HOUSTON, Texas – A grandfather died in an apartment fire in NW Houston early Saturday morning.
At least one other person was taken to the hospital after escaping the burning building. Two children were also home at the time of the fire, but weren’t hurt.
David Brown, the victim of a fatal apartment fire in NW Houston on February 24, 2024. (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
According to the Houston Fire Department, they received a 911 call around 12:24 a.m. on Saturday at the Pine Forest Park Apartments on Deep Forest Drive.
The fire starting after Brown, who was wearing his medical oxygen, lit a cigarette. His wife told KPRC 2 that Brown’s head was engulfed in flames.
“He was standing there and he had them little small. He’s not supposed to be smoking with that oxygen,” Margaret Booker-Brown said. “He lit a cigarette like this here and it was flame all the same flame. It was flames all up on over his head, all the way to his ears.”
The charred remains of an apartment at the Pine Forest Park Apartments in NW Houston after a fire killed a grandfather on February 24, 2024. (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
Margaret grabbed her two grandchildren and ran.
Her husband never made it out.
Houston Firefighters rescued David, but he later died at the hospital.
The charred remains of an apartment at the Pine Forest Park Apartments in NW Houston after a fire killed a grandfather on February 24, 2024. (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
“He had health problems and things, but he didn’t have to go out like this,” said David’s step-daughter Aletha Booker. “My poor father. I don’t even know what to say, how to feel about this right now.”
A total of eight apartment homes were damaged by the fire, smoke and water. Several families are now faced with finding a new place to live in the meantime.
The Houston Fire Department says the official cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
The official kickoff to the nearly month of Houston Rodeo events is underway. More than 250 chefs are competing in the 2024 World’s Championship BBQ Cookoff at NRG Park.
Annually, more than 200,000 people flock to the finger-licking good tents scattered across the parking lot feasting both their eyes and stomach’s on some of the best BBQ in the world.
“This is 20 days of rodeo, three days of some of the best barbecue and excitement and people watching you’ve ever seen in your life,” said Steven Brown of Lonesome Dove Cookers. “It’s pure excitement. It’s nothing like I have people coming in from all over the United States. They’ve never seen anything like this. This is amazing.”
From ribs to brisket and everything else you can fit on your plate, chefs are serving up plates while fine turning their work for the judge’s pallets.
They have three days, starting Thursday, to cook up their best work.
At Lonesome Dove Cookers, the judges last year rewarding the group with first place in the open category.
It’s awesome because you work all year long to get to this point and that’s what you want. Yeah, this this is the cook off of the cook off,” said Lonesome Dove Cookers head chef Robert Vasquez.
Their tent is just of the more than 250 serving up their signature meats for empty bellies.
“We got brisket, we got turkey breast, we got pork belly, we got ribs, loaded potatoes, creamed corn,” he said.
“Everyone’s trying to show just what they can cook. Digging up something from the back and saying, oh watch this,” Brown added.
The World’s Championship BBQ Cookoff continues through Saturday.
Then, cookers will tear down their tents and move out to make way for the Houston Rodeo, which starts February 27.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
Along with the rides and tents being assembled on the fairgrounds, an iconic display is stepping out.
The Reliant Big Boot was pieced together Monday morning, which is a staple for rodeo-goers. The boot stands 25-feet-tall, and weighs 23,000 pounds from spur to bootstraps!
Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages flock to this spot to wrangle a great selfie.
POLK COUNTY, Texas – A prayer service is being held Sunday for Audrii Cunningham, an 11-year-old girl from Livingston who’s been missing since Thursday.
Audrii disappeared Thursday morning, never making it on the school bus that morning. Her disappearance prompted an AMBER Alert and hundreds of volunteers poured into Livingston to help find her.
On Sunday morning, the VFW Post #8568 in Polk County is holding a prayer service for Audrii.
In a post on Facebook, the VFW said the service will happen at 12 p.m. at their facility in Livingston.
“Audrii loves the VFW and has spent many days making us laugh and learning to dance. Our hearts are breaking. We love you sweet girl,” the VFW posted on social media.
Audrii hasn’t been seen since Thursday morning.
In a press conference on Saturday, the Texas Department of Public Safety officially named Don Steven McDougal as the sole person of interest in the child’s disappearance.
UPDATE: Investigators have identified 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal (pictured) of Livingston as one of the persons of interest in the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham.
— TxDPS – Southeast Texas Region (@TxDPSSoutheast) February 17, 2024
The 42-year-old man has a lengthy criminal history, including felony convictions for crimes against children.
Investigators also say they found a backpack that they believe to belong to a child. However, Texas DPS has not said if the backpack belongs to Cunningham.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
HOUSTON – Several middle school students at Keefer Crossing Middle School were hospitalized Tuesday afternoon after ingesting THC-laced gummies, according to officials with New Caney Independent School District.
The seven students were taken to Texas Children’s Hospital and Kingwood Hospital.
New Caney ISD police said the gummies were brought to the school by a student. The gummies have tested positive for THC.
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, THC is a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties.
Parents and guardians of the students involved were notified, police said.
HOUSTON, Texas – A Houston man is accused of using a machete to attack his own family members on Wednesday.
Neighbors who lives in the Vista at Westchase apartments say a man, who hasn’t been identified by police, attacked both his mother and sister just before 10 a.m.
The Houston Police Department tells KPRC 2 that officers, including the SWAT team, responded to the apartment building around 9:40 a.m. after getting reports of two women stabbed and slashed by a man. That same man then barricaded himself inside an apartment.
People that live nearby say one of the victims told them the suspect was her brother. She also said he stabbed their mother as well.
“I kept hearing, help me, help me screaming, help me, help me,” said Kiara Bailey, who walked outside of her apartment to find the teen laying on the ground bleeding. “So, I immediately ran back in the house and called ambulance. They was telling me to apply pressure, but it was too many stab wounds to even apply pressure.”
The mother was also laying on the ground, in the grass across the courtyard from Bailey’s apartment.
According to neighbors, the man was armed with a machete along with another long knife.
“It was the hand knife that you stick your hand into,” explained Jamia Hardy. “And you can, like, stab stuff with. He used one of those.”
The sister, who neighbor’s estimate to be in her late teens or early 20s, made it to a neighbor’s door to ask for help. You can follow her barefoot bloody footprints to the downstairs door where her handprint is left in blood.
“They had serious injuries. Lacerations to the deep laceration to the forearm,” said another neighbor, Eric Taylor.
“She kept saying her brother did it. Her brother did it. He’s in the house. He went in the house,” Bailey added.
The man barricaded himself inside the apartment where neighbor’s say the family lives.
Houston Police, the SWAT team and the Houston Bomb Squad all responded.
Some officers took refuge and vantage points inside the living room’s of some residents.
“They were in on our living room, but I can see why they used our living room because it’s a direct shot to the apartment, just in case he was to come out and backfire towards them,” Hardy said.
Neighbors say after about an hour standoff, the man surrendered to police. Cell phone video shows the moment officers dawning tactical gear and long rifles arrested the man.
“I seen he just bloody, bloody, just bloody. And he came out like nothing never happened,” said Pamela Cunningham.
The two women were rushed to the hospital, each with multiple stab and slash wounds.
Houston Police say they arrested the man and he will be charged with aggravated assault. Investigators have not yet released a motive.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
It has been a few years since the Guinness Book of World Records crossed my mind. However, a news story concerning a record (for the tallest structure made of matches, an Eiffel Tower replica) that was disallowed (bespoke match sticks) and then reinstated (woo hoo!) caused me to harken back to a time when the Guinness book was something like a circus freak show between two covers. The world’s tallest man! The world’s shortest man! The most tattoos! The most cockroaches eaten! The deepest nasal insertion!
As with many things in this life, pesky concerns regarding ethics and safety have, to a degree, robbed us of our fun and, in this case, neutered a once-great publication. No more records whose pursuit might endanger people, like eating glass or bicycle parts, for instance. And what’s worse, as John Oliver explained to us on “This Week Tonight,” a large portion of the Guinness Book of World Records’ income is derived from working with companies in order to generate publicity for their products. What a scam. The world record for highest-grossing concert tour? Here’s a hint: the artist’s name rhymes with Sailor Rift.
Ticket Alert Justin Timberlake’s public image isn’t the best these days, following an unflattering portrait in Britney Spears’ recent autobiography. And, given what is in the book, it probably didn’t help that his most recent single was “Selfish.” Nevertheless, Mr. “Cry Me a River” should still sell a few tickets when his tour pulls in to Toyota Center on Wednesday, December 4. Presales are up now, and the general ticket sale begins on Friday.
At this risk of insulting a lady by alluding to her age, I will point out that Bonnie Raitt has built a magnificent career over the past 50 years. All periods of Raitt’s musical journey are worth investigating, from her early exploration of the blues to collaborations with members of Little Feat to her platinum selling records from the ‘90s. Tickets are on sale now for Raitt’s performance at the Hobby Center on Wednesday, November 6.
And speaking of musicians that just don’t quit, Carlos Santana will be back on tour this summer, on a bill that also features fellow San Franciscan band Counting Crows. Since Santana has previously encountered some troubles dealing with summer temperatures onstage, it’s a good thing that he will be playing indoors, at Toyota Center, on Saturday, August 17. Tickets go on sale Friday morning.
Concerts This Week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkQh11kIU6I The Eagles have announced that this will be the last roundup, and while I am generally suspicious of “farewell tours,” I will cut them a bit of slack since they have named this one after a Raymond Chandler novel (The Long Goodbye) with a wink regarding its duration. Tickets are pricey, but the show features a most generous helping of Eagles hits, plus several Joe Walsh solo tunes, all performed with exemplary musicianship. And as a bonus, Steely Dan will open. Kind of appropriate, since both bands have taken good-natured jabs at each other in their lyrics (“Stabbed it with their steely knives” versus “Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening”). You can check in to Toyota Center on Friday, but (natch) you can never leave. How to describe the music of the Gipsy Kings? Well, technically their style is referred to as rumba flamenco, a genre that, as you might imagine, combines Cuban rumba and Spanish flamenco. Significantly, “rumba” was initially another term for “party” in Cuba, and that’s what you get at a Gipsy Kings gig. That being the case, get ready to rumba on Saturday at the House of Blues. Junior Brown has always marched to the beat of his own drum. Or, in this case, his own guit-steel, an instrument that is a mashup of a lap steel and an electric guitar. The influences are many in one of Brown’s shows, as he skips from honky-tonk to surf music to Hendrix, sometimes during the same song. Brown performs at Main Street Crossing on Monday, so keep an eye out for the “Highway Patrol” on your way to Tomball. A double bill featuring Extreme and Living Colour might seem odd at first glance, if you were only familiar with Extreme’s adult contemporary ballad “More Than Words.” However, an examination of the album that spawned the hit (Pornograffitti) reveals a hard rocking band influenced by funk and post-Van Halen guitar theatrics. Which makes the guys in Living Colour perfect tour mates. Though not as well-known as some string slingers, Vernon Reid is renowned among guitar players, and nobody does intense and pissed off like vocalist Corey Glover (see “Cult of Personality”). It will get loud on Tuesday at the House of Blues.
