HOUSTON — Friends and family gathered Tuesday for a moment of prayer and silence in remembrance of two small children killed at their home in Third Ward.

Sheborah Latrice Thomas, 30, has been charged with two counts of murder after police said she confessed to drowning her 7-year-old son, Araylon, and 5-year-old daughter, Kayiana, at their home in the 3000 block of Tierwester Street.

The community held a vigil Tuesday on the front porch of the Thomas’ house.

"When a person's mentally ill, they need help," Rev. Dr. Robert Gilmore said. "In this particular case, she did reach out."

Dr. Carl Mathews is a community health worker and he agrees with Gilmore.

"I think we can no longer afford to look the other way when there is a cry in the community for help," Mathews said.

Surveillance video shows Thomas entering a restaurant Saturday after investigators said she drowned her children in the bathroom tub and then stuffed their bodies under a neighbor’s home.

Restaurant owner Santiago Wesley said she was acting unusual that day. Thomas had been fired from the restaurant and had returned to pick up her final check for $47.

“She was irate,” he said. “She was sweating profusely (and) she was just angry, you know, not the person I knew.”

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. - Donald Trump has a spending problem.

It's not necessarily that he's spending too much money, but that he's not spending any at all on TV advertising.

Trump has spent zilch on TV ads since entering the general election, according to NBC/Advertising Analytics.

It's shocking, especially in comparison to Mitt Romney, whose PAC's spent around $38 million on ads in June 2012.

The Green Party candidate Jill Stein has already outspent him by $189,000 and even Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson has outdone Trump by $15,000.  But all that's Trump-change compared to what Hillary Clinton has spent!

Clinton has reportedly spent $61 million on TV ads including $13 million alone just for ads airing during the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Trump has run no ads during the Olympics.

Considering Trump has raised millions in the last two months, some are wondering what the Trumpster is spending all his money on.

Some believe Trump may be over-spending on consultants and other political advisers.

One thing is certain, if Trump doesn't discover the boob-tube soon, he may be watching Hilary reigning as President come January.

NOTTINGHAM, England — Drop that laptop and lotion, brah! Online porn could be hurting your game in the bedroom, according to several recent studies.

The Britain's Behavioural Sciences Journal recently published a study that suggests online porn leads to drug-like additions that may cause less sexual enjoyment in real life and lower libido to boot.

According to research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 1 out of every 4 new erectile dysfunction patients is under 40 years old. Other studies confirm watching porn can become so addictive the viewer becomes "wired only to porn" and unable to perform in the real world.

A leading psycho-sexual therapist said she has seen an alarming surge in young men coming into her clinic to be treated for ED. She blames smart phone and tablets for making porn more accessible — and thereby desensitizing to you men. She said it makes it difficult for them to become aroused in the bedroom.

Some porn addict have said the addition forces them to find more extreme material to get them aroused as they have to constantly fan the fire.

For a happy ending, experts suggest porn habits need to be conquered if you want to really "conquer" in the bedroom!

HOUSTON — If home is where the heart is, then for Bayou City singer and songwriter Robert Ellis, home is most definitely on  stage.

In his hometown of Lake Jackson, Ellis grew up playing the piano and learning Bluegrass music. By elementary school, he was strumming his own guitar and writing songs himself.

It was his junior year of high school when a 17-year-old Ellis decided to drop out and play music full time. Ellis grabbed his guitar and head to Nashville in 2014. He cut his signature hair and hit the stage with a more Elvis-like look.

Spin Magazine calls Ellis the Best Artist of 2016.

Today, you can still hear a little Willie and George Jones in his twang. Only now, it's accompanied by echoes of Randy Newman, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell.

In Tuesday's inside story from the pages of Houstonia, we hit the road and went on tour with Ellis — a Houston boy that'd done good.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Two U.S. Olympic swimmers could be in hot water Wednesday after claiming they were robbed at gunpoint Sunday in Rio.

A Brazilian judged ordered Ryan Lochte and Jimmy Feignen not to leave the country, according to court documents.

Investigators said there are inconsistencies in the swimmers' stories about what happened when they were out partying at France House and when they returned to the Olympic Village after allegedly being robbed during their taxi ride back.

Lochte told the story earlier in the week.

