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Message from the Managing Editor
Solange is stepping up for Black literature
SolangeKnowleshasalreadyprovenherselfasaninsanelytalentedandcreativesinger, songwriter and actress. Now the Houston nativehasaddedanothertitletoherrésumé: Librarian. Knowles is the founder and creative director of the Saint Heron Digital ArchiveLibrary,auniquelycuratedcollection of out-of-print, rare and first-edition works bywritersandartistsofcolor.
Whilesomeconservativesworkovertime to ban books by Black and Brown writers, the “Cranes in the Sky”singerispreservingcultureandmakingtheseworksaccessible to the public Readers in the United States can register onlinetoborrowonetitleatatimeforupto45days TheSaint Heroncoverstheshippingbothways Thecollectioncurrently featuresmorethan60titles,includingOctaviaButler’s“Clay’s Ark,” Pearl Cleage’s “Mad at Miles: A Blackwoman’s Guide to Truth,” and Gwendolyn Brooks’s “Children Coming Home.” And the best part? It’s completely free Solange stays proving she’saboss.
Laura Loomer takes on Jasmine Crockett and gets dragged
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, is never one to hold hertongue SowhenconservativecommentatorLauraLoomer wentonaracist,sexisttirade,Crockettdidn’twastetimeclappingback
Speaking at a Congressional Black Caucus Week event, Crockett, 44, reminded the crowd that she’s actually 12 years olderthanLoomer,whohasbeenknowntoquestionthecongresswoman’slooksandage.“Andtobeclear,”Crockettadded with a gaze into the audience, “there is no Botox.” The crowd eruptedinlaughter
Crockett’s remarks came after Loomer called her a “ghetto Black b—h” and a “racist hood rat” in response to Crockett’s criticismofwhiteDemocratswhosupportedaresolutionhonoringCharlieKirk Loomeralsowentonaracisttirade,calling Crocketta“DEIShaniqua”andmadederogatoryremarksabout
hersupportersandstaff.Thecommentshave sparkedwidespreadcondemnationonsocial media,withmanyrallyingtodefendCrockett.Crockett’switnotonlysilencedhercritic but came after a viral social media trend as Black women everywhere started posting their photos next to Loomer’s, pointing out that they were older than her 32 years. And listen, the contrast? Whew Straight, no filter,allmelaninmagic.Onethingwealready knewwasprovenyetagain:Blackdon’tcrack As for Loomer? Let’s just say she might wanttoretirefromthebeautycommentarybusiness Permanently Because if this little episode showed us anything, it’s thatsheisnotbuiltforside-by-sides.
Some Amazon Prime members could be due a payout
Ifyou’reanAmazonPrimemember,youmayhavemoney comingyourway.TheFederalTradeCommissionhasreached a$2.5billionsettlementwithAmazonoverallegationsthatthe company enrolled people in Prime without their full consent andthenmadeitdifficultforthemtocancel.
Outofthe$2.5billionsettlement,$1.5billionwillgodirectly toPrimecustomers.Dependingonyourfees,youcouldreceive up to $51. To qualify, you must have signed up for Prime betweenJune23,2019,andJune23,2025.
Refunds will be distributed in two ways: Automatically for those flagged by the FTC who rarely used Prime, and through claims forms for those who used it more frequently or attempted to cancel Either way, eligible customers could seerefundswithinmonths Keepaneyeoutforanemailfrom Amazon. They’ll let you know if you’re eligible. Go get your money.
On the Web
•GenZreadytolead Arewereadytofollow?
•Theunseencostsofourbeautyobsession.
•HSsports:SimsisbreakingtacklesandbarriersashepowersCEKingtonewheights.
Solange Knowles is doing her part to preserve Black culture, making rare books and other works of art
charge Credit: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
ReShonda Tate
News DN Community demands answers over bayou bodies
ByReShondaTate
Serial killer rumors are still swirling across Houston, but city leaders are once againstressingthereisnoevidencetosupportthoseclaims
Councilmember Letitia Plummer echoedassurancesrecentlymadebyMayor JohnWhitmire,tellingresidents:“Thereis noproofthatthereisaserialkillerinvolved inthesekillings.”
Plummer’s comments came just days afterasixthbodywaspulledfromaHouston-area bayou, intensifying unease and fuelingspeculationonline.Whileofficials insist the cases are unrelated, community memberssayalackofclearinformationis leavingtheirmindstowander
“The day after telling the public that there was no cause for concern, you find anotherbody.Whatcomfortlevelarewe left with?” asked Community Strategist Tomaro Bell “So I am here to say, tell us more.”
MeetingatGoodHope BaptistChurch
Plummerorganizedanewsconference and community meeting at Good Hope Baptist Church, just off Brays Bayou and onlymilesfromwhereUniversityofHouston student Jade “Sage” McKissic’s body wasdiscoveredearlierlastmonth.
Formanyresidents,thefrustrationstems from not knowing even the most basic facts. Bell called for what she described as “deliverables” – identifiers such as age, race and gender of the deceased, while families and the medical examiner await finalreports.
“Wedon’twantassumptions,”Bellsaid “This community wants to know what is goingon,whatisbeingdone.”
Leadersstressvigilance
Even as leaders pushed back against serial killer claims, Plummer urged residents to take precautions when traveling nearbayous
“I can’t specifically answer what’s happening in those particular areas. We have 2,500 miles of this It’s a lot of space, ” she said “Soit’sreallyapointwhereacommunityhastobeawareandtheyneedtoknow whattheyneedtodotoprotectthemselves.
“Don’t ride your bike underneath the underpass. I’m a cyclist. I know there are areaspeoplecanhide Soyouhavetobediligentyourselfandberesponsibleinterms ofmakinggooddecisionswhenitcomesto travelingonourbayougreenways.”
Plummeralsocalledforpeopletowatch outforoneanother.
“Always know where you are and who
15Bodiesfound
Officialshaveconfirmedtherehavebeen 15bodiespulledfromHoustonbayousthis year Lastyear,therewere24pulledfrom areabayous.Authoritiesarestillworking toidentifyallofthedeceased Herearethe namesauthoritieshavereleasedsofar. Jan.11,2025
Location:WhiteOakBayou(Heightsarea, 2200blockPattersonSt.),Houston
Name:DouglasSqearingen MannerofDeath:Accident
PrimaryCauseofDeath:Drowning
ContributoryCause(s):Acute methamphetaminetoxicity
March31,2025
Location:BraysBayouinsoutheast Houston(6000blockOldSpanishTrailat S.WaysideDrive)
Name:JuanGarciaLoredo MannerofDeath:Pending PrimaryCauseofDeath:Pending April15,2025
Location:BuffaloBayounearDowntown Houston(bridgenearI-69&I-10/Runnels St.)
