Yet again, public officials have failed to mention a Christian holiday by name. In this case, the City of Houston has avoided referring to one of the most important Christian holidays of all, opting for a strange replacement in its stead.

On Thursday, the City of Houston account posted a graphic on social media, now seemingly deleted, explaining an office closure ahead of the Triduum.

The graphic seemed to emphasize the words 'Spring Holiday,' since they were both capitalized and written in a different color.

In an otherwise unremarkable announcement, the city said, "Due to the Spring Holiday, City of Houston offices will be closed on Friday, April 3."

Source image of City of Houston X post

The graphic seemed to emphasize the words "Spring Holiday," since they were both capitalized and written in a different color.

This vague messaging, however, stood out all the more in contrast to another post on Thursday from an associated account.

On the page for the office of Mayor John Whitmire (D), the most recent post, containing a detailed message, wished everyone a happy Passover, one of Judaism's important holidays.

The lengthy post read: "On this second night of Passover, Mayor Whitmire wishes a meaningful and peaceful Passover to all those who celebrate. May this season of reflection and renewal bring strength, gratitude, and time well spent with family and friends."

The City of Houston has likewise celebrated Muslim holidays like Eid Mubarak and Eid al-Adha stretching back several years, a review of the page's timeline revealed.

After facing some scrutiny online, the city appears to have deleted the "Spring Holiday" message. No replacement message has been posted.

Whitmire's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

'Large human smuggling operation' uncovered in Texas? ICE makes alarming claim about 'alien from India.'

While immigration enforcement has faced some hurdles, including a partial government shutdown, law enforcement has continued to take down criminals. In a major score for Houston Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities announced the arrest of two people who allegedly ran a major illegal operation.

On Wednesday morning, the official United States Customs and Immigration Services X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts announced the arrest of an "alien from India" and his "spouse" in Texas, where they were allegedly running a "large human smuggling operation."

'He and his spouse were apprehended ... on charges of human smuggling, document fraud, and overstaying their visa.'

"He and his spouse were apprehended at our Houston office by @ICEgov on charges of human smuggling, document fraud, and overstaying their visa," USCIS wrote.

"Human traffickers will be caught and held accountable," the account added.

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

A USCIS spokesperson referred Blaze News to ICE for comment since ICE made the arrests.

Blaze News reached out to the DHS, ICE, and its Houston field office for comment but did not receive a response.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Whites not included? Texas Democrat urged certain racial groups to unite against 'same oppressor'

A video of Democratic Texas state Rep. Gene Wu has resurfaced on the internet this week in what one large social media account called a "mask off" moment for the lawmaker.

In a December 31, 2024, episode of "Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas," Wu, an immigrant who was born in China, openly urged minority racial groups to unite against their "same oppressor."

'Because we are the majority in this country now.'

In the video, entitled "In This Texas District, 1/3 of Residents Are Undocumented," Wu was asked about different racial groups' relationship to each other and particularly the relationship between Asians and Latinos.

"It's not just Latinos. It's not just Asians. It's not just African-Americans. It's everybody. Right? We, our country and the forces that be, the powers that be, have spent tremendous time, effort, and money to make sure that those groups are never united, that they always see each other as enemies, as competitors, without ever realizing that they share one thing in common: that their oppressors all are the same," Wu responded.

"The oppression comes from one place," he quickly added.

Without explicitly saying who these "oppressors" are, Wu made it easy to read between the lines: "I always tell people the day the Latino, African-American, Asian, and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning. Because we are the majority in this country now. We have the ability to take over this country and to do what is needed for everyone and to make things fair."

"Shame on him," Elon Musk s aid in response to the clip of Wu, who was first elected to Texas House District 137 near Houston in 2012.

The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh pointed out the rhetorical double standard between Republicans and Democrats, referencing a more recent controversy in which President Trump shared a meme some decried as racist: "So I’m supposed to be outrage[d] about an Obama monkey meme while Democrat elected officials are labeling the entire white race 'oppressors' and openly plotting to conquer and subjugate us? Trump can post all the memes he wants. I really don’t care at all."

