Houstonians react to attack on U.S. consulate in Libya

  Crystal KobziaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- The attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya in Libya is drawing strong reactions all around the world and here in Houston.

The U.S. has responded swiftly and strongly to prevent more attacks like this one from happening against Americans.

Here locally, an expert on homeland security and terrorism says she believes the attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi was most likely planned.

Joan Neuhaus Schaan from the Baker Institute in Housto tells us she can't imagine the attack that killed four Americans was pure coincidence, since it happened on 9-11. And she says the same can be said for the attack that happened on the embassy in Cairo, considering they took the date of 9-11 and used that date to tear down the American flag, burn it and replace it with the Jihad flag.

"You can count of the fact that there will be aliments that have been watching every person who comes and goes, every vehicle that comes and goes, they know their travel patterns and this was likely a well planned attack," said Neuhaus Schaan.

Nadine Mustafa with the Libyan American Organization in Houston says she believes education is key, saying as long as people know these types of attacks are at the hands of small groups and not the masses, that clarifies the magnitude of the situation.

"It's really disappointing and it's really discouraging but the good thing is we have so many community members that are totally dedicated to righting the wrongs and overcoming these miscommunications, bridging the barriers," Mustafa said.

Mustafa believes it's unfair to say Libya is an unsafe place to be. She travels to Libya about twice a year and just got back from a trip this past August. She believes this was a singular event that happened at the U.S. Embassy. She tells us she has only experienced admiration and gratitude for what America has done for Libya while she is there.

Mustafa says the Libyan American Organization condemns this type of violence, saying there is no excuse for this behavior.

There are only about 100 Libyan American families here in Houston.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Local Nigerians react to deadly attacks

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It was a violent Christmas day in Nigeria where at least 39 people died and dozens more were injured in terror attacks claimed by radical Muslim sect.

The White House says it will help Nigeria bring to justice those behind today's attacks.

The most deadly attack took place at a church during Christmas Mass.

Members of a Nigerian church in Houston say they are remembering the victims and praying for their homeland.

They were celebrating Christmas at Redeemed Christian Church of God on Sugar Branch Drive in Houston on Sunday, but their thoughts were with those thousands of miles away.

"May the peace of God be with Nigerians," Lola Onanusi said. "It's really shocking to hear something like this happened on Christmas day. May God have mercy on us."

The terror attacks across Nigeria killed at least 39 people. Many of them died on the steps of a Catholic church after celebrating Christmas Mass.

Local responders could not get enough medical personnel in to help all the wounded.

The violence spread throughout the country from gunfire to a suicide car bomber.

"Nothing we can do than to pray. There is no way that darkness can overcome light. Darkness may persist, but eventually it is the light that will come," Theophilus Akinyele said.

The wounded filled the cement floors of a nearby government hospital. A radical Muslim group has claimed responsibility

The president of Nigeria says they will spend more on security and are determined to bring those responsible to justice.

Here in houston, Nigerian-Americans lift up prayers for the violence to end.

"It's sad that some families have to be mourning at this time. However, the joy of Christmas, we pray that God will also change the hearts of those who are going around doing wicked things," Samuel Akinrinde said.

This Christmas attack comes one year after a series of Christmas Eve bombings claimed by the militants left at least 32 dead and 74 wounded.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Officials react to request for criminal investigation

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- County leaders are reacting to the Port of Houston reportedly asking the district attorney to launch a criminal investigation into the port's dealings. It comes after an extensive 13 Undercover investigation.

The county attorney's office has opened its own investigation. In the meantime, the port chairman and president have written a letter to District Attorney Pat Lykos asking that the DA's office investigate the allegations against them. That letter reads in part, "We firmly believe that the Port Authority and the people who work for it conduct their business honorably and lawfully. However, in recent days we have heard claims that the Port of Houston Authority and some of its public officials and staff have not acted in full compliance with state law."

This letter follows a probe by13 Undercover. In that report, questions arose about Port President Alec Dreyer's use of the organization's tour vessel for a private party, and possibly conflicts of interest between Port Chairman Jim Edmonds and AECOM, a company that does business with the port.

