Eight days after 11-year-old Joshua Lahai drowned at Surfside Beach, his death is fueling a growing push to rethink water safety along one of the Texas Gulf Coast’s most visited stretches of shoreline.
Authorities are warning families after a case that shows how quickly a routine ride home can turn dangerous for teens using ride-share apps like Uber. What should have been a safe trip instead became what authorities describe as an opportunity for a predator—highlighting risks experts say can affect any family. Investigators say 28-year-old Josiah Carroll used his role as a driver to connect with teenage boys across Montgomery County. In one case, authorities say he persuaded a teen to exchange phone numbers before sending sexually explicit messages. In another, a 13-year-old reported being lured to a parking lot.
Two recent shootings tied to Houston nightlife, including a deadly one in Midtown, are raising broader concerns about public safety at bars and after-hours venues across the city.
A Houston teenager is turning a question about what makes stuffed animals soft into a growing business focused on safety and representation.
Klein ISD parents are banding together and demanding stronger safety measures after three gun incidents at different district campuses in a single week.
Security is getting a second look at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo carnival after rowdy crowd led to an early shutdown.
Parents in Klein ISD are calling for stronger school safety measures after a series of gun-related incidents across the district, including one involving a man investigators say entered an elementary school campus while armed.
A Houston driver is suing Tesla after a crash involving a Cybertruck that she says suddenly veered toward the edge of an overpass while operating in Autopilot mode.
Stalking is one of the strongest warning signs that violence could escalate — and experts say knowing what steps to take early can make a difference.
Before Valentine’s weekend crowds fill Houston bars, some nightlife spots are training staff on a program designed to help women who feel uncomfortable, threatened or unsafe during a night out.
After two toddlers drowned in the Houston area, many parents are asking the same questions: How does something like this happen so quickly? What safeguards make the biggest difference? And what can families do to prevent a tragedy in their own backyard?
Firefighters across the Houston area are responding to a troubling number of fires at vacant and unsecured buildings. It’s a trend officials say poses risks to neighborhoods and first responders alike.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely used across Houston, from downtown and the Heights to the suburbs. While they offer convenience, safety experts say riders should stay alert and take precautions before every trip, especially when riding alone or at night.
A problematic roundabout in Houston’s Northside will be demolished just one year after its construction, following numerous crashes and safety concerns.
During an undercover sting in Klein, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable deputies stopped 51 drivers who sped past a stopped school bus.
With Halloween just around the corner, Houston's law enforcement is stepping up to ensure a safe trick-or-treating experience for everyone.
Parents in the Elyson community say they have been warning for months that something like this would happen. Two children riding their bikes to McElwain Elementary were hit by a car at a crosswalk many families use every morning.
Neighbors in MacGregor say the Columbia Tap Trail crossing at North MacGregor Way is dangerous for people on foot and on bikes, and even for drivers.
Neighbors along Highway 242 and Firetower Road in Montgomery County say confusing flashing yellow lights and stop signs are causing frequent crashes. Records obtained by KPRC 2 show at leasr 24 crashes since January 2024.
A safety light was added after two people were killed here in 2019. But neighbors say drivers still blow through the red every day.
Explore fall and holiday events in Tomball from October through December. Learn about family-friendly activities, holiday traditions, and safety plans.
Crime Stoppers of Houston and Gringo's Mexican Kitchen are turning student safety artwork into real‑world reminders on restaurant menus as part of the statewide Million for Million (M4M) campaign. Watch how this creative initiative helps spark family conversations about online safety, reporting danger and being a good friend and learn how your child can take part. Submit artwork here (one 8.5”x11” sheet, black ink only; upload as jpeg or tiff): https://support.gringostexmex.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360001409074
Peace of mind is the goal in light of the tragedy in Michigan, prompting local law enforcement to step up security at churches in the Houston area, so families can feel safe going to their places of worship.
A lawsuit described the food truck park area as a “common nuisance because certain criminal activity habitually occurs there, and the Defendants knowingly tolerate and fail to make reasonable attempts to abate such criminal activity.”
