📰 This Week in Investigations: Crime waves, water bills, and More!

🚨 Hey, Crime Buffs — We’re Back for Week 3! 👀🔍

HOUSTON, Texas – Three weeks of consistent newsletters? Give yourselves a round of applause, and while you’re at it, pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee because we’re just getting started.

Last week, we served up some seriously spicy stories. We exposed the Lululemon heists sweeping across Houston (and the nation), plus we pulled back the curtain on communication line theft, because nothing says “plot twist” like someone stealing your signal. 😮

But that was last week, and we’re all about fresh drama. This week, we’ve got even more jaw-dropping investigations coming your way. So, fasten your seatbelts, lace up your running shoes, and get ready for another wild ride through Houston’s latest crime stories.

No spoilers here… you’ll have to keep reading to find out! 📰✨

Let’s dive in. 🚀

➡️ Love our 2 Investigates newsletter? Share it with your family and friends!

🔦 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: What’s Unfolding Today

Get the scoop on the latest investigation shaking up Houston.

🌟 Got Noisy Neighbors? You Might Have a Short-Term Rental (STR) Problem! 🎧🚫

Ever feel like you’re living next to a revolving door of rowdy guests who treat your street like their personal party zone? 🍾😩 If the house next door always seems to have fresh faces and loud noise, chances are it’s a short-term rental (STR). And in some Houston neighborhoods, that’s becoming a big problem.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Our very own Joel Esienbaum is breaking down your rights as a homeowner and what you can do. Catch his report tonight on KPRC 2 News at 6 p.m. 📺✨

And speaking of STRs, did you know the City of Houston just passed a brand-new ordinance? That’s right, all STRs within city limits now have to register and follow new rules. In our latest article, we’ve broken down everything you need to know — from what these new regulations mean to when owners need to start applying.

Ready for the details? Dive in below! 📰👇

• Houston’s new short-term rental ordinance: What businesses need to know and when it takes effect

⚖️ Decades on Death Row: The Claren Jordan Case Takes Another Turn

It’s a story that’s spanned nearly half a century, and one we’ve been following closely. Our investigative reporter, Robert Arnold, is always on top of the latest updates when it comes to Houston’s death row cases. And this morning, a major development broke.

Attorneys for 68-year-old Clarence Jordan, who’s spent decades on death row, are now asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn his death sentence. Jordan’s case is unlike any other. Back in 1978, he was convicted of murdering a grocery store worker. But his story didn’t end there.

• 1978: Convicted and sentenced to death.
• 1983: Convicted again after his initial sentence was overturned due to incompetence.
• 1987: The state was prohibited from carrying out its sentence because of his mental state.
• 1988 to now: Jordan has not had legal representation until now.

Attorneys are now fighting to get his conviction overturned. Why? Because of the serious questions surrounding his competency and his lack of legal representation for decades.

• Texas court asked to overturn death sentence of Harris County inmate on death row for nearly 50 years

💥 Throwback Truth: The Investigations That Keep Echoing

🚨 Flashmob Shoplifters: The Wild Crime Wave Hitting Texas Stores 😱

Have you seen those jaw-dropping videos of flashmob shoplifters storming stores, grabbing anything they can carry, and bolting out like it’s a game show? Well, it’s not just a viral trend, it’s a Texas-sized problem, and the Texas Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Task Force is sounding the alarm.

We’ve uncovered just how these shoplifting sprees are impacting your wallet, and trust us, the numbers are enough to make your jaw drop. 😲

• From stores to your wallet: Understanding the financial impact of the shoplifting surge in Texas

But that’s not all. Our 2 Investigates reporter Amy Davis has been on the case, getting her hands on shocking surveillance footage and viewer cellphone videos showing these flashmobs in action targeting Lululemon stores across Houston.

• Surveillance video: Flash mob shoplifters targeted Houston Lululemon stores 51 times in 6 months

So what’s going on? Why aren’t employees stepping in? What’s driving this wave of crime? Amy has all the answers.

• Flashmob shoplifters hit lululemon stores in Houston. What’s being done to stop it?

Got a wild flashmob story of your own? We want to hear it! Drop us an email at aslaydon@kprc.com or adavis@kprc.com. 📧✨

And catch this, days following our initial story, Amy learned that thieves hit a lululemon store in City Centre, stealing more than %55,000 in clothing.

• Shoplifters snatch $55k worth of merchandise (again) from popular clothing store after KPRC 2 Investigation

💧 Houston Water Bills Under the Microscope — Here’s What You Need to Know 🚰

If you’ve been following our KPRC 2 Investigates reports on Houston’s water bills, you know we’ve been on this story for years, and this week, there’s a big update.

City council members are set to vote on hiring a consulting firm from Charlotte, North Carolina, to take a deep dive into the city’s water rates. Why does this matter? Because the last time the city did a rate study in 2019, it led to a five-year consecutive rate hike, with the final increase already locked in for 2026.

If approved, the consultants will take a hard look at the costs racked up by Houston Public Works and figure out whether the current water rates are enough to cover those expenses. So, are we in for another rate hike? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned — we’ll keep you updated. 📰✨

• What’s next for Houston water bill rates? City Council set to approve bid

🔍 ON THE TRAIL: What We’re Digging Into Next

A sneak peek at the stories we’re chasing — and why you’ll want to stay tuned in.

We know, we know; it’s been a jam-packed week of stories, but guess what? We’re not done yet! Lucky you. 😉

Next week, we’re back with even more eye-opening investigations. On Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m., our very own Keith Garvin is diving into a hot topic: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for high school athletes.

Here’s what we’re unpacking:

• 💸 How new bills in the Texas Legislature are cracking open the door to NIL deals.
• 📈 Who stands to benefit the most (and who might get left behind).
• 💡 The importance of financial literacy for young athletes making big money moves.

Don’t miss it, this is one conversation you’ll want to be a part of.

Make sure you tune in next week for even more jaw-dropping stories, in-depth investigations, and everything else we’re uncovering.

Until then, stay curious, stay informed, and stay with us. See you soon! 📰😉