Name:JesseSteel MannerofDeath:Undetermined PrimaryCauseofDeath:Multipleblunt forceinjuries
May9,2025
Location:BuffaloBayou,800blockofN. York(SecondWard,Houston)
Name:CulcoisRacius MannerofDeath:Pending PrimaryCauseofDeath:Pending June9/10,2025
you’re with It’s really important to share yourlocationwithsomeonethatyouknow cares about you, ” she said “Check in with people If someone has not shown up for acoupleofdaysoreven24hoursandyou feelconcerned,askquestions.
“Make sure we all protect each other. Wearecommunity Likemygrandmother alwayssaid,thevillageraisesus.”
Councilmember Carolyn EvansShabazz pushed back on suggestions that city leaders are downplaying the issue to protect Houston’s reputation ahead of the 2026FIFAWorldCup.
“In regards to the questions about the World Cup coming to Houston we are not concerned about all of that,” EvansShabazz said “Sure, that helps the economics of the city, but we want the city to be safe and we don’t want just a false pictureputforth.We’renottryingtopoliticize anything. If there is an unsafe environment, then the people need to know wherethey’regoingbecauseweneedthem tobevigilantaswell.”
Whatcomesnext?
Houston police and Mayor Whitmire did not attend the meeting, but sent a statement to Plummer that reiterated details shared in last week’s press conference Investigatorssaidcausesofdeathare still pending from the medical examiner,
andstressedthateachcaseremainsunder review
Still, for many in the community, reassurancesfallshort.Thebayous,onceprized asnaturallandmarks,arenowlinkedwith fear
“People are alarmed. People want answers. This has lit up social media around the country, around the world,” Bellsaid “Tellusmore.”
Location:WhiteOakBayoumeetsBuffalo Bayou(DowntownHouston)
Name:ErnestArmstrong MannerofDeath:Undetermined PrimaryCauseofDeath:Undetermined September15,2025
Location:BraysBayou,4998Medical ServiceDr.,Houston
Name:JadeMcKissic MannerofDeath:Pending PrimaryCauseofDeath:Pending September15,2025
Location:HuntingBayouat13400East Freeway Name:Unidentified
September16,2025
Location:WhiteOakBayou,Houston
Name:Unidentified(Noname) MannerofDeath:Pending PrimaryCauseofDeath:Pending September18,2025
Location:BuffaloBayouat400Jensen Drive,Houston
Name:Unidentified
September20,2025
Location:BuffaloBayouat900N.York
Street Name:Identifiedbutnotreleasedto public
September26,2025
Location:IntersectionofCommerceand Milamstreets,beneathabridgebythe UniversityofHouston-Downtown
Name:Unidentifiedwoman
Letitia Plummer is joined by SHAPE Community Center leader DeLoyd Parker to discuss the rash of bodies found in Houston bayous. Credit: ReShonda Tate
Tomaro Bell (podium) was among the community leaders demanding answers at a recent press conference Credit: ReShonda Tate
Exit of Lina Hidalgo reshapes Harris County politics
ByTannisthaSinha
WhenLinaHidalgoshockedTexaspolitics in 2018 by unseating long-time Republican County Judge Ed Emmett, she was a political unknown. At 27, the Colombian-born immigrantranonaprogressiveplatformthatresonatedwithvoterseagerforchange Hervictory flipped the balance of power on the Harris CountyCommissionersCourtandthrusther intothenationalspotlightasoneoftheyoungest andmostvisibleDemocraticleadersinthestate.
Sevenyearslater,Hidalgohasannouncedshe willnotseekreelectionin2026,butaddedshe wouldliketobeelectedtoapoliticalposition inthefuture
“I think that with everything I’ve been through,Ihavelearnedsomuchabouthowto beanelectedofficialandmakeitsustainable,” shesaid
Her decision leaves open one of the most powerfulcountyseatsinthecountry:Thechief executiveofHarrisCounty,themostpopulous countyinTexasandthethird-mostpopulous intheUnitedStates.
With her exit, both parties now face a reshapedpoliticallandscape.
Apolarizinglegacy
Hidalgo’stenurehasbeenmarkedbyambition, controversy and high stakes policymaking She championed criminal justice reform, expanded early childhood and social service programs and clashed with state and local Republicans over pandemic restrictions and votingaccess.
Supporters credit her with decisive leadership during COVID-19, the 2021 winter storm, and repeated flooding crises. Critics fault her for feuding with fellow Democrats, pushing costly social initiatives during budget shortfalls and taking extended leave for mentalhealthstruggles
I think that with everything I’ve been through, I have learned so much about how to be an elected official and make it sustainable.”
LINA HIDALGO
“HerbeinggonemakesiteasierforDemocratstoretainthecountyjudgeposition,”said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Rice University. “Hidalgo is a very polarizing figure, withveryhighnegativesamongRepublicans and Independents. She relies almost exclusivelyonDemocraticvotersforherfavorable opinion ratings. Had she been the candidate in2026,thatwould’veimprovedtheoddsfor Republicans.”
Without Hidalgo on the ballot, Republicanslosetheabilitytorunagainstawell-definedanddivisivefigure.
“Itisasteephillbecausethisisamidterm
yearwithaRepublicanpresidentintheWhite House whose approval ratings are falling,” Jones added. “It makes it even harder [for Republicans] because Hidalgo was a polarized enough figure that you could campaign againsther.”
TheDemocraticfield: Familiarnames,highstakes
WithHidalgoout,theDemocraticprimary is now the decisive contest. Harris County has trended blue in recent cycles, though often narrowly and analysts expect the 2026 midtermstofavorDemocratsgivennational headwinds.