"The guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead," Lochte said during a morning show interview. "And he said 'get down,' and I was like — I put my hands up — I was like 'whatever.'"

The Olympian said the robber

Lochte said the robber, who was disguised as a cop, stole his wallet.

The judge watched surveillance video of the swimmers returning to the Village and going through the metal detectors. She said a lot doesn't add up, according to her filing.

The judge said the athletes still have watches, wallets and cellphones on them, and they also don't appear to be upset, but laughing instead.

So, the judge said investigators need more time to determine whether the American athletes are guilty of filing a false police report, which carries a max prison time of 3 years.

But why would four American gold medalists make up such a story?

The U.S. Olympic Committee said police have further questions for the swimmers, but no one has been detained so far.

And the authorities are a little late, since Lochte's lawyer said the gold medal-winning swimmer is already back in the USA.

The USOC said the athletes are cooperating and willing to answer any additional questions.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — At the Rio Olympic Games, it is all about who is the fastest, the strongest, or who jumps the highest.

But in Texas, it is all about whose booty is the most poppin'.

San Antonio's Live Ultra Nightclub is hosting "The Twerking Olympics" Thursday. This event is a part of their "Live College Thursdays."

In the spirit of the booty work, NewsFix took a moment to remember our top five "rumpa bumpers."

Check out our video and let the twerking games begin!

BRISTOL, ENGLAND-- Mothers-to-be, one of the only things you can take for aches and pains while pregnant — acetaminophen — may now be off-limits.

Research from the University of Bristol shows kids who were exposed to acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol and other brands) while still in the womb are more likely to develop behavioral problems later in life. We're talking hyperactivity, emotional problems and even ADHD.

"It's very difficult because there's not a lot medications that are okay for pregnant women to take. And especially for pain. We don't use Ibuprofin (such as Midol or Advil) in pregnancy because of risk to the unborn child," said Deepali Patni, an ob-gyn with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston.

Folks behind this Bristol study theorize the acetaminophen could be disrupting hormones needed for the developing fetus. Still, the study's lead author said the drug is safe for pregnant women but should only be used when necessary.

Bottom line. If you're pregnant, should you avoid acetaminophen or not?

"I wouldn't tell patients that they can't take it at this moment. But," says Patni, "I think everything in moderation. I wouldn't take large amounts of any medication in pregnancy without consulting your physician first."

The Woodlands, Texas - Craig Hlavaty recently visited Revitalize360 Cryotherapy Spa in the Woodlands to try cryotherapy, a process that is all the rage with pro and amateur athletes. Hlavaty doesn't have the same physical demands on him as J.J. Watt or Lebron James, but he did want to give cryotherapy a shot. The spa waxed the inside of Hlavaty's nose just for the heck of it.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. —  Retail giant Target wants all shoppers to come in and "go."

That is, go to the restroom in the new single-stall bathrooms.

The retailer recently announced it is spending $20 million into adding new single-stall units, which critics said is the price of Target's transgender bathroom policy.

Target has a big bulls-eye on it thanks to boycotters raising a ruckus over the retailer's policy which states people can "use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity."

Back in April, more than 700,000 pledged to boycott Target over the policy,  and now boycott leaders say that number has grown to 1.4  million signatures online.

The retail chain is compromising by ordering the new single-stall, lockable units.

Store officials said they are not changing the policy, just offering a different options for shoppers.

Target executives said they're adding the new bathrooms "because we're listening."

Although store officials claim the boycott has not significantly effected sales, reports show a 7 percent revenue decline from a year ago, and forecasts are lower for the rest of the year.

HOUSTON — As rising flood waters continue to cause insurmountable devastation in southern Louisiana, a Houston organization is doing whatever it can to offer support.

Reports from Baton Rouge confirm nearly 40,000 homes are underwater, 30,000 people have been rescued and at least 11 are dead. To make matters worse, more flooding is expected. The Mission of Yahweh Homeless Women and Children's Shelter is answer the call for help. The organization has  loaded up whatever donations they can spare and have sent it to Baton Rouge.

Actor Wendell Pierce found his home among the watery mess. In a tweet he wrote, “My neighbors & I have flooded in Baton Rouge. I am reminded of the generosity given to my family during Katrina. Now we will care for you.”

