HOUSTON, Texas – It’s Friday, and here’s what’s happening in Houston and around the country this morning.
encourage longer trips, and officials urge travelers to plan ahead
Friends and classmates have identified 16-year-old Andrew Meismer as the teenager who died after being stabbed with scissors during a fight at Ross S. Sterling High School in Baytown. His girlfriend spoke about losing “her everything,” saying she didn’t get to see or hold him before he died. The suspect, 18-year-old Aundre Matthews, was charged with murder after the Harris County District Attorney’s Office accepted the case. Officials say the incident began as a fight between two male students and that Meismer was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Goose Creek CISD has made counseling available for students and staff in the wake of the tragedy.
Man suspected in Brown University shooting and MIT professor found dead, officials say
Law enforcement found the suspect in last weekend’s Brown University mass shooting dead at a storage facility in New Hampshire. Investigators believe the 48-year-old former Brown student, Claudio Neves Valente, killed two students and wounded nine others in a classroom before fatally shooting an MIT professor in his Boston-area home days later. Officials say Valente died by a self-inflicted gunshot and acted alone, though the motive remains unclear. Law enforcement credits a civilian tip after security footage was shared publicly, ultimately helping identify him.
Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children
Federal health officials unveiled new regulatory actions aimed at blocking access to gender-affirming care for minors, taking what administration leaders described as major steps to restrict puberty blockers, hormone therapy and related treatments for transgender children. The proposed rules would cut off Medicaid and Medicare funding for such care and mirror broader efforts by the administration and some lawmakers to limit transgender health services nationwide. Advocates and major medical groups have criticized the moves, warning they will jeopardize access to care for young people.
Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that, if implemented, would direct federal agencies to consider classifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug under federal law. The order reflects shifting policy at the national level, though details about how or when any reclassification might take effect were still emerging at the time of publication. The move highlights the ongoing debate over marijuana policy in Washington.
Holiday travel kicks off this weekend as AAA forecasts record-breaking crowds
Millions of Americans are expected to begin year-end holiday travel this weekend, according to AAA. The group projects about 122.4 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, a record high. Most will drive, with 109.5 million motorists hitting the road, and more than 8 million flyers expected, also the highest in recent years. AAA says lower gas prices could encourage longer trips, and officials urge travelers to plan ahead as crowds build.