Here are things to know for Wednesday, April 28:
1. Biden to nominate Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to lead ICE
President Joe Biden on Tuesday nominated the sheriff of one of the nation’s most populous counties to lead the agency that deports people in the country illegally, picking a seasoned law enforcement official who sharply criticized Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, whose jurisdiction includes the Houston metropolitan area, was nominated director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency that has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since 2017.
After his election in 2016, Gonzalez fulfilled a campaign promise to withdraw Harris County from a federal partnership that authorizes sheriff’s deputies to enforce immigration laws, ending an agreement that had been in place since 2008. Such agreements grew from 35 to 150 during Trump’s presidency, with many of those additions in Texas and Florida.
2. ITC to pay $900,000 settlement to Harris County for 2019 Deer Park fire
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee secured a $900,000 settlement from the 2019 Intercontinental Terminals Company fire in Deer Park.
The ITC fire erupted when a tank containing a flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture caught fire and spread to additional tanks. The fire, which burned for several days, created a plume over the Houston area before it was extinguished. The fire caused local businesses and schools to close during the burn.
ITC was held accountable in the lawsuit for violating Harris County’s development regulations and producing pollutants into the county’s stormwater system.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office is also pursuing an environmental case against ITC for unlawful air emissions and water discharges without the county. The lawsuit was filed in Travis County due to Harris County’s recent law that takes away the county’s right to bring cases under state environmental laws where the state has already intervened.
3. Family of Richmond man who was killed while listening to music in his car asks for justice
Richmond police are asking for the public’s help in bringing justice to the family of a 56-year-old man who was shot and killed while sitting in his car listening to music outside of his home.
“I just can’t believe that someone had the nerve to do that,” Melissa Duran, the sister of the victim said.
On April 15, Richmond police said Carlos Medina was outside of his home at the Lamar Park Apartments in Richmond when he was shot to death.
Duran’s older brother, Carlos Medina, said his brother was just doing what he did every day.
“He always hung around in his van, listening to music and smoking a cigarette,” Duran said. “Someone walked up to him and shot him.”
4. Montgomery County man files complaint after accusing deputies of breaking his neck during traffic stop
A Montgomery County man has filed a complaint against the Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office after he said officers used excessive force and broke his neck during a traffic stop.
On Jan. 19, 40-year-old Gary Berger said he was riding his motorcycle home when he was unaware that an officer was following him.
Alberto Ruiz, Berger’s attorney, said the officer’s cruiser’s dashcam video showed Berger’s motorcycle hitting a dip on the side of the road as he turned into his fiancée’s street, causing him to fall over.
As Berger rises to his feet, hands raised to his side, a deputy constable is heard on body camera footage ordering him to get on the ground and threatening to tase him.
5. Houston organizations offering aid to India’s COVID-19 outbreak
Houston organizations are sending resources to India to help the country control its coronavirus outbreak.
COVID-19′s second wave has hit India hard. Hospitals are filled with people lucky enough to make it to one. Shipments of oxygen concentrators cannot make to those who need them fast enough. The country is also using mass crematoriums to keep up with the deceased.
There’s only so much Tithi Thakker can do from Houston. Her best friend is currently battling the virus in northern India.
“One of my best friends who stays there, even her entire family has COVID,” Thakker said. “They were quarantined for 14 days and some of the family members were also in the hospital.”