Cracking down on short-term rentals used as โparty houses,โ How a Houston Council Member wants to help you fight back
Many Houston residents have voiced their frustrations with short-term rentals being used as party houses, and a city council member is looking to educate and inform so homeowners have the legal tools necessary to fight back.
Delayed sentencing for 8th time, when will convicted City Council Relations Director William-Paul Thomas be sentenced?
An update to William-PaKPRC 2 Investigates obtained federal legal records on Tuesday showing a recent โNotice of Resettingโ regarding former City of Houston City Council Relations Director William-Paul Thomas. Federal records in December showed Thomas was to have been sentenced this past Monday, January 22nd.ul Thomas sentencing date...
Push by Mayor Turnerโs airport director to make canceling airport contracts for the next mayor more difficult
On Wednesday morning at Houston City Hall there will be 74 agenda items heard by city council members. The agenda, which is one of Mayor Sylvester Turnerโs final ones as Mayor, is unusually long.
Houston city leaders take action on water billing issues following KPRC 2 DRAINED investigations
The Houston mayor said his administration has a plan to address high water bill issues in our city. He made the announcement late Tuesday, the same day multiple Houston City Council members submitted a notice to place water bill relief on the city council agenda. This is all a result of KPRC 2โฒs DRAINED investigations.
FULL LIST: Texas General Election results for Nov. 7, 2023
The 2023 General and Special Election will be held on Nov. 7, 2023. Voters who live within the city will cast their votes for Houston mayor candidates and for Houston City Council. Voters will also cast their votes for statewide and countywide propositions, county bond issues, school district props and trustees.
โWhat are we waiting for?โ Tense moments during city council meeting over $5M Fifth Ward relocation fund proposal
Last year, the Houston Health Department said it found cancer-causing chemicals in the soil around the Union Pacific Railroad yard. The soil contained dioxin, a highly toxic chemical compound associated with cancer and other severe health risks.
Pet store owner accused of breaking โpuppy millโ ordinance faces arrest after skipping trial
A Houston pet store owner is accused of breaking the Cityโs โhumane pet storeโ ordinance which bans stores from selling animals from puppy mills, instead requiring sales of puppies from places like animal shelters or private rescues.
Another sentencing delay for former Houston Director of Council Relations William-Paul Thomas
The third time proved not to be the charm for former Director of City Council Relations for the City of Houston William-Paul Thomas. Federal legal records obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates show the federal sentencing date for Thomas has been pushed back from next week to June.
Hobby Airport food fight ends with vote pushing out Pappas
The city of Houston awarded a lucrative Hobby Airport concessions contract to a new company, pushing out Pappas restaurant amid much debate. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and 10 other council members voted โyesโ in favor of awarding the contract, with six voting โno.โ
Investigates: Emails show city council relations director, William Paul Thomas, had close communication with private businessman
City of Houston leaders are calling for an outside investigation into the actions of a now former city director, William Paul Thomas, after KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered emails showing negotiations in favor of a private businessman.
Tenants at deteriorating Timber Ridge Apartments take housing concerns to Houston City Hall
Tenants at Timber Ridge Apartments spoke in front of Houston City Council members and Mayor Sylvester Turner Tuesday to voice their concerns about the hazardous conditions hundreds of them have reportedly been experiencing while living there.
Fifth Ward residents asks city to reject bid for special designation by property owner they claim is avoiding contamination clean up
Pleasant Hill Village Retirement Community was built in 1998, but decades before, the land was occupied by an auto repair shop, washateria and a dry cleaner. Three businesses that left behind toxic chemicals that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality confirmed have contaminated the soil and groundwater.
Bissonnet prostitution hot spot: Officials post warning ahead of Houston Bill 2795 going into effect on Sept. 1
Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard are expected to hold a news conference with other local officials Monday to remind residents of the effective date of House Bill 2795, and how the two offices are partnering to address Bissonnet Street (between Beltway 8 and Southwest Freeway), an area known nationally for prostitution.
Put to the test: Are your elected leaders responding to taxpayersโ concerns?
In election years, we see political signs and candidates for public office everywhere. They are out canvassing neighborhoods and greeting voters. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made our elected leaders less visible. There have been no face to face public meetings for months. We wondered how well those men and women are connecting and communicating with the constituents they serve.
Houston City Council unanimously approves Troy Finner as next police chief
HOUSTON โ The Houston City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the appointment of Troy Finner as the next police chief. Finner takes over for outgoing Chief Art Acevedo, who is leaving to become the top cop in Miami. Finner is a native of Houston and grew up in the Fifth Ward. He attended James Madison High School and earned a bachelorโs degree from Sam Houston State University and a masterโs degree from the University of Houston. Finner takes the helm at HPD on April 5.
