INSIDER
Bat Colony forces Texas prison officials to rethink demolition plans
Read full article: Bat Colony forces Texas prison officials to rethink demolition plansThe Texas Department of Criminal Justice is facing a unique challenge: finding a new home for a massive bat colony before they can demolish a vacant warehouse near its prison in Huntsville.
Texas prison battles bat infestation in old warehouse
Read full article: Texas prison battles bat infestation in old warehouseThe Texas Department of Criminal Justice is facing a unique challenge with hundreds of thousands of bats taking over a decaying warehouse near the Huntsville prison.
Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify before lawmakers week after scheduled execution halted
Read full article: Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify before lawmakers week after scheduled execution haltedTexas death row inmate Robert Roberson will be praying for another miracle as he prepares to testify before lawmakers after his life was temporarily spared from his scheduled execution last week.
Texas judge grants TRO to keep Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from being executed tonight
Read full article: Texas judge grants TRO to keep Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from being executed tonightA Texas man who could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is facing a lethal injection.
Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken baby case after lawmakers' last-minute appeal
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken baby case after lawmakers' last-minute appealThe Texas Supreme Court has halted the scheduled execution of a man who would have become the first person in the U.S. put to death for a murder conviction tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
Man executed for the 2008 murder of infant son in Galveston
Read full article: Man executed for the 2008 murder of infant son in GalvestonThe State of Texas carried out the execution of Travis Mullis, 38, Tuesday evening in Huntsville. Mullis gave a final statement saying he was sorry for murdering his son and referring to his execution as a form of “assisted suicide.”
Keith Urban plays free pop-up concert outside a Buc-ee's store in Alabama
Read full article: Keith Urban plays free pop-up concert outside a Buc-ee's store in AlabamaCountry singer Keith Urban gave just a few hours’ notice before performing a free concert in the parking lot of a convenience store and gas station in north Alabama.
Huntsville State Park to remain closed for extended period, here’s when it will open
Read full article: Huntsville State Park to remain closed for extended period, here’s when it will openHuntsville State Park has extended its closure until June 11th due to the extensive storm damage and ongoing safety concerns caused by recent severe weather.
Very high rain totals north of Houston from Thursday’s storms. Here’s a look at who saw the most
Read full article: Very high rain totals north of Houston from Thursday’s storms. Here’s a look at who saw the mostHeavy thunderstorms pounded the Houston area Thursday and made their presence known with gusty winds, lots of lightning, and very heavy rainfall.
Huntsville State Park closes through Saturday due to flooding
Read full article: Huntsville State Park closes through Saturday due to floodingHuntsville State Park has announced that it will be closed to the public Thursday after the heavy flooding that has impacted northern Harris County and Montgomery County.
DEBATE: Did the Texans disrespect the Sam Houston statue?
Read full article: DEBATE: Did the Texans disrespect the Sam Houston statue?With the unveiling of their new uniforms, the Houston Texans took their advertising to new heights, placing one of their new football jerseys on the massive statue of Sam Houston in Huntsville.
‘Look how big it is!’ Girl Scout troop swims away from charging alligator while on camping trip at Huntsville State Park
Read full article: ‘Look how big it is!’ Girl Scout troop swims away from charging alligator while on camping trip at Huntsville State ParkA local Girl Scout troop is telling only KPRC 2 about the exhilarating moments they swam for their lives over the weekend, just feet away from an alligator in Lake Raven at Huntsville State Park.
‘For his sick amusement’: Huntsville man gets 10 years for cyberstalking approximately 20 women, receiving child porn
Read full article: ‘For his sick amusement’: Huntsville man gets 10 years for cyberstalking approximately 20 women, receiving child pornA 25-year-old Huntsville man will serve more than 10 years in federal prison after being convicted on charges of receiving child pornography as well as multiple counts of cyberstalking, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced.
400 Huntsville prisoners being transported after early-morning fire rips through facility’s attic, admin building
Read full article: 400 Huntsville prisoners being transported after early-morning fire rips through facility’s attic, admin buildingFirefighters worked to take out a large fire at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville early Friday.
Huntsville High School students to reunite with parents after bomb threat prompts evacuation
Read full article: Huntsville High School students to reunite with parents after bomb threat prompts evacuationStudents at Huntsville High School were united with their parents Thursday afternoon following a bomb threat, according to Huntsville Independent School District.