The resurfaced video has since garnered nearly 14 million views on X.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Police identify 4 victims of fatal private jet crash tied to top 'anti-ICE' law firm

Police have identified four of the passengers on board a private jet that crashed shortly after takeoff on the evening of January 25 from Maine's Bangor International Airport.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 belonged to KTKJ Challenger LLC, which is registered to the Arnold & Itkin law firm in Houston, Texas. The firm is led by Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin, two "top anti-ICE/anti-Trump lawyers" who have "made waves fighting conservatives in Texas and defending illegal aliens," according to Steve Robinson, the editor in chief of the Maine Wire.

'He is in Heaven now with Jesus.'

The plane flipped over and caught fire moments after taking off from the airport. The incident occurred as a winter storm rolled through the region, causing heavy snowfall, though it is unclear whether this contributed to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation is ongoing.

The initial Federal Aviation Administration crash data claimed that at least seven passengers had died and one flight crew member was seriously injured. However, an updated FAA report stated there were six passengers, all of whom were killed.

KTRK-TV reported that the plane took off from Hobby Airport in Houston on the afternoon of January 25, landed safely in Maine, and was set to reach its final destination in France.

A press release from the Bangor Police Department obtained by Blaze News revealed that the Maine Office of Chief Medical Examiner had positively identified four victims, including Kurt Arnold's wife, Tara, an attorney herself. Police also identified Jacob Hosmer, a 47-year-old pilot from Texas; Jorden Reidel, a 33-year-old pilot from Texas; and Shelby Kuyawa, a 34-year-old sommelier from Hawaii.

The OCME is still working to identify the final two victims, the police department stated.

Photo by Kiran RIDLEY / AFP via Getty Images

"I'm close friends with Kurt and Tara Arnold, and we're still waiting for additional information," Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones previously told KTRK. "Unfortunately, the plane went down [that] evening in Maine, and my heart hurts for them, for their children, and for their families."

"She was a phenomenal person, a bold leader, and someone with a heart of service," Briones added.

A member of Hosmer's family told KTRK, "He is in Heaven now with Jesus."

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Associated Press reported that family or others identified the two remaining victims as Shawna Collins, a 53-year-old event planner from Texas, and Nick Mastrascusa, a 43-year-old chef from Hawaii.

Lakewood Church in Houston, which is run by Joel Osteen Ministries, confirmed that Collins, a longtime employee, was one of the victims.

"Everybody loved her. She just had that kind of personality," Donald Iloff Jr., a church spokesperson, told the AP.

Mastrascusa's family told the news outlet, "Nick loved life. He embraced it with joy, humor, compassion, and soul. He believed in connection — in gathering people together, in shared meals, stories, laughter, and simply being there for one another."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Repeat offenders charged with murdering elderly woman; one suspect was on bond and skipped court days before fatal shooting

Two repeat offenders, a male and a female, have been charged with murdering an elderly woman in Houston earlier this week — and the male suspect reportedly was out on bond when he skipped a court appearance just days before the fatal shooting.

Tajuana Thomas, 38, and Richard Mouton, 34, are charged with capital murder in the shooting death of a 72-year-old woman, police said, adding that the shooting took place in the 4000 block of Lockwood Drive just before 2 a.m. Monday.

'It's always disturbing that you could be on parole, get a felony conviction, and still be on parole and not have your parole revoked.'

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at the residence and located three people suffering from gunshot wounds, police said, adding that responding Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Thomas and Mouton were hospitalized, police said, adding that video shows they were involved in the shooting.

KPRC-TV, citing law enforcement sources, said witnesses told police that Thomas had been upset with the victim — identified in court records as Linda Martinez — because she previously refused to bail Thomas out of jail, and the two "argued about it all the time."

Law enforcement sources also told the station that Thomas previously lived at the residence where the shooting took place, and the suspects entered the home through an unlocked back door.

Once inside, the suspects — who were wearing masks — allegedly found Martinez asleep on a couch, and sources told KPRC the pair demanded her jewelry while pointing an AR-style rifle at her.

The elderly victim apparently had plenty of fight in her.

A law enforcement source told the station that Martinez used a revolver to shoot Mouton in the face and Thomas in the hip.

Court records also revealed criminal histories for both suspects, KPRC reported.

