Proposed law filed on behalf of school district police officer wounded in Santa Fe HS shooting
U.S. Rep. Randy Weber and Sen. Ted Cruz have introduced the Officer John Barnes Act to set a 270-day deadline for deciding claims filed with the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program. This legislation aims to eliminate long waits for first responders like Officer John Barnes, who has been waiting years for his benefits after being critically injured in the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting.
Signing up for new electricity plan? What Houston customers should know beforehand
Choosing a new electric plan, comparing rates and fees can be complicated. It’s why some customers pay an electric broker or a third party to find the lowest rates. But some customers say their energy company is threatening to cancel their contracts because they signed up with the help of a broker. KPRC 2 Investigative reporter Amy Davis is asking - can they do that?
Investigators: Candidate for Fort Bend Co. Commissioner created online persona, racially attacked opponents and himself
In Fort Bend County, investigators say online impersonation in a key political race resulted in handcuffs for a politician who was viewed by many within Democratic circles as a candidate on the rise. Now there are questions of “What’s next?” after Democrat Taral Patel was arrested on Wednesday on third-degree felony charge of online impersonation and a Class-A misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity. The arrest comes weeks after Patel secured the Democratic nomination in the race for County Commissioner of Precinct 3.
How this Texas law was used to charge a Fort Bend Co. Commissioner candidate with faking social media attacks
A law that was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2009 has helped play a roll in the arrest of Democrat Taral Patel, who is accused of portraying himself as someone he is not over the internet.
Top 5 most outrageous Houston water bills the KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ investigation helped resolve
The KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation is getting big results! You may know last month seven people were charged in a water line repair scandal, after Amy Davis exposed shady contract dealings. This is after the entire Houston water department changed the way they bill Houston customers. All of this is in addition to the massive amount of money Amy and the team have helped get back for customers with high and confusing water bills.
What’s being done to prevent another city contracts scandal in Houston following ‘DRAINED’ investigation
A small change to prevent another multi-million-dollar corruption scandal like the one KPRC 2 Investigates exposed in the Houston water department. Our ‘DRAINED’ investigation led to seven criminal indictments. Investigative reporter Amy Davis went to the Houston city council meeting to find out about the new change to city processes.
Questions persist about tiny corporation linked to Houston Airport System and chaired by city’s airport director
KPRC 2 Investigates has uncovered ongoing concerns about the Houston Airport System’s Development Corporation (HASDC), a small, self-funded non-profit corporation that generates significant revenue, yet operates with little transparency and close ties to high-ranking city officials. Despite reporting substantial assets and providing large grants, questions remain about its financial operations and lack of clear oversight.
Ownership questions continue to surround private African art collection found in county shed by KPRC 2 Investigates
It is undoubtedly one of the stories KPRC 2 Investigates hears more about than any other in recent memory: A February 2020 investigation into a massive private African art collection we uncovered secretly stored inside of an old Harris County maintenance shed at the expense of taxpayers.
Former Houston water department manager now in custody after felony charges in shady water line repair contracts
Former City of Houston water department manager is now in custody after being charged with abuse of official capacity, tampering with documents. Investigator Amy Davis's work has shed light on questionable contracts within the Houston Public Works department. #HoustonWaterScandal #InvestigativeReporting
‘Restitution must be made’ says Judge to former Houston city worker charged after DRAINED probe into shady contracts
During her first appearance in Probable Cause court Friday, a judge accosted her for abusing her position as a public servant noting there are still more than half a million dollars worth of unaccounted funds.
After the storm outages, can more of Houston’s power grid go underground?
After the recent storm in Houston that caused widespread power outages, the question of burying power lines has been raised. While it may prevent outages during severe weather, it comes with a hefty price tag and maintenance challenges. Should Houston consider going underground with its power grid? Share your thoughts in the comments! #HoustonPowerGrid #StormRecovery #UndergroundPowerLines
KPRC 2 Investigator Bill Spencer tracks down estate sale shark accused of stealing $25k+ from Houston families
Doing an estate sale for your family can be a stressful and often emotional thing as you say goodbye to memories, often after saying goodbye to your loved one. KPRC 2 Investigator Bill Spencer spent months tracking down a woman accused of stealing thousands of dollars from families in the Houston area. Spencer has heard from more families who say they were also victims.
