Finding a ‘Place’ in Houston at AJC Houston’s America’s Table

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    October 19, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — HOUSTON, TX — In a city where more than 140 languages are spoken and cultures from around the globe intersect, finding a place means more than discovering somewhere to live. It means finding acceptance, opportunity, community, and that unmistakable feeling of belonging.

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Houston will celebrate that powerful human connection during its annual America’s Table Breakfast, presented in partnership with IM Houston, formerly Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.

Houston Style Magazine proudly continues its tradition of supporting programs that celebrate diversity, strengthen community relationships, and champion inclusion as a media sponsor of this meaningful gathering.

America’s Table reflects a longstanding national commitment to promoting mutual respect, dignity, and understanding. In a world where differences sometimes dominate headlines, AJC Houston offers a refreshing reminder: Our unique backgrounds do not have to divide us. They can become the very threads that strengthen Houston’s remarkable cultural fabric.

This year, four extraordinary Houstonians will share personal journeys that prove the American dream is not simply about where we come from, but what we build together.

Four Remarkable Journeys. One Extraordinary City. Sheroo Mukhtiar — A Journey From Mumbai to Meaningful Service More than three decades ago, Sheroo Mukhtiar arrived from Mumbai, India, carrying ambition, determination, and limited resources. Pursuing graduate studies in social work, she transformed the challenges of adapting to a new country into a lifelong dedication to serving others. Today, as president and CEO of IM Houston, she leads programs supporting seniors, refugees, and vulnerable families, demonstrating how one person’s opportunity can become countless opportunities for others. Linda Toyota — Transforming Historic Injustice Into Community Leadership For third-generation Japanese American Linda Toyota, the meaning of belonging is deeply personal. Her parents experienced incarceration in American internment camps during World War II, a painful chapter that helped shape her commitment to inclusion and civic engagement. Throughout her career, Toyota has championed cross-cultural understanding, nonprofit partnerships, and community empowerment, reminding us that history’s hardships can inspire tomorrow’s progress. Rose Carline Castel — Rebuilding Hope, One Opportunity at a Time Born in Haiti, Rose Carline Castel journeyed through the Dominican Republic before arriving in Houston with her daughter in search of safety and stability. Through IM Houston’s refugee resettlement services and community support, she began rebuilding her family’s future. Today, Castel is pursuing pharmacy technician certification at Texas Healthtech Institute, proving that courage and determination can open doors to new possibilities. Rafee Komeizi — An Iranian American Dream Rooted in Houston Rafee Komeizi’s family left Iran during a period of profound uncertainty, seeking stability and opportunity. Through perseverance, education, and entrepreneurship, he established a successful life in Houston. Now co-owner of Kiani Realty alongside his wife, Kiani, he represents the entrepreneurial determination that continues to enrich Houston’s economic and cultural landscape.

Where Differences Meet, Community Grows The morning’s program will be emceed by Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, an AJC board member and spiritual leader at Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands.

For Houston Style Magazine, America’s Table represents something worth celebrating: Houston is strongest when everyone has a place at the table.

And perhaps that is the most beautiful thing about our city. You don’t have to share the same birthplace, language, or life experiences to share a common future.

Event Details: Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. Registration: $18 per person Registration Deadline: Monday, October 26, 2026 Location: Provided following verified registration Reserve Your Place: donate.ajc.org/americastable

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Business owner holds ‘grossly intoxicated’ burglary suspect at gunpoint, deputies say

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Stephanie Moore

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    PICKENS COUNTY, South Carolina (WYFF) — A business owner in Pickens County, South Carolina, held a ‘grossly intoxicated’ burglary suspect at gunpoint, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said on Oct. 13, several 911 calls were made about a burglary happening at the Sip & Ride. When deputies arrived, they took the suspect into custody.

The suspect reportedly told the business owner he had a gun and was walking around the business erratically.

A 9mm handgun and other stolen property were found, deputies said.

They said the “grossly intoxicated” suspect was charged with burglary, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a weapon by persons convicted of certain crimes, and petit larceny enhanced.

WYFF News 4 has reached out to the sheriff’s office for the name of the suspect.

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Mayor of Edwards honors neighbors who helped save six children from house fire

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Omose Ighodaro

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    EDWARDS, Mississippi (WAPT) — Four neighbors who risked their lives to rescue six children from a burning home were honored for their bravery on Saturday.

“I wasn’t expecting to go in there until I heard a baby hollering,” Kennard Hodge said.

Hodge was among the men who were honored by the Town of Edwards after the Oct. 7 fire. The town presented the men with a proclamation honoring their actions.

“When you have a citizen risk their own life, you want to give them their flowers,” Edwards Mayor LeKentric Caston said.

Body-camera video from the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office captured the frantic rescue. In the video, neighbors could be seen digging through debris as flames engulfed the home. After several minutes, Hodge pulled a four-year-old boy from the wreckage.

