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Judge Lina Hidalgo calls for ethics reform after audit finds Flood Control District failed to implement procurement safeguards

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Judge Lina Hidalgo calls for ethics reform after audit finds Flood Control District failed to implement procurement safeguards

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Judge Lina Hidalgo is calling for renewed ethics reforms following an audit showing that the Harris County Flood Control District failed to implement procurement safeguards unanimously adopted by Commissioners Court over a year ago. File Photo (August 2025) According to a new report from the independent Harris County Auditor’s Office, the Flood Control District has not followed through on key reforms passed in April 2024, which required written procedures for vendor selection, documentation of the procurement process, and conflict of interest forms for employees involved in awarding contracts. These measures were originally adopted after a previous audit in November 2023 flagged deficiencies in procurement practices. The latest audit found the district still la...

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Bobby Cole criticizes Abbott over Texas National Guard authorization

TEXAS – Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bobby Cole issued a statement criticizing Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to authorize the President to deploy 400 members of the Texas National Guard outside the state. File Photo (September 2025) “Trump and Abbott only care about power, not folks like you and me,” Cole said. “With so many problems working Texas families face, why is Abbott busy humoring Donald Trump by deploying 400 Texas National Guard, costing Texas taxpayers millions? Our schools and teachers are underfunded. Our rural communities are suffering. Our healthcare system is gutted and on life support. Let’s start investing in Texans, instead of paying for Trump’s political theatrics.”

Teen suspect identified in Barron shooting that killed one and injured pregnant teen

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Wisconsin

Teen suspect identified in Barron shooting that killed one and injured pregnant teen

BARRON, WI – Authorities have identified the suspect involved in the homicide at 650 Candy Lane in Barron as 17-year-old Marcus Hinojosa of Almena. According to investigators, Hinojosa died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the incident. Law enforcement determined that Hinojosa and the 17-year-old female victim were in a relationship and that the female was pregnant. Around 2 p.m., the victim’s family arrived at the apartment, and the juvenile female entered. Hinojosa then shot her inside the apartment. A male family member and a neighbor went to check on her, and the male victim was shot through the entry door. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies and officers from the Barron County Sheriff’s Department and Barron Police Department arrived within minutes...

Detectives investigating stabbing at party in Terra Bella

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Detectives investigating stabbing at party in Terra Bella

TERRA BELLA, CA – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred late October 4, 2025, in the 22000 block of Avenue 96 in Terra Bella. Photo Credit: TCSO Deputies were called to the scene around 10:40 p.m. and learned that two men had gotten into an argument at a party when one stabbed the other in the stomach. Deputies rendered first aid to the victim until EMS and Tulare County Fire arrived. The victim was later airlifted to an area hospital. The suspect fled before deputies arrived. Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office have taken over the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

Two arrested in Lomira after K9 alert leads to meth seizure

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Wisconsin

Two arrested in Lomira after K9 alert leads to meth seizure

LOMIRA, WI (October 6, 2025) – According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Task Force members conducted a traffic interdiction on September 26 in northeastern Dodge County, where a deputy contacted occupants of a vehicle at Kountry Korners in the village of Lomira. K9 Bak alerted to the vehicle, and a search recovered a significant amount of suspected methamphetamine and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Michael Kreisle, 41, of Appleton, and passenger Stephanie Neuser, 38, of Appleton, were arrested and booked into the Dodge County Jail. Kreisle is held on a $10,000 cash bond for possess with intent to deliver amphetamine or methamphetamine greater than 50 grams, and possess drug paraphernalia. Neuser is held on a $10,000 cash bond for possess with intent to deliver amp...

United and Instacart partner to offer MileagePlus members $0 delivery fees and bonus miles

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

United and Instacart partner to offer MileagePlus members $0 delivery fees and bonus miles

United Airlines and Instacart have announced a new partnership aimed at providing MileagePlus members added convenience and rewards while traveling. (File Photo) September 2025 According to both companies, MileagePlus members can now receive $0 delivery fees on Instacart orders placed shortly before, during, or after a domestic United flight. Once activated, members will receive seven days of waived delivery fees on qualifying orders. In addition, new Instacart users who are MileagePlus members can earn 5,000 bonus miles by completing four orders of $35 or more within eight weeks. Members can also earn an extra 5,000 miles by signing up for a paid annual Instacart+ membership and keeping it active for at least 30 days. Existing Instacart users who link their accounts with Mile...

74-year-old man killed in hit-and-run while crossing street in Amarillo

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

74-year-old man killed in hit-and-run while crossing street in Amarillo

AMARILLO, TX – A 74-year-old man was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash while crossing the 700 block of North Mirror Street on foot late Sunday night. According to the Amarillo Police Department, officers responded to the scene around 11:18 p.m. and found the man lying in the northbound lanes. Investigators say the man was pushing a wheelchair and attempting to cross Mirror Street from east to west when he was hit by a vehicle that fled the scene. The man was pronounced deceased at the location. An autopsy was ordered by Potter County Justice of the Peace Robert Taylor. The case remains under investigation by the Amarillo Police Department’s Traffic Investigation Squad. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement.

Aeroplan launches Points Matching Week to support air travel for children needing hospital care

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Canada

Aeroplan launches Points Matching Week to support air travel for children needing hospital care

MONTRÉAL, QC – According to the Air Canada Foundation, Aeroplan’s annual Points Matching Week in support of its Hospital Transportation Program has officially launched and will run through October 12. Photo Courtesy of Air Canada Aeroplan and its partners TD, CIBC, and American Express will each match donated Aeroplan Points up to 10 million points. With Aeroplan also matching, members’ donations will be tripled, significantly increasing air travel support for families whose children require specialized medical treatment outside their home communities. The Hospital Transportation Program has been providing flights for pediatric patients and their guardians since 2003. In 2024, 379 flights were arranged for 129 families across Canada. The program works with Canada’s Children’s Hos...

Former Amazon employee arrested for making online threats in Hillsborough County

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Florida

Former Amazon employee arrested for making online threats in Hillsborough County

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former Amazon employee accused of sending threatening emails to the company following his termination. According to investigators, 29-year-old Christopher Allen Colontonio, a former employee at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Ruskin, sent two threatening emails to the company on September 27, 2025. Detectives identified Colontonio as the suspect, and he was arrested on October 1, 2025. Sheriff Chad Chronister stated that the department will not tolerate individuals who attempt to intimidate or spread fear within the community, emphasizing that threats made online will be investigated and prosecuted.

Armed robbery at Beaumont Express Mart leads to multiple arrests and federal charges

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Armed robbery at Beaumont Express Mart leads to multiple arrests and federal charges

BEAUMONT, TX – Beaumont Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the Express Mart located at 1755 East Cardinal Drive. On October 2, 2025, at approximately 1:28 a.m., two armed suspects entered the store through the rear door and stole about $200 in cash and several packs of tobacco products. The suspects fled on foot toward an apartment complex on South Martin Luther King Parkway. A follow-up investigation led detectives to identify a suspect vehicle. Special Assignment Unit officers and detectives located the vehicle at a residence in the 3100 block of Grand Street and detained 19-year-old Marvin Watts of Beaumont after surveillance. Multiple pieces of evidence found in the vehicle and on Watts’ person linked him to the robbery. The robbery investigation is on...