Latest news with #TheHoustonChronicle
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans place TE Brevin Jordan on season-ending injured reserve after heartbreaking injury
Texans are placing TE Brevin Jordan on season-ending injured reserve due to the knee injury he suffered during Monday's practice, as @jonmalexander also reported. Brevin Jordan's 2025 is officially over for the Houston Texans. According to The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander, the Texans are placing Jordan on the season-ending injured reserve after he suffered a knee injury during Monday's practice. The team has since announced that they've signed veteran offensive tackle Connor McDermott to the active roster. Since Jordan was placed on the injured reserve before the start of the regular season, he isn't eligible to return for the impending year. The veteran tight end was expected to be an influential part of the offensive personnel under new play-caller Nick Caley. "Unfortunately, we saw Brevin go down with an injury," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said following practice. "We will continue to evaluate 'Brev' and see where he is. It's tough for everybody to see Brevin going down, knowing how much work he's put in to get back to this point of playing football and how excited he was to get back to playing football. So, just praying for him to have a successful return.' During drills in practice, Jordan was going up for a catch in traffic when he came down and fell awkwardly. He didn't get up, almost in a state of shock regarding the injury, before teammates came over to check on him. The scene was emotional, as Jordan was seen visibly upset while being carted off for further evaluation. He shouted out, "No!" as it became clear that his return to the field was likely suffering another setback. Last season, Jordan missed nearly the entire campaign after suffering a torn ACL in Week 2. He attacked the rehab process strong throughout the offseason and looked like one of the more improved players through the early stages of camp. But it's Jordan's leadership and attitude that made him a beloved member of the roster. On Saturday, he was the one to give the pregame pep talk in the huddle, a moment that went viral on social media among Texans' fans. Not only is Jordan loved by the fans, but also by his teammates. Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud had to be consoled by tight end Dalton Schultz after checking in with the tight end. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair made sure to stay with Jordan until the medical staff was able to get him on the cart. Drafted out of Miami in the fifth-round in 2021, Jordan had 532 receiving yards and five touchdowns before the injury in 2024. He also made 13 starts in 36 career games. During the middle of his rehab last season, Houstn signed Jordan to a one-year extension worth $2.1 million to keep him around for one full season before hitting free agency in 2026. Now, his future with the Texans remains unknown. As for the tight end position, Houston will need either Irv Smith Jr., Dalton Keene or newcomer Luke Lachey to step up as the No. 3 option behind Schultz and second-year player Cade Stover.
The Hill
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Noem takes heat on Texas amid doubts over FEMA flood response
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is under fire amid reports of a botched disaster response effort in Texas, one that the editorial board of the state's biggest newspaper is comparing to the debacle that followed Hurricane Katrina. 'Heck of a job, Secretary Noem,' The Houston Chronicle's editorial board wrote on Monday, riffing on former President George W. Bush's notorious praise of then-Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Michael Brown as New Orleans flooded. The editors joined Democratic members of Congress — including Sens. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Chris Murphy (Md.) and Ed Markey (Mass), as well as Texas Reps. Greg Casar and Jasmine Crockett — in calling for investigations into Noem's handling of FEMA, an agency both she and President Trump have previously talked about closing, amid reports of poor response times and local volunteers filling in for federal responders. On Tuesday, Markey called for Noem's resignation, describing her handling of the floods as 'an absolute disgrace.' In a video posted on X, Murphy said that FEMA had begun to look like 'a PR agency for the Secretary of Homeland Security, not an actual disaster response agency.' Rafael Lemaitre, FEMA director of public affairs under former President Obama, said Trump and Noem's vision for FEMA — one where it exists mostly to back up state responses — is largely already reality. The Trump administration, he said, 'is in denial about the role of FEMA, the improvements that FEMA has made since Hurricane Katrina — not only in its ability to respond better to disasters, but to help communities prepare for them in an era of increased severity and frequency in disasters.' Since the reforms after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, FEMA has functioned as a support service for local officials, who must request its aid and run the disaster response themselves. 'If there ever was a federal agency built not to tell states how to handle things but to support them when needed, it's FEMA, which only kicks in when a state's capacity is exceeded, whether in response, recovery, mitigation, or preparedness,' Lemaitre said. 