 23, 6,600 barrels, or 277,200 gallons, were trucked offsite.

In a 24-hour period between April 25 and 26, over 10,000 barrels of wastewater, or 42,000 gallons, were taken offsite.

“We are seeing a 7 [barrel] per minute release from the leak site,” a Railroad Commission employee noted in the daily report. By then, 21 vacuum trucks were rotating through the site to keep up with the deluge.

Oil was also leaking from the ground, according to the documents.

Contractors rushed to find the source of the leak. By April 29, crews were finally able to find a wellbore and fill it with concrete to stop the flow.

The well’s location is marked on Railroad Commission maps, but the agency has not been able to identify when it was drilled. Numerous oil wells were drilled in Grandfalls in the 1930s.

“The RRC has located historic well records for wells in the area and while we have not yet been able to positively identify the well in question, we continue to investigate potential sources,” the agency spokesperson said.

Hawk Dunlap, a well control specialist who has previously run for a seat on the Railroad Commission, was encouraged to hear the agency suspended injection in the area. He said that Permian Basin residents like him often have to “read between the lines” to understand how the agency responds to emergencies.

But he noted the irony of the wastewater being trucked to injection wells and pumped back underground.

“You’re taking it out of one and putting it in another,” he said.

“They should at least know that these wells exist”

State Rep. Brooks Landgraf, a Republican from Odessa, visited the First Baptist Church on April 24.

“This particular situation is under control, with no apparent threats to public safety,” he wrote on Facebook. “Obviously, a well that was plugged in the 1930s causing a leak in town is a reason to be concerned, and I’m in discussion with folks who have the scientific background to help better address situations like this.”

Landgraf has advocated for Texas to issue permits to use treated produced water outside the oilfield to reduce the volumes injected underground. On April 29, he posted about meeting with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) officials to discuss the agency’s permitting process for spreading treated produced water on land.

“Every gallon of produced water that they permit for safe land application is one fewer gallon that is injected into the ground in and around the Permian Basin,” he wrote. “TCEQ was very receptive, and I’m confident they are moving forward as quickly as they can.”

Landgraf did not respond to questions from Inside Climate News.

Commission Shift, a nonprofit focused on improving oil and gas oversight in Texas, has urged regulators to proceed with caution when permitting uses of produced water outside the oil industry. The organization said incidents like the leak in Grandfalls show that injection should be restricted.

“It’s time to stop injecting in areas that are overpressurized, where we keep seeing these problems,” said Julie Range, Commission Shift policy manager. “The combination of overpressurized fluids and unplugged conduits is creating these very expensive messes.”

The organization is circulating a petition urging TCEQ to strengthen the proposed rule on spreading produced water on land, which is currently under review, because of concerns about potential groundwater contamination and toxic exposure.

The Grandfalls gusher confirmed surveyor Jackie Portsmouth’s fears that old wells could be compromised and cause property damage.

The Grandfalls water tower, which supplies the town of approximately 300 people in Ward Co.

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The Grandfalls water tower, which supplies the town’s roughly 375 residents . Martha Pskowski/Inside Climate News

Portsmouth, who works with the firm G-Forensic, said that Railroad Commission records are often incomplete, especially for wells that were drilled before the modern record-keeping era or the advent of detailed topographic maps.

He hopes to raise awareness of the risks posed by old oil wells beneath houses and other structures. He spent months researching the legacy of oil wells under Midland neighborhoods. He found that plugged oil wells sit under the foundation of houses, unbeknownst to the homeowners.

“I’m not trying to scare anybody,” he said. “But they should at least know that these wells exist.”

In Oklahoma, ProPublica reported on a leak under a family’s home that apparently came from an old well. The displaced family is still seeking answers.

Tucker, the pastor, said he has fielded calls from Permian Basin residents who, for the first time, are looking up the locations of old wells around their homes. He is grateful that no one was injured in the leak and optimistic that it will raise awareness.

The extremely salty water from the leak killed several trees on the church property. In the rush to contain the flow, crews also inadvertently cut the church’s sewer line. Tucker said that insurance for an old, rural church like First Baptist is “practically nonexistent” and that he does not expect insurance to cover the damages.

For now, First Baptist is meeting in the Union Church across the street. Tucker hopes the congregation is back in their own sanctuary by the end of the summer. He is counting on the Railroad Commission to repair the parking lot and help with reconnecting the church sewer line.

“I’m hoping the commission uses that to show the people, ‘Yep, this is a little, bitty congregation in a little, bitty town, but we helped out,’” he said.

Disclosure: Facebook has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Arthur Degenerates To A Low Pressure Area Along The Upper Texas Coast

National Hurricane Center — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:56:51 +0000


Location	35 miles NNE of Galveston Texas
Wind	35 mph
Heading	NE at 9 mph
Pressure	29.53
Coordinates	94.5W, 29.7N

Discussion

At 1000 PM CDT (0300 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur was located near latitude 29.7 North, longitude 94.5 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h). A northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected tonight, followed by a turn toward the east-northeast Thursday through Friday. On the forecast track, the remnants of Arthur should move farther inland over southeastern Texas and western Louisiana tonight, then cross the southeastern United States Thursday through Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. While additional weakening is expected as the system moves inland, the remnants of Arthur will continue to produce widespread heavy rains across the southeastern United States during the next few days.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 1000 mb (29.53 inches).

Tropics Satellite at 4:58 Thursday Night, June 18th

Watches and Warnings

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

All coastal watches and warnings are discontinued.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

None.

Tropics Models at 4:59 Thursday Night, June 18th

Land Hazards

Key messages for remnants of Arthur can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT1 and WMO header WTNT41 KNHC.

RAINFALL: Arthur is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher totals near 20 inches, through early Friday from the Mid and Upper Texas coast east-northeast into southern and central portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, along with western portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. This could generate dangerous to life-threatening flash flooding.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with the remnants of Arthur, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?ero.

For a list of rainfall observations (and wind reports) associated with Arthur, see the companion storm summary at WBCSCCNS1 with the WMO header ACUS44 KWBC or at the following link: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc1.html.

WIND: Winds gusts to tropical-storm force are possible along the Louisiana coast tonight.

STORM SURGE: Water levels remain elevated along the Upper Texas coast but will continue to subside overnight.

SURF: Swells generated by Arthur are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next day or two. Please consult products from your local weather office.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?ripCurrents

TORNADO: A few tornadoes are possible tonight across southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi, and tomorrow into parts of Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.

US and Iran sign initial deal to end war, ease sanctions and open strait as nuclear talks continue

Jon Gambrell, Zeke Miller, Michelle L. Price And Samy Magdy, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:13:34 +0000

President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran on Wednesday that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to details released by both countries.

The initial deal to end the war takes “immediate effect” after leaders from both countries signed it, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who helped mediate the agreement, said online.

The agreement calls for a permanent end to hostilities and starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran's nuclear program, though Trump left the door open to resume attacks. It appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return.

The deal has been shrouded in secrecy and confusion for days. U.S. officials refused to disclose the terms even after saying Trump and Vice President JD Vance digitally signed it over the weekend. Trump signed a physical copy Wednesday while dining with French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles, the palace where many historic agreements have been signed over the centuries, ending wars or territorial disputes.

The White House had planned a signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland, but its fate is now uncertain, with conflicting information from the U.S., Iran and Pakistan.

“It’s signed,” Trump said as he left the dinner at Versailles, which followed his trip to the Group of Seven summit in France.

In a video posted online by a White House aide, Trump was seen seated at a table next to Macron signing a paper copy of the agreement. Trump then handed the document and pen to Secretary of State Marco Rubio as people in the room applauded.

“This was not easy,” Trump said right before he signed it, according to a video posted to social media by Macron.

In Tehran, a stone-faced President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the deal on behalf of Iran, according to the state-run IRNA news agency, which posted an image of him holding up the deal with his signature and Trump’s.

Text of the agreement still has not been formally released by the Americans. U.S. officials dictated draft language to journalists after days of secrecy, speaking on condition of anonymity. Iranian state media has released text that largely tracked what the U.S. put out.

The deal will stop the fighting and start more negotiations

Much of the agreement would restore the status quo before the war, including ending hostilities, restarting talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial passage for the world’s oil and natural gas whose closure created a historic energy crisis.

The agreement opens the strait without tolls for two months, but does not preclude fees in the future, according to the drafts from both countries.

In return, the U.S. will move to waive, but not eliminate, some wide-ranging sanctions against Iran.

The deal also affirms a commitment to Lebanon’s territorial integrity in the face of Israel’s invasion against the Hezbollah militant group. That is one of the most delicate parts of the agreement because Israel has maintained it will continue to defend itself and to occupy vast swaths of Lebanon. Iran has said Israel must withdraw under the deal, a condition Israel has already rejected.

The U.S. and Israel went to war Feb. 28 in part to prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon. Trump has cited various goals for the war, including at times vowing it would end Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and its support for Hezbollah and other proxy groups. He also suggested it could lead to toppling the Iranian government.

The interim deal falls short of all those goals, but Trump hailed it as “very strong.”

He also opened the door to abandoning it: “It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs.”

The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions are major concessions that go beyond the terms of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Trump withdrew America from that Obama-era pact in his first term, declaring it the “worst deal ever.”

Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, though it is the only country to enrich uranium to 60% purity without a weapons program, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The interim deal calls for the IAEA to monitor the “downblending” of that uranium in Iran, without elaborating.

The accord likely will draw intense opposition in Washington, and it appears to be a major setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has come under criticism at home from the media, his opponents and even some allies as details emerge.

Under the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran that Trump pulled out of, Iran also agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program and promised never to build an atomic weapon in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Major concessions have been offered to Iran

Some concessions to Iran — including the full lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets — would happen gradually and be linked to progress in the nuclear talks, according to Pakistani officials. They outlined some of the deal’s major points on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

But in the meantime, the U.S. will issue waivers to sanctions that allow Iran to sell oil freely.

The Islamic Republic's oil export revenues in 2024 were more than $46 billion. Its main buyer of oil, China, is believed to have bought at below-market prices because of its willingness to ignore the sanctions.

Granting oil waivers at the start of the 60-day talks strips the U.S. of a major point of leverage. Only at the conclusion of the overall deal in 2015 were sanctions on Iran's oil lifted.

The interim deal also opens the door to ending all sanctions Iran faces from the U.S. and at the U.N. — including those over Tehran’s weapons programs and human rights abuses — though it says the schedule for that will be worked out later. Still, that far surpasses the 2015 deal, which only lifted some sanctions in exchange for Iran drastically reducing its enrichment and stockpile of uranium.

The accord would also provide Iran with at least $300 billion to rebuild — an extraordinary figure and another major benefit for Iran. The money also appears dependent on the progress of further negotiations.

Vance has said Gulf Arab nations would invest that amount. But Gulf countries would likely be reluctant to help Iran after Iranian attacks in the war destroyed oil facilities and other sites in their territory.

Trump reiterated Wednesday that the U.S. would not contribute and said it was up to other countries if they wanted to invest.

The pact would provide relief to the global economy

The initial deal provides a major win for the global economy — the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas once passed before the war began. Since then, Iranian attacks on shipping and the threat to vessels effectively shut the strait.

The strait's closure drove up energy prices around the world and made many basics, including food, more expensive. Iran let through some vessels that paid tolls, something never done before in the strait, which has long been considered an international waterway. The U.S. later provided military support to get other tankers out, but traffic was nowhere near levels before the war.

The deal also says the U.S. will lift a blockade imposed on Iranian ports and that the strait will return to its prewar traffic levels in 30 days, while acknowledging Iranian mines may need to be destroyed.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Magdy reported from Cairo and Catalini reported from Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Evian-les-Bains, France, Darlene Superville in Geneva, Angela Charlton in Paris and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this story.

Macron deploys Versailles’ gold, mirrors and history in a high-stakes courtship of Trump

Thomas Adamson, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:15:44 +0000

Donald Trump explained the appeal in one sentence: “Versailles is not gold leaf — Versailles is the real deal.”

For Emmanuel Macron, that was precisely the point.

On Wednesday night, the French president threw open Louis XIV’s palace to his U.S. counterpart for a private reception, show and dinner marking America’s 250th birthday. At a turbulent moment for the trans-Atlantic alliance, it could help Macron keep a personal channel open as the two navigate differences over Iran, Ukraine and tariffs.

It already kept Trump from leaving a Group of Seven summit early, as he did last year in Canada.

“I’m a fan of beautiful places,” he told reporters, saying he had planned to leave earlier until “a very nice man” invited him to dinner.

After posing in front of Versailles' golden doors, Trump enjoyed a private tour of the chateau's glittering interior. And in a surprise move over a dinner of lobster, caviar and vanilla ice cream, he signed a memorandum on ending the war in Iran at a venue steeped in historical symbolism.

Versailles is perhaps the biggest soft-power flex available to a French president: the Hall of Mirrors, the gardens of the Sun King and several centuries of carefully polished national grandeur.

“Versailles is a diplomatic tool and an instrument of influence,” Macron said Wednesday, likening diplomacy to soccer. “Whether I’m playing at home or away, my goal is to score goals. And when I host other teams, I try to give them a nice welcome.”

France holds little economic or military sway over Washington, so pageantry is one of its few levers — even as its use elsewhere has brought mixed results at best.

Soft power built from stone

Macron and Trump have often clashed over policy.

Their relationship has endured partly because Macron understands the power of personal attention, dramatic settings and a well-timed invitation.

Their first meeting in 2017 produced a white-knuckled handshake that instantly became a symbol of their competitive rapport.

Months later came dinner inside the Eiffel Tower and a place of honor at France’s Bastille Day parade.

Versailles raises the stakes, allowing a French president to wrap a modern political encounter in the scale and authority of national history.

“It is soft-power flex based on hard buildings,” said Denis Lacorne, professor of American studies at Sciences Po.

Macron has used the palace before, receiving Russian President Vladimir Putin there in 2017 and later hosting King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a state dinner.

Versailles has been a favored setting for French leaders to honor foreign guests for over three centuries, the palace told The Associated Press. It remains “a place in the service of French diplomacy.”

With Trump, the setting carries added resonance.

The former real estate developer has long treated architecture as a statement of status, success and power. In his second term, he has sought to erect a legacy in stone — with plans for a new White House ballroom and a 250-foot (76-meter) triumphal arch resembling Paris’ Arc de Triomphe.

The real deal — and 357 mirrors

The evening included a Hall of Mirrors visit and fountain display.

The Hall of Mirrors was once a feat of technology: 357 mirrors set in 17 arches along a 73-meter (240-foot) gallery, showing French manufacturers could rival Venice’s celebrated glassmakers.

They were also built to multiply a king. Every royal entrance ricocheted across the glass, and a modern guest gets the same treatment.

“You will be reflected many, many times, from one mirror to another,” Lacorne said.

For a president who has spent his second term turning the Oval Office gold, the appeal is clear, he added.

Trump arrives, in a sense, at a building he has quoted for years: He has said he modeled Mar-a-Lago’s ballroom after Versailles.

Others have sought to flatter a visiting Trump

Trump remembers spectacle, and often brings it home.

The 2017 Bastille Day parade saw tanks, horses and marching bands fill the Champs-Élysées as fighter jets trailing red, white and blue smoke soared overhead.

Trump called it “one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen.”

“We’re going to have to try and top it,” he said back in Washington, where he began pressing for a military parade. In 2025, he finally presided over a large Army anniversary parade through the capital.

China employed dazzle diplomacy when it hosted Trump for a “state visit plus” in 2017, including a rare tour of its Forbidden City, an experience once reserved for emperors.

Britain offered its own version last September, greeting Trump’s second state visit with mounted troops, a carriage procession and a Windsor Castle banquet.

The gleam is the easy part

The diplomatic pomp has clearly flattered Trump, who called the Windsor banquet one of the highest honors of his life.

But it seems to have won few concessions.

The early Macron-Trump “bromance” has hardened into something rougher and more transactional.

Trump has threatened tariffs of up to 100% on French wine and Champagne amid a broader trade fight. France opposed the U.S. war against Iran, even as Macron pressed Washington to keep backing Ukraine.

At home, the dinner has drawn criticism.

“We must learn once and for all to live without Trump,” said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the veteran far-left leader.

Versailles hands Macron some advantages, experts say: centuries of diplomatic history, a setting built for Trump’s taste for ceremony, and a palace already familiar to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who visit each year.

History counsels caution. Ronald Reagan dined beneath the same mirrors on the sidelines of the 1982 G7, and central disagreements outlasted the splendor.

___

Angela Charlton in Paris and Michel Euler in Versailles contributed.

Luis Díaz sparks Colombia to a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in its World Cup opener

Carlos Rodriguez, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:11:02 +0000

Colombia arrived at the World Cup with dreams of redemption after missing out on Qatar in 2022. Although it was tense at times, the Cafeteros got off to a strong start.

Luis Díaz had a goal and an assist in his debut on soccer's biggest stage, sparking Colombia to a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan on Wednesday night.

“That’s what we came here to do. It’s very important to win this first game. We controlled the first half, but they played better in the second,” said Díaz, who plays for Bayern Munich. “We must improve.”

Daniel Muñoz, also playing in his first World Cup, opened the scoring in the 40th minute after a pass from Díaz, who scored the tiebreaking goal in the 65th when his strike from close range deflected off the hands of diving goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov and trickled across the line.

“We knew that it was going to be a tough match,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said.

Fayzullaev Abbosbek scored in the 60th minute for Uzbekistan, which made its World Cup debut in front of a heavily pro-Colombia crowd of 80,824 at Estadio Azteca.

“It is a wonderful joy, but emotionally, I think it weighed on some of the players who suffered physically,” Lorenzo said. “It has to do with the emotional burden generated by the opening match and the setting in which we played — especially since we were expected to take the initiative and were under pressure to win.”

With the White Wolves' defeat, three of the four debuting teams at this year's World Cup lost their first match. Cape Verde played Spain to a draw, while Curaçao and Jordan lost.

“For a small team like ours, to lose 3-1 is too much,” said Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro, an Italian who took over the team in October 2025. “We have good quality for an Asian team, but we need to grow. It was a good experience.”

Jaminton Campaz added a goal in second-half stoppage time for the Colombians, who are ranked 13th in the world and were heavy favorites over 50th-ranked Uzbekistan. Colombia's best World Cup finish was a run to the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014.

“We needed to hit the ground running. Now we can enjoy the rest of the night,” midfielder Gustavo Puerta said.

Colombia moved atop Group K, ahead of Portugal and Congo, who played to a surprising 1-1 draw earlier Wednesday.

The Colombians will face Congo next Thursday at Guadalajara, Mexico, while Uzbekistan will take on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at Houston.

“We are going to play against a tough team that played great against one of the best teams in the world. It is going to be hard,” Lorenzo said.

Colombia finished third in South American qualifying behind Argentina and Ecuador. Uzbekistan was second in its Asian qualifying group behind Iran.

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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Mamdani tests his political clout in New York's primary as he looks to reshape the Democratic Party

Steve Peoples, Anthony Izaguirre And Matt Brown, Associated Press — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:07:40 +0000

Not long ago, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was demonized by leaders of both political parties. Today, just six months after taking office, the 34-year-old democratic socialist's political strength is surging.

Always a darling of the far left, he has earned praise from both President Donald Trump and former Democratic critics like New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. He has emerged as the face of the region's sports renaissance. And days before New York's primary elections, Mamdani is testing the limits of his newfound political muscle in a bid to reshape the Democratic Party — in his state capital and in Washington — even if it means challenging his own party's leadership.

Mamdani will join Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. at a get-out-the-vote rally in Brooklyn on Thursday. The event is designed to elevate a slate of candidates aligned with Mamdani's values, including two running against Democratic incumbents in Tuesday's primary.

“He’s seeing that opportunity — that we can radically change the Democratic Party,” said Faiz Shakir, a senior adviser to Sanders and a friend of Mamdani's. “Like Bernie, he's not saying I'm doing this out of spite against you, dear leadership. He's saying, I am supporting these candidates who have a better vision, and I am prepared to lose if it has to be the case.”

The Mamdani slate

Establishment Democrats are not pleased with the mayor's decisions.

Mamdani endorsed political organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier over Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in New York's 13th District, which includes parts of upper Manhattan and the Bronx.

He is also backing former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is running against incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in New York's 10th District. And in New York's 7th, he's supporting democratic socialist state Assembly Member Claire Valdez against outgoing Rep. Nydia Velazquez’s handpicked successor.

The Mamdani slate, in addition to several state Assembly candidates, will be featured at Thursday's rally.

Valdez says the election is about advancing the political movement Mamdani ignited on his way to City Hall.

“Right now there’s really mass dissatisfaction with the way the party leadership has been operating and not standing up strongly enough to Trump,” she told The Associated Press, contrasting the malaise to the way the mayor energized voters last year.

She said she hopes to “bring a partner to Zohran to Washington.”

Valdez's primary opponent, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, said he feels like the underdog in the race, even though he was endorsed by the outgoing incumbent. He said Mamdani “has a celebrity status that we haven’t seen the likes of since I’ve been alive.”

“He’s going to be our champion for the foreseeable future and he’s doing a great job, and when he says that he’s endorsing someone, it matters,” Reynoso said in an interview. “I believe that this community has seen me work, they know I’m a progressive champion, and in any other circumstance I would be a favorite to win this race, but I’m not because he has tipped the scale.”

The candidates are largely aligned on the biggest issues, although there are modest differences.

Israel’s war with Gaza has featured heavily among the Mamdani slate, with Lander, Valdez and Avila Chevalier casting their Democratic opponents as too soft on Israel. They're echoing the mayor’s steadfast criticism of the country’s leaders and harnessing what they believe could be a driving force in this year’s elections.

The mayor’s candidates have also sought to replicate much of the platform that sent him to City Hall, focusing on the city’s high cost of living and framing themselves as fresh faces not beholden to powerful business interests.

The view from Washington

On Capitol Hill, Democrats are pleasantly surprised that Mamdani has become less of a political liability for the party in swing district seats than they once feared.

But Mamdani’s endorsements have aggravated intraparty fissures, especially among moderates who worry that Mamdani's far-left brand may eventually tarnish the entire party.

And House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New Yorker, has tried to push back against the Mamdani-backed democratic socialist challengers, endorsing and campaigning for the embattled incumbents in a proxy fight with the mayor.

But Jeffries and Mamdani have opted to wrestle only in primaries rather than bicker publicly and feed into GOP narratives of Democratic disarray.

“Democrats must understand, and both the leader and Mamdani appreciate this, how to yell in areas where we agree and whisper in areas where we diverge,” said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist who works with House Democrats.

For now, Jeffries' allies acknowledge that Mamdani has energized Democratic voters and may be able to reach some Americans who have checked out of the political process. They also prefer that Mamdani is hyper-focused on New York City’s governance rather than traveling across the country nationally.

Republicans, however, have plans to elevate Mamdani's profile whether Washington Democrats want them to or not.

The GOP hasn't made Mamdani a central feature of its broader national messaging as it once threatened, but Republican operatives have sought to link Mamdani to Democratic House candidates in swing districts across California, Colorado and Wisconsin. They also believe the specter of the New York City mayor will loom large in pivotal House races in New York and New Jersey.

The Republican bet is that vulnerable Democrats cannot afford to break with Mamdani too cleanly for fear of alienating progressive voters, even as they cast him as a radical.

“Zohran Mamdani’s socialist brand is as toxic as it comes,” said Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, House Republicans’ campaign arm. “And during a time when Democrats don’t have a leader or a message, he’s exactly the kind of bogeyman we can use against Democrats to truly show who is leading their party and the crazy policies they all support.”

Meanwhile, Sanders' adviser Shakir encouraged the Republicans to try. He noted that Sanders mentions Mamdani in almost every speech as he tours the nation rallying voters ahead of the midterms.

“The crowd just goes nuts,” Shakir said. “He certainly is not a political liability.”

___

Brown reported in Washington.

Vancouver Goldeneyes select US Olympian Caroline Harvey with the 1st pick in the PWHL draft

John Wawrow, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:23:25 +0000

Established veterans Hilary Knight and Marie-Philip Poulin helped deliver a post-Olympic boost to the Professional Women’s Hockey League coming out of the Milan Cortina Games in February.

On Wednesday, it was the youngsters’ turn to take the spotlight at the draft.

In being selected first overall by the Vancouver Goldeneyes, U.S. national team and Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey kicked off a parade of 14 2026 Olympians — five of them Americans — taking downtown Detroit's Fox Theater stage during the six-round event.

The draft class was regarded as the league’s deepest and most talented and was one of the reasons behind the PWHL adding four new markets, growing to 12 teams entering its fourth season. It's also why Harvey experienced nerves before finally hearing her name called.

“There’s always this, you have no idea until you officially hear it,” said Harvey, who kicked off the day being named the International Ice Hockey Federation's female player of the year.

“This draft class is just so deep and so many phenomenal players. Anyone could get picked at any time,” she added. “It’s just a surreal feeling, and I had no idea. I mean it could have been anyone. But I’m grateful to have my name called.”

Draft features tears and cheers

The draft was held in one of the PWHL’s new markets and featured its share of tears and cheers.

Seated next to Harvey, Laila Edwards grew emotional while congratulating her longtime friend and teammate upon being selected.

“It caught me off guard. After I gave her a hug I started crying, and I couldn’t stop,” said Edwards, who was chosen fourth by San Jose. The 22-year-old Edwards is from Cleveland, and became the first Black player selected in the first round of the PWHL draft.

As for the cheers, they rang out any time Detroit or Knight — the expansion team’s star addition — were mentioned. And the biggest roar in the packed theater was heard when Detroit finally made its first selection in the second round by choosing Switzerland Olympic goalie Andrea Brandli.

The 29-year-old Brandli’s selection was key for Detroit, with GM Manon Rheaume — a former goalie — growing nervous because she had had yet to fill the position.

As for the welcome she received, Rheaume said: “I got like emotional walking there ... And I think everybody felt it, every player that was getting drafted.”

This was the atmosphere the PWHL has become accustomed to generating while growing its brand in the wake of the Americans’ thrilling 2-1 overtime win over Canada in the Olympic final. The win created a surge of attention for women's hockey in North America, with Knight and gold medal-clinching goal-scorer Megan Keller appearing on Saturday Night Live.

“Milan was just one of those amazing things that keeps happening to us,” PWHL executive board member Stan Kasten told The Associated Press. “You see what the city of Detroit is going to do for this team, right? We just think the more people that get exposed, the more fans we make.”

Americans fill top 5 selections

On Wednesday, Americans swept the top five picks and made up nine of 12 first-round selections, with the 23-year-old Harvey continuing to cement her reputation as her generation’s most accomplished player.

She’s a two-time Olympian and was the tournament MVP in Milan. At Wisconsin, she won three NCAA titles and capped her four-year career winning the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as college hockey’s MVP.

From Pelham, New Hampshire, Harvey is the second American player to go No. 1 after Minnesota chose Taylor Heise in the league’s inaugural draft in 2023.

“She’s actually just at the start of her career, which is crazy, and she’s coming in with all these accolades,” Goldeneyes GM Cara Gardner Morey said, before emphasizing the priority PWHL teams place on defense. “To have one of the best ones in the country, in North America, probably in the world right now is pretty special.”

Fellow U.S. Olympians followed with Minnesota forward Abbey Murphy chosen second by Seattle, Penn State forward Tessa Janecke going third to Las Vegas. After Edwards went fourth, Wisconsin forward Kirsten Simms rounded them out, going eighth to Toronto.

“It’s a little bittersweet,” Simms said of watching many of her Badgers’ teammates go their separate ways. “I’m just happy for all of them. They’re unbelievable players and unbelievable people and so every team is super lucky. But, obviously, I’m gonna miss them.”

Finland national team defender Nelli Laitinen was the first European player selected, going No. 6 to Hamilton. The first Canadian selected was Ohio State defender Sara Swiderski, who went ninth overall to Minnesota.

Overall, 31 Americans and 30 Canadians were among the 72 players selected with Finland having four.

Las Vegas lands 3 of top 13 selections

Las Vegas finished having three picks among the top 13. Janecke was selected with the pick Las Vegas acquired in trading Knight to Detroit. Las Vegas then used its fifth pick to select Wisconsin's Lacey Eden, women's college hockey's leading scorer last season. The team then traded forward Abby Boreen back to Vancouver to acquire the Goldeneyes' first pick of the second round and select Princeton forward Issy Wunder.

___

AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

Harry Kane ties England's record for World Cup goals in 4-2 win over Croatia

Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:10:54 +0000

Hey, Jude, you and Harry didn't let England down.

Harry Kane scored twice to equal the English record for World Cup goals, and Jude Bellingham put England in front for good two minutes into the second half of a 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday.

Martin Baturina and Petar Musa answered each of Kane's first-half goals in a rematch of a 2018 semifinal won by Croatia. Musa's goal came on the final play before the whistle ending the first half.

The even score didn't last long once play resumed.

Bellingham took a long pass from Elliot Anderson and stayed clear of the defender the rest of the way, sending a shot past Dominik Livakovic and in off the far post. Marcus Rashford padded the lead in the 85th minute.

“He just told us to let the shackles off,” Kane said of coach Thomas Tuchel's halftime message after Croatia pulled even so late before the break. “The way we conceded that second goal is not the team we want to be. He finally just said, ‘What’s the worst that can happen? We lose the match, first group game, we get on with it.’ We move on. Just go and kind of show the world who we can be.”

Kane, who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia by scoring six times, is up to 10 World Cup goals, tying Gary Lineker's mark from the 1986 and 1990 tournaments.

The 32-year-old's first goal came on his second chance on a penalty kick after Livakovic's save on the first try was nullified by a video review that showed both his feet off the goal line as Kane was striking the ball.

Kane went the same way toward the right post with the second attempt, while Livakovic lunged the other direction, to his right.

The penalty was called when Luka Modric, the 40-year-old midfielder who extended his Croatian record by appearing in his fifth World Cup, kicked Noni Madueke in the thigh.

Kane matched Lineker's mark when the Bayern Munich striker easily beat Livakovic with a powerful header off a corner kick from Declan Rice. Kane has 81 international goals.

“We scored two goals that were good actions and good situations, but they were too little,” Croatia coach Zlatco Dalic said through an interpreter. “England was very difficult, (we) also have to be strong on the defensive side.”

Bellingham almost immediately had another great scoring chance after the Real Madrid player's seventh international goal. Livakovic made that save and about a half-dozen more in a matter of minutes during a frenetic English attack.

“We could have scored probably three goals in that 20-minute spell coming out (after halftime),” Kane said. “In the end, we just had too much for a great team that will probably go far in the tournament themselves.”

Musa scored the first World Cup goal for an active player from Dallas of Major League Soccer, which plays its home games about 40 miles from AT&T Stadium.

The retractable-roof venue that is home to the NFL's Dallas Cowboys is giving World Cup fans an air-conditioned reprieve from the muggy Texas heat, this time for white-clad English fans and Croatian supporters who were mostly wearing their country's familiar red-and-white checkered uniforms, not the blue kits the players had on.

Musa tracked a header from Ivan Perisic and put a one-timer past Jordan Pickford, who was also beaten in the 36th minute by Baturina. That shot into the left corner ticked off Pickford's hand.

Bukayo Saka's pass left plenty of room for Rashford as the Barcelona player entered the penalty area, faked a shot with his left foot and scored his 19th international goal with his right.

“I loved the second half, all of it,” Tuchel said. “I encouraged them to go for it. To play with more courage, to be brave, to be ourselves. And like I said, I loved their reaction.”

England next plays Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in Group L on Tuesday, the same day Croatia plays Panama in Toronto.

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Tropical Cyclone Arthur weakens to a low pressure area along the upper Texas coast

Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:02:31 +0000

Tropical Storm Arthur was downgraded to a low pressure area along the upper Texas coast Wednesday night but forecasters expected its remnants to bring life-threatening flooding and days of heavy rains to parts of the southeastern United States, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Arthur was the first tropical storm of the season in the Atlantic basin and it's expected to keep weakening as it moves inland over southeastern Texas and western Louisiana, then cross the southeast Thursday through Friday. Maximum sustained winds were around 35 mph (55 kph).

All coastal watches and warnings were discontinued Wednesday night, but flooding was likely through Friday over parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, the hurricane center said.

In Louisiana and Mississippi, some communities had set up locations for residents to collect sandbags and cleared debris from drainage systems.

“The main threat from Arthur is going to be a prolonged, multiday, heavy rainfall event that could produce dangerous to life-threatening flash flooding,” National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan said.

The storm spun off the Texas coast on the same day a World Cup match took place in Houston but did not disrupt the contest, which was played indoors. Heavy storms in the Houston area earlier in the week had canceled outdoor watch parties and fan events.

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said police were preparing boats and setting up barricades in known flood areas. Collection points for residents to fill sandbags also sprung up around the state.

“We both decided we got so much rain yesterday at our house that it was probably a good idea just to pick up a few bags," said Luke Barwick, who filled sandbags at a collection center in Covington, Louisiana.

After being inundated with heavy rain earlier this week, parts of central and south Mississippi braced for a second wave of potential flooding.

Officials in Picayune, Mississippi, located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of New Orleans, declared a state of emergency Tuesday after downpours brought nearly 7 inches of rain in six hours. On Wednesday, city officials gave out thousands of sandbags and put emergency responders on standby.

Arthur is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters), with isolated higher totals near 20 inches (50 centimeters).

Swells generated by Arthur are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next couple of days, forecasters said. Tornadoes were possible through Thursday.

Arthur formed as some areas along the Texas coast had already been drenched by bands of heavy storms that caused flooding and high waters. Near Houston, a 15-year-old drowned Tuesday after entering the water of a retention pond while playing near a construction zone, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. ___ Fischer reported from Miami. Associated Press writer Sophia Bates in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report.

FIFA World Cup fans from Europe experience Houston’s brutal heat, humidity for first time

Corley Peel — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:10:51 +0000

Houston is no stranger to scorching summers, but for thousands of international visitors in town for the FIFA World Cup, the city’s blistering heat and humidity are a culture shock unlike anything they have experienced before.

KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel spoke with fans from around the world at FIFA Fan Fest, where mist stations, cooling areas and hydration stations are helping visitors survive temperatures that have left many speechless.

Gustav Sjöholm and his friends traveled from Sweden to watch their national team play Saturday. When asked what he thought of the Texas heat, his answer was quick.

“It’s amazing, it’s very hot,” Sjöholm said.

The group left behind temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius, about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, a difference of roughly 40 degrees compared to Houston’s triple-digit heat this week.

“It’s a bit different from the 10 degrees Celsius we have at home,” Sjöholm said with a smile.

The Swedes made their way to Fan Fest with one mission in mind.

“Just sweating, but we’re searching for some water and maybe some beers,” he said.

FIFA Fan Fest Houston closely watching weather amid flood warnings and rain threats

Fans from across the Atlantic and across the country shared the same experience. One fan from England laughed off the conditions while embracing the atmosphere.

“I’m used to English weather, God bless. It is so hot, so hot, but I love it. I love the atmosphere. I love everything about Houston,” the fan said.

A visitor from Denver said Houston’s combination of heat and humidity was something entirely new.

“The heat and the humidity is very different up in Denver. We have hotness, but it’s like I don’t feel it, it doesn’t rub off on me,” the Denver fan said.

The National Weather Service says triple-digit temperatures are expected throughout the week.

For fans like Sjöholm, the five mist stations at Fan Fest have been a lifesaver.

“We saw this and we went to it straight away,” he said.

Fan Fest also offers onsite cooling stations, hydration stations stocked with water and sports drinks, shade structures and air-conditioned spaces, giving visitors multiple ways to escape the heat while taking in the World Cup experience.

For these fans, every drop of sweat is worth it.

Brunson and Hart throw out first pitches at Yankee Stadium as Knicks celebrate NBA title

Larry Fleisher, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:39:44 +0000

The New York Knicks’ victory tour following their first NBA championship since 1973 made another stop Wednesday night when Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart threw out ceremonial first pitches at Yankee Stadium.

Before the Yankees played the Chicago White Sox, Brunson and Hart were met with a standing ovation and loud cheers from fans as they took the field to a montage of highlights from the title run.

Standing in front of the mound and wearing Yankees pinstripes, Brunson made his toss to backup catcher J.C. Escarra while Hart threw to utilityman Max Schuemann.

“That was cool," outfielder Cody Bellinger said after New York's 10-5 victory. "Obviously, we’re all super tuned-in to the series and to the postseason. I saw them pregame and what they were able to accomplish is pretty amazing.”

Brunson and Hart were honored after the Knicks made appearances on NBC’s “The Today Show” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on Monday. Brunson and Hart along with starters Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby also appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday.

The ceremony occurred a day before the Knicks will be honored with a massive ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan. Mayor Zohran Mamdani predicted Thursday’s celebration could be “the largest parade in New York City history."

“Oh, I think’s it been awesome,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “What a fun team to get behind and just the story of that team and how it’s kind of come together over the last couple of years and just a lot of grit, a lot of mental fortitude and to see the fanbase and then some galvanized around that club has been a lot of fun to witness.”

The parade will be the first for the Knicks, who won their first two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. After those titles, then-Mayor John Lindsay celebrated the team at the mayoral mansion and City Hall.

Brunson threw out a first pitch for the second time since joining the Knicks. He also did it before a Mets-Yankees game in July 2024 shortly after signing a four-year, $156.5 million contract to stay with the Knicks.

Brunson averaged 32.6 points in New York’s five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals and won MVP honors. He led the Knicks to a 94-90 victory in the clinching Game 5 by scoring 45 points.

Hart is a great-nephew of former Yankees catcher Elston Howard, whose No. 32 jersey is retired by the team. Howard is also honored with a plaque in Monument Park.

The Knicks finished 16-3 in the postseason, an .842 winning percentage that matched the 2024 Boston Celtics for second-best since the format changed to best-of-seven series in all NBA playoff rounds beginning in 2003. The 2017 Golden State Warriors went 16-1.

New York won 13 consecutive postseason games, second to Golden State's 15 in a row in 2017, and set records by winning nine straight road games and outscoring their postseason opponents by 283 points.

Brunson and the Knicks also pulled off several big comebacks on the way to their title.

“It’s just been a captivating run that they’ve been on and with a group that’s now been together for a couple of years and then on top of the 53 years since a championship, it’s been a great story and a fan base that has come to know several of these guys as they’ve kind of climbed that ladder to ultimately winning a championship,” Boone said. “So I think it’ll be one of the historic teams that we talk about when it comes to the NBA.”

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Africa's Ebola outbreaks complicated by victims who prefer traditional healers over hospitals

Rodney Muhumuza, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:22:06 +0000

Whenever Ebola comes, some of the afflicted choose the road to the nearest hospital. Others take the path to the shrine of a traditional healer, often with devastating consequences.

Many view the onset of hemorrhagic fever as a spiritual affliction and seek out herbs and prayers instead of going to the hospital. This is the case now in Congo, which is suffering its seventeenth outbreak of Ebola since 1976, when the virus was first identified in the rich Congo Basin ecosystem.

Five decades later, the virus continues to mystify many of the sick in Africa while turning religious leaders into first responders in a deadly emergency. The current outbreak’s victims include health workers without protective gear as well as pastors and worshippers who gathered while Ebola was spreading, according to humanitarian workers and others who spoke to The Associated Press.

Ebola spreads through close contact with sick or deceased patients’ bodily fluids. The current outbreak is particularly worrisome in a region where many are distrustful of health workers and refuse to seek medical care.

In Bunia, a town in Ituri province that is the outbreak's epicenter, misinformation about Ebola has made it harder for health workers to respond to the outbreak that has so far killed at least 181 people. One rumor suggests that Ebola is spread by malicious people who drop magical charms tied to dollar bills down pit latrines.

“Some people still describe Ebola as something mysterious, spiritual, or brought by outsiders, rather than a disease that needs medical care,” said Onesphore Bangenza of the aid group Mercy Corps, speaking from Bunia. “When people do not trust the health system, they often go first to traditional healers, faith leaders, or people they already know. The danger is that many only reach the hospital when they are already very sick.”

Uncommon type of Ebola causing the outbreak

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola that has no approved medicines or vaccines to combat it. It is occurring in a remote area of Congo that also faces armed violence by rebel groups as well as displacement. Ebola intensifies the suffering, with its terrifying symptoms that evoke a modern-day plague.

The outbreak was confirmed on May 15. Some experts believe infections may have been occurring in February, but health officials initially tested for a different kind of virus that causes Ebola disease.

The World Health Organization quickly declared the event a public health emergency of international concern. The U.S. government has imposed a temporary ban on the entry of people without U.S. passports who have recently visited Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.

With so many people in afflicted communities seeking spiritual answers to the outbreak, humanitarian workers are urging religious leaders to get involved in combating Ebola.

In a video widely shared among people in Ituri, a catechist leader recently cured of the disease in the Ebola hot spot of Mongbwalu spoke candidly of the mistake that could have cost him his life.

“I don’t usually rush to the hospital, so I decided to go to the fields,” Deogratias Kasereka said, before explaining how his children compelled him to seek medical treatment.

His symptoms had included muscle weakness and headaches, and he “felt very hot.” Ebola in later stages also can bring about internal and external bleeding.

The symptoms are so disturbing — and sometimes shameful — that some victims prefer the privacy of a traditional healer’s shrine, said Vincent Isimbwa, an elder among Seventh-day Adventists in a remote community of Ugandans that faced the first-ever outbreak of Bundibugyo in 2007.

“They faced it so rough,” said Isimbwa. “The challenge with Ebola is that it is so bad that some people can believe that there are supernatural powers behind it.”

That outbreak of Ebola killed at least 36 people and left the community terribly scarred. Many here also regret that the Bundibugyo virus is named for their district, the mountainous homeland of roughly 200,000 people mostly living as farmers.

Mistrust and medical limitations drive sick people to healers

In Bundibugyo two decades later, the Ugandan nurse whose sample of blood confirmed the 2007 outbreak said his symptoms confused those who examined him in the early days of the outbreak. Some thought Samuel Kuule had a case of food poisoning. While others afflicted may have gone to see healers, described pejoratively as witch doctors, he was nursed in a narrow hospital room by caregivers including his pregnant wife, who was never infected.

Kuule recalled that his symptoms — peeling skin, bloodshot eyes and severe headache — terrified him without shaking his Seventh-day Adventist faith, unlike some others who may have felt they were being bewitched.

“For those who are weak in faith, they may (think) that they are being bewitched,” he said. “Maybe they can believe it.”

Some locals recalled that an early victim of the 2007 outbreak was a woman stretchered down the mountains and into the shrine of a traditional healer, an older man who survived but lost three sons to Ebola. Speaking through his presumptive heir, Amon Balinda, the healer said he switched his service from benediction and prayer to the prescription of herbs after he was told Ebola was spreading.

“For us in African traditional societies, in most cases when you fall sick and you go to the hospitals and they give you some injections and there is no improvement, there and then you switch to your neighbor, or anybody, and say maybe he is the one bewitching you,” he said. “Then you decide to go to the witch doctor.”

In fact, Ebola outbreaks are believed to start with the virus spilling over into humans from an infected animal such as a fruit bat. These cross-species infections often happen when people handle and eat wild meat, experts say.

The WHO is urging early testing for Ebola, in addition to isolating contacts in the current outbreak.

That's challenging in communities with deep religious faith, Christian but especially traditional. People insist on burying the dead according to established custom, because to do otherwise may deprive the dead of an afterlife. Pastors who stake their authority on the ability to heal the sick are expected to perform. Traditional healers face similar hopes.

This is why Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni rebuked religious leaders in a recent televised speech, saying there was no need to touch the sick in the time of Ebola. He said that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, told him while visiting Uganda that many victims in Congo are religious people.

“The pastors, the pastors, the pastors,” Museveni said, squinting in apparent disappointment. “The people of God — they are the ones who touch patients. … God is not deaf. You can pray without touching.”

___

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.

U.S. moves to extradite Harris County murder suspect who fled to Italy, authorities say

Bryce Newberry — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:41:49 +0000

Attorneys involved in the case confirmed to KPRC 2 News on Wednesday evening that the Italian government has received a formal extradition request for Lee Gilley.

Gilley, 39, was scheduled to stand trial this month in Harris County on a capital murder charge stemming from the October 2024 death of his pregnant wife, Christa Bauer.

However, authorities say he cut off his ankle monitor while out on bond and used forged travel documents and a false identity to board an international flight to Milan, Italy. Gilley had been released from jail on a $1 million bond before fleeing the country.

During a hearing last month, prosecutors said the U.S. Department of Justice had 45 days from May 8 to submit the extradition request to Italian authorities, and at that time, the packet was in the process of being finalized.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office declined further comment Wednesday because of a gag order in the case, so it’s unclear exactly when the paperwork got submitted.

It remains unclear what the next steps will be in Italy’s extradition process. No new trial date has been set in Gilley’s capital murder case.

Meanwhile, a separate legal battle involving the couple’s children is expected to continue Thursday in Harris County Family Court before Judge Angela Lancelin.

Bauer’s parents are fighting an initial decision by Lancelin that would require the children to return to Houston. The children have been living with Bauer’s parents in South Carolina since their mother’s death.

PREVIOUS: Judge to hear testimony on whether children of accused killer Lee Gilley must return to Texas

After Gilley fled to Italy, attorneys representing Bauer’s family sought an emergency order to suspend the children’s monthly visits with Gilley’s brother and sister-in-law. They argued the visits posed potential safety concerns while investigators continue examining how Gilley was able to leave the United States and whether anyone assisted him.

In response, Lancelin indicated she wanted the children returned to Houston to eliminate concerns surrounding the visitation arrangement.

Attorneys for Bauer’s family countered that returning the children to Texas would not be in their best interest because their mother is dead, their father remains in custody in Italy, and they no longer have family or a home in Houston.

Lancelin agreed to hear testimony on the issue and is also expected to consider whether visitation with Gilley’s relatives should continue during Thursday’s hearing.

Houston transitions to a scorching forecast in the wake of Tropical Storm Arthur

Anthony Yanez — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:04:30 +0000

Thursday’s Forecast:

A Heat Advisory goes into effect at 11 AM Thursday and runs through Friday evening, so the dangerous heat is the big story. After some morning clouds left over from Tropical Storm Arthur, skies will clear and temperatures will climb into the mid-90s. But the real concern is the heat index, with dewpoints surging into the upper 70s, it will feel like 108 to 110° during the afternoon hours. The advisory goes through Friday night.

What it will feel like Friday afternoon

With a Heat Advisory in effect, it’s important to take the heat seriously, this is not the kind of weather to push through. Heat is one of the deadliest weather hazards we face, and when heat index values are soaring into the dangerous range, your body can overheat faster than you might expect. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially during the hottest afternoon hours, and if you have air conditioning, use it. Fans alone may not be adequate in this kind of extreme heat. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing if you do head outside, seek shade when possible, and check on elderly neighbors, young children, and pets. And never, under any circumstances, leave a person or animal alone in a closed car. It takes only minutes for a car’s interior to reach life-threatening temperatures.

How to stay safe

10-day forecast:

After a slight dip in humidity Saturday, the 10-day forecast is a familiar one for Southeast Texas, hot, humid, and steamy. Highs will stay in the low to mid 90s with heat index values continuing to run well above 100 degrees into next week. Isolated storm chances will pop up from time to time. In other words, it’s a classic Houston summer, keep the water bottle handy and the AC running.

10 Day Forecast

'A million years isn’t enough': Victims' relatives confront Gilgo Beach serial killer at sentencing

Philip Marcelo, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:19:33 +0000

After decades waiting for justice, relatives of women murdered by New York’s Gilgo Beach serial killer laid into him Wednesday before he was sentenced to life in prison. He told them: “I am responsible” for the crimes.

“There are no words I can say," said Rex Heuermann, the Long Island architect who lived a secret life of violence for years before admitting he killed eight women. “The words I would say would have no meaning.”

The sentencing capped an extraordinary investigation that solved one of New York’s most perplexing mysteries. The seemingly unconnected and largely overlooked disappearances of young women became the focus of true-crime documentaries, books and podcasts after police began discovering the victims’ skeletal remains in the sandy scrub along a coastal parkway.

Heuermann, 62, will have no possibility of parole.

“A million years isn’t enough,” Violet Swager, a cousin of victim Jessica Taylor, said. “Nothing will ever make this right.”

Judge calls Heuermann ‘despicable’

As a series of victims' kin spoke, Heuermann sat with his hands on the defense table, looking straight ahead and lightly tapping his fingers.

Then Amanda Funderburg, victim Melissa Barthelemy's sister, commanded Heuermann to look at her. He glanced in her direction, but his eyes were slightly downcast.

“I hope you suffer,” Funderburg said as she recounted a taunting phone call she received from him days after Barthelemy disappeared. Funderburg was 15 years old.

JoAnn Mack, the mother of victim Valerie Mack, told the killer that her daughter “had dreams, and you took them all away from her.”

“Justice has been done, but it can’t replace what has been taken,” Mack said.

Heuermann pleaded guilty in April to charges that he murdered seven women: Barthelemy, Mack, Taylor, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Sandra Costilla.

Heuermann also admitted in court to killing an eighth victim, Karen Vergata, though he was never charged in her death. He said he strangled his victims, many of them sex workers, and dismembered some of their bodies.

“Are you at least a little bit sorry for that?” Judge Timothy Mazzei asked Wednesday in an indignant voice.

Heuermann nodded and said “Yes, I am.”

“You are disgusting — a despicable man, if you are a man at all,” the judge said, his voice rising. “And you are a coward.”

As Heuermann was led away in handcuffs, spectators in the packed courtroom jeered.

Victims' families recount a confounding loss

Liliana Waterman, who was 3 when her mom vanished, said she has been waiting her entire life to confront her mother’s killer.

“She can finally rest in peace,” Waterman said outside the courthouse. “He can’t hurt anybody else.”

Most of the women disappeared between 2000 and 2010 and their remains were all found on Long Island. Most were along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. Costilla’s remains were found in 1993 in the Hamptons, while Vergata’s remains were found in 1996 on Fire Island.

Brainard-Barnes’ two children, who were 7 and 1 when she disappeared in 2007, underscored Wednesday how her absence shaped their lives and how she never got to know the adults they became.

Her sister, Melissa Cann, sobbed deeply as she described wondering for decades if she could have done more to protect Brainard-Barnes. But, she said, that guilt is “not mine to carry. It is for Rex and Rex alone.”

Heuermann’s ex-wife and two adult children said they did not attend the sentencing out of respect for the victim’s families.

How the Gilgo Beach serial killer was caught

The case spilled into view in 2010, when investigators started to find remains along Ocean Parkway while looking into the disappearance of another sex worker, Shannan Gilbert, whose death was ultimately ruled an accidental drowning.

The case went cold until 2022, when detectives linked Heuermann to a pickup truck that a witness reported seeing when one of the victims disappeared in 2010.

Eventually, they matched DNA from a pizza crust Heuermann discarded in a Manhattan trash can to genetic material extracted from highly degraded hair fragments found on the women’s remains.

Investigators amassed other evidence, including cellphone and tracking data showing Heuermann arranged meetings with some victims shortly before their disappearances.

After Heuermann's 2023 arrest, prosecutors recovered what they described as a “blueprint” for the killings from his computer files. Among the documents was a series of checklists with reminders to limit noise, clean the bodies and destroy evidence.

Life behind bars

Heuermann will soon be transferred to a state prison after having spent the past three years alone in a segregated cell at the Suffolk County jail, reading crime novels and striking up a brief correspondence with the infamous “Happy Face Killer.”

Calling him “a monster,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney declared there was nothing Heuermann could say to mitigate his deeds.

“There is no doubt this defendant is sorry,” Tierney said. “He is sorry he got caught.”

Defense lawyer Michael Brown said Heuermann has shed tears, and there may be “some sincerity in his expressions of remorse.” His client appeared “as normal as they come” during their interactions, Brown said, in stark contrast with his crimes.

“He’s somewhat of a charismatic figure when you talk to him,” Brown said.

As part of his guilty plea, Heuermann has agreed to cooperate with the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit to help catch other serial killers.

___

Peltz reported from New York.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the cousin of victim Jessica Taylor who is quoted in the story was Violet Swager, not Jasmine Robinson, who spoke after her.

The Latest: US-Iran deal takes ‘immediate effect’ after both sides sign, Pakistan premier says

Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:30:21 +0000

Leaders of both the U.S. and Iran have signed a memorandum of agreement on ending the war in Iran, and it “shall enter into force with immediate effect,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Wednesday.

The agreement calls for Tehran to, at a minimum, dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and would waive but not permanently end sanctions on the country, according to U.S. officials who read the language of the memorandum on ending the war to journalists after days of secrecy.

The agreement would also open the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for two months and affirm a commitment to Lebanon’s territorial integrity in the face of Israel’s invasion against the Hezbollah militant group.

President Donald Trump meanwhile, is wrapping up his time with world leaders in France for the Group of Seven summit. Trump’s last stop in France was a glitzy dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris.

Here is the latest:

Pakistan’s leader deletes post on US-Iran deal, then reposts it without a reference to Friday signing ceremony

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan had written on X that there would still be a formal signing ceremony on Friday after both sides already signed a memorandum of agreement.

Sharif briefly removed the post a short time later, however. Then, he reposted most of the same text but removed a reference to Friday’s ceremony.

That could cast doubt on whether the ceremony will happen.

Trump said he signed the agreement at the Palace of Versailles and U.S. officials had been planning for a meeting on Friday in Switzerland — but with Trump having now signed the document it wasn’t clear if that would still be necessary.

Pakistan says the deal to end the war in Iran is taking ‘immediate effect’ after both sides have signed it

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said leaders of both the U.S. and Iran had signed the agreement and endorsed him as a mediator. He said there will still be a formal signing ceremony on Friday.

He said in a post on X that the deal “shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade.”

Sharif said Pakistan and co-mediator Qatar will still host an official signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland. His post came shortly after Trump said he’d signed the agreement during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles.

US official says US and Iran presidents have signed agreement

Though officials had said Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance had digitally signed the agreement Sunday and that a ceremonial signing would be held Friday in Switzerland, a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details about the agreement said Trump signed the deal while at Versailles on Wednesday.

The U.S. official said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signed it Wednesday, though Iran did not immediately comment. It wasn’t immediately clear if that act started a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal. It was also not clear how Trump’s signing of the deal at Versailles differed from his digital signing on Sunday.

Trump tells reporters he signed the memorandum of understanding with Iran

“It’s signed,” Trump said as he left Versailles.

“I signed it in Versailles,” Trump said. “Just signed it.”

White House says Trump signed agreement on ending war in Iran

The White House said Trump signed a memorandum of understanding on ending the war in Iran while at Versailles, though cameras weren’t present for that.

Many historic treaties have been signed at Versailles over the centuries, ending wars or territorial disputes. The most infamous was that sealed in 1919 officially ending World War I — whose harsh terms imposed on Germany are blamed by some historians for laying the groundwork for World War II.

The gilt doors of Versailles

Trump walked through the palace’s courtyard and met his hosts, posing for photographers in front of the famed golden doors.

“Versailles is not gold leaf — Versailles is the real deal,” Trump had explained to reporters earlier about why he said yes to the late dinner outside Paris after the G7.

Earlier, Macron had told reporters that “Versailles is a diplomatic tool and an instrument of influence.”

GOP senator calls Iran deal ‘worst foreign policy blunder in decades’

“Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana in a post, referring to the former president.

“Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works and will undoubtedly leverage it in the future,” the Republican said.

“Before the war, the strait was open, Iran was being crushed by sanctions, and 13 service members were still alive,” Cassidy said. “Now, 13 Americans are dead, families have paid billions at the pump, sanctions will be lifted, and the bombing has stopped.”

Cassidy, who lost his primary reelection bid after Trump endorsed his challenger, has been among the rare Republicans willing to criticize the president.

“This is the worst foreign policy blunder in decades,” he posted.

Cruz says Trump is getting ‘bad advice’ on Iran

The Texas Republican, a leading hawk on Iran, heavily criticized the draft of the memorandum of agreement between the U.S. and Tehran shortly after it was released to journalists.

“Giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea,” Cruz told reporters. “I think the president, unfortunately, is receiving bad advice.”

Cruz was also critical of how the agreement addresses the issue of tolls through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. draft secures toll-free passage through the vital waterway for 60 days, but it doesn’t preclude fees in the future.

“Setting up Iran to be in charge of the Strait of Hormuz in perpetuity and to charge tolls is not in America’s interest,” Cruz said. “In my view, the Ayatollah should not reap a single penny from the free transit of the seas.”

Energy experts say deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz is welcomed, given low oil reserves

The tentative deal for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and sell its oil without restrictions will help ease supply shortages in the short term, energy experts said.

“The oil market welcomes more supply from Iran or anywhere else right now,” said Jim Krane, energy research fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute. “Stocks are running low.”

But in the long term, there’s the chance that too much oil will come to market, Krane said, adding, “reopening the strait has come alongside investment in more oil production elsewhere, especially in the U.S. and Latin America.”

The global supply glut of crude oil that existed pre-war could return in 2027 if the peace deal holds, according to research firm Clearview Energy Partners. A report released by the International Energy Agency on Wednesday estimates a global shortfall of 0.9 million barrels of oil and petroleum products per day for 2026, which is more optimistic than other recent estimates, according to Clearview.

Senate Republican leader says MOU leaves more questions

Sen. John Thune said he doesn’t think the document that’s now been released is the final product.

“My understanding is, it’s a framework, it’s an MOU, and probably have more to come in terms of any final agreement,” Thune told reporters at the Capitol.

Congress has not yet been briefed on the emerging deal.

“I don’t think probably what you’re seeing right now represents what a final deal will look like,” he said. “I think that sounds like it’s still going to be negotiated.”

He said there are “a bunch of things” senators will have questions about.

Trump says he’s looking forward to having a ‘good time’ at Versailles

“We had an amazing day and now we’re going to Versailles for dinner with some of Europe’s great people,” he told reporters after Air Force One landed in Paris but before the drive to Versailles.

“I think we’re going to have a good time,” Trump said.

Trump arrives in Paris before Versailles dinner with Macron

Official says US or Iran could walk away at any time until they reach a final deal

The second official said the signed memorandum of understanding is final and has not been changed since it was signed electronically on Sunday. But the official said either side could walk away at any time until they reach a final deal, which they will attempt to do over 60 days.

The official referred to the plans to work with Iran to reach a final deal as a “gentleman’s agreement” and said they would find out in talks starting this weekend whether they can continue moving forward.

If talks with Iran do not seem to be working, then the U.S. could pull the plug on the effort to negotiate and return to “tightening the screws on them very, very aggressively,” the official said.

Oxfam’s withering view of the G7 gathering

A statement from the campaign group calls it the “summit of omissions” that was “defined as much by what was left off the agenda as by what was discussed.”

“Climate change, gender inequality and human rights were conspicuously sidelined to secure President Trump’s attendance. Silence became a strategy,” it said.

But the statement welcomed the G7 leaders’ call for a strong and coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak in Congo.

Trump says US isn’t giving Iran money but suggests frozen assets will be returned

He has repeatedly denied that the U.S. is sending money to Iran as part of a deal, but he said Iranian assets frozen during the war should be returned.

“It’s not our money, it’s their money, and we froze it,” Trump said. “At a certain point in time, I guess we’re going to have to give it back.”

Trump said he considered keeping the frozen assets for the U.S., but said it would hurt the strength of the U.S. dollar. “If we didn’t give it back, nobody would ever invest in the dollar again,” he said.

Trump jokes that if the Iran deal is a failure, he’s blaming Vance

Asked about the possibility of blaming the vice president if the deal with Iran doesn’t work out, Trump replied, “I like that idea, sure.”

“This way, if it works out, I’m going to take the credit. If it doesn’t work out, I’m blaming JD,” the president continued. Then, striking a more playful tone, he added, “You better be careful, JD.”

Vance has become a leading administration voice promoting the initial agreement to end the war in Iran, even as Trump has occasionally contradicted facets of the agreement that Vance has announced publicly.

The vice president is expected to be part of the U.S. delegation signing the agreement Friday in Switzerland. But Trump joked of Vance, “He’s gonna turn his plane around and get the hell out of here.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry suggests deal with US may be signed by Presidents Trump and Pezeshkian

Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday night suggested that Presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian could sign the deal with the United States.

Such a signing ceremony would represent a major step for the two countries, which saw diplomatic relations break off in 1980 over the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, quoted by Iranian state television, made the comment.

Pezeshkian became president on a promise of seeking better relations with the West. However, he’s been sidelined for months after Iran’s mass killing of protesters in January and in the war as hard-liners broadly have taken over the levers of the country’s theocracy.

US officials read memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists after days of secrecy; Iran has not released text

Senior U.S. officials have dictated the memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists after days of secrecy.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to read the draft, which Iran has not released, ahead of a formal signing ceremony set for Friday.

According to the officials, the draft agreement includes a new ‘minimum’ standard for downblending of highly enriched Iranian uranium. Also, it has provisions to ensure the ‘territorial integrity’ of Lebanon after Israel’s latest attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanese territory.

In return, the U.S. will move to waive, but not eliminate, some wide-ranging sanctions against Iran once the deal is signed.

The U.S. draft of the agreement also only secures toll-free passage of the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, and it doesn’t preclude fees in the future, the officials said.

If Iran violates agreement, Trump says US will ‘bomb the hell out of them’

Asked how the terms of an agreement would be enforced, Trump said the threat of further bombings would be enough.

“What else am I going to do? Am I going to say, ‘I’m going to take you to court?’” Trump said. “You know, we’re going to bomb the hell out of them if they violate the agreement.”

Trump said he doesn’t think Iran will veer from the deal and said he does not want to resume attacks. But he added that “bad things happen in war — war is a nasty place.”

Trump indicates he doesn’t plan to hold US officials accountable for bombing of Iran school

Asked whether he’d hold anyone in his administration accountable for the deadly missile strike on an elementary school in Iran that killed over 165 people, the president suggested that no, he would not.

Trump said it was an odd question given that the bombing had happened so long ago, during the opening days of the war in Iran.

He also said that all war is nasty and that, in this case, mistakes might have been made, but that “Nobody did it on purpose.”

Trump also said, though, that the Department of Defense is still investigating the bombing.

During a subsequent question, he returned to the school bombing, repeating the sentiment that war was nasty: “Bad things happen in war.”

Trump hints at diplomatic visit from Lebanon, offers sympathy amid Israeli strikes

It wasn’t immediately clear who would be visiting from Lebanon — Trump first said the president and then the prime minister would be coming to Washington “over the next week or two.”

Trump repeatedly expressed sympathy for Lebanon while criticizing Israel, calling it a source of tension with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I say, ‘You can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s from Hezbollah,’” Trump said.

Trump said he feels bad for Lebanon, adding that it was “a great culture.”

“It was an incredible culture, maybe the highest in the Middle East, for years and years, centuries,” Trump said. “And for the last 50, 60 years, they have been just trashed.”

Trump offers lengthy – and very meandering – opening comments

The president began the press conference by speaking for around 40 straight minutes – offering a steady, stream-of-consciousness-style monologue that covered everything from Iran and Ukraine to drug dealers hiding fentanyl in hubcaps.

Trump talked about not wanting to crash the U.S. economy during the Iran war and said he thought Russia and Ukraine might make a deal to end that war.

He boasted about securing the U.S.-Mexico border but said that Mexico “has lost control of that country” and suggested that smuggling cartels – which he said hid drugs in cars and car parts to move them over the U.S.-Mexico border – had Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum “scared.”

Trump also talked about reaching a possible nuclear accord internationally, even as he suggested that he’d avoided “a nuclear holocaust.” And he said he was looking forward to admiring the golden finishes of the Palace of Versailles when he went to dinner there later Wednesday.

Trump thanks China, Russia for staying ‘neutral’

As he wrapped up his meandering opener during his press conference, the president noted that the leaders of China and Russia - often allies with Iran - largely stayed out of the conflict.

“They could’ve made it much more difficult for us,” Trump said.

China, in particular, had weapons that could “knock down airplanes,” he said.

“I said. ‘I would really appreciate your not giving or selling any of that stuff to Iran,’” Trump continued. “And you know what? For the most part, he didn’t.”

Trump again denies $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, traces it to Vance statement

“JD made a statement. It was a perfect statement, and they reported it in a very strange way. But that’s because that’s why it’s fake news, I guess,” Trump said.

He emphasized that the U.S. is “not investing any money” even though he said Tehran will need aid to recover.

Trump says an Iran deal will be signed ‘shortly’ and that a copy has been sent to Israel

Amid conflicting messages from Trump and top administration officials about whether an initial deal to end the war in Iran had already been signed, Trump said the agreement could be signed “maybe tomorrow” or the next day, meaning Thursday or Friday.

Trump recalled his years as a developer and said, “My whole life is all about deals,” and that sometimes “Crazy things happen with deals.”

But he added, “We are going to most likely sign a deal.” He said Iran wants “to sign a deal, and they’ve been acting very appropriately.”

Exactly what the deal entails is a matter of confusion since Trump and his administration have refuted publicly reported details without providing concrete details, they say are correct.

Trump also said a copy of the deal would be released and that the U.S. sent a copy to Israel.

Trump shifts tone on US allies, praises their support for Iran agreement

After complaining for months that U.S. allies were doing too little to help the U.S. in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Trump on Wednesday quickly shifted to praise for their support of a deal.

“The past two days have provided a chance to discuss the details of this historic agreement with many of our closest friends and allies, including the G7 nations and many presidents and prime ministers,” Trump said in remarks at the summit.

It comes after U.S. allies issued a statement welcoming the framework of a deal to extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said, “They all put out statements saying they love this deal, because they want to see it over.”

Trump says negotiating an end to the Iran war buoyed the stock market

The president suggested that fears of a weakening U.S. economy were a big driver for the administration’s work to negotiate an initial deal to end the Iran war.

“Every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the stock market shot up like a rocket ship,” Trump said. “The stock market is more brilliant than anybody there is.”

Trump also said that the “one thing I didn’t want to see is, I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe.” He said that “could have happened” if the war had continued.

“The one president I did not want to be was the late, great Herbert Hoover,” Trump said, referring to the president whose policies helped exacerbate the Great Depression.

Macron defends red carpet treatment for Trump

French President Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to roll out the red carpet for Trump, including a dinner at the Palace of Versailles later Wednesday.

“Versailles is a diplomatic tool and an instrument of influence,” Macron said.

Using a soccer analogy, Macron said he approaches diplomacy like the French national team: “Whether I’m playing at home or away, my goal is to score goals. And when I host other teams, I try to give them a nice welcome.”

Macron says he has always trusted Trump

Macron said he has “always trusted President Trump” because they both have “always spoken frankly.”

That applies on U.S. tariffs issues, Macron said, after Trump threatened 100% tariff on French wines unless a European digital tax is dropped. Macron is still seeking a compromise that would avoid U.S. tariffs from taking effect.

“Partners should never impose tariffs on one another or create instability,” Macron said.

Macron says US limit on cutting-edge Anthropic AI is a ‘bad thing’

The French leader is taking aim at a Trump administration directive preventing the use of Anthropic’s latest artificial intelligence models by foreign nationals.

He said it is “a good thing” that U.S. officials recognize that cutting-edge AI models could be dangerous. “What do they fear? That these models could be used by others to attack them or attack us,” he said.

But the “very strong decision” from the Trump administration is also “a bad thing,” he said. “The reaction is in some regards strictly nationalist.”

Anthropic said it has taken its latest artificial intelligence models, known as Fable 5 and Mythos 5, offline to comply with the directive. The AI giant said it did not believe the steps taken by the government were warranted by the concern it flagged about a potential security issue.

Macron describes ‘an Evian moment’ on Ukraine

Macron said the summit, attended by Zelenskyy, helped convince Trump that Russia currently has no serious intention of negotiating peace.

It’s too early to say whether there would be a clear “before” and “after” the Evian summit, Macron said — future developments will determine its impact.

“But there was an Evian moment, certainly on Ukraine,” he said.

Macron warns of the risks of artificial intelligence

G7 leaders discussed the revolutionary technology on Wednesday, the summit’s last day.

The French leader, the summit host, called for regulation.

“No one — neither political leaders nor business leaders — can any longer ignore the impact of AI on our democracies, on our societies. That is why the possibility and the necessity of regulation have now become imperative,” he said.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in Gaza during ceasefire, Palestinian authorities say

Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:45:11 +0000

Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip have killed 1,005 Palestinians since a ceasefire was reached between Israel and the militant group Hamas last October, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.

The enclave has seen near-daily strikes, as well as shelling and gunfire along the boundary that divides Gaza into Israeli and Palestinian-controlled zones. The most recent deaths were recorded after a series of Israeli drone strikes in the past few days on towns and refugee camps in central Gaza and Gaza City.

Also Wednesday, an Israeli strike killed two Palestinians and wounded six others in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, health officials at Nasser Hospital said. The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out the strike and said the target was a “terrorist,” but didn't elaborate. Families at the hospital said the strike targeted a group of people near the beach in the sprawling tent camp of Muwasi, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians live.

Israel has said it is continuing to operate against Hamas and allied militants in Gaza and has expanded the amount of territory it controls inside the strip. Both sides have accused the other of violating the ceasefire.

In a separate statement Wednesday, the Israeli military said that it killed two militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in strikes over the weekend.

Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war had surpassed 73,000 in Gaza. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage, on Oct. 7, 2023. In response, Israeli leaders promised a punishing offensive on the Gaza Strip to annihilate Hamas and free the hostages.

Teenager dies after being thrown from horse-drawn carriage in NYC's Central Park

Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:56:22 +0000

A teenager thrown to the ground Wednesday when a Central Park carriage horse bolted away from its driver has died, according to police.

The 18-year-old was riding in the horse-drawn carriage with three other passengers when the accident happened just before 3 p.m., according to the New York Police Department. At least two passengers were sent flying out of the careening cab.

The teenager was initially hospitalized in critical condition. The other passengers refused medical treatment.

A representative for the Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage industry employees, said the driver had dismounted to take a photograph of his passengers, which they are not supposed to do.

The horse had been in the park for only six weeks, according to Alexander Kemp, the administrative vice president of the union's local chapter. He said he wants a full investigation.

“Safety in the park has been a growing concern among many, and improvements are needed to be made with respect to all vehicles, including e-bicycles, delivery vehicles, pedicabs, and horse-drawn carriages," he said in a statement.

It's a fraught moment for Central Park's 150-year-old horse-drawn carriage industry. The industry has long been seen as a quaint attraction that offers tourists a romantic remnant of a bygone New York, while providing hundreds of jobs to drivers, along with many farm and racing horses. But they are now facing the growing threat of a ban from opponents who say the rides are both inhumane to horses and a danger to city residents.

Wednesday's event follows several recent horse-related problems in the park, including the fatal collapse of a horse last week.

The Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit which operates the park and came out last summer in support of banning horse-drawn carriages, said the back-to-back events should bring an end to the industry.

“A young man came to enjoy our park and lost his life,” the group said in a statement. “That is not an acceptable cost of an antiquated industry operating in the middle of one of the most heavily used public spaces in America.”

Central Park is nearly 850 acres and attracts millions of people every year.

Comedy trailblazer Tom Dreesen, Sinatra’s longtime opening act, dies at 86

Beth Harris, Associated Press — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:56:33 +0000

Tom Dreesen, who along with partner Tim Reid formed one of America's first interracial stand-up comedy duos and later spent years as Frank Sinatra's opening act, died Wednesday. He was 86.

Dreesen died at his home in Los Angeles, according to publicist Lori De Waal. A cause of death was not provided.

After meeting in Chicago, Dreesen and Reid, who was Black, formed “Tim and Tom” in 1969. Against a backdrop of simmering racial tension, they used humor to address social issues and promote understanding between audiences of different backgrounds. They worked together until the mid-1970s. Reid went on to solo success playing DJ Venus Flytrap on the popular TV sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” where Dreesen was a guest star.

“When I was a kid I found an album he and his comedy partner did called Tim and Tom and took it home and played it and it was one of the albums that changed the course of my life. So great,” comedian and filmmaker Mike Binder wrote on X.

After splitting with Reid, Dreesen honed a solo comedy act, making over 500 national TV appearances, including 60 visits to “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." He also was a frequent guest and sometime guest host on “The Late Show with David Letterman." Their friendship dated to the early 1970s when both worked at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California.

Dreesen's final TV appearance came last week on “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” which replaced Stephen Colbert's canceled CBS late-night show.

Dreesen was Sinatra's opening act for 14 years and became close with the entertainer.

