Winds of Political Change Push Across Texas in Every Area

CNN Newsource on May 27, 2026

By Burt Levine

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    May 27, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Change did not tiptoe across Texas on Tuesday night. It arrived with thunder, lightning, and a ballot box big enough to shake the rafters from Washington County to West Houston, from Fort Bend County to the Texas Gulf Coast. By Wednesday morning, one message was unmistakable: Texas voters are not simply watching political change — they are driving it.

Across the state, incumbents, establishment favorites, and long-familiar political names faced a restless electorate ready for something new. In the Republican U.S. Senate runoff, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime U.S. Senator John Cornyn, with the Texas Secretary of State reporting Paxton at 880,202 votes to Cornyn’s 497,702 with 99% of polling locations reporting. For Republicans, it marked a dramatic rebuke of old-guard leadership. For Democrats, it opened a fresh conversation about statewide opportunity, accountability, and the urgent need to organize for November.

But here in the Houston region, the political winds blew even harder.

In the newly redrawn 18th Congressional District, Christian Dashaun Menefee, 38, delivered one of the night’s defining victories, defeating longtime Congressman Al Green. State results showed Menefee with 32,819 votes to Green’s 14,370, with 95% of polling locations reporting. It was a generational shift in one of Houston’s most storied congressional seats. Green’s public service stretches back nearly half a century, including his time as a Harris County justice of the peace before his congressional career, but voters chose Menefee’s forward-facing campaign and coalition-driven message for this next chapter.

Menefee’s rise has been rapid, historic, and closely watched. First elected Harris County Attorney in 2020, he became both the first Black person and the youngest person to hold that office. After the death of Congressman Sylvester Turner, Menefee won the special election for the 18th District and now moves forward as the Democratic nominee for the full term. The race was also shaped by Republican-led redistricting, which altered Houston’s congressional map and forced a painful contest between two Democrats with deep Houston ties.

The theme was clear: voters honored the past, but they voted for the future.

In Texas House District 131, Staci Childs, an attorney and State Board of Education member, defeated Lawrence Allen Jr. State results showed Childs with 4,952 votes to Allen’s 3,080, with 92% of polling locations reporting. That race carried its own Houston history. Allen, a retired educator and former State Board of Education member, sought to follow the path of his mother, Dr. Alma Allen, who has long represented the district. But voters chose Childs, reflecting another local appetite for fresh leadership rooted in education, advocacy, and generational transition.

In House District 149, Dr. Darlene Breaux, president of the Alief ISD Board of Trustees, defeated incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo. The Texas Secretary of State reported Breaux with 1,347 votes to Vo’s 902, with 92% of polling locations reporting. Vo’s defeat ends a two-decade run in the Texas House, where he made history as one of the few Asian American legislators in Texas and the only Vietnamese American to serve in the Legislature. Breaux’s win, powered by her Alief roots and education-centered leadership, signals a new era for one of the most diverse districts in Texas. Then came Harris County, where Dr. Letitia Plummer won the Democratic runoff for Harris County Judge over former Houston Mayor Annise Parker in a race that stretched late into the night and kept political observers refreshing results like Houstonians checking a storm radar. Plummer won 51.13% to Parker’s 48.87%, according to reported results, and will face Republican Orlando Sanchez in November.

Plummer’s victory was more than a political upset. It was a statement. A former Houston City Council member and the first Muslim woman elected to that body, Plummer built her campaign around a progressive message, community energy, and a belief that Harris County’s next leader must speak directly to residents who want government to move with urgency and heart. Should she win in November, Plummer would make history as Harris County’s first Black and first Muslim County Judge.

Sanchez, a former Houston City Council member and former Harris County Treasurer, won the Republican nomination, setting up a fall contest that will offer Harris County voters two very different visions for the county’s future.

