A former Pasadena ISD student is facing a felony terroristic threat charge after he allegedly threatened to shoot up Thompson Intermediate School in a post on Instagram.

As power is restored to homes and businesses across our area many of you say you still don’t have internet. AT&T and Comcast Xfinity customer service are difficult to reach and when you do get a human on the phone, they don’t have any answers. Investigative reporter Amy Davis is answering your questions about what’s causing internet outages and what you can do about them.

Comcast is providing free WiFi hotspots in the area due to extensive power outages affecting internet service.

Many residents in Houston are facing internet outages following a recent storm that not only caused power disruptions, but also damaged the infrastructure of internet service providers.

Comcast has blacked out 15 regional sports networks offered by Bally Sports, escalating a contract dispute with their distributor.

Since 2020, Comcast RISE has awarded more than $125 million in monetary, marketing and technology grants to 13,500 businesses. Could your small business be next? Watch the full interview to learn more about the program, who is eligible and how you can apply.

The Federal Communications Commission has voted to restore rules to prevent broadband internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T from favoring some sites and apps over others — for instance, by slowing or blocking certain content or by offering higher speeds to customers willing to pay extra.

A grandmother worried about paying daily HOA fines calls KPRC 2 to help resolve issues with a utility box in front of her home.

Hackers accessed Xfinity customers’ personal information by exploiting a vulnerability in software used by the company, the Comcast-owned telecommunications business announced this week.

Walt Disney Co. said it will acquire a 33% stake in Hulu from Comcast for at least $8.6 billion, a deal that will give Disney full control of the streaming service.

Comcast is investing in local programs to help you build or learn digital skills that will provide greater opportunities and help you navigate the digital world with ease. Learn about Digital Navigator courses here.

Military veterans know that some companies offer discounts and savings to thank them for their service to our country, but you may not know veterans can save on their cable bills as well.

Shares are higher in Asia after Wall Street rallied to its best day since January.

Jeff Shell, the chief executive of NBCUniversal, is departing the company after an investigation into inappropriate conduct, parent company Comcast announced Sunday.

The Houston Association of Black Journalists held its Annual Student Mentor Breakfast Saturday at KPRC 2 News. The station welcomed dozens of students, eager to get advice and valuable face-time from some of the best and brightest in the media and communications field.

Comcast Texas is investing in Houston communities giving neighbors a chance to reach greater heights by accessing the many opportunities available in our digital world. Their Digital Navigators pilot program is providing a back to basic technology curriculum that aims to close the digital divide

IN THIS EPISODE:

With rising inflation and interest rates, consumers are looking to save wherever possible. What some fail to realize is they have been paying extra for internet access. KPRC 2 Investigates discovered customers wrongly paying a certain sales tax for years and now, those customers will be getting a refund. What we uncovered will have you checking your bills a little closer.

Houston Newsmakers: Controversy over Fort Bend Grand Parkway Segment C between George Foundation, developer

Fort Bend County Judge KP George announced the recipients for the second round of Comcast RISE Investment Fund $10,000 grants for small businesses owned by people of color in the Houston area.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will hold a news conference to announce the second round of Comcast RISE Investment Fund grants for Houston area minority-owned small businesses.