'Governors, red or blue, are in charge. They ask for what they need, and we provide it.' He argued that the administration is undoing the post-Katrina reforms, starting with its new head, David Richardson, who is under fire for his failure to make any public statements or appearances for more than a week after the floods. Richardson, who runs FEMA part time, is the first agency head since Brown without any background in disaster response. Under the Post-Katrina law requiring FEMA heads to have at least five years of disaster management experience, he would be disqualified — but as acting head, he's exempt. On Wednesday, at the inaugural Hill Nation Summit in Washington, Noem told NewsNation's Blake Burman that Trump's 'vision for FEMA is that we would empower states to be able to respond to their constituents much more than what FEMA has done in the past.' 'In Texas,' she told Burman, the agency 'cut through the bureaucratic red tape and the rules and regulations that were left over from the Biden administration so that we immediately pre-deployed millions of dollars to Texas so that they could run their response.' Over the weekend, Noem attacked the press reports of a poor response in Texas, insisting on 'Fox and Friends' that the reporting of FEMA delays are 'fake news' and 'absolute trash.' She told NBC News that 'it's discouraging that during this time, when we have such a loss of life, and so many people's lives have turned upside down, that people are playing politics with this, because the response time was immediate.' Pressed on reports of low response rates at FEMA hotlines, Noem said she didn't believe the numbers and challenged anonymous sources to come forward. In a statement to The Hill, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin decried reporting that the agency had been slow to deploy teams as 'lies' and 'an unapparelled display of activist journalism.' 'Within moments of the flooding in Texas, DHS [Department of Homeland Security] assets, including the U.S. Coast Guard, tactical Border Patrol units and FEMA personnel surged into unprecedented action alongside Texas first responders,' McLaughlin said. 'By Tuesday, FEMA had deployed 311 staffers, providing support and shelter for hundreds of people,' she added. McLaughlin argued that calls to dismantle the agency had been metaphorical. Under the new administration, she said, 'It's no secret that FEMA, as it is today, will no longer exist.' In what has now become a mantra of Noem's tenure, she added that the agency 'is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief.' That message has also been embraced by Trump's Republican allies in Texas. In a press conference on Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) agreed with the administration that FEMA needed to be 'what I call rightsized so that it would be more nimble, quicker in response — understanding it's the locals that know what's best in responding to a disaster.' But this description of the future course of the agency looks a lot like how it has traditionally looked, former disaster management professionals have told The Hill. 'They try to equate FEMA with red tape, but that's a red herring, because that's not how the disaster response system has been set up, particularly since Katrina,' Lemaitre said. FEMA has lost 25 percent of staff since Trump took office, cuts worsened after the floods when hundreds of call center contractors were let go, according to The New York Times. That followed reporting from CNN that Noem waited 72 hours to send FEMA disaster response teams to Kerr County — because under her leadership, the agency has to get her approval for every expenditure over $100,000. In a statement, a DHS spokesperson called CNN's reporting 'absolute hogwash.' Given the funds that FEMA works with and the size of Noem's purview at the department, the reported delays are 'really, really upsetting,' said Candace Valenzuela, who ran the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the region that includes Texas under then-President Biden. 'It just reeks of looking at things granularly, and not understanding that this is a massive country, and doing it at that level just does not work — or wanting to pick winners and losers,' Valenzuela said. One impact of Noem's new mandate seems to be fewer federal personnel on the ground than in past disasters. In far western Travis County, where devastating floods killed more than a dozen people, even Judge Andy Brown, the county's chief executive, isn't clear what role FEMA is playing. While Brown declared a local disaster the day of the floods, Trump didn't approve it until nearly a week later, and, as of Tuesday, Brown had seen just one uniformed FEMA official on the ground. 'As far as I know, they have not set up that station where people can walk in, ask questions to FEMA and apply for things,' he told The Hill.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Astros outfielder takes step toward injury return
The post Astros outfielder takes step toward injury return appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the Houston Astros are dealing with injuries to stars such as Yordan Alvarez, it doesn't stop there, as it also includes outfielder Chas McCormick, though there is positive news on that front. While some speculate that the Astros outfielder in McCormick should be on the trade block, he looks to turn around his season, but first, he will have a rehab assignment. Advertisement McCormick had been placed on the 10-day injured list (IL) with an oblique injury as he has been hitting a .256 batting average to go along with zero home runs, 11 hits, and six RBIs in 36 games and 43 at-bats. According to Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle, McCormick will travel to Triple-A Sugar Land and start his rehab on Friday, as said by manager Joe Espada. 