Alabama senator says Space Command prefers Huntsville for HQ, but command has no comment
Read full article: Alabama senator says Space Command prefers Huntsville for HQ, but command has no commentAlabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville says the top general in charge of U.S. Space Command told him during a meeting Wednesday that Huntsville, not Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the preferred location for its new headquarters.
‘Panty Pirate’ accused of repeated underwear thefts in Huntsville area
Read full article: ‘Panty Pirate’ accused of repeated underwear thefts in Huntsville areaA man has been arrested and charged after police say he broke into victims’ apartments and stole several of their personal belongings, including their underwear.
Identities released of 2 outlaw motorcycle gang members killed in Huntsville area shooting spree
Read full article: Identities released of 2 outlaw motorcycle gang members killed in Huntsville area shooting spreeThe identities of two outlaw motorcycle gang members killed during Friday’s shooting spree in the Huntsville area were released to the public on Monday.
3rd motorcyclist dies after driver goes on shooting spree on I-45 in Spring, Huntsville area
Read full article: 3rd motorcyclist dies after driver goes on shooting spree on I-45 in Spring, Huntsville areaTwo motorcyclists were killed and two were left injured after a driver went on a shooting spree that spanned from Spring to the Huntsville area Friday, according to Huntsville Police Department.
‘It was getting kind of ugly’: Grieving mother remembers daughter who was killed by her husband in murder-suicide
Read full article: ‘It was getting kind of ugly’: Grieving mother remembers daughter who was killed by her husband in murder-suicideA grieving mother is speaking out after her daughter was killed by her estranged husband. Huntsville police say Tianne Jones was shot and killed by Roy Wasbotten, who took his own life after the shooting on Summer Lane, on March 8.
Man convicted of quadruple murder in 1992 executed in Huntsville
Read full article: Man convicted of quadruple murder in 1992 executed in HuntsvilleThirty-one years after the murders of four people inside a southwest Houston home, one of the men convicted of the crime was executed in Huntsville. Arthur Brown, Jr. was one of three men convicted of what was dubbed the “Brownstone Lane Murders.”
2 teens dead, 2 arrested after shooting at house party near Sam Houston State University, authorities say
Read full article: 2 teens dead, 2 arrested after shooting at house party near Sam Houston State University, authorities sayPolice say two teenagers have been pronounced dead after a shooting at a house party in Huntsville early Saturday morning.
Texas death row inmates sue over solitary confinement
Read full article: Texas death row inmates sue over solitary confinementA group of Texas death row inmates have filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s prison system over its policy of mandatory and indefinite solitary confinement for all prisoners who are awaiting execution.
Texas executes former Missouri City public safety officer for 1994 murder of estranged wife
Read full article: Texas executes former Missouri City public safety officer for 1994 murder of estranged wifeRobert “Bob” Fratta was executed in Huntsville Tuesday for the 1994 murder of his estranged wife, Farah Fratta. He gave no final statement and never acknowledged his oldest son, Bradley Baquer, or Farah Fratta’s brother, Zain Baquer, who witnessed the execution.
25-year-old man pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, stalking more than 20 women on social media, US Attorney says
Read full article: 25-year-old man pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, stalking more than 20 women on social media, US Attorney saysA 25-year-old Huntsville man has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography as well as multiple counts of cyberstalking, according to U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Removal of LGBTQ+ book display from Huntsville Public Library draws crowds to council meeting speaking in favor and against the decision
Read full article: Removal of LGBTQ+ book display from Huntsville Public Library draws crowds to council meeting speaking in favor and against the decisionAbout a dozen or so Huntsville residents spoke passionately about the Read With Pride display celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
IN FOCUS: Clear Springs lights up Huntsville; ready for district play
Read full article: IN FOCUS: Clear Springs lights up Huntsville; ready for district playClear Springs evened their record at 2-2 with a big win over Huntsville 46-18. The Chargers enter district play this weekend, facing Dickinson on the road.
Texas suspends most transportation of inmates while it reviews convicted murderer’s escape
Read full article: Texas suspends most transportation of inmates while it reviews convicted murderer’s escapeThe review comes after Gonzalo Lopez escaped from a prison bus last month. Authorities say he killed a family of five before they found and killed him.