Free Wi-Fi now available at City of Houston multi-service centers and some parksHOUSTON – The city of Houston is offering free Wi-Fi at several multi-service centers and parks with the help of Comcast. The 14 Lift Zone Wi-Fi hotspots are made to help residents connect to the internet, with the goal of helping them participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy. The partnership will provide free internet connectivity in Houston Health Department Multi-Service Centers and Houston Park Community Centers for the next three years. The hotspots will be active and accessible both indoors and outdoors at the following sites:City of Houston Health Department Multi-Service Centers:Acres Homes Multi-Service Center – 6719 W. Montgomery Rd, 77091 – 832-393-4145 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center – 6402 Market Street, 77020 – 832395-0895 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center – 4014 Market Street, 77020 – 832-393-3800 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center – 3810 W. Fuqua Street, 77045 – 832-393-4240 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Kashmere Multi-Service Center - 4802 Lockwood Drive, 77026 – 832-393-5503 (7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Magnolia Multi-Service Center – 7037 Capitol Street, 77011 – 832-395-3380 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Northeast Multi-Service Center – 9720 Spaulding Street, 77016 – 832-395-0472 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Southwest Multi-Service Center – 6400 High Star Drive, 77074 – 832-395-9900 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)Third Ward Multi-Service Center – 3611 Ennis Street, 77004 – 832-393-4051 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)West End Multi-Service Center – 170 Heights Boulevard, 77007 – 832-393-5950 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday)City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department Community Centers:Side note: Currently, parks Community Centers buildings remain closed, except for After-School Enrichment Programming. Emancipation Park Community Center – 3018 Emancipation Avenue, 77004Hartman Park Community Center – 9311 East Avenue P., 77012DeZavala Park Community Center - 907 76th Street, 77012Melrose Park Community Center – 1001 Canino, 77076How to sign into the Comcast Experience Lift Zone Hotspots follow the following steps:

HOUSTON – Now that we’ve got electricity, many of you are asking If you can get a credit or refund for cable and internet service you couldn’t use this week because of the power outages. Can you get a credit or refund for cable and internet service you couldn’t use when power was out? In some cases, customers may have power but not their Xfinity services because electricity has not been restored in the area of our network that serves their neighborhood. If you had electricity but no cable or internet, you can request a credit. Comcast said though, in some instances, it was the commercial power from Centerpoint that was down that caused the loss of services into customers’ homes even if the customers’ electricity was on.

HOUSTON – BIPOC businesses in Houston will be getting a nice shot in the arm, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Comcast announced Tuesday. The Comcast RISE Investment Fund will provide $5 million in grants to hundreds of small businesses across the country owned by Black people, indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC). “Many of our businesses - small businesses and businesses of color - have been hard hit due to this pandemic, and the fact that (Comcast is) stepping up through this initiative to help out these businesses will not only benefit the businesses but also will for the employees,” Turner said. In total, Houston BIPOC businesses will receive $1 million in aid from the program. Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia are the other cities benefitting from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund.

Eight community volunteers are being honored by Comcast this year, in celebration of Black History Month. It has been four years now since the Mayor’s History Makers Awards presented by Comcast kicked off. Comcast partners with the Mayor of Houston annually to recognize eight African-American citizens who are making a difference in the local community. They deserve to be celebrated every day -- and especially during Black History Month,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. Publisher, Houston Style Magazine; Edward Pollard, Houston City Council Member, District J; and Dr. Ruth Simmons, President, Prairie View A&M University.

Users across the northeast U.S. reported widespread internet outages Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)Internet users across the northeast U.S. experienced widespread outages for several hours Tuesday, interrupting work and school because of an unspecified Verizon network issue. “An internet issue impacting the quality of our Fios service throughout the Northeast has been resolved," said spokesman Rich Young in an emailed statement Tuesday afternoon. People posting on Twitter reported having issues connecting with various online services in the region stretching from Washington, D.C., to Boston. Comcast, another major internet service provider, said it had not observed problems with its network Tuesday.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Comcast have joined forces to equip 10 of the nonprofit’s Clubs in the Houston area, and its headquarters, with WiFI-connected “Lift Zones” to enable children and teens fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy. HOUSTON – Kindergarten through 12th grade students who are still in need of internet access for schoolwork can visit some Houston-area Boys & Girls Clubs to obtain free access to Wi-Fi, thanks to a partnership with Comcast. Kevin Hattery, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, said in a statement he hopes the initiative will make significant progress in students’ ability to stay current with their schoolwork and not fall further behind. Installation of these hotspots began last week, according to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. The Houston-area locations -- called “Lift Zones” -- are shown in the map below.

