Breaking News - Houston Stringer

Prosecutor rules officer’s use of force justified in Wickes shooting that left one man dead

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Arkansas

Prosecutor rules officer’s use of force justified in Wickes shooting that left one man dead

WICKES, AR – The Eighteenth West Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office determined that a Grannis Police Department officer was justified in the fatal shooting of 65-year-old Darrin Laudermilk during an eviction call on County Road 14. According to the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division, the incident occurred on July 19, 2025, after the officer responded to assist with an eviction at the residence. As the officer approached in his patrol vehicle, Laudermilk reportedly came outside holding a pistol and fired at the officer, who returned fire, striking him. Laudermilk was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Polk County Coroner. State police investigators submitted their findings to Prosecutor Debra Buschman, who concluded that the officer’s use of deadly force...

Tenth Circuit denies asylum petition of Mexican national who claimed fear of persecution as child of former police officer

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Tenth Circuit denies asylum petition of Mexican national who claimed fear of persecution as child of former police officer

DENVER, CO – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit denied the petition for review filed by Jorge Luis Cortez-Cabrera, a Mexican national seeking protection from removal to Mexico. Cortez-Cabrera claimed he would face persecution and torture because he is the son of a former police officer. The three-judge panel, composed of Circuit Judges Harris Hartz, Allison Eid, and Joel Carson, upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision affirming an immigration judge’s denial of withholding of removal and relief under the Convention Against Torture. The court found that Cortez-Cabrera failed to demonstrate a sufficient connection between his alleged mistreatment and his claimed social group of “children of former Mexican police officers.” The panel agreed with lower findings ...

Attorney General Paxton launches investigation into Love Austin PAC and nonprofit over alleged scheme to raise property taxes

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Attorney General Paxton launches investigation into Love Austin PAC and nonprofit over alleged scheme to raise property taxes

AUSTIN, TX, October 24, 2025 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into the Love Austin Political Action Committee (PAC) and nonprofit organization Foundation Communities, Inc. over allegations of a potentially illegal fundraising effort to support Proposition Q, a ballot measure that would increase property taxes in Austin. File Photo (September 2025) According to the Attorney General’s Office, Foundation Communities reportedly pledged $25,000 to Love Austin PAC to help pass the measure, which appears on the November 4 ballot. The organization could benefit financially from the measure’s approval, as it would likely receive a portion of the funds generated through the proposed tax increase. Attorney General Paxton has issued Requests to Examine (RTEs) to ...

Governor Abbott appoints former Texas Solicitor General who challenged Obamacare to Supreme Court of Texas

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Governor Abbott appoints former Texas Solicitor General who challenged Obamacare to Supreme Court of Texas

AUSTIN, TX - Governor Greg Abbott announced the appointment of Kyle Hawkins as Justice, Place 7, on the Supreme Court of Texas for a term set to expire December 31, 2026. File Photo (September 2025) Governor Abbott described Hawkins as “a proven defender of both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions,” citing his record of public service and extensive appellate experience. As Texas Solicitor General, Hawkins litigated key constitutional cases at both the state and federal levels, including Texas’s challenge to the federal Affordable Care Act and defense of the state’s election integrity laws. Hawkins currently serves as a partner at Lehotsky Keller Cohn LLP and brings more than 16 years of experience in constitutional and commercial litigation. He previously served as Counselor to the ...

Texas doctor surrenders medical license after state lawsuit over prescribing gender transition drugs to minors

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Texas doctor surrenders medical license after state lawsuit over prescribing gender transition drugs to minors

TEXAS - A Dallas-area physician, Dr. May Lau, has surrendered her Texas medical license following a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton accusing her of prescribing gender transition drugs to minors in violation of state law. File Photo (September 2025) According to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Dr. Lau entered into a Rule 11 agreement that initially required her to cease practicing medicine while the case was pending. Her subsequent surrender of her license permanently bars her from practicing medicine in Texas. Attorney General Paxton stated that the surrender “is a major victory for our state,” adding that his office will continue pursuing the case alleging Lau violated state law by prescribing cross-sex hormones to minors.

‘The New Edition Way Tour’ to conclude at Toyota Center in Houston

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

‘The New Edition Way Tour’ to conclude at Toyota Center in Houston

HOUSTON, TX, October 24, 2025 – The Black Promoters Collective announced The New Edition Way Tour, a nationwide concert event featuring New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton, set to end its 30-city run at the Toyota Center in Houston on April 4, 2026. NEW EDITION, BOYZ II MEN & TONI BRAXTON JOIN FORCES FOR “THE NEW EDITION WAY TOUR” (Photo Courtesy of BPC) The tour begins January 29, 2026, at the Oakland Arena in California and will travel through major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Boston before its grand finale in Houston. The production will offer fans a 360-degree concert experience celebrating music, legacy, and connection. Tickets go on sale to the public October 31 at 10 a.m. local time through Ticketmaster and participating venue b...

Guatemalan national extradited to U.S. in deadly 2021 tractor-trailer smuggling case that killed more than 50 migrants

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Central America, Mexico, U.S.

Guatemalan national extradited to U.S. in deadly 2021 tractor-trailer smuggling case that killed more than 50 migrants

LAREDO, TX – A 41-year-old Guatemalan national has been extradited to the United States to face charges connected to a 2021 tractor-trailer crash that killed more than 50 people and injured over 100 others, many of them Guatemalan nationals and unaccompanied children. According to the Department of Justice, Daniel Zavala Ramos, also known as Dany ZR, was arrested in Boquerón, Guatemala, on Aug. 7, 2025, following a U.S. extradition request. He was surrendered to U.S. authorities on Oct. 21 and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo. Zavala Ramos is among six individuals charged in connection with the Dec. 9, 2021, crash, including Tomas Quino Canil, 37; Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 25; Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala, 43; Alberto Marcario Ch...

Pakistani national sentenced to 40 years after smuggling operation that led to deaths of two Navy SEALs

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Middle East, U.S.

Pakistani national sentenced to 40 years after smuggling operation that led to deaths of two Navy SEALs

ALEXANDRIA, VA – A Pakistani national has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for his role in an Iranian weapons smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. Navy SEALs. On June 5, 2025, a federal jury convicted Muhammad Pahlawan of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, aiding Iran’s weapons of mass destruction program, and transporting explosives to the Houthi rebel forces in Yemen. He was also convicted of threatening his crew during the mission. According to court records, on Jan. 11, 2024, U.S. Navy forces operating from the USS Lewis B. Puller, including Navy SEALs and Coast Guard personnel, intercepted Pahlawan’s unflagged dhow off the coast of Somalia. The boarding team discovered Iranian-made ballistic missile components, anti-ship ...

Justice Department announces agreement with University of Virginia over DEI and discrimination policies

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Justice Department announces agreement with University of Virginia over DEI and discrimination policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice announced an agreement with the University of Virginia (UVA) to address concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, or national origin. Under the agreement, UVA must comply with the Department’s Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination, confirming that it will not engage in racial discrimination in admissions, hiring, or other programs. The university will submit quarterly compliance data to the Department through 2028, with the university’s president required to personally certify adherence. The Department agreed to pause its investigations into UVA’s admissions and other civ...

Virginia man charged with unlawful retention of classified national defense information

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Virginia man charged with unlawful retention of classified national defense information

VIENNA, VA – Ashley Tellis, 64, a U.S. citizen residing in Vienna, was arrested on Oct. 11 for allegedly unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. Tellis appeared in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia for a detention hearing. According to the Justice Department, Tellis, a senior advisor at the Department of State and a contractor for the Department of Defense, is accused of removing over 1,000 pages of classified documents from government facilities and storing them in his home. The materials reportedly included documents labeled SECRET and TOP SECRET, recovered from filing cabinets, a home office, and trash bags in his basement. Tellis held a Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access and had been employed by the Depar...