Category: CNN Regional

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    July 6, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Summer in Houston may not scream “fresh powder,” but for the Ski Jammers, the season of planning, reconnecting, and dreaming big is already in full glide. As the second half of 2026 comes into focus, the beloved Houston-based snow sports and social club is inviting members, friends, and future adventurers to help shape its next exciting chapter.

The Ski Jammers Leadership Team has announced a fresh slate of activities designed to energize the club, deepen community bonds, and prepare members for a winter season filled with travel, friendship, and mountain-sized memories. At the heart of this renewed momentum is a simple but powerful message: Ski Jammers is moving forward — together.

First up is the Ski Jammers Town Hall Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. The virtual gathering will give members an opportunity to discuss the club’s future direction, offer ideas for local and regional activities, explore volunteer and leadership opportunities, and learn more about upcoming ski season plans. In true Ski Jammers fashion, everyone’s voice has a seat at the table — even if that table is online and someone is probably sipping coffee in their slippers.

The meeting also marks an important moment for NextGen engagement. Several younger members have already stepped forward with ideas, enthusiasm, and fresh energy, signaling a bright future for the organization. Whether participants are lifelong skiers, casual travelers, snowboarders, social butterflies, or simply snow-curious Houstonians, Ski Jammers is building space for all generations to connect, learn, travel, and have fun.

The club is also preparing for the Texas Ski Council Bid Fest 2026, taking place July 31 through August 2 in San Antonio. This annual gathering brings together club leaders, delegates, industry partners, resorts, and tour operators as destinations compete for future ski trips and expeditions. Delegates will vote on destinations for the 2027 Summer and Fall Expeditions, as well as the 2028 Traditional and Final Showdown ski trips. For Ski Jammers, Bid Fest is more than a calendar item — it is a chance to scout bucket-list adventures, strengthen partnerships, and discover new travel experiences that appeal to members across skill levels and interests.

Adding to the excitement, friends from the Texas Ski Rangers in Dallas and Alamo Joe in San Antonio are expected to join the weekend, making Bid Fest a lively opportunity to network, laugh, learn, and celebrate the wider Texas ski community. Yes, Texas has ski clubs — and yes, they are serious about fun.

Looking ahead, Ski Jammers is also building anticipation for the NBS Rocky Mountain Region Homecoming in Utah, set for January 6–10, 2027. With access to some of North America’s most celebrated skiing and snowboarding terrain, Utah offers a winning combination of legendary powder, scenic beauty, and convenience. Salt Lake City International Airport sits close to downtown Salt Lake City and within easy reach of premier mountain resorts, giving travelers the chance to land and hit the slopes the same day.

As the club grows its programming, volunteers are needed to support social activities, membership engagement, travel planning, communications, NextGen initiatives, and event coordination. Members who can offer a little time — or a lot — are encouraged to step forward. Incentives are on the way, but the real reward is helping build a vibrant, welcoming community rooted in adventure and friendship.

For more than four decades, Ski Jammers has helped make snow sports more accessible, social, and memorable for Houston-area enthusiasts. Now, with new ideas, new leaders, and new adventures on the horizon, the club is calling its community back to the mountain spirit.

Great people. Great friendships. Great memories. Ski Jammers Strong.

For more information, go to: skijammers.com

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
4096658446

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    July, 6, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — In the Houston Port Region, leadership is not merely discussed—it is built, mentored, strengthened, sponsored, and sometimes, very stylishly, dressed in pink.

On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Women In Alliance, an initiative of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, will host the Women’s Leadership Summit & Luncheon from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at San Jacinto College’s LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy & Technology, located at 7901 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena. The highly anticipated gathering is designed for women across industry, business, public service, education, and community leadership who are ready to sharpen their skills, expand their networks, and step boldly into greater influence.

photo

As proud media sponsor, Houston Style Magazine celebrates this summit as more than another luncheon on the calendar. It is a power table. A professional development moment. A confidence booster. And yes, with a purse raffle, selfie station, vendors, complimentary valet, and a pink dress code, it also understands that serious leadership can still have personality.

Women In Alliance’s mission is rooted in empowerment: helping women of all ages become exceptional leaders in the Port Region and beyond. The organization is especially committed to passing wisdom, strength, and professional courage to young women growing up in and around the Port of Houston region, while reminding women already working in industry to stay strong, keep climbing, and never stop reaching for higher positions in the business world.

The morning begins with registration and networking from 9:00 to 9:30 AM, followed by breakout sessions from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. Attendees may select one of two focused sessions, and seating is limited. Translation: do not wait until your coffee gets cold to register.

The first breakout, “Communication & Negotiation,” will offer practical strategies for negotiating salary, navigating difficult conversations, and communicating with confidence from the frontline to the executive suite. Featured voices include Nellie Baktashi Macaluso, MBA, of Houston Methodist; Linda Fields of Meador Staffing Services, an Openwork company; and moderator Heather Betancourth of the Gulf Coast Protection District.

The second breakout, “Networking & Relationships: Your Voice Is Your Brand,” led by Samantha Varner, will help attendees strengthen their personal brand, speak with confidence, approach new contacts with ease, and build professional relationships that are both strategic and authentic. In a region powered by partnerships, that kind of skill is not optional—it is leadership currency.

The luncheon portion begins with networking and registration at 11:00 AM, followed by the program and lunch at 11:30 AM. The featured panel, “Women Driving Industry Forward,” will bring together an impressive lineup of leaders: Amy Caldwell of LyondellBasell; Lydia Boek of Shell Deer Park Chemicals; Cydney Schwarzlose of BGE, Inc.; and Elizabeth Fazio Hale, JD, LLM, of Gulf Coast Authority. Together, they represent the kind of cross-sector leadership shaping the future of energy, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, engineering, and economic development in Southeast Texas.

Current sponsors include Harris County Precinct 2, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E., San Jacinto College, Gulf Coast Limestone, Houston Style Magazine, and Bayside Printing. Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available for companies and organizations seeking meaningful visibility among influential women and decision-makers across the Port Region.

Guests are encouraged to purchase purse raffle tickets in advance, enjoy onsite vendors, capture memories at the selfie station or event backdrop, and take advantage of complimentary valet parking. Gratuities, of course, are appreciated.

Registration and sponsorship information is available through the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region at allianceportregion.com or by calling 281-476-9176. Event contact Marisela Ramirez may also be reached at marisela@allianceportregion.com.

For Houston-area women ready to lead louder, connect smarter, and rise higher, this summit is a must-attend. Wear your pink. Bring your business cards. And come prepared to leave with more than inspiration—come ready to leave with momentum.

MORE INFORMATION, GO TO: allianceportregion.com

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
4096658446

By Justin Steffen

Click here for updates on this story

    MILWAUKEE (WDJT) — Charges have been filed against 18-year-old Jahzir Collins over an argument that lead to multiple people being shot at a Milwaukee McDonald’s on Friday, June 19.

Prosecutors say Collins was at the restaurant near Holton and Capitol that night with four other people ordering two Caramel Frappés.

According to the criminal complaint, an employee stated that threats were being made to them after the order, including that the employees were going to get shot in the face, and that one of the people in the group said that their gun “had a switch” and that he was going to “swiss cheese” the restaurant.

The employee also stated that one of the subjects in the group also grabbed at a handgun located in his waistband.

An employee witness said that they then proceeded to throw away the drinks and went to try and issue the group a refund.

At that point, the complaint says Collins started yelling at the employee to “come outside”, to which the employee followed.

Once outside, the complaint goes on to say that Collins repeatedly yelled at one of the people in his group that had a gun to “Pop him” before the shooting happened.

The complaint says multiple muzzle flashes are captured on camera as the east glass door shatters from gunfire and customers inside, including young children, scatter.

The three male subjects and two women were then seen running away on camera along Holton Ave.

An employee witness said that she heard 5-7 shots fired from outside, and realized several customers were shot.

The complaint says the employee, along with three victims in the restaurant, suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital.

Officers determined there were at least 6 people inside the McDonald’s at the time of the shooting.

According to the complaint, the employee witness also described Collins as the one armed with a firearm and making the threats to shoot. However, the video does not seem to corroborate the defendant being armed with a firearm.

Collins is facing 5 felony counts, including first degree reckless injury, first degree recklessly endangering safety, endanger safety by use of a dangerous weapon. As well as 2 misdemeanor counts of bail jumping.

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.

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    June 6, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston Style Magazine is shining a proud community spotlight on two young athletes whose dreams are now larger than life — literally.

For 9-year-old soccer standout Sophia Miranda, seeing herself towering above one of Houston’s busiest highways was not just exciting; it was the kind of moment that makes a young athlete stand a little taller, smile a little wider, and believe a little deeper.

“It’s so big, and I can’t believe everyone can see me up there!” Miranda said after being featured in a new billboard campaign for TDECU and HTX Soccer. “I’m really thankful for this chance. Wow, I never imagined I’d be on a billboard. I love playing soccer, learning new things, and having fun with my coaches and teammates.”

The billboard, located along the northbound lanes of I-45 near the University of Houston, also features Bryana Molina, a junior at Conroe High School and fellow HTX Soccer athlete. Together, the two young players represent more than a marketing campaign. They represent Houston’s growing soccer culture, the power of youth sports, and the beautiful truth that big dreams often begin on neighborhood fields.

The campaign is part of an ongoing partnership between TDECU, Houston’s largest credit union, and HTX Soccer, one of the region’s leading youth soccer organizations. TDECU has announced its role as HTX Soccer’s official banking partner through the 2027 season, with support that includes jersey branding on thousands of HTX Soccer uniforms and sponsorship of recreational programming. HTX Soccer describes its mission as providing youth soccer opportunities for all ability levels across the Greater Houston community.

For Molina, the moment carries special meaning.

“I’m honored to represent HTX Soccer and TDECU in this campaign, and proud to share this experience with Sophia,” Molina said. “Being a role model for younger players is something I never take for granted.”

Now that is the kind of leadership Houston loves to celebrate: young, humble, driven, and already passing the ball forward.

The billboard debuted in early June, just as Houston welcomed an energetic wave of soccer excitement tied to major international competition and the city’s broader momentum as a soccer destination. That timing could not have been better. Houston is preparing for a major soccer moment as the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings global attention to the region, including scheduled matches at NRG Stadium and community investments aimed at expanding access to the sport.

With the message “Make Life Goals Happen,” the TDECU + HTX Soccer campaign scores on and off the field. It reminds families that success is not built overnight. It is built through practice, encouragement, coaching, teamwork, and institutions that invest in young people before the world knows their names.

photo

Crystal Harris, Vice President of Community Development & Partnerships at TDECU, said the initiative reflects a deeper commitment to community empowerment.

“Our partnership with HTX Soccer is about more than just financial support. It’s about empowerment,” Harris said. “By supporting youth programs, TDECU is helping athletes build teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills that will serve them long beyond the game.”

That message lands powerfully in Houston, a city where diversity, determination, and opportunity have always played on the same team. HTX Soccer serves thousands of boys and girls across the region, helping players from early childhood through elite levels grow in skill, character, and confidence.

As the billboard remains on display throughout the summer, Sophia Miranda and Bryana Molina are giving Houston drivers more than a reason to look up. They are giving families a reason to dream bigger.

And somewhere, a young soccer player sitting in the backseat may look out the window and say, “That could be me.”

In Houston, it just might be.

For more information, go to: tdecu.org

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
4096658446

By Brandon Downs

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Waymo is evaluating a couple of incidents on the Fourth of July in San Francisco in which its autonomous vehicles drove over fireworks, including one that caught fire.

The company said an unoccupied vehicle drove over a small firework in the street and caught fire. No injuries were reported and the fire department and local authorities helped put the fire out and remove the vehicle from the road.

A video on social media from a Waymo rider showed another vehicle driving over what the company called an illegal firework in the street.

Waymo said no injuries were reported in that incident and the vehicle was not damaged. The company added that it has reached out to the rider to check in on them.

Some Waymos also had their operations disrupted on July Fourth due to traffic. A spokesperson said its roadside assistance team cleared the vehicle from the area.

The spokesperson added that it is evaluating and learning from events like this. The company said it’s committed to keeping its riders safe and earning the trust of the public.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office issued a statement about the traffic in the city Saturday night, saying safety was the top priority.

“We understand that with more than 100,000 people in the area, some people experienced delays getting home, and we will have conversations with our public and private partners to ensure the experience is smoother next time,” Lurie’s office said in the statement.

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.

By Alexa Herrera

Click here for updates on this story

    CARTERET, New Jersey (WCBS) — A whale that surfaced for air slammed into a New Jersey fire department’s boat, sinking the ship with firefighters on board.

A Carteret Fire Department boat was heading back to Carteret after helping with security on July 4 for the New York and New Jersey Port area.

Around 4:30 p.m., a whale breached the water in Raritan Bay and capsized the boat. The incident “caused catastrophic damage to the vessel,” according to a post by the fire department.

The boat began taking on water, and firefighters had to abandon it. Someone on a personal watercraft nearby and a boater helped rescue the firefighters from the channel.

The Perth Amboy Fire Department Marine Unit also helped rescue the crew. No one was injured, according to fire officials.

Staff pointed to the value of wearing lifejackets, as the crew on board all had ones on, playing “a critical role in keeping them safe until rescuers arrived.”

“No matter how routine a mission may seem, every emergency response carries risks—and we are incredibly grateful that every member made it home safely,” the post read.

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.

By WUPA Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Researchers at the University of Georgia recently found that marigold flowers contain protein levels comparable to established plant-based protein sources like quinoa and may offer added benefits for food production, according to a study published in ACS Food Science & Technology and a UGA release.

The study examined proteins extracted from Calendula officinalis, a common marigold species often used as an ornamental plant. Researchers found that the flower yielded about 9.2% crude protein on a dry-weight basis, with albumin making up the largest share of protein fractions at 65.47%.

Beyond protein content, the study found several functional properties that could make marigold proteins useful in food manufacturing. Researchers reported that certain protein fractions showed strong water- and oil-holding capacity, as well as emulsifying ability that helps ingredients bind together in foods like dressings and sauces.

The proteins also demonstrated thermal stability, meaning they remain stable at higher temperatures, which researchers said could make them useful in baked goods and other heat-processed foods.

“Billions of dollars of flowers are thrown away each year,” said Anand Mohan, an associate professor in UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and corresponding author of the study, in a university release. “Can you imagine if we were able to take those flowers and use them for food instead?”

Researchers also found that marigold proteins contain amino acid profiles that may contribute flavor characteristics, including umami notes, and that the flowers contain antioxidants, fiber, and minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron.

The study also highlights broader sustainability concerns that large amounts of floral biomass are discarded annually, including in commercial flower production systems.

Fidele Benimana, a doctoral student and first author of the study, said the findings challenge how people think about flowers.

“Most people see marigolds as ornamental plants, but they also contain proteins with unique functional properties that could be useful in food formulation,” Benimana said in the release.

Researchers cautioned that not all marigold species are safe to eat, and that the study focused on Calendula officinalis, commonly known as pot marigold, which has been used in food and herbal applications in some cultures.

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.