Residents across the city say their water bills have surged dramatically in recent months—far beyond the rate increase announced by the mayor to sustain water system upgrades.
Houston ranks among the deadliest U.S. cities for pedestrians, with Westheimer and FM 1960 listed as some of the most dangerous roads nationwide. City and state officials outline new safety plans as advocates call for urgent improvements.
A problematic roundabout in Houston’s Northside will be demolished just one year after its construction, following numerous crashes and safety concerns.
Houston is overhauling its inspection system by merging residential and commercial code enforcement into a single division and hiring more inspectors to tackle a massive backlog of complaints. City officials say the revamped process aims to ensure violations are corrected and citations hold up in court.
Frustration is growing in a southwest Houston neighborhood where heavy trash piles have sat untouched for nearly two months—despite hundreds of complaints, repeated calls to 311, and now a 10-day warning from the community’s HOA demanding residents remove debris they say they cannot legally haul away themselves.
Bellaire Little League is looking to expand its reach by acquiring a softball field at Meyerland Park, but the proposal has hit a roadblock.
Houston METRO is facing scrutiny over an $80 million infrastructure contract, as some board members question the lack of detailed information on which streets will be repaired and how funds are allocated.
Houston’s first 3D-printed community is about to start production. The developers of Zuri Gardens bill the project as attainable, sustainable and the future.
Houston firefighters say they’re being unfairly blamed after a city email exposed 7,500 Social Security numbers in a data breach.
Experience the third annual Houston Bluesfest 2025, celebrating Texas blues, art and Fifth Ward’s legacy with live performances, dance and community spirit.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Houston families are battling sewage spills in their yards and waterways as city aid falls short.
A year after KPRC 2 Investigates revealed a Harris County office created to help move abandoned residential properties through probate, we found the City of Houston has rarely utilized the service.
Houston City Council has once again delayed a vote to purchase a $16-million facility that would serve as a “super hub” for people experiencing homelessness.
Residents in Willowbend say they spent years warning the city about a vacant apartment building that drew crime, dumping, and danger.
Residents in Kingwood’s Kings Mill subdivision are raising concerns about brown water flowing from their faucets, with some worried about potential health impacts.
Weeks after Houston’s METRORail Red Line riders began reporting major delays, METRO says it’s starting to see early improvements, but says it will take more time to restore reliable travel times.
Houston is moving forward with a $16 million plan to renovate BARC, the city’s animal shelter. The upgrades include a new roof, updated systems, and a safer, modernized facility to help address the city’s stray animal crisis.
The City of Houston has announced plans for its first “Front Door Superhub,” a centralized facility aimed at addressing homelessness with a comprehensive, all-in-one approach.
If your latest Houston water bill was shockingly high, you’re not alone. Some residents say their bills aren’t rising slowly — they’re skyrocketing in just a matter of months.
Mayor John Whitmire is responding to Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement of a new violent crime task force that will launch in Houston and Harris County.
Houston’s trash problem is piling higher each day. Residents across the city continue reaching out to 2 Helps You, saying they aren’t getting their trash picked up and aren’t seeing relief.
Governor Greg Abbott will speak in Houston Tuesday with Eli Lilly leaders to announce a major economic development initiative through Texas’ JETI and Enterprise Fund programs.
A community is joining together to help clean up a messy area in Houston. Earlier this month, KPRC 2 reporter Bill Spencer investigated complaints from Fifth Ward residents about several overgrown lots. Since then, a good Samaritan stepped in to help and the City of Houston made good on its promise to remove other debris.
The Houston city "Proposition A" committee is considering a vacant building ordinance.
From Spring Branch to SE Houston and Clear Lake to Midtown and Downtown, a lot of people have posted videos on social media of military helicopters flying low to the ground.
More than 1,000 former City of Houston employees who opted into an early retirement pension program earlier this year are facing severe financial hardship after waiting nearly five months for their promised payments.
The message was clear and concise from Harris County Republicans, “We live in Houston, we don’t want Houston to have a similar situation,” said Cindy Siegel, Chairman of the Republican Party of Harris County.
Houston has launched the "Can Blitz" program to expedite trash can replacements for residents, announced by Mayor John Whitmire.
The vastly overgrown lot in the 4700 block of Salina Street had become more than just an unsightly nuisance – it represented a serious safety threat to the community, especially children walking to nearby Fleming Middle School.
A notice on the restaurant's door reveals that Thirteen Hospitality Group, LLC has fallen behind on payments, resulting in the closure.
It looks like a patch of wilderness dropped into the middle of a proud Houston neighborhood — years of unchecked growth have turned into what neighbors call a “jungle” just a few doors down from their homes.
Families at Glenwood Village Condominiums in southeast Houston say they are paying hundreds each month in rent or HOA fees, but their homes are unsafe and falling apart.
A former city commissioner and long-time Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer has been awarded $500,000 by a jury—seven years after he says a golf cart accident during a parade left him with lasting physical and emotional trauma. But, he will only receive $250,000.
As the City of Houston continues to examine how to handle residents experiencing homelessness, the topic of panhandling has returned to the spotlight.
A Fifth Ward woman approved for a state home rebuilding program was denied help after the City of Houston refused to issue her a building permit even as new homes rose across the street. Now, after waiting two years and passing soil tests, she’s left wondering why she was told no.
"This change in time was made to give the community more opportunities to engage and voice their concerns to their elected officials," the City of Houston said in a social media caption back in July.
While the city does have a goal to repair most potholes within 48 hours of a report, a lot of drivers may give up—and we don't blame them—but we still wanted to give a view on how the claim process works—to find out for ourselves in real-time how, or if, the process works.
Mayor John Whitmire has implemented stronger traffic control measures to protect students walking near Lamar High School.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire stopped a payout last week to a Houston business owner charged with bribery, following KPRC 2’s ‘DRAINED’ Investigation into the city’s waterline contract corruption scandal. Now that business owner says he’s sorry for what happened and explains he’s still owed for the finished work.
For many parents back to school can be a financial burden. Last school year the Houston Independent School District announced it was eliminating its wraparound services department, which helped families struggling to provide basic necessities to their children.
Residents of Houston’s South Park neighborhood are rallying against the potential conversion of a vacant property into A possible junkyard, salvage yard or containers facility, citing environmental concerns and quality-of-life issues for the community.
A day after residents exposed deplorable living conditions at a Houston apartment complex, federal and local elected officials saw the problem firsthand.
A Houston apartment complex off of Cullen Boulevard is under fire after residents raised alarming concerns about their living conditions — with some saying they’d rather stay in a shelter than remain in their current units.
In partnership with Rice University, the City of Houston is monitoring over 100 sites to detect and track pathogens, including COVID-19, flu, and more.
In Houston’s Oak Forest subdivision, some homes sit behind construction fencing, incomplete and untouched for months, in some cases, years, leaving residents worried about more than just property values.
A Houston man, Nathan Sims, experienced a traumatic incident when his dog, Charlie, was stabbed by another pet owner during an off-leash morning walk at a local park.
Harris Health System is planning a major expansion of Ben Taub Hospital by acquiring nearly nine acres of Hermann Park, located just across the street, to build a new trauma center tower.
City council voted to approve $12.4 million dollars for the City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department to purchase dozens of new garbage and recycling trucks.
KPRC 2 learned BSL Golf may end its management of Hermann Park Golf Course, potentially impacting about 50 workers. The city says redevelopment plans are under review, which could include a temporary closure.
The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department is asking for $12.5 million to purchase 25 new garbage and recycling trucks, a move officials hope will finally get collection services back on track.
The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department is asking for $12.5 million to purchase 25 new garbage and recycling trucks, a move officials hope will finally get collection services back on track.
The Houston Fire Department is cracking down on a series of fires in Memorial Park, and while one person has been arrested, arson investigators believe there may be more people involved.
When your life is in danger, minutes count. This is why Houston police have to prioritize the more than 1 million calls for help the department receives each year.
Authorities are at the scene of a neighborhood in Houston’s southside where the body of a fetus was possibly found in a drainage system.
The Houston Police Department is continuing its traffic safety initiative this week, targeting busy Houston area highways
The KPRC 2 ‘DRAINED’ Investigation has looked into everything from high water bills to shady contract dealings. Now, we are looking into stolen water meters.
The City of Houston is considering updates to its scooter ordinance that could ban rental scooters in key areas like Downtown, Midtown, and East Downtown to enhance safety following a significant rise in scooter-related accidents.
Texans quarterback gives back with foundation at Back to School event partnering with Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, District Attorney Sean Teare, City Controller Chris Hollins, other community leaders
Trae Day Weekend celebrates its 17th year with four days of events in Houston, led by rapper and activist Trae Tha Truth.
For weeks, recycling bins across Houston sat untouched, some for more than 40 days. Homeowners shared their frustrations as piles of bottles, cardboard, and other materials lined curbs across the city. Now, city leaders are offering explanations and a plan to get back on track.
In a TikTok video, Sade Perkins labeled the camp as "a white-only girls' Christian camp," sparking backlash.
"This certainly conforms to one of my campaign pledges to reform the permitting process in the City of Houston," Mayor John Whitmire said. "I've heard repeatedly that people would not do business with the City of Houston in the home building industry because it would take up to a year to get a permit."
Neighbors in the Houston Heights are frustrated with the city’s confusing information and lack of action on an alley in terrible condition.
As Houston gears up for a sizzling Independence Day, local counties have implemented safety measures to ensure a secure and enjoyable celebration. With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, officials emphasize the importance of staying hydrated and monitoring sun exposure. The Houston Fire Department is actively providing medical support at the Freedom Over Texas event, while surrounding counties like Brazoria and Galveston have bolstered emergency services and beach safety protocols. Fort Bend and Chambers Counties are also on high alert, ensuring firework safety and emergency response readiness. This comprehensive approach aims to keep festivities safe and fun for all residents and visitors.
If you're celebrating the Fourth of July with your furbabies, there are some things you should keep in mind, whether you're popping fireworks or giving them BBQ scraps from the cookout.
If getting around Houston isn’t tough enough already, traffic could get a little bit worse.
With Fourth of July celebrations right around the corner, Airbnb is reminding people about its mission to crack down on summer holiday parties.
Looking for fun Fourth of July plans? Check out this list of top events—from fireworks and parades to festivals and live music.
The City of Houston has announced that recycling services have resumed normal operations after over a month of delays affecting neighborhoods such as Greater Heights, Woodland Heights, Norhill, and the Third Ward.
Over the past week, we’ve seen a small uptick in tropical activity. Now, over the next seven days, another area in the Eastern Gulf has a slight chance of development
For the past two weeks, recycling delays have frustrated residents across the area. Many have been left wondering when their recycling cans would finally be emptied.
The City of Houston has secured over $200 million in state funding, with $10 million allocated for the Sergio Ivan Rodriguez Memorial Pedestrian Bridge, honoring a Milby High School student who died while walking to school.
People in Houston can utilize the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) depositories and recycling centers up to four times each month.
As summer heats up, so does water waste. Here are some easy ways to save water at home, including a rain barrel to help you save up to 1,300 gallons.
A shoplifter reportedly trying to run from Houston Police officers jumped from the second floor of the Galleria Mall and landed on the ice skating rink below, where he was found unable to move.
Black western heritage is deeply rooted in our community and Beaumont native, Acynthia Villery is being recognized as one of the trailblazers working to preserve it. She just became one of the first women to be inducted into the Black Cowboy Museum hall of fame. We got to know the third-generation rodeo professional.
Overflowing recycling bins have become a common sight in neighborhoods across Houston, as delays in pickup services stretch into weeks — and in some cases, nearly a month.
“Water is a critical need for all Texas,” Governor Abbott said in part. “In my State of the State Address, I called on the Texas legislature to make the largest investment in water in Texas history...With this law, we will secure Texas' water future for generations to come.”
Relief may soon be on the way for Houston residents still recovering from the effects of last year’s May derecho and Hurricane Beryl.
Mayor John Whitmire announced Tuesday that the city of Houston will be updating its Draft Action Plan for Disaster Recovery following the 2024 Derecho and Hurricane Beryl, with a $50 million proposal allocated to support housing needs.
The issue began in April when Inabinette received a notice from his homeowner’s association requiring him to fix the broken sidewalk. He submitted an application on April 16 and hired a contractor.
The City of Houston is tackling the road rage and aggressive driving problem on highways on Highway 288 and the South Loop (I-610) on Tuesday.