Last year, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica investigated Houston’s vulnerability to hurricanes and torrential rainstorms. The nation’s fourth-largest city is sure to see the latter in the coming days. Here’s what we know about what could happen.
Neena Satija
Neena Satija worked at the Tribune from 2013 to 2019. She was an investigative reporter and radio producer for the Tribune and Reveal, a public radio program from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Previously, she was the environment reporter at the Tribune. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, she graduated from Yale University in 2011, and then worked for the New Haven Independent, the Connecticut Mirror, and WNPR/Connecticut Public Radio. She has also been a regular contributor to National Public Radio. As an East Coast transplant she is particularly thrilled with Austin tacos and warm weather.
Posted in
Higher Education
Chancellor announces modest spending cuts to UT System
Amid significant pressure to rein in spending at the University of Texas System, UT Chancellor Bill McRaven announced on Thursday that the system — which oversees UT-Austin and 13 other campuses across the state — is about to get a little bit smaller.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT System oil money is a gusher for its administration — and a trickle for students
The fracking boom helped push the Permanent University Fund close to $20 billion, and every year the UT System gets a slice of that money to spend — but just a sliver goes to student financial aid.
Posted in
Energy
After 18 months, hurricane vulnerability documents arrive — but they’re thin
Eighteen months ago, we asked the government for documents that should have shed a lot of light on Houston’s vulnerability to a massive hurricane. After finally receiving them, it turns out the documents are basically useless.
Posted in
Sold Out
Lawmakers again focus on criminals more than sex-trafficking victims
Six months ago, a Texas Tribune series exposed how the state’s decade-long crusade against sex trafficking has done little to help victims — especially children. The 2017 Legislative session, which wrapped up on Monday, continued that trend.
Posted in
Politics
Races for mayor in San Antonio, El Paso, headed for runoffs
San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor will face councilman Ron Nirenberg in a runoff in her reeelection bid. In El Paso, former state Rep. Dee Margo came up short and will face David Saucedo in a mayoral runoff.
Posted in
Economy
Texas leaders to Trump: Houston area needs billions for hurricane protection
Dozens of Texas politicians and business leaders are urging President Donald Trump to commit $15 billion toward protecting the Houston area from a devastating hurricane.
Posted in
Health care
For troubled foster kids in Houston, sleeping in offices is “rock bottom”
No child is supposed to sleep or spend more than a few hours at the Harris County Youth Services Center’s Point of Entry in Houston. But Texas’ foster care placement crisis has forced some of the state’s most troubled teens to sleep in a place that isn’t equipped to care for them.
Posted in
Higher Education
Has the Top 10 Percent Rule impacted diversity at UT-Austin? It’s complicated.
It’s hard to know exactly how the Top 10 Percent Rule has impacted diversity at UT-Austin, but data suggests it does boost the school’s Hispanic population right now.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Proposed law would crowdfund donations to help with rape kit backlog
As Texas faces a backlog of thousands of untested rape kits, lawmakers appear unwilling to spend state dollars to address the problem — but they’re considering crowdfunding.