Boots on the ground and random acts of kindness are leading the rescue efforts.  The Cajun Navy, made up of regular people on regular boats, have headed out to save those in desperate need of help.

Country superstar Taylor Swift is also pitching in donating $1 million to aid relief.

MIAMI — Are you as tired of Zika as we are?  Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration approved something that just might put an end to it altogether — a sort of bionic mosquito.

A British company called Oxitec has bio-engineered a mosquito with a self-limiting gene that causes offspring to die.

"So every single male we put out there only does one of two things," Oxitec CEO Hadyn Parry told CCTV America, "It either finds a female and mates, in which case the offspring die, and it dies. Or it doesn't find a female, in which case it dies anyway."

Some Floridians are questioning what effect these man-made bugs will have on the ecosystem.

Health officials around the country are also watching closely, including Houston's own Dr. David Persse, public health authority with the city.

"I think any time when we are doing things which could potentially manipulate nature, we need to be very careful," he said. "In this particular case, these mosquitoes have been released in the wild in other communities, and we've not seen problems that have resulted over following generations."

Field tests in Brazil and the Cayman Islands were big successes, killing off 90 percent of Zika carriers.

"Mosquitoes in the wild don't live very long. They only live a couple of weeks," Persse said.  "So once these genetically modified mosquitoes are out, they should interrupt the reproduction cycle of the mosquitoes in that area and then they're gonna die off. And so I think that will have much less of a negative impact than would widespread insecticide spraying."

That's what they have been doing in the Miami neighborhood of Wynwood (a hot spot for Zika cases in the U.S.), spraying a chemical called Naled.

"It's been banned in 22 countries as a toxic poison," a Wynwood protester said earlier this week. "They're dumping it on your heads three times a week."

Naled is known to cause paralysis in dogs and is toxic to bees and fish, according to Toxipedia.org. Hence, the protests.

So maybe man-modified mosquitoes are worth a try. Hey, they can't be worse than potential paralysis!

TEQUESTA, Fl. — The latest findings in a horrific double-homicide in Florida Monday night has presented more questions than answers.

Austin Harrouff, 19, is accused of savagely killing Michelle Mischon and John Stevens in their garage. The Florida State University student has never been in trouble with the law before.  The obvious questions: What was Harrouff on when he committed the brutal murders and why did he do it?

The Harrouff was found biting off the face of one of his victims. It's enough to even shock Martin County Sheriff William Snyder who has four decades under his belt.

“I don't think I've ever seen anything with this much violence," he said. “It does look, as inexplicably as it sounds, like a completely unprovoked and random attack.”

A blood test ruled out cocaine, pot and opiates. But they're still looking into the synthetic drug flakka, otherwise known as bath salts! Deputies said when they arrived, Harrouff seemed to possess super-human strength. It took a taser, a K-9, and about six officers to stop his cannibalistic actions and pry him off his victim.

This isn't the first time Florida police are dealing with zombie like behavior. Remember that guy back in 2012 who chewed off the face of a homeless man?! Bath salts change you, there's no doubt about it!

A former Harrouff classmate, Oliver Joseph, is in disbelief. He said this is not the quiet guy he knew in high school.

“This kid had a lot of potential in a lot of different ways," he said

Joseph said the whole thing is surreal, theatrical, just like the movies.

HOUSTON — Our children might not be as safe as we thought in the coziness of their strolls.

A recent study showed between 1990 and 2010, more than 360,000 children under the age of 5 were hospitalized with injuries from strollers or car carriers.

“The biggest culprit is the misuse of products," salesperson  Jamie Reyes of Baby's and Kid's 1st Furniture said. "Just not understanding the limits, or just not understanding what the ideal use for that product is.”

According to the study, there are almost three toddlers hospitalized every hour with 87 percent of injuries being to the head or face.

“I don’t think parents should be afraid to use the products they have. I think it’s more of an eyeopener to make them realize that it’s more important to use the products you have. It’s like any other tool. If you have tools and you misuse them, they’re not going to work properly or you run the risk of getting yourself injured," Reyes said.

So what do we need to do about this?