Already,high-profilecontendersarelining up Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker is considered a strong potential candidate. Parker, a moderate Democrat with broad name recognition, could consolidate support across Independents and even some
Republicans. Other names in circulation includeoutgoingCityCouncilmemberLetitiaPlummerandOrlandoSanchez,aformer HoustonCityCouncilmemberandtreasurer forHarrisCounty
“Democrats have to find candidates who canspeaktothevoters’issues,”saidBrandon Rottinghaus, a Political Science professor at the University of Houston, on Democrats’ campaign strategy “They need to invest in theinfrastructureofthepartyandthatmeans makingsurethey’vegottherightpersonnelin placetobeabletoexecutetheirelectoralgoals and campaign tactics on the ground, filling precinct chairs and making sure they’ve got thegroundgamecovered.”
For Republicans, Hidalgo’s departure eliminates a favorite target. Their messaging for years has centered on crime, fiscal management and portraying the judge as out of step with mainstream Harris County voters Withouther,theymustbuildacaseagainsta newDemocraticnominee.
“It will be more difficult for the Republicans if somebody like Annise Parker [formerMayorofHouston]getsthenomination because of her experience and because she’s proventobeacompetentadministrator,”said Dr DavidBranham,aprofessorofSocialSciencesatUHD
HarrisCounty’sdemographictrendsfavor Democrats,thoughnotoverwhelmingly.The whiteshareoftheelectorateisslowlydeclining, Latino voters are rising and African American voters remain the most loyal bloc inDemocraticprimaries.Buttheseshiftsare incremental,nottransformative Asuccessful candidate must capture at least two of these threegroupstowin,Jonessaid
What’snext?
Candidate filing for the 2026 primaries opens in November and closes in December. With no incumbent, the Democratic race is expectedtobecrowdedandlikelyheadedfor arunoff
“It’s a wide-open race now, ” Murray said “It will be a very high-profile race and over veryquicklybecausewevotethefirstweekin March.Andthattomeisthedecisiveelection.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s seven-year tenure blended ambition, controversy and leadership during Houston’s toughest crises Credit: Lina Hidalgo’s office
Education DN
Teachers union takes HISD to court
ByTannisthaSinha
ThefightoverteacherpayinHoustonhas landedincourt,withtheHoustonFederation of Teachers (HFT) suing the Houston IndependentSchoolDistrict(HISD)forfailingto distributestate-mandatedraises.
At the heart of the dispute is whether or not Texas’ largest school district is ignoring thelawinfavorofSuperintendentMikeMiles’ pushtowardaperformance-basedpaysystem.
“We have a pay disparity,” Jackie Anderson,HFTpresident,toldtheDefender “Some teachers who teach the identical class load, classsizeandsamesubjectaremakingdifferent amounts of money. That is not how you effectivelymanageadistrict Teachersshould not have to perform at a certain level. When weareallinthistogether,weareaboutwhat’s best for children. This is not a dog and pony show like we are getting out of HISD right now. ”
TeachersandparentsralliedoutsideHISD headquarters in late August, denouncing the district’s approach as “wage theft.” They argued that HISD is the only district in GreaterHoustonwithholdingtheraises.
Statelawvs.districtpolicy
Duringthisyear’sTexasLegislativeSession, the Legislature passed House Bill 2, which guarantees raises of $2,500 for teachers with
The
three to five years of experience and $5,000 for teachers with five or more years in large districtslikeHISD.Lawmakersdescribedthe measureasaretentiontoolduringastatewide teachershortage.
But HISD has opted to tie raises to evaluations under Miles’ new reforms. Compensation letters sent in August outlined merit-based adjustments ranging from $250 to$2,500,wellshortoftheflatamountswritten into state law. HISD officials argue the district qualifies as an “Enhanced Teacher
Incentive Allotment” (TIA) system, allowingthemtodeviatefromtheseniority-based formula. It could also bring in money for a school district under the TIA program for high-performingteachers
However, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has not granted final approval for HISD’s application, which is expected to be grantedin2026.
The union argues HISD lacks the fully approved system required for that designation, making the plan unlawful HISD
attorneyscounteredincourtthatthedistrict is eligible while working toward approval and that no injunction is warranted since the funds have not yet arrived. About 1,800 HFTmembersqualifyfortheraises.Teachers voicedfrustration,sayingthepromisedpayis criticaltotheirlivelihoods.
Judge Cheryl Elliott Thornton will decide whether to pause HISD’s plan as the case headstowardtrialin2026.
Unionpushback
HFTinsistsHISDisbreakingthelaw.The unionfiledsuitinHarrisCountycourtseeking an injunction to freeze state funds until the case is resolved, warning that the money couldbespentelsewhereotherwise.
“The law is the law. No one, not even the governor’sright-handmaninHoustonISD,is exemptfromit,”Andersonsaid “MikeMiles mismanaged Texas taxpayer dollars at his charterschoolnetwork,andnowhe’smessing with teachers’ hard-earned salaries in Houston ISD…If Mike Miles won’t come to the tabletopayHoustonISDteacherswhatthey areowedbylaw,thenwe’llseehimincourt.”
More on the Trial.
Houston schools: What the TEA rating scores say
ByTannisthaSinha
The Texas Education Agency’s 2025 A-F accountability ratings confirm that the Houston region is trending up, with bigcitysystemsshowingreal,butuneven,gains
TEAframedthereleaseasalong-awaited reset after two years of litigation-related delays that kept parents in the dark
“This is about setting goals,” said TEA Commissioner of Education Mike Morath “It is about what we want to be true for our children. I want them to have their time tables memorized at [by] third grade And whentheygraduatefromhighschool,Iwant themtobeabletogooffandbeassuccessful as possible.”
For Houston-area school districts, the ratingsreflecttheirprogressinthepastyear ToendtheTEA’sinterventioninHouston ISD, the commissioner has set three main exit criteria:
(1) HISD must have no multi-year academicallyunacceptablecampusesunderthe state A-F accountability system
(2) The school district must come into compliance with state and federal special-education requirements
(3) The school board must demonstrate effective governance focused on student outcomes.
Accountability ratings are central to the criteria,assustainedacceptableratingshelp
clear the path to exit. In practice, TEA has explicitlytiedthetimelinetothesemetrics, extendingthetakeoverthroughatleastJune 2027 while monitoring ratings, including high-visibilitycampuseslikeWheatleyHigh School meeting “C or better” performance for consecutive years. The commissioner retains discretion to declare the exit once these targets are met and sustained.
Bythenumbers
Houston ISD (HISD), the state’s largest district, earned a B (82) overall, a notch up fromrecentyearsandconsistentwithTEA’s dashboard view for 2024-25.
