Texas prepares to test for lead in schools’ drinking water for the first time
An updated EPA rule requires drinking water in elementary schools be tested for lead and copper — a mandate that emerged from the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. Full Story
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Erin Douglas is the climate reporter for The Texas Tribune based in Austin where she covers the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat, drought and hurricanes. Since joining the Tribune in 2020, she has reported on the toll flooding takes on mental health, investigated a chemical fire at an industrial facility, and covered the collapse of Texas’ power grid that led to widespread blackouts across the state. Her coverage of the Texas blackouts in 2021 was recognized by the Investigative Reporters and Editors and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Erin was previously a business and economy reporter at the Houston Chronicle where she covered labor, energy and the environment. She studied journalism and economics at Colorado State University, and her first newsroom job was interning at The Denver Post, her hometown newspaper.
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![Water fountains at Northside ISD in San Antonio on Aug. 11, 2020.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Toxic substance or water supply? Lawmakers to weigh whether wastewater from oil fields could replenish the state's aquifers
A recent EPA decision will allow Texas to regulate water discharges from oil drilling operations. Some lawmakers see a future water supply for the state in the decision, while environmental groups — and some scientists — warn it could be risky. Full Story
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![Fracking water retention pond near Big Spring, Texas.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
The NRA says it’s moving to Texas. Bankruptcy experts say it may be more of a legal move than a physical one.
The National Rifle Association filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and may reincorporate in Texas. Experts say it’s fleeing a fraud case in New York. Full Story
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Clogged phone lines and ethical dilemmas: Texas health providers scramble to roll out vaccine with little state guidance
More than 8 million Texans qualify to receive COVID-19 vaccines, but fewer than 2 million doses have shipped. Providers are facing clogged phone lines, crashing websites and tough decisions about who will get the first shots. Full Story
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![Jeffrey Warnken, R.Ph., right, and his wife Sandra Warnken R.Ph. organize vaccine paperwork at 38th St. Pharmacy in Austin on Jan. 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas legislators eye tougher rules on chemical tanks to prevent explosions, spills during storms
A string of explosions involving little-regulated petroleum and chemical storage tanks have lawmakers and regulators talking about new rules as the Legislature prepares to convene this month. Full Story
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![An aerial photograph of the Stolthaven Oil Tanking facility along the Houston Ship Channel on Nov. 10, 2015. Shell's Deer Park facility can be seen in the upper right.]()
Credit: Edmund D. Fountain/ProPublica/Texas Tribune -
Environmental groups allege Texas rubber-stamped industrial plants' pollution — and that the EPA looked the other way
The groups are suing the EPA, saying it failed to address concerns that air permits issued to big industrial facilities didn’t meet federal standards. Full Story
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![A house stands in the Manchester neighborhood while refineries are visible in the background in Houston on Sept. 8, 2018.]()
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Texas' move to control coal ash pollution could shield industry from tougher rules under Biden-led EPA
Texas is close to finalizing a years-long effort to wrangle control of coal ash pollution from the EPA, a move that could, for a time, keep coal companies insulated from tougher rules expected from the next administration. Full Story
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![The Fayette Power Project plant is a coal-fired power plant located near La Grange, in Fayette County. Jan. 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Former Houston police captain accused of violent attempt to prove election conspiracy was hired by GOP activist's group
Mark Aguirre is accused of running a man off the road and threatening him at gunpoint. The ex-cop was hired as a private investigator by a group whose CEO is GOP activist Steven Hotze. Full Story
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![Houston police officers and SWAT team members on the scene in a west Houston neighborhood where a gunman with an assault rifle shot one man and injured 6 before being killed by a SWAT officer on May 29, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
As Texas grows, communities face an unwelcome neighbor: concrete companies. Homeowners have few options.
Concrete companies say they’re just following the law. A handful of bills addressing the issue have been filed for the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
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![Easy Mix Concrete Services LLC in southwest Austin.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Oil companies snag Gulf of Mexico waters for offshore drilling in last bid before Biden transition
President-elect Joe Biden has promised to ban new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters. The Trump administration held its last Gulf of Mexico auction Wednesday. Full Story
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![An Offshore oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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