Thomas was on bond for misdemeanor terroristic threat, the station said, after a victim in 2022 reported that she had been fired from her job, showed up again, and allegedly told the victim she was going to "beat his ass."

'Experience your first orgasm': Rabid Trump-hater allegedly packs sex toys for 'date' with supposed 11-year-old

A former Washington state college professor and rabidly anti-Trump podcaster is now in custody after he allegedly groomed and attempted to meet up with someone he believed to be an 11-year-old girl.

On December 17, members of various law enforcement agencies arrested 44-year-old Houston Wade in Bremerton, Washington, located on Puget Sound.

When cops searched a hotel room where the suspect made a brief stop, they found condoms, bondage supplies, and 'adult novelty toys.'

According to a Facebook post from the Bremerton Police Department, the suspect from Bainbridge Island "arrived in Bremerton intending to pick up an 11-year-old child." The post further states that the suspect had been "using a social media application" to chat with the presumed child.

"The chat turned graphic in nature and over the course of numerous chats, the man agreed to meet the child in Bremerton so they could act upon the graphic actions discussed in the chats," the statement continued.

When cops searched a hotel room where the suspect made a brief stop, they found condoms, bondage supplies, and "adult novelty toys," the statement added. "Adult novelty toys" are better known as sex toys.

Though the Bremerton police statement claimed that the suspect is 41 years old, the Lynnwood Times identified the suspect as Wade, who is 44, according to jail records.

Citing court documents, the Lynnwood Times gave further disturbing details about the case.

Wade allegedly began corresponding with a "decoy" claiming to be an 11-year-old girl back in August. Over the course of the next few months, Wade and the decoy had frequent contact, during which time he allegedly began slowly grooming the decoy and suggesting they go on a "date of sorts," the Times reported.

The following is a list of messages the suspect sent the decoy.

"Be as lewd as you want. You don’t have to choose to send me anything if you don’t want to."
"Well, I’ll be the little devil on your shoulder: give in to it," with a devil emoji.
"We’ll go as far as you want. Making out and heavy petting for sure. There’s no need to do anything more than what you feel comfortable with. If you want to experience your first orgasm or more, you’ll let me know. If you don’t, then you’ll tell me."
"I personally get all my pleasure from seeing you lose all control because of how good you feel and most women go their entire lives not knowing it’s possible to feel that good."

Kitsap County jail records reveal that Wade has been in custody since December 17 for multiple offenses, including child molestation, commercial sex abuse of a minor, and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

He has also been booked for communicating with a minor for immoral purpose with a prior conviction. Kitsap County court records show that Wade has been involved in multiple cases since 2018, including as a defendant, though the nature of those cases is unclear.

Despite the apparent previous conviction, Wade has been formally charged with only first-degree attempted child molestation (V<12+D – 36 months older), a Class A felony, and communication with minor for immoral purposes, a gross misdemeanor, the Times said.

Wade is scheduled to appear in court on January 27.

Wade is known locally for his podcast, "Houston, We Have a Problem," where he has frequently attacked Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and others. Some of his video titles include: "Elon is a Nazi stop twisting yourself into a pretzel defending him," "Can Trump Commit Crime and Get Away With It? Find Out Now!" and "Epstein emails released. Trump lied again."

His X feed also suggests a strong preoccupation with pedophiles, calling everyone from Trump to the late Michael Jackson to actor James Woods a "pedo."

Wade was a professor of physics and astronomy at Edmonds Community College. However, the school clarified to the Times that his "part-time" employment there began in 2019 and ended in 2022.

"We are deeply concerned and disturbed by these allegations," Karen Magarelli, public information officer of Edmonds College, told the Times in a statement. "... The safety and well-being of our campus community remain our highest priority. Edmonds College is committed to maintaining an environment that upholds the values of integrity, respect, and security for all students, faculty, and staff."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Illegal alien pedophile allegedly 'physically assaulted' ICE agent during immigration operation: DHS

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent sustained serious injuries to his face on Monday during an immigration raid in Houston, the Department of Homeland Security reported on Thursday.

According to a DHS press release, Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez, 33, was arrested during a Monday encounter with ICE agents in Houston.

