With Polk Street set to close, many East End residents say the loss of this critical route into downtown will make commutes longer and further isolate their community.

Thousands of demonstrators filled the steps of City Hall and gathered across the Houston area Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protests—organized by the grassroots 50501 Movement, which aims to stage 50 protests across 50 states under one unified message.

With Polk Street set to close, many East End residents say the loss of this critical route into downtown will make commutes longer and further isolate their community.

If approved, the higher rate would be applied beginning with the 2025 tax year, meaning homeowners would not see the change on their bills until next year.

UPGRADE!🚛 Houston rolls out 16 new recycling trucks as part of Mayor Whitmire’s plan to modernize the city’s waste collection fleet.

“International events like the World Cup bring an influx of visitors, and we need to make sure Houston is prepared,” Organizers said in a news release. “We cannot wait until the international spotlight is on us — we must act before that wave hits.“

"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.

The new $5.18 million proposal seeks to assist 1,600 people with housing, mental health services, and more.

Are you one of the 18,000 people on the Houston Housing Authority's Housing Choice Vouchers waitlist? To keep your spot, you need to re-register online before the deadline.

These troops will support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by providing logistical, administrative, and clerical assistance at detention facilities.

“Your commitment to exercising your First Amendment rights with respect, dignity, and unity reflects the very best of our city,” the City of Houston shared in a social media post. “No arrests. No serious injuries. Just one strong, united message — delivered peacefully.“

A series of "No Kings" protests are scheduled across Houston and Southeast Texas on June 14

Dozens of protestors were asked to leave after several disturbances at Houston's city council meeting on Wednesday.

Houston police chief J. Noe Diaz called the new contract “generational” and said it will allow his department to recruit “homegrown talent.”

Houstonians are invited to a town hall meeting Tuesday night about the city’s budget and how cuts impact them.

The Houston Police Officers’ Union voted to approve a new five-year contract, several provisions continue longstanding policies that shape the department’s operations and oversight.

A historic new contract has been approved to help recruit new officers, as well as raise officers' salaries. Right now, starting officers are making $64K a year, but this new contract will bump that to $81K a year. On top of that, the new contract adds 500 more officers to the department.

How much residents pay for water in Houston is a significant focus of the ongoing “Drained” investigation. The city may hire a consulting company to study its water rates.

Mayor Whitmire will be joined by Police Chief J. Noe Diaz and members of the HPOU at City Hall to outline the agreement’s salary updates, benefits, and recruitment efforts.

Houston residents seeking affordable housing will soon have a new opportunity through the Houston Housing Authority’s (HHA) latest rent relief initiative.

The Houston Housing Authority’s waitlist for housing vouchers has grown to more than 18,000 families. The agency is now clarifying its roles, emphasizing that individuals must take action to maintain their place on the list.

More than 1,000 people gathered outside Houston City Hall today in a protest organized by nonpartisan advocacy group 5051 Houston.

A well-known dumping site near the intersection of Buffalo Speedway and Holmes Road has become a persistent issue for local officials.

Over 600,000 people took to the streets in more than 1,200 “Hands Off” protests across the United States on Thursday, with three of those demonstrations held in the Houston area.

When a sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives dies in office, a formal process follows to ensure a smooth transition while honoring their legacy. This includes a period of mourning, official ceremonies, and a special election to fill the vacant seat.

As part of the city's commitment to combat homelessness, there are big plans in store for several grants equating to roughly $2.5 million that, if approved by council members, could help facilitate these efforts.

“We don’t want to ban short-term rentals because that would be illegal and unconstitutional," Houston Council Member Julian Ramirez said. "What we want to do is get at the bad actors, the folks who are not following the rules."

Mayor John Whitmire says his vision is to get people off of the streets and instead help get them into temporary housing; with the ultimate goal of getting them affordable housing or reuniting with family.

Mayor John Whitmire says his vision is to get people off of the streets and instead help get them into temporary housing; with the ultimate goal of getting them affordable housing or reuniting with family.

On October 27, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., the 10,000 Black Men of Greater Houston Rally will take place at Houston City Hall, organized by Elite Change, Inc.

In the aftermath of Mayor John Whitmire calling out City Controller Chris Hollins over alleged “pay to play” conflicts for an upcoming conference, KPRC 2 is looking into how the City will hold its chief financial officer accountable.

City Controller, Chris Hollins is sharing his side of the story after Houston Mayor John Whitmire held a news conference Thursday morning calling out suspected “pay to pay” conflicts for an upcoming investors conference.

