Questions persist about tiny corporation linked to Houston Airport System and chaired by cityโs airport director
KPRC 2 Investigates has uncovered ongoing concerns about the Houston Airport Systemโs Development Corporation (HASDC), a small, self-funded non-profit corporation that generates significant revenue, yet operates with little transparency and close ties to high-ranking city officials. Despite reporting substantial assets and providing large grants, questions remain about its financial operations and lack of clear oversight.
Pop-Off Politics: Houston Police Department seeks approval for real time crime center
Check out the latest segment of Pop-Off Politics where we dive into important agenda items in Houston! This week, we explore the Houston Police Department's Real Time Crime Center and the Houston Forensic Science Center's efforts to address testing backlogs. Stay informed and engaged with local government. #PopOffPolitics #HoustonNews
Pop-Off Politics: Houston considers extending parking meter hours to boost revenue
There is a lot going on in the nationโs fourth largest city, and keeping tabs on everything is a daunting task. KPRC 2 Investigates has a team dedicated to reviewing agenda items involving your tax dollars and how elected officials plan to spend them.
11th hour bankruptcy filing cancels auction of secretly stored African Art in Harris County
KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered the secretly stored art in a Harris County maintenance shed. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent to makeover the shed and store art under the control of Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
KPRC 2 Investigates questions Mayor Whitmire over HPD deactivated criminal cases and ongoing investigation
KPRC 2 Investigative reporter Mario Diaz questioned Whimire about the committee he appointed to investigate the Houston Police Department and if they will hold all the leaders of the department accountable, including chief Troy Finner who admitted to knowing about the suspended sexual assault cases since 2021.
Houston mayorโs statement on near decade of crime data manipulation echoes KPRC2 Investigates report
Houston Mayor John Whitmire said today that he believes crime data for the city has been manipulated for nearly the past decade, but he vowed to get to the bottom of whoever is responsible. He also vows to fix the issue.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire worries about resource drain as HPD investigates suspension of over 260,000 criminal cases
Houston Mayor expresses concerns over the suspension of over 260,000 criminal cases by the Houston Police Department, including 4,000 sex assault cases. The revelations have sparked outrage among citizens and City Council Members.
TIMELINE: HPD Chief Troy Finnerโs request for retirement has been approved amid controversy over suspended cases
Check out this timeline to see how the Houston Police Department mishandled and suspended thousands of sexual assault cases. #Houston #SexualAssaultCases #JusticeForSurvivors #Accountability
Art Acevedo: A timeline of several stories involving HPDโs former chief from Harding Street to his firing in Miami
The following is a timeline of several stories KPRC 2 Investigates has produced involving former HPD Chief Art Acevedo ranging from Harding Street, to his firing as police chief in Miami, to a recent report showing HPDโs former chief being served while in uniform in Aurora, Colorado (his now former employer) for the Harding Street civil lawsuit.
Change in direction in project leadership at Bush Intercontinental Airport involving the controversial ITRP project
KPRC 2 Investigates has learned the redevelopment of the controversial International Terminal Redevelopment Project (ITRP) at Bush Intercontinental Airport is looking for a new executive to complete the project. This comes at a time when the project has experienced massive delays and seen its budget skyrocket over the last decade.
Controversial international terminal project at Bush Intercontinental starting to see โlight at the end of the tunnelโ
Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz (no relation to the author), delivered his annual State of the Airports address to a filled ballroom inside the Marriott Marquis hotel on Monday afternoon.
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
City controller asks OIG to investigate Houston Airports Systemโs director over $760,000 in fines waived for concessionaires
Houston City Controller Chris Brown is calling for the Office of Inspector General to open an investigation into the manner in which Houston Airports System Director Mario Diaz settled liquidated damages with a concessionaire and their partner, who has ties to former Director City Council Relations William Paul Thomas, who was convicted in federal court back in July for conspiracy tied to bribes.
ONLY ON 2: Mattress Mack travels to Louisiana to make largest Super Bowl bet in history
Outside the menโs restroom at a rest stop in Vinton, Louisiana Friday morning, Jim โMattress Mackโ McIngvale pulled out his smartphone and with a tap of a finger placed the largest Super Bowl bet in history, $5 million.
GETTING ANSWERS: Recycling trashed, expensive art still in a shed, and bad fuel frustrations
In this day and age, itโs hard to believe anyone would think they could get away with doing something shady because there are cameras everywhere! This week our KPRC 2 Investigates team obtained video of trash workers clearly NOT doing the job they were hired to do in one community. Neighbors there are MAD! You might be too when you see our investigation. Plus, Investigator Mario Diaz learned new information about that county shed full of expensive African art. And, a driver was left stranded after getting bad gas. Why is it so hard to find help?
5 things for Houstonians to know for Thursday, March 18
Here are things to know for Thursday, March 18:1. Now, Pamela Bunkley, Jonesโ daughter, and her husband are suing CenterPoint Energy for wrongful death. AdBuzbee filled the second lawsuit early Wednesday but said the third one is the โmost egregiousโ to date. We screen each one, and I personally talk with and screen any individual on whose behalf we file. Lauren Hammelman said a man followed her in a car and then exposed himself and yelled inappropriate things to her before taking off.
Outgoing HPD Chiefโs Message to Houston: โGet ready for 500 murdersโ
HOUSTON, Texas โ HPD Chief Art Acevedo made a grim proclamation for the City of Houston on Tuesday, โGet ready for 500 murders,โ said Acevedo during an afternoon news conference at HPD headquarters. This said, there are two homicides from Acevedoโs tenure that stand out the most. They are the shooting deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas by HPD in the deadly botched raid on Harding Street. When asked how challenging will it be for Acevedo to leave Houston knowing that Harding Street remains unfinished? Acevedo said, โIโll be back for Harding Street because it happened on my watch.โAdWatch the video below to hear John Nicholas, brother of Rhogena Nicholas, speak about Acevedoโs departure.
โDonโt criminalize a physicianโ: Doctor prosecutors accused of stealing vaccines tells his side of the story
SUGAR LAND, Texas โ It takes only seconds for Dr. Hasan Gokal to recall the last COVID-19 vaccine he administered. โYeah, the last vaccine was to my wife,โ Gokal said. โDonโt criminalize a physician for making a judgment based on their training,โ said Gokal. He claims the vaccines were going to expire, but instead they ended up in arms connected to him. AdโThe urgency, the need to get it out, the need to not let anything waste,โ said Gokal.
Bush airport named TSAโs 2020 Airport of the Year for the second consecutive year
HOUSTON โ George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston is the 2020 Airport of the Year, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The TSA team in Houston consists of more than 1,100 employees, which includes TSA officers, inspectors, canine handlers, explosives experts, managers and program analysts. The award recognizes team achievements in key operations and mission support functions, such as measurable improvements, superior performance, notable innovation and significant operational improvements in support of TSAโs mission. โWe are honored to be named TSAโs 2020 Airport of the year,โ Houston Airports Director Mario Diaz said. โOn behalf of the entire team at Bush Airport and the traveling public, I also congratulate the George Bush Intercontinental Airport TSA team for their invaluable commitment to safety and efficiency throughout this challenging year.
โHe is going to shoot meโ: Man who says he was held at gunpoint by ex-HPD captain speaks to KPRC 2 Investigates
HOUSTON โ โIf they can give him prison, give him prison,โ that is what David Zuniga told KPRC 2 Investigates reporter Mario Diaz on Wednesday morning. Mark Aguirre and held at gunpoint in a bogus voter-fraud conspiracy incident on Oct 19. Zuniga said Aguirre faked an injury immediately after the incident to draw Zuniga closer. โVery, very close, because when I saw him unlock the safety I thought, โHe is going to shoot me,โโ Zuniga said. Attorney Jared Woodfill, of the Liberty Center, told KPRC 2 Investigates, the head of the Liberty Center, Dr. Steven Hotze, โhad hired Mark Aguirreโs investigation firmโ and he had a team of approximately 20 investigators looking into potential election fraud in Harris County.
VIDEO: Boxing legend Mike Tyson discusses return to the ring with an unexpected showdown
HOUSTON โ On Saturday night in Los Angeles, Mike Tyson will make a return to the boxing ring at 54 years old. Some are calling it an exhibition bout, but Tyson kept it straight in an exclusive interview with KPRC 2. Tyson will be squaring off against another ring legend in 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. Tyson tells KPRC 2 getting in shape was โhell at first.โWhen asked what message he was sending to anyone over 50? To see their showdown, click the video in the video player.
Houston Newsmakers: Harris County ballot battle rages
The state of Texas has one view while Harris County has another. Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins is a guest this week on Houston Newsmakers and says the state of Texas is using legal tactics to keep eligible voters from having the opportunity to vote. โWeโve been to court here in Harris County, and we won because the lawโs on our side,โ he said. See her interview on this weekโs program and more on Houston Newsmakers EXTRA with President Stacey Stewart . Houston Newsmakers Sunday mornings at 10:30amMore Information:Chris Hollins, (D) Harris County Clerkยท Website: https://www.cclerk.hctx.net/ยท Twitter: @HarrisVotesMario Diaz, KPRC Investigatesยท Website: https://www.click2houston.com/team/Y64QYFJB2BCMPL3ZJIAKUVBHA4/ยท Twitter: @KPRC2MarioStacey Stewart, President & CEO, The March of Dimesยท Website: https://bit.ly/369DwX3ยท Twitter: @MarchOfDimes
KPRC 2 honored to receive 30 Lone Star EMMY nominations this year
(Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.) HOUSTON โ The KPRC 2 team received a whopping 30 Lone Star EMMY nominations Friday, including in the prestigious โOverall Excellence," โNews Excellence" and โCommunity Service,โ categories. Our station has received the most nominations of all the TV stations in Houston and has the second-most nominations in the state. The Lone Star Chapter is part of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and describes itself as โthe standard-bearers for excellence in the television broadcasting industry and the gatekeepers of the prestigious regional EMMY Awards in Texas.โ It serves 19 television markets in Texas and includes members from TV-related fields including news and non-news broadcasting, according to its website. A virtual award ceremony is set for November.
โItโs a warzone over hereโ: Hereโs what people who live near explosion scene are saying
HOUSTON โ A massive explosion rocked northwest Houston early Friday, shaking many people in the Spring Branch neighborhood out of their beds. The blast was reported about 4:20 a.m. at Watson Valve Services near the corner of Gessner and Clay roads. Residents who live near the epicenter said windows were blown out of their homes. Most will look back on this day never forgetting the vast damage, the neighborhood will never be the same. Investigative reporter Mario Diaz exclusively toured a damaged home along with local officials:See what residents are saying about the explosion in these videos.
Sept. 29: Government shut down a good thing?
A government shutdown would be a good thing. That's according to former Rep. Tom DeLay who gives his first TV interview on "Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall" since his convictions for money laundering and conspiracy were overturned. "They'll win it if they shut it down," DeLay said as he talked about the success of the government shutdown that occurred when he was in Congress. Wice talks about the legal reasons the decision was made. Great conversation and information on this week's "Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall."