Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsPublished: May 4 According to the Galveston Island Beach Patrol one of their units noticed a swimmer struggling in an area marked off-limits for swimming on the west side of the tower Lifeguards began CPR as soon as they got him back to shore The Galveston Fire Department and EMS arrived quickly and took over care Officials say this is the first beachfront drowning of the year in Galveston Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Meet the Team Careers at KPRC Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Rain showers this evening with numerous thunderstorms developing overnight Galveston Island Beach Patrol lifeguard Noah Mixon keeps an eye on swimmers on a stretch of beach near the 27th Street rock groin in Galveston in this June 2024 file photo A 49-year-old Oregon man died early Sunday after having been pulled from the water on Saturday who was pulled from the water Saturday west of 39th Street died early Sunday in the intensive care unit at a University of Texas Medical Branch hospital acting Galveston Island Beach Patrol Chief Lt The man had been pulled from the water at about 4:23 p.m Saturday after beach patrol lifeguards noticed him struggling to swim A beach patrol supervisor swam out to the man to check his welfare and found him unresponsive and not breathing The man was brought to shore and CPR was started immediately The Galveston Fire Department and Galveston EMS also responded to the scene Galveston EMS took over the man's care and transported him to the medical branch A 49-year-old Oregon man is in the intensive care unit at the University of Texas Medical Branch following a near drowning Saturday there are no recent results for popular videos Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Start your morning with the top headlines each day Receive email alerts anytime there is breaking news or a severe weather alert Get the latest local and national sports headlines delivered to your inbox every morning Receive Laura Elder's Biz Buzz direct to your inbox every Sunday Receive the daily weather forecast and the weekly outlook in your inbox each morning Receive an email notification each time resident weather expert Stan Blazyk writes a new article ICYMI is a weekly newsletter highlighting stories from the past week most read or most talked about we want to make sure you read them ICYMI also features select historical content Receive the most recent obituaries every afternoon Get a link to the latest e-Edition delivered to your inbox each morning Receive updates on the latest issues of Coast Monthly Receive the latest Dear Abby column in your inbox each morning Receive special offers from The Daily News and select partners including discounts Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Mexican and Mexican-American heritage was on display Saturday across Galveston County during Cinco de Mayo celebrations In Galveston the League of United Latin American Citizens Council #151 hosted their annual Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta with proceeds from sales benefitting LULAC scholarships Texas City hosted its annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Celebration Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican celebration held to commemorate the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5 and other members of the Oppe Elementary School Folklorico Dancers perform at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday and his fellow Burnet Elementary School Folklorico Dancers wait to dance at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday Judith Silva stand on a festive float before the Texas City Cinco de Mayo Parade and Celebration on Saturday An Escaramuza rider prances along 21st Street at the Texas City Cinco de Mayo Parade and Celebration on Saturday Burnet Elementary School Folklorico dancer Adriel Olvera waits to perform at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday Don Papillion holds up his pet snake at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday peeks through a decorative backdrop at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday Frank Castillo lifts the brim of his sombrero at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday Oppe Elementary School Folklorico dancers Gabriel Obregon adjusts his sombrero at the Galveston Island Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in downtown Galveston on Saturday sports a tiny plastic sombrero at the Texas City Cinco de Mayo Parade and Celebration on Saturday Francis Ramos tosses candy from a float at the Texas City Cinco de Mayo Parade and Celebration on Saturday Email notifications are only sent once a day 2025 10:06PMWatch Eyewitness News and ABC13 originals around the clockGALVESTON Texas (KTRK) -- A drowning in Galveston claimed the life of a 49-year-old man from Oregon overnight according to Galveston Island Beach Patrol A lifeguard on duty reportedly saw the man struggling in a no-swimming area next to a rock groin at 39th Street Authorities said that the man was found unconscious in the water near 39th and Seawall on Saturday Beach patrol says he was taken by ground ambulance to the trauma center at UTMB Health's John Sealy Hospital where he later was pronounced dead while being treated The man's death marks the first fatal drowning on a Galveston beach this year Youth in the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program walk to their classroom in portable buildings at the Galveston County Juvenile Justice Center in Texas City on Thursday which would have paid for improvements to the Juvenile Justice Center Only two of the three propositions in the county’s $186 million debt package will pass with voters rejecting a new $55 million Juvenile Detention Center Proposition A — a roughly $75 million debt package for the construction, maintenance and operation of county and city roads — passed with 55 percent Proposition C — $36 million package for flooding and drainage projects across the county — passed with 58 percent Focused on building and facility improvements, proposition B features fewest projects, but some of the highest price tags, including a $55 million new Juvenile Detention Center Roughly $8.5 million was set for the county’s West County Annex Building in Santa Fe to remedy one of the county’s fastest growing areas Windy...variable clouds with thunderstorms A wave of pink rolled through downtown Galveston on Saturday during the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl Bedecked in pink and flamingo-themed decorations golf carts and revelers alike joined in the Galveston Golf Cart Society’s early celebration of National Pink Flamingo Day participates in the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl in Galveston on Saturday Kellie Garden waves to the crowd as she and her friends all dressed as the television character Mrs roll along Postoffice Street in the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl in Galveston on Saturday A woman throws beads from an elaborately decorated golf cart during the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl in Galveston on Saturday A woman adjusts her flamingo-themed derby hat during the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl in Galveston on Saturday A crowd lines Postoffice Street in Galveston for the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl in Galveston on Saturday flamingo-themed golf carts parade down Postoffice Street in Galveston during the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl on Saturday waits for the start of the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl in Galveston on Saturday Elijah Dean uses his hat to catch trinkets during the Sixth annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl on Postoffice Street in Galveston on Saturday A 49-year-old Oregon man was in the intensive care unit at a University of Texas Medical Branch hospital after nearly drowning Saturday Galveston Island Beach Patrol lifeguards noticed a swimmer who appeared to be struggling just west of 39th Street Vincent’s House’s homebound grocery delivery program about the homebound grocery delivery program and the organization’s transportation program at his home in Galveston on Friday stacks bags of oranges at the Galveston County Food Bank pantry in Texas City on Friday Polanco and his coworkers volunteered to help the pantry prepare for roughly 250 clients expected that day jokes with her coworkers from Intercontinental Terminals Company as they volunteer at the Galveston County Food Bank’s pantry in Texas City on Friday The pantry on average serves 1,200 clients in the four days they’re open each week adds a cabbage to a bag of produce at the Galveston County Food Bank’s pantry in Texas City on Friday Food bank President Donnie VanAckeren is optimistic the pause of the mobile distribution events — which in March served 13,645 people through nearly 30 events across the county — will be short lived At 72-years-old and seven months into recovery from major hip surgery John McBride is dependent on daily grocery deliveries to his second-story studio apartment in Galveston an Army veteran living off a monthly $1,500 pension check Vincent’s House’s homebound delivery service crucial Concern over the stability of such community food programs is rising for some nonprofit leaders across the county as the Galveston County Food Bank faces a supply shortage Vincent’s House Executive Director Paula Tobon worries about clients like McBride saying the organization’s food pantry is in a “crisis situation.” “We get about 80 percent of our food from the Galveston County Food Bank,” Tobon said “But since they’re running into a shortage right now We’re just struggling right now to be able to feed our families and our seniors.” When the Galveston County Food Bank on Monday released its calendar for its May mobile distribution events “Due to a produce shortage beyond our control May mobile food distributions are temporarily paused.” VanAckeren on Friday told The Daily News the food bank has confirmed produce availability saying the food bank expects to announce some mobile distribution events next week While mobile distribution events have been paused the food bank is encouraging those in need to go to its more than 100 partner agencies across the county Agriculture Department in March cut two pandemic-era programs that provided more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers The Galveston County Food Bank is an affiliate of the Houston Food Bank which is facing an $11 million cut in federal funding The organization on Monday in a press release said the cut in funding will have “significant impact” on the food bank’s services and the funding equates to about 500 fewer truckloads of food couldn’t pinpoint a reason for the shortage causing the pause in mobile distributions but said food supply typically gets in tight supply right before the summer “I can’t really say what it is exactly,” VanAckeren said “We consulted with one of our contacts at Kroger and he said leafy greens have been a problem for them “I haven’t confirmed this with H-E-B or Walmart or anything like that but when we go pick up retail leftovers and stuff like that we’re not getting the produce like we were from them so I can only assume that they too are running into some issues with the produce.” The food bank isn’t getting enough produce to make the mobile distributions worthwhile for clients or cost effective for the organization All other food bank programs are continuing uninterrupted and getting food to the organization’s partner agencies will be the priority “They do just such awesome work and are helping so many people We just want to be the support staff for them so we absolutely don’t want to interrupt what they’re doing.” While distribution to partner agencies has continued some agency leaders have noticed a decrease in the supply provided Lewis Social Service Center in Dickinson is the “barest” Executive Director Angelica Hanley has ever seen “I started in this organization four years ago we get from the food bank anywhere from five to 10 pallets a week of product “This week there was only enough food for basically one pallet of product.” The center in 2024 served 10,085 families and 26,868 individuals and in 2025 has already served 5,486 individuals and 2,113 families More than 1,000 clients — 411 households — each week utilize St which has also recently seen its supply from the food bank decrease The pantry typically receives three deliveries from the food bank each week totaling about 9,000 pounds of food the pantry received one delivery totaling about 1,100 pounds of food usually when our shelves get a little bit bare Both Hanley and Tobon have been in close contact with VanAckeren and hope the pause on mobile distributions is only temporary “We are really praying that this a short-term blip,” Tobon said Tobon is treating the shortage like a 30-day crisis we’ll have to make some drastic changes in our programming to figure out how to take care of this how to help take care of this community,” Tobon said Vincent’s House’s food programming is just as important as its other social services Food Pantry Director Lucero Salinas said The pantry is often the starting point for clients Vincent’s House through its “Snack Packs” program which provided daily snacks to 943 unsheltered people in 2024 “If I need something I’ve never been turned down at St An estimated 83 percent of the nonprofit’s pantry clients in 2024 were referred to at least one of other service or organizational partner we know that they’re going to need other items,” Salinas said and then we can find out what the needs are and try to refer them to other areas.” Hanley and VanAckeren each expressed gratitude for the Galveston County community saying community members always step up when their organizations are in need “We are so blessed to work in Galveston County,” VanAckeren said “There’s so many people that are so generous to the relationships that we have with the retailers.” Lewis Social Service Center earlier this week announced separate food drive campaigns urging community members to support their local pantries “I looked through my pantry this morning and said I know we’re not going to eat that,’ and I made a bag and brought it up here Lauren Frick: 409-683-5230; lauren.frick@galvnews.com Pantries are seeking donations of dry goods The sheriff’s office posted a warning about the scam on its Facebook page on Thursday The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office has received several reports of a person claiming to be a Galveston County Sheriff’s Office deputy and threatening the call’s recipient with jail time if they don’t pay a fine for missing jury duty Readers also have contacted The Daily News to report the scam callers are spoofing the sheriff’s office phone number so the recipent’s caller ID shows the number as coming from the sheriff’s office “We’ve been getting numerous calls daily,” Sheriff Jimmy Fullen said “Please be aware that the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office will never call requesting payment for outstanding warrants,” according to the Facebook post “If you receive a call about an arrest warrant and are asked to provide payment do not share your financial information over the phone contact your local law enforcement agency or the court of jurisdiction for verification.” Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight Galveston is abuzz with rumors that two big local names are moving to buy the blighted Antigua Apartments The AMOCO Federal Credit Union-Magnolia Creek Branch has opened on West League City Parkway Vehicles are parked outside the former Hooters in Galveston on Friday where suddenly a mystery buyer has appeared and Chris O’Neal will open McNeal’s Tavern and Eatery on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston Complex conjecture: Owners and insiders are being very tight-lipped about rumors the beleaguered Antigua Apartments has a new owner with plans to demolish and start anew Conjecture floating around about just who the new owner might be is intriguing One very unconfirmed rumor has it a once-prolific island businessman with plans to return stateside was considering buying the property in a partnership with another entrepreneur a demolish and redo is likely for that prime seawall parcel which went on the market in December after city inspectors found hundreds of code violations was listed by Conveyance Real Estate in Houston and promoted as a “redevelopment-ready site” with “all utilities present including three-phase power and sewer capacity for at least 164 units.” Conveyance emphasizes the property has a highly flexible zoning designation that would allow for a “luxury resort high-end coastal residences or a mixed-use project.” The listing marked the first time the beachfront apartment complex — built in 1961 on 5.9 acres — had been for sale in its 64-year history Rumors about new owners began circulating after Antigua Apartment tenants late last month received notice telling them they had three months to move out which listed the Antigua property for $14.8 million — about $2.5 million per acre — didn’t respond this week to several requests for comment which has been working with owners to remedy code violations their representative did indicate they were talking to a potential buyer and a sale may be close but that is the only info we have about it now.” 7 began an inspection of Antigua Apartments lasting through Sept The city inspection was prompted by reports that some residents had been without power for weeks after Hurricane Beryl in July last year Inspectors looked at both the exterior and interior of the 18 multi-family buildings and three swimming pools noting the numerous instances of missing drywall infestations of insects and rodents and water damage The city required owner Jennette Hunnicutt and representatives to develop plans to come into code compliance and to inform the city about plans for tenants Irish jig: In other island seawall developments McNeal’s Tavern + Eatery is setting the table for a June 1 opening owners Tom McGill and Chris O’Neal confirmed this week The business partners had hoped to open McNeal’s months ago — posting on social media they would open it in late December and then in January But in what might sound like a familiar issue around town the business partners had problems with contractors who would disappear for long stretches McGill and O’Neal recruited crews they used in 2021 to build out the original McNeal’s in Plano The business partners put those contractors up in island hotels and got the work done in a matter of days The Plano crews transformed the building formerly occupied by Pit Stop BBQ making the establishment ready for a June 1 opening whose family has vacationed in Galveston for 20 years McNeal’s describes its décor as rugged Texas “balanced with subtle nods to our Irish roots.” The establishment’s Plano breakfast and brunch menu includes such fare as biscuits and gravy and a traditional Irish breakfast that includes pork sausage Also appropriate for a tavern with a happy hour serving cocktails and $4 domestic pints is the McNeal’s Hangover Burger short rib and chuck patty topped with a fried egg and bacon marmalade Hooters and holler: Just shy of a year after breastaurant chain Hooters abruptly departed Galveston a mystery buyer finalized acquisition of the 10,000-square-foot building at 6028 Heards Lane Island Realtor Jacki Hart of RE/MAX Leading Edge this week confirmed the sale and that she represented a buyer whose identity she declined to disclose “While there are no immediate plans for the building they have many ideas in the works,” Hart said Citing a challenging operating environment of rising food and labor costs the fast-casual Hooters chain in June last year announced closures of about 40 restaurants in the United States including the one operating on the island since 2017 the building was home to George’s Texas Cuisine and T-Bones Sports Bar the building housed a long line of eateries China Island Buffet and Saka Sushi & Hibachi Still growing: Texas City-based AMOCO Federal Credit Union late last month marked the grand opening of its Magnolia Creek branch in League City with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew more than 100 people represents AMOCO’s second League City site but also its 11 overall Representatives from the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce the city of League City and the Magnolia Creek Homeowners Association attended the event Laura Elder: 409-683-5248; laura.elder@galvnews.com Top vote-getter Tonia Griffin and Jack Mazzola will face each other in runoff election June 7 Residents will have to wait a little longer to see who fills city council District D’s unexpired term unofficial results indicate a June runoff election Tonia Griffin led the six candidates vying to represent District D with 43 percent Griffin will face Jack Mazzola — who had 27 percent or 54 votes — in a runoff election on June 7 Carolyn Small and Melanie Stowe each amassed double-digit percentages of the 199 votes there are no recent results for popular articles there are no recent results for popular images there are no recent results for popular collections then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely which would pay for improvements to the county's Juvenile Justice Center Early voters were split over the county’s three bond propositions with only two of the measures in a favorable position after early ballots were cast Voters so far are in favor of Proposition A and Proposition C Proposition A is a nearly $75 million debt package for construction maintenance and operation of county and city roads while Proposition C is $36 million for flooding and drainage projects a nearly $75 million debt package that would be used for the purchasing constructing and improving of county buildings including a $55 million new Juvenile Detention Center The United States Post Office and Courthouse Law firms Cooper Masterman and Anapol Weiss District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Galveston on behalf of a teenage girl who they allege was groomed for three years through Roblox and Discord before she was sexually assaulted last year Attorneys Wednesday filed a complaint against two technology firms in federal court on behalf of a Dickinson teenager who they allege was sexually assaulted by a predator who groomed and sexually exploited her through online social platforms Washington D.C.