It remains one of the strangest things KPRC 2 Investigates has uncovered in recent years. A massive private African art collection secretly stored inside of an old Harris County maintenance shed.

Starting Tuesday, Harris County is offering low-interest loans from the $17 million Harris County Opportunity Fund to support small businesses.

This mural is meant to serve as a reminder of the slaves whose forced labor created the foundation on which our nation is built.

The county plans to ID eligible voters and send them registration forms. GOP officials say it’s an end-run around state law.

Reflections on the late Congresswoman from Houston's lie will also come from her children as well as local and national leaders.

Over four-and-a-half years after KPRC 2 Investigates exposed well over a thousand pieces of African Art from a private art collection that was being stored in a Harris County maintenance shed, the art is set to be sold to the highest bidder on Thursday.

Federal and local officials, including Bishop James Dixon, Congressman Al Green, and representatives from the offices of Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, will provide updates on recovery efforts at NRG Park following Hurricane Beryl.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis is expected to propose a significant change to the county's minimum wage policy, aiming to extend the $ 15-an-hour wage increase to all employees, including contracted workers.

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles is calling allegations that he diverted Texas school money to his charter schools in Colorado “irresponsibly inaccurate.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging the program, saying it violates the Texas Constitution.

“Harris County officials cannot continue to abuse their power and the people’s money to score political points, and we will fight every step of the way to hold them accountable," Paxton said in a press statement.

The NAACP Houston Branch and partners held a news conference Wednesday to announce their support for Uplift Harris, a pilot program to help low-income households in Harris County.

Harris County officials responded to a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over the county’s Uplift Harris program.

A program meant to help Harris County residents living below the federal poverty line is being criticized by the Texas Attorney General, saying it's "unconstitutional."

KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered the secretly stored art in a Harris County maintenance shed. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent to makeover the shed and store art under the control of Commissioner Rodney Ellis.

Applicants for the pilot program to help low-income residents living below the poverty line in Harris County will be notified on their status by March 22, 2024

Harris County Commissioner’s Lesley Briones and Rodney Ellis will highlight new funding for eviction legal aid

The program is now open, but they're issuing a notice.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County Public Health Executive Director Barbie Robinson will discuss Uplift Harris a day before eligible households can start applying for the guaranteed income program.

Harris County Officials are announcing a resolution on Tuesday to apologize to the families of Camp Logan soldiers who were killed and beaten during the Camp Logan Riot.

The World Youth Foundation hosted its 33rd Annual Seeds of Gratitude celebration in Houston on Sunday.

Texas Republicans passed measures this year to eliminate Harris County’s top election job and give the Republican secretary of state power to take oversight of elections in Houston.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis plans to ask the commissioner’s court to add $7.7 million to a buyout program to provide repeat flood victims – including undocumented immigrants - with more money for relocation.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and several local officials announced new details on the fourth gun buyback event coming next month.

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher is holding a news conference on Tuesday to discuss the $1.4 million in federal funding that will help Harris County’s Black Maternal and Child Health Program.

Officials in Harris County announced Wednesday their intent to sue the state of Texas over a pair of controversial bills which would impact elections in the county.

Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones joined Harris County Public Health to announce a two-day Maternal & Child Health Conference at NRG Center.

Judge Lina Hidalgo released data Wednesday showing an alarming increase in youth gun violence in Harris County.

The jury is still out for the gift card initiative known as the gun buyback program.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis among several Houston-area healthcare experts will announce a $6 million reproductive health care access fund on Monday.

In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a right to a lawyer applies to criminal defendants. Together with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, The Texas Tribune hosted a series of conversations Friday on public defense in Texas.

County health officials are helping patients who have been hurt in these incidents through their “Hospital Violence Interruption Program” at Ben Taub Hospital.

Harris County Judge Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis joined local leaders Tuesday morning to announce that $31.6 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to help expand the county’s workforce training efforts, according to the county judge.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and Commissioner Rodney Ellis, along with City of Houston will hold the third Gun Buyback event on Saturday.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced that they will host a gun buyback on Feb. 18 at Deussen Park.

Harris County commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia, along with Harris County Toll Road Director Roberto Trevino, announced a new proposal Tuesday aimed at helping local drivers feel less burn due to the hike in inflation. Officials said the county will soon be cutting toll rates by 10 percent.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Qatar Harvey Fund (QHF) officials and health experts will provide updates on the multimillion-dollar renovation project at the historic Riverside General Hospital, which will reportedly house Harris Public Health and other vital health-related services.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and domestic violence advocates will announce a $4.7 million Domestic Violence Assistance Fund to help victims.

In response to some deplorable living conditions in rental housing in Harris County, Commissioner Rodney Ellis announced a newly approved Tenant Protection Policy on Wednesday.

