Advocates say emergency communications have not improved much since last year, and people experiencing homelessness were less likely to seek help this year because of new state and local policies targeting them.
Houston
Posted in
Politics
The man who brought drive-thru voting to Texas wants to be Houston’s next mayor
Former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins rose to prominence by pushing ways to expand voting access in Texas’ most populous county during the November 2020 election.
Posted in
Politics
Texas law barring state contractors from boycotting Israel violates firm’s free speech, federal judge rules
Texas is one of more than two dozen states with laws that seek to limit boycotts, divestments and sanctions of Israel over its treatment of Palestine.
Posted in
Environment
Texas may get a coastal storm barrier, but will it be too late?
The federal infrastructure bill’s passage renewed hopes that Texas would finally get a coastal storm barrier. But Galveston and Houston could still get hit by a hurricane before it is built.
Posted in
Economy
Texas eviction filings among the nation’s highest as millions of rent relief dollars go unspent
The U.S. Treasury Department seized $1.9 million in unspent rent relief from five Texas counties and one city because local officials didn’t spend the money fast enough.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
“We’re about to catch on fire”: Inside a Texas hospital battling omicron and staffing shortages
Texas will soon surpass its previous COVID-19 hospitalization record. Doctors and nurses say they can’t keep up this pace for much longer and implore people to get vaccinated.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
At-home COVID-19 tests are in scarce supply in Texas while public testing sites see a rise in demand
Most local officials insist they still have testing capacity at their public testing sites, but Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said demand has outpaced supply.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
Texas cities weren’t ready for a massive winter storm in 2021. Has that changed?
Cities have made some preparations in case of another severe winter storm. But keeping the lights and water on is far from guaranteed.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott remains silent on posthumous pardon for George Floyd
The state’s parole board recommended in October that Floyd, murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, be pardoned for a minor 2004 drug conviction in Houston. The governor hasn’t acted, and isn’t answering questions about what he will do.
Posted in
Economy
Evictions in some Texas cities are almost back to normal levels as tenant help dries up
Evictions in major Texas cities have reached levels not seen since the pandemic began. But tenant protections and financial assistance for struggling renters are beginning to fade.
