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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo leads trade mission to Taiwan and Japan to attract foreign investment

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo leads trade mission to Taiwan and Japan to attract foreign investment

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is leading a trade mission to Taiwan and Japan alongside representatives from the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston First, the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Houston, and the Japan America Society of Houston. The delegation aims to strengthen international partnerships and attract foreign business investments in technology and advanced manufacturing to Harris County File Photo (August 2025) Judge Hidalgo stated that the trip seeks to position Harris County as a global hub for innovation and economic growth. “Japan and Taiwan are home to leading businesses on the cutting edge of innovation, from Inventec to Foxconn. Those companies have a choice of where they can invest, and I want to ensure that they invest in Harris C...

Maryland man charged after fatal hit-and-run crash in Delaware

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Delaware

Maryland man charged after fatal hit-and-run crash in Delaware

MIDDLETOWN, DE – Delaware State Police have obtained an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Francisco Mendez-Peralta of Chestertown, Maryland, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred Thursday night in Middletown. Around 7:50 p.m., an E-Bike was traveling northbound on Middletown Warwick Road when it was struck by a Chevrolet Equinox. The impact ejected the 62-year-old rider, who was flown to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased. The driver of the Chevrolet fled the scene. Investigators identified the suspect vehicle through surveillance footage and, with assistance from the Maryland State Police, located the Chevrolet in Chestertown, Maryland. Mendez-Peralta was taken into custody and faces multiple felony charges, including leaving the scene of a collisio...

Texas secures $1.375 billion settlement with Google over privacy violations

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Texas secures $1.375 billion settlement with Google over privacy violations

AUSTIN, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that Google has finalized a $1.375 billion settlement with the State of Texas, resolving two of the largest single-state data privacy enforcement actions ever brought against the company. File Photo (October 2025) Paxton stated that the settlement serves as a warning to other tech companies about violating Texans’ privacy rights. The lawsuits accused Google of unlawfully tracking users’ geolocation data, monitoring incognito browsing, and collecting biometric identifiers without consent. The agreement represents the largest single-state settlement against Google for privacy-related violations. By comparison, a 40-state coalition previously secured $391 million, nearly $1 billion less than the amount obtained by Texas. Thi...

20 arrested in Mississippi and Tennessee drug trafficking conspiracy

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

20 arrested in Mississippi and Tennessee drug trafficking conspiracy

OXFORD, MS – Twenty individuals from Mississippi and Tennessee were arrested in connection with a drug trafficking conspiracy operating across the Mississippi Delta. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, the suspects identified as Brandon Addison, Javery Howard, Milton Gaston, Truron Grayson, Bruce Williams, Sean Williams, Dexture Franklin, Wendell Johnson, Marcus Nolan, Aasahn Roach, Jeremy Sallis, Torio Chaz Wiseman, Pierre Lakes, Derrik Wallace, Marquivious Bankhead, Chaka Gaines, Martavis Moore, Jamario Sanford, Marvin Flowers, and Dequarian Smith face charges related to drug distribution. Nineteen of the defendants are also charged with federal firearm violations tied to drug trafficking, including fourteen who were local law enfor...

15-year-old suspect arrested in fatal shooting of teen at Circle K gas station on North Braeswood

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

15-year-old suspect arrested in fatal shooting of teen at Circle K gas station on North Braeswood

HOUSTON, TX – A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenage male at a Circle K gas station in the 5400 block of North Braeswood Boulevard. The shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m. on September 19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GLvkk-tIV4&t=454s According to the Houston Police Department, two groups met in the parking lot when a physical altercation broke out. The fight escalated, resulting in gunfire. The victim, identified as 15-year-old Kenneth Payne, was struck once in the chest and transported by private vehicle to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Today, HPD announced that the 15-year-old male suspect has also been charged with murder and was referred to the Harris County Juvenile Probation Authorities. His name or ph...

Two killed after fiery crash ends high-speed pursuit in Little Rock

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Two killed after fiery crash ends high-speed pursuit in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas State Police are investigating a deadly crash that occurred following a high-speed pursuit late Wednesday night. Around 10:15 p.m., an Arkansas State Police Trooper observed a red Infiniti traveling eastbound on Interstate 30 near the 133-mile marker at a high rate of speed. When the Trooper attempted a traffic stop, the driver exited at Geyer Springs Road and fled, reportedly reaching speeds over 100 mph while disregarding traffic signals and nearly hitting other vehicles. The chase continued onto I-30 westbound, where the vehicle exceeded 130 mph before exiting at McDaniel Drive. The Infiniti struck another motorist, lost control, and crashed into heavy machinery at a nearby business, where it caught fire. The 20-year-old male driver from Littl...

Oklahoma man sentenced to 30 years for abuse of a corpse after body found in Arkansas well

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Oklahoma man sentenced to 30 years for abuse of a corpse after body found in Arkansas well

ASHDOWN, AR – A Little River County jury has sentenced 35-year-old Chance Cathey of Idabel, Oklahoma, to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections after finding him guilty of Abuse of a Corpse. According to the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division, the Little River County Sheriff’s Office contacted state investigators on January 2, 2024, after receiving a report of a body left in a well along County Road 106 in west Little River County near the Oklahoma border. Investigators from both agencies excavated the well and recovered the body of 57-year-old Bobby Graham, also known as Bobby Conley, of Tom, Oklahoma. Authorities believe Graham had been in the well for up to two weeks before being found. An arrest warrant for Cathey was issued in December 2024,...

Fulton County sheriff addresses unauthorized release of information in double homicide investigation

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Fulton County sheriff addresses unauthorized release of information in double homicide investigation

SALEM, AR – The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation into the October 21, 2025, double homicide remains active and ongoing. The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation at the request of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and will release additional information when deemed appropriate. Sheriff Jacob “Jake” Smith issued a statement addressing confusion about early reports released during the initial stages of the investigation. He explained that a BOLO, or “be on the lookout,” notice issued through the Arkansas Crime Information Center contained sensitive investigative details about a person of interest and was not authorized for public release. According to Smith, that confidential information was unlawfully ...

Man killed in two-vehicle crash at Red Hill and McCormick in Costa Mesa

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Man killed in two-vehicle crash at Red Hill and McCormick in Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA, CA – A 45-year-old Los Angeles man was killed Thursday morning following a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Red Hill and McCormick Avenues. According to the Costa Mesa Police Department, the crash occurred around 6:25 a.m. and involved two sedans. One of the drivers, identified as Rene Sanchez, was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. Preliminary findings from the Traffic Safety Bureau’s Major Accident Investigation Team indicate that one vehicle was traveling northbound on Red Hill Avenue when another vehicle attempted a left-hand turn from McCormick Avenue. The driver traveling on Red Hill remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The intersection was closed for approximately three hours, and part of northbound...

Governor Abbott directs Texas Rangers to investigate City of Elgin over funding allegations

31Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Governor Abbott directs Texas Rangers to investigate City of Elgin over funding allegations

AUSTIN, TX – Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Rangers to open an investigation into the City of Elgin following allegations of financial mismanagement and possible violations of state law. File Photo (September 2025) “There have been serious and potentially criminal accusations made against the City of Elgin that need to be investigated,” Governor Abbott said. “Texans expect their elected officials to be honest stewards of taxpayer dollars and conduct the people’s business openly, and in compliance with Texas law.” Abbott cited concerns of “chronic financial mismanagement,” including inconsistent accounting practices and unreconciled bank accounts that may violate multiple state laws. Under the Governor’s direction, the Texas Rangers will review the city’s budgeting ...