🔒Texas executions: KPRC 2′s Robert Arnold shares details of the death chamber, stories from his extensive coverage of state’s harshest penalty
Read full article: 🔒Texas executions: KPRC 2′s Robert Arnold shares details of the death chamber, stories from his extensive coverage of state’s harshest penaltyKPRC 2 investigative reporter Robert Arnold has covered multiple executions throughout his career in journalism. Here are some recollections of his coverage, from the details of the death chamber to the strangest moment he's ever experienced watching an execution.
Oldest Texas death row inmate executed for Houston officer’s death
Read full article: Oldest Texas death row inmate executed for Houston officer’s deathCarl Wayne Buntion, 78, is scheduled for execution Thursday in Hunstville. Buntion was convicted of the 1990 murder of Houston police officer James Irby, a husband and father of two.
More heat = more water
Read full article: More heat = more waterOne year ago today, as we all remember, turned out to be one miserable, cold day with temperatures ranging from 1° in Huntsville to 13° in Houston to 20° in Galveston. I’ve talked before about that kind of arctic blast being ‘generational’ or something we can expect every thirty years. For climate study, thirty years is a good benchmark to get an indication of how the climate is changing (or not changing, for that matter). Climate Central has just published a study comparing average precipitation from 1981-2010 and 1991-2020. Granted there is an overlap there, but interesting to note how much more precipitation (in green) is being recorded across our part of Texas to the north and northeast, while southwest and western areas are seeing less (in brown). Take a look at this map.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Thousands of dollars missing from man’s bank account
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates: Thousands of dollars missing from man’s bank accountThousands of dollars were allegedly stolen out of a Huntsville man’s bank account and the bank said he may not get the money back. KPRC 2 Investigates is looking into check washing fraud and what you can do to protect your money.
Houston mom tips off police as woman kills husband, then shoots herself in Huntsville, police say
Read full article: Houston mom tips off police as woman kills husband, then shoots herself in Huntsville, police sayA Houston mother called police on Sunday to tell them her daughter killed her husband inside their Huntsville home and then planned to shoot herself, police told KPRC 2 Monday.
Mellott’s 5 TDs help Montana St. beat Sam Houston 42-19
Read full article: Mellott’s 5 TDs help Montana St. beat Sam Houston 42-19Tommy Mellott accounted for five touchdowns to help Montana State beat No. 1 seed Sam Houston 42-19 in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs and snapped the Bearkats’ 22-game win streak.
Cold Conroe Explained
Read full article: Cold Conroe ExplainedIt seems like every time we show the morning lows, Conroe looks to be the coldest spot around and sometimes colder than ten degrees than other places nearby, like Tomball and Huntsville. For instance, this morning Conroe came in at 48° while Huntsville reported 61° and Tomball reported 53°.
Schmid, Sam Houston earn berth, top E. Kentucky 42-28
Read full article: Schmid, Sam Houston earn berth, top E. Kentucky 42-28Eric Schmid threw for 392 yards with three touchdowns, ran for a fourth and Sam Houston defeated Eastern Kentucky 42-28 to clinch an automatic qualifier into the upcoming FCS playoffs.
Top-ranked Sam Houston rolls on with 16th straight win
Read full article: Top-ranked Sam Houston rolls on with 16th straight winEric Schmid threw a pair of touchdown passes, Ramon Jefferson ran for two more scores and FCS top-ranked Sam Houston rolled past Jacksonville State 42-7 for the Bearkats’ 16th straight victory.
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 10-5A-II
Read full article: VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 10-5A-IIDistrict 10-5A, Division II, may be one of the more overlooked districts in the state. With Huntsville, A&M Consolidated and Montgomery, as well as risers Bryan Rudder and Lake Creek, there are some powerful teams with game-changing talent.
Inspector general reviews Trump relocation of Space Command
Read full article: Inspector general reviews Trump relocation of Space Command(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)DENVER – The Department of Defense's inspector general announced Friday that it was reviewing the Trump administration's last-minute decision to relocate U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama. “Moving Space Command will disrupt the mission while risking our national security and economic vitality,” the senators said in a joint statement. We fully support the investigation.”Among other duties, the Space Command enables satellite-based navigation and troop communication and provides warning of missile launches. The Space Command differs from the U.S. Space Force, launched in December 2019 as the first new military service since the Air Force was created in 1947. The Space Command is not an individual military service but a central command for militarywide space operations.
