A tumultuous period unfolds across Texas as October 7, 2025, dawns, bringing with it stories of profound tragedy, heartwarming community resilience, and significant developments in the world of sports. From grim crime reports to acts of extraordinary kindness and high-stakes NBA news, the state grapples with a diverse array of top headlines.
Houston Area Mother Accused in Tragic Child Deaths
In one of the most disturbing Texas news stories of the week, authorities in Brazoria County have charged a 31-year-old mother, Oninda Romelus of Porter, with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charges stem from an incident on Saturday, October 4, 2025, where Romelus allegedly shot her four children. Deputies responded to a 911 call at a gas station in Angleton and discovered the children inside a vehicle, all having sustained gunshot wounds.
Tragically, two of the children, 13-year-old O’Karreo Covington and 3-year-old Amourra Chapell, were pronounced dead at the scene. The two surviving children, an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, were airlifted to a Houston-area hospital in critical but stable condition and are expected to recover. Court documents reveal chilling details, with Romelus allegedly telling investigators that the children “were with the devil” and expressing a fear that they would kill her. She reportedly stated, “Instead of them doing it to me, I’m going to do it to them”. Romelus was arrested and is being held on a $14 million bond. Prior legal troubles for Romelus include a misdemeanor DUI charge in Georgia in April 2022.
Coastal Texas Woman Reclaims Home From Invading Bee Colony
In a more uplifting news story from the Texas coast, an 80-year-old resident of Hitchcock, Sarah Hampton, is finally regaining full access to her home thanks to the intervention of a generous beekeeper. For five years, Hampton had been sharing her home with a massive bee colony that had taken over a significant portion of her property, leaving her with limited safe access. Living on a fixed income, Hampton had been unable to afford professional removal services.
Upon learning of her plight, beekeeper Henry Brown Jr. from Sealy volunteered his services free of charge to safely remove the extensive hive. Brown stated his motivation stemmed from a desire to “give back because that’s what God tells us to do”. This act of kindness not only resolves a long-standing problem for Hampton but also highlights the compassionate spirit within Texas communities.
NBA World Abuzz: Mavericks Gear Up, Flagg’s Debut Looms, and James’ ‘Second Decision’ Sparks Retirement Speculation
The trending sports news in Texas is dominated by the upcoming NBA season and the career trajectory of its biggest stars. The Dallas Mavericks have released their 2025-2026 schedule, with their preseason kicking off on October 6th. All eyes are on Duke star Cooper Flagg, who is widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and is expected to join the Mavericks. His versatility and talent have generated significant excitement about his potential impact on the league from day one.
Meanwhile, NBA icon LeBron James, 40, has sent the sports world into a frenzy with a cryptic social media announcement dubbed “The Second Decision,” scheduled for October 7th. This teaser, reminiscent of his famous 2010 “The Decision” special, has fueled widespread speculation about his future in the league, with many wondering if he is about to announce his retirement as he prepares to enter his 23rd NBA season. James himself has indicated that retirement is “sooner than later,” though he has denied that his decision is tied to his sons’ basketball careers. The timing of the announcement also coincides with Amazon’s Prime Day sales event, suggesting it could also be related to a commercial venture.
Broader Texas Headlines: Weekend Violence, Voter Deadlines, and Weather Shifts
Beyond these prominent stories, Texas is navigating a complex news cycle. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex experienced a violent weekend, with at least ten people killed in various shootings and stabbings between Friday, October 3, and Monday, October 6. Despite these incidents, Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia noted that overall violent crime rates have seen a decrease compared to the previous year.
In civic news, October 6th marked the final day for Texans to register to vote ahead of the upcoming November elections. The state also saw a cold front sweeping through on October 6th, bringing temperature drops and storm chances to various regions, a typical shift for Texas in the fall.
Other notable developments include ongoing investigations by Attorney General Ken Paxton into a tech company regarding consumer data abuse by the Chinese government, criticism from Paxton directed at the Texas Medical Association over COVID-19 vaccine resources, and concerns about federal funding cuts threatening the state’s opioid response system. Austin police are also investigating a homicide that occurred in North Austin on Monday morning.
As the state moves through October 7, 2025, these varied news events underscore the dynamic and multifaceted landscape of life in Texas, marked by both profound challenges and inspiring human stories.