NAACP Houston Branch, other organizations condemn city council memberโs social media post
HOUSTON โ Members of the NAACP Houston Branch and the Womenโs Coalition for Womenโs Empowerment gathered on the steps of Houston City Hall in response to a recent social media post by City Councilman Greg Travis. Councilman Greg Travis maintains his comment specifically was directed toward his thoughts on the former first ladyโs performance in the unelected position. RELATED: Houston City Councilman Greg Travis faces backlash over Facebook commentsโEverybody can have an opinion. She said his post disparaged Black womenโs hard work. He has yet to acknowledge these women worked hard to reach their dreams and strive for a better life, said Robinson.
Houston partners with Comcast to provide nearly 5,000 internet vouchers
HOUSTON โ 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. โThis pandemic has highlighted the importance of quality internet service particularly for those vulnerable populations who must stay at home to stay safe,โ Mayor Turner said. โDuring this unprecedented time, it is vital for Houstonians to stay connected to the Internet โ for education, work, and personal health reasons,โ said Comcastโs Melinda Little, Director of Government Affairs, Houston Region.
Houston City Council approves $10 million to boost Small Business Economic Relief Program
HOUSTON โ The Houston City Council approved $10 million in additional funding for the Small Business Economic Relief Program. The money will come from the CARES Act 2020 funds and will bring the total money set aside for the program to $35 million. The program provides grant assistance to small businesses and chambers of commerce that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The maximum amount a business or chamber can receive from the SBERP is $50,000, according to the city. This component is meant to ensure businesses that receive grant funds have a higher likelihood of surviving the pandemic.
Houston City Council approves additional round of COVID-19 relief funds for residents during pandemic
HOUSTON โ Houston City Council unanimously approved Wednesday to bring another round of COVID-19 relief funds for residents during the coronavirus pandemic. The city has once again partnered with BakerRipley to help support the direct financial assistance program that is already in place. The city and BakerRipley are finalizing the eligibility criteria and distribution logistics by the end of the week, according to a release. โWeโve worked with the city, the county, and other community organizations on several COVID-19 relief programs. The county program provided $1,200 per household and the city of Houston program is expected to award the same amount, according to the release.
More relief could be coming for Houstonians struggling during the pandemic
HOUSTON โ Houston City Council members will consider an agenda item on Tuesday morning in connection with the Cityโs Rental Assistance Program for people affected by COVID-19. Agenda Item 17 showed it is โnecessary to extend the program to assist Houstonians who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 and its secondary.โAccording to the paperwork on the agenda, The funding would allow for a one-time payment of $1,200 for financial assistance for up to 23,750 individuals. If approved, the mayor said that the funds would available this month. โThe plan is to get those dollars out in the month of December, and people can utilize that on whatever means utilities, rent, childcare, you name it,โ said Mayor Sylvester Turner. The agenda shows that Baker Ripley would be paid up to a maximum of $1.5 million to execute the plan.
Date set for Houston City Council District B runoff over a year after the original election
HOUSTON โ A date for the runoff in the race for Houston City Council District B seat has been set, more than a year after the original election. Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins announced Wednesday that the deciding contest between Cynthia Bailey and Tarsha Jackson will be held Dec. 12. Jackson finished first in the 2019 general election but did not garner enough of the vote to avoid a runoff with Bailey, the second-place finisher. โItโs a shame that it has taken this long to determine the future of District B, but Iโm glad that this matter will soon be put to rest,โ Hollins said in a written statement. โVoters in District B will have an important decision to make this December.โThe District B seat is still filled by Councilman Jerry Davis, who was to vacate the seat because of term limitations.
Houston City Council passes ordinance to ban parking on bike lanes
HOUSTON โ Houston City Council has passed an ordinance Thursday that prohibits vehicles to park in dedicated bicycle lanes. Mayor Sylvester Turner, who listened to bicyclists, said in a statement the city is taking a step further to protect the designated bike lanes for Houstonians to enjoy. โThe ordinance is an opportunity to promote safety and educate those who park in dedicated bicycle lanes without realizing how it impedes access," Mayor Turner said in a statement. A flyer will be distributed to vehicles parking on the bike lanes during a 90-day warning period, however no word on when the 90-day period will start. The ordinance is also a commitment by the city of Houston to become a bike-friendly city by the year 2027, according to the release.