Celebrate Black History Month at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville
Read full article: Celebrate Black History Month at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum in HuntsvilleHUNTSVILLE, Texas – The Sam Houston Memorial Museum is celebrating Black History Month with a special exhibit for the month of February. According to the museum website, the exhibit features photos, documents and artifacts never featured in the past. The museum hopes to continue honoring their legacy to Sam Houston and those who lived to contribute to his story. You can see the exhibit now until Feb. 28 at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum located next to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Admission is $9 for adults, $4 seniors 65 and older, and $3 for children ages 3-12.
Send some love: How to give to local isolated seniors this Valentine’s Day
Read full article: Send some love: How to give to local isolated seniors this Valentine’s DayCONROE, Texas – Two local Firehouse Subs locations hope to bring smiles to nursing home residents isolated during the coronavirus pandemic. Both locations, 235 I-45 South, Suite A in Huntsville and 3021 I-45 North in Conroe are running the Silver Valentine Donation Drive from now until Valentine’s Day, inviting guests to donate traditional Valentine’s gifts and comfort items. “We wanted to continue this support for our local senior citizens especially, and show them they’re cared for even if they are unable to spend quality time with others right now,” said Jill Jackson, Firehouse Subs franchise manager in a news release. Guests can drop off items at either or both restaurant locations during business hours between 10:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. Items accepted are blankets, activity books, socks, slippers, and traditional Valentine’s Day gifts such as teddy bears.
Wind Advisory Expanded for all of Southeast Texas Until 6 p.m.
Read full article: Wind Advisory Expanded for all of Southeast Texas Until 6 p.m.HOUSTON – A Wind Advisory that has been expanded for all of Southeast Texas starts at 9 a.m. and will last through 6 p.m.Wind AdvisoryWith gusty northwest winds and temperatures close to 60 degrees it will fee cool Friday. Expect winds to relax Friday night but cooler temperatures will be sticking around. Seasonably cool weather will continue through the week. 10 day forecastPast the holiday weekend weather becomes unsettled. Enjoy our quiet weather before the rain arrives next week!
US Space Command site to be located in Huntsville, Alabama
Read full article: US Space Command site to be located in Huntsville, AlabamaThe U.S. Air Force is expected to announce Huntsville, Ala. as the location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters, according to Gov. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The U.S. Air Force announced Wednesday that the new U.S. Space Command headquarters will be in Huntsville, Alabama, after the state was selected over five others competing for the project, including Colorado, where Space Command is provisionally located. The role of Space Command is to conduct operations such as enabling satellite-based navigation and troop communication and providing warning of missile launches. That is different from the Space Force, which is a distinct military service like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. “I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that Alabama will be the new home to the United States Space Command,” Alabama Republican Gov.
Snow day in Texas: Huntsville residents wake up to landscape dressed in white
Read full article: Snow day in Texas: Huntsville residents wake up to landscape dressed in whiteHUNTSVILLE, Texas – As we cruised around Huntsville late Monday morning, no snow was falling from the sky, but much of the area was covered in white powder. Two words came to mind: snow day. Morales wanted to film a Huntsville landscape dressed in white. It seemed most people had their fun Sunday night as the snow was falling. However, whether you came out Monday or made your snowman Sunday night, this snow day will long be remembered.
VIDEOS: See what KPRC 2 reporters saw as snow fell across Texas
Read full article: VIDEOS: See what KPRC 2 reporters saw as snow fell across TexasA winter blast swept across central and southeast Texas, including parts of the Houston-area. This marked the first taste of the winter season this year. In College Station, residents are dealing with slippery roads and nearing record snowfall for today’s date. Some people pulled over on the side of the road to build a snowman, start a snowball fight or take photos. Here is what some of KPRC 2 reporters saw as snow fell across Texas:TomballHuntsvilleMadison CountyCollege StationSpring, Texas
Texas had fewest executions since 1996 due to pandemic
Read full article: Texas had fewest executions since 1996 due to pandemicTexas juries also issued their fewest new death sentences since 1974, as the pandemic shut down trials, according to a year-end report by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The number of death sentences and executions in Texas and across the U.S. has been steadily decreasing over the last two decades. Texas executions peaked in 2000, when 40 people were put to death. Garza has pledged to not seek death sentences and to review all post-conviction death penalty cases for any legal or evidentiary issues. Black people, who account for about 13% of the state’s population, make up more than 44% of Texas death row inmates.