The Evidence Room, Episode 22 - The Serial Killings of Acres Homes
It was believed that a serial killer prowled the streets violently raping and killing women in the Acres Homes neighborhood in 2006. People were terrified, never knowing who was attacking these women. Then came the stunning realization that three predators treated the neighborhood as their hunting ground, never knowing of each other until they were caught.
HPD Internal Affairs Investigation into suspended cases not ‘completed’ after Chief Finner told Houstonians it was done
KPRC 2 Investigates has learned questions of integrity are being raised about a member of Houston Police Chief Troy Finner’s inner circle, extending what Finner said was a “completed” Internal Affairs Investigation into the department’s suspended sex assault cases scandal.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Car stolen while at repair shop. Who is responsible?
Last year in Houston alone thieves stole about 55 vehicles a day. That’s more than two every hour. It’s why we use car alarms, lock our doors and do our best to protect our property. And when you leave your car at a repair shop you expect them to take the same precautions. Investigative reporter Amy Davis is looking into what happens when they don’t and who’s responsible.
HOAs vs neighborhood associations: Understanding the difference
If you live in the Houston area, you’ve probably noticed some new developments in your neighborhood. Whether it’s remodeling updates on someone’s home or developers breaking ground on a new project, construction is happening all over the city.
Water bill hike coming. So what is the city doing with that extra money?
Houston’s water rates are going up again in less than two weeks on April 1st. It’s the fourth increase since September of 2021. Investigative reporter Amy Davis explains how much you can expect your bill to increase and what the city is doing with the extra money.
YMCA of Houston takes action to combat childcare deserts
Struggling to find affordable childcare in Houston? The YMCA is here to help! They're taking action to combat childcare deserts in the area, offering programs for kids of all ages. From early childcare centers to summer camps, they've got you covered. Learn more and get involved: #ChildcareDeserts #CommunitySupport #YMCAHouston
Finding affordable childcare: The biggest challenge for Houston families
Childcare deserts are impacting hundreds of thousands of children throughout Houston. KPRC's Zach Lashway is looking at solutions and what’s being done to ensure more children have access to safe and affordable high-quality childcare.
What is causing the childcare desert crisis in Houston? Here’s what we know
📢 Check out this eye-opening article on the childcare desert crisis in Houston. 🏢👶 It sheds light on the limited availability of quality childcare services in many areas, leaving parents with few options. 😢 Let's work together to address this pressing issue and ensure every child gets the care they deserve! 💪💙 [link] #ChildcareDeserts #Houston #Parenting #CommunityAction
Houston Police policy officer linked to the suspended cases investigation is still issuing department policy
KPRC 2 Investigates found one of the men who could have stopped the suspension due to the lack of manpower code in 2021, is still issuing department policies while being investigated for his role in 264,000 suspended incidents.
‘I have never heard of that’: Houston attorney weighs in after DNA matches found in HPD’s suspended sexual assault cases
In a shocking revelation, it has been discovered that 96 rape kits from suspended sexual assault investigations have returned with DNA matches! This alarming development raises serious questions about the handling of these cases and the backlog at the Houston Forensic Science Center. #JusticeForSurvivors #DNAEvidenceMatters #EndSexualAssault #AccountabilityInJusticeSystem
11th hour bankruptcy filing cancels auction of secretly stored African Art in Harris County
KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered the secretly stored art in a Harris County maintenance shed. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent to makeover the shed and store art under the control of Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
Harding Street raid: Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines re-indicted on 2 felony murder charges
Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines has been re-indicted on two felony murder charges. This development comes after two felony indictments against Goines were quashed last week. #GeraldGoines #HoustonPoliceDepartment #FelonyMurderCharges
Do you or a loved one need help? Free domestic violence resources in the Houston area
Are you in a dangerous relationship and need help? Do you know someone who needs help? In part of our effort to help people in the community, our team put together a list of groups in our area that can help victims of domestic violence.