Levels of lung-damaging ozone spiked this year across Texas, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Scientists are still trying to understand why, though the hot weather is likely part of the cause. Questions are also rising about the ozone impacts of oil and gas drilling.
Houston
Posted in
Demographics
Guest Column: Demographics, and Ideas
If Texas Democrats want to magnify the advantages of a shifting demographic, they need to better practice the fine art of persuasion.
Posted in
State Government
Flying the Flag
Early voting is underway and has been since October 24, but it’s not easy to prove it.
Posted in
Demographics
Cities Make Wage-Theft Prosecution a Priority
With a new state law designed to protect workers from wage theft now in effect, organizations and lawmakers in at least three Texas cities are facing a new challenge: how to ensure that prosecuting it is a priority.
Posted in
Energy
How is a Grid Smart? New Project Aims to Find Out
An Austin smart-grid project known as Pecan Street is continuing its roll-out with an announcement on Friday that a handful of major companies, including Whirlpool, Best Buy and Chevrolet, will test new-age products on the grid.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Schools Feeling Effects of Drought, Fires
The drought and extreme heat are taking their toll on school districts across Texas. Costly problems include cracks in building foundations, increased maintenance costs and loss of vegetation.
Posted in
Public Education
More Texas Schools Teach Safe Sex With Abstinence
Abstinence still rules on a state policy level, but from Midland to Spring Branch, a quiet message is spreading through Texas schools: It’s time to start teaching students about contraception.
Posted in
Higher Education
Data App: Our Latest Public Employee Pay Update
This morning we’ve posted a 2011 update to our government employee salary database, which now includes 140 entities and salary data for more than 664,000 public employees.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Out of Jail, Into Danger: Lockups Continue Nighttime Releases
County jail inmates are often released in the dark of night with little or no money and no transportation. Despite tragic stories of death and assaults, lawmakers this year failed to approve legislation that would require releases during daylight hours.
Posted inState Government
Video: Capitol Buzz – Perry Prayer Preview
Gov. Rick Perry is finally getting the national spotlight he’ll need to run for president, but this weekend’s “day of prayer and fasting” rally in Houston may not be the kind of attention he was looking for.