The news conference is expected to be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, where Mayor Whitmire will address the allegations and his plan to ensure "transparency and accountability."

“There are real victims in the public that were affected by this,” acting police chief Larry Satterwhite said in his opening statements. He also made it very clear to all at City Hall the code practice was, “a bad policy enacted in our department.”

The President's visit comes less than a week after Vice President Kamala Harris gave the keynote speech at the 88th American Federation of Teachers Convention.

The final city council hearing of the Turner Administration took place at Houston City Hall on Wednesday.

On Tuesday morning, Councilmember Michael Kubosh echoed Knox’s sentiments during the “Pop-Off Politics” Segment on KPRC 2+.

On Wednesday morning at Houston City Hall, there will be nearly 80 agenda items heard by city council members.

On Wednesday morning at Houston City Hall there will be 74 agenda items heard by city council members. The agenda, which is one of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s final ones as Mayor, is unusually long.

Immigrant workers, community members, and allies will gather outside of the Houston City Hall to denounce newly-enacted Texas law HB-2127, according to a release.

Sen. John Cornyn will join Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, and community leaders Tuesday at Houston City Hall to discuss the senator’s new Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act, which was just signed into law on Dec. 27, 2022.

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.

Outside of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s office on the steps of Houston City Hall, two dozen individuals stood with a clear message on shirts across their chests, “End Corruption in Houston.”

The Astros are getting a little break right now but the city is still getting pumped up for the postseason!

Mayor Turner welcomed the Netherlands Dutch Royal House to Houston City Hall Friday morning.

Tenants at Timber Ridge Apartments spoke in front of Houston City Council members and Mayor Sylvester Turner Tuesday to voice their concerns about the hazardous conditions hundreds of them have reportedly been experiencing while living there.

The U.S. Justice Department says it has launched a civil rights investigation to determine whether the city’s response to residents’ complaints about illegal dumping was discriminatory.

This is everything you need to know about the Houston Pride Festival to be held this weekend in downtown Houston.

At a news conference on road rage earlier this month at Houston City Hall, Mayor Sylvester Turner couldn’t contain his rage anymore regarding the violence impacting Houston area roads and the victims - young and old - caught up in the crossfire.

Families from northeast Houston are set to protest in front of Houston City Hall Tuesday, raising concerns regarding the drainage systems in their areas.

About 30 people came to a rally at Houston City Hall Saturday to decry masks and vaccines amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Troy Finner has been sworn in as Houston’s next Chief of Police.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he will announce the future of leadership at the city’s Police Department later this week. Turner spoke at City Hall on Monday morning after news broke Sunday night that Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo is leaving to take the same job in Miami. “I hate to see him leave the city of Houston,” Turner said as he congratulated Acevedo on his next chapter. Turner said Acevedo, who took the job as chief of the Houston Police Department in 2016, is leaving the department in better shape than he found it. Ad“Art was the right person at the right time,” Turner said.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday that future coronavirus vaccine megasites will be dependent on the supply of doses that is received by the city. Turner said demand for the vaccine is far outpacing the amount of vaccine that is available. Turner said that as soon as more doses of the vaccine are received, the city will start opening up additional appointment slots. Williams said the Houston Health Department is expecting to get more vaccine doses from the state this week. ‘Middle of the storm’The Houston Health Department reported an additional 1,460 cases Monday, bringing the total number of cases to more than 131,000.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner received the coronavirus vaccine Monday as he makes plans to ramp up immunization clinics across the city. After announcing increasing case numbers, hospitalizations and positivity rate, Turner rolled up his right sleeve and received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Turner said about 2,000 people received the shot at the city’s first vaccine clinic that was opened over the weekend. He said people can also contact their health care provider to arrange to receive the shot if they have the vaccine available. The city’s 14-day positivity rate was 13.9% as of Monday.

Demonstrations for racial justice and against police violence began in Texas and across the country after the killing of Houston native George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. But as November’s general election approached, Republican politicians began to rally behind police, decrying protesters and campaigning on law and order. June 4Events — and their own words — put Texas Republicans in an election year bindTexas Democrats convened last week. But it was the state's Republicans giving them the most hope about the coming November elections. June 8With elections coming, Texas Republican leaders join the thin blue lineFreezing local taxes in Texas cities that cut police funding sounds better than it works.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urged everyone Monday to get tested for coronavirus and cancel their holiday gatherings as the city’s positivity rate rises as Christmas approaches. Turner said an additional 777 coronavirus cases were reported Monday, bringing the city’s total cases to 111,211. Three more deaths were also reported, bringing the city’s total deaths to 1,530. The city’s positivity rate as is at 11.2%, up nearly a point from last week, Turner said. “Please get tested before Christmas Eve,” Turner said.

