Aguilar on the aftermath of changes in U.S. immigration policy, Batheja on how the Republican candidates for Senate are handling that sensitive issue, KUT’s Philpott on new driver’s license laws and immigration, M. Smith on racial tensions and an ousted police chief in Jasper, Galbraith on the state’s efforts to limit electric service blackouts, Hamilton on the hot Campbell-Wentworth Senate runoff in Central Texas, Murphy maps the May primary voting, Root on the restoration of the arson-damaged Texas