Harris County commissioners are set to attend a special meeting at 2 p.m. Monday.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle outlined a proposed tax reform plan Tuesday that he calls a “compromise” to break a stalemate over the property tax rate.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum will hold a press conference Monday to encourage eligible residents to register to vote by using guidance provided by the Elections Administration Office.

This weekend marks the 23rd annual Sales Tax Holiday in the state of Texas. The holiday, created in 1999 by Commissioner Rodney Ellis, is intended to help parents who may be short on cash to get what their child needs for the school year.

On Wednesday, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis and members of the U.S. Congress announced a multi-million dollar initiative for Harris County’s youngest residents -- Brighter Futures for Harris County Kids.

Harris County Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss and consider putting a $1.2 billion bond measure on the November ballot. The measure passed 3-2 late Tuesday night.

Leaders from the Houston area say they’re floored by conditions at the Sterlingshire Apartments complex, so they say they’re helping residents know their rights, and that help is on the way.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis will hold a news conference Tuesday morning calling for a special session to address the ongoing gun violence among children.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee held a vigil and a rally on Monday evening to raise awareness and demand the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Houston area leaders hosted a prayer vigil Thursday afternoon to honor the 10 Black people who were killed at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will introduce a resolution Tuesday to Harris County Commissioners Court opposing the draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion striking down Roe v. Wade.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s Office announced Thursday that it will announce an initiative aimed at reducing crime across Harris County.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and clean air advocates called on President Joe Biden and the Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday morning to enact safeguards to reduce pollution from the W.A. Parish Generating Station and other power plants in Texas.

In a 3-2 vote, Harris County Commissioners approved a resolution to protect transgender children and their families.

The Harris County Republican party is holding a press conference Wednesday to call for an independent elections overseer following the resignation of Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria.

They are rejoicing in Harris County with historic news to tell. An institution that has been a major support to churches like Wheeler Avenue Baptist, restaurants, barber shops, and other businesses over seven decades is celebrating another milestone -- a first of its kind partnership.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez highlighted the county’s new “Clean Streets, Safe Neighborhoods” program in a news conference Wednesday morning.

Houston Police Chief Finner Troy Finner did not hold back Thursday night while talking about violent criminals in the city.

For the first time in the past two years, the Harris County jury selections process will be moving back to downtown Houston.

Community college and school district officials will join Commissioners Rodney Ellis, Adrian Garcia and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Wednesday to announce a $200,000 Disparity Study Fund.

Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne, along with Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Rodney Ellis, and Unity National Bank President and CEO Michael Pearson announced Thursday afternoon a historic partnership with the minority-owned bank.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis will mark the completion of the Cleburne Street improvement project Monday morning.

Take a look at some of the biggest stories KPRC 2 Investigates shared in 2021, from an update to that African art in a warehouse to COVID-19 testing.

An 11-yea-old boy is recovering after he was hit by a speeding truck while crossing the street.

Harris County commissioners are calling for a thorough investigation into what went wrong Friday night at the Astro World Festival.

A Harris County grand jury declined to criminally charge Commissioner Rodney Ellis in the African art case.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Wayne Young of the Harris Center for Mental Health unveiled a community-based mental health care initiative coming to Harris County residents in targeted areas Tuesday.

Harris County residents offered their take Thursday on proposals to redraw district lines for the four precincts that comprise the county.

The massive private African art collection inside of a county maintenance shed in Precinct One sits still, two weeks after movers were allowed to start showing up.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards’ inauguration, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis will highlight "50 “Ann Banners” on display in downtown Houston.

Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner and other public safety and health officials introduced two programs to reduce crime and improve community safety at an event on Monday.

The Houston Texans are teaming with the NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to award $450,000 to renovate and resurface the athletic field at Yates High School.

The federal government blocked an attempt to rename these places 30 years ago when Texas passed a law to eliminate the term. Now, lawmakers are once again pushing for the change.

We are updating our investigation by showing the latest discovery by KPRC2 Investigates regarding the private art collection stored on the taxpayers' dime.

HOUSTON – Harris County is providing $550,000 to help combat food insecurity. The Harris County Healthy Food Financing Initiative will increase the availability of fresh and nutritious food in underserved communities by funding innovative solutions through community partners, the county announced Wednesday in a press release. Here is how the organizations plan to allocate the grant:HOPE Clinic : Teach restauranteurs to prepare healthy food for their menus. Houston Food Bank : Increase food pantry capacity and SNAP enrollment. Kristen House, Houston Food Bank Partner Capacity Manager, said:On behalf of Houston Food Bank, we are so grateful and excited to start working with our partners on HFB’s new Targeted Enhanced Partner Capacity Project.

HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee made a demand Thursday for TxDOT to take residents and the environment into consideration in the agency’s plan to expand Interstate 45. The $7.5 billion expansion project aims to increase the capacity of the freeway to handle traffic through downtown up Greater Greenspoint. Members of the group know, as Stop TxDOT I-45 applauded the county attorney’s decision to file suit. Good for them,” said STOP TxDOT I-45 founder, Susan Graham. The following is a statement, from TxDOT Executive Director James Bass, on the Harris County lawsuit regarding the NHHIP:“TxDOT has not yet received a copy of the lawsuit.

More than two years after Harris County voters overwhelmingly approved a $2.5 billion flood control bond, the county announced Tuesday that it is $1.4 billion short. Many of the hundreds of original projects remain unfinished, including in some of the most economically disadvantaged communities. “Halls and Greens, the two poorest watersheds in the county -- they’re basically left out of the process,” said Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia in Commissioner’s Court. “It doesn’t add up at all,” said former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “The commissioner’s court needs to fix it,” said State Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Dist.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Local officials and community leaders held several drive-thru legal clinics on Saturday afternoon. Volunteer attorneys helped determine if renters qualified for protection under the CDC moratorium guidelines. “And we’ve been paying our rent because the last thing we want to be is under a bridge,” she said. AdEric Kwartler, an Attorney and Professor at South Texas College of Law Houston, said a lot of renters do not know their rights. “One big thing that people need to understand is you may get a notice to vacate from your landlord, stay in your home because you do have rights,” Kwartler said.

So much so, the number of defendants now under supervision is overwhelming county resources. AdHarris County Justice Administration DepartmentA Pre-Trial budget presentation also showed officers carrying huge caseloads. “We’ve got to put more money in pre-trial services,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Cagle agrees Pre-Trial Services needs the help. The study is expected to be completed within the coming months and will help guide commissioners to where funding is needed most.

At the time of the shooting, Ybarbo was out of jail on two other bonds, accused of two other crimes. AdThe De Leons not only blame Ybarbo but also Judge Ramona Franklin of the 338th Harris County District Court. Harris County Precinct 1 (Ellis): 12 casesHarris County Precinct 2 (Garcia): 9 casesHarris County Precinct 3 (Radack/Ramsey): 4 casesHarris County Precinct 4 (Cagle): 2 casesHarris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis is considered the architect of bail reform in Harris County, by backing judges with similar philosophies about reform. Bettencourt and Miles support new bipartisan legislation to keep violent suspects off the streets, forcing judges to follow the law, not their own personal discretion, especially when a suspect is charged with other crimes. AdFacing a surge in homicides, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner agrees bonds should be provided in low-risk cases, not for suspects with a violent history.

“George Floyd…say his name George Floyd,” said George Floyd’s niece Bianca Williams. It’s been nine months since Houston native George Floyd was killed. On Saturday, his alma mater Jack Yates High School and several others honored his life in a special way. Lee also presented the Floyd family with the George Floyd Justice and Policing Bill. George Floyd may be gone, but his death sparked a movement and his name will always be remembered.

Friday’s announcement of proposed Senate Bill 252 comes after Channel 2 Investigates first exposed secret massive art collection being warehoused on the taxpayers’ dime, “Legally what this bill means is that I don’t think that what Precinct One Commissioner is doing is legal. I don’t think you can take a private Art collection, house it, spend public money, do private tours, I don’t think that is the right thing under the Texas Code,” said Bettencourt. The state senator out of District 7 doesn’t believe the actions taken by Ellis and his office is legal. Bettencourt said this bill is to ensure accountability at the state level if the Ogg’s office does nothing. Bettencourt indicated he cannot speak to federal operations, but he can speak to the state and its laws.

Harris County is providing $40 million in funding to help residents suffering financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know that direct assistance to low-income families can help reduce poverty rates, inject money into the local economy and, most importantly, help families afford their basic needs like housing, food and health care.”The payments will be distributed in two rounds. The first round is already underway and is assisting families who applied to, but did not receive help from the Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund program conducted earlier this summer, according to the release. Households that have already received other COVID-19 related assistance from Harris County are ineligible for this financial assistance, according to the release. “Thousands of families across Harris County have struggled to overcome the financial damage from COVID-19,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in the release.

HOUSTON – Family and friends continue to celebrate George Floyd after what would have been his 47th birthday. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and about 40 bicyclists rode 16 and a half miles in honor of Floyd. The riders stopped at a mural dedicated to Floyd in Third Ward, where family and friends had already gathered for a block party. Floyd died in May after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. The four ex-officers involved face charges ranging from second-degree murder to manslaughter.

