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The cover focuses its coverage on the case of Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan who was wounded after an agent from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fired during an operation in Austin.
The Wilber Garcés Case Graces the Cover of Edition 1285
Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez was shot on September 20 during a confrontation with ICE agents in Austin. The circumstances that led the agent to fire remain under investigation.
The special coverage of this edition includes Garcés’s account of the operation, his medical care and his subsequent transfer to federal custody, as well as the reactions the case generated in Texas.
The issue also features other recent incidents in which federal immigration agents used firearms, including the case of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who died on July 7 during an ICE operation in Houston.
Harris County Maintains a Burn Ban in Unincorporated Areas
Outdoor burning remains restricted in the unincorporated areas of Harris County since September 17 due to dry conditions and the risk of wildfires.
The restriction is not equivalent to a municipal prohibition for the entire City of Houston. Exemptions include certain non-commercial cooking activities, burns authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), approved ceremonial fires, and work that meets the county’s fire code requirements.
Violating the ban is a Class C misdemeanor and can carry a fine of up to $500.
The current status of the restriction, the exceptions, and prevention recommendations can be found in the Harris County Fire Marshal’s official information on fires and burn bans.
Houston Immigration Attorney Faces Federal Charges
The local section also reports on the federal case against Alla Karash Nowowiejski, a Houston immigration attorney accused of mail fraud and making false statements.
Prosecutors allege that she accepted payments from clients related to immigration and work procedures that she allegedly did not file or left incomplete. Nowowiejski pleaded not guilty, and the charges remain pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
An indictment is not proof of guilt, and Nowowiejski retains a presumption of innocence while the proceedings continue.
The broader Harris County Precinct 1 investigation identified more than 100 people who may have been affected. That figure does not mean that all of those cases are part of the federal charges currently pending.
Houston Added About 44,700 Jobs Over 12 Months
The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metropolitan area added approximately 44,700 jobs over the 12 months ending August 2026, bringing the region’s nonfarm employment to about 3.5 million positions.
Construction was among the sectors with the strongest growth. The sector reached about 269,000 jobs in August, a year-over-year increase of 5.5%, equivalent to roughly 14,000 additional positions compared to August 2025.
Professional and business services, as well as education and health services, also posted gains. Other sectors, including information, financial activities, manufacturing and mining, ended below their August 2025 levels.
Zoo Boo, Concerts and Cultural Activities Arrive with Autumn
The cultural calendar includes Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo, scheduled from September 25 to October 31. The family-friendly event features autumn-themed stages, illuminated pumpkins, special activities and select dates with extended hours.
The edition also includes Marisela’s concert in Houston on October 3, Juanes’s performance at the Smart Financial Centre on October 4, an outdoor performance by Selena at POST Houston and the season of The Sound of Music at The Hobby Center.
The final pages also collect film premieres, job opportunities, professional services, housing and classified ads.
