Latest news with #METRO
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Houston METRO police officer arrested in child sex crime sting
The Brief Gabriel Thomas Slusher, a METRO police officer, was arrested for attempting to solicit nude photos of an 8-year-old, following an online investigation by Montgomery County Precinct 1. Slusher was apprehended at METRO Police headquarters with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and is being held on a $100,000 bond, suspended without pay pending further investigation. METRO PD condemned Slusher's actions as deeply disturbing and contrary to their values, while law enforcement agencies emphasized the importance of collaboration in protecting children. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - Members of a task force that tracks child predators online in Montgomery County arrested a METRO police officer on Thursday. Gabriel Thomas Slusher, 27, is charged with attempt to commit sexual performance by a child under 14. What we know An undercover investigator with the Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's Office was conducting an online investigation on Tuesday, June 10, when he made contact with a man investigators later identified as Slusher. Precinct 1 said the man requested nude photos of an 8-year-old female. As part of the investigation, authorities created an undercover persona of a 28-year-old female with an 8-year-old daughter residing in Magnolia, Texas. During the investigation, the undercover officer communicated through an undercover Kik profile with Slusher. On June 10, while reviewing personal ads on investigators saw an ad titled "Married cop", and the ad read, "28m 280lbs with full facial hair looking for discrete regular fwb or affair I'm open to anything message me here or ad me on kik …" The investigator started to have conversations with Slusher on Kik where both talked about their "interests". That's when Slusher admitted to being into young girls and had "no limits" and was into "taboo relationships". Slusher asked the undercover investigator how old "her" daughter was and when Slasher found out she was 8-years-old he replied, "Nice good age". Slusher exchanged images with the undercover investigator of himself and nudes. During the investigation, Slusher told the undercover to send him nude pictures to confirm he wasn't talking "with a cop". Throughout the investigation, two other undercover officers also engaged in conversations with Slusher on Kik, and received photos of him. The investigators were able to compare photos and in one photo, Slusher sent he was in a police uniform. The undercover officer told Slusher that they were into "cops in uniform" and, upon receiving more Slusher pictures in uniform, they saw his name patch and that he worked with the Houston Metro Police Department. After authorities conducted a search in a law enforcement database for the name of Gabriel Thomas Slusher, they obtained his address, date of birth, and past addresses; investigators were also able to obtain Slusher's Texas driver's license photo. Dig deeper In light of these allegations, No Trafficking Zone encourages community awareness by offering resources on signs of grooming that minors and parents should be aware of. Recognizing grooming signs for sex trafficking can be crucial for intervention. Some common signs include: Isolation: The trafficker may isolate the victim from family, friends, or community support. Control: They might exert control over the victim's finances, identification documents, or movements. Exploitation: The trafficker may exploit vulnerabilities such as poverty, homelessness, or past trauma. Gifts and Favors: Offering gifts, attention, or promises of a better life as a means of manipulation. Relationship Development: Building a relationship based on trust and emotional dependence before introducing exploitative activities. Predatory behaviors and tactics are methods used by individuals to exploit others for personal gain, often at the expense of the victim's well-being. Some common predatory behaviors and tactics include: Grooming: Establishing trust and rapport with the victim to manipulate and control them over time. Isolation: Physically or emotionally isolating the victim from their support network, making them more vulnerable and dependent. Manipulation: Using emotional manipulation, flattery, or coercion to persuade the victim into compliance. Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: Identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities such as financial difficulties, emotional instability, or past trauma. Deception: Lying or misrepresenting intentions or circumstances to gain the victim's trust or compliance. Intimidation: Using threats, aggression, or violence to instill fear and compliance in the victim. Gaslighting: Manipulating the victim into doubting their own perceptions, memory, or sanity, which makes them easier to control. Control of Information: Limiting the victim's access to information or controlling the narrative to maintain power and control. These behaviors and tactics are often used by predators in various contexts, including, but not limited to, online grooming, human trafficking, domestic abuse, and financial scams. Recognizing these signs is essential for protecting oneself and others from exploitation and harm. These signs, among others, could indicate potential grooming for sex trafficking. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, it's essential to report it to the authorities or a trusted organization for assistance. What they're saying Jacquelyn Aluotto is the Co-Founder and President of No Trafficking Zone, and she told FOX 26 this case is deeply disturbing. "Whenever you see cases like this of online solicitation or someone try to buy a child. It's always disturbing but when you see that it's an officer that people trust, it becomes even more disturbing because you start to understand that predators are everywhere," Aluotto said. "We see predators preying it is their job. We like to tell parents to monitor their children's phones. A lot of the time these kids don't know when they're being groomed, recruited, or lured through an internet chat." What you can do Anyone with information related to this case or the online exploitation of children is urged to contact the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office ICAC Division at (936) 539-7800 or Crime Stoppers. The Source FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia obtained the arrest warrant affidavit for Gabriel Slusher.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
All aboard the WMAGA? Florida congressman wants to rename DC transit for Trump
"This is the Trump Train, next stop: Ronald Reagan National Airport," could be the conductor's call on Washington, D.C.'s commuter rail system if one Florida GOP congressman has his way. Rep. Greg Steube drafted "The Make Autorail Great Again (MAGA) Act," which would withhold $150 million in federal funding from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) until it is renamed "WMAGA" – or the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access, in honor of President Donald Trump. It would also require the METRO rail system – six color-coded lines encompassing about 130 miles of track – to be renamed the "Trump Train." Duffy Slams Mta Over Fact-check Of Anti-israel Mobs' Grand Central Takeover Steube called upon a 1966 District of Columbia law granting congressional "consent" for the interstate compact and ensuing establishment of WMATA. "WMATA has received billions in federal assistance over the years and continues to face operational, safety, and fiscal challenges," Steube said in a statement. Read On The Fox News App "In the spirit of DOGE, this bill demands accountability by conditioning federal funding on reforms that signal a cultural shift away from bureaucratic stagnation toward public-facing excellence and patriotism." The day-to-day operations of WMATA and the METRO, including fares and routings, are controlled by its board – not Congress. It also receives funding and recommendations from the three state/district stakeholders. Dot Saves Taxpayers Over $60M By Terminating Texas High-speed-rail Contract WMATA's board consists of two members from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, plus two appointed by the federal government. Steube called WMATA a "struggling institution" in need of a "fresh identity," particularly ahead of global events scheduled in the region, including the 2027 NFL Draft and FIFA World Cup matches. Fox News Digital reached out to WMATA as well as Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., for comment. Several METRO stations already sport political names, though they often coincide with nearby sites – including for former President Ronald Reagan, ex-Secretary of State John Dulles, Pierre L'Enfant and Pierre DuPont. A move to rename the entire METRO system in honor of a dignitary, however, has never been tried article source: All aboard the WMAGA? Florida congressman wants to rename DC transit for Trump
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Southwest Houston: Victim dies after being shot on METRO bus; suspect on the run, police say
The Brief Police were called to a METRO bus on West Bellfort Avenue and Kirby Drive. The victim and suspect were allegedly arguing when the shooting happened. Anyone with information can call HPD (713-308-3600) or Crime Stoppers (713-222-8477). HOUSTON - A victim has died, and a suspect is on the run following a shooting on a Houston METRO bus, according to METRO police. What we know Houston Police received a shooting call at about 2:30 p.m. Officers arrived at a METRO bus on West Bellfort Avenue and Kirby Drive and found the victim. The victim was taken to a hospital. However, Houston police said the victim has died. According to METRO Police Chief Ben Tien, the shooting happened during an argument between the victim and the suspect. After the shooting, the suspect reportedly got off of the bus, went east on Bellfort, then turned right onto Centerpoint Drive. Police described the suspect as a Black male who is about six feet tall and may be between his mid-20's and early 30's. He was last seen with dreadlocks and was wearing a black t-shirt with blue and white striped shorts. What we don't know The victim has not been identified at this time. Police say he may also have been in his mid-20's to early 30's. It's not believed that the victim and suspect knew each other before the shooting, but that information is not confirmed at this time. What you can do Anyone with information on this shooting can call one of the following agencies: HPD Homicide Division: 713-308-3600 Crime Stoppers: 713-222-TIPS (8477) The Source Houston Police Department and METRO Police Department.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Climate
- India Today
Power out, trees uprooted, banners toppled: How massive storm hit Delhi