Katy ISD posted a score of 88 (B), a performancethatdistrictofficialsandlocaloutletshavehighlightedasamongthestrongest inTexas’biggestdistricts.KleinISDfollowed with 86 (B), Cypress-Fairbanks earned 85 (B); Fort Bend and Spring Branch each landed at 80 (B) SeveralNorthandEastHoustonsystems remain in the middle tier: Humble ISD at 77(C),Aliefat75(C)andAldineat73(C). While those letters suggest room to grow, the trajectories are noteworthy Aldine, long a bellwether for post-pandemic recovery among high-poverty districts, has been singled out as one of the state’smostimproveddistrictsoverthepast two years.
HISD’ssurge
HISD’soverallscoremasksadramaticcampus-level shift. Superintendent Mike Miles said 74% of HISD campuses are now A or B, up from 44% two years ago. The number offailingschools(F-rated)fellfrom56atthe start of the intervention in 2023 to zero in 2025, placing 70,000 more students in A/B schoolscomparedwithtwoyearsprior.
Those claims align with Morath’s celebrationofmultipleHISDschoolsleapingfromF to A, a rarity statewide However, pockets of D-ratedschoolsremainandrequiresustained attention.
“Wehadahugeachievementgapandour Black and Brown kids were behind their peers, ” Miles said “There was a gap with their peers in Texas. In other words, a Black student in HISD was doing worse in math and language arts than Black students in the state of Texas by far. Two years later, we’ve narrowed the achievement gap significantly. We’reaboveourpeers.”
Whatthelettergradesactually measure
Texas’ A-F design is built to weigh three things:StudentAchievement(whatstudents know and can do), school progress (how far students have come or how campuses have done compared to similar comparison groups) and closing the gaps (how well
The Texas Education Agency released long-delayed 2025 accountability ratings. Credit: ClydeJiles/Houston Defender
historically underserved groups are supported or how different student groups are performing).
“These are the goals that our children should achieve,” Morath said “We put those goals out and then we measure ourselves againstthosegoalsbecauseweneedtoknow, ‘Didwedoourjobforourkids?’Ourjobisto make sure that we equip them to pursue the rigorsofmodernAmerica.”
Houston Federation of Teachers is suing HISD over the distribution of state-mandated pay raises. Credit: Tannistha Sinha/Houston Defender
InFocus DN
ByLauraOnyeneho
InBlackcommunities, funerals have long been more than ceremonies. They aredeclarations of faithand communal strength
The“homegoing” tradition rooted in the Blackchurchhascarriedgenerationsthrough mourningwithmusic,prayerandpraise.But today, grief is changing shape. Risingcosts shifting spiritualbeliefs anddigital innovationarepushingfamiliestoredefinehowthey honorloved ones.
Across thecity, funeralhomes, cultura centers andfamilies areblendingtradition with adaptation.Whatemerges is notan abandonmentofheritage, butareimagining of it
Justin Mabrie,funeraldirectoratMabrie Memorial Mortuary,has witnessedthe changesupclose.Hisfamilyopenedthemortuaryin1997 andhehas been workingfulltime in thebusinessfor thepastseven years. “AfricanAmericanfuneralsareveryinclusive;theywantthe entire family involved in thelifecelebration,” Mabrie said.“Whether that meanswaiting untileveryonecan come in town,havingacolor themeorputting togetheratributevideo,familiesarepersonalizingservicesinwaysthatreflectwhatwas trulyimportant to that lovedone.”
He says that “celebrationsoflife” often replacestrictlytraditionalhomegoings,especiallywhenfamilieswantservicesouts dethe church
“Ifthe person didn’t necessarily go to church,wedon’t need to have theservice at achurch,”hesaid. “Itmight be more like a reception with beverages, live musicand a moment forscripture andmemories,really reflective of howthatpersonlived their life.”
Cremation, once rare in Blackcommunities, is increasinglycommon. Economics playarole, butMabrieemphasizedit’snot just aboutcost-cutting
“Sometimes it’s practical, sometimesit’s financial, butcremation doesn’t mean you
Thelanguage ofhomegoings
Homegoing: Afuneral that marksreturning “home” to God.
Repast: Communal meal aftera funeral.
Libation: Ritual pouring of liquid in honor of ancestors.
Ancestralveneration: Honoring thedeadas spiritual guides.
Generations reshape traditions of Black mourning
losethe beauty of aservice,” he explained “You canstill have flowers, speakers,avideo montage, even achampagne toast. Theonly differenceisyou’renotgoingtothecemetery afterwards.”
He addedthatcremation allows families more time to decide howtohonor remains —whetherkeepinganurnathome,dividing ashesamong relativesortraveling to scatter them inmeaningful places.
Africantraditionsand ancestralcontinuity
That flexibilityspeakstoa long historyof adaptationinBlackmourninginDr.Suzanne E. Smith’sbook, To Servethe Living:Funeral Directorsand theAfrican American Wayof Death.
During thepre-CivilWar era, enslaved Africans were oftenprohibitedfromholdingfuneralsfortheirlovedones,forfearthat gatheringsmight sparkrebellion.
Deniedtherighttogrieveopenly,theycreated“hushharbors”,secretspaceswherethey fusedAfricantraditionswithChristianpractices, singing,praying andlifting thenames of thedeadindefianceofsilence
Thosehidden ritualsbecamethe foundationofwhatweknowtodayasthehomegoing service,aceremonyrootedinAfricanancestryand theBlack church.Evennow,singing gospelhymns,wearingT-shirtshonoringthe deceased,gatheringfortherepastandoffering finalfarewellsatthecaskettracebacktothat historyofresilience
MichaelJones,manager of Lockwood FuneralHome,seestoday’sjoy-filledservices as continuingthatlegacy
“Itgoesbacktoour Africanroots,” he said.“As apeople, we’vealwayscelebrated life.Funeralsbringfamilymemberstogether whetherfromacrosstownoracrossthecountry. Even with social mediaand livestreams, that gatheringisstill sacred.”
Nailah Nelson, directorofShrine Cultural&EventsCenter, sees this lineage reflectedintoday’scelebrations. “It’snot just adeath from this life, butanascensioninto theancestral realm,” shesaid. “The spirit liveson. Youcan call outyourloved one’s nameandknowthey’re allaroundyou.”
