The Texas A&M Forest Service concluded that a fallen decayed utility pole caused the Smokehouse Creek fire.
Stephen Simpson
Stephen Simpson is the Houston-region reporter, where he covers the fast-growing city and its surrounding areas. He joined the Texas Tribune in 2023 and previously served as the mental health reporter. Prior to that, he was a politics reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, where he covered the state's Supreme Court, House of Representatives and correctional system. Stephen's earliest career experiences include reporting and copy editing at The Jonesboro Sun and The Pine Bluff Commercial. He earned a degree in online and print journalism with a minor in filmmaking from the University of Central Arkansas.
Posted in
Panhandle Wildfires
Texas emergency director calls for firefighting air force after historic Panhandle fires
A special legislative committee is investigating what caused the Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest in state history.
Posted in
Health care
Taking a cue from the pews, Texas churches expanding mental health services
Many Texas faith groups have offered counseling services in the past. But more of them are expanding their programs, partnering with providers, to help meet the growing need here for mental health services.
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Health care
Texas libraries work to bridge state’s mental health services gap
Information-rich public libraries are using their websites and facilities to address the ever-increasing demand for counseling, housing and substance abuse services.
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Health care
Lifesaving Narcan tough to find in Texas pharmacies
Opioid overdoses are not slowing down in Texas. But locating Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an overdose quickly, has been tough for Texans since it was made available without a prescription last year.
Posted in
2024 Texas Elections
Veteran State Board of Education member loses her seat, two other Republican incumbents face runoffs
The results of Tuesday’s primary elections could foreshadow a further push to the right for the body that sets the state’s educational standards.
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Health care
Travis County to launch $23 million project to keep mentally ill from jail
Next month, mentally ill individuals accused of committing minor crimes will be “diverted” to a new 25-bed facility instead of jail cells in Travis County.
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Health care
How the Texas vision for seamless mental health care fell apart over 60 years
A lack of private providers, a swamped community mental health system, and low insurance reimbursement have cut off many in Texas from basic mental health services.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
As suicide rate increases, gun safety advocates call for more firearm regulations
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showed a new record for people using firearms in suicides. Texas gun safety and mental health advocates say the report highlights a need for gun laws the state does not have.
Posted in
Higher Education
Rice University relocates its founder’s remains after reckoning with his ties to slavery
William “Willy” Rice, the founder of Rice University, will be buried at his family plot after students called for his removal due to his slave-owning past.
