HOUSTON, Texas – It’s Friday, and here’s what’s happening in Houston and around the country this morning.
Conroe judge arrested for DWI, arrested three times before
A Conroe Municipal Court judge is once again facing legal trouble after being arrested Wednesday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and carrying a weapon — a sobering development for a local official. Judge William Waggoner, elected in 2022 and now campaigning for another office, has a documented history with the law: court records reveal at least three prior arrests, including previous DWIs and an evading arrest charge, with earlier cases ultimately dismissed or resolved without convictions. Despite the latest arrest, he remains on the bench while the legal process unfolds.
US seizure of rogue oil tanker off Venezuela signals new crackdown on shadow fleet
U.S. forces executed a daring helicopter raid to seize the tanker Skipper nearly 360 nautical miles off Venezuela’s coast, marking a dramatic escalation in efforts to disrupt what Washington calls a “shadow fleet” of illicit oil carriers. The ship — long accused of falsifying location signals and flying a fake flag to ferry sanctioned crude for countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran — was carrying millions of barrels of oil when it was taken. Experts say the move could significantly raise the risks for other black-market smugglers and potentially reshape the economic lifeline for sanctioned regimes, even as it may affect global fuel markets.
Drivers beware: I-69 to SH 288 connector ramps closing all weekend
Motorists in the Houston area will need to plan this weekend as major connector ramps linking I-69 and SH 288 are scheduled to be closed, causing possible delays that could ripple through peak travel times. The closures are part of planned maintenance and improvement work, meaning drivers should expect detours and altered traffic patterns from Friday evening through the weekend. Officials urge local commuters — especially those using this key corridor - to adjust routes accordingly and allow for extra travel time.
By the numbers: Total number of ICE arrests under Pres. Trump compared to Pres. Biden
A detailed breakdown of ICE enforcement figures paints a stark comparison between the Trump and Biden administrations: nationwide arrest totals were significantly higher under Trump, with Texas, including the Houston area, also seeing a marked increase. Across the country, more people were apprehended for both criminal convictions and immigration violations, and the demographic data highlights trends in gender and national origin among those detained.
Wig-wearing suspect steals wallets from Houston medical practices in elaborate scheme
Houston police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect tied to a string of thefts at local medical offices, where a woman wearing a black wig and upscale clothing posed as a patient to steal wallets and rack up fraudulent charges. Investigators say she targeted at least four practices, using a “feminine emergency” as a distraction to slip away with wallets and then allegedly made purchases with stolen cards. Victims describe losing thousands of dollars and treasured personal items as authorities piece together the crime spree.