City aims to make Houston more walkable and transit-oriented
HOUSTON Helping improve the Houston experience for pedestrians and bicycle riders is the goal for two new ordinances recently approved by Houston City Council. The Transit-Oriented ordinance will make updates to streets within half of a mile of a bus or transit station and the Walkable Ordinance will dictate how new buildings and re-development are constructed. As the fourth largest city in the United States, a number of areas in Houston are attracting bigger business buildings and residential developments. This type of construction presents an opportunity to create more vibrant, walkable streets that support alternative modes of transportation, according to Principal Planner for the City of Houston, Muxian Fang. If they do not comply they will not get the permit, said Fang, Principal Planner for the City of Houston.
Houston City Council members suggest sweeping police policy reforms in letter to Mayor Sylvester Turner
HOUSTON Five Houston City Council members sent a letter to Mayor Sylvester Turner Monday with suggested police policy reforms. The letter, signed by Martha Castex-Tatum, Vice Mayor Pro Tem, Edward Pollard, Esq., Houston City Council Member, Tiffany D. Thomas, Houston City Council Member, Jerry Davis, Houston City Council Member, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Houston City Council Member -- calls for an overhaul of the Independent Police Oversight Board, among other measures including the creation of an online complaint system for interactions with police. We must create a structure of guidelines that governs the function of the new board to restore public trust with public input. This is what his office texted our newsroom: The mayor welcomes input from city council members and thanks them for their thoughtful letter. He expects other council members to weigh in.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Thursday, August 20
Here are things you need to know for Thursday, August 20:1. The program is open to more than 1,200 businesses previously vetted through the Mayors Office of Cultural Affairs. The family came up with a drive-by quinceaera birthday party. 3 things to shareWORD OF THE DAYGalliard [gal-yerd] (noun) a spirited dance for two dancers in triple rhythm, common in the 16th and 17th centuries. THIS DAY IN HISTORYAug. 20, 1619: 20 and odd Angolans, kidnapped by the Portuguese, arrive in the British colony of Virginia and are then bought by English colonists.
Appeals court upholds ruling that convicted felon can remain on City Council District B runoff ballot
HOUSTON The Texas First Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling by a lower court in the dispute over the Houston City Council District B runoff, allowing Cynthia Bailey, a convicted felon, to remain on the ballot. The justices also suggested that an injunction might be a better way for Jefferson-Smith to resolve the issue. Bailey, who finished second in the general election, was to face the first-place finisher, Tarsha Jackson, in a runoff last December. It was not immediately clear when the District B runoff would be put to the voters. Below is a copy of the Appeals Court ruling.
HPD Chief Art Acevedo makes appearance on โThe Viewโ to discuss police reform in Houston
HOUSTON โ Houston police Chief Art Acevedo called for better policing during an interview on โThe Viewโ Thursday morning. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are working to pass new police reform legislation in the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody. Among the proposed reforms comes changes to โqualified immunity,โ which shields officers from being sued for their actions on the job. During the interview, Acevedo spoke on the possible removal of the immunity -- and those calls for defunding police departments. Just last week, the Houston City Council just increased its police budget from $945 million dollars to $964 million.
Faced with $169M hole due to coronavirus, oil price slump, Houston City Council passes $5.1Bn budget for FY 21
HOUSTON Faced with the biggest budget shortfall in five years due to the coronavirus pandemic and a slump in oil prices, the Houston City Council unanimously approved Mayor Sylvester Turners $5.1 billion budget for the fiscal year 2021 Wednesday. City councilmembers debated for six hours before approving the budget for the fiscal year that will begin on July 1. They faced a budget hole of $169 million, the worst in recent history, as a result of the pandemic and oil prices. The budget includes funding for five Houston Police Department cadet classes and four Houston Fire Department cadet classes. It is a balanced budget that meets the needs of Houston residents, Turner said in a press conference Wednesday.
Houston officials increase police budget as Dallas and Austin officials consider decreases in wake of police brutality protests
The Houston City Council increased its police budget Wednesday from $945 million last year to $964 million for the upcoming fiscal year. But in Dallas, 10 of 15 City Council members sent City Manager T.C. The Austin City Council plans to vote Thursday on decreasing the police department's funding, among other reforms. Theres plenty of fat in the city budget other than just the police department," he said. Council members Adam McGough, Cara Mendelsohn, Jennifer Gates and David Blewett did not, according to the city manager's office.
Houstonโs $15 million in rent assistance runs out in just two hours
HOUSTON โ Just a couple of hours after opening for tenant applications Wednesday, the rent assistance program authorized by the Houston City Council ran out of money. The council voted last week in favor of a $15 million assistance program with an additional $8 million for Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Landlords had to enroll in the rental assistance program in order for their tenants to apply for the funds. TenantsRenters were able to apply for rental assistance starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Just about two hours later, a tweet from the Houston Housing and Community Development Department indicated that all of the $15 million in assistance money had been allocated.