Shesaysmanyservicestodayincorporate ritualsdirectlytiedto Africantraditions, such as pouringlibations,buildingaltarsor callingout ancestors’ namesinunison. Families andguests often wear Africanattireordress thedeceasedin traditionalgarments.
“Itconnectsustoourlineage,”Nelsonsaid. “It’spowerful.”
Traditionmeetsinnovation
Afteremancipation, Blackentrepreneurs establishedfuneralhomesassomeofthefirst family-ownedbusinessesinAmerica.Because thefuneral trade wassegregatedalong racial
lines,Black-ownedfuneralhomesbecameculturalinstitutions,placeswhereAfricanAmericanscouldmournfreely,guidedbydirectors whounderstoodtheircustoms.Funeraldirectorsoftenbecamecommunityleaders,offering counsel,spiritualcareandcontinuityatatime when little else wassecure.
Mabrie recognizes that role today.
“Somefamilies want to spend, others are cautious.Someprefertradition,otherswant morepersonalizedservices,”hesaid.“Ourjob istocreateopportunitiessoeveryfamilycan celebratetheir lovedone’s lifeinaway that feelsright.”
Technologyhas also left itsmark. Livestreaming exploded during thepandemic, when gatherings were limited. What once seemed novelisnow standard
“Thatone linkgives accesstopeoplewho can’tbethere,” Mabrie said.“Therecordings become part of family history.”
Generational differences play arole, too.
“Older relativesstill want thehardcopy funeralprogram,”Mabriesaid.“Butyounger peoplearefinescanningaQRcodetoviewit digitally.There’s more comfortwithpersonalization,websites, engravings andcreative touches. It’s aboutreflectingthe person’s actual life.”
Joneshasalsotrackeddramaticchangesin theway services areplanned.
“WhenIfirststarted,cremationwasabout 7%ofservices.Lastyear,itwas37%,”hesaid.
“But cremationdoesn’t have to mean less celebration. Familiescan stillhaveviewings, memorials, or lifecelebrationswithmusic, foodandtributes;theonlydifferenceiswhat happensafterward.”
When Ifirststarted, cremationwas about 7% of services.Last year,itwas 37%.”
MICHAELJONES Manager, Lockwood funeralhome
He notesthatwhile cost drives choices,manyfamiliesnowpre-plans withcremationinmind,notasacomp butasa waytoleave clearinstruction
“It’slikegivingyourfamilya hug,” said.“Youtakethe pressure offthem moment of grief.”
Generationalshiftsalsoshapehowf remember their lovedones.
“Elders still want thelarge printedf programwithphotos. Youngerp love gettingadigital versionstrai theirphone,” he said.“It’s thesamet just offeredinwaysthatspeak to di generations.”
s some ervices promise ns ” Jones m in the fami ies uneral people ight to tribute, fferent
Learnabout theshiftintrends forBlack homegoingceremonies.
Jones
Nelson
News DN
President DonaldTrump said he wanted to begin “phasing out” the Federal EmergencyManagementAgencyafterthis hurricane season to “weanoff ofFEMA”and “bringitdowntothe statelevel.” Credit:GettyImages
CityLeaders address hurricane readiness gaps
By LauraOnyeneho
When HurricaneHarveyhit Houstonin 2017, DorisBrown didn’t geta warning. Nosirens.Nocityalerts.Justrisingwater andsilence.
“I gotfloodedout forthe first time and lostmyhome,”saidBrown,wholivedinthe HoustonScenicWoodsneighborhood.“And no onecame. We’vebeenonour ownever since.”
BrownisCo-DirectorofCommunity Research,Organizingand Development forWestStreetRecovery, agrassroots disasterresponsegroupservinghistorically neglectedBlackandBrownneighborhoods. Hergroupnowoperates“hubhouses,”local homesequippedwithsolarbatteries,kayaks, CPRkitsand food foremergencies.
“We’re thefirst responders,”she said “Because theofficial ones don’tcomefast enough.Ifatall.”
Brownsendsabluntwarningtohercommunity as hurricaneseasonramps up
“Ifitstartsflooding, don’twait. Getout Haveyourplanready,”shesaid.“FEMAisn’t comingtorescueyou,yourneighbors are. ”
Asystemunderstrain
Brown’sstory is part of alargerstory playingout acrossTexas. Thisyear’sflash floodingintheHillCountry,theGuadalupe Riversurged26feetinunder an hour and killed over 90 people.Thetragedy exposed boththeunpredictabilityofmodernstorms andtheslowresponsefromhigherlevelsof government.
“Wedonothaveaworkingwarningsystemforourneighborhoods,”Brownsaid.“If itrainshard,I’maprisonerinmyhome.Our drainagesystemissooutdated, it doesn’t take ahurricane to trap people.”
Federalsupportsystemshaveeroded.The FederalEmergency Management Agency
(FEMA) haslost2,000 full-timestaffsince Donald Trump’sJanuary presidency,a significantlossduetotheDepartmentofGovernmentEfficiency (DOGE).Service cuts, raisingconcernsamong emergencymanagementscholarsabout capacity reduction andexperiencedstaff“braindrain,”andthe NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA), whichissues severe weather warnings, has seen steepstaffing cuts.ThesegapshaveleftcitieslikeHouston scrambling to do more with less.
BrianMason,directorofthe City of Houston’sOfficeofEmergencyManagement,saysthecityhaslearnedfromHarvey, Winter StormUri andother crises. Buthe’s realisticaboutwhatresidentsshouldexpect.
“All responsesorincidents startwiththe localgovernmentand endwiththe local government.They’renotgoingtobetherein thefirst12to36tomaybe40hours.They’re coming, butitjusttakes them awhile to getspunup,”Mason said.“Theypre-stage resources andtheydothingstobeableto support, butwe’re gonnadoeverythingwe possibly cantobepreparedoverprepared, overcommunicatetoourresidentsontheir preparedness andonour endtoo,for us to be as resilientand self-sufficientaswecan forprobably thefirsttwo to threedays.”
Thecityhasinvestedinhigh-waterrescue assets,emergencyshelters,trainingexercises andcoordinationsystemsthatallowittoact quicklywithout waitingfor outside help
“Welookat911 and311 call data in real time,use communityintel anddeploy resourcestowhere theneedisgreatest,” Mason said.“We’regetting skilledreports from folkssowe’re able to quicklyidentify this side of town wasprobablyimpacted worsethanthatsideoftown. So that’s how we usuallytendtoprioritize ourinitial response efforts.”
NOTICE Virtual PublicMeeting
NorthHouston HighwayImprovement Project (NHHIP) US 59/I-69 at Spur527 to I-45 at Beltway 8 HarrisCounty,Texas
The Texas DepartmentofTransportation (TxDOT) invites youtoattend avirtual public meetingtodiscussthe I-45 NorthHouston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). TheSegments 3PublicMeetingisscheduled forThursday, October 30, 2025, from 5to7p.m The virtualpublic meeting willinclude livequestion and answer sessionsonavariety of project topics.You mayaccessthe public meeting by visitingthis link: http://www.virtual.nhhippublicmeetings.com.
The I-45 NHHIP is designed to create additionalroadway capacity to manage congestion, enhancesafety, and improve mobility.The project spans I-45 from I-69 toBeltway 8North,including I-69 improvementsbetween Spur 527and I-45 in Harris County,Texas.This encompasses the reconstruction of the downtownfreeway system,including I-45,I-69, I-10 andSH288.I-45 willbererouted from thewest side of downtownHoustontorun parallelwithI-69 andI-10 until it exits the downtownareaand continues north.
The public meetingwillfocus on the twoNHHIP projects on which construction is occurring,Segment 3B-1 and Segment 3B-2, andthe status of activitiesand requirementsunderthe VoluntaryResolution Agreement (VRA) betweenTxDOTand theFederalHighwayAdministration (FHWA). Amap depicting the fullproject limits, including eachofthe threesegments,isavailable at (www.txdot.gov/nhhip)
Environmental studiesand project updates areavailableonline at the project webpage. Materialsare alsoonfile andavailablefor reviewMondaythroughFriday by appointment between thehoursof8a.m.to5p.m.atthe TxDOTHouston District Office, 7600 WashingtonAvenue,Houston, Texas,77007.Pleasecall713-802-5199 toscheduleanappointment.
If youdonot have internet access,you maycall713-866-7040between thehoursof 8a.m.and 5p.m., Monday throughFriday, to askquestions.Those without internet access areencouragedtoattend in-person meetings. Feedback mayalsobe providedbymail or email as explained below.
The virtual public meeting willbeconducted in English withSpanish interpretation available. If youneedaninterpreter or document translator because English or Spanish is notyourprimarylanguageorhavedifficulty communicating effectivelyin English or Spanish, onewillbeprovided to youfreeofcharge. If youhavea disability andneedassistance,special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If youneedinterpretation or translation services, or if youare aperson withadisability whorequires an accommodation to attend and participate in the public meeting,please contact Gabriel Adame,PublicEngagement Coordinator, at 713-802-5199orGabriel.Adame@txdot.gov, no laterthan 4p.m.,Friday, Oct. 24,2025. Please be awarethatadvance noticeisrequired as someservices and accommodations mayrequiretime forthe project team to arrange.
Writtencommentsfromthe public maybesubmittedinany language by mail to TxDOTI-45NHHIP Ombudsman, TxDOTHoustonDistrict,P.O.Box 1386, Houston, Texas77251-1386, or by emailtonhhip.ombudsman@txdot.gov. All commentsmustbereceived or postmarkedbyFriday, Nov. 14,2025.
Please call713-802-5199 to request specialaccommodations or if youhavea need forinterpretation/translation.
French: Veuillezappelerle713-802-5199pour demander des aménagements spéciaux ou si vous avez besoin d'interprétation /detraduction. Arabic:
Somali: Fadlan wac713-802-5199 si aad ucodsato qodobo gaar ah amahaddii aad u baahan tahaytarjumaad /turjumaan.
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Kinyarwanda: Mwihanganye ku 713-802-5199kugirango mwishyureibisabishijwe byihutirwa cyangwa niba mufiteubutaberabwo guhumurizwa/guhindurwa ku rurimi
Mandarin: Mandarin (traditionalChinese): 如出席和参与会�需要特殊照顧或需要口 譯/筆譯，請撥打 713- 802-5199
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Creole: Tanpri rele 713-802-5199pou mande aranjman espesyal oubyensiou bezwen entèprèt oubyen tradiktè
AWARD-WINNING PUBLICIST
La’Torria Lemon
Celebrates new OWN reality show
By Laura Onyeneho
La’TorriaLemonspentnearlytwodecades shaping stories behind the scenes, crafting image,messageandmomentumforsomeof thebiggestnamesinentertainment.
But recently, the spotlight shifted With the premiere of “Heart & Hustle: Houston” on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), she is inthespotlight
She hosted an exclusive party to celebrate the new show’s premiere at Rain on Washington,adiningandeventspaceinHouston, whichsheco-owns.
Thetransitiontotelevisionmightfeeloverdue for those who know her work Lemon, a native Houstonian and graduate of Clark AtlantaUniversity,hashelpedelevatecountless brands and celebrities through her firm Lemon-LimeLightMedia.Fromworkingon campaignsforTylerPerrytoorganizingmajor eventsinHoustonandAtlanta,herreputation asaconnectorandstrategistissolid Still,the movetorealityTVwasasurprise,eventoher.
“I got this DM and I really thought it was spam,”shesaid “Butthentheywereserious. Interestedinbuildingsomethingaroundthe realstoriesofwomenlikeme.”
That message kicked off a three-year journey that pushed Lemon far outside her comfort zone It involved show pitching, developing its structure and ultimately becomingoneofthesixcastmembers.
Stepping in front of the camera wasn’t easy for someone used to pulling the strings from behind it “I’m naturally private,” she said “But I had to remind myself, this was the dream before the PR firm I studied radio, TV and film in college. It’s like life camefullcircle.”
Theresultisashowthatdoesn’tsugarcoat anything. Viewers see Lemon running four
businesses, navigating grief after losing her father and maintaining a fierce loyalty to hercity
“Iwantpeopletoseetheheartbehindthe hustle Thisislatenights,earlymorningsand figuring it out with faith and grit,” Lemon says.
The series is also a love letter to Houston. InanindustrythatoftenbypassestheBayou
City,LemonismakingsureHouston’stalent andculturearen’tignored.
“I brought what I learned in Atlanta back toHouston,”shesaid “AndImadeitmymissiontocreateopportunities,notjustforme, butforeverybodyaroundme.”
JoshuaDada,aclosefriendofLemon,sees thisasadefiningmoment
“She’s always been the one building up everyone else’s platform,” Dada said. “Now it’shertime Andhonestly,thecityneedsthis.”
Thesedays,whenrealityTVoftendefaults to conflict for ratings, Heart & Hustle offers somethingmoregroundedinambition,vulnerability and sisterhood That’s what drew Lemon in. And that’s what makes her presencesocompelling.
“Shewouldn’tattachherselftosomething thatdidn’talignwithhervalues,”saidDada “SoI’mconfidentthisshowisgoingtouplift morethanentertain.”
Localhip-hopiconSlimThugechoedthe pridemanyinthecityfeel
“La’Torria helped us get our name out there, no doubt,” he said “Seeing her on OWN, on that national stage, that’s real bossmoves.”
I made it my mission to create opportunities, not just for me, but for everybody around me.”
LA’TORRIA LEMON
Another supporter, Food Influencer G-Mayniac, said, “Houston is a big city with even bigger stories. And La’Torria’s out here telling them in a way only she can. It’sinspiring.”
That’stherippleeffectLemonseemstobe chasing. By putting her life and, by extension,hercity,onscreen,she’shopingtospark somethingbigger
“It’snotaboutbeingthefaceofanything,” shesaid “It’saboutshowingpeoplethatwhatever lane you’re in, you can lead with heart andstillwin.”
La’Torria Lemon has helped elevate countless brands and celebrities through her firm Lemon-Lime Light Media. Credit: La’Torria Lemon via/Instagram
Houston creatives, media professionals and entrepreneurs show up to support La’Torria on the debut of Heart & Hustle Houston at Rain on Washington. Credit: Laura Onyeneho
Sports DN
Houston Rockets’
Kevin Durant
Wants respect put on his name
By Terrance Harris
Kevin Durant has seemingly accomplisheditallduringanNBAcareerthatspans nearly two decades.
MultipleNBAtitles.NBAMVP Perennial NBA All-Star. NBA scoring titles. Recognition as one of the NBA’s top 75 players of all-time. Riches.
The natural question is what is left there for Durant? Of course, another NBA Championship would be great, but during his formal introduction as a member of the Rockets, Durant said he wants to continue building on the Durant family name
“I’ve got a lot of family, I have hundreds of family members, so my last name is really important to me,” Durant said to the Defender “Ijustwanttocontinuetoshinea bright light on my last name, lead by example, set a good example to people. Just put waymorerespectonmylastnamethanpreviouspeopleinmyfamilyhavedone They’ve done a great job up until this point, but I’m ready to take it to the next level.
“I just want to continue to push my last nameouthere,tobehonest,behindthegame of basketball. People know me for hooping, so it’s a great platform to be on right now. ”
While the 37-year-old Durant insisted that he isn’t as concerned about legacy, he did discuss his motivation during his first formalmeetingwiththepresssincetheJuly trade during the Rockets Media Day.
“I just enjoy that process of perfecting a craft Ienjoycompetingagainstmyself,being betterthanIwasthedaybefore,”saidDurant, whosaysheismotivatedtosignanextension with the Rockets but has not done so yet. “Asyougetolder,youdiveintothedetailsof everything in your life When you become detail-oriented, you become nerdy. It’s kind offuntobeinthatmode.That’smypeaceful place when I’m perfecting, trying to perfect my craft.”
In perfecting his craft, the Rockets hope
Durantcanhelpthemmakeahopefulmarch backintotheNBAelite.
Inthebiggestblockbustertradeoftheoffseason,theRocketsexecutedatradewiththe Phoenix Suns that brought Durant to HoustonwhilesendingrisingstarJalenGreenout to the desert. After a return to the Western Conference Playoffs ended much sooner than expected last season, the team decided thisoffseasontospeedupitsrebuildwiththe additionofthewell-traveledDurant.
It seems like a risk for the Rockets, who mayhavemortgagedtheirfutureforanolder star player who has left his last four stops in controversy.However,theriskisclearlyworth therewardforRocketscoachImeUdokaand general manager Rafael Stone, who jumped attheopportunitytobringaboardoneofthe game’s most prolific and elite scorers of all time
dowhatKevinhasdoneconsistentlythroughouthiscareer
“We just felt like that It became an opportunitythatwecouldn’tpassup Itreally hadnothingtodowiththeguyswhomoved out.ItwasmuchmoreaboutKevinanddesiring to bring him in. He is kind of a singular talent.Soweareveryexcitedabouthim.”
KEVINDURANT’S HIGHLIGHTS
• 2× NBA champion (2017, 2018)
• 2× NBA Finals MVP (2017, 2018)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (2014) 15× NBAAll-Star (2010–2019, 2021–2025) 2× NBAAll-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019)
• 6× All-NBA First Team (2010–2014, 2018)
• 5× All-NBA Second Team (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (2008)
• NBAAll-Rookie First Team (2008) 4× NBA scoring champion (2010–2012, 2014)
NBA75th AnniversaryTeam
• National college player of the year (2007)
• Consensus first-team All-American (2007) USBWA National Freshman of the Year (2007) Big 12 Player of the Year (2007)
I’ve always had respect for this coaching staff, this fan base and this state, this city. So it feels right.”
Thedecisionwasmadetoswaptheveteran forthestarinthemaking
“We love Jalen and he is definitely still youngandgrowing.Myexpectationishewill continueto Thatwaskindofagiven,”Stone said to the Defender “But what we looked at is that (there are) not many people in the historyoftheNBAwhohavethecapacityto
In joining the Rockets, Durant has more familiar surroundings than he has had in a long time. He and Udoka have an extensive bondaftertheRocketscoachnotonlyplayed againstDurantbutalsocoachedhimwiththe Brooklyn Nets and on USA Basketball. VeteranjourneymanJeffGreenandDuranthave the distinction of being the only two players still in the NBA who played for the Seattle SuperSonics and this will be their third time playing together Steven Adams and Durant also spent time together on the Oklahoma City Thunder roster. During the offseason, DurantandJabariSmithJr havebeenworkingouttogether
It just seemed like the right fit to Durant when he knew his brief stint in Phoenix was comingtoanend.