Fort Bend County delivered its own fireworks — and a reminder that political transformation is not limited to Houston’s city limits. Dexter McCoy, 34, a one-term Fort Bend County Commissioner, won the Democratic runoff for Fort Bend County Judge, defeating Rachelle Carter. He now advances to face Republican Daniel Wong, the current interim county judge, in November. If elected, McCoy would become one of the youngest county judges in Fort Bend history and the county’s first Black County Judge — a milestone that would reflect Fort Bend’s fast-changing demographics and rising civic power.

Fort Bend also saw Sonya Jones narrowly defeat former Judge Maria T. Jackson in the Democratic runoff for County Clerk, while Jeffrey L. Boney won the Democratic race for County Treasurer. April L. Jones narrowly held the lead in the Democratic runoff for Precinct 4 Commissioner, according to Community Impact’s report of county data, with all results unofficial until canvassed. These races may not command cable-news drama, but they are exactly where democracy does its daily work: records, budgets, roads, neighborhoods, voting systems, and public trust.

And yes, Fort Bend voters had to show grit. A countywide electronic voter check-in problem caused delays on Election Day, though officials said voting machines and ballots were not affected and voters in line by 7 p.m. could still cast ballots. Democracy, as always, is not a spectator sport. Sometimes it requires patience, paperwork, and standing in line when the system hiccups.

From Paxton over Cornyn to Menefee over Green, from Breaux over Vo to Plummer over Parker, Texas voters sent a loud message: seniority alone is not a shield, name recognition is not a guarantee, and every seat belongs to the people first.

For Houston Style Magazine readers, especially those who understand the long march for representation, these results should not be reduced to winners and losers. They are part of a larger democratic story. Communities that were once told to wait their turn are now organizing, voting, running, winning, and reshaping the table. The electorate is younger, more diverse, more impatient, and more aware that local offices can determine everything from storm response to school policy, from voting access to public infrastructure.

The work now turns toward November. Runoff victories are not finish lines; they are invitations. Candidates must build broader coalitions. Voters must stay engaged. Civic organizations must educate. Churches, chambers, unions, neighborhood clubs, student groups, and community newspapers must keep the lights on democracy burning bright.

Because Texas is changing — not someday, not slowly, not quietly. It is changing now, one precinct, one district, one county, and one determined voter at a time.

And in Houston, Harris County, and Fort Bend County, the winds of change are not just blowing.

They are organizing.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
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Community honors Nicole Amor, Minnesota soldier killed in Kuwait, with memorial stone

CNN Newsource on May 27, 2026

By Ashley Grams

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    WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minnesota (WCCO) — On Monday afternoon, the White Bear Lake, Minnesota, community gathered outside VFW Post 1782 for a Memorial Day ceremony that honored U.S. servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice, including Master Sergeant Nicole Amor.

Amor was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, serving in Kuwait, when a drone strike killed her and five others earlier this year.

“There’s a lot of soldiers that have laid down their lives for what we get to take advantage of every single day. It’s just, it’s a little bit more personal now,” said Joey Amor, Nicole Amor’s husband.

Joey Amor and his two children sat under the shade as members of the VFW placed a memorial brick in her honor. The stone inscription describes Amor as an “adored wife and mother.”

Joey Amor said the support from the community has been humbling and overwhelming.

“[The community has] rallied behind our family. They’ve shown support in a million different ways,” he said after the ceremony. “They’ve been taking as much of the weight for us as they can.”

Nicole Amor’s mother, Deb Stafslien, also shared gratitude for the way friends and community members have shown up in support over the last few weeks.

“So much outreach, so much love, so much compassion and caring. It’s really quite incredible,” Stafslien said.

Stafslien and Joey Amor both describe each day as bittersweet, laughing together and remembering Nicole Amor as a “spitfire” who brought so much joy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Student detained by ICE during asylum check-in released from custody

CNN Newsource on May 27, 2026

By Sabrina Franza, Charlie De Mar

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A Chicago teen who was held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Kentucky is now home, after a judge allowed him to go free on bond just in time to graduate from high school.

Ricardo Hernandez Navarrete and his mother, Liliana Navarrete, were both arrested by ICE in March during a scheduled check-in for their asylum case.

Liliana was released last week, but the two embraced each other for the first time in weeks.

