Jeff Ehling

1 month ago | abc13.com | Jeff Ehling |Lileana Pearson

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The YMCA in Alief has a little over a month before it closes its doors. Houston city leaders call the move devastating. Alief Family YMCA will close May 30, and council member Tiffany Thomas says it's because of financial problems after COVID-19 and ongoing federal funding cuts. The organization has been around since the 80s, but the building reopened in 2023. It has been used as a warming and cooling center for those in need.

1 month ago | abc13.com | Jeff Ehling

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Homeowners in Harris County are starting to receive appraisal notices in the mail, which tell them how much they can expect to pay in property taxes. Even if it looks like your property taxes are not increasing, homeowners are encouraged to file a protest if they think their property has been unfairly appraised. Protesting the appraised value is your right, and it can be fairly easy depending on the case you make.

1 month ago | abc13.com | Jeff Ehling

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A homeowner shot and killed an intruder inside his apartment in southwest Houston late Wednesday, according to police. It happened at a complex on Westridge St. and Hearth Drive, near the South Loop and South Main. Authorities told ABC13 that at about 10:30 p.m., multiple people broke in through the window of one of the apartments. The resident inside got a gun and shot and killed one of the intruders, said HPD detectives, adding that the other suspects got away.

2 months ago | abc13.com | Jeff Ehling

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A bill restricting what Texans can buy with food stamps is one step closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 379 overwhelmingly passed 22-8 and now heads to the House. The bill bars people from using SNAP benefits to buy highly-processed items such as chips, sodas, energy drinks, cookies, and candy. Supporters argue the proposal would ensure taxpayer money is spent on nutritious foods and food stamp recipients aren't wasting it on junk food.

2 months ago | abc13.com | Jeff Ehling

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County leaders could vote to raise the minimum wage for county employees to $20 an hour, but this isn't like most pay raises commonly heard about. If approved, the minimum wage could increase every year. According to one commissioner advocating for it, the minimum wage would be increased annually based on the living wage scale from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).