If you’re like most your electric bills eat up a significant amount of your income each month. The most important thing you can do is shop around for the lowest electric rate. 2 Investigates Amy Davis asked 4 Sugar Land customers to hand over their bills to see if we could save them some money.

CenterPoint Energy will increase electric rates by about $1 a month starting next year. The increase will gradually rise until customers are paying an extra $4 a month by 2028.

If your electricity bill feels unusually high, your plan might be part of the problem. Some common shopping mistakes could be costing Texas consumers hundreds of dollars a year.

We’ve heard from more of you who are dealing with issues of repeat power outages. You are looking for answers from CenterPoint Energy. KPRC 2 Investigates reporter Amy Davis is answering your questions and has what you need to know.

In a report conducted by WalletHub, Texas was revealed to be the number one state in financial distress in the country.

For patients like Abjei-Sarpong, a 25-year-old sickle cell patient who depends on Medicaid to help cover her life-saving treatments, these sweeping changes could be devastating.

For years, nationwide inflation has been a thorn in people’s sides, but could there finally be some relief in sight?

How much residents pay for water in Houston is a significant focus of the ongoing “Drained” investigation. The city may hire a consulting company to study its water rates.

The NFL league year kicked off with two former Super Bowl MVPs hitting the open market.

One of the bills limits where smoke shops can operate; something KPRC 2 touched on when a Houston ISD parent was concerned about how close a smoke shop was to Wharton Dual Language Academy.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has given the approval for CenterPoint Energy to move ahead with a proposal to utilize 15 large emergency generation units to help address the state’s generation shortfall concerns.

The first phase of Houston’s water bill improvement plan is nearing completion. However, instead of improvements, many customers are reporting higher bills than before the mayor’s promised changes.

The Chiefs are slight favorites to beat the Bills on Sunday and get a shot at winning an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl.

Texas is no longer requiring drivers to get a vehicle safety inspection in order to get their car registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

There might by more intrigue in the race for the No. 1 pick than in the race to make the playoffs in the final three weeks.

The Buffalo Bills upgraded their patchwork group of receivers by acquiring Amari Cooper in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

The Houston Texans are off to a 3-1 start to the year after completing a late fourth quarter comeback over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This week on Texans Pep Talk, the crew break down the game winning touchdown and Nico Collins big day.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane opened training camp by firing back at an anonymous critic of quarterback Josh Allen.

Japan has issued its first new banknotes in two decades, yen packed with 3D hologram technology to fight counterfeiting.

Unexpected, unexplained fees are driving up the cost of doctor visits for families across Houston. We are talking hundreds of dollars in charges above your co-pay. They’re called “facility fees,” and patients are told days or weeks after their appointments they have to pay up. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis is looking into these facility fees and getting answers for people who are worried about their own bills.

More mail delays. The never-ending story continues for Houstonians. A local woman wants answers from the US postal service.

CenterPoint Energy has filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas on Dec. 14 to increase customers energy bills by February 2024, according to its proposal.

Five weeks after KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered questionable connections between businesses awarded millions in waterline repair jobs and city of Houston employees, we're digging deeper to show you what city leaders have done with the information.

The Texans will have a lot of questions to be answered as camp begins and the countdown to the season begins.

Stefon Diggs was back on the field practicing, and Bills coach Sean McDermott said whatever lingering issues from last season that raised concern and confusion over the absence of Buffalo’s top receiver a day earlier have been resolved.

KPRC 2 first told you about the complex in February after residents spoke out about mold, increases in HOA fees, and issues with maintenance requests. Now residents say they are receiving letters from the HOA’s attorney about harassment and the residents are also faced with a temporary restraining order.

The Texas Public Utility Commission is fining Texas New Mexico Power $1.7 million dollars for its failure to upgrade its electric meters before the 3G network it relied on was taken down.KPRC 2 Investigates has reported the problems caused by the outdated meters for months.

Hundreds of electric customers in League City, Galveston, Alvin, and along the gulf coast are getting inaccurate, inflated electric bills. One woman called our KPRC 2 Investigates team when her electric company insisted she pays $2,000 she didn’t owe or get her power shut off.

