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KPRC 2 Investigates: Year in Review – 2024
*By Jason Nguyen, KPRC 2 Senior Investigates Producer; Ninfa Saavedra, Digital Content Specialist; Andrea Slaydon, Senior Investigative and Special Projects Producer; Amy Davis, Investigative Reporter; Mario Díaz, Investigative Reporter; Joel Eisenbaum, Investigative Reporter; Bill Spencer, Investigative Reporter; Robert Arnold, Investigative Reporter; Adrian Montes, Investigative Photojournalist; Jon Hill, Investigative Photojournalist; Bill Carruthers, Investigative Photojournalist/Editor; Tiffani Lupenski, Digital Transformation Director; Ana Lastra, Director, Enterprise and KPRC Originals*
*Published: December 30, 2024 at 10:38 AM*
At KPRC 2 Investigates, our mission is to build a fairer, more equitable community. We strive to tackle injustices, support families, and solve problems impacting Houstonians. Our work in 2024 yielded significant results, making headlines and achieving tangible positive change.
One of our most impactful investigations involved the suspension of 264,000 incident reports within the Houston Police Department (HPD), including 4,400 sexual assault reports dating back to 2016. The reason cited was a critical officer shortage. Our reporting on this issue prompted a major shakeup in HPD leadership, leading to personnel changes and the appointment of former Texas Ranger Noe Diaz as a solution. While the department works to address the backlog, the investigation continues.
Another significant story involved the 2019 murder of Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle, and their dog Star, during a botched police raid. Following nearly six years of reporting, KPRC 2 Investigates’ Mario Diaz was present when a jury convicted former HPD narcotics officer Gerald Goines. This case was featured in “The Bench,” a KPRC 2 Original docuseries.
Beyond high-profile cases, we helped numerous families. Bill Spencer and the “Spencer Solves It” team removed 85,000 stinging insects from the Delgado family’s home, and recovered $13,000 for two families whose Zelle accounts were drained. We also assisted a Kingwood family in reducing their epilepsy medication costs by over $2,000 through connection with an online pharmacy. Joel Eisenbaum worked with county leaders to restore the Mount family’s dream home after a mercury spill. He also uncovered the issue of squatters occupying homes near a high-speed railroad in Northwest Houston’s White Oaks subdivision. At the border, Robert Arnold highlighted the increasing challenge of human smuggling, focusing on the younger age of offenders. Our work earned two Lone Star Emmys for the true crime docuseries “The Evidence Room,” specifically for the episodes “Savagery at Corvette Concepts” and “Baby Grace.”
Citizen tips remain crucial to our work. The investigation “DRAINED,” conducted by Amy Davis and Andrea Slaydon, into Houston’s water department, exposed mismanagement and resulted in charges against seven individuals connected to questionable city contracts. This investigation earned us a nomination for the DuPont-Columbia Award. Our reporting on the Houston Housing Authority’s misuse of funds led to the resignation of CEO David Northern and a significant settlement.
Looking ahead to 2025, we remain committed to uncovering waste, addressing issues in education and immigration, and serving the Houston community. We are more than journalists; we are your neighbors, working to build a stronger community together.
(Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
(Followed by staff biographies, website links and contact information as provided in the original text.)