'Chas McCormick is scheduled to travel to Triple-A Sugar Land today and start playing in rehab games tomorrow, Joe Espada said,' Kawahara wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Espada said last Sunday that McCormick and Alvarez will travel to Florida and take measures in an effort to get back on the field. 'They'll get some live swings, live at-bats,' Espada said, via The Houston Chronicle. 'I'm not going to give you any details of (a potential rehab assignment), do they need any games. Right now, they're just going to go down there and get some live at-bats, and then I'll keep you guys posted on what's next for those guys.' Advertisement Astros are dealing with other injuries besides Chas McCormick Troy Taormina-Imagn Images As mentioned before, the Astros are also dealing with the injury to Alvarez, who is suffering from a broken hand. However, it does seem the recovery process at the moment is going well, as the team would say that the star has made 'noticeable progress.' 'Yordan Alvarez and the Astros received some encouraging news from a hand specialist that examined Alvarez's sore right hand on Wednesday,' the Astros said in a statement, per Kawahara. 'As part of the examination, additional imaging was done on his right hand, which revealed that the main cause of his current pain is due to inflammation. The specialist also indicated that at some point in the recovery process, the small fracture that had been sustained is now a non-factor in the discomfort that Alvarez is currently experiencing.' Advertisement 'The specialist also determined that Alvarez's hand had made noticeable progress when compared to imaging done over the last several weeks,' the statement continued. At any rate, Houston is standing at the top of the AL West with a 52-34 record, as besides finishing the series against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon, the team starts a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. Related: Astros provide important Yordan Alvarez injury update Related: 3 Astros prospects who must be untouchable in trade talks
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Insane Darth Vader home is sold for $3.35 million to sculptor planning radical changes for the quirky mansion
A mansion dubbed the 'Darth Vader house' for its striking resemblance to the Star Wars villain's helmet has been snapped up after being listed for a whopping $3.35 million. The unique four-bedroom, five-bathroom property, designed to look like a stealth fighter, is located in Houston, Texas, and has become something of a local landmark. But the distinctive home is set for a dramatic makeover after being purchased by renowned sculptor Enrique Cabrera. Cabrera has big plans that he hopes will see the mansion renamed as the 'Black Bull House.' The artist intends to install a colossal 16-foot, $2.7 million bull sculpture in front of the mansion. He will not only live in the home but also use as a showcase for his provocative art collection. Realtor Hardy Pollard, who represented buyer Cabrera in the sale, told local news network KHOU 11 News said the purchase is a great opportunity for Enrique. 'You have a lot of space where it's all angled around the outside of the house,' he said. 'This is a great opportunity for Enrique to come in and create his own masterpiece.' Pictured: Darth Vader, part of the inspiration for the house 'The former Darth Vader house now is officially The Black Bull House by Enrique Cabrera,' Cabrera told The Houston Chronicle. The spectacular 7,000-square-foot home sits on an 18,000-square-foot parcel in West University and features two large floating glass staircases, overlooking a sunken living room and floor-to-ceiling windows. The property has had a long journey before finally being sold. The house was originally designed and owned by Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Jean Cuckier, who was in awe of Star Wars and high-tech space flight. Junkin revealed buying the house years ago was a dedicated process of 'calling again and again until he got a deal.' 'He loved the movies,' Nadia Carron, a co-lister of the house in 2021, previously told The Chronicle. 'That was his inspiration… He sat down and drew on paper how he wanted the house to look inside and outside and worked with an architect to do that. What you see is his baby and his design inside and outside of the house. He made his dream come true. Local real estate broker and 'House of Ho' star Washington Ho taking over the listing last August. 'I'm excited to apply the same pressure to sell the Darth Vader House to the perfect buyer,' Ho told The Chronicle. 'Representing such iconic homes as part of the Star Wars legacy is an honor, and we are committed to showcasing the Darth Vader House to its fullest potential and achieving outstanding results.' But when the home failed to sell, Junkin, who had owned the house for about three years, took control of the listing again. 'I lived in Houston most of my life, and I had always seen the house, and it was just kind of an emotional buy I guess,' he told the outlet. 'If the house next door was for sale, I wouldn't have even batted an eye at it.' Now the 'Star Wars' home is under contract to Cabrera with the deal expected to close on Tuesday. Striking angular black and white floors, crafted from concrete and hand-cut black stone, fill the home's four bedrooms and five bathrooms. The impressive property also features a spacious four-car garage and a hot tub. The home's distinctive angular design also is fitting for the new owner's artistic vision. The sculptor also is behind works in New Yorkers as the creative mind behind 'La Gran Manzana,' a large, angular red apple near Rockefeller Center. He also created 'El Toro de Oro,' an imposing, angular golden bull in the Meatpacking District.