-based law firm Cooper Masterman and Anapol Weiss Discord is an instant messaging and voice communication social platform Communication can be private or take place in virtual communities called servers Roblox is an online game platform and game creation system aimed at young users Spokeswomen for both technology firms said the companies can’t comment on pending litigation but asserted each is deeply committed to the safety of its users Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen confirmed the girl in the complaint was from Dickinson and the accused man Wilment is at large and wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child in connection to the Dickinson girl’s allegations The sheriff’s office is seeking help from the U.S Marshals Service because Wilment is in Canada The lawsuit alleges Wilment groomed the girl starting at age 13 before sexually assaulting her when she was 16 Wilment and the girl exchanged sexually explicit images with Roblox and Discord “This abuse escalated to a situation that is every parent’s worst nightmare: an in-person meeting in the fall of 2024 when the predator traveled to plaintiff’s house and slept in her room with her,” according to the complaint the predator had vaginal sexual intercourse with plaintiff and recorded the sexual acts on his cellular device.” A report to the police was made “pretty close in time to the assault itself,” said Tito Valdes because events such as described in the lawsuit are common on their products to spread the word about the firm’s concern with respect to what we’re noticing in terms of the clear predatory and grooming behaviors on a lot of different social media platforms but obviously to include Roblox and Discord,” Valdes said “We are actively investigating hundreds of cases that we get on a regular basis we have filed three lawsuits with similar fact patterns we are actively investigating the cases as we get them.” The complaint alleges Roblox and Discord knew of the dangers posed by their platforms and failed to implement the safety mechanisms to prevent exploitation Despite marketing themselves as child friendly and safe the companies allegedly prioritized user growth and engagement over meaningful protections A Discord spokeswoman said the company takes “decisive actions” when policy violations are detected shutting down servers and engaging with law enforcement as appropriate Roblox continues to evolve its safety practices to ensure a secure and positive environment on the platform “We invest significant resources in advanced technology including robust filters and human moderation teams to detect and address inappropriate content and behavior and do not allow user-to-user image sharing on our platform,” the spokeswoman said The Texas-based complaint comes as the New Jersey Attorney General and the state of Florida have taken legal action against Discord and Roblox The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office on April 17 filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Discord describing the platform as a “hunting ground for predators.” the state of Florida has issued a subpoena against Roblox as part of its own investigation into platform safety and corporate accountability Nearly 30 people are banned from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line after getting into a fight while disembarking a cruise over the weekend Video footage of the April 26 incident appears to show a group of passengers shoving past barriers inside a terminal in Galveston before pushing at least one person to the ground and punching them The scuffle continues even as security guards intervene “It went down this morning,” wrote Trelle Ray, who shared the footage on Facebook. The user said the fight occurred as passengers were leaving Carnival Jubilee Ray did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment The ship was returning from a week-long Caribbean cruise with stops in Mexico and Honduras, according to CruiseMapper The cause of the fight was not immediately clear “The incident occurred in the debarkation area under the authority of U.S Customs and Border (Protection),” the cruise line told USA TODAY in an emailed statement “This matter has been turned over to law enforcement Meanwhile we will not tolerate such behavior and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list.” The Port of Galveston Police Department responded following "an altercation" at Cruise Terminal 25 CBP "detained several individuals" and one person was arrested by port police and charged Police did not specify what the charge was CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment The fight comes after video footage captured a large fight onboard Carnival Paradise in June 2024 and hitting each other in the ship’s buffet area Make your journey safer and smarter: Sign up for USA TODAY's Travel newsletter This story was updated to add new information Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville An official website of the United States government Customs and Border Protection today announced the seizure of nearly 72 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl and 96 grams of THC vape oil from a U.S citizen at the Galveston Cruise Port following a cruise to Mexico The individual was arrested and referred to local authorities for prosecution CBP Galveston performed a baggage exam and found several vape pens with marijuana THC and several prescription pill bottles of which two contained a powdery substance Drug tests were performed and were found to be positive for both fentanyl and heroin “Fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction in this country and CBP works every day to keep Americans safe from dangerous and deadly drugs,” said Acting CBP Area Port Director John Landry “This is a significant priority for CBP and our law enforcement partners Thanks to the vigilance of our brave and dedicated CBP officers we continue to intercept these deadly substances at our ports of entry before they can do damage in our local communities.” Fentanyl is one of the most deadly and destructive drugs we’ve ever seen in the United States One kilogram of fentanyl can kill as many as 500,000 people While used in hospitals to treat severe pain illicit fentanyl is manufactured in clandestine foreign labs and smuggled into the United States primarily through Mexico and sold on the street illegally Fentanyl is often mixed in with other illicit drugs to increase the potency of the drug and increasingly pressed into pills made to look like legitimate prescription opioids Because there is no official oversight or quality control these counterfeit pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl It is possible for someone to take a pill without knowing it contains fentanyl It is also possible to take a pill knowing it contains fentanyl but with no way of knowing if it contains a lethal dose synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States Unless a drug is prescribed by a licensed medical professional and dispensed by a legitimate pharmacy there’s no way to know the amount of fentanyl in an individual pill or how much may have been added to another drug This is especially dangerous because of fentanyl's potency Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity We enhance the nation's security through innovation View a complete list of local and regional CBP social media accounts and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list,” a spokesperson for Carnival told PEOPLE in a statement Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Ahmed Humble Gage Goulding ALSO CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Overnight break-ins hit 4 businesses along Tomball Parkway According to NBC News, video footage showed a group of people shoving each other while getting off a ship inside a Galveston terminal under the authority of U.S The video also showed some people being pushed to the ground and fists flying and the case has been turned over to law enforcement The matter was turned over to law enforcement Border patrol officials confirmed with KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry that about 10 people were detained Obtained court records claim Meritt-Clark was getting his luggage after debarking Carnival’s Jubilee and noticed a group of people “he had an issue with while on the cruise.” Meritt-Clark then told officers he had previously met them when they were playing basketball a day before and there were about 20 people in the group who approached him in the luggage area MORE CRIME-RELATED NEWS STORIES Meritt-Clark alleged in his affidavit that the group came up to him and started “hitting and stomping” him to the ground but then court documents say he “recanted his original statement” and just admitted to pushing an elderly man Investigators then spoke with the elderly man who admitted he saw Meritt-Clarke shared some choice language but could not recall what their conversation was but noticed the 21-year-old looked angry and just told him “Don’t do what you’re about to do.” Relatives corroborated the statement to officials adding the elderly victim was trying to deescalate the situation “Meritt-Clark responded by physically striking” him they fought back against Meritt-Clark until law enforcement broke things up The 21-year-old is facing first-degree felony charges for injury to a child or Disabled Individual and is held on a $5,000 bond Before you "PRESS START" to your day get ahead of the game with our morning newsletter expert on "The Simpsons," amateur photographer film & tv reviewer and race/religious identity scholar Joined KPRC 2 in Spring 2024 but has been featured in various online newspapers and in the Journal of South Texas' Fall 2019 issue Gage Goulding is an award-winning TV news reporter and anchor where he covered some of the areas most important stories The