Walker County man facing up to 30 years for child porn and cyberstalking, authorities say
Read full article: Walker County man facing up to 30 years for child porn and cyberstalking, authorities sayHUNTSVILLE, Texas – A Walker County man is now in custody after an investigation led authorities to find child pornography in his possession, according to a news release. Officials said a criminal complaint was filed against Huntsville man, Kody Nicholas Bohac, 22, that says he was stalking a woman in another state. When she did not respond, Bohac followed through on his threat and shared the images, authorities said. The criminal complaint said that officials had executed a search warrant in connection with a related matter, during which authorities found images and videos of child pornography on Bohac’s cell phone. Bohac was taken into custody and charged with cyberstalking and possessing child pornography and receiving child pornography.
Bracket Breakdown: VYPE's Favorites in Class 5A
Read full article: Bracket Breakdown: VYPE's Favorites in Class 5AWe start in Class 5A where Fort Bend Marshall will try and make it to a third-straight title game. Class 5A Division II – The FavoritesFort Bend Marshall– The Buffs enter the playoffs with a 9-0 mark on the season and have absolutely obliterated their competition. The group is led by Joshua Ulmer (58 tackles), Tristin Drones-Mouton (43 tackles) and Laurence Tillman (36 tackles). Defensively, Trevon King led the group with 81 tackles (14 tackles for loss), followed by McCoy Casey's 68-tackle, 18-tackle-for-loss performance. Class 5A Division I – The FavoritesManvel Mavericks– Manvel reached the state quarterfinals a year ago before losing to Fort Bend Marshall.
Federal court orders Texas prison system to provide hand sanitizer for some geriatric inmates during pandemic
Read full article: Federal court orders Texas prison system to provide hand sanitizer for some geriatric inmates during pandemicA federal judge ordered the Texas prison system on Tuesday to provide more protective measures against the coronavirus, like hand sanitizer for wheelchair-bound prisoners, at a prison for geriatric inmates. Texas has had more inmate deaths related to the coronavirus than any other prison system in the nation. Its death toll of at least 162 inmates outranks every other state as well as the federal prison system. More than 20 Texas prison employees have also died with the virus. The trial included testimony from several inmates, TDCJ officials and experts on health and prison conditions.
US Supreme Court halts Texas execution over clergy question
Read full article: US Supreme Court halts Texas execution over clergy questionThe U.S. Supreme Court blocked Ruben Gutierrezs execution about an hour before he could have been executed. The Texas prison system last year banned clergy from the death chamber following a Supreme Court ruling that halted the execution of another inmate, Patrick Murphy, who had requested a Buddhist adviser be allowed in the chamber. Six executions scheduled in Texas for earlier this year were postponed by an appeals court or judges because of the outbreak. Gutierrezs attorneys had also sought a coronavirus-related delay but were turned down Friday by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has filed a brief with the high court in support of Gutierrez.
Statue of Confederate general at Texas A&M, Confederate monument in Huntsville vandalized
Read full article: Statue of Confederate general at Texas A&M, Confederate monument in Huntsville vandalizedHOUSTON – A statue of a Confederate general in College Station and a Confederate monument in Huntsville have been vandalized in the past 24 hours. According to The Eagle, red spray paint was used to scrawl the word “racist” and the acronyms “BLM” and “ACAB” on the statue of Sul Ross on the campus of Texas A&M University. Ross was a Confederate general who went on to serve as the school’s president from 1891 to 1898. The Ross statue was dedicated in 1918 and is the oldest on campus, The Eagle reported. The paint was used to cover a Confederate flag and the words engraved into the stone, The Item reported.
One-tank trips: 5 spots perfect for the whole family in Huntsville
Read full article: One-tank trips: 5 spots perfect for the whole family in HuntsvilleOne-tank trips can take you from Houston to some pretty amazing places. Our ongoing series “One Tank Trips,” helps you discover what to do, and where to eat and stay in these places.