Not only are they reunited, but Ricardo is also going to make his Mather High School graduation on Thursday, something his family thought at one point he would miss because of his arrest.

The 18-year-old is planning to play soccer at Truman College next year.

His graduation and college plans were put on hold after he and his mom were detained together during a routine asylum check-in in March.

Last week, a federal judge in Kentucky granted Liliana’s release on a writ of habeas corpus, allowing her to go free on bond pending the outcome of her immigration proceedings.

Just last Wednesday, she was reunited with her other son, Steven, in Crown Point, Indiana. She said that the reunion was bittersweet without Ricardo.

“I feel incomplete because my son Ricardo is still not here, and there’s uncertainty, but we have hope that with God’s help, he will be with us so we can continue to be a family,” she said in Spanish.

The last time Liliana and Ricardo saw each other, they were being taken by ICE to a detention facility in Kentucky.

“We were chained and we were only able to make contact like this, a little through the window guard. It was very painful,” she said.

Liliana said she tried to reassure Ricardo before he was moved to a separate location in Kentucky.

“We said to each other. ‘Everything’s okay? Son, are you ok?’ And he said, ‘Yes, mom, yes,'” she said.

“When I talked to you last week, neither Riccardo nor Liliana were home. Liliana came home Wednesday and Riccardo today. This is how it’s supposed to be,” said advocate Kristy Morrow.

The family, originally from Colombia, has lived in Chicago since 2022. Now, Ricardo is back in time for graduation and his team’s final game this weekend.

“Nothing makes up for those 10 weeks, but being here for these milestones means everything,” Morrow said.

Morrow’s son plays soccer with Ricardo, and she’s pushed for his release. After his arrest, Ricardo’s first call was to his soccer coach.

“It’s the last game of the season. We’re just happy to have him back,” said coach Costel Serban.

Ricardo had a bond hearing on Tuesday, which led to his release.

The family’s asylum case remains pending. Their attorney says Ricardo has an ICE check-in on Wednesday. It’s still not clear why the two were taken into custody.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement, “They came here illegally, and they will not ignore the rule of law.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Man charged with theft of $1 million in collectible cars from former LA County employer

CNN Newsource on May 27, 2026

By Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A former employee of Chatsworth-based MGA Entertainment was charged on Tuesday with allegedly stealing $1 million in die-cast model car collectibles from the company.

Luis Tanahara, 55, of Simi Valley, was charged with one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of receiving stolen property, with allegations that the stolen property’s value exceeded $1 million, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

According to prosecutors, Tanahara worked as a senior product designer with the company. He allegedly took approximately $500,000 worth of CarTuned collectibles from a shipping container at the Chatsworth factory on Feb. 14, 2026, and loaded them into his car. Nearly a month later, on March 3, investigators discovered and seized more than $1 million in collectibles from his home, according to the news release.

“The cars are highly valued by hobbyists and collectors, especially when sold in surprise ‘Master Packs,'” the DA’s Office release said.

Tanahara pleaded not guilty to charges on April 10, at which time he was released on his own recognizance and ordered to stay away from MGA Entertainment. He is due back in court on Wednesday, where a judge will determine if there’s enough evidence against him to move forward with a trial.

“If you steal collectible toy cars or any cargo from our ports, you will be fully prosecuted,” said a statement from LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “Diecast cars are not everyday toys or merchandise with a set retail value, they are prized collectibles with a potentially infinite value to a collector, representing a tremendous loss for the victim.”

If convicted as charged, Tanahara faces up to six years in a state prison, according to the DA’s Office.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Record-breaking 71-pound blue catfish caught in West Virginia

CNN Newsource on May 27, 2026

By Michael Guise

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    CHARLESTON, West Virginia (KDKA) — A man in West Virginia reeled in a record-breaking blue catfish.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources said Michael Ramey set a state weight record after catching a 71-pound blue catfish on May 9 while fishing the Ohio River in Jackson County. Michael John Drake held the previous record for blue catfish weight after he reeled in a 69.45-pounder in 2023.

