Breaking News - Houston Stringer

Governor Abbott activates emergency response teams ahead of widespread severe storm threat

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Governor Abbott activates emergency response teams ahead of widespread severe storm threat

AUSTIN, TX – Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of a severe weather threat expected to impact large portions of the state beginning Thursday night and continuing through the weekend. File Photo (July 9, 2024) “Texas stands ready to deploy all emergency resources needed to help local officials respond to potential severe weather across the state,” Governor Abbott said. “Texans are encouraged to regularly monitor road conditions, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials.” According to the National Weather Service, the incoming storm system may bring large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, heavy rain, and flash flooding. The threat begins in...

American Airlines posts $114 million Q3 loss despite record revenue, expects profitable Q4

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

American Airlines posts $114 million Q3 loss despite record revenue, expects profitable Q4

FORT WORTH, TX – American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) reported a third-quarter 2025 net loss of $114 million, or ($0.17) per diluted share, despite posting record third-quarter revenue of $13.7 billion. Photo Courtesy of American Airlines Excluding net special items, the adjusted net loss was $111 million, or ($0.17) per diluted share. However, the company expects a turnaround in the fourth quarter, projecting adjusted earnings per share between $0.45 and $0.75. For the full year, adjusted EPS is forecast between $0.65 and $0.95, with free cash flow expected to exceed $1 billion. CEO Robert Isom stated the company is maintaining strong cost management and enhancing its balance sheet. “Looking forward, I’m confident that continued investments in our network, customer experie...

American Airlines names Nat Pieper as Chief Commercial Officer

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

American Airlines names Nat Pieper as Chief Commercial Officer

FORT WORTH, TX – American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) announced that Nathaniel (Nat) Pieper has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer, effective Nov. 3, 2025. Pieper currently serves as CEO of the oneworld alliance and will report directly to American Airlines CEO Robert Isom. Photo Courtesy of American Airlines As Chief Commercial Officer, Pieper will oversee American’s commercial strategy and performance, including alliances, cargo, co-branded credit card programs, loyalty, network planning, revenue management, and sales. He will also co-lead the airline’s Customer Experience team alongside Chief Operating Officer David Seymour. Pieper’s recent tenure at oneworld began in April 2024. Under his leadership, the alliance integrated two new member airlines, launched sust...

American Airlines unveils Airbus A321XLR with lie-flat Flagship Suites and three-cabin layout

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

American Airlines unveils Airbus A321XLR with lie-flat Flagship Suites and three-cabin layout

FORT WORTH, TX – American Airlines has announced the debut of its Airbus A321XLR, becoming the first U.S. airline to operate the aircraft and the only global carrier to offer a three-cabin configuration on the model. The inaugural flight will take place December 18, 2025, operating as Flight 3 from New York’s JFK Airport to Los Angeles. Customers can now purchase tickets for this route, as well as other select transcontinental flights through February 11, 2026. The A321XLR is configured with 20 Flagship Suite® seats, 12 Premium Economy seats, and 123 Main Cabin seats. The Flagship Suite® section features lie-flat seating with privacy doors, personal storage, wireless charging, a cocktail tray, and reading lights. Premium Economy includes enhanced winged headrests, footrests, wire...

Attempted home invasion in Apple Valley ends with suspect shot by resident

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Attempted home invasion in Apple Valley ends with suspect shot by resident

APPLE VALLEY, CA – A 39-year-old man was shot after allegedly attempting to break into a home in Apple Valley early Thursday morning. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to the 14000 block of Osage Road on October 23, 2025, at approximately 7:07 a.m. following reports of a shooting. The suspect, identified as Todd Johnson, was reportedly trying to forcibly enter the residence when an occupant shot him. Johnson was treated at the scene before being transported to a hospital for further care. Authorities said Johnson will remain in custody while receiving medical treatment and will be booked for residential robbery once medically cleared. No injuries were reported among the residents. Anyone with information is asked to contact the ...

Apple Valley man dies after second crash in Victorville following earlier collision

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Apple Valley man dies after second crash in Victorville following earlier collision

VICTORVILLE, CA – A 68-year-old Apple Valley man was killed in a multi-vehicle crash after driving at a high rate of speed and causing a rollover collision on D Street. The crash occurred on October 22, 2025, at approximately 9:13 p.m., near the intersection of D Street and Hesperia Road. According to the Victorville Police Department, the man was driving a Mazda CX-5 eastbound on D Street when he struck a stopped vehicle at Seventh Street. He continued eastbound and crashed into the rear of another stopped vehicle at Hesperia Road, causing his vehicle to roll over and strike several others. The man became trapped in the Mazda and was extricated by Victorville Fire Department personnel. He sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. All other ...

California teacher arrested for lewd acts following student allegations

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

California teacher arrested for lewd acts following student allegations

EMPIRE, CA – A teacher with the Empire Union School District has been arrested after two students at Glick Middle School reported being inappropriately touched, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. File Photo (November 2022) On October 22, 2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m., investigators from the Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit responded to the campus after school staff notified law enforcement of the allegations. The inappropriate contact allegedly occurred during the 2024–2025 school year, with the most recent incident reported on October 20. Detectives identified 52-year-old Javier Villanueva, primarily an 8th grade English teacher, as the suspect. He was arrested near his home in Patterson with assistance from Patterson Police Services and booked into the Stanisl...

Federal court rejects retired United Airlines pilots’ bid for FICA tax refunds on lost retirement benefits

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Federal court rejects retired United Airlines pilots’ bid for FICA tax refunds on lost retirement benefits

WASHINGTON, DC – Dozens of retired United Airlines pilots have been denied claims for FICA tax refunds after a federal appeals court ruled they missed strict statutory deadlines and lacked entitlement under current tax law. (File Photo) September 2025 On October 23, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the U.S. Court of Federal Claims’ decision to dismiss the pilots’ lawsuits. The case involved multiple pro se plaintiffs, including James H. Biestek and others, who sought refunds for employment taxes they paid on retirement benefits they never received due to the airline’s bankruptcy and termination of its nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The court found the pilots failed to timely file refund claims with the IRS as required under 26 U.S.C. § 6511...

Court vacates sentence of Kentucky man after ruling state manslaughter law not a ‘crime of violence’

24Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky

Court vacates sentence of Kentucky man after ruling state manslaughter law not a ‘crime of violence’

LEXINGTON, KY – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has vacated the prison sentence of Davon S. Tooley after ruling that his prior Kentucky conviction for second-degree manslaughter does not qualify as a “crime of violence” under federal sentencing guidelines. Tooley was serving a 145-month sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). His sentence was enhanced based on a prior Kentucky conviction for second-degree manslaughter, which the district court had classified as a violent crime. On appeal, Tooley challenged that classification. In an opinion issued October 23, 2025, Circuit Judge Helene N. White, writing for the panel, found that Kentucky’s second-degree manslaughter statute r...

Houston Public Works to lower Lake Houston ahead of forecasted rain

23Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Houston Public Works to lower Lake Houston ahead of forecasted rain

HOUSTON, TX – Property owners along Lake Houston should prepare for lower lake levels beginning Friday afternoon as Houston Public Works plans to temporarily lower the lake by 12 inches in advance of a forecasted rain event. Lake Houston Dam - File Photo (September 2025) The lowering will begin at 12 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, and will take approximately 24 hours to reach an elevation of 41.4 feet. Residents are urged to secure property along the shoreline during this temporary adjustment.