“You want to make sure that your stroller is in good condition, you want to make sure you don’t exceed the limits of the stroller, and you want to understand how the stroller works. How to properly use it and where to take it,” Reyes said. “Take that stroller with you only places where it’s designed to go. You don’t want to jog with your umbrella stroller. Things like that. You’re just going to put your baby at a greater risk for injury."

For more information on how to properly use strollers, car carriers and car seats visit Baby's and Kid's first furniture.

HOUSTON — The CW's  "My Last Days" is docu-series that follows the lives of real heroes battling terminal illnesses, and the show got Grego thinking. It's not too be morbid, but we're all inching closer and closer to death everyday, and don't you ever wonder what really happens during that moment after your final breath. Whether you believe in heaven, hell, reincarnation or nothing at all — it's definitely something to ponder about.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian authorities say Ryan Lochte and three other U.S. swimmers were never robbed, and that surveillance video shows them vandalizing a gas station after a night of partying.

Civil Police chief Fernando Veloso said at a press conference about the four American swimmers: “In theory, one or all of them might be charged for false communication of a crime and for damaging private assets, the gas station. I’m not saying that they are charged right now because of that. We have to finalize the investigation and in theory that could be the case. This is not really a — this kind of crime will not lead to their arrest.”

Brazil’s Globo media group has released footage that shows US swimmers Ryan Lochte, James Feigen, Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz at the gas station in Rio’s Barra da Tijuca neighborhood early Sunday when the athletes said they were robbed at gunpoint by men in police uniforms.

One of the American Olympic swimmers confirmed the account that the surveillance video showed that the swimmers — Ryan Lochte, Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and James Feigen — were committing acts of vandalism at a gas station when confronted by security guards, Brazilian police said.

The footage shows a man in the act of urinating in a side alley at the gas station and being confronted by gas station staff.

Daily newspaper O Globo cited the station’s owner as saying the athletes had thrown stones at the business and torn one of its signs before urinating in the street.

“They stopped next to the gas station, and urinated outside right next to the gas station. We even have images of one of the athlete’s butts, as he is pulling up his pants,” said the owner, who the newspaper said chose to remain unnamed.

A police source told CNN that the athletes, who had been drinking, had torn a sign at the gas station and vandalized it.

U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte was confrontational with security guards after they stopped him and three other American swimmers from vandalizing a gas station because he was “very angry because he was intoxicated,” said Fernando Veloso, chief of civil police in Rio de Janeiro.

A firearm was pointed at the American swimmers by one of the security guards at a vandalized gas station in order to control them, Brazilian police said. It is not being deemed an excessive use of force.

The four swimmers reached an agreement with the gas station manager and paid for the damages before leaving, the New York Times reports.

Civil Police chief Fernando Veloso said at a press conference about four American swimmers: “In theory, one or all of them might be charged for false communication of a crime and for damaging private assets, the gas station. I’m not saying that they are charged right now because of that. We have to finalize the investigation and in theory that could be the case. This is not really a — this kind of crime will not lead to their arrest.”

Civil police in Rio de Janeiro say that American Olympic swimmer James Feigen has not been interviewed. Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger are giving their statements to police Thursday.

Scrutiny mounts

The swimmers’ accounts of being robbed at gunpoint have been subjected to increasing scrutiny, with Brazilian authorities issuing search and seizure warrants against the athletes to examine perceived inconsistencies.

Conger and Bentz were pulled off their flight bound for the United States overnight and had their passports seized as the affair spiraled into a diplomatic matter, which threatens to overshadow the Olympic Games as they draw to a close. The pair arrived at a police station Thursday in Rio’s Leblon neighborhood to answer questions about the incident.

An attorney for Lochte, Jeff Ostrow, brushed off suggestions of conflicting stories, saying the four swimmers’ accounts “are 95% consistent.”

He says his client, a gold medal winner in the pool in Rio, has been cooperative with authorities and has not been asked again for assistance.

Ostrow had confirmed to CNN earlier his client returned to the United States.

“He’s the victim. He didn’t commit a crime. Same with the other guys,” Ostrow said.

“The story needs to be about 20-something-year-old kids pulled off an airplane, they’re being detained to testify to police?” Ostrow said. “C’mon.”

The US Olympic Committee said the remaining three swimmers are cooperating with police. Feigen appears to be in Brazil, but it is unclear if he is in Rio.

The incident poses questions about how much the US Olympic Committee knew about the incident from the time it was initially reported — and what action it may take against its athletes if their behavior is found to have fallen short of expected standards.

Conflicting accounts?

The US Olympic Committee said the reported robbery occurred after the athletes left a party at the French hospitality house.

On Sunday, Lochte gave a chilling account to NBC, which is broadcasting the Olympics in the United States, saying the swimmers’ taxi was pulled over and men flashed a police badge at the Americans before forcing them to the ground. After Lochte refused to get down, he said a man cocked a gun and pressed it against his head.

But he changed his account slightly Wednesday, NBC reported, saying the men were robbed after using a toilet at a gas station. Lochte said two men tried to force them to the ground, one pointing a gun inches from him when he refused.

Ostrow said the gun was pointed near his client’s head, not against it, adding the difference was just “a matter of inches.”

Public speculation about the incident was fueled by the release of a video obtained by the Daily Mail, which it said was filmed shortly after the reported robbery.

The video appears to show the four swimmers returning to the Olympic Village, and in possession of high-value items that might be expected to have been taken in an armed robbery.

CNN is unable to authenticate the video.

Brazilian Judge Keyla Blanc De Cnop said the athletes’ jocular behavior upon arrival at the Olympic Village — combined with inconsistencies in their statements — led police to question the veracity of their claim.

The judge noted that Lochte had said a single robber approached the athletes and demanded all their money ($400), while Feigen’s statement said a number of robbers targeted the athletes but only one was armed.

‘Happy that they’re alive’

Initial reports about the incident were confusing, with an International Olympic Committee spokesman first saying they were “absolutely not true” at a press conference Sunday.

He later backtracked and apologized, saying he was relying on initial information from the US Olympic Committee that was incorrect.

Ostrow told CNN that the discrepancy came because Lochte first told his mother about the incident and then she relayed it to the media.

Lochte held off on going to the media until he realized he was not in violation of any US Olympic Committee rules, but by then, the story had gone public, Ostrow said.

Ostrow said the video doesn’t show a complete picture of what happened, especially considering it has no audio.

“That video shows me nothing — it shows guys coming home at 6 or 7 in the morning and shows me they’re happy that they’re alive,” he said.

String of thefts

Ostrow suggested authorities were unfairly targeting the swimmers.

“When you have one of America’s athletes who comes out and said something happened to him that happens to people there every single day, that doesn’t look good for a country trying to have a successful Olympics,” Ostrow told CNN over the phone Thursday.

The swimmers are not the only athletes in Rio to complain of theft.

The British Olympic Association told CNN on Thursday that one of its athletes had been a victim of theft there.

“We can confirm there has been an incident of theft involving a Team GB athlete returning to their accommodation. All members of our delegation, including the individual concerned, are accounted for, and are safe and well,” a representative said.

The Australian team also said they had property stolen during a fire evacuation of the team’s building in the Olympic Village.

‘He’s the victim’

Some Twitter users rushed to the swimmers’ defense while chiding Brazilian authorities, many using the hashtag #LochteGate.

Another described the event as “unlucky,” suggesting the police rarely do anything about crime.

But others were not so convinced.

The removal of the swimmers from the plane Wednesday night follows reports that the Brazilian judge issued a search and seizure warrant for Lochte’s and Feigen’s passports as questions emerged about their accounts.

Federal Police say Lochte left Brazil on Monday on a commercial flight, two days before the judicial order.

Sergio Riera, an attorney for Conger and Bentz, said the swimmers were frightened and confused as to why they had been taken off their flight and over what they were being ordered to do by authorities.

“Until that confusion is resolved, they won’t be making statements (to police) but will later obviously be prepared to cooperate in whatever the police require,” Riera said.

Brazilian civil police said they continue to look for the taxi driver with whom the athletes say they were riding. Police say they have asked the driver to come forward.

HOUSTON — If you think about it, all of us are born with a terminal illness. It's called life.

The difference is some die much earlier than others. And sometimes, in the darkest moments of our existence, the only thing we as humans can do is find the light to carry on.

For the McDonald family, the light shines brightest in their two daughters Cora and Tessa. First-born Cora was diagnosed with Infantile Tay Sachs disease at just 7 months old halting her natural growth and development.

