INVESTIGATES

David Pattie has been upset with Pearland Attorney Gregory Rincon for some time now.

On Friday, in lockstep with Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality signaled that it firmly and unabashedly sides with the Supreme Court’s decision to limit the EPA’s enforcement power.

The Houston Astros start their series against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park this weekend. One Magnolia family hoped they would be there in person cheering on the Astros and celebrating their son’s 11th birthday, but their mom reached out to KPRC 2 with a buyer beware.

Can the state's electricity grid handle all of the electricity usage during these hot summer months? Find out the scenarios that could bring rolling blackouts to your neighborhood - Plus, the role solar energy plays in all of this.

The summer travel season is shaping up to be a messy one. Both overbooked and canceled flights have airlines feeling the heat. If an airline is overbooked, can they make you change your flight? What should you get if you volunteer to get off the flight? Our KPRC 2 Investigates team has what you need to know before you take your next flight.

We are revealing a possible solution to Texas’ fraudulent paper plate problem. KPRC 2 Investigates first exposed our state’s fraudulent paper tag system and the lax oversight of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles more than a year ago. Now, one local security expert is pitching a possible solution to the state.

The only thing more annoying than getting bills in the mail is getting a bill that you don’t owe. A Texas City woman contacted KPRC 2 Investigates team after she received toll road fines for a vehicle she doesn’t even own.

Try to imagine how you would feel if your 4-year-old son went to the hospital for laparoscopic surgery to solve a hernia problem and instead wound up getting what amounts to a partial vasectomy.

The man's sister-in-law said he had to have part of his foot amputated.

Smart thermostats make it easy for you to adjust the temperature in your home, even when you’re not there. But you may also be giving others access to change your settings at any time without notice. KPRC 2 Investigates looked into what you need to know about who can control your smart thermostat and when.

The chief of Uvalde’s school district police force is defending the response to the Robb Elementary massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

For more than a decade, Texas has allowed teachers and other school employees to carry weapons on campus.

Homeowners in one Katy neighborhood have hit a wall trying to work with their homeowner’s association. We are talking about a literal concrete wall that surrounds their subdivision. At issue: who is responsible for it. KPRC 2 Investigates has a story that could impact anyone with an HOA.

Law enforcement offers who work in schools are trained to handle active shooter situations, however, lawmakers are now questioning whether the training is enough in the wake of the Uvalde massacre.

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Ordering products and groceries online and picking them up at the store has become extremely popular since the start of the pandemic. But it’s not just busy families using the service. KPRC 2 Investigates has discovered thieves taking advantage too. We are looking into what you need to know to make sure you’re not paying for someone else’s groceries.

Gut issues, headaches and even just feeling tired could all be signs you are eating something that doesn’t agree with you. Do you have a food sensitivity that is impacting your health?

We’ve told you about hackers taking over cell phones and apps to drain bank accounts. Or, how they can even copy the caller ID to make it look like someone you know is calling asking for money. Now, a warning about the popular WhatsApp messaging platform. Plus, we will tell you what all device users should know before downloading any app.

After giving conflicting information regarding the events surrounding the deadly Robb elementary school shooting, Texas Department of Public Safety officials provided a new timeline.

We protect our homes and property by locking doors and gates. We put passwords on accounts with sensitive information. But KPRC 2 Investigates discovered there’s nothing you can do to protect your electric service from getting canceled or switched without your consent.

On Monday morning, the runoff race in Harris County’s Precinct 4 heated up less than 24 hours before the opening of the polls with claims of racism.

The agency investigated the family just five days prior to the girl’s death in 2020 after the child arrived at school with a black eye. That was one of four previous occurrences in which Texas DFPS investigated the family dating back to 2018 with cases in both Bexar County and Harris County.

We tell you every day that prices for just about everything are up. That includes building materials for a new home. It’s one thing to agree to pay the higher costs, but a lot of new home buyers are telling KPRC 2 Investigates that builders are demanding more money for homes after they’ve locked in the price and signed a contract.

Houston-area lawmakers weigh-in with how they would like to see the budget surplus spent on.

Healthcare for your family is something you may be able to save big on. KPRC2 Investigates looks into three ways to smash traditional healthcare models to offer all of us, even those without insurance, affordable care.

Puppy scams are not new. Con artists play on your emotions with the promise of a sweet, new furry friend that, in the end, victims learn may not even exist. The KPRC 2 Investigates team has a new twist on the old puppy scam that uses real pictures and videos of puppies that are actually for sale.

If you’ve ever left a store or business only to discover your car has been towed, you know the sinking feeling. It’s gonna cost you money and time to get it back. One woman called our Investigates team after a wrecker towed her vehicle from a Pasadena apartment complex where she said she was parked in a legal spot. We are looking into the case and what we learned could help you if you are ever in the same situation.