“If he loved you, he worshipped the ground you walked on,” Dreesen told The Desert Sun newspaper in 2014. ”In a lot of ways, he was like a father to me. I didn’t have a father that really cared that much where I was and what I did. But Frank would give me advice and counsel, and then he was a buddy in a lot of ways. I thought the world of him."

Dressen also toured with Sinatra's fellow Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr., as well as Liza Minnelli, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and Tony Orlando.

“He was one of the most brilliant comedians of all time. Tonight, he'll once again be opening for Dean, Frank and Sammy,” Deana Martin, a daughter of Dean Martin, posted on X.

In 2008, he co-wrote the book “Tim and Tom: An American Comedy Act in Black and White” and in 2020 he authored his memoir.

Dreesen acted in such TV shows as “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote," and “Touched by an Angel.” His film roles included “Spaceballs,” “Man on the Moon” and “Trouble With the Curve,” as well as the HBO movies “The Rat Pack” and “Lansky.”

Dreesen was active in charitable work, motivational speaking and veterans’ causes, including serving as ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.

"America lost one of our great comedians and patriots, and I lost a dear friend,” Sinise posted on X.

He was born on Sept. 11, 1939, in Chicago and raised as one of eight children in suburban Harvey. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and after getting out in 1960 he returned home to work a series of jobs, including selling insurance.

Dreesen is survived by daughters Amy and Jennifer from his marriage to Maryellen Subock, which ended in divorce in 1984, as well as seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Tommy.

Congolese and Portugal fans react to historic 1-1 draw at FIFA World Cup 2026

Nick Mantas — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:12:36 +0000

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has brought together fans from across the world to share in the excitement of each game.

After a 1-1 draw in the Democratic Republic of Congo vs. Portugal game, where D.R. Congo scored its first goal in World Cup history, the Congolese and fans of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal shared their reactions to such a historic moment.

“Having seen what happened today, it’s a miracle,” said Congo fan Beni Robert Lukumu. “As you can see, a lot of people didn’t expect Congo to win. We’re so excited, as you can see, the joy up there. I know even the President, the Congolese President, is here, Félix Tshisekedi, he came to attend this game, and as you can see, the joy, just...WE JUST EXCITED!”

“To be honest, it was a dream come true for my kids, myself, never been to a World Cup game, so this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I couldn’t let it go,” said Miguel Medrano. “We drove five hours from Laredo, but it was worth every mile, it was worth every dollar we spent. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t what we wanted, but we still have hope that (Cristiano) Ronaldo is gonna lift one of these at the end, so this was just a little hurdle, but we still have hope that he’s gonna lift the cup.”

D.R. Congo’s next match is against Colombia on Tuesday, June 23rd, 9 p.m. at Guadalajara Stadium. For Portugal, their next match is back at Houston Stadium on Tuesday at Noon against Uzbekistan.

The next game at Houston Stadium is on Saturday between Sweden and the Netherlands at Noon.

Parts of Brazoria County impacted with flooding after Wednesday morning’s heavy rains

Mario Díaz, Jeovany Luna — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:03:32 +0000

On Wednesday, KPRC 2 loaded up the storm tracker and rolled out to Brazoria County to see how the overnight downpours impacted various communities.

Social media videos showed streets and yards being impacted from Angleton down to Surfside. By late morning, Angleton was dried out in most parts with some properties still showcasing plenty of standing water.

Houston transitions to a scorching forecast in the wake of Tropical Storm Arthur

In southeast Angleton, along the banks of Bastrop Bayou, the waters had elevated to the point that several docks were completely underwater. Residents who live along the banks say they have not seen it this bad in years. The greater concern for them, how much water will flow through the bayou as a result of water levels shedding from other parts of the state.

Reports of impacted streets in Freeport were completely dry by late afternoon.

Man, woman rescued from vehicle stranded in high water in Brazoria County as heavy rain moves through area

A short drive up the road in Clute, Ralph and George Streets were overwhelmed with around 20 inches of water that refused to disappear for most of the day. It wasn’t until a sweltering sun emerged that the waters started to evaporate.

City of Clute Public Works employees confirmed to KPRC 2 that all pumps were working properly. It was simply a case of too much water impacting the system according to one worker.

Flooding, strong winds impact Surfside Beach and Freeport as tropical weather moves through Gulf

Joy Addison — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:44:04 +0000

Heavy rain, strong winds and high tides caused flooding across parts of Brazoria County Wednesday morning, as tropical weather churned in the Gulf, leaving some roads underwater and prompting officials to urge residents to stay cautious.

In Surfside Beach, village officials remained in a Level 3 readiness posture as they monitored conditions and prepared for possible additional rain bands.

“We had a lot of heavy rainfall last night. There was a lot of flooding this morning as well,” said David Calhoun, Tourism and IT Director for the Village of Surfside Beach. “We’re really just trying to make sure everybody’s safe and the city keeps functioning.”

According to Calhoun, a Level 3 designation means the village is in a state of readiness. This is one step above normal operations. Officials encouraged residents to review emergency plans, charge electronic devices and make basic preparations as the tropical system developed in the Gulf.

Houston transitions to a scorching forecast in the wake of Tropical Storm Arthur

While the center of the storm was expected to move toward Louisiana, Surfside still experienced impacts from strong onshore winds, high tides and rain.

“The wind is pushing water up off the Gulf, and then that mixed in with the high tide and the heavy rainfall is going to lead to a lot of water inundation,” Calhoun said.

Elevated homes help limit damage

Several roadways in Surfside were covered by water throughout the day, making travel difficult in some areas. Calhoun said elevated homes throughout the community helped minimize damage.

“Thankfully here in Surfside, most of our homes are elevated, so it’s mitigated a lot of the damage,” he said. “Mainly it’s just some of those roadways that are covered right now.”

Officials reported no widespread power outages and no high-water rescues within the village.

Calhoun also warned visitors and residents to avoid driving through flooded streets and to stay out of the Gulf while rough surf and rip currents remain a concern.

“Better safe than sorry,” he said. “If your gut is telling you this isn’t a good idea, it’s probably not a good idea.”

Driver rescued after SUV floods in Freeport

Just north in Freeport, emergency crews responded to several flooding incidents, including a rescue involving an SUV stranded in high water on Second Street.

The driver, identified only as Bruce, said he and his girlfriend were returning from work when they encountered what appeared to be a normal roadway.

“It looked like the regular road whenever I came over,” he said. “As soon as I took the dip in there, it started just flooding the car. Nothing I could do.”

Bruce said water quickly filled the vehicle, forcing them to call 911.

Man, woman rescued from vehicle stranded in high water in Brazoria County as heavy rain moves through area

“Freeport Police Department came in to help us in a speedy manner,” he said.

The pair safely exited the vehicle with assistance from officers and walked to higher ground. Despite losing his SUV, Bruce remained optimistic.

“Everybody came out fine. I think we’re all good,” he said.

Residents frustrated by recurring flooding

Residents in Surfside say flooding has become a recurring problem whenever storms, high tides and rough Gulf conditions occur at the same time.

Jeff, a Surfside resident, said rising Gulf waters often have nowhere to drain, causing streets to flood.

“It is extremely difficult to travel these streets here in Surfside. It’s dangerous,” he said. “Don’t come down if you want to look around. Certainly don’t come down and go surfing because it’s very, very dangerous.”

Jeff said local and state officials have discussed projects aimed at reducing flooding, including efforts to better manage sand movement along the coast, but residents are frustrated by the pace of progress.

“This is a tourist-driven town,” he said. “People like to come down. We typically have beautiful beaches, great places to bring your kids, nice restaurants. But right now we’re in lockdown. Nobody makes money, and it affects the economy greatly here in Surfside Beach.”

Floodwaters expected to recede

While conditions improved throughout the day, residents say standing water may linger in some areas long after the storm moves away.

“You’ll see people out driving and moving around, but we will have water here for quite a long time,” Jeff said. “And that comes with other issues — sewer, mosquitoes, et cetera.”

Officials expect gusty winds and periods of rain to continue in the short term but remain hopeful floodwaters will continue receding as the weather system tracks farther east.

In the meantime, emergency managers are urging drivers not to attempt crossing flooded roads and advising beachgoers to stay out of the rough surf due to the threat of dangerous rip currents.

Entergy says it is prepared for hurricane season after Tropical Storm Arthur brings heavy rain to SE Texas

Re'Chelle Turner, Gage Divin — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:40:03 +0000

As Tropical Storm Arthur moved through Southeast Texas, bringing periods of heavy rain and localized flooding, Entergy Texas officials say the company was prepared and is already looking ahead to the rest of hurricane season.

While the storm weakened after making its way through the region, utility crews spent days preparing for the possibility of widespread outages and storm-related damage.

“We felt we were very prepared,” said Kenny Muhammad, Entergy Texas Regional Manager of Customer Service. “Preparation is something we do 365 days a year.”

Muhammad says Entergy activated its storm response plans before the weather arrived. The company brought in additional crews, opened its storm command center and staged resources across the service area.

Those resources included high-water vehicles and equipment designed to help crews reach damaged areas safely if flooding became a problem.

“We had our teams staffed around the clock, including operations and communications personnel,” Muhammad said. “We strategically staged resources so that if outages occurred, we could restore customers as safely and quickly as possible.”

Although the storm did not cause the widespread devastation seen during previous hurricanes, Entergy officials say every weather event provides an opportunity to evaluate response efforts and identify areas for improvement.

The company says preparations don’t stop once a storm passes.

Muhammad said Entergy continues to invest in infrastructure improvements designed to strengthen the power grid and reduce outages during future storms.

Those efforts include upgrading hundreds of utility poles, replacing transmission and distribution lines, and conducting extensive vegetation management across the region.

According to Entergy, crews have completed more than 1,300 miles of vegetation management work and removed more than 3,500 hazardous trees that could potentially damage power lines during severe weather.

“We’re continually investing in our grid to ensure we have reliable power,” Muhammad said.

The company also conducts regular emergency response drills and works to ensure power generation facilities and fuel supplies are ready before major weather events threaten the region.

As hurricane season continues, Entergy officials are encouraging residents to make their own preparations now rather than waiting for a storm to develop.

That includes creating an emergency plan, stocking up on supplies and preparing for the possibility of extended power outages.

“Have a plan,” Muhammad said. “Make sure you have supplies ready and stocked up in the event that there is an outage that occurs that helps you sustain throughout it and recover right after the storm.”

Entergy is also encouraging customers to stay connected through the company’s mobile app, and social media channels to receive outage updates and emergency information during severe weather.

“Know that Entergy Texas is prepared,” Muhammad said. “But customers should be prepared as well.”