Carnival Jubilee is shown in this December 2023 file photo A Chicago man was arrested Saturday at the Port of Galveston after more than two dozen people were involved in a brawl in the debarkation area for the Carnival Jubilee reckless serious bodily injury after he reportedly pushed an elderly man after they exchanged words in the luggage area Video shared widely on social media showed several passengers involved in the scrum which happened near children and senior citizens According to the case’s probable cause affidavit two Port of Galveston Police officers responded to Cruise Terminal 25 Customs and Border Protection officers had already stopped the altercation When Merritt-Clark was first interviewed by officers he said the fight was related to a conflict during an onboard basketball game a day earlier A short time later Merritt-Clark recanted his original statement and stated that he “pushed” the “elderly man hard” and then the individuals began striking him repeatedly The reported victim told port police that he was walking through the luggage area when he observed Merritt-Clark watching him and his family walk by in a “hostile manner,” according to the affidavit The victim told police he exchanged words with Merritt-Clark The victim told port police that he told Merritt-Clark “Don’t do what you’re about to do,” and that immediately after that Merritt-Clark struck him on the right side of his head The victim told port police his luggage broke his fall Two witnesses corroborated the victim’s account and said the victim had attempted to deescalate the situation before Merritt-Clark struck him Members of the victim’s family responded by striking and hitting Merritt-Clark in defense of the victim Customs and Border Protection officers detained several people and port police arrested and charged one person cruise lines are responsible for terminal security when ships are docked at the port A Carnival Cruise Line statement said the matter has been turned over to law enforcement “We will not tolerate such behavior and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list,” according to the cruise line’s statement Merritt-Clark was no longer listed in custody at the Galveston County Jail on Monday Jeff Robinson: 409-683-5226: jeff.robinson@galvnews.com then remaining overcast and windy overnight State Park fishing instructor Derick Velez got a great group of volunteer helpers all would fish on the beach side of the park Velez set up fish stations throughout the bayside of the park was the scheduled event of the Houston Area NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) Take Kids Fishing Day at the Galveston Island State Park I woke up early to the sound of rain hitting my roof a couple hours before the scheduled time to begin and we attempted to catch something big with surf rods The parents and children who went to the bay side areas caught pinfish with rods that were given to those attending by the player's association All the bait used was provided by Bait Daddys Bait Camp everyone enjoyed pizza donated from Way West Grill I would say there was upwards of more than 125 children and parents who attended There were some decent catches from Galveston Bay despite the winds West Galveston Bay still probably gets the nod for those wanting just speckled trout Good numbers of fish are being caught by waders throwing artificial lures and croakers Boaters throwing live shrimp are catching mixed boxes of reds The middle of Galveston Bay was blown out because of the wind Captains Mike Cacciotti and Gary Cooper launched out of Baytown and returned to the dock with mixed catch of trout the water was still choppy and off-colored Capt. David Dillman is a columnist for The Daily News. Report your catch to reel.report@galvnews.com or call 409-683-5273 Showers early then continued cloudy and windy overnight Voters walk into the Galveston County Annex to cast their ballots on the final day of early voting in League City on Tuesday Municipal Utility District measures on Saturday's ballot saw mixed results with voters approving a tax rate reduction for the Flamingo Isles MUD voting against bonds for Galveston County MUD No 66 and approving propositions for Galveston County MUD No The measure to reduce the tax rate for the Flamingo Isles MUD passed by 29 to 15 with all vote centers reporting 66 propositions both failed with Proposition A seeing 21 ballots cast against it and 11 for it Proposition A would have authorized $30 million in bonds for purchasing improving or extending a waterworks system a sanitary sewer system and a drainage and storm sewer system with 22 votes against and 10 for the measure Proposition B would have authorized $10 million in bonds for purchasing improving or extending park and recreation al facilities and amenities and all administrative facilities Only two voters cast ballots on the the six propositions that created Galveston County MUD No The voters approved all six of the propositions which included creating the district and selecting Patrick Boone Jeremy Keeswood and Robert McGill as directors Other propositions approved by the two voters were: Proposition B — $264 million in bonds for water Proposition C — $51.75 million in bonds for recreational facilities Proposition D — $163.125 million in bonds for roads Proposition E — An operation and maintenance tax for conservation and reclamation facilities … not to exceed $1.50 per $100 valuation of taxable property Proposition F — An operation and maintenance tax for road facilities … not to exceed $0.25 per $100 valuation of taxable property Incumbent College of the Mainland Trustee William 'Bill' McGarvey established a more than 900-vote lead after early voting in the contested race for Position 6 Incumbent College of the Mainland Trustee William "Bill" McGarvey will keep his Position 6 seat on the board With 23 of 25 vote centers reporting as of 9:18 p.m McGarvey had captured 64 percent of the votes cast which owns and manages residential rental properties She received just over 35 percent of the ballots counted thus far Chester is an adult cat with a heart full of love to share always ready to purr and rub against your leg friendly and never misses a chance to greet you with a soft meow Chester values his independence but is never too far away for a cuddle he’s known for his playful and outgoing nature He’s a companion who will bring joy and laughter to your life and create a bond that’s as warm as his orange coat Moses is a young pittie pup in search of a new family that will give him the time and attention he deserves His previous owner found him in a parking lot and took him in but didn’t have the time to give him the care he needed and is super friendly with everyone he meets (children included) but he would like to learn to channel that energy into being his best self through training he’s worked with our trainer already and proven himself to be quite the accomplished student Are you the one to give Moses a second chance at a home a 1-year-old neutered Domestic Short Hair with a brown Classic tabby coat Fudge’s deep chocolate swirls and twirls overlay a background of lighter shades of brown He is a handsome cat and proud of the vivid tabby M on his forehead Expressive eyes and a sweet face soften his appearance flirt for attention and show off his silly side He is ready and waiting for a family and home of his own If you are looking for a kitty best friend a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever mix who just landed on the adoption floor gentle vibe that makes you want to sit with him for hours Buddy’s a sweet boy through and through — no drama Videos of the Pets of the Week can be viewed on www.facebook.com/garcpets and www.youtube.com Fudge Round and Buddy will be available for $42.50 from Tuesday, Apr 6 – Apr 10. Pets of the week adoptions include rabies vaccination, spay or neuter and microchip. For more information call 409-948-2485 or visit www.gchd.org These and other pets are available at the Galveston County Animal Resource Center Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene has consolidated its island operations to one island office As part of its strategic plan to streamline operations Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene has consolidated its island operations to one office Merging the firm’s 13450 FM 3005 office on the West End with the Broadway office will foster greater collaboration we’re investing in what matters most: our agents and our continued focus on delivering outstanding results in every market we serve.” About 30 people will work in the Broadway office Gary Greene came to own the Broadway office in May 2021 when it acquired longtime island boutique firm The House Co. merging in-town and West End island offices and infrastructure that will empower its agents and continue to deliver the exceptional service for which Gary Greene is known,” the company said Dredging and maintaining adequate depths has been the lifeblood for commerce on Galveston Harbor since the mid 1800s when the Port of Galveston began to grow as a shipping hub business leaders and port officials wrestle today with federal funding and project authorization issues for maintenance of the federal channel Thanks to the efforts of those 19th century leaders we have a federally authorized deep-water harbor from 34-foot-draft cruise ships and car carriers up to 44-foot-draft liquid bulk carriers The federally owned portion in the middle of the harbor must be dredged regularly to remove the silt that naturally builds up and reduces depths Army Corps of Engineers received enough federal funding to maintain the full depth of 46 feet federally authorized in 1996 projects can be delayed for years with federal red tape port and private operators can lose millions of dollars in business if deep-draft cargo ships can’t safely navigate the harbor The biggest losers are the community because loss of business equals a loss of local jobs and other economic benefits Few American waterways handle the diversity of cargos and business of Galveston Harbor 3.4 million cruise passengers and 3.4 million tons of cargo from cattle and cars to giant wind turbine pieces cargo activity on Galveston Harbor generated $6.7 billion in economic activity and 19,136 jobs for Texas Galveston’s cruise business generated 4,547 regional jobs and $732.5 million in local business revenues There’s a big gap between what’s needed to maintain channel depths and what’s funded by the federal government we asked for a much needed $48 million but received zero funding for annual maintenance dredging for the harbor we asked for $39 million and are waiting on the president’s budget to be released later this year also pursue other means for obtaining federal operations and maintenance funds The port and its stakeholders are