A powerful dust storm swept across Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, leading to heavy rains and hailstorms. The sudden change in weather led to widespread disruption, including power outages, traffic jams and tree storm hit suddenly around 8 pm, reducing visibility drastically as strong winds carrying loose dust blanketed the parts of Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad witnessed intense hailstorms and torrential rain following the dust storm. In Noida, hail battered rooftops and roads shortly after the storm Many areas experienced power outages across Delhi-NCR due to the sudden weather change. Traffic snarls were reported on major stretches, including the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Kalindi Kunj border, and DND WELCOME BOARD COLLAPSED, TREES UPROOTEDThe intense wind and rain led to infrastructure damage, including fallen trees and overhead electric (OHE) line Noida Welcome Board also collapsed under the force of the wind, while trees and banners fell at multiple spots, leading to severe traffic jams. Meanwhile, a large tree crashed onto a car at Copernicus Marg, near India Gate. The driver is safe. advertisement METRO DELAYED, SERVICES HALTEDDelhi Metro services were significantly affected, particularly on the Red, Yellow, and Pink Lines. Service was halted temporarily at several stations including Shaheed Nagar, Jahangirpuri, and Mayur Vihar Phase 1, over 30 minutes delay was reported as commuters crowded the station. While Pink Line services resumed by 9:18 PM, disruptions on the Red and Yellow Lines persisted late into the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) confirmed that the issues stemmed from fallen objects and damage to the OHE system, and teams were working swiftly to restore full from Amit Bhardwaj, Piyush Mishra, Arun Tyagi and BhupendraTune InMust Watch
New York Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Permits to Build New Apartments Have Plummeted
Apartment construction boomed during the pandemic as the transition to remote work allowed more Americans to relocate, fueling rental demand across the country. But two years later, permits to build new units have receded to below prepandemic levels, according to a recent study by Redfin. Researchers compared census data on permits issued for multifamily buildings of five or more units during three time periods: prepandemic (April 2014 to March 2020), mid-pandemic (April 2020 to March 2023), and post-pandemic (April 2024 to March 2025). During the post-pandemic period, developers nationwide have received permits to build about 12 multifamily housing units per 10,000 people — a 6 percent decline from the prepandemic period and a roughly 27 percent decline from the pandemic building boom. Among the 78 U.S. metro areas with populations of at least 750,000, the study found that 63 percent have scaled back on building apartments since March 2023. One exception: high-demand cities in the Sun Belt region. Austin, Texas, topped all metros with about 65 permits issued per 10,000 residents. Cape Coral, Fla., was second, with about 60 permits per 10,000 people. Following were North Port, Fla. (53 permits), Raleigh, N.C. (just over 41), and Orlando, Fla. (just under 41). Why is apartment construction soaring in the Sun Belt and plunging in other areas? In part, because builders there face fewer restrictions. 'Austin is still booming because they are allowing for more types of homes to be built by loosening restrictions on things like minimum lot sizes,' said Daryl Fairweather, Redfin's chief economist. Cape Coral, Fla., is helping to facilitate construction by expanding 'utility access that opens up the opportunity to build housing in places that wouldn't have been possible before,' she said. Economic uncertainty has also played a role in the building decline. Ms. Fairweather said that developers have dialed back because of high interest rates, volatility in the cost of materials because of tariffs, and uncertainty over the effects of deporting construction workers, many of whom are undocumented. New Apartments in Your City? The metros with the most and fewest permits issued for new apartments per 10,000 residents from April 2024 to March 2025. Fewest Most PERMITS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS PERMITS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS METRO METRO Stockton, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. Providence, R.I. El Paso Baton Rouge, La. Birmingham, Ala. New Orleans Cleveland Fresno, Calf. Tulsa, Okla. 0.0 0.8 1.6 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.6 Austin, Texas Cape Coral, Fla. North Port, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Orlando, Fla. Columbus, Ohio Omaha Richmond, Va. Charlotte, N.C. Nashville 64.5 59.6 53.3 41.1 40.7 37.9 37.5 35.4 30.0 29.8 Fewest PERMITS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS METRO Stockton, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. Providence, R.I. El Paso Baton Rouge, La. Birmingham, Ala. New Orleans Cleveland Fresno, Calf. Tulsa, Okla. 0.0 0.8 1.6 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.6 Most PERMITS PER 10,000 RESIDENTS METRO Austin, Texas Cape Coral, Fla. North Port, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Orlando, Fla. Columbus, Ohio Omaha Richmond, Va. Charlotte, N.C. Nashville 64.5 59.6 53.3 41.1 40.7 37.9 37.5 35.4 30.0 29.8 Source: Redfin By The New York Times For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here.