Over the next two years Cora’s condition regressed to the point that she needs around the clock care.

Holly McDonald, Cora’s mom, says, “At diagnoses she could sit up and say mama and da and hi and put things in her mouth. We took her places and she could see what was going on around her. Now she's lost most of her vision, she has a lot of seizures everyday, she's not able to eat by mouth, she requires a lot of care."

The family said despite the daily struggles, they never lose hope. Cause every day with this beautiful face is a special one.

LAS VEGAS — Talk about a knock-down, drag out UFC death match — and that was just at the press conference!

"Get the [heck] out of here!" Conor McGregor yelled at his rival Nate Diaz. "Get the [heck] out of here!"

A Vegas press conference to promote their upcoming match  morphed into absolute mayhem at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The trash-talking duo fired a barrage of obscenities back and forth at each other after McGregor was 30 minutes late for the presser.

UFC President Dana White decided to start the press conference without McGregor, and that set the tone for the over-the-top antics that followed.

McGregor hurled insults at Diaz and vice-verse.

At one point, Diaz pops up and makes a dramatic exit from the stage and yells out to McGregor: "F--k your whole team. How about that?"

Each fighter's entourage did plenty of verbal sparring, too. They threw water bottles at each other from across the room.

If the press conference is any indication, this fight is gonna be really nasty!

Gentlemen, it's on!

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — Ryan Lochte may have won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics, but he is now the golden boy of internet memes.

HOUSTON — The Texans hosted their first practice against the New Orleans Saints Thursday as the two teams prepare for their pre-season game Saturday night.

"Going up against other competition is always good for us because we can't game plan, you just have to go out there and run your offense," Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. "You don't have time to study the other opponent. You just have to go out there and make what you have work."

Quarterback Brock Osweiler added, "We had a general idea of what the Saints would do because of their tape from last season, but we saw two or three different fronts that we had no idea were going to come at us today.  I think the best part about it was no one blinked an eye, we pointed our hots, we signaled out some routes, we checked to a run, we got some positive yards and we moved on to the next play."

For Saints rookie running back Daniel Lasco, it's a homecoming visit since he's from The Woodlands.

"It's great," Lasco said. "It's an honor, it's a blessing just being able to have your family up in the stands supporting you, seeing all your hard work pay off."

Saturday's game kicks off 7 p.m. at NRG Stadium.

HOUSTON — It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes one to keep them safe.

That's why the Houston Fire department, Houston Police Department, HISD Police, HISD Transportation and Crime Stoppers teamed up Thursday for a joint press conference.

"We want to really encourage parents as they're driving the kids to school is put the cellphone down," HFD Sr. Captain Ruy Lozano said.. "Don't be texting. Or for new teen drivers, keep your eyes on the road."

Last week, Texas saw another child die after being left in a hot car. "We encourage you to put your cell phone in the backseat," Lozano said. "It serves two purposes. One, you'll check the backseat before you get out, and two, you won't be able to text and drive."

Lt. Richard Barrera with HISD Police encourages drivers to practice patience on the road.

"Starting next week, I would advise that you leave a little bit earlier than you normally do. Get in the new routine because that's the way it's gonna be for the next nine months," Barrera said.

"Parents, please talk to your kids about any potential risk (in the real world and online)," Rania Mankarious of Houston Crime Stoppers said. "If you're allowing them to walk to and from school alone, take the time to talk to them about the risks."

"Stay away from strangers and remember, a stranger is anybody that you don't know," HPD Officer Barry Curtis said. "If you have to walk to school, walk in groups. Don't walk by yourself and don't take shortcuts."

For kids taking the bus, HISD has purchased 44 new buses, each equipped with even safer, three-point seat belts.

"When that bus is stopped, when the lights are activated," HISD Transportation manager Alan Delaney warns impatient drivers, "please stop because at that point a student is getting on or getting off."

"Pay attention to us," pleads Carla Lewis, an HISD bus driver for 27 years, "We're driving a precious cargo. We're driving your children."

"And kids, as you go back to school and you have a wonderful school year ahead of you," Mankarious said. "Realize that safety's in your hands, too. And it's really important that you take steps to make sure that you're safe, day in and day out."

Safety first: an excellent lesson to start off the new school year.