CONROE, Texas – Documents released by the city of Conroe shows multiple calls made to the Conroe Police Department that involved the woman tied to the deadly Lakewood Church shooting on Sunday.
Neighbors complaints to police about suspect
Neighbors spoke with KPRC 2 Corley Peel on Monday about the red flags they noticed while living next to Genesse Moreno, 36.
Several neighbors said Moreno harassed and threatened them for four years.
On Sunday morning, hours before the shooting, Moreno placed a blue tarp over her vehicle in the driveway and was placing items she couldn’t see inside the car, according to a neighbor. They said they also noticed Moreno as carrying a trench coat in her arms that police said she was believed to be wearing when she walked inside the church.
A neighbor who lived across the street from Moreno said she filed a police report in July 2022 when she pulled a gun on her. She said Moreno was not arrested.
Between the group of neighbors, they have called police dozens of times and filed multiple police reports about Moreno’s behaviors.
Conroe Police Department reviews calls for service related to suspect
Conroe Police Department responded to KPRC 2, stating that it has reviewed calls for service related to Moreno. The review included calls that Moreno was either the “complainant” and/or a “suspect.”
The review reportedly revealed that the police department’s personnel “handled the calls appropriately and according to law.”
Conroe PD stated that “nothing relayed to officers would have given authority to arrest or require health emergency detention; nor would any of the information have been an indication that the suspect would commit such a heinous crime. The Conroe Police Department has no further information to share at this time.”
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
A woman who walked into a popular Texas megachurch Sunday afternoon with a long gun and her 7-year-old son opened fire before she was killed by law enforcement officers on scene. The gunfire left the child in critical condition and another man injured, officials said.
Authorities are now probing the shooting at televangelist and pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church – roughly 6 miles from downtown Houston.
The woman, identified in a search warrant as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36, entered the church shortly before 2 p.m. wearing a trench coat and backpack and opened fire, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said in a Sunday afternoon news conference.
Officers “shot and killed her in self-defense” after she pointed her weapon at them, according to the search warrant released Monday by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Her son was shot in the head during the shooting and remains in the hospital Monday in critical condition, the police chief said. It’s unclear who fired the shot that injured the child. CNN has reached out to police for more information.
Police have not shared details about a possible motive in the shooting. The injured man was shot in the leg, sought treatment at a hospital and was released, Finner said Monday. The search warrant identified him as Tom George Thomas.
The gunfire unfolded while the church was “in between services” and preparing to go into a Spanish service, Osteen said in Sunday’s news conference.
“I can only imagine if it would have happened during the 11 o’clock service,” he said.
Authorities say a woman opened fire at Lakewood Church on Sunday in Houston, Texas. – Jennifer Lake/SIPAPRE/Sipa/AP
2 off-duty law enforcement officers confronted the shooter
Moreno entered the church accompanied by her son. “Once she entered, at some point she began to fire,” the chief said. One federal law enforcement source told CNN she fired around 30 rounds.
Two off-duty officers were present: a 28-year-old Houston Police Department officer and a 38-year-old agent with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, both with less than five years of service. The two officers engaged the shooter and she was struck, the police chief said. She was pronounced dead at 2:07 pm local time.
The shooter used a legally purchased AR-15 with a “Palestine” sticker on it, police said. A federal law enforcement source previously told CNN “Free Palestine” was written on the gun. She also had a .22 caliber weapon in her bag which was not used in the attack, according to a federal law enforcement source. Investigators are trying to determine whether she was politically motivated or a disturbed individual, the source said.
“I want to commend those officers. She had a long gun and it could have been a lot worse,” Finner said. “But they stepped up and they did their job, and I want to thank them for that.”
Both officers who engaged with the shooter will be placed on administrative duty pending the investigation, as is protocol with officer-involved shootings, Finner said.
“It’s traumatic not only for our community but it’s certainly traumatic for the officers who had to take a life and we worry about their mental health as well, so our prayers are with them,” Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said in Sunday’s news conference.
In this screen grab taken from video provided by KTRK-TV, authorities respond Sunday to a shooting at Lakewood Church, the Houston megachurch of celebrity pastor Joel Osteen. – KTRK-TV ABC13/AP
Shooter had history of criminal charges and mental health problems
Information from Moreno’s social media accounts and local authorities paints a portrait of a single mother with a history of mental health challenges going through the ups and downs of trying to turn her life around and launch a business.
During a Monday news conference, Houston Homicide Commander Christopher Hassig said the shooter used multiple aliases, including both male and female names. Moreno was put under an order for emotional detention in 2016 and she has a mental health history documented by Houston police, Hassig said.
Records from the Texas Department of Public Safety show Moreno had a string of arrests for minor offenses over the last two decades, including possession of marijuana, an assault, illegal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and a forgery charge. But in her 30s, she described herself on social media as the founder of a real-estate and financial services firm. By her own account on social media pages, she is involved in sales of everything from new condos to shopping malls.
A social media post in March 2020 shows a screenshot of a form letter from Lakewood Church thanking Moreno for her donation.
A search warrant identified the person who opened fire at Lakewood Church in Houston as Genesse Ivonne Moreno, 36. – Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office
A CNN review showed the story of a bitter custody battle between Moreno and representatives for her ex-spouse’s family played out on her social media accounts. In 2022, when she had her divorce proceeding transferred to county court, according to an attorney who represented her, Moreno was also arrested on a weapons charge, a misdemeanor, which was cleared with two days’ time served in the Fort Bend County Jail.
According to police, there was some sort of family dispute between the shooter and her ex-husband and ex-husband’s family, some of whom are Jewish.
“This might possibly be where all this stems from,” Hassig added. He said police also found antisemitic writings connected with the shooter.
Attorney William Capasso said he represented Moreno in 2021-2022 and told CNN Genesse Ivone Moreno went by the name Jeffrey Moreno Carranza at the time.
Capasso said he later withdrew as her attorney and she represented herself in divorce proceedings.
“I am deeply saddened to learn that Ms. Moreno may be responsible for the tragic events that occurred at the Lakewood Church and pray for the recovery of (the child) and for all of the people that were affected by this terrible tragedy,” Capasso.
Police have said they believe Moreno acted as a “lone wolf” and is not part of a larger group.
Woman also threatened a bomb
Moreno threatened that she had a bomb, but authorities searched her vehicle and backpack and found no explosives, the Houston police chief said.
She was also spraying “some type of substance on the ground,” Finner said, but he did not share further details. Peña said fire authorities were on scene and were going to “take our time to ensure that any issue, any risk that we see is properly vetted.”
“Right now, I can safely say that we have not found anything that is of concern to our community or to this location, but we’re going to take our time to ensure that we look at every aspect,” the fire chief added.
The search warrant for Moreno’s home said she had yellow rope similar to a detonation cord and “substances consistent with the manufacture of explosive devices.”
CNN has reached out to the Houston Fire Department for further information.
On Sunday night, authorities searched Moreno’s home in Conroe, Texas, in connection with the shooting, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed Monday. Spokesperson Melissa Garcia told CNN the ATF-Houston Division was one of the law enforcement agencies involved in the search. The home is about 50 minutes north of Lakewood Church.
The warrant includes searching for any ammunition, firearms, explosives, cell phones, and computers in the home, among other items.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he has been in contact with local and state officials and offered “the full support and resources” of the state to help the community.
“Join Cecilia and me in praying for his community during this difficult time and for the brave men and women in blue who acted quickly to respond to this tragedy,” Abbott added.
First responders and members of law enforcement surround the area after a shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston on Sunday. – Callaghan O’Hare/Reuters
Witness describes ‘erratic’ sound of shots and screaming
With a background in television production, Osteen took over his father’s church in 1999 and built a huge following. His services draw 45,000 attendees to the church weekly, in addition to people around the nation who tune in for online and television sermons, according to his website.
“We’re devastated,” Osteen said. “We’ve been here 65 years and to have somebody shooting at your church…”
A woman who was inside the church at the time of the shooting told CNN affiliate KHOU Osteen was greeting people after the end of the service and she was among the last to meet him.
Carlos Gonzalez, a worship singer, hugs a fellow churchgoer after a shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston. – Callaghan O’Hare/Reuters
Soon after, she told the news station, she heard repeated bangs, almost like “mechanical sounds.”
“It almost sounded like folding tables were being dismantled and dropped to the floor,” she said. “But they were erratic.”
Then, the woman said she heard another set of gunshots and saw people screaming and running. She ran into a room and squeezed inside with multiple other people, including a child. The group put two large wooden slats on the door to keep it from opening, and then, they began to pray.
“We were thankful,” she said. “We could have been a casualty. We could have been shot.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Raja Razek, Andy Rose, Ashley Killough, John Miller, and Jamiel Lynch contributed to this report.
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HOUSTON – Lights, camera, construction chaos! ✨🎥👷♀️ Brace yourselves, dear viewers, as KPRC 2 has unleashed a visual extravaganza with the debut of our dazzling new studio set Monday evening.
Now, we know you’ve been waiting for these on-screen alterations, and we’re here to spill the beans. 🫘 Behind the scenes, the creative wizards at KPRC 2 have conjured up pure magic 🪄 —a brand-spanking new set that’s about to steal the show!
The countdown is over for a grand unveiling that promises to be nothing short of spectacular! 🌟✨
Our brand-new studio by the numbers
Hold onto your remotes, because we’ve got some juicy tidbits about KPRC 2′s swanky new studio set that will make your inner tech geek do a happy dance! Here’s the inside scoop on the high-tech wonders awaiting you:
Size matters: The set spans a cool 70 feet in width and 25 feet in depth, providing ample space for all the on-screen magic. It’s not just big; it’s grand!
LED wonderland: Brace yourself for a spectacle of LED goodness. The Big Feature LED Wall steals the spotlight at 27.5 feet wide and 7.75 feet tall, while the Cube Wall LED and Slab LED bring their own flair at 19.68 feet wide x 6.64 feet tall and 3.93 feet wide x 8.83 feet tall, respectively.
Weather center extravaganza: The Weather Center is no less impressive, with a setup featuring nine curved 55″ displays and a giant 100″ interactive touchscreen monitor. It’s where meteorology meets high-tech wizardry.
Interactive playground: A 65″ interactive touchscreen monitor can switch between portrait and landscape modes, adding an interactive twist to the storytelling experience.
Pixel powerhouse: Drumroll, please! With a mind-boggling total of 17,224,704 pixels spread across the displays, the set is a pixel powerhouse ready to showcase graphics and videos in stunning detail.
Chameleon backdrops: The set is not just about pixels; it’s about ambiance. LED backdrops can change colors, bringing sunrise vibes in the morning and creating a nighttime allure. It’s like having your own personal lighting designer.
Desk on the move: The desk isn’t just a piece of furniture; it’s mobile! Ready to switch up the vibe? Just move the desk to a new position and watch the magic unfold.
With these tech wonders, KPRC 2′s new studio set isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a high-tech playground!📺🚀
Innovative design and forward-thinking flexibility
Behind this door lies the magic! Join us at 6 p.m. on Monday as we swing it open to unveil the all-new, dazzling Studio A set at KPRC 2. (KPRC 2)
Bernice Kearney, the maestro behind the scenes as KPRC 2′s News Director, unveils the vision behind the new studio set—a space designed not just for delivering news but for igniting the flames of creativity and innovation.
“I think the studio is a great playground for innovation,” Kearney remarks, emphasizing the transformative potential of the new set. It’s not merely a stage; it’s a canvas where producers, anchors, reporters, photographers, directors—everyone involved in crafting KPRC 2′s content—can stretch their creative thinking to new heights.”
As Kearney explains, the design process was a meticulous journey focused on one key aspect—flexibility. “When we were working on the design for the studio, it was very important to those of us on that team that it was flexible,” she notes. The goal was to break free from the mold of a typical TV newscast set, creating a space that transcends traditional boundaries.
The new studio isn’t just another stage; it’s a multi-platform hub where content comes to life. Kearney underscores the importance of adapting to the diverse platforms through which KPRC 2 connects with its audience. “It wasn’t just another TV newscast set or space; it was really designed to be used for all the platforms that we provide content for,” she explains.
In essence, KPRC 2′s new studio set is more than a backdrop; it’s a creative haven, a space where ideas come to life, and storytelling takes on new dimensions. 🚀🎥
Beyond the news desk: The authentic essence of KPRC 2′s new studio set
Anticipation is building! We can’t wait to unveil our stunning new studio to you. (KPRC 2)
Ever wondered how a new studio set can redefine the way news is delivered? Well, Erica Young, one of KPRC 2′s Executive Producers, explains how our brand-new set is not just a backdrop; it’s a platform for authenticity and storytelling.
When asked about the station’s engagement with its audience and community, Young unveils the philosophy behind the new set: “Our goal with this new set was to show our authenticity. We feel like the days of a traditional newscast and traditional newscasters are long gone. We are real people, who live in this community, who are sharing stories with our neighbors.”
The new set, according to Young, is a space where authenticity takes center stage. It’s not just about delivering the news; it’s about being real and connecting with the viewers on a personal level. “This new set will give us a space to be real and authentic with our viewers. By the way, this is our philosophy for all things. It’s not just the new set. We are stretching ourselves in all areas, and we hope the audience is noticing that,” she adds.
But how does the new studio set elevate our storytelling capabilities? Young paints a vivid picture: “Our anchors, reporters, and producers all strive to be great storytellers. This new set will help us reach that goal on a daily basis. From the large monitors to touchscreen technology, we are integrating several new tools into our newscasts with these changes to our studio.”
The integration of cutting-edge tools isn’t just for show; it’s about enhancing the storytelling experience. The weather team gains the ability to track storms from multiple areas of the studio, while the sports team gets more space to play and cover your favorite teams.
As KPRC 2 steps into this new era of broadcasting, the commitment to authenticity and compelling storytelling shines through, and Young is at the helm, steering the ship toward a more engaging and genuine news experience for you, the viewers.
Cutting-edge features of KPRC 2′s upcoming studio set unveiled
Brian Perry, KPRC 2′s Manager of Streaming & Creative Content, has played a pivotal role in shaping the vision of the upcoming set. This transformative project promises a dynamic and unconventional approach to news broadcasting, with Perry sharing insights into the exciting elements that will define the new studio.
“One of the things that we wanted to do is we wanted to be able to showcase different venues. That’s why we have a lot of video walls,” Perry explains.
The new set boasts a significantly larger cube wall, with two sides dedicated to telling captivating stories. Another noteworthy feature is the corner “Slab,” a non-traditional dimension wall perfect for displaying graphics. A “BFW,” or big feature wall, stands as a 32 by 9 aspect ratio giant, ready to showcase stories and graphics in a visually stunning manner.
Within the weather center, a hundred-inch touchscreen steals the spotlight, allowing meteorologists to interact and present weather updates with a telestrator function for sports. Perry emphasizes the strategic placement of weather workstations behind the cube, providing meteorologists with an efficient workspace to plan forecasts while easily transitioning to on-air presentations.
The studio is equipped with interactive monitors, including a tablet-like display, turning the set into a dynamic space for storytelling. Perry highlights the innovative use of LED panels that can change colors, creating a visually captivating backdrop that adapts to the mood and tone of the content.
Perry expresses excitement as months of planning come to life, stating, “I’ve been involved with it for eight months and this is an exciting time. Seeing our ideas go from the drawing board to the actual construction phase and then completion, was a rewarding experience for all involved. I am very proud of the hard work that the team put into the set and and I am looking forward to the big reveal.”
The shooter who opened fire at celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston before being killed by security officers had two rifles at the Texas megachurch but only used one, police said Monday. The shooter was identified as 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno, who had a history of mental health issues, police said during a news conference.
A motive for the attack that sent worshippers rushing for safety in between busy services on Sunday remains unclear, officials said. The shooter used an AR-15 rifle in the shooting.
“There was a sticker on the buttstock of the rifle that stated Palestine,” Houston Police Commander Christopher Hassig told reporters. He later said investigators believe the shooter acted alone.
Police recovered antisemitic writings in their investigation and believe there was a dispute between the shooter’s ex-husband and the ex-husband’s family, some of whom are Jewish, Hassig said.
The shooter also had a .22-caliber rifle in a bag that wasn’t used in the shooting, Hassig said.
Authorities said a 7-year-old boy who entered the church with the shooter and a man in his 50s were injured in the shooting. Authorities said the boy was in critical condition and is the shooter’s son.
A livestream from the church captured the moment gunshots could be heard just ahead of a Spanish-language service.
The shooter entered the church in a trenchcoat and started to fire before two off-duty officers working church security fired back, police said.
Officials said it wasn’t clear who fired the shot that hit the child.
The shooter threatened having an explosive, but the bomb squad didn’t find anything, police said.
“It could’ve been a lot worse,” Osteen told reporters during a news conference after the shooting.
An affidavit seeking a search warrant for a home in Conroe, about 40 miles north of Houston requested FBI assistance in retrieving any data from electronic devices found in the home.
Emergency vehicles line the feeder road outside Lakewood Church during a shooting on Feb. 11, 2024, in Houston.
Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
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HOUSTON – A woman wearing a trenchcoat and armed with a long rifle was fatally shot by law enforcement officers after allegedly opening fire at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church on Sunday afternoon.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the reported shooting happened in the 3700 block of the Southwest Freeway, at Lakewood Church.
Joel Osteen, who cofounded Lakewood Church, said they were in between services, going into the Spanish service when the shooting started.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said at 1:53 p.m., a female, approximately 30-35 years old entered on the west side of the property parking lot. She was armed with a long rifle, wearing a trench coat and a backpack, and accompanied by a 4 or 5-year-old child. Finner said she began to fire the gun after she entered.
Finner complimented the off-duty officers on the scene, one an officer with Houston PD and the other an ATF agent, who both quickly engaged with the female suspect, returning fire.
“It could have been a lot worse,” said Finner. “They stepped up and did their job.”
The off-duty officers said the woman threatened to have a bomb after she was shot. Her vehicle and backpack were searched and no bomb was found. She died at the scene.
Finner said the child with the woman was hit and is in critical condition at Children’s Texas.
A 57-year-old man was also shot in the leg and is being treated at the hospital.
Finner said they do not currently know the woman’s motivation and it is unknown how many shots she fired.
“Of course, we’re devastated. We don’t understand why these things happen,” Osteen said. “We’re going to pray for the 5-year-old little boy, the lady who is deceased and the other gentleman. We’re going to stay strong and continue to move forward.”
Gov. Greg Abbott said he has been in contact with Houston Mayor John Whitmire and offered the “full support and resources” of the state, including the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to “help bring swift justice to the criminal who committed this heinous act.”
“Our hearts are with those impacted by today’s tragic shooting and the entire Lakewood Church community in Houston,” Abbott said in a statement. “Places of worship are sacred.”
The two off-duty officers will be placed on administrative duty, as is standard when an officer-involved shooting occurs. Investigations into the shooting will be ongoing.
The female suspect has not been identified yet.
Finner said patrols will be increased in and around religious institutions.
Lakewood Church, cofounded by Joel Osteen, is among the largest congregations in the country, averaging about 45,000 attendees per week, according to its website.
Pastor Joel Osteen says he is devastated about the deadly shooting at his Houston megachurch but grateful — stating that it could have been a lot worse.
“We’re devastated, we’ve been here for 65 years and had somebody shooting at our church,” Osteen said. “We don’t understand why these things happen but we know God is in control.”
He also thanked the quick actions of local law enforcement and their response to the scene.
“I can only imagine if it was going on through the 11 o’clock service, we were in between services,” the pastor said.
Osteen asked for prayers for the child who was critically injured in the shooting and the man who was also injured. He also asked for prayers for the family of the shooting suspect who was killed by officers.
“We’re going to pray for that 5-year-old little boy and we’re going to pray for the lady that’s deceased and her family; and the other gentleman.”
Osteen said they are all “kind of in a fog” but moving forward and going to stay strong through these times.
“If there’s any good of it, she didn’t get in there and do a lot worse,” he said. “We thank God for that and watching over us.”
Osteen later posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the shooting:
Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. May the healing hands of God touch the lives of everyone involved and provide comfort during this difficult time.
“Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement. May the healing hands of God touch the lives of everyone involved and provide comfort during this difficult time.
In the face of such darkness, we must hold onto our faith and remember evil will not prevail. God will guide us through the darkest of times. Together, we will rise above this tragedy and stand firm in our commitment to love and support one another.
In times like these, our faith is tested, but it is also strengthened. We don’t always understand why things like this happen, but we know that God is in control.
Please join me in continued prayer for healing and peace.”
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
HOUSTON – A woman wearing a trenchcoat and armed with a long rifle was fatally shot by law enforcement officers after allegedly opening fire at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church Sunday afternoon.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the reported shooting happened in the 3700 block of the Southwest Freeway, at Lakewood Church.
Joel Osteen, who cofounded Lakewood Church, said they were in between services, going into the Spanish service when the shooting started.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said at 1:53 p.m., a female, approximately 30-35 years old entered on the west side of the property parking lot. She was armed with a long rifle, wearing a trench coat and a backpack, and accompanied by a 4 or 5-year-old child. Finner said she began to fire the gun after she entered.
Finner complimented the off-duty officers on the scene, who both quickly engaged with the female suspect.
“It could have been a lot worse,” said Finner. “They stepped up and did their job.”
The off-duty officers said the woman threatened to have a bomb after she was shot. Her vehicle and backpack were searched and no bomb was found. She died at the scene.
Finner said the child with the woman was hit and is in critical condition at Children’s Texas.
A 57-year-old man was also shot in the leg or hip and is being treated at the hospital.
Finner said they do not currently know the woman’s motivation and it is currently unknown how many shots she fired.
“Of course, we’re devastated. We don’t understand why these things happen,” Osteen said. “We’re going to pray for the 5-year-old little boy, the lady who is deceased and the other gentleman. We’re going to stay strong and continue to move forward.”
Gov. Greg Abbott said he has been in contact with Houston Mayor John Whitmire and offered the “full support and resources” of the state, including the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers to “help bring swift justice to the criminal who committed this heinous act.”
“Our hearts are with those impacted by today’s tragic shooting and the entire Lakewood Church community in Houston,” Abbott said in a statement. “Places of worship are sacred.”
The two off-duty officers will be placed on administrative duty, as is standard when an officer-involved shooting occurs. Investigations into the shooting will be ongoing.
The female suspect has not been identified yet.
Finner said patrols will be increased in and around religious institutions.
Lakewood Church, founded by Joel and Delores Osteen, is among the largest congregations in the country, averaging about 45,000 attendees per week, according to its website.
Fans have been eagerly waiting for new music from Queen Bey, and their prayers have finally been answered.
Act II, which has not been titled yet, is set to release on Friday, March 29. This album comes nearly two years after the singer released the first part of the project “Act I: RENAISSANCE.”
Beyoncé announced her eighth studio album on social media not long after her show-stopping Super Bowl commercial with Verizon aired during Sunday’s game.
The announcement came as a surprise to many, as Beyoncé has been notoriously private about her creative process. It has been long rumored that the second album could be country-inspired, chatter that kicked up again after she wore a cowboy hat to the Grammy Awards last week.
The former Destiny’s Child member has always been known for her powerful vocals, but this time around, it seems she’s taking things to the next level once again.
Fans have been taking to social media to express their excitement, with many already speculating about what the album could be called or what themes it will explore.
One thing is for sure – Beyoncé’s eighth album is going to be a game-changer, and fans can’t wait to see what she has in store for them.
If her past albums are anything to go by, we can expect a thought-provoking and empowering body of work from Beyoncé.
So get ready to put on your dancing shoes and get lost in the music – the Queen is back, and she’s ready to reign supreme once again.
HOUSTON – District Attorney Kim Ogg provided an update on the county’s murder and capital murder cases and convictions since the creation of a specialized homicide division.
The division was implemented after the state law required trial courts to make murder trials a priority.
Ogg created the homicide division in 2022, assigning 12 veteran prosecutors and six skilled investigators to a unit dedicated to capital murder cases and pending cases. In addition, Ogg and her senior leadership secured the funding to create an overtime program in which prosecutors meet after hours and on weekends to review more than 30,000 nonviolent, mostly victimless misdemeanor and state jail felony cases. Those cases are then considered for solutions other than incarceration.
Ogg was joined by Leticia Ybarra, mother of murder victim Jessica Perez, and members of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Homicide Division.
During the news conference, Ogg said that the county has made great strides in 2023 by sending more killers to prison and for longer years in decades.
During the height of the pandemic, only 37 people charged with murder or capital murder were sent to prison due to prosecutors’ limitations and court closures, according to the district attorney.
In 2013, Ogg announced 271 killers were sent to prison for a total of 7,903 years.
“That is a lot of dangerous people taken off the streets for a long time,” Ogg said.
Leticia Ybarras thanked the District Attorney’s Office for sending away the man who she says brutally murdered her daughter, Jessica Perez. She said while the resolution of the case will never make their family whole again, it has allowed them to move on from ever seeing the suspect and just grieve.
Here’s how many murder cases have been filed by the DA since 2016:
By the numbers
225 murders in 2016
171 in 2017 (Hurricane Harvey)
364 in 2022
301 in 2023
Here’s how many murder and capital murder convicts were sent to TDCJ since 2017:
By the numbers
114 in 2017 (Hurricane Harvey)
125 in 2018
98 in 2019
37 in 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic)
110 in 2021
187 in 2022
271 in 2023
“I want to give the courts credit,” Ogg said. “They’re trying more cases, we’re resolving more cases, we need to do even more.”
Chart shows how many murder and capital murder convicts were sent to TDCJ since 2017. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
Watch the full news conference below:
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
HOUSTON – A bus ticket shows the family of four that vanished during their move from Louisiana to Houston might be in a different country. KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel got a copy of the bus ticket and she is taking a closer look.
But the bus ticket shows they left Houston and made their way to McAllen, Texas and had a final stop in Monterrey, Mexico.
Missing Family’s bus ticket (click2houston.com)
It’s unclear if the family is in Mexico. But the family tells Peel, they had no idea they were headed in that direction. Peel reached out to the police in New Orleans, asking if they’ve been in contact with authorities in Mexico. But the police in New Orleans cannot comment. They’re still working to find the missing family.
If you have any information on the family, please call police.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
An 18-month-old child was accidentally struck and killed in a hotel parking lot, Texas cops say.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
A toddler was run over and killed as she was playing in the parking lot of a Texas, hotel, police say.
The incident happened outside the HomeTowne Studios extended-stay hotel in northwest Houston on Tuesday, Feb. 6, Houston police said in a news briefing streamed by KHOU.
Houston Police Department Commander Michael Chaney said a driver entered the parking lot at 6:30 p.m. and turned toward the backside when “they felt a bump.”
“Upon feeling the bump, they immediately got out of the vehicle to observe what they struck,” the police commander said. “They observed a child on the ground and they started to render aid on the child.”
The victim, who KTRK and KHOU reported was an 18-month-old girl, had been playing in the parking lot, police said. It’s unclear if the girl was supervised.
She died after being taken to the hospital, Chaney said.
No charges have been filed as of Wednesday, Feb. 7. Police said there were no signs the driver was intoxicated, and officers are unsure if speed was a factor.
“It’s definitely a tragedy, unfortunate incident, very sad,” Chaney said. “Exactly the facts that led up to it, we’re still working on that. But definitely prayers for the family on an overall tragic scene,” said HPD Commander Michael Chaney.
Mike Stunson covers real-time news for McClatchy. He is a 2011 Western Kentucky University graduate who has previously worked at the Paducah Sun and Madisonville Messenger as a sports reporter and the Lexington Herald-Leader as a breaking news reporter. Support my work with a digital subscription
The outlet reports that the fire was sparked early Saturday morning. Around 7:30 a.m., the Houston Fire Department took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to notify the public about the incident.
At the time, the department informed the public that the fire resulted in two casualties.
“@HoustonFire is on scene at 218 Heaney performing extinguishment efforts after receiving reports of a house on fire. Unfortunately, two civilian fatalities were reported. No FF injuries reported. Please avoid the area due to heavy emergency traffic. @FireChiefofHFD,” the tweet reads.
@HoustonFire is on scene at 218 Heaney performing extinguishment efforts after receiving reports of a house on fire. Unfortunately, two civilian fatalities were reported. No FF injuries reported. Please avoid the area due to heavy emergency traffic. @FireChiefofHFD
Later that morning, Houston Mayor John Whitmire took to Facebook to share more information about the casualties. Whitmire revealed that a mother had rescued two of her children from the fire. However, she passed away while trying to save her infant son.
“ Please extend a prayer today for a local family. The mother rescued two of her children from a house fire but died while trying to save her baby boy. We are working to make sure this family has the support they need in their time of grief. I thank our first responders for their work assisting with the investigation,” the Mayor wrote.
Furthermore, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña confirmed the mayor’s report with additional sentiments and photos shared via X.
“House fire resulted in tragic death of young mother & infant son as she reentered the home in attempt to rescue her child from the flames Our prayers & condolences to the family…@HoustonFire… crew reported heavy fire conditions on arrival. Cause&Origin investigation is ongoing,” he wrote.
House fire resulted in tragic death of young mother & infant son as she reentered the home in attempt to rescue her child from the flames
According to ABC 13 Houston, the mother who passed away in the fire has been identified as 31-year-old Giovanna Cabrera. Additionally, her infant son has been identified as 1-year-old Gabriel.
The outlet adds that the siblings saved from the fire are nine and six years old.
“She tried her best to get out,” Cabrera’s sister reportedly told the outlet. “My sister was a hero because she took them out, and nothing happened to them.”
KHOU reports that a neighbor, Savannah Hernandez, heard the eldest siblings crying for help after escaping the fire.
“I heard banging on the door and kids crying for help,” she reportedly explained. “They are little kids, and you just never know what could happen. They were barefooted.”
Chief Samuel Peña has since informed the public of his recommendation when experiencing a house fire.
“This is tragic,” he reportedly said. “And again, the recommendation once you’re outside, stay outside. How do you tell that to a mother whose child is inside the home?”
What Will Happen To The Family Moving Forward?
According to KHOU, authorities believe the fire was sparked “somewhere in a wall.” Then, it quickly engulfed the home.
Since the incident, a GoFundMe campaign has been created in memory of Giovanna and Gabriel. As of Monday, February 5, the campaign has raised over $23,000 out of a $35,000 goal.
The funds will reportedly be used to assist Cabrera’s surviving children and parents.
According to PEOPLE, the siblings are now living with their father.
Houston’s multifamily market is expected to hold steady this year after a solid 2023 performance.
Developers are expected to deliver 21,500 apartments to the market this year, according to Berkadia.
That is the largest number of single-year deliveries since 2017. With increased delivery, multifamily occupancy rates are projected to dip to 92 percent in 2024, a decrease of 50 basis points year-over-year.
“2023 overall was a positive year for Houston multifamily, and part of the reasoning there is that Houston was one of the few — maybe even only — major metros that saw positive rental growth over the course of 2023,” said Joey Rippel, managing director of investment sales in Berkadia’s Houston office. “We ended the year with about 1 percent rent growth, which was above a lot of the markets.”
Half of major metros saw effective rental rates decline last year, according to Avison Young. The rate is expected to increase by over 2 percent in 2024, potentially reaching a fourth-quarter rate of almost $1,400.
The strength of Houston’s multifamily market is underpinned by the expectations of the region’s population growth. Houston’s population will expand by 1.4 percent in 2024, potentially adding 54,000 new residents, Berkadia estimates.
After 2022’s negative absorption rate of nearly 9,000 units and a depressed construction pipeline, last year marked a rebound, even while the rest of the country reeled from deflated growth. The multifamily construction pipeline decreased 53 percent nationwide, but Houston bucked that trend, with a 40 percent increase in deliveries between 2022 and 2023.
However, distress continues bubbling up.
Over one-third of Houston’s multifamily properties were designated “criticized” going into 2024, according to Trepp. Houston had the highest rate of criticized loans among the country’s 10 largest metros. Rippel thinks that report is largely overblown, and remains optimistic for Houston’s multifamily market.
“There’s been headlines about Houston’s market, but I would say we’re in the same position as all of the major metros across the country: everybody is feeling the pain from the higher interest rates,” Rippel said. “One thing Houston has experienced that not many other major metros have is the insurance increases. We’ve had clients whose insurance premiums have gone up over 150 percent, and that is putting a major strain on cash flows and contributing to the criticized loans.”
