Game-changer for homebuyers: How you can beat high interest rates
If you are shopping for a new home right now, you already know interest rates have skyrocketed to an average of 7.36%. What would you say if we told you that you could get a mortgage for a rate of 3%? There is a way. Investigative reporter Bill Spencer shows us how, with the help from a husband and wife who just used an assumable mortgage to buy a home.
Shepherd ISD high school student dies after collapsing in gym practice
A high school student from Shepherd ISD suffered a cardiac episode during gym class and later passed away. Shepherd ISD sent a notice out to parents this week. You may know KPRC 2โs Bill Spencer is passionate about heart screening for teens. First, hereโs more on what the district says happened to the teen student this week.
Second victim comes forward: Cyber thieves drain $4,500 from Chase Bank account via Zelle
๐ฐ Zelle Scandal Unveiled: Houston Women Lose Thousands ๐ธIn a shocking turn of events, two Houston women fell victim to a massive Zelle scam that drained their bank accounts. ๐ฑ Despite reporting the fraud immediately, Chase Bank denied any wrongdoing and refused to reimburse their loss. Join KPRC 2 Investigator Bill Spencer at 6 PM tonight as he dives deep into this alarming issue.
KPRC 2 and Cody Stephens Foundationโs lifesaving heart screenings uncover hidden dangers for teen athletes
In a mission now spanning over a decade, KPRC 2 and Investigative Reporter Bill Spencer have partnered with the Cody Stephens Foundation to bring about a positive change in the lives of teen athletes. Their joint efforts, dedicated to preventing tragic incidents related to undetected heart defects, recently culminated in a heart screening event that delivered results beyond expectations.
3 hot places to get the best home prices in the Houston area
Record high mortgage rates and high home prices has made it tough for people to afford the dream of a new home. Investigator Bill Spencer did all of the homework for us to find the top best places to buy a home in the Houston area right now.
Daring standoff: Rook lifts armed officers to 2nd story of home, forcing suspect wanted in deputyโs shooting to give up
It was a tension-filled night Thursday as armed officers mounted a mechanical crane-like device, were raised to the second level of a northeast Harris County home, and came face-to-face with a wanted suspect, leaving him with nowhere to run. This move brought an end to a nearly six-hour standoff for a man accused of trying to kill at least four law enforcement officers, according to authorities.
Just a few clicks: 3 of the easiest ways to return online purchases
Online shopping has revolutionized the way we buy, never has it been so easy to get whatever you want with just a few clicks of your mouse and a credit card number. But returning unwanted items can be misery. Investigator Bill Spencer has three of the easiest ways to return online purchases to save us all stress, time and money.
Military vet helped by Spencer Solves It loses leg after flying off Highway 288 following motorcycle crash
As Christopher Katthage was riding his motorcycle, he suddenly lost control and hit the guard wall on an exit ramp above Highway 288. He was sent flying over the overpass into oncoming traffic, and in the process, his right leg was torn off.
โGod provided a wayโ: Spencer Solves It team helps families in need this holiday season
Every year, KPRC 2โฒs Spencer Solves It Team brings a boatload of Christmas cheer to families in need in the Houston area with Christmas Miracles Week. Meet a family from Houston who is having a hard time making ends as their family unexpectedly grows.
Ask Amy: Holiday shopping related fraud warning
The holiday shopping season is in full swing - and so are thieves, working hard to trick you. More people are already being targeted by mail delivery schemes. Amy Davis explains you should know to protect both your packages and your personal information.
Spencer Solves It team searching for 5 families in need to help this Christmas
The Spencer Solves It team is looking for five families who have had a horrible year and are now facing the fact they will not have enough money to provide their children with presents or any kind of Christmas celebration. Then Bill will gift those families with 2,500 dollars to buy gifts and also with brand new bicycles for all of their children.
Weekly wrap: COVID fraud Investigation, Shady pool contractor, Appliance repair delays
A weekly wrap of the stories our KPRC 2 Investigates team is working on. Highlights include an investigation into a pool contractor accused of stealing from families. We also have the latest on the COVID fraud investigation and a look at thefts of guns in vehicles in Houston.
Pool contractor charged with stealing more than $150,000 from Spring, Conroe-area families
Investigator Bill Spencer is known for tracking down shady contractors. Hear from two families who say they lost thousands of dollars after hiring a man to put a pool in their backyard. Plus, three things you should do before hiring any contractors for your home.
Spring break vacation: 4 places you should try, 4 you should forget
Some travel experts are comparing this coming spring break to a prison break. It makes sense when you consider that millions of Americans have been cooped-up in their homes because of COVID-19 restrictions for far too long and many are just now ready to break free and take a real vacation.
Spencer Solves It: KPRC 2 viewer spot mass on womanโs neck during Bells for Abigail story
Washing dishes inside her tiny apartment, Demitra Johnson is now thinking hard. Not about her job, not about the day ahead, not about what she will do next, but about her beautiful, brave, little boy, Devarjaye, who for the last five years, has been battling terminal brain and spinal cancer.
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?
Spencer Solves It: Houstonians expecting to dish out money as pipes burst from winter storms
KPRC 2 Consumer Investigator Bill Spencer has what you need to know to avoid getting ripped off. In the midst of a weather emergency throughout Texas, 46-year-old Tamika Thomas is frightened. I donโt have no $1,200,โ Thomas said. Burst water pipes are a problem many Houstonians will be facing over the next several days. If you have had a pipe or pipes burst inside your home, a certified plumber told Spencer you should expect to pay anywhere between $250 and $650 for repairs.