In partnership with Comcast, the City of Houston announced the launch of “Lift Zones” in an effort to reduce the digital divide and allow more students to successfully participate in distance learning. Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, several school districts have reported losing contact with children since the initial closures of schools in March. How it will work:In an effort to reconnect low-income families to the internet, Comcast announced plans Monday to equip nine City of Houston Community Centers with WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” before the end of 2020. The spaces will allow students to work on laptops simultaneously so they can participate in distance learning. This initiative provides free connectivity inside partner community centers for the next three years, according to the city’s website.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday that he is prepared to use a curfew to curb the increase of coronavirus cases in the city, but he called the measure a “nuclear option.”Turner said that an additional 403 COVID-19 cases were reported in the city Monday, bringing the total number of cases in Houston to 101,300. Two more coronavirus-related deaths were also reported Monday which puts the total number of deaths in the city at 1,467. Houston fire Chief Sam Peña said inspectors responded to 105 occupancy complaints between Friday and Saturday, noting most of those were resolved on-site. He said there is no single metric that will trigger a curfew, but he is following the numbers very closely. Turner said he plans on taking the vaccine publicly once it is available to him.

HOUSTON – Houston City Council has approved a nearly $625,000 program to provide internet vouchers to low-income Houstonians. Task Force has partnered with Comcast to provide around 5,000 vouchers to qualifying applicants from now until Dec. 20, 2020. This agreement will ensure qualifying applicants can continue to stay connected to the internet, a news release said. “This pandemic has highlighted the importance of quality internet service particularly for those vulnerable populations who must stay at home to stay safe,” Mayor Turner said. “During this unprecedented time, it is vital for Houstonians to stay connected to the Internet – for education, work, and personal health reasons,” said Comcast’s Melinda Little, Director of Government Affairs, Houston Region.

Moving in is exciting; but several new homeowners in one Houston community say their brand new homes are missing a crucial utility, especially during the pandemic. They have no internet service. It’s what happened to nine homeowners in north Houston who just moved into a brand new smart home community. Each home is equipped with a smart home system, but people who live there said that the lack of internet service has left their homes dumb. He said Disama Builders told him then it would take about two or three weeks to get internet service established.

So now Peacock, which launches Wednesday, is hoping that blaring free in an ad campaign for the service will entice viewers wary of adding yet another video subscription to their stack, even in todays stay-at-home world. It has a free tier and a $5-a-month paid tier with more video. Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, HBO Max and short-video service Quibi have all launched over the past year. As a Comcast internet customer, she could get Peacock for free, so she did. HBO Max did not reply to a question about its subscriber count since launch.

But Lone Star College wants to help ease the burden. The Houston North Campus has teamed up with Comcast Houston to offer some students free internet service. Like, Lone Star College student Montoya Thomas. And now thanks to a partnership between Lone Star College a Comcast Houston she doesn’t have to worry about her studies anymore. President of Lone Star College Houston North, Dr. Quentin Wright, said a lot of their students also get mentoring, tutoring and help with food.

Comcast settled a long-running a long-running racial discrimination dispute with black media mogul Byron Allen, agreeing to add three of Allen's channels to its cable packages. Allen sued Comcast for $20 billion in 2015 for refusing to carry seven of his networks, saying it was because of his race. The case made it to the Supreme Court, which in Marc h reversed a lower court ruling in favor of Allen. The Supreme Court said Allen had to show race was the decisive factor in Comcast's decision not to offer him a contract, not one of several factors. Comcast said it would put the full weight of our companys media resources behind highlighting Black voices and Black stories.

HOUSTON – Comcast is offering wifi hotspots available nationwide due to the coronavirus. The hotspots will be available with no data caps, disconnects or late fees and speeds will increase to 3 Mbps. This allows parents and students to have access to news and educational content. Once at a hotspot, select “xfinitywifi” network name from the wifi menu, then launch the preferred browser. To find an Xfinity WiFi Hotspot, check the hotspot location map at wifi.xfinity.com or download the Xfinity WiFi Hotspots app from the App Store or Google Play.

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.

Last chance to lower your Comcast cable billIf you're like me, you find yourself calling the cable company every few months to get your monthly bill lowered. Otherwise, it creeps up and before you know, you're cable bill looks more like a car note! A spokesperson sent me this statement:"At Comcast, we look for ways to innovate and enhance the customer experience. Maximize Your Social Security BenefitsWhen was the last time you checked your social security statement that shows what your monthly benefit will be when you retire? Here we look at some of the biggest social security myths that can cost you big time; and a little known benefit that many older Americans are overlooking.