“I got him! I got him!” Hodge shouted in the video.

Rescuers could be heard pleading for the child to stay awake as deputies rushed to help. The boy became unconscious and stopped breathing and a deputy began CPR.

Hodge said there was no time to think; the choice was instinctive.

“The baby needed a second chance in life and God put me there to get him out,” Hodge said.

Caston said he rushed to the scene after receiving a call from the police chief.

“To get there and see other individuals helping one another, risking their own lives to get this family out of this burning fire,” Caston said.

The mayor said that scene left an impression on him.

Six children, ages 1 to 17, were inside the home during the fire. Caston said the four-year-old boy is still in the hospital and is undergoing multiple surgeries. The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office said the boy is expected to make a full recovery, despite his injuries.

“We just want to keep prayers on this child,” Caston said. “Sixty percent of his body was burned.”

Edwards Town Councilwoman Beulah Jones said the neighbors deserved recognition for stepping in without hesitation, even though they were not trained.

“It was a blessing that they moved in that way because they could’ve passed the house, they could’ve stood there and looked at the house burn and not done anything,” Jones said.

“These are our local heroes for today and thank you,” Caston said.

Hodge said he did not go into the burning home looking for recognition. His message to the community is simple: “We need to look out for each other.”

The mayor said donations for the family are still being accepted at Edwards Town Hall and Bolton-Edwards Elementary School.

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SpaceX ‘Space Jellyfish’ cloud could be visible from Louisiana Tuesday morning

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Jordan West

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — An early-morning SpaceX launch from Florida could produce an unusual sight in the skies over coastal Louisiana and Mississippi on Tuesday.

The SpaceX launch was originally planned for Monday, but was moved to Tuesday morning due to unfavorable launch conditions.

The launch window of its Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station opens at 5:30 a.m. CDT.

Although the Falcon 9 rocket will lift off hundreds of miles away, residents along the northern Gulf Coast could see its high-altitude exhaust plume glowing in the eastern sky. The phenomenon, commonly called a “space jellyfish,” occurs when sunlight illuminates a rocket’s expanding exhaust while observers on the ground remain in darkness.

The effect can resemble a bright, spreading cloud with a glowing head and trailing tendrils. Its appearance depends on the rocket’s trajectory, launch time and atmospheric conditions.

A strong high-pressure system is providing dry, clear weather across much of the region, improving the chances of seeing the plume. Coastal locations away from city lights are expected to offer the best viewing conditions. Light pollution around New Orleans and other populated areas could make a faint or distant plume more difficult to spot.

Viewers should find a safe location with an unobstructed view toward the east and begin watching at the start of the launch window. If the rocket lifts off as scheduled, the plume could become visible about five to 15 minutes later. Because the window remains open until 6:30 a.m. CDT, observers may need to wait if the launch does not occur at the opening of the window.

Areas near Grand Isle, Port Sulphur, Boothville and lower Plaquemines Parish could have some of the region’s best viewing opportunities. The plume also could be visible elsewhere in southeastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi if conditions and the rocket’s flight path align.

A similar Florida launch was photographed recently from Venice Marina by Zakk Johnson, demonstrating that illuminated rocket plumes can sometimes be seen from Louisiana’s coast.

Visibility is not guaranteed, and launches can be delayed or postponed because of weather or technical issues. SpaceX has a backup opportunity Tuesday during the same one-hour window.

What to know

Launch window: 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. CDT Tuesday When to watch: About five to 15 minutes after liftoff Where to look: Low in the eastern sky Best locations: Dark areas with clear eastern horizons, especially along the coast What may be visible: A glowing, expanding exhaust plume rather than the rocket itself

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Coast Guard inspection near Tybee Island leads to arrest at sea

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Lynbyrd Massey Jr.

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    TYBEE ISLAND, Georgia (WJCL) — A routine U.S. Coast Guard inspection of a commercial fishing vessel near Tybee Island led to an arrest after officials discovered a crew member had an active warrant out of Chatham County.

According to the Coast Guard, crews were conducting a routine boarding of the vessel when they discovered the outstanding warrant.

The Coast Guard coordinated with the Chatham County Marine Patrol to transfer custody of the crew member while at sea.

After the transfer was completed, Coast Guard personnel continued their inspection of the fishing vessel.

Officials have not released the crew member’s identity or provided details about the warrant, including the charges involved.

“We are proud to work daily with our local law enforcement partners to keep our maritime domain secure!” the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Authorities have not provided additional information about the incident.

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.

“Reverse Smokey and the Bandit” truckers help police stop speeding suspect near Birmingham

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Ryan Lovell

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    CALERA, Alabama (WVTM) — A central Alabama police department found itself with some unexpected help toward the end of an early-morning car chase Saturday.

The Calera Police Department said one of its units noticed a vehicle speeding through a construction zone on Interstate 65 around 2:45 a.m. and tried to pull the driver over, but the vehicle continued speeding.