“I just quickly just thought about who I was comfortable with, which coaching staff
would let me be me and understand what I bring to the table,” said Durant, who starred attheUniversityofTexasasaone-and-done player during the 2006-07 season. “Ime has alwaysbeenoneofthoseguysthatunderstood what I brought to the table, my mentality andmyapproachtothegame Hehasalways respectedthatandgavememyspacetobeme “ThatwasoneofthefirstthingsIthought about.LivinginTexas,workingwithsomeof the people I’ve worked with before, but also seeing the identity of this team the last few years,playingwithlength,havingsize,playing in transition, driving and kicking, switching ondefense Allofthatstuffistailor-fittomy game,soIwantedtoplaythatstyle,too.”
Kevin Durant speaks with the media during NBA Media Day at Toyota Center. Credit: Kenneth Richmond/GettyImages
Sports DN
VOLLEYBALLTEAM
WorthingColts
Fueled by personalities and power
By Jimmie Aggison
TheWorthingColtsvolleyballteammaybe overlookedonpaper,butitsenergyisimpossibletoignoreinsidethegym.
With a roster full of unique personalities andplayingstyles,theColtshavebuiltaculture where differences fuel determination. United byasinglegoaltowinandprovetothemselves they belong among the district’s best, Worthing’sstrengthliesnotjustintalent,butinhow itsdiversegroupofathletespusheachotherto bebetter
“WhenpeoplethinkofWorthingvolleyball this year, I want them to know that we are a teamwithhumblebeginnings,”saidWorthing head volleyball coach Angela Nealy. “A team thatknowswhatit’sliketowinandlose Sowe’re justfocusedonbeingbetterthanourpast.”
Lastseason,theteamfinishedtheyearwith a9-9recordin4ARegionIIIDistrict20;however,withastrongerbondedteamandshared chemistry,Worthinghopestoaddmorewins tothewinningcolumn.
“Last season’s team taught me to believe in myselfandtobelieveinmygirls,”saidNealy.“As ateam,Ibelieveittaughtusalltohavefaithand focusonourindividualstrengthssowecould bringthemtogetherforthebettermentofthe team.”
With a roster that combines leadership, energy and individuality, the Worthing Colts areshapinguptobeauniquevolleyballteam
“Ourteam’spersonalitythisyearisenergetic
and driven,” said senior team captain Tierra Miller “Webringalotofexcitementandpositivitytopracticesandgames,andthatenergy helpsuspushthroughchallenges.”
Both Miller and fellow team captain and senior libero, Ari Salas, agree that the team’s most energetic and loudest voice belongs to sophomoresetter,PaigeTingle
“She brings so much energy and keeps us hypedbeforegames,”saidMiller
With Miller being the quietest and Tingle beingtheloudest,alwaysbringingtheenergy, Salasistheleaderbyexample
“I try to lead by example and use what I’ve learnedinthegametohelpinotherpartsoflife too,”saidSalas.
The Colts’ skill diversity of speed, power, defense and serving works together for their success
“Thisteamisstrongallaround,”saidNealy. “The focus is for everyone to be able to play any role at any given time Each day we focus onadifferentskillsetasagroup,whichhelps whenonepersonishavinganoffdayinanarea, anothercanstepintoplaytherole.”
Building a game plan that maximizes such differentskillsetscanbechallenging,butNealy hasmasteredit
“Ourgameplanisasystem,”saidNealy.“Asa coach,Iwatchedandreplayedeverygamefrom lastseasontofindourflawsasateamandfind thestrengthsofouropponents.Idon’tlookfor theflawsinothers,Ibuildsystemsfromtheir
strengths,somyplayerscanbereadyforanythingtheymightthrowourway.”
Junior opposite hitter Disney Dominique says her strongest skills on the court are her passingandcourtvision.
“Knowingwheretheballisgoingandsetting myteammatesupforsuccessismybiggestskill,” said Dominique “Since our team’s style is all aboutworkingtogetherandstayinginrhythm, those skills really help us keep control of the game.”
Dominique,theteam’sthirdcaptain,admits she admires junior defensive specialist Khloe Francobecauseofherservingability.
“Shealwaysstayscalmandsetsthetonefor thegamewithherpowerfulserves,”saidDominique “She’sthekindofplayeryoucandepend onwhenthegameisclose.”
Differencesofopinionarisewithanyteam, buttheWorthingvolleyballteamhasbeenable toavoidlettingthatsidetrackthemastheystay united.
“When people don’t get along, we remind eachotherthatweallwantthesamething,to winandgetbetter,”saidDominique.“Wetalkit out,staypositiveandkeepmoving.Attheend oftheday,we’relikefamily,sosmallarguments don’tmatter.”
Withmanylessonstaught,thisteam’sbond has also taught its members how to trust and communicate.
“This team has taught me that trust and communicating with each other are super
important,”saidDominique “Youhavetocommunicateandbelievethatyourteammateswill dotheirjob.Whenwedothis,weplayourbest andfeelstrongertogether.”
With nine different personalities playing under one team, coach Nealy works to keep everyonefocusedonthesamegoal
“I let my students be free,” said Nealy. “I always remind them that it’s a time and place for everything I feel they know the goal and know what the stakes are this season When theygetofftaskorunfocused,theytendtoget eachotherbackfocused.”
Although winning would be celebrated enthusiastically, looking ahead, the Worthing volleyballteamunderstandsthatthereiswinningevenbeyondthescoreboard
“Winningtomemeansgrowthandstrength,” saidMiller “Evenifthescoreisn’tinourfavor,if weleavethecourtknowingwegaveeverything wehad,we’veaccomplishedourjob.”
“Beyond the scoreboard, winning means knowing our hard work has paid off,” said Salas.“It’sthefeelingofreachinggoalstogether, building confidence and growing as a team This season will be a success if we all give ourbesteffort,supporteachotherandfinish strongerthanwestarted.Ifwecomeoutbetter players and a closer team, that means we’ve trulysucceeded.”
“ThecommunityshouldknowthatWorthingVolleyballhasastorytotellandeveryone hasapart,”saidNealy.
Worthing Colts volleyball team poses mid-court after winning a tough set against Washington. The Colts look to build on this win going into the 2025 season. Pictured are (l to r) Alisa Hammond, Tygrah Dominique, Zoey Dillard, Khloe Franco, Ariella Salas, Disney Dominique, Kiersten Wilson, Tierra Miller, Paige Tingle. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender
