Thursday, May 28

Breaking News

Latest breaking news and developing stories from Houston Stringer, covering major incidents and local stories across the U.S. and worldwide.

Firefighters battle warehouse blaze involving lithium and lead acid batteries in East Downtown
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Texas

Firefighters battle warehouse blaze involving lithium and lead acid batteries in East Downtown

HOUSTON, TX – HFD firefighters responded Wednesday afternoon to a fire at a warehouse on Milby Street in the East Downtown area. Photo Courtesy of HFD According to officials, the warehouse stores lithium and lead acid batteries. Although there is no hazard to the public at this time, authorities are asking the public to give crews space as they work to bring the fire under control. More information will follow if it becomes available.
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Oklahoma man pleads guilty to federal hate crime for racially motivated assault
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Oklahoma

Oklahoma man pleads guilty to federal hate crime for racially motivated assault

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Braden Birdsong, 28, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to a federal hate crime for attacking a Black man while using racial slurs. According to court records and statements made during the hearing, the assault occurred on August 25, 2023, while the victim, identified as D.G., was cleaning the parking lot of the restaurant where he worked. Birdsong, a white man, approached and repeatedly punched D.G. in the head while yelling racial slurs and anti-Black rhetoric. The victim sustained bodily injuries as a result of the assault. Birdsong admitted in court that he committed the attack because of D.G.’s race and color. Birdsong faces up to 10 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Bernard M....
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United States files False Claims Act lawsuit against Inland Empire Health Plan for misuse of Medi-Cal funds
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
California

United States files False Claims Act lawsuit against Inland Empire Health Plan for misuse of Medi-Cal funds

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA – The United States has filed a civil complaint under the False Claims Act against Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), a local initiative health plan based in Rancho Cucamonga, for allegedly submitting false statements and retaining overpayments related to California’s Medi-Cal Expansion program. IEHP, which contracted with California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to provide services to residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is accused of violating the False Claims Act by misusing surplus federal funds and concealing the nature of the spending from state and federal agencies. Beginning in 2014, IEHP received full federal funding to serve the Medi-Cal Expansion population. Under the terms of its agreement, IEHP was required to spend at...
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Two Florida men indicted in $34.8 million Medicare fraud scheme involving medical equipment
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Florida

Two Florida men indicted in $34.8 million Medicare fraud scheme involving medical equipment

MIAMI, FL – A federal indictment unsealed Friday charges Kenneth Charles Kessler III, 42, of Miami-Dade County, and Michael Andrew Gomez, 42, of Broward County, for their roles in a large-scale Medicare fraud scheme involving the submission of approximately $34.8 million in false claims for medically unnecessary equipment. According to court documents, the two men operated seven Florida-based durable medical equipment (DME) companies and used deceptive telemarketing to persuade thousands of Medicare beneficiaries to accept items they did not need, including orthotic braces and continuous glucose monitors. Kessler and Gomez are accused of paying illegal kickbacks to marketing companies that obtained beneficiaries' personal information and coordinated with telemedicine providers to...
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James Olvera Jr. charged in fatal stabbing of roommate on Roe Drive
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Texas

James Olvera Jr. charged in fatal stabbing of roommate on Roe Drive

HOUSTON, TX – Charges have been filed against a man arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of his roommate at a residence located at 3015 Roe Drive. The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. on September 10. Houston Police Department patrol officers responded to a welfare check and found 53-year-old David Carrion unresponsive inside the home. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Houston Fire Department paramedics. Following an investigation, HPD Homicide Division identified Carrion’s roommate, 29-year-old James Olvera Jr., as the suspect. Olvera was arrested on September 16 and has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence in the 178th Criminal District Court. He was booked into the Harris County Jail without further incident. Anyone with information ...
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Houston firefighter Stephen Scott dies after on-duty medical emergency
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Texas

Houston firefighter Stephen Scott dies after on-duty medical emergency

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Fire Department is mourning the loss of Firefighter Paramedic Stephen Scott, who passed away on Tuesday following an on-duty medical emergency that occurred on Sunday. Scott began his career with the department in 1997 and had been assigned to Station 102 in Kingwood since 2008. Prior to that, he served at Station 9 on Hogan Street. In addition to his frontline duties, Scott also managed HFD's Base Station services operated by SETRAC, helping coordinate ambulance traffic across the Houston region to ensure patients were directed to hospitals with available resources. “Firefighter Scott was a dedicated member of this team, and will be missed by the HFD family,” said Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz. “His legacy is one of hard work, honor, and service to his commun...
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Gunshot fired during fight in parking lot of Fairfield High School
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
California, Texas

Gunshot fired during fight in parking lot of Fairfield High School

FAIRFIELD, CA – A gunshot was fired during an after-school fight in the parking lot of Fairfield High School at approximately 3:34 p.m., according to the Fairfield Police Department. File Photo (August 2025) Three officers arrived within 60 seconds of the initial report, followed by additional officers who secured the campus. Preliminary findings indicate that at least one shot was fired at an occupied vehicle involved in the altercation. At this time, there are no reported injuries related to the gunfire. Officers remain on scene conducting an active investigation. Police confirm there is no ongoing threat to students or after-school activities.
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Two 18-year-olds arrested for shoplifting at Target with 15-year-old
17Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Texas

Two 18-year-olds arrested for shoplifting at Target with 15-year-old

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Harris County Precinct 2 deputies arrested two 18-year-old females and a 15-year-old juvenile after a reported theft at the Target store located at 1801 W. Bay Area Boulevard. The incident occurred on September 11, 2025, after deputies responded to a call regarding individuals detained by store asset protection. Upon arrival, deputies identified the adult suspects as Silvia Garcia and Aaliyah Morelos, both 18 years old. According to asset protection, Garcia, Morelos, and the 15-year-old juvenile entered the store together, concealed merchandise, and exited without paying. Deputies contacted the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which accepted theft charges. Garcia and Morelos were booked into the Harris County Jail without incident. The 15-year-old ...
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Metro bus gets stuck under I-10 bridge in construction zone
16Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Texas

Metro bus gets stuck under I-10 bridge in construction zone

HOUSTON, TX – A Metro Houston bus became stuck under the I-10 bridge at Studemont late Tuesday evening after reportedly jumping a curb in a construction area. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. and was observed by one of our viewers, who also sent in photos from the scene. According to the viewer, the bus may have had a flat tire and was unable to move from its position under the bridge. It is currently unknown whether there were any riders on board at the time of the incident. No injuries have been reported, but that information has not been confirmed. Studemont was closed in both directions as a heavy wrecker worked to remove the bus. More information will follow if it becomes available. More information will follow if it becomes available.
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Man shot in Wilmington’s West 3rd Street area; police investigating
16Sep By Houston StringerNo Comments
Delaware

Man shot in Wilmington’s West 3rd Street area; police investigating

WILMINGTON, DE – Wilmington Police are investigating a shooting that occurred around 5:39 p.m. in the 1600 block of West 3rd Street. File Photo (August 2025) A 32-year-old male sustained gunshot wounds and later arrived at the hospital in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing, and additional details will be released when available. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Kevin Nolan at (302) 576-3962 or submit tips to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or delawarecrimestoppers.com.
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