From identity theft to check washing, the mail theft problem is troubling. A months-long KPRC 2 Investigation uncovered an enterprise where organized thieves are selling stolen checks and mailbox keys for thousands of dollars online. We are looking at how thieves are doing it, where it’s the worst and why what’s being done to keep communities safe.

Weeks after property tax appraisals were sent out across the state, many property owners still cannot believe what they are seeing. Nearly every homeowner is experiencing a big increase in their property value.

A frightening new phone scam is tricking people into sending hundreds of dollars to thieves. Police are calling it the “virtual kidnapping scam.” Our KPRC 2 Investigates team has the details you need to know so you don’t fall for it.

Cypress Creek EMS has been the subject of multiple investigations by both KPRC2 Investigates and law enforcement.

When it comes to clearance numbers, HPD’s homicide said they are closing out nearly 10% more cases than last year.

There are just weeks left in school and summer is almost here. If you’re thinking about a vacation, listen up! Before you book anything, you might want to watch out for some hidden fees that might catch you by surprise.

Thieves are capitalizing on the shortage of used cars. They're getting creative stealing and then selling hot vehicles to make a buck. Our KPRC 2 Investigates team is looking into three ways you can make sure you don't buy a stolen vehicle.

Next to your home, your vehicle is probably the most expensive thing you own. What if you discovered someone had stolen your car, but it was still in your driveway? It’s basically vehicle identity theft.

Redesigned booths are set to be finished in a few years, which will cover safety designs and also include driver focus groups in an effort to improve messaging for the use of Harris County toll roads.

People in one growing area in Montgomery County say they have a huge problem. They can't get cellphone service in their neighborhood. This issue is going on for customers who use various cellphone providers and they say nothing is being done to fix this. KPRC 2 Investigator Bill Spencer met with neighbors in the Woodforest area and works to get answers.

When you make any major purchase, the sellers usually offer extended warranties and protection plans as add-on items. But what happens when you change your mind? We are looking into what you need to know and do if you pay extra for a plan.

As communities continue to grow, so does the amount of garbage. But cities and companies are struggling to keep workers willing to do these "dirty" jobs.

Neighborhood canals off of Lake Houston - littered with trash, dead fish, and debris. Who is responsible for clean-up? Our KPRC 2 Investigates team is getting answers.

Carl 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.

You buy smart video security systems to keep an eye on your home when you are away. But you could be exposing your home to thieves if you are not careful. The KPRC 2 Investigates team explains 4 things you can do to protect yourself.

In April of 2006, a 14-year-old girl was hustling home as the sun began to set over southwest Houston and the street lights were turning on. A then 26-year-old man used that moment to corner the girl, knock her unconscious and sexually assault her. From that day, it would take 16 years to hold that man accountable.

The U.S. Supreme Court has taken up a long-running legal dispute between the state of Texas and two Native American tribes: the Alabama-Coushatta tribe in Polk County and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe near El Paso.

Three employees with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s Office are now named in felony indictments filed on Monday.

A gross trick used to steal from people who need a ride. Rideshare passengers stuck with fake fines. Investigator Amy Davis has the ripoff warning and what you need to know about your next ride.

A weekly wrap of the stories our KPRC 2 Investigates team is working on. Highlights include an investigation into a pool contractor accused of stealing from families. We also have the latest on the COVID fraud investigation and a look at thefts of guns in vehicles in Houston.

Investigator Bill Spencer is known for tracking down shady contractors. Hear from two families who say they lost thousands of dollars after hiring a man to put a pool in their backyard. Plus, three things you should do before hiring any contractors for your home.

In 2021, 3,706 guns were stolen out of vehicles, according to HPD.

HOUSTON The Texas Supreme Court recently ordered no jury trials or jury selections are to take place before Aug. 1, unless a plan is submitted and approved by the Office of Court Administration. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys agree the system cant handle much more of a back-up and they have got to find a way to get things moving. Thiessen said only 10 people are allowed in a courtroom at a time and that includes court staff. Thiessen and Musick both were quick to say the idea of trial participants wearing masks wont work. The back-up in the courts is also leading to an increase in the population at the Harris County jail.

While booking the first leg on United, we saw the promotion of social distancing by limiting or blocking the advance selection of middle seats. But had the flight been full, social distancing would not have been an option. When we landed in Austin, flight attendants asked us to exit one row at a time to keep our distance, but a few passengers ignored the request. An internal memo says flight attendants should approach the situation with empathy and respect. Southwests official policy says customers will be asked to wear masks when social distancing is not possible. Its an indication that perhaps bluer skies are ahead for an airline industry thats navigating through turbulent times.