Ramey nabbed the fish using cut bait on a 100-pound test line, the WVDNR added. The fish was 50.23 inches long, just short of the state’s blue catfish length record of 51.49 inches set by Justin Connor while fishing the Kanawha River.

Record tiger trout caught in West Virginia

Donnie Workman’s 13.32-pound, 29.80-inch tiger trout set a West Virginia record, the WVDNR said. He caught the fish on April 26 at Summit Lake using mealworms and orange salmon eggs on an 8-pound test line.

Angler nabs record-setting redhorse sucker

Zachary Roper caught a 6.46-pound, 25.43-inch redhorse sucker on May 7 at Kanawha Falls, setting new state records, the WVDNR said. He used corn on a 15-pound test line.

The catch surpassed the previous records of 5.75 pounds and 24.57 inches set by Jason Floyd while fishing the Belleville Lock and Dam in April 2025.

“These incredible catches highlight the outstanding fishing opportunities that West Virginia has to offer,” WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said in a news release. “From scenic lakes to iconic river destinations, anglers can find excellent fishing experiences all across our state. We encourage everyone to get outside, cast a line and enjoy West Virginia’s waters this summer. You never know when you might reel in a record-breaker.”

The government agency takes the lead in tracking the largest fish of each species by length and weight caught in West Virginia waters.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Titanic survivor’s grandson shares little-known story of Chinese passengers who survived

CNN Newsource on May 27, 2026

By Cindy Hsu

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A little-known story of six Chinese passengers who survived the sinking of the Titanic is adding to the legend of the famous shipwreck.

While the famous movie depicts Kate Winslet’s character, Rose, surviving the tragedy by clinging to floating debris, it was actually Steven Fong’s grandfather, Fang Lang, who used a door to stay afloat in the icy water.

“With my grandfather’s story, he actually went down with the ship, and to everyone’s amazement, he found his way onto a door,” Fong said. “In the theatrical movie, James Cameron does reveal that my grandfather was the inspiration for the Jack and Rose end scene.”

Fong said Lang never talked to his family about the Titanic, so there’s a lot of mystery behind his story.

Researchers uncover story of surviving passengers

A team of researchers led by maritime historian and author Steven Schwankert uncovered the story of the surviving Chinese passengers. They were able to piece together their tale in the book and documentary “The Six.”

Researchers found there were eight Chinese passengers making the transatlantic trip, and ultimately six survived.

“Fang Lang was plucked from the water, one of only four passengers rescued from the water,” Schwankert said.

When Carpathia, the ship with the Titanic survivors on it, arrived in New York, the six Chinese men were forced to stay on board overnight due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. The ban on Chinese laborers entering the United States caused the men to set sail for Cuba.

Lang eventually found his way back to America, opened a bake shop and had two sons.

PAC NYC producing show based on legend

The remarkable story is continuing as the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) is producing a show called “Unsinkable,” based on their saga.

PAC NYC Artistic Director Bill Rausch said Lang’s family is helping contribute to the show

“We have his grandson and his son who support this production, who read the play, who gave us more details about their father and grandfather’s life,” he said.

“It’s such a surreal feeling, you know, being part of, like, this legacy, this big story that everybody knows about. We’re just so humbled by the opportunity to kind of add that to the story,” Fong said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Amazon customer out $2,000 after two Garmin watch boxes delivered empty twice: “I don’t have the watch, or my money”

CNN Newsource on May 27, 2026

By Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — An Amazon customer is out more than $2,000 after he ordered two expensive Garmin watches, and both arrived at his Carver, Massachusetts home with nothing in the box. After a week battling with Amazon, he still is without his cash or the watch.

“It showed up. I opened the box, and I knew it felt light. The pull tab was ripped off, the box was ripped, and was empty,” said Eric Lapworth.

He bought the watch as an upgrade to his old one. He has barely taken it off in three years, and the distinct tan line on his arm is an indication of it. He joined the Air Force in 2012 and has worn his watch while on duty in the Middle East. Quickly, he contacted Amazon.