advocating for full funding and nothing less Port officials and private operators on Galveston Harbor have been working for years with federal agencies and elected officials to draw attention to the critical need for funding and faster project implementation chairman of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment which is responsible for drafting legislation to fund federal dredging projects As a subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Collins met in Galveston with port officials from Galveston and Houston private terminal operators and dredge operators to see port operations firsthand and understand the tangible impacts of channel depth restrictions We greatly appreciate Congressman Collins’ interest in working to find common-sense solutions to improve and streamline the process through new legislation Rodger Rees is Galveston Wharves port director and CEO Set your intentions for 2025 in a 60-minute self care Sunday and fresh start workshop where you’ll walk the sand labyrinth and meditate to the sounds of crystal bowls chimes and rain sticks on the beach in Galveston Location and details will be shared after purchase $30. Order tickets or learn more This Featured Calendar Listing was sponsored by Visit Galveston and boosted in our calendar with images and more details. Featured Calendar Listings are fast-tracked and added to our calendar within 1 business day of purchase Learn more about promoting your event, organization, business, or offer across all of our channels and website in this browser for the next time I comment WorldFest Houston: The 58th Houston International Film Festival Houston's long-running celebration of independent cinema returns with 11 days of screenings of 90+ films and movies from […] The Moores School of Music Percussion Ensemble I will perform works about hidden sorrows for their final concert of the year For her composition series The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows Miller Outdoor Theatre welcomes Panto U.S.A kid-focused production of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island The thrilling adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the […] Cheer on the square as the Rockets face Warriors in Game 5 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs Axelrad Beer Garden's weekly Jazz Wednesday series features rotating special guests performing different styes of jazz in evening concerts in the garden Pursuit Center celebrates its 75th anniversary of service with the Bring the Joy Luncheon at Houston Country Club Special speakers Tanner Smith and Connor Tomlinson from Netflix's Love on the Spectrum and […] The First Round offers a unique meetup experience that simplifies meeting new people by lining up good vibes and convos in a group that’s matched for you eating a secret 3-course menu while blindfolded which heightens your senses of taste and smell at Weights + Measures in Midtown The award-winning theater and film company Vincent Victoria Presents premieres Divalicious a collection of three one-act plays at Midtown Art Center Miller Outdoor Theatre welcomes Fly Dance Company for Oye Como Fly an electrifying performance fueled by the iconic music of Carlos Santana Special guests include Olympian and Fly alum Jeffrey […] The Texas Gulf Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America returns to the Texas Southern University campus for a spring Walk to End Lupus Now celebrating and honoring our region's […] Embark on a magical outdoor adventure in a group of 3 to 6 people with The Oz Escape: A Wicked Glitch in the Museum District and uniquely Texan ambience of the fourth biggest city in the United States On Houston’s only guided walking tour—with glowing 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor—you’ll explore […] the weekly Galveston's Own Farmers Market connects folks to good food to each another Shoppers can mingle and find fresh local produce Social Beer Garden hosts a huge backyard celebration for Cinco de Mayo one of the bar's biggest parties of the year Toyota Center welcomes Katy Perry back when she brings The Lifetimes Tour The Lifetimes Tour will feature all of Perry's hits like “Teenage […] Galveston Children's Museum hosts a free evening of discovery and play on the second Thursday of each month This Featured Calendar Listing was sponsored by Visit Galveston and boosted in […] Marriott Marquis Houston hosts Sinatra Under the Stars a live swinging tribute concert channeling a time when Sinatra reigned supreme at Houston's biggest and most spectacular rooftop venue in the […] Inspired by those old Scholastic Book Fair catalogs bookish night out with Beyond the Covers: Book Fair for Adults—with cocktails—in Midtown Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More at Majestic Metro near Historic Market Square Park in Downtown multi-sensory string musical experience will showcase all […] Dildo It Yourself presents a Dildo Making Workshop Houston Toy Museum hosts Flow & Fun: A Totally Rad '90s Mother's Day Yoga Class led by yogi Colleen Baker Participants can enjoy complimentary mimosas after the class Sunshine Center hosts a Mother's Day Market featuring assorted gift baskets plus a variety of vendors overlooking Galveston's beach This Featured Calendar Listing was sponsored by […] The annual Heights Mercantile Mother’s Day Market returns to the beloved shopping district in the heart of The Heights The celebration of moms everywhere is the ideal spot to find […] the Mother's Day Nature Walk & Wellness Day is a one-of-a-kind all ages walk designed to connect families and participants to nature and wellness Galveston Historical Foundation hosts the annual Mother's Day Champagne Brunch this year inside the stunning and historic 1859 Ashton Villa The brunch will be accompanied by live music and a […] Royal Opera of Madrid and Fever present Authentic Flamenco—headlined by award-winning flamenco dancer Patricia Donn and a renowned line-up of Spanish musicians Sloomoo Institute hosts a Slime Making Workshop hosted by The McClure Twins Apollo Chamber Players conclude their 2024-25 season a live concert performed at Holocaust Museum Houston and at Unity Houston Apollo's season concludes with an intergenerational […] Houston Polo Club hosts the Mossy Ineos Grenadier Cup a 12 goal match on the HPC field located behind Memorial Park Marriott Marquis Houston hosts ABBA Under the Stars a live concert tribute on Houston's biggest and most spectacular rooftop venue in the heart of Downtown Miller Outdoor Theatre and Bacement Foundation For The Arts present Dancin’ In The Street… Motown & More Revue with an R&B-packed weekend showcasing the city’s […] Noto in EaDo hosts the traveling Bingo Loco a 3-hour bingo rave packed with comedian emcees Houston Polo Club hosts the USPA Congressional Cup a 12 goal match complete with a polo trivia contest presented by Alair Homes on the HPC field tucked behind Memorial Park Houston Toy Museum hosts a new edition of ToyTalk and filmmaker will be discussing Indoor/Outdoor Fun: The Toys of Eddy […] Fever presents Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift concert among the planes in the hangar at Lone Star Flight Museum multi-sensory string musical experience will showcase the […] Houston Polo Club hosts the Livingston Cup presented by American National on the HPC field tucked behind Memorial Park The famous Flying Karamazov Brothers land on the Grand 1894 Opera House stage and astonishing juggling feats in Historic Downtown Galveston In addition, take advantage of Galveston Restaurant Week with more than 35 popular island eateries offering special fixed priced meals every day now through Sunday $31.50 and up. Order tickets or learn more This Featured Calendar Listing was sponsored by Visit Galveston and boosted in our calendar with images and more details. Featured Calendar Listings are fast-tracked and added to our calendar within 1 business day of purchase (Galveston, TX) After a beautiful spring weekend, it would be easy to see why so many Texans would suddenly develop the urge to travel to where the map turns blue. And for Texas travelers from Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Lufkin, and other Texas towns that means a trip to the Port of Galveston. The Port of Galveston offers sailings from Carnival Cruise Line Princess Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line Most of the itineraries out of Galveston Island are Caribbean-centric That's not to say you can't find a speciality cruise or a repositioning cruise that might offer passage up the East Coast of the United States or through the Panama Canal Galveston is a busy port and is in the top five for cruise passengers served No, not all cruises visit those destinations but chances are you can find a ship out of Galveston that will get you there there has been renewed confusion about what documents a vacationer might need to provide in order to even get on board one of these "blue water" resorts You've probably heard a lot of discussion about Real ID and Star ID in the past few weeks. These "enhanced" state-issued ID cards are required for air travel as of May 7 they are essentially the same document being called by two different names That's because a REAL ID is designated as such by a gold star imprinted on its face In regard to documentation for cruising many of you may have seen a sign similar to this one posted at embarkation points around the United States That Facebook post from Carnival Cruise Line Ambassador John Heald directly addressed the concerns that many of you might have about proper ID and a cruise ship sailaway You've probably noticed there are two items you need to have in order to get on board a cruise ship. They are first it's your ship's card they give it to you when you check in The second item can be confusing if you don't read the sign the right way The keyword is "or" in this case In the case of boarding for your cruise vacation you need either an Official Passport from your nation of residence a certified copy or original copy of your birth certificate READ MORE NOW: 15 Things You Can Use Instead of Real ID/Star ID URGENT TRAVEL UPDATE: Texas Travelers Take This Out of Your Suitcase Now But because you have the other two options, it doesn't mean that ID needs to be a REAL ID or a STAR ID. But if we are going to vacation in the world of reasonable people you probably want to bring your passport along anyway I personally would not get off a cruise ship in a foreign port without my passport Your passport should be guarded more closely than your money, in my opinion because if something goes down and you're on foreign soil you're going to want to prove that I am an American citizen so the embassy in that port of call can assist me in times of emergency The deadline to have a Real ID or Star ID in Texas is Wednesday, May 7th. If you don't have that enhanced Texas ID can you still board a cruise ship in Galveston?\nRead More (Galveston, TX) After a beautiful spring weekend, it would be easy to see why so many Texans would suddenly develop the urge to travel to where the map turns blue. And for Texas travelers from Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Lufkin, and other Texas towns that means a trip to the Port of Galveston. The Port of Galveston offers sailings from Carnival Cruise Line That's not to say you can't find a speciality cruise or a repositioning cruise that might offer passage up the East Coast of the United States or through the Panama Canal No, not all cruises visit those destinations You've probably heard a lot of discussion about Real ID and Star ID in the past few weeks. These "enhanced" state-issued ID cards are required for air travel as of May 7 That Facebook post from Carnival Cruise Line Ambassador John Heald directly addressed the concerns that many of you might have about proper ID and a cruise ship sailaway You've probably noticed there are two items you need to have in order to get on board a cruise ship. They are first READ MORE NOW: 15 Things You Can Use Instead of Real ID/Star ID URGENT TRAVEL UPDATE: Texas Travelers Take This Out of Your Suitcase Now But because you have the other two options, it doesn't mean that ID needs to be a REAL ID or a STAR ID. But if we are going to vacation in the world of reasonable people Your passport should be guarded more closely than your money, in my opinion because if something goes down and you're on foreign soil you're going to want to prove Election day is May 3 for a number of local races across Galveston County including school boards and City Council races James joined Community Impact in June 2023 and is the editor of both the Bay Area paper and the Pearland-Friendswood paper Before joining the team he worked for several newspapers in both Texas and Illinois Since graduating from the University of North Texas in 2018 James has covered more than a dozen communities and school districts learning Spanish and podcasting about football Looking for a family getaway that’s close to home but packed with adventure Whether you're coming from Lake Charles this Gulf Coast gem is an easy road trip away—and it's bursting with new attractions Lasting Impressions (3D & 4D Theaters) – Dive into the world of art with this immersive visual experience that blends classic masterpieces with state-of-the-art 3D technology The Art of Music Experience (Discovery Museum) – Explore how sound and rhythm come to life through interactive exhibits and multi-sensory displays Penguin Encounters & Behind-the-Scenes Tours (Aquarium) – Book an exclusive hotel package to meet the penguins up close and get a guided insider tour of the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids Pyramid Kids Camp: Spring Sessions – Got kids in grades K–8 Sign them up for fun-filled day camps that mix education and adventure Aquarium Pyramid – Explore sea life from the Gulf to the South Pacific Rainforest Pyramid – Step into a tropical jungle full of monkeys Colonel Paddlewheel Boat – Cruise through Offatts Bayou on this nostalgic paddleboat ride Palm Beach (Opening Summer 2025) – A seasonal water park with a lazy river Ropes Course & Zip Line – Challenge your courage and balance Moody Gardens Golf Course – Tee off at this award-winning course with coastal views Moody Gardens Hotel & Spa – Wind down in comfort with spacious rooms Moody Gardens is just far enough from home to feel like a vacation—but close enough to skip the hassle of long travel days it’s a spring break dream for families from New Orleans to Shreveport Moody Gardens has something for every age and interest Get tickets, camps, and hotel packages at MoodyGardens.com. Experience animal encounters #FamilyTravelGoals” Experience animal encounters Louisiana families—this hidden gem in Galveston is calling! New exhibits, animal encounters, and sunny days await at Moody Gardens\nRead More Lasting Impressions (3D & 4D Theaters) – Dive into the world of art with this immersive visual experience that blends classic masterpieces with state-of-the-art 3D technology The Art of Music Experience (Discovery Museum) – Explore how sound and rhythm come to life through interactive exhibits and multi-sensory displays Penguin Encounters & Behind-the-Scenes Tours (Aquarium) – Book an exclusive hotel package to meet the penguins up close and get a guided insider tour of the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids Pyramid Kids Camp: Spring Sessions – Got kids in grades K–8 Aquarium Pyramid – Explore sea life from the Gulf to the South Pacific Palm Beach (Opening Summer 2025) – A seasonal water park with a lazy river Ropes Course & Zip Line – Challenge your courage and balance Moody Gardens Golf Course – Tee off at this award-winning course with coastal views Moody Gardens Hotel & Spa – Wind down in comfort with spacious rooms Get tickets, camps, and hotel packages at MoodyGardens.com. Experience animal encounters Venture studio expands its mission to work with entrepreneurs to build AI startups providing hands-on support and early-stage funding to solve real-world challenges PALO ALTO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / May 5, 2025 / AI Fund the venture studio founded by renowned AI pioneer and entrepreneur Andrew Ng today announced the successful closing of its second fund raising approximately $190 million in an oversubscribed round This builds on the success of the studio's first $175 million fund and reflects the growing demand for AI-driven innovation across industries "AI technology advances over the past few years are creating a golden age for founding startups," said Ng "With AI technology giving us increasingly better building blocks for developing software plus the cost of prototyping plummeting because of AI assisted coding we can create new startups faster and more efficiently than was ever possible before." A High-Impact Model for Building AI Startups AI Fund's venture studio model gives entrepreneurs a distinct advantage by combining deep AI expertise the studio partners with 0-to-1 entrepreneurs to shape the vision and assemble top-tier technical and leadership teams This approach fast-tracks AI-powered solutions to market AI Fund works alongside entrepreneurs to build companies focused on the application and software infrastructure layers of the AI stack leveraging foundation models to develop solutions across multiple sectors The studio's portfolio includes ventures in financial services AI Fund's latest fundraise attracted a number of corporate limited partners (LPs) including The AES Corporation; HP Inc.; Mitsui & Co. Ltd.; Mitsubishi Corporation; QBE; and TELUS Global Ventures; among other notable venture capital investors such as Sequoia Capital and NEA These corporate LPs are among the leaders in their industries that span technology AI Fund's corporate LPs have a global presence with operations spanning nearly every continent The participation of these global corporate partners not only signals confidence in AI Fund's approach but also reflects the collaborative foundation on which many of the fund's most promising ventures are built: "Many of our ideas originate from close collaborations with corporate partners and VCs who identify critical gaps in their industries allowing us to launch businesses with built-in customers "By bringing together corporate insights and entrepreneurial energy we create companies that are positioned for long-term success." "We believe AI Fund has a clear eye for what's next and the ability to turn bold ideas into high-impact ventures," said Carmen Chang we've seen how their model gives founders an edge in a fast-moving and increasingly competitive AI market We're excited to continue supporting Andrew Ng and the team as they help shape the future of AI and its real-world impact." "The next wave of AI innovation won't just be about breakthroughs in technology-it will be about how we build and apply those breakthroughs," said Andrés Gluski "AI Fund is cultivating the kind of entrepreneurial rigor and technical depth needed to shape solutions that matter We're excited to partner with AI Fund on a model that pairs visionary thinking with real-world execution." we are on a mission to create meaningful AI experiences that drive growth and more fulfilling work experiences for people everywhere," said Enrique Lores "Our investment in AI Fund reflects our dedication to catalyzing the development of new experiences that allow users to benefit from AI at the edge By supporting software innovators and startups we aim to foster the entrepreneurial spirit needed to develop impactful AI solutions that will shape the future of work." AI Fund has been building AI startups since long before the widespread rise of tools like ChatGPT and the recent AI boom it will continue co-founding companies that leverage the latest technologies like agentic AI "AI Fund is oriented to moving fast in how we build companies," said Ng and by systematically approaching the many steps of early stage startup building we minimize bottlenecks and help companies go much faster." For more information, visit https://aifund.ai/ AI Fund is a venture studio that strives to move humanity forward by accelerating the adoption of AI. We work with entrepreneurs to build companies rapidly and increase their odds of success. The studio is supported by top-tier VCs and partners including Sequoia Capital, NEA, AES, and Nikkei. Learn more at https://aifund.ai/ Lauren Gill, MAG PR at E: lauren@mooringadvisorygroup.com; P: 978-473-1362 TV News Networks in Per-Follower Social Interaction on Top Social Platforms BOCA RATON today announced that the Company has reached .. TV News Networks in Per-Follower Social Interaction on Top Social Platforms BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESS Newswire / May 5 (NYSE:NMAX) ("Newsmax" or the "Company") today announced that the Company has reached 20 million combined social media followers - a major milestone Newsmax also broke records in Q1 2025 and for all of 2024 news networks (broadcast and cable) for per-follower social interaction rate on Facebook Newsmax's reach across social media is huge with more than five million followers on Facebook 2.4 million on YouTube and millions more on other platforms These numbers continue to grow as Newsmax garners high engagement from users Newsmax's per-follower interaction rate was 241% greater than Fox News in 2024 Newsmax saw even stronger numbers against other competitors with per-follower interactions 1,580% greater than CNN and 630% greater than MSNBC Newsmax had a per-follower interaction rate 2,739% greater than ABC News 294% greater than Fox News and 272% greater than MSNBC Newsmax social interactions on Facebook reached 27.4 million "Reaching 20 million social media followers with the best per-follower engagement in TV news Newsmax isn't just growing - it's surging ahead as a rising force," commented Corey Clayton Newsmax's Senior Director for Social Media "This milestone proves that our social audience is energized around the Newsmax brand." "Newsmax is one of the most powerful news brands in America because we have an ‘all for all' approach - we provide great content on all major media platforms for all people." "Our success on social media is just another indication of the great content and news we're providing the public," Ruddy continued Newsmax sees social media as a key driver for the success on its cable the Newsmax cable channel saw a 50% increase in total audience year-over-year as a recent Reuters Institute study found Newsmax was one of the top 12 news brands in the U.S See Newsmax's Reach on Social Media Platforms Newsmax Inc. is listed on the NYSE (NMAX) and operates, through Newsmax Broadcasting LLC, one of the nation's leading news outlets, the Newsmax channel. The fourth highest-rated network is carried on all major cable and satellite systems. Newsmax's media properties reach more than 40 million Americans regularly through Newsmax TV, the Newsmax App, its popular website Newsmax.com Forbes has called Newsmax "a news powerhouse." For more information, please visit Investor Relations | Newsmax Media, Inc. ir@newsmax.com This communication contains forward-looking statements we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events which we derive from the information currently available to us Forward-looking statements can be identified by those that are not historical in nature The forward-looking statements discussed in this communication and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks The Company does not guarantee future results neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this communication to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include various factors including but not limited to our ability to change the direction of the Company our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs the competitive environment of our business changes in domestic and global general economic and macro-economic conditions and/or uncertainties and factors set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31 and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements in this communication which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Christian Terry Corley Peel GALVESTON Texas – A former Woodlands Mall security guard who was charged in Montgomery County with invasive visual recording and indecency with a child by exposure was arrested and charged in Galveston for allegations he secretly recorded a child who was with their family on the beach of Conroe was arrested by police on April 30th and booked into the Galveston County Jail The recommended bond for Roy’s charge of invasive visual recording was set at $75,000 Galveston Police say they responded at around 4 p.m on April 19 to a report of a man taking photos of an underage child on the beach in the 1500 block of Seawall Boulevard Police talked to the child’s family and were told a bystander had alerted them that a man was recording or taking photos of their child while they were enjoying the beach The family was able to give police images of the man and the vehicle he was driving Detectives were able to identify Roy as the suspect and a warrant for his arrest was issued “While Galveston police were investigating his actions on the beach, they learned that Roy had been previously charged with similar crimes in Montgomery County, Texas in 2024 Investigators from both agencies are working together to assist one another in their respective cases,” the Galveston Police Department said In the 2024 incident, investigators with the Montgomery County Pct. 3 Constable’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Division received a tip about videos showing young girls recorded in public areas, including The Woodlands Mall Some footage allegedly included young girls undressing in a Forever 21 dressing room Detectives identified Roy as the perpetrator after spotting his face and security uniform in the recordings admitted to assisting in creating the recordings Both of them were charged in April 2024 with invasive visual recording authorities filed an additional charge of indecency with a child by exposure against Roy in December 2024 The new allegations prompted Roy to surrender himself to law enforcement on January 4 Roy also worked as a tennis coach for children aged 8 to 17 in The Woodlands and Spring areas KPRC2 Reporter Corley Peel asked the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office if Roy’s bond conditions for his Montgomery charges will change now that he has a new charge in Galveston County The spokesperson responded saying the DA’s office cannot comment on an ongoing investigation if someone is charged with an offense and is out on bond with conditions and they commit a new offense in same or another county it may be a basis to ask the judge to set aside the bond Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin Florida before returning to the Lone Star State GALVESTON COUNTY Texas – A federal lawsuit has been filed against the platforms Discord and Roblox on behalf of a Galveston County girl who was sexually assaulted by a man who groomed her using the platforms comes after several similar lawsuits against the platforms in the cases of a 13-year-old New Jersey boy and a Florida girl Related Story: Smartphone apps every parent should keep an eye on the minor was first groomed on Roblox and later coerced into sharing explicit content through Discord a progression that mirrors a pattern of predatory behavior playing out across these platforms,” Anapol Weiss said the law firm says the abuse escalated to an in-person meeting at her home where the predator sexually assaulted the girl and recorded it on his cell phone “This young girl has suffered unimaginable harm,” said Alexandra Walsh Roblox and Discord prioritized profits over safety.” Related Story: Gaming streamer, OnlyFans model ‘Amouranth’ held at gunpoint for Crypto, pistol whipped in Houston home invasion The lawsuit alleges both Roblox and Discord knew of the dangers posed by their platforms and failed to implement the safety mechanisms necessary to prevent exploitation Despite marketing themselves as child-friendly and safe Related Story: Conroe ISD kindergarten teacher arrested for online solicitation of a minor “Tragically, what happened to her is far from an isolated event,” said Anapol Weiss shareholder Kristen Feden Anapol Weiss is currently investigating hundreds of similar cases involving minors who were targeted and abused through these online platforms “This lawsuit is a demand not only for justice but for systemic change,” said Davis Cooper of Cooper Masterman our goal is to safeguard children by holding Roblox and Discord responsible for the dangers they’ve created and compelling them to implement user safety as a core priority.” Government authorities are also taking action The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office recently filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Discord describing the platform as a “hunting ground for predators.” That legal action accuses Discord of knowingly allowing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to be exchanged on its servers and failing to take appropriate steps to remove it or report it in a timely manner the State of Florida has issued a subpoena against Roblox as part of its own investigation into platform safety and corporate accountability Related Story: General counsel for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo accused of online solicitation of minor “These interventions reflect a broadening consensus that the current regulatory environment is insufficient to protect children online—and that industry self-policing has failed,” said Walsh “Swift action and oversight is needed to ensure that platforms popular among children are no longer havens for predatory behavior.” “We can’t comment on ongoing litigation and will respond appropriately through the legal process Discord is deeply committed to the safety of our users and we take decisive actions when we detect violations of our policies and engaging with law enforcement as appropriate.” A sample headstone stands in front of Ott Monument Works on Broadway in Galveston The business owners are selling their Galveston and Hitchcock buildings and land a longtime liquor store and check-cashing business in Galveston Crews have begun clearing and leveling land that will be the site of a new McDonald’s restaurant location at the corner of West Bay Area Boulevard and West League City Parkway in League City Murals adorn the sides of the Tohme Oceanview Lofts on Broadway in Galveston Set in stone: Some longtime business names in an old seaport city might soon fade into history which has put its buildings and land — 3928 Broadway in Galveston and 730 Memorial St in Hitchcock — up for sale as it winds down nearly two centuries of business who run the family owned company that traces its roots to 1854 say they could possibly sell the business as they ponder retirement in its fifth-generation of family ownership statues and vases and is the oldest such business in Texas The next generation is pursuing other professions and interests so there’s no one in the family to take over when Linda Ott-Thompson and Danny Ott retire meaning people don’t visit grave sites or memorialize their loved ones in the way generations before did Such societal changes have led to a steadily growing cremation rate in the past 50 years according to the Cremation Association of North America Ott-Thompson’s great-great grandfather was the first owner/sculptor of the business which left lasting work in cemeteries across the island and mainland Charles Ott designed and erected the World War I Memorial at Menard Park near the corner of Seawall Boulevard and 28th Street The memorial cost about $4,500 — nearly $70,000 in today’s dollars — with Ott donating his design and labor fees The central portion included a bronze Honor Roll plaque with the names of the 74 men and one woman from Galveston who lost their lives in service to their country Large estate memorials or family monuments that served as focal points for burial areas of three or more people long were a big part of Ott Monument Works’ business It’s possible an existing monument company might buy the business the company is working to sell its properties And in another possible loss of a longtime island business There’s no notice on the door of a temporary closure the phone doesn’t appear to be working and owner Stuart Farb couldn’t immediately be reached for comment proudly exclaims on its building “The party started here in 1946.” Stay tuned after nearly five decades of manufacturing in League City has sold its 9-acre tract and facility at Reynolds Avenue and Walker Street after moving operations to Sulphur Springs Clark Kennedy in the mid-1970s founded the engineering and fabrication company specializing in modular refineries for the chemical and petroleum industries establishing its manufacturing operations and engineering offices in the heart of League City Plant Process Equipment has employed more than 250 people at times contributing significantly to the local economy the League City site wasn’t surrounded by homes as it is today Plant Process Equipment had attempted to build a new facility and expand at its League City site A new facility would have mitigated the noise from fabrication work but the city wouldn’t permit the expansion Having the additional larger manufacturing space in Sulphur Springs led to the sale of the League City property But Plant Process Equipment still maintains engineering offices at 18333 Egret Bay Blvd The identity of the buyer of the 9-acre tract wasn’t immediately available But the buyer plans to use it for offices and as a storage facility for its trailers The transaction was brokered by Brockway Commercial with Penny Brockway representing Plant Process Equipment an inquiring reader wants to know what was going on at West Bay Area Boulevard and League City Parkway where construction fencing is up and a lot of dirt is being moved All the work is for a McDonald’s Restaurant there are more details about the developer of the small apartment complexes rising around the island was a student at the University of Texas Medical Branch he couldn’t help but notice lack of decent student housing So Tohme dropped out of medical school and began investing in real estate and developing the small apartment complexes to help remedy the problem Tohme Properties has developed two eight-unit apartment complexes at Eighth Street and Broadway in Galveston are notable for the octopus and other sea creatures local artists have created on the buildings Tohme Properties also has two eight-unit complexes underway at 801 Ave K and will wait to build more there after assessing the projects’ financial success Some neighbors to the Avenue K apartments worried about plans for more high-density development the only way for such projects to make financial sense and deliver units attainably priced for students and young professionals He aims to develop apartments where monthly rents are less than $1,500 not all of his apartments will be eight-unit complexes Tohme Properties also is planning a 45-unit complex between first and 15th streets near the medical branch campus “We really want to give young people a nice place to live at a decent price,” Tohme said The 45-unit complex is in the design phase 7611 Stewart Road on the island has closed and the building has a new owner Galveston College Whitecaps athletic director and head softball coach Kelly Raines leads the Whitecaps softball players through a crowd of high-fives from students faculty and staff that gathered to give the team a send-off Friday at the college’s main campus Louisiana on Friday to compete in the NJCAA Division I Region 14 Tournament 30-12 overall) will take its South Conference co-championship for a spin against Tyler Junior College (16-8 in the opening game of the regional tournament noon Saturday located on the Bossier Parish Community College campus Galveston College’s softball team loaded on a bus after a brief rally by the college’s students and headed off to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Region 14 Tournament in Bossier City “We had a great send-off by our college community and we’re looking forward to starting the regional tournament,” GC head softball coach Kelly Raines said “We have a talented group of players who have worked hard all year and I’m proud of what they have accomplished this season all the teams start over with the same record and we’re excited to get the second part of our season going on Saturday.” The winner of the GC-TJC matchup will take on the winner of the game between Trinity Valley Community College (20-4 TVCC is the Region 14 North Conference champion The losing teams of the first two matchups will face each other in a different bracket the Whitecaps won a share of the South Conference title and claimed the regional championship to advance to the NJCAA D1 World Series The regional tournament will be live-streamed on BPCC’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BossierParishCC/streams For more information about the GC Whitecaps softball program, rosters and season schedule, visit https://www.gcwhitecaps.com/landing/index The weeklong 'Local Days' event is geared to encourage Galveston residents to experience the island like a visitor and take advantage of deals Visit Galveston has partnered with island businesses and attractions for “Local Days” in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week from May 5-10 The weeklong event is geared to encourage Galveston residents to experience the island like a visitor and take advantage of free or buy one get one admission to participating attractions public relations manager for Visit Galveston More deals might be announced by the start of next week “We did hear from participants last year when we did a similar thing that they felt like people took advantage of it and that they wanted to do it again and kind of enhance it this year,” Carnes said “Moody Mansion was one that really felt like they got a lot of people through their doors the last time we did it.” To take part in the promotion customers must present a state of Texas ID with a Galveston address • Free admission to the Juneteenth exhibit in the carriage house of the 1859 Ashton Villa • Special discounts at the Galveston Arts Center • Free Parking and admission at the Galveston County Museum • Free admission for Galveston residents to Moody Gardens Discovery Pyramid • Free admission to Moody Mansion with a receipt from any local business on purchases made between May 5-10 which is home to the Juneteenth Legacy Project Headquarters art gallery • Free admission to an open house at the Garten Verein get one free admission for the Rainforest River Adventure Ride • Get a free 5D ride with the purchase of a walk on or ride wristband at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier get one free admission Galveston Railroad Museum get one free admission May 8-10 at Texas Surf Museum get one free admission at the The Bryan Museum • $3 off admission at the Galveston Naval Museum Local Days is designed to help educate island residents about tourist offerings tourism accounts for one in three jobs and is the third-largest employment sector Visit Galveston plans to announce the 2024 tourism economic impact report at its 10th annual Tourism Summit on May 15 Mayor: Run-off between Mouton and West.Councilmember At-Large: Turner and Williams Ward 1: CrenshawWard 2: HilliardWard:3 Sherwood signed to continue his education and baseball career at Galveston College next year Tim Sykes speaks in favor of using the former L.A Morgan Elementary School site for a Juneteenth museum at a meeting of the Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees in Galveston on March 26 Build Galveston — a workforce housing initiative of Vision Galveston — bid $2.8 million for surplus property at the former L.A — a nonprofit connected to Galveston’s Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church — proposed $4.5 million for the property for an International Juneteenth Museum A nonprofit community development corporation seeking to build single-family workforce housing bid $2.8 million for almost 4.5 acres of land, which in fall was declared surplus by the Galveston Independent School District trustees Build Galveston, a workforce housing initiative of Vision Galveston, bid $2.8 million for surplus property at the former L.A. Morgan Elementary School campus Preliminary studies indicate up to 30 single-family homes could be built on the surplus property site chief executive officer of Vision Galveston The site also would include green space honoring the legacy of the school’s namesake who was a teacher and administrator at the district from 1934 to 1974 and played a key role in desegregating Galveston schools in the late 1960s The bid is based on the appraised value of the 4.5 acres and is funded through the Galveston Essential Workforce Housing Fund and The Moody Foundation Build Galveston received additional support from The Moody Foundation in the form of a line of credit to be used by the Build Galveston board of directors for land acquisition “Build Galveston researched GISD guidelines regarding selling surplus property which indicate the district must sell property at market value which is defined by an appraisal,” Bryant said “Build Galveston conducted an appraisal on the land which came in at $2.8 million Superintendent Matthew Neighbors couldn’t reveal the appraised value of the property but said the bid from Build Galveston is “at or above appraised value.” Similar to the community group Project Rosenberg but instead is proposing to pay the district $4.5 million for the property through funds earmarked for a Galveston Juneteenth Museum in Senate Bill 1 — a $336.06 billion state budget SB 1 earmarks a total of $7 million for the museum so leaders of the museum effort estimated how much they could wager to offer a competitive bid to the school board The group plans to send a proposal that includes the museum’s outline budget and operational expenses to state Sen Because of the financial dependence on the legislature solidifying the details and timeline of the proposal for the school board will take some time “The legislative session ends June 2 and the government fiscal year starts Oct so we will be looking at putting down maybe an Oct but we should know that by the June 2 date,” Sykes said Trustees on April 16 will vote on whether to accept or reject Build Galveston’s $2.8 million bid School board trustees in February voted 4-2 to reject a $2.2 million bid from the nonprofit Sealy & Smith Foundation for the Rosenberg Elementary surplus property and negotiate with Project Rosenberg Sealy & Smith Foundation wanted the land to build housing for University of Texas Medical Branch employees The East End neighborhood group has amassed more than $1 million in pledges for the land and wants to build a park there “We’re just hoping and praying that we can find some common ground with the school board and the school district really see the vision and the need for an international Juneteenth Museum with Galveston being the birthplace,” Sykes said