Miami Herald
20-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Houston YMCA Cutting Staff After Trump Funding Blow
The YMCA of Greater Houston announced last week it will cut 2.7 percent of its workforce across 160 locations in Texas due to federal funding cuts, The Houston Chronicle reported Friday. This comes as Harris County's Alief Family YMCA, which primarily served refugees through its New American Initiative, will close on May 30 following President Donald Trump administration's cuts to refugee program funding. Newsweek has reached out to the White House and Alief Family YMCA via email on Sunday for comment. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), run by billionaire Elon Musk, has drawn praise and consternation for cutting federal budgets and monies since Trump took office again in January. As of April 16, DOGE estimates it has saved approximately $155 billion for the nation, combining different components including asset sales, contract/lease cancellations and renegotiations, fraud and improper payment deletion, grant cancellations, interest savings, programmatic changes, regulatory savings, and workforce reductions. Trump, meanwhile, signed an executive order hours after taking office that halted the nation's Refugee Admission Program. The order, titled "Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)," went into effect on January 27, suspending the program for 90 days. The suspension allows U.S. officials to determine "whether resumption of entry of refugees into the United States under the USRAP would be in the interests of the United States." The Houston Chronicle reported that due to Trump's executive order Houston-area organizations that support refugees, like the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, cut 120 workers in February. According to local reports, the YMCA has been an important and beloved community resource, particularly for refugee services and youth programs in Houston that rely on federal grants. This reduction in services comes at a time when many refugee communities in Texas are already facing increased uncertainty about their status and support systems. Houston has historically been one of the nation's largest refugee resettlement areas, with a robust support services infrastructure that is now facing significant restructuring. The Alief area is particularly affected as it has been home to diverse immigrant communities for decades. The YMCA facility there has provided essential services including language classes, employment assistance, youth programs, and health initiatives tailored to refugee and immigrant populations. According to The Houston Chronicle, the YMCA of Greater Houston didn't say which positions would be cut, which locations would be affected or reveal the size of its staff across the Houston area. President Donald Trump's "Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)" executive order reads: "The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees." The YMCA stated in an email to The Houston Chronicle: "We recognize the impact this has on our employees and understand the challenges this may bring. While we are making adjustments, we remain committed to continuing our services and supporting the community at all our locations." Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, whose precinct covers the Alief area, released a statement following the announcement: "The Alief Family YMCA has been a cornerstone for families, youth, and seniors-providing not just programs but a true sense of community." She added: "Its closure is a painful reminder of how federal funding decisions can affect local lives. In Precinct 4, we've been proud to partner with the YMCA to provide a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for children and families. We remain committed to our shared vision of supporting youth development, education, and the overall well-being of the Alief community." Linda Reyna, a spin instructor at Langham Creek Family YMCA in northwest Houston, said, per The Houston Chronicle: "For certain programs, they get federal grants, and that's very important for the kids in the community. That's gonna be a big, big blow to different age groups." The 90-day suspension of the Refugee Admission Program is set to expire later this month. Refugee advocacy organizations are watching closely to see whether the administration will extend the suspension or implement permanent changes to the program. The YMCA of Greater Houston is reportedly developing transition plans to ensure continuity of essential services where possible. Community leaders and local government officials are exploring alternative funding sources and partnerships to potentially preserve some programs currently offered at the Alief location. Related Articles New Texas Cruise Ship Terminal Expected in November: What to KnowMap Reveals States Worst Impacted by Trump's TariffsDallas High School Shooting Update: Suspect Targeted Student, Police SayWhere Is 'Ransom Canyon' Filmed? All About Netflix Series With Josh Duhamel 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