“They said they would send a replacement out right away, and that I would have it within 12 hours or so, and it never showed up,” said Lapworth.

Messages with Amazon customer service reps show that they told him there was a shipping delay, despite being able to order a new one on the website and receive it with fast shipping.

“They told me just place an order for another one, and when [the delayed one comes] just refuse the delivery and we will refund it,” said Lapworth.

When the second order arrived, he recorded the interaction with the driver on his home surveillance camera. Again, the watch arrived with nothing in the box. The driver called the company to try to help Lapworth, but nothing came of it. He spent hours on the phone trying to get his money back or the watch, but he still has nothing to show after a week.

“Probably 14 or 15 hours over the course of four to five days hoping someone would want to make it right,” said Lapworth. “Customer service agents have hung up on me. I’ve been texting them in the app, and they have left the chat. It seems like a lot of them don’t want to deal with it.”

Finally, they originally offered him a just $10 credit for his troubles, but after arguments with Lapworth, they raised it to $100. “But I did spend $2,000 and I don’t have the watch, or my money back,” Lapworth said.

When he took his story to social media, he said dozens of people across the country reached out to him with the same story. It’s leading him to wonder if there is a larger situation at play.

“Someone is either swiping them while packing them, or somebody is buying them and returning them empty, and Amazon isn’t weighing them,” said Lapworth.

Amazon spokesperson told CBS News Boston the company is now launching an investigation into the matter. They hope to have an answer in the coming days. In the meantime, Lapworth bought a third watch, only this time he bought it directly from Garmin.

“I was told the watch is in the box, and it’s brand new with a sticker on it,” said Lapworth.

While the third watch order may cover his tan lines, it won’t fill the hole remaining in his wallet.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

NIA Cultural Center’s 5th Annual Emancipation Gospel Celebration Brings Gospel Royalty to Galveston, the Birthplace of Juneteenth

CNN Newsource on May 26, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    May 26, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — GALVESTON, Texas — Some celebrations entertain. Others educate. But the very best ones do something far more powerful: they remind a people who they are, where they come from, and why their song still matters.

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the NIA Cultural Center will proudly present the 5th Annual Emancipation Gospel Celebration Concert at the historic The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston, Texas — the sacred shoreline city forever known as the birthplace of Juneteenth. The event is listed by The Grand 1894 Opera House for June 14, 2026, at 4 PM, and Visit Galveston also highlights the celebration as part of Galveston’s 161st Juneteenth Anniversary observances.

This year’s celebration promises an unforgettable afternoon where gospel music, Black history, community pride, and spiritual joy rise together in one mighty chorus. And in true Galveston fashion, the event does not merely mark a date on the calendar — it honors a defining moment in American history. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Headlining the evening is Karen Clark Sheard, the four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel powerhouse, multi-Stellar and GMA Dove Award-winning legend, and beloved member of the iconic Clark Sisters. Known for her breathtaking vocal range, unmatched church-rooted artistry, and ability to make every note feel like testimony, Sheard brings more than music to the stage — she brings ministry, memory, and majesty.

Joining her is award-winning gospel artist Byron Cage, affectionately known as the “Prince of Praise.” Cage has long helped shape the sound of contemporary gospel worship, blessing congregations and concert halls with praise anthems that have become Sunday morning standards. His celebrated recording of “The Presence of the Lord Is Here” helped carry Praise and Worship music deeper into the heart of the African American church experience.

The celebration will open with the youthful and inspiring sounds of The Brown Four, a gifted sibling group from Memphis, Tennessee. Featuring Daelin, Daniya, Deanna, and Davion Brown, the group reflects a new generation carrying forward the sacred tradition of gospel harmony — proving that the roots of faith music remain strong, fresh, and future-facing.

Adding to the afternoon’s significance, the NIA Cultural Center will present its Champions of Freedom Award, recognizing individuals whose work has made meaningful contributions to community empowerment, cultural preservation, and the ongoing journey toward justice. The award presentation is led by Sue Johnson, Executive Director of the NIA Cultural Center.

