Lucio Vasquez

Newscast Producer

Lucio Vasquez is a newscast producer at Houston Public Media, NPR’s affiliate station in Houston, Texas. Over the last two years, he’s covered a wide range of topics, from politics and immigration to culture and the arts. Lately, Lucio has focused his reporting primarily on public safety and criminal justice in Harris County.

Lucio’s work has been recognized by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters, among other organizations.

Criminal Justice

Dozens of Houston-area residents arrested for alleged gang activity in federal-state initiative

Posted on September 7, 2023 · In total, 39 Houston-area residents were hit with a plethora of felony charges.

Housing

2 Harris County courts receive grant funding to establish full-time eviction diversion efforts

Posted on September 6, 2023 · The money will cover two full-time positions that'll focus implementing strategies in an effort to reduce the harm of eviction in Harris County.

Criminal Justice

Harris County DA’s office reverses low-level drug policy citing increased amount of fentanyl in seized drugs

Posted on August 31, 2023 · The DA's office will now evaluate every drug possession case, regardless of the amount of suspected narcotics, as long as probable cause is established "through the expert testimony of two officers with drug enforcement experience."

Criminal Justice

Harris County officials say a new state law should help reduce the county’s criminal court backlog

Posted on August 30, 2023 · Under Senate Bill 402, district judges in Texas are required to give preference to hearings and trials for murder and capital murder offenses.

Criminal Justice

‘He should have had jail time’: Victim speaks out after former Harris County sheriff’s deputy pleads guilty to attempted sexual assault

Posted on August 29, 2023 · The former officer was sentenced to six years of probation and has to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

Houston

City of Houston plan to reduce human trafficking along Bissonnet effective, officials say

Posted on August 25, 2023 · The Houston Police Department began barricading Bissonnet's intersections and bolstering police presence throughout the area in May.

HISD

Houston ISD removes 2 elementary school principals just days before school is set to begin

Posted on August 24, 2023 · In an email, HISD declined to provide a reason behind the reassignments "due to the confidential nature of this personnel matter."

Law Enforcement

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez requests more money from the county’s proposed budget to reduce turnover

Posted on August 23, 2023 · If approved, the Harris County Sheriff's Office could receive nearly $700 million. That's 13% increase compared to last year's budget.

Weather

Harris County officials are urging residents to be prepared as storm activity ramps up in the Gulf

Posted on August 22, 2023 · This comes after a handful of tropical systems recently formed over the span of four days.

Criminal Justice

Harris County DA’s Office requests no bond as Houston-area man accused of shooting multiple police officers appears in court

Posted on August 21, 2023 · Terran Green is being charged with four counts of attempted capital murder after allegedly wounding multiple police officers last week.

Court

Man wounded in Takeoff shooting sues Houston bowling alley over inadequate security

Posted on August 17, 2023 · The lawsuit accuses the owners of a downtown bowling alley of failing to provide adequate security during a private party that ultimately left Takeoff dead while leaving two others wounded.

Criminal Justice

A.J. Armstrong found guilty in 2016 murder of parents, gets life in prison

Posted on August 16, 2023 · The verdict came after 11 days of witness testimony. The high-profile case had dragged on for years after two previous juries could not reach a consensus on a verdict in 2019 and 2022.

Criminal Justice

AJ Armstrong files federal lawsuit against the City of Houston as jury deliberates his fate in third capital murder trial

Posted on August 15, 2023 · The federal lawsuit accuses HPD officers of planting evidence just days before Armstrong's third trial was set to begin in June. That evidence would eventually become a focal point of Armstrong's third trial.

Weather

Harris County’s extreme summer heat is creating a prime climate for possible wildfires, expert says

Posted on August 14, 2023 · As of Monday morning, National Weather Service declared yet another excessive heat warning for the Houston area.

Criminal Justice

Another man dies in the Harris County Jail as the facility continues to face extensive scrutiny

Posted on August 10, 2023 · This comes after a federal lawsuit was recently filed accusing the county of creating a "culture of death" inside the Harris County Jail.