Nominate a Family for Holiday Help
HOUSTON โ It is the holiday season, the happiest season of the year, in a year like no other we have ever seen before. As they have for years now, the Spencer Solves It team is working hard to identify five incredibly deserving families to deliver a holiday miracle. Nomination FormYou can also nominate your own family if you like. Letโs make this holiday season an unforgettable one for a truly, needy family that is in danger of missing out on the celebration. Then, right before Christmas, watch KPRC 2 for five full days of Christmas miracles.
Ask 2 Live: Expert advice for finding affordable health care in Houston area
Some people have lost their jobs as part of the economic downturn, meaning they have also lost their health insurance. So what are people without insurance to do about health care in the midst of a pandemic? Here are some of their tips to finding affordable health care in the Houston area. Urgent care clinics are also a lower-cost option over hospitals for some major things such as broken bones. Virtual appointments are a great way to cut down on health care costs.
High demand for COVID-19 tests means some Houstonians are struggling to get tested
HOUSTON Two Houston-area COVID-19 testing sites at Butler and Delmar stadiums ran out of tests within just a few hours of opening Friday morning. With the new coronavirus spike, more people are looking to get tested and the increased demand is leading to some difficulty in finding a testing location. KPRC 2s Bill Spencer talked to a person who felt like trying to get tested for COVID-19 in Houston was a nightmarish situation. If you would like to ask questions or register for COVID-19 testing in the city of Houston, you can call 832-393-4220 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Waiting for your stimulus check? Here are a few things that might help you get it faster
But there are qualified people still waiting for their stimulus money. According to Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Bill Spencer, here are four things you can do that might help you get your stimulus money faster:Sign up for the stimulus programIf you havenโt already, go to the IRS payment portal and see if you qualify for a payment. Make sure you use direct depositIf you have a bank account, make sure you choose direct deposit for your payment. Youโre more likely to get your money faster than having a check sent in the mail. 2nd District - Rep. Dan Crenshaw7th District - Rep. Lizzie Fletcher8th District - Rep. Kevin Brady9th District - Rep. Al Green10th District - Rep. Mike McCaul14th District - Rep. Randy Weber18th District - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee22nd District - Rep. Pete Olson29th District - Rep. Sylvia Garcia36th District - Rep. Brian Babin
Massive food distribution event at NRG park Monday shows Houstonians are still struggling
HOUSTON โ A massive food distribution event by the Houston Independent School District and the Houston Food Bank was originally supposed to take place Saturday at NRG Park. But, severe weather threw a wrench in those plans and families in need were left waiting to collect food. Houstonians flocked to the rescheduled event Monday afternoon and it highlighted that thousands of Houston families are still struggling from the shockwaves of coronavirus closures that left millions in Texas without jobs. Even as Texas continues to reopen, Houstonians have not yet bounced back. KPRC 2โฒs Bill Spencer was at the event.
A survivor receives a helping hand
She survived Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey and breast cancer. At 59 years old, Annette Ryskala is what youโd call a survivor. For a time, after losing her job, Annette lived on the street, completely homeless. The team connected Annette with Randy Hartley, one of Billโs Brigades most generous benefactors who helped the team on over 20 different projects. Hartley offered to pay her rent for a few months and pay for $2,000 towards her mountain of medical bills.
Is the Atomic Charge Wallet worthy of holding your cash?
The Atomic Charge Wallet claims to double your battery capacity. Spencer's leather wallet is stuffed to about twice the size of the Atomic Charge Wallet. Once her phone battery was at 50 percent, Davis connected the Atomic Charge Wallet to her Samsung 7 with the mini USB cable that came with the product. You can find the Atomic Charge Wallet for about $20 online, but for that price you should probably just invest in a larger, more reliable portable battery that you can carry with you and charge your phone when needed. Either way, you will have to remember to charge the wallet or the portable battery because they will drain, too.
Supermom Surprise: Barbara Heitman
Published: May 11, 2018, 10:52 amHOUSTON โ KPRC2 celebrated Barbara Heitman Friday. She raised two children, grandchildren and a lot of friends who adore her. Barbaraโs daughter, Suzanne, nominated her mother, who has struggled with Alzheimerโs disease in recent years. Channel 2 reporter Bill Spencer organized a mother-daughter day of pampering to honor Barbara and her amazing family.
Restaurant Report Card: Cockroaches crawling in broken cooler
HOUSTON โ KPRC's Bill Spencer makes his weekly rounds to restaurants in town to make sure they are keeping up to the health standards in Houston. Click here for other Restaurant Report Card recapsClick through the slideshow to see which restaurants violated the health department standards this week. PHOTOS: Restaurant Report Card: March 8, 2018Full Screen 1 / 4File: Chatterโs Cafรฉ & Bistro restaurant report March 8, 2018File: Hyderabad House restaurant report March 8, 2018File: Jenniโs Noodle House restaurant report March 8, 2018File: Subway restaurant report March 8, 2018
Restaurant Report Card: Roach problem shuts down restaurant
HOUSTON โ KPRC's Bill Spencer makes his weekly rounds to restaurants in town to make sure they are keeping up to the health standards in Houston. Click here for other Restaurant Report Card recaps. Click through the slideshow to see which restaurants violated the health department standards this week. File: REPORT - Chuanr Plus - 9889 BellaireFile: REPORT - Antojitos Chapines & El Taurino - 5857 S. GessnerFile: REPORT - China Border Restaurant - 10718 North FreewayFile: REPORT - Molly's Pub - 902 RamadaFile: REPORT - Taqueria La Morenita - 130 S. 75th St