HOUSTON – The Third Ward community near Texas Southern University and The University of Houston is covered in construction cones, but all for a good purpose. Intersections like Ennis and Cleburne are already starting to see improvements like wider sidewalks, which is a relief for walkers and bikers in the area. Last year, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis pledged to invest $30 million to reconstruct Cullen and other streets in the UH-TSU corridor. The project also includes drainage improvements to help reduce street flooding during heavy rain events as well as lighting and landscaping features. Ellis, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and University of Houston President Renu Khator broke ground on the $19 million second phase of the Cullen Boulevard construction project Thursday.

HOUSTON – Law enforcement officials are ramping up their investigation into a stash of African artwork that is being stored on the Harris County taxpayers’ dime. “Who has the keys to all this,” KPRC 2 asked Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis’s team earlier this year. What do you have to say to Harris County taxpayers about this?” asked KPRC 2 investigator Mario Diaz. “We have to get rid of special treatments for special groups,” said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg on July 31. “I’ve gotten Chris Feldman, an attorney, to go review it to see what recommendations he can put in place,” Ellis told KPRC 2.

HOUSTON Mayor Sylvester Turner joins Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, NAACP Houston, and Mi Familia Vota to announce an initiative to increase voter participation in Harris County. The initiative will include a series of billboards across the county that highlight a memorial of the late Congressman Mickey Leland, which was recently installed in Hermann Park.

HOUSTON On Wednesday morning Commissioner Rodney Ellis renamed named Robert E. Lee Road to Unison Road. However, most people KPRC 2s Vincent Crivelli spoke with along the road did not want the name change. If I get a few people angry with me, thats the political process, said Ellis. Several neighbors complained about the time consumption and cost to update their driver licenses and account information for multiple entities. However, Ellis said if residents cant afford it, hell find resources to help.

HOUSTON – Tens of thousands of residents have applied for the Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund, according to a press release. Due to the high volume of applications received, Harris County said they need more time to process, select and match applicants with the appropriate community-based organization. Applicants will be notified of selection and community-based organization match by June 30, through originally set to be on June 26. “The staggering number of applications we received only goes to show the immense magnitude of need across Harris County,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. As of Thursday, a total of 2,381 households in Harris County have been served or were in the process of being served.

HOUSTON The Harris County Commissioners County approved eight measures to reform the criminal justice system that aids in mass incarceration and police brutality against people of color and the poor community. Commissioner Rodney Ellis proposed the reformation of the criminal justice system following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others. The proposal includes studies that could lead to reallocating the countys criminal justice budget, implementing an independent oversight board to investigate excessive police force and expanding the Public Defender Office. Data also shows there are twice as many people at the Harris County Jail as opposed to jails in New York or Cook County. When Texas reduced its incarceration rate, the crime rate also went down.

Running for Ahmaud Arbery had evolved to riding for him. More than 50 slab riders took to the Houston streets Saturday afternoon to ride for justice for Arbery’s death. Organizers said the ‘Slab Ride’ was to protest hate and violence against Black people. Riders completed two loops around 610, commemorating the 2-mile run Arbery made before being killed. and Real Beauty Real Women.

HOUSTON – Thousands of families in Harris County will be getting some much-needed financial assistance thanks to a new relief funds approved by the Commissioners Court Tuesday. According to a news release, the Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund will set aside $30 million to give to up to 25,000 families across Harris County. The first $15 million will be distributed by non-profits and charities that work with the poor. The second will be made available to those who apply for the money by phone or over the internet. KPRC 2 will stay on top of this important story and let you know when and how to apply for the $30 million program as soon as the county makes that information public.

HOUSTON – Harris County Commissioner Court this week approved a $15 million relief fund to help assist the most vulnerable families and individuals who are struggling with the sudden loss of a job or wages because of the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 Relief Fund was proposed by Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, which will provide support for rent, food, medical care and other expenses. The Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way will manage the program to help those facing the most severe hardships. Harris County Judge Lina Hildalgo announced the approval for the relief fund Tuesday, saying the county has an obligation to protect human life and the most vulnerable. According to the Greater Houston Community Foundation, the COVID-19 Recovery Fund has been endorsed by Hidalgo, Fort Bend County Judge KP George and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

HOUSTON – Senator Rodney Ellis and Walmart are previewing Texas' Back to School Sales Tax Holiday at Walmart's brand new Galleria Supercenter with a pep rally and charitable shopping spree. Senator Ellis, who authored the original Tax-Free Weekend Bill, and Walmart shared details on how to prepare, what is tax-free and what is not, what the holiday means for business and consumers as well as some of the great deals in Houston. Walmart and Senator Ellis will then kicked off a shopping spree benefiting Westbury High School and Cunningham Elementary School. Each school was given 82.5 seconds, mirroring the 8.25% tax savings, to fill a shopping cart at Walmart with as many back-to-school items as possible. Texas' sales tax holiday, which runs from August 7 - 9, allows families to shop for clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks that are priced under $100, tax-free, so families can stretch their budget further this Back-to-School season.