The Robb Elementary School shooter had hundreds of unexcused absences, and a House investigative report noted it was unclear whether any attempts were made by the school district to find out what was happening in the teen’s life before he was involuntarily withdrawn.

Bills coach Sean McDermott is trying to keep things light as a major snowstorm hits Buffalo and disrupts the team's schedule.

Josh Allen passed for 297 yards while accounting for four touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills stamped themselves as a clear contender for the Rams’ Super Bowl crown with a 31-10 victory over Los Angeles.

Your phone bills - both cell service and landlines - may be going up next month, thanks to a fee increase passed by the Public Utility Commission in July. Many of you were emailing to ask about this, concerned about just how high your bills may go.

Dozens of homeowners in Kingwood are struggling to understand and pay sky-high water bills from the city of Houston. Our KPRC 2 Investigates team is looking into the bills and what you should do if you need help!

Micah Hyde considered canceling his charity softball game after hearing about the shooting Saturday at a Buffalo supermarket.

Our KPRC 2 Investigates team took your questions to an energy insider to find out everything you need to know about changes to the electric market and your bill.

Get ready for higher natural gas bills in 2022.

Have you looked at your natural gas bill this month? KPRC2 Investigates looks into why some natural gas customers are suddenly being hit with higher bills. What's going on and how you can fight back.

From overreaching homeowner’s association boards that try to control what you can do with your property to corrupt directors, KPRC 2 News has shown you the stories right here in Houston and across Texas that are frustrating hardworking homeowners.

There is now more help available if you need assistance paying your utility bills.

Glossary for key terms electric customers should knowRetail Electric Provider (REP): This is the company you pay for your electric service. The Provider of Last Resort (POLR): This company becomes your provider when your REP exits the market for any reason. AdVolunteer Retail Electric Providers (VREP): A REP that has volunteered to provide POLR service. Entrust Energy customers will not need to seek a POLR. Entrust Energy customers will not have an interruption in service.

SUGAR LAND, Texas – The Sugar Land City Council recently approved steps to help residents impacted by last week’s winter storm. “Residents of Sugar Land have endured conditions no one should have to experience during the past week,” said Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman in a release. AdCalculations for 2021 winter averages will be based on last year’s average to ensure excessive water usage related to the recent winter storm doesn’t create higher than normal winter averages, according to the city. AdThis will include the following items through May 1:Permit fees for repairs needed as a result of the winter storm will be temporarily waived. Contractors registering with the city to perform repairs related to the winter storm will have their annual registration fee waived.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called an emergency meeting with lawmakers Saturday aimed at addressing the high energy bills being sent to some Texans after this week’s winter storm. “It is unacceptable for Texans who suffered through days in the freezing cold without electricity or heat to now be hit with skyrocketing energy costs,” Abbott said in a written statement. AdAbbott said he wants to “develop solutions to ensure that Texans are not on the hook for unreasonable spikes in their energy bills.”After the meeting, Abbott called it productive and bipartisan. According to Abbott, lawmakers will now begin the task of calculating the total cost of these energy bills and determine how the state can reduce the burden on customers.

Not because it will get anyone’s lights on faster, but because residents and business owners could be out a lot of money if some electricity providers start to fold in the days ahead. CenterPoint said customers without power should be prepared to have no power for several more days. - These conditions in the electric industry mean we will likely start to see some retail electric providers (These are the companies you pay for electricity.) That is what the retail electric providers pay to get it. Some electric providers are telling customers to please leave... even offering $100 off their last electric bills to encourage customers to go somewhere else.

