THREAD: matagorda texas tropical

TEXAS PANHANDLE On Edge: Immigration Uncertainty Sparks Anxiety

30 April 2025 — A Haitian couple in the Texas Panhandle is facing a wave of worry as immigration policies change. Kevenson Jean and his wife escaped violence in Haiti and found jobs at a local meatpacking plant. Now, they fear for their future after President Trump moved to end some legal immigration programs.

Jean says he isn’t taking jobs from Americans and enjoys living in Texas, working as a truck driver. His wife works two food service jobs while learning English, hoping for stability.

The couple followed all the rules but now feel singled out by new policy shifts. Their story shows how fear is spreading among immigrant families across rural Texas.

BORIS Johnson’s WILD Texas Safari: Ostrich Attack Sparks Hilarity

09 April 2025 — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a surprising encounter with an ostrich during a family trip to a Texas safari park. The seven-foot-tall bird, known for its strong legs and sharp claws, approached Johnson’s vehicle. As he extended his hand, the ostrich bit him, causing a startled reaction from the former leader.

Johnson’s wife, Carrie, caught the incident on video and shared it on Instagram. The footage shows Johnson calling the ostrich over while one of his children leans toward the window. The bird then sticks its neck into the car and bites him, leading to an exclamation of surprise from Johnson.

The unusual encounter adds humor to Johnson’s vacation story as he is more used to verbal attacks in politics than physical ones from wildlife. Despite the shock, no serious injuries were reported from this safari adventure gone awry.

This incident serves as a reminder of how unpredictable wildlife interactions can be at such parks.

TEXAS HORROR: Janitor’s Deadly Deeds Leave 13 Infected

21 March 2025 — Lucio Catarino Diaz, 57, admitted to using a deadly weapon after contaminating water bottles with bodily fluids at a Houston medical office. His plea deal led to a six-year state prison sentence. Other charges were dropped as part of the agreement, court records show.

Diaz, who has herpes and hepatitis A, infected at least 13 women. He urinated in or tainted water bottles on women’s desks. A hidden camera caught him in the act, leading to his arrest and confession.

Judge Teiva Bell’s ruling includes credit for 880 days served while awaiting trial. Diaz might be eligible for parole in 215 days. The affected women have filed a $1 million lawsuit against Diaz and others involved for damages caused by his actions.

Diaz’s citizenship status is unclear as immigration officials haven’t confirmed any records with ICE yet. Though listed as a U.S. citizen, documents hint at potential immigration issues discussed during his plea due to non-citizen warnings from his attorney.

MEASLES OUTBREAK Shocks Texas Mennonite Community

27 February 2025 — A MEASLES outbreak is striking the Mennonite population in West Texas, especially in Gaines County. The Mennonites are part of a larger Anabaptist group with diverse beliefs and leadership. This variety sometimes leads to tense relations with public authorities, including health officials.

The Anabaptist tradition began in 1525 during the Protestant Reformation and includes groups like the Amish and Hutterites. These communities often focus on non-violence, adult baptism, and staying separate from mainstream society. Historical persecution has left some Anabaptists suspicious of government authorities today.

Mennonite practices range widely — from those who blend into mainstream culture to those keeping traditional lifestyles like the Amish, including limited technology use and traditional dress codes. The specific community affected by this outbreak in Gaines County is not clear but has a unique history within the region.

MEASLES OUTBREAK in Texas: Shocking Surge Raises Alarm

26 February 2025 — The MEASLES outbreak in rural West Texas has climbed to 124 confirmed cases across nine counties. The state health department announced this concerning rise on Tuesday. Currently, 18 people are hospitalized due to the outbreak.

Local health officials are stunned by the severity of the situation. One resident remarked, “I’ve never seen it this close, ever.” The outbreak’s impact has drawn national media attention as officials work hard to contain the crisis.

Concerns over vaccination rates and public health measures have been highlighted by this outbreak. Health authorities urge vaccinations and increased public awareness to prevent further spread of this highly contagious disease.

SHOCKING ABUSE Claims at Migrant Children’s Shelter Exposed

19 July 2024 — The Justice Department has accused Southwest Key Programs Inc. employees of sexually abusing unaccompanied migrant children for at least eight years. The allegations include rape, solicitation of sex, and harassment. Two employees have been indicted since 2020.

Southwest Key operates 29 shelters across Texas, Arizona, and California with a capacity for over 6,300 children. The nonprofit received more than $3 billion in government contracts from 2015 to 2023.

The lawsuit claims some employees threatened children to keep them silent by exploiting their vulnerabilities and language barriers. Southwest Key disputes the allegations but is reviewing the complaint.

HURRICANE BERYL Slams Texas Coast with Deadly Force

08 July 2024 — Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, Texas, early Monday morning. The storm brought a dangerous surge and strong winds as it moved over land around 4 a.m. CST, according to the National Weather Service.

Beryl had strengthened back into a hurricane late Sunday, impacting southern Texas with rain and intensifying winds. Residents braced for the storm that had already caused destruction in Mexico and the Caribbean.

The National Hurricane Center issued an advisory at 3 a.m. CST warning of imminent landfall within two hours. This powerful storm has prompted significant concern and preparations along the Texas coast.

DEADLY Houston STORMS Leave City in Ruins, Power Restoration Underway

20 May 2024 — Deadly storms ravaged Houston last week, leaving seven dead and causing widespread damage. Thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds destroyed businesses, uprooted trees, and shattered glass in downtown skyscrapers. A tornado also touched down near Cypress.

By Sunday evening, 88% of Houston area customers had power restored, according to CenterPoint Energy spokesperson Paul Lock. “We expect everyone to be back on by end of business Wednesday,” Lock stated. Over 289,000 homes and businesses in Texas remained without electricity Sunday evening.

More than 3,900 customers in Louisiana were also without power due to strong winds and a suspected tornado. CenterPoint Energy deployed 2,000 employees and over 5,000 contractors to restore power in the Houston area. Lynnae Wilson emphasized the urgency given the high temperatures: “Getting the lights and air conditioning back on is even more important.”

HOUSTON BATTLES Deadly Heat And Smog After Storms

19 May 2024 — Houston is working to restore power to hundreds of thousands after deadly storms left at least seven dead. The area faces a smog warning and scorching temperatures.

National Weather Service meteorologist Marc Chenard forecasts highs around 90 degrees through the start of the week, with heat indexes approaching 100 degrees by midweek. “We expect the impact of the heat to gradually increase,” Chenard said.

The weather service warns residents not to overexert themselves during cleanup efforts. Poor air quality could also pose health risks over the weekend in Houston.

TEXAS UNIVERSITY Police Crackdown Sparks Outrage

25 April 2024 — Police detained over a dozen individuals, including a local news photographer, during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas at Austin. The operation involved officers on horseback who moved decisively to remove protesters from the campus grounds. This event is part of a larger pattern of protests at various U.S. universities.

The situation intensified rapidly as police wielded batons and applied physical force to break up the assembly. A Fox 7 Austin photographer was forcibly pulled to the ground and detained while documenting the incident. Additionally, an experienced Texas journalist sustained injuries amid the chaos.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that these detentions were carried out following requests from university leaders and Governor Greg Abbott. One student criticized the police action as excessive, warning it could provoke further protests against this aggressive approach.

Governor Abbott has not yet commented on the incident or the use of force by police during this event.

TEXAS TRAGEDY: Woman Found Dead, Wrapped in Bedding Inside Closet

22 April 2024 — Omar Lucio, 34, is facing murder charges after the body of 27-year-old Corinna Johnson was found concealed in his apartment. FOX 4 Dallas reported that Johnson’s body was discovered wrapped in bedding and hidden away in a closet. The Garland Police Department received a distressing 911 call that led them to the scene.

Upon their arrival at Lucio’s home on W. Wheatland Road, he initially refused to exit his residence. After negotiating for about an hour, Lucio finally surrendered and was taken into custody by the responding officers.

Inside the residence, law enforcement followed a trail of blood leading from the front door to a bedroom closet where they uncovered Johnson’s body among Lucio’s bedding. This grim find has resulted in severe charges being filed against him according to court documents.

TEXAS Villain SLAPPED With Capital Murder Charge in Heartbreaking Audrii Cunningham Case

21 February 2024 — Don Steven McDougal, a 42-year-old man with a criminal past from Texas, now faces the grim reality of a capital murder charge. This comes after the devastating discovery of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham’s lifeless body in the Trinity River near Livingston.

McDougal found himself in police custody on February 16th for an unrelated aggravated assault charge. However, he had been under scrutiny since February 15th when Audrii failed to show up for her school bus.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons confirmed the dreadful find. He made a firm commitment to meticulously process all evidence to ensure justice prevails for young Audrii.

Living behind Audrii’s residence in a trailer and known as a family friend, McDougal is now charged with taking the life of someone aged between 10 and 15.

TEXAS TRAGEDY: Young Girl’s Mysterious Death Leads to Capital Murder Charges

21 February 2024 — The small Texas community is in shock after the body of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham was found on Tuesday. Her remains were discovered in the Trinity River near the US Highway 59 bridge, according to Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons. Audrii had been missing since February 15th, when she failed to catch her usual school bus.

42-year-old Don Steven McDougal is now facing arrest by Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton in relation to Audrii’s case. McDougal, who was taken into custody last Friday on separate charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, has had numerous chances to aid the investigation into Audrii’s disappearance but chose not to cooperate.

Sheriff Lyons revealed that McDougal was likely one of the last people to see Audrii alive and would sometimes drive her to school or the bus stop. Despite this connection, he emphasized caution and patience as they continue their work towards building a strong criminal case against McDougal.

Our primary goal is justice for Audrii,“ Sheriff Lyons stated firmly. ”We will persistently process all evidence collected and ensure that justice prevails for this young girl’s untimely death.

TRAGEDY Strikes Joel Osteen’s Texas Megachurch: SHOCKING Shooting Incident Leaves Child in Critical Condition

12 February 2024 — A shocking incident unfolded at Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Houston, Texas, on Sunday when a woman armed with a long gun opened fire. The attack happened just before the church’s 2 p.m. Spanish service was about to commence. Despite the prompt intervention of two off-duty officers who neutralized the shooter, two people were injured, including a critically wounded 5-year-old boy.

The assailant entered the colossal Lakewood Church — a former NBA arena that can accommodate up to 16,000 people — accompanied by the young boy who tragically ended up in the line of fire. A man in his fifties also suffered injuries during this harrowing event. The connection between the woman and the boy remains uncertain as does who shot both victims.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner pointedly attributed blame to the female shooter for recklessly endangering lives, particularly that of an innocent child. Both victims were immediately transported to separate hospitals where they are receiving treatment for their injuries — while reports suggest that man is stable, sadly, the child’s condition remains critical.

This alarming incident occurred between services at one

TEXAS BORDER Rally: Unleashing Patriotic Fervor & Standing Strong for Law Enforcement

04 February 2024 — The “Take Our Border Back Rally” was a vibrant scene of patriotism and support for law enforcement. Media from across the nation flocked to this small ranch, which was alive with food trucks, vendors selling patriotic merchandise, and a stage featuring Christian music.

Attendees, many donned in red, white, and blue or displaying Trump-supporting gear, reveled in the music and speeches. They traveled from various states including Texas, Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico and New York to voice their demand for a secure border under a sea of flags supporting former President Donald Trump.

Treniss Evans — one of the event’s organizers — told Breitbart Texas that this rally aimed to back all law enforcement officers working along the border — both federal and state officials alike. The rally is set to remain stationed in Quemado without crossing into Eagle Pass city limits.

Evans made it clear that their group had no plans to disrupt law enforcement operations in Eagle Pass or impede local commuters’ mobility within the city. This declaration comes amid recent media focus on a seized city border park.

TEXAS STRIKES Back: Governor Abbott Signs Tough Laws to Tackle Illegal Immigration

19 December 2023 — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has enacted three stringent laws aimed at halting illegal immigration. These laws, passed in two special sessions this fall, are part of a broader strategy to stem the tide of migrants from Mexico. The governor announced on Twitter that unlawful entry into Texas is now a crime with potential penalties including deportation or imprisonment.

The bill signing event in Brownsville saw the attendance of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd among other border officials. However, House Speaker Dade Phelan was conspicuously absent. Senate Bill 4 from the fourth special session criminalizes unauthorized entry into Texas from foreign countries.

This state legislation mirrors federal statute Title 8 of the United States Code 1325 but takes it a step further by allowing for sentences up to two decades for violators. It also includes mechanisms for deporting offenders back to their home countries and offers legal protection to local and state officials enforcing these rules. Critics claim that current federal immigration laws are not being sufficiently enforced under the present administration.

With these new measures — including funding for wall construction and harsher penalties for human smuggling — Texas is

TEXAS Supreme Court DISMISSES Abortion Challenge: Pregnant Woman with Fetal Anomaly Forced to Leave State

12 December 2023 — Kate Cox, a pregnant woman from Texas, found herself in a dire situation when her unborn child was diagnosed with trisomy 18 — a fatal condition. With the state’s strict abortion ban in place, she had no choice but to leave Texas and seek an abortion elsewhere. This happened just before the Texas Supreme Court rejected her challenge against the stringent abortion legislation.

Cox spent nearly a week trying to get court approval for ending her pregnancy due to health risks and potential fertility issues in the future. However, Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that Cox didn’t provide enough evidence that her pregnancy complications were life-threatening.

Even after leaving Texas, Cox’s case was dismissed by the state Supreme Court. The court ruled that while Cox’s pregnancy complications were severe, they didn’t pose an immediate threat to her life as required by law for an exception.

The Center for Reproductive Rights represented Cox during this ordeal. They reported that she had been frequently visiting emergency rooms due to health concerns related to her pregnancy. However, they did not reveal where she eventually went for the procedure.

TEXAS Teen BANISHED to Alternative School Over Dreadlocks: Is This a Crown Act Injustice?

11 October 2023 — Darryl George, an 18-year-old junior at Barbers Hill High School in Texas, was reassigned to an alternative education program following a month-long in-school suspension. The cause? His dreadlocks. George has been serving his suspension since August 31 and is scheduled to attend the EPIC program from October 12 through November 29. The school’s principal attributed his removal to George’s “non-compliance” with various campus and classroom rules.

The school district enforces a dress code that restricts male students from having hair longer than their eyebrows, ear lobes or the top of their T-shirt collar. It also mandates that all students maintain clean, well-groomed hair of natural color and shape. Despite this code, George’s family contends that his hairstyle does not infringe upon these rules.

In retaliation against the disciplinary action imposed on George, his family lodged a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency last month and initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against the state governor and attorney general. They argue that these measures breach Texas’ CROWN Act — legislation designed to outlaw race-based hair discrimination — which came into force on September 1st.