Health authorities are closely watching an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus known as COVID-19. Here are the answers to key questions about the outbreak: What is the virus? Scientists have identified the virus as a novel, or new, coronavirus. The name comes from the Latin word for crowns or halos, which coronaviruses resemble under …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s been over five months since a large crowd stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Since then, authorities have been searching for the perpetrators. On Tuesday, the FBI arrested an eighth Houston-area resident in connection with the incident. “Unfortunately, we can now add Jan. 6, 2021 to that very short list of dates in American …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An innocent driver was hospitalized after police say she was caught in the middle of a police chase. It happened on Tuesday at around 4:45 a.m.. The chase ended along the Gulf Freeway when the suspect crashed into the car of an innocent 45-year-old woman. According to police, the chase started at El Dorado, where an …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — For the first time since the pandemic started, utility companies can shut off services for customers behind on payments. A moratorium had protected people from that previously. Now, local groups want people to know there is help available to keep them connected. There are a number of resources, but they come along with some requirements as …

Authorities have identified the two workers who were killed in a natural gas explosion Monday afternoon in Collin County. The names of two other workers who were injured in the explosion were not released. The Collin County medical examiner’s office said Ethan Knight, 22, of Mesquite and Deric Tarver, 35, of El Campo died in the explosion, which occurred about …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Southeast Texas educators are being forced to figure out how to bring students back up to speed after a challenging year. The Spring 2021 STAAR test results, which were released by the Texas Education Agency on Monday, show students struggled in the pandemic. The Houston Independent School District said it’s adding 15 more days to the next …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — On Tuesday, Harris County commissioners unanimously approved two measures to alleviate a massive criminal case backlog in Harris County. Commissioners voted to make improvements to technology, jury service and to add more judges. About 100,000 criminal court cases are pending in the Harris County court system, which is a 40% increase from 2017. The backlog stems …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Family and friends of a man who was shot inside a historic River Oaks home last week want Houston police to conduct a thorough investigation. Wesley Jermaine Gobert, 45, was shot on Wednesday, June 23, around 11:30 p.m. inside the home in the 1900 block of Larchmont. In exclusive video obtained by on Tuesday, Gobert is …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff toured the Astros’ COVID-19 vaccination event Tuesday night at Minute Minute Maid Park. Officials said Biden and Emhoff stayed to watch the Astros take on the Orioles. They also made an appearance on the club’s television and radio broadcasts. Last week, Biden stopped in Nashville while …

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — The man accused of breaking into his ex-wife’s home and shooting four times is saying he “would never do anything like that.” On Tuesday, Aaron Wright went before a judge who told him he has to stay away 200 feet from his ex-wife’s home. The judge stressed the fact that it appears Aaron had an …