SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security reported that Omar Gallardo-Rodriguez, previously deported multiple times and convicted of crimes in Texas, and his partner Denisse Parra-Vargas were stopped near an Austin school for expired tags. Following the stop, Parra-Vargas was detained by ICE, and she chose to be deported to Mexico with their three children, including two U.S.-born minors. Parra-Vargas had previously sought asylum in 2016, later denied, and failed to appear before an immigration judge, resulting in a removal order. ICE used private contractors to transport the family, who are now in Mexico, sparking criticism over the treatment and rapid deportation of U.S. citizen children without clear legal protections.

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SUMMARY: Online gamblers profited from accurately predicting the new pope, Pope Leo, who is now preparing to lead his first mass with cardinals. CBS News correspondent Tina Krauss reported live from the Vatican, noting that some bettors won big, with payouts of $50,000 and $20,000 from betting sites. The election even sparked a friendly rivalry between Chicago sports teams, as Pope Leo’s brother revealed the new pope is a White Sox fan, despite the city’s long-standing love for the Cubs. Pope Leo’s focus on building bridges assures fans all teams will receive his blessing.

The first American pope is also already sparking baseball team loyalty debates.

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SUMMARY: Texas lawmakers are addressing rising fraud and scams in the solar panel industry, following a surge in consumer complaints. Senate Bill 1036, authored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, aims to regulate the industry by requiring salespersons to register with the state, offering standardized contracts, banning deceptive practices, and imposing penalties, particularly for violations involving older Texans. The bill, which has already passed the Senate, is supported by AARP Texas and the Texas Solar and Storage Association. It aims to protect vulnerable populations, especially seniors, from misleading solar panel sales practices. The House State Affairs committee will review the bill Friday.

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