Beach Patrol officials said two people boogie boarding in chest-deep water noticed the unidentified man floating face down. They pulled him to shore and began first aid before lifeguards arrived.
A KPRC 2 public records request revealed police responded to Avenue O and 51st Street in Galveston at least 75 times in the last three years.
As CVS continues to scale its brick-and-mortar presence—closing more than 900 stores nationwide over the past two years—some of the shuttered locations are now creating a new kind of headache for Houston-area communities.
A new ordinance proposed by the Houston City Council aims to keep pedestrians off narrow medians in an effort to reduce serious accidents and save lives.
On Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, Bridgestone debuted its free “Teens Drive Smart” driving experience at NRG Stadium, offering classroom instruction and hands‑on exercises intended to teach Houston‑area teens defensive driving and safer decision‑making behind the wheel.
A deadly house fire in northwest Harris County has sparked a difficult question: Are burglar bars protecting homes or putting residents at greater risk?
When was the last time you brushed up on our CPR and first aid skills? Houston's CPR and Safety Lady Gail Gould showed us how anyone can be better prepared and stay calm in the chaos of an emergency. Watch the video player above to learn some of the survival basics everyone should know.
Fulshear City Council has approved new school zone parking rules to improve safety and reduce traffic during pick-up and drop-off times. Find out what streets are affected, restricted hours, and what parents need to know for the upcoming school year.
By urging Texans to follow speed limits and increasing law enforcement’s focus on speeding as a public issue, the TxDOT (and Conroe native, Parker McCollum!) hopes to decrease car-crash-related fatalities in Houston and Texas.
🎆🤕❌ KPRC 2 wants everyone to have fun during the Fourth of July celebrations, but we cannot stress the important safety warnings enough to keep families safe during this holiday weekend.
A 22-year-old nonverbal man with autism was safely located after going missing in Fort Bend County. The case follows a similar recent incident in Pasadena and highlights growing calls for tools like Project Lifesaver to protect vulnerable individuals.
A recent Pasadena case highlights the need for better protection for individuals who wander. Project Lifesaver uses radio frequency tracking to help locate people with autism, dementia, and similar conditions as often in under 30 minutes.
After class was dismissed early on Monday for some Houston ISD students because of a faulty air conditioning system, the district is sending out its HVAC teams early Tuesday morning to ensure campuses are cooling properly.
Houston ISD confirmed they have HVAC technicians working to address the issues and said in part "spot coolers will be transported and installed where necessary."
It's unclear how the driver lost control of her SUV but deputy constables say she did not show signs of intoxication and was not arrested or need to be hospitalized.
Today, a heartwarming purr-fect rescue unfolded as Harris County Precinct 5 constables successfully saved a furry friend from an unexpected hiding place—a car engine.
Federal investigators are boarding cruise ships nearly every week at the Port of Galveston to investigate crimes committed in international waters, KPRC 2 News has learned, as the Texas port experiences record-breaking passenger volumes.
Following a recent safety scare at Florida State University, students and staff at Texas Southern University in Houston are reflecting on the importance of security at their own public campus.
Texas law allows residents to protect their pets from coyotes when necessary, but there are also non-lethal methods to deter these animals.
Due to a power outage last Wednesday, affecting the city's Water Plant, Mayor Ralph Bennett is asking residents to adhere to water restrictions as part of its Drought Contingency Plan until further notice.
The Houston Rodeo is no stranger to strong storms. Last year in 2024, attendees were forced to scramble for safety as hail and damaging winds moved through the area.
Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle, along with leaders from 23 law enforcement agencies, held a press conference Thursday to address the upcoming major car show in the community, which attracts car enthusiasts from across the nation.
After several violent crimes on campus, including robberies and a sexual assault, the president of the University of Houston says a task force will be formed to help gauge what more needs to be done to improve safety on campus.
The search for Eric Brown, who is wanted for sexual assault at the University of Houston has now gone on for more than 10 days after he was mistakenly released 24 hours after he was arrested.
With many students at the University of Houston feeling uneasy, some are changing their routines to enhance their safety.