This morning I asked Assistant County Attorney Terry O'Rourke his thoughts on the port leadership's letter to the DA's office.

He said, "I believe it's very good. I really, sincerely appreciate when people come in who are under investigation with full cooperation. That's what I hope we're getting."

In response to the requested investigation, the Harris County DA's office said, "We cannot confirm or deny a criminal investigation until the point when, and if, a criminal charge is filed."

In the meantime, two port commissioners have asked that Dreyer's employment with the port be placed on a May 24th agenda of their own commission meeting.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more 13 Undercover »

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HISD students react to elementary campus closures

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As Houston ISD prepares to close down four under-attended elementary schools, parents and students are trying to come to terms with the decision.

As we showed you late last night, trustees voted to close Grimes, Rhoads, McDade and Stevenson elementary schools. Students will be allowed to attend any other campus they choose. On Friday afternoon at Stevenson, we found that many parents picking up their children also attended the school when they were kids. And the young students have various concerns about the closure. "I'm gonna miss my friends and I'm scared I won't get to see them again," one student said. "I'm going to be scared because this is the only school I go to," another said. "I don't want this school to shut down, it's like my learning home," a third said. "I was hoping to graduate from all the way to middle school; it's all up in smokes," a fourth student said. The district is still deciding what to do with the campuses once they're closed. Meanwhile, students currently zoned to McDade would be redistributed among Paige, Cook and Kashmere Gardens elementary schools. Rhoads Elementary and Grimes Elementary students would attend the Woodson pre-kindergarten through 8th grade school. Stevenson Elementary would be redistributed to Memorial and Love elementary schools. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Parents react to possibility of 17 HISD school closures

 HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Parents are reacting to news that their child's school is now at risk of closing because unprecedented budget cuts has HISD scrambling for every penny. Now four times as many neighborhood schools could close as a result.

Initially, HISD said Love, Grimes, McDade, and Rhoads elementaries were at risk of closing down. But now that list has increased to 17 schools across the city. They include both elementary and middle schools. Parents say they're devastated their schools are even being considered for closure. For HISD, it's another option as they're desperate to battle that budget gap. The possibility of closing Memorial Elementary brings an immediate response among parents. "I think it's sad, so sad, because I went to school here, and my mom went to school here," said parent Josette Juarez, whose children now attend the school. HISD's board of trustees is already considering closing Rhoads, Grimes, McDade and Love elementaries. They are now considering the closure or consolidation of 13 more schools including Memorial Elementary. "I think there's plenty of children to keep them running and it would be devastating. There kids have gone to school here forever," parent Kathy Howard said. Memorial Elementary has fewer than 400 students. Closing small schools, says HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier, could save an estimated $600,000 per campus. However, Grier says there is no quota for how many schools will close. "No, there is no magic number. We're looking at each individually and we're looking at proximity to another school where you might be able to combine some savings," he said. Savings have already been found elsewhere. Just this week, HISD announced their latest numbers for teacher layoffs. Budget cuts mean 567 teacher positions so far have been eliminated. Add to that 163 teachers not renewed because of performance and the number equals 730 teachers gone starting next year. Parents realize classroom sizes will be bigger. Some say they have a solution. "That's where we're going to have to rally the parent volunteers to come up and put time in and be more involved than ever," Memorial Elementary PTO President Kelly Henrikson said. Parents say that's what they're planning to do. They're going to fight as hard as they can to keep Memorial Elementary open. HISD is planning to meet Thursday, but this issue isn't on the district's agenda. Another option for the school district would be raising its tax rate. If HISD closed every one of those schools, it would save about $10 million -- nowhere near what is needed to cover the $63 million budget gap. HISD's board of trustees can raise property tax up to 7 cents per $100 valuation without voter approval. Each 1-cent raise in tax would equal approximately $9.9 million in revenue. However, the possibility of raising tax is on not any agenda for vote. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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