“The Emancipation Gospel Celebration is more than a concert — it’s a celebration of our history, our culture, and our freedom,” said Sue Johnson, Executive Director of the NIA Cultural Center. “We are thrilled to welcome Karen Clark Sheard, Byron Cage, and The Brown Four to Galveston, and to honor those who continue to champion freedom and empowerment in our community.”

Alex Thomas, spokesperson for the NIA Cultural Center, added that the event reflects the unifying power of gospel music.

“This event is a testament to the power of music to unite and inspire,” Thomas said. “Bringing together such incredible artists in the birthplace of Juneteenth allows us to celebrate Black heritage in a way that is both uplifting and unforgettable.”

Founded to preserve and promote African American art, culture, and history, the NIA Cultural Center continues to serve as a cultural anchor in Galveston. Its Juneteenth Month programming includes lectures, concerts, cultural events, and its signature Emancipation Celebration, which also honors Champions of Freedom Award recipients.

Tickets for the 5th Annual Emancipation Gospel Celebration Concert start at just $35, with proceeds supporting the NIA Cultural Center’s mission to uplift the community through art, culture, education, and engagement.

For Houston Style Magazine readers, this is more than a pre-Juneteenth concert. It is a call to gather. A call to remember. A call to rejoice. A call to stand in Galveston — where the news of freedom finally reached Texas — and let gospel music remind us that liberation has always had a soundtrack.

And on June 14, that soundtrack will be sung with power, praise, and purpose.

Event Details WHAT: 5th Annual Emancipation Gospel Celebration Concert WHO: Presented by NIA Cultural Center FEATURING: Karen Clark Sheard, Byron Cage, and The Brown Four WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 2026, 4:00 PM–7:00 PM CT WHERE: The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston, Texas TICKETS: Starting at $35 INFO & TICKETS: niaculturalcenter.org CONTACT: (409) 765-7086

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
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Nathan Johnson selected as Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general race after winning primary runoff

CNN Newsource on May 26, 2026

By Matthew Ablon, Sergio Candido

Click here for updates on this story

    DALLAS (KTVT) — Democrats in Texas have selected their candidate in the race for Texas Attorney General as they vie for the seat soon to be left open by Republican Ken Paxton as he seeks to represent the Lone Star State in the U.S. Senate.

Tuesday’s runoff elections saw former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski and current State Senator Nathan Johnson compete for the nod. This contest was not as contentious as the one between their Republican counterparts: current Congressman Chip Roy and current State Senator Mayes Middleton.

In the March 3 primary, Jaworski almost won with more than 48% of the vote; he needed 50% plus one vote to avoid the runoff. He also edged out Dallas attorney Tony Box, who told CBS News Texas he would not endorse either Jaworski or Johnson and instead remain neutral.

In a previous interview with CBS News Texas, Johnson claimed the state’s Ten Commandments law violated the U.S. Constitution.

“I will not defend the legislature’s passage of unconstitutional laws and laws that violate individual rights. I will not defend the legislature’s passage of a requirement that schools place the Ten Commandments in classrooms because it’s unconstitutional,” he said at the time.

Johnson also indicated the state might have to hire private attorneys to defend the law.

“That might be a good conversation for me to have with the legislature before they pass the next ill-advised and unconstitutional law,” he added.

Johnson also said his goal is not to sue the administration of President Donald Trump, but did say he’d protect Texas from federal overreach.

“I probably would have already sued the Trump administration literally dozens of times. It’s just because he’s so prolific and violating the constitution and the Administrative Procedures Act and state law and individual rights,” Johnson said. “It’s not because I want to sue the president, but whether it’s a Democratic president or a Republican president, there is a temptation, a tendency right now in the United States, globally, for the executive to be overly assertive. I believe in the separation of powers.”

Johnson also said one of his priorities is rebuilding the culture of the Attorney General’s Office.

“My top priority is to populate the Attorney General’s Office with really good people. Four thousand employees, 800 lawyers. The ideologues can go somewhere else. People with institutional expertise who are committed to public service, whether they’re currently working in the Ken Paxton Attorney General’s Office or new,” he said.

Johnson also promised to ensure that the marketplace will remain competitive.

“Quality has gone down. Prices have gone up, and consumers are being manipulated and taken advantage of in the commercial sector,” he said. “Attorneys General are supposed to make sure that the competitive market is competitive. It is the natural tendency of powerful corporations to try to get more powerful. It is the duty of government to make sure that they don’t control the rules of the game and are forced to compete.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Houston’s KSRC Media Plus Wins 12 Telly Awards, Proving Local Stories Can Move at Global Speed

CNN Newsource on May 26, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    May 26, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston’s creative community just added another bright, shiny reason to take a bow.

KSRC Media Plus, the Houston-based media, advertising, and production powerhouse led by Kim Gagné and Cristina Kooker, has earned an impressive 12 honors in the 47th Annual Telly Awards, including five Silver and three Bronze awards for the Harris County Toll Road Authority’s “Keep It Moving” 2026 television campaign, along with one Silver and three Bronze awards for the locally loved digital series The Now with Cris.

For Houston, this is more than a trophy-case moment. This is a creative victory lap for a city that knows how to build, move, hustle, connect, and tell a story with heart.

The Telly Awards, one of the world’s premier honors for video and television across all screens, announced its 47th annual winners on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, after receiving nearly 14,000 entries from 55 countries—the most in the competition’s history. This year’s winners included major names such as Paramount TV, Warner Bros. Discovery, FOX Entertainment, Sony Music, TED, ABC News, Harvard Business School, and more.

That makes KSRC Media Plus’ 12-award achievement especially significant. In a global field packed with media giants, national brands, production studios, nonprofits, newsrooms, agencies, and digital innovators, a Houston-born creative team stepped forward and stood tall.

The award-winning HCTRA “Keep It Moving” campaign centered on what Houston understands all too well: mobility matters. Whether commuting to work, running errands, getting children to school, or crossing county lines for opportunity, transportation is part of the daily rhythm of life across Harris County. KSRC Media Plus transformed that everyday reality into a polished, people-centered campaign with energy, clarity, and community purpose.

The creative team’s success shows that public-facing messaging does not have to be stiff, forgettable, or buried under bureaucratic fog. When done right, civic communication can be smart, stylish, accessible, and memorable. It can inform residents while still respecting their time, their intelligence, and their lived experience.

Meanwhile, The Now with Cris continues to shine as a digital showcase for Houston’s culture, business, events, and community flavor. Produced by KSRC Media Plus in partnership with FOX Local, the show highlights the exciting and dynamic happenings across Houston right now—exactly as the title promises.

And let’s be honest: Houston has plenty happening.

From entrepreneurs and entertainers to neighborhood gems and cultural moments, The Now with Cris gives Houston another platform to celebrate itself without waiting for someone outside the city to “discover” what locals already know. This city has style, substance, soul, and stories for days.

“We are incredibly honored to receive 12 Telly Awards,” said Kim Gagné and Cristina Kooker of KSRC Media Plus. “We’re deeply grateful to the HCTRA team for trusting KSRC Media Plus with the ‘Keep It Moving’ campaign, and we’re equally thankful to everyone who has embraced The Now with Cris. Celebrating this city and its incredible people each week is something we truly love doing.”

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Founded and led by two accomplished women with more than 65 years of combined media, advertising, and production experience, KSRC Media Plus has built its reputation on strategy, storytelling, and execution. The agency is known for turning client missions into compelling visual narratives—work that does not merely fill airtime but connects with real audiences.

In a media world where attention is precious and authenticity is everything, KSRC Media Plus continues to prove that Houston creativity belongs in the national and international conversation.

For Houston Style Magazine readers, this win is also a reminder that excellence is not always imported from New York, Los Angeles, or Atlanta. Sometimes it is produced right here at home, by women-led creative teams who understand Houston’s pace, personality, diversity, and drive.

KSRC Media Plus did not just “keep it moving.”

They kept it winning.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
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