While in pursuit, the Calera police officer saw the vehicle slam on its brakes and leave the interstate. The driver then stopped and was taken into custody.

Calera police said the sudden stop to the chase was due to two 18-wheeler trucks that were driving at the same speed side by side, blocking the suspect.

In a statement, Calera Police Chief David Hyche said in part, “Today, I want to thank these truckers who pulled a reverse ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ move and helped us catch this guy before he killed someone. Truck drivers are the backbone of commerce in our country and are too often taken for granted. These two drivers took action and quite possibly prevented a tragedy.”

The suspect involved in the chase has not been identified, and the charges they face have not been released.

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Alabama man dies after fall from bucket lift at Bass Pro Shops in Leeds

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Shannon Delcambre & Ryan Lovell

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    LEEDS, Alabama (WVTM) — The man who died after falling in an accident while working at the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds has been identified.

The Jefferson County coroner said Kurt Kralovec, 70, of Trussville, died after falling from a bucket lift while installing exterior seasonal lights at the store around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Leeds Police Department said Kralovec was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is not immediately clear how he fell, but the incident is under investigation by Leeds police.

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Driver claims he sneezed and passed out before crashing into Arkansas car wash

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Valerie Zhang

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    BENTONVILLE, Arkansas (KHBS) — A driver claimed to have sneezed and passed out before crashing into Splash Car Wash on SW Regional Airport Blvd in Bentonville Saturday evening, according to the Bentonville Police Department.

Police confirmed there were no injuries. The driver was not believed to be intoxicated.

Melissa Fox, the Public Information Officer for Bentonville Police, told 40/29 News that Splash Car Wash estimated there was $50,000 in damage to the car wash. There was also an AT&T box that was hit.

Fox added the Bentonville traffic unit is investigating further to see whether criminal charges will be filed.

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WMAR-2 News, Weis Markets mark 10th year of ‘Fill the House’ for domestic violence survivors

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Siobhan Garrett

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    TOWSON, Maryland (WMAR) — For the 10th year, WMAR-2 News teamed up with Weis Markets and House of Ruth Maryland to help collect essential items for survivors of domestic violence.

The annual Fill the House donation drive in Towson brought in necessities that women and children may need as they begin rebuilding their lives, including underwear, bath towels, bedding and hygiene supplies.

Community members stopped by throughout the day to contribute.

For one woman, it was her first time donating to Fill the House. She said deciding to participate was easy after thinking about what survivors may leave behind when escaping an unsafe situation.

“I came to donate because I understood that this was an opportunity to help people who had been given a chance to start again,” she said. “To help women who ran out the house, and maybe all they could grab was their children on the way, and I wanted to help.”

At the end of the drive, WMAR-2 News and the Scripps Howard Fund also presented House of Ruth Maryland with a check to support its work with survivors.

Representatives from House of Ruth Maryland thanked the community and the organizations that helped make the 10th annual event possible.

Organizers are already looking ahead to next year, when House of Ruth Maryland will mark its 50th year supporting survivors of domestic violence.

WMAR-2 News wants to thank our partners at Von Paris Moving and Storage and Kimco Realty.

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Maryland parents concerned after gun found, student hospitalized two days apart

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2026

By Jack Watson

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    WOODLAWN, Maryland (WMAR) — A student was arrested after a loaded gun was recovered at Woodlawn High School Wednesday following a verbal altercation between two students. The next day, four students fought and one was sent to the hospital, capping a difficult week that has left parents worried.

Megan West is a parent of a freshman and a junior at the school. She said she first learned something was wrong when her youngest daughter sent a text message.

“My youngest daughter texted me, she said, ‘Mom, you know, the police are at the school.'” West, who works 45 minutes away from the school, recalled to WMAR-2 News.

A letter sent home revealed that staff had to separate two students during a verbal altercation, and that one of those students was found with a loaded gun and arrested.

West’s daughters texted her the following day that there was another incident. The school said four students fought, with one student sent to the hospital.

The school called it an “isolated incident” and said no weapons were involved.

“Our focus is on preserving and protecting the learning environment, and the vast majority of our students follow outlined expectations and contribute positively to the school environment. We will continue to hold all students to the highest standards,” the school system told WMAR-2 News in a written statement.

“Through all of that, you know, now I’m upset. I’m, I’m past upset, because now I’m fearful. They feel fearful, they don’t want to go to school.” West said.

West said the parents she’s spoken with feel largely the same, and that the community needs to come together to address what is happening with students.

“And as a school, as a parent, we’re a community and we need the community to really come together to figure out what’s going on with these kids because, you know, for them to be afraid to go to school. That makes, it makes no sense for them.” West added.

“Clearly,” West concluded, “this is a symptom of a bigger problem.”

Baltimore County Public Schools students had the day off Friday for a teachers’ convention.

As of Friday, the school system did not have an update on the hospitalized student’s condition.

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