Latino workers gathered for a car protest to demand economic, rental and health relief outside of Houston City Hall on Tuesday. Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a new rent relief program, but opposed a mandatory eviction grace period. They have also relied on federal benefits from a congressional pandemic relief package, eviction moratoriums and rent assistance programs to remain housed. In May, Houston's first $15 million in rent assistance ran out in 90 minutes, according to The Houston Chronicle. Dallass $13.7 million rent assistance fund reached capacity within 30 hours of opening.

Fran Watson, Houston attorney and activist, speaks on the steps of Houston City Hall on December 2, 2018. Courtesy of Fran Watson(Audio unavailable. Fran Watson did a double take when the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of workplace protections for gay and transgender people. Watson, a lesbian, says she's experienced some discrimination on the job, as have many of her Houston-area legal clients. In this weekends edition of The Brief podcast, listen to why she says this landmark ruling is a "step in the right direction" toward fully-realized equality.

HOUSTON – At the steps of Houston’s City Hall, a group of nearly 100 people gathered for a “Police Appreciation Rally,” Thursday evening. “If we don’t have police on our corner, it’s going to be a bad world,” Diggs previously told KPRC 2. Many held signs emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter” and calling for the defunding of the police department. There has to be a level of respect,” said Justin James Jones, who was also demonstrating against the rally. “I didn’t really understand the need for a police lives or a blue lives matter movement in the midst of this black lives matter movement,” Savannah said.

HOUSTON George Floyd loved sports, and was a huge Lebron James fan, according to family members who have spoken at each of the vigils held for the Houstonian. Floyd graduated from Yates High School, and several buildings, such as Houston City Hall, were lit crimson and gold to honor him during Mondays vigil in Houston. Tonight, we turn NRG Park crimson and gold to pay tribute to George Floyd, send our support to his family and our solidarity for meaningful change, NRG said in the post. Tonight we turn NRG Park crimson and gold to pay tribute to George Floyd, send our support to his family and our solidarity for meaningful change. A small memorial was set up on the turf and his face was put on the Jumbotron with the words Rest in power, George Floyd black lives matter.

HOUSTON Houston City Hall was lit in crimson and gold Tuesday night to honor George Floyd. About 60,000 people packed downtown Houston on Tuesday afternoon to remember Floyd with a march that was organized by his family. The march started at Discovery Green and ended at City Hall, where crowds called for justice for Floyd. As the sun set, crimson and gold lights were shone on City Hall in honor of Floyd. The colors were chosen because they are the school colors of Yates High School, where Floyd graduated.

HOUSTON – People marched for several hours through downtown Houston Tuesday in protest of the death of George Floyd, who died while being detained by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Police said they were willing to remain at the scene all night as long as the protest remained peaceful. Organizers called for the event, which included a march from Discovery Green to Houston City Hall, to remain peaceful. Watch the KPRC 2 team coverage of the protest in the live blog below. Tap here to view the live blog.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo responded to demonstrators Friday at a rally for George Floyd at Houston City Hall. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas TribuneProtesters gathered at a rally for George Floyd in Houston. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas TribuneAlea Rolison wears a mask that reads, "I can't breathe, at a rally for George Floyd in Houston, Texas. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas TribuneProtestors march at a rally for George Floyd in Houston. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas TribuneFirst: Alea Rolison wore a mask that read, "I can't breathe, at a Houston rally.

HOUSTON Houston City Hall's Hermann Square was filled with holiday cheer as thousands came to root for teams vying to win in the 11th annual Gingerbread Build-Off competition. Those who took part, participated in an epic battle to win in many different gingerbread building category awards. In honor of the Apollo moon landing, the Gingerbread Build-Off will have a special competition category -- GINGERBREAD IN SPACE. The American Institute of Architects Houston Chapter hosted the Saturday event, which brought 4,000 spectators to cheer on architects, engineers, designers, students and design enthusiasts and local businesses vying to take home a title. We are very excited to be hosting this fun competition for the 11th year, said Rusty Bienvenue, executive director of Architecture Center Houston.