It was an enormous mistake in the opening minutes of the AFC championship game on Sunday, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid could have easily given his young wide receiver the cold shoulder. They're going to keep me up, keep me motivated — make sure I don't have my head down,” Hardman said. They have been without Sammy Watkins since Week 16 because of a calf injury, and the veteran wide receiver was a surprise scratch on Sunday, putting pressure on Hardman and fellow wide receiver Byron Pringle to continue to pick up the slack. “We are a group of guys that want to be perfect and strive for that perfection, no matter what we do. I think we're going to take that same mentality into the Super Bowl.”___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

They do have a sack in an NFL-record 71 straight games and have sacked Philip Rivers 15 times during seven games while he played for the Chargers. Rivers has had two or more TD passes in five straight games. He had career bests of 10 catches for 163 yards last week, and Ridley's seven 100-yard games lead the NFL. The 19 straight seasons without losing both games to a divisional opponent is an NFL record. The Jaguars have allowed at least 24 points in each of those 13 games, an NFL record.

The average age for people going through their first divorce is 30 years old, and 40% of women older than 65 are widows. In fact, women are 80% more likely to be impoverished in retirement. She dedicates her life to helping women create a life plan, not just a financial plan. “Know what you have and know where the money is,” Bajalia told Ivanhoe. She tells other women to always be involved in all aspects of their financial life.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)The AFC doesn’t lack for drama or star power even though Tom Brady has taken his talents to Davis Beach. WEST: The Chiefs (8-1) are still the class of the conference despite a hiccup against the resurgent Raiders (5-3), who won 40-32 at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 11. Mahomes became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 100 TD passes, doing it in 40 games, four fewer than Dan Marino. The Broncos (3-5) have been waylaid by injuries and COVID-19 opt-outs, exposures and infections and Drew Lock went 45 drives without a TD pass.

That means that going into tonight’s Saints-Buccaneers showdown, home teams are 65-65-1 so far this season. That homefield advantage has largely been erased with sparse crowds or no fans at games because of the coronavirus pandemic. Las Vegas though has taken control on its first two drives of the second half. Neither had started an NFL game, but both have been in the league much longer than DiNucci. The Tennessee Titans already lost left tackle Taylor Lewan for the season, and now they are without left guard Rodger Saffold.

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – All New York Jets players and coaches have tested negative for COVID-19, and Sunday's game against Arizona will be played on time. We look forward to our game this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.”During the summer, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had a similar false positive. By sending everyone home from the facility Friday morning, the Jets took the appropriate steps under the NFL/NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. The league already postponed, then rescheduled the Titans’ game with Pittsburgh from Oct. 4 to Oct. 25 during the outbreak. That would be the sixth NFL game to be rescheduled — all this month.

MortgagesHomeowners struggling to pay their mortgage should contact their loan servicer to discuss payment options. Some states are offering rent assistance, like Delaware, which offers up to $1,500 to residents struggling to pay rent or electric bills because of coronavirus. Student loansThose with federal student loans may not have to make payments through September 30, as the government is suspending payments and waiving interest on federal student loans for six months. The six-month suspension and interest waiver applies only to federally held loans, roughly 85% of federal student loans. That includes Direct federal loans, as well as PLUS loans that parents may have taken out on behalf of their children.

KPRC 2consumer expert Amy Davis spoke with financial educator Tiffany Aliche to help guide you through which bills to pay and which ones to delay. I don’t have enough money to pay rent. Sugar Land real estate attorney Himesh Ghandi talked with Davis about what your rights are in case you can’t make rent. Worried about making your mortgage or rent payment during the coronavirus outbreak? Click here to read more about how you can get help if you are struggling with mortgage or rent payments.

HOUSTON – When was the last time you called your cable company to get your bill lowered? You have to do a little comparison shopping before you call up your cable company. When negotiating your cable bill, “cutting the cord” and “streaming” are things you should mention that you are considering to trim your expenses. Your cable company doesn’t want to lose you as a customer. Kyle has created this article that tells you exactly how to negotiate with Dish Network, DirecTV, AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.

They call it the wild card round - well the Texans and Bills matchup lived up to the wild part of that. But several hours later and after nearly five quarters of football, the Texans emerged with an unforgettable 22-19 overtime win over the Bills. Here’s what the players and head coach Bill O’Brien were saying after their come-from-behind wild card win over the Bills. The Houston fans, they’re great because they’re going to let you know when you’re not playing well, and they’re going to let you know when you are playing well. It was a huge play.