'This young officer’s life has forever been altered as a result of the continued hyper-politicization of routine law enforcement activities and spread of misinformation by the media, NGOs, and other groups opposed to immigration enforcement.'

During the encounter, Rodriguez is "alleged to have resisted arrest and physically assaulted an ICE officer with a metal coffee cup."

The ICE officer sustained severe burns and a "deep gash" to his face that required 13 stitches.

ice.gov

“This young officer’s life has forever been altered as a result of the continued hyper-politicization of routine law enforcement activities and spread of misinformation by the media, NGOs, and other groups opposed to immigration enforcement in this country,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford said in a statement.

"By focusing on our officers and spreading false propaganda about how we accomplish our mission, they are emboldening dangerous illegal aliens like this child predator to physically resist arrest. This insanity has to stop before anyone else gets hurt,” Bradford added.

Rodriguez, a Salvadoran national, has a long criminal record prior to his recent arrest and charges.

The Department of Homeland Security stated Rodriguez illegally entered the U.S. "at least three times" and faced deportation in 2013 and 2020.

In addition to the immigration offenses, Rodriguez, a "pedophile and criminal illegal alien," was convicted of sexually assaulting a child, child fondling, and "multiple" DUIs, according to the DHS.

"Anyone who lays a hand on our ICE officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the Department of Homeland Security wrote on X.

Now in custody, Rodriguez was referred for prosecution on charges of illegal re-entry and assaulting a federal officer.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

'Unleashed': Houston ICE agents complete another large-scale immigration raid

While national attention has largely been focused on cities like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois, illegal alien arrests in Texas have seen an uptick following recent raids.

According to an NBC News report, Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently completed an operation in Houston, Texas, which led to 1,500 arrests over a 10-day stretch.

'President Trump and Secretary Noem have unleashed ICE to make America safe again.'

NBC noted that the rate of per-day arrests on this raid was above average compared with raids in other cities.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the report on social media.

On X, DHS said, "President Trump and Secretary Noem have unleashed ICE to make America safe again."

Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis/Getty Images

"If you come to our country and break our laws. We will hunt you down."

The 10-day Houston raid in October was preceded by similar 10-day raids in February and August, which respectively led to 543 and 822 arrests, NBC reported, citing Bret Bradford, the Houston field office director.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Planned Parenthood Closes Mammoth Houston Abortion Facility

Amid efforts from pro-life advocates and conservatives to defund the baby-killing giant, Planned Parenthood’s “Prevention Park,” the 78,000-sqare-foot, stair-step tower once known as the largest Planned Parenthood facility in the Western Hemisphere, permanently closed its doors Wednesday. “Prevention Park” was situated near the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. Another Houston facility also ceased […]

Houston sidesteps mentioning Christian holiday in official message, opts for bizarre euphemism

'Large human smuggling operation' uncovered in Texas? ICE makes alarming claim about 'alien from India.'

Whites not included? Texas Democrat urged certain racial groups to unite against 'same oppressor'

Police identify 4 victims of fatal private jet crash tied to top 'anti-ICE' law firm

Repeat offenders charged with murdering elderly woman; one suspect was on bond and skipped court days before fatal shooting

'Experience your first orgasm': Rabid Trump-hater allegedly packs sex toys for 'date' with supposed 11-year-old

Illegal alien pedophile allegedly 'physically assaulted' ICE agent during immigration operation: DHS

'Unleashed': Houston ICE agents complete another large-scale immigration raid

Planned Parenthood Closes Mammoth Houston Abortion Facility

Kentucky driver’s licensing scandal: 5 charged for allegedly illegally issuing licenses to immigrants in exchange for cash

Style for mini-men: How to dress little boys

No, That Stupid New York Times Piece On Travis Kelce’s Hair Isn’t Cultural Appropriation

Elon Musk dips his toe into 'Dilbert' cartoonist controversy, says US media is 'racist against whites & Asians'

Massachusetts voters secure opportunity in November to end law permitting illegal aliens to get driver's licenses

The Greatest Holiday Chocolate Cake Recipe Ever

We’ll keep you informed with top stories for conservatives who want to become informed decision makers.