Students gathered Wednesday at the University of Houston to protest mounting safety concerns following a series of alarming incidents on campus.
This is no game. The goal is to give law enforcement the best chance to save lives in real-life emergency-situations like an active shooter call.
We breathe over 22,000 times a day, but what if the air we breathe is harming us and our children? The World Health Organization reports more than 90 percent of children breathe polluted air that puts their health at risk.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire is holding a press conference to provide the latest information on the winter storm in the area this week.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire held another press conference to provide the latest updates on the anticipated weather conditions as they begin to ramp up across Houston tonight
Houston Mayor John Whitmire held another press conference to provide the latest updates on the anticipated weather conditions as they begin to ramp up across Houston tonight
Houston Mayor John Whitmire will be holding a press conference to provide the latest updates on the anticipated weather conditions across Houston this week.
Harris County Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia announced Friday the county has been awarded a $2 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) through its Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program.
You never know the kind of weather that’ll play out in Texas and when it gets cold, residents might be so quick to stay warm, they may overlook certain risks if they’re not careful.
In a Houston wrong-way crash, a phone's crash detection feature alerted the family of one driver, allowing them to reach the scene quickly.
The tragic death of a student this week has brought renewed attention to the ongoing safety concerns surrounding schools located near railroad tracks.
“We’ve got to get back to where there’s a way to handle truant kids, and part of that is the school districts have to be able to go knock on doors again," Sen. Bettencourt said in a statement.
Residents of the Santa Fe subdivision in Cleveland, are living in fear after a series of stray dog attacks. Packs of aggressive dogs have been spotted roaming the area, with some residents sharing alarming stories of being attacked outside their homes.
Holiday cheer without the fear. Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Mankarious gave us tools and tips to keep you and your family safe this season.
Monday night, KPRC 2 was at the Houston Housing Authority board meeting where the president and CEO, David Northern, resigned after investigations into questionable contracts that may have been granted to underqualified companies. At that same board meeting, an 86-year-old woman named Madine Lewis spoke out.
The Houston Police Department is offering safety tips for residents, focusing on women living alone, particularly in apartment complexes.
Sure, Halloween is “Spooky Season,” but it’s also meant to be a fun experience. To keep things enjoyable, it’s also important for people to be aware of real-life dangers. Some of the most common accidents might not even cross our minds.
The iOS 18 update introduces a feature that allows iPhone users to hide and lock apps, raising concerns for parents monitoring their children's phone usage.
The first-of-its-kind anti-fentanyl vaccine is one step closer to saving lives. This is a story our Zach Lashway broke in 2022. Doctor Colin Haile, an associate professor at University of Houston confirmed the shot is headed to clinical trials in early 2025.
The rideshare app has expanded a new checkmark verification program among several of its new features to make things safer for drivers and passengers.
In light, of gun violence at Houston’s two biggest universities, KPRC 2 wants to know how you as a student feel about security.
Ryan Akabusi, 8, died over the weekend after authorities told KPRC 2 he wandered away from his home and into a nearby lake.
With the heat comes the continued possibility of encountering our slithery neighbors, snakes.
A Houston ISD elementary school was forced to close its doors Wednesday due to what the district called an “HVAC system outage.” The school has since reopened, but it’s one of several HISD campuses KPRC 2 has been covering that have had A/C-related issues.
Klein ISD launches new resource to enhance partnerships with parents and students focusing on campus safety, digital safety, and new training for staff and police. #BackToSchool #Education #CommunitySafety
A big concern for many families in the Houston area is how to find affordable healthcare. Back-to-school time is often a busy time for parents looking for affordable care. KPRC 2′s Bill Spencer is looking for ways to help families save money on everything from dental visits to regular check-ups.
Houston-area doctors say carbon monoxide symptoms are hitting people across the area.
In the aftermath of a major storm, a generator can be a crucial part of your recovery. However, it's important to operate them properly to avoid serious injury or even death. #HoustonWeather #Weather
The children’s ages ranged from 7 months - 11 years old. Deputies brought the children food and arrested their mother, Elizabeth Martinez, and a man, Enterio Coronado.