Houston-area

Some Houston-area residents have growing concerns regarding the expansion of Flock cameras. Although Flock Safety claims its cameras help solve crimes, there have been cases reported concerning the misuse by law enforcement.

Katy ISD, a Houston-area school district serving nearly 100,000 students, has banned generative artificial intelligence chat tools in kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms. The district plans to gradually introduce AI use for older students.

Edward Hall, a 5-year-old boy, was found dead in Fort Bend County lake following an Amber Alert. His body was recovered near his Houston-area home the day after he was reported missing.

Michael Butler, 44, was charged with manslaughter after his Tesla Model 3 crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila. Butler claimed the vehicle was in autopilot mode at the time, and Avila's family has sued both Butler and Tesla.

Two Houston-area residents pleaded guilty to falsifying wastewater testing results that showed illegal levels of ammonia, E. coli, and phosphorus. The U.S. Attorney's Office reported the case.

A Houston-area man is accused of selling fake accessible parking placards online. Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen warned that using these illegitimate placards can lead to misdemeanor charges, including fines and jail time.

A 41-year-old man from Mont Belvieu, Texas, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for orchestrating a Ponzi-style investment scheme involving wire fraud. The scheme defrauded victims through fraudulent stock investment promises.

Rep. Christian Menefee defeated Rep. Al Green in a Democratic runoff for Texas' 18th Congressional District, a result of redistricting. Green, a vocal Trump critic and impeachment advocate, lost to Menefee, a former attorney running on a platform of bringing new leadership to Congress.