Call for federal probe issued following โinhumaneโ Texas-Mexico border allegations
The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus released a letter Wednesday that shares a request for the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a formal investigation into the allegations made against the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Texas senators, facing criticism, soften proposed ban on Chinese purchases of land
The measure, endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott, originally would have banned citizens of China, Iran, Russia or North Korea from buying land in Texas. Under a new version considered Thursday, the ban wouldnโt apply to dual citizens or lawful permanent residents.
How a 12-year-old federal lawsuit turned a judge into Texasโ foster care czar
As Judge Janis Jack continues to threaten contempt-of-court fines in a federal lawsuit against the stateโs foster care system, advocates say the case has moved the needle on reform โ but it has come with a hefty price tag.
Watch live: Mayor Turner joins community, state leaders to condemn Senate Bill 147
Local, and state leaders will gather Monday to denounce the recently-filed Senate Bill 147, which would prohibit citizens and business entities from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing land within the state of Texas.
Bill to ban Chinese citizens and government from buying Texas land gains steam among Republicans
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst filed a bill that would ban citizens, governments and entities from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from purchasing land in the state, part of what she and other Republicans have said will help stem foreign influence in Texas.
KPRC 2 Investigates: The gaps in school safety and what educators need to close them
After eight students and two teachers were murdered at Santa Fe high school in 2018, state legislators passed more than a dozen laws. None of those laws prevented Uvalde and pressure is mounting for lawmakers to address lingering gaps in school security.
Shelley Luther, anti-lockdown activist and GOP candidate, said Chinese students should be banned from Texas universities
Luther became nationally known at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 when she refused to shut down her Dallas salon in defiance of emergency orders. She was sentenced to a week in jail but was released after only a few days.
Lawmakers briefed on status of Texasโ power grid after conservation alert
Several Texas lawmakers were briefed Wednesday on the status of our stateโs power grid. Gov. Greg Abbott also spoke about the recent calls for energy conservation after several power generators went offline for unexpected maintenance.
HPD patrolling Asiatown amid the rise of anti-Asian American attacks
HOUSTON โ Houston police stepped up patrols in Asiatown Wednesday in the wake of the Atlanta massage parlor murders. HPD said they have not seen an increase in hate crimes against Asians in Houston, but continue to monitor for threats. โWe were dreading the day when there would be a mass shooting of Asian Americans and unfortunately that day has come,โ he said. You donโt know when itโs going to happen or where itโs going to happen,โ said Ellas Seto. According to the nonprofit group, Stop Asian American Pacific Islander Hate, there have been at least 503 reports of racist incidents against Asian Americans so far in 2021.
Some lawmakers say legislation proposed after 2011 freeze wouldโve helped during winter storm
HOUSTON โ Frustration is still boiling over the deadly freeze that ravaged Texas last month. A freeze, that according to ERCOTโs records, showโs a large number of facilities in the state going down. Some of them are the same ones that went down during a paralyzing North Texas freeze in 2011. Ten years ago, as a state senator, Hager authored legislation requiring the winterization of generators to avoid future failures. AdโItโs the same lessons learned,โ said deputy director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas, Michael Webber.
Lights may be on, but the suffering isnโt over
HOUSTON โ Texas Senate and House hearings are only the beginning of the investigations into our stateโs power grid failures during a blistering winter storm. Ten days after the winter storm blanketed Texas, Anderson still has no water in her Yorkdale neighborhood home in Northwest Houston. Like millions of Texans, Anderson lost power as temperatures dropped, pipes in the ceiling froze and then cracked. Hearings in the House and Senate will start the work to get those answers. We should have taken action then, what prevented that from happening, why did we not take the action?โ
6 more officers charged in investigation of deadly Harding Street police raid
The new charges bring the total number of officers or former officers charged in connection with the investigation of the raid to 12. Oscar Pardo: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record. Cedell Lovings: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record. Nadeem Ashraf: Charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and first-degree tampering with a governmental record. New charges for officers already chargedSome of the charges announced Monday were new charges against officers who have already been charged in connection with an investigation of the Harding Street raid.
โUnacceptableโ: State lawmakers address roll out of COVID-19 vaccine
HOUSTON โ It doesnโt matter if you live in downtown Houston or really anywhere across the state of Texas, if youโre someone who is wanting to get the COVID-19 vaccine, chances are youโre probably anxious to get it. Recently, hospitals in the medical center have been sending out invites to those who are eligible to receive the vaccine, making many feel very fortunate to have already received the vaccine. District 146 Rep. Shawn Thierry is one of many lawmakers pushing for their community clinics and physicians to get vaccines. Greg Abbott to look into investigating why it was being distributed in an unproportionate way, noticing many African-American and Latino communities are a part of this. Lawmakers said they are suggesting the state open up drive-thru vaccination sites, to make it more accessible to those who currently donโt have the ability to get it.
Bills aim to expand legality of marijuana in Texas this legislative session
HOUSTON โ There are no less than 20 bills up for consideration regarding marijuana this legislative session in Texas but donโt bet the farm that any of them will become law. He said he believes that without the governor and lieutenant governor on board, marijuana legalization in Texas is destined for failure. โCriminal Justice Chair John Whitmire is right that HB63 is dead in the Texas Senate,โ Texas Lt. Gov. In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a marijuana โCompassionate Useโ law that allows doctor-prescribed low-THC-level marijuana to epilepsy patients. There are more bills up for consideration this legislative session that would further expand marijuana treatment options.
Federal judge rules against Houston in latest Harding Street chapter
HOUSTON โ A federal judge has derailed the City of Houstonโs efforts to push a civil lawsuit regarding the deadly botched raid on Harding Street in federal court. The family is seeking to secure records from the Houston Police Department, including ballistic, as well as interviews with those involved in the deadly raid that killed Tuttle and Nicholas on Jan. 28, 2019. Every step of the way they are obviously happy that the court says no, we are not going to let this stay covered up. KPRC 2 Investigates exposed the botched raid was built on a fabricated warrant in February 2019. The deadly incident has resulted in several federal and state criminal indictments of HPD officers from that night, including murder charges for former narcotics officer Gerald Goines.
8 months after โghost candidateโ review launched, State Rep. Harold Dutton hoping for justice
HOUSTON โ For the first time in 36 years, State Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston) was forced into a runoff for his seat in State House District 142. Thatโs all that happened to them,โ Dutton said, in reference to the voters of District 142. A candidate named Natasha Ruiz entered the Democratic primary hoping to defeat Dutton last March. โThere is evidence that a person entered into the primary race, whose last name was not their last name,โ Dutton said. โWe, as elected officials, have to protect the integrity of the election process,โ Dutton said, adding he also believes voters need to see accountability.
State lawmakers, Harding Street families to discuss HPD narcotics audit at site of deadly raid
HOUSTON Texas lawmakers and family members of the two people killed in police raid more than a year ago will discuss Thursday a recently released audit of the Houston Police Departments narcotics division. Since then, a total of six officers and one civilian have been charged in connection with the raid. Prosecutors have said the warrant used to raid the home was obtained by an officer who lied on an affidavit. An audit released Wednesday showed there were more than 400 errors across more than 200 cases brought by the narcotics division. Wu said the lawmakers will also discuss legislation stemming from the raid that they plan to file in the next legislative session.
State, national lawmakers push HPD Chief Art Acevedo to release narcotics audit in Harding Street raid
HOUSTON State and national lawmakers continue to push Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo for the release of an audit in the wake of the deadly botched Harding Street raid. One of the few people to actually see a redacted copy of the audit is state Representative Gene Wu, a Democrat representing the 137th district. Wu, along with state Senator Paul Bettancourt, was one of a handful of lawmakers who obtained a copy through legislative privilege. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Chief Acevedo said he would release the audit to the public if District Attorney Kim Ogg gave the okay. "We're looking to Chief Acevedo to hold up and do what he has said that he is willing to do," said Wu.
Mayor Turner to make publicly-funded HPD audit available only to legislators
HOUSTON Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Friday morning that he is taking a look at the audit that the Houston Police Department has yet to make public. Since its completion, HPD has held the report close to its chest, even as Turner and Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo have touted transparency. On Friday, with political pressure in Austin and in his backyard growing, Turner told Channel 2 Investigates the audit will be made available. I will say to Chief Acevedo and to HPD, with respect to that audit, we will make it available to our legislators, Turner said during a news conference. This is a public audit.
Pressure intensifies as several state representatives call on Chief Acevedo to release pivotal HPD audit
HOUSTON โ State Rep. Gene Wu gets right to the point regarding his second letter calling on Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo to release a completed audit of the departmentโs narcotics division. Why are you hiding, if you have nothing to hide?โ Wu told Channel 2 Investigates. The acronym consists of keywords that Acevedo relies on for law enforcement. The bottom line for him regarding this pivotal HPD audit is simple,โ Rep. Garnett Coleman said. โThe public has a right to know what is in that report.โThere are six other state reps who signed Wuโs letter.
Local leaders, Houston police union president criticize Chief Acevedo for lack of transparency
HOUSTON Houston police Chief Art Acevedo spoke to a national television audience Thursday night about transparency during an NBC News special. But just a few hours earlier, Houston Polie Officers Union President Joe Gamaldi had criticized Acevedo for his lack of transparency in a surprising statement. Ive said before and Ill say it again, I believe in transparency, Acevedo said last week. If the Chief is committed to transparency and he says it out loud then lets do it, Wu said. Pollard feels Acevedos "actions need to match his words.The Houston Police Officers Union sent all city council members and Mayor Sylvester Turner a statement calling for transparency from Acevedo.