HOUSTON, Texas – Here’s a look at your top stories to help start your day.
Houston Area School Districts Respond to Student Walkouts Over ICE Protests
Houston-area school districts are addressing student-led walkouts tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests by emphasizing that demonstrations during instructional time are not permitted and focusing on safety and educational continuity. Districts including Conroe, Katy, Fort Bend, and Cypress-Fairbanks clearly stated they respect students’ rights to expression but warned of unexcused absences and disciplinary consequences for leaving class, while some encouraged students to return to class or express views through approved forums; the Texas Education Agency also issued guidance outlining potential sanctions for students, teachers, and districts related to walkouts and political activism.
GOP Leaders Push for Support Ahead of Key Vote to End Partial Government Shutdown
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are working to secure support from their conference ahead of a procedural vote aimed at advancing a spending bill to end the partial federal government shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP lawmakers have been engaging members to obtain near-unanimous backing so the bill can move forward, with the effort tied to broader negotiations on funding through September and specific provisions for agencies including the Department of Homeland Security.
Jill Biden’s First Husband Charged With Killing His Wife in Delaware
William Stevenson, 77, the first husband of former first lady Jill Biden, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, 64, following a domestic dispute at their Wilmington, Delaware, home on Dec. 28, 2025. Police found Linda Stevenson unresponsive after a call about the dispute, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful, and Stevenson remains jailed after failing to post $500,000 bail; he was indicted after a weekslong investigation, and Jill Biden has declined to comment.
Sen. Mitch McConnell Hospitalized for Evaluation After Flu-Like Symptoms
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell checked himself into a hospital Monday night for evaluation after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend, according to a spokesman. The 83-year-old Republican from Kentucky sought medical care out of what a statement described as an abundance of caution, and no further details about his condition were immediately released.
Study Finds Renting Cheaper Than Buying in Many U.S. Cities
Renting remains more affordable than buying a home in many U.S. cities, even as home prices begin to see a small decline, according to a new study from LendingTree. The study found that homebuyers pay nearly 37% more per month than renters on average, with the widest gaps in cities such as San Francisco and New York, where monthly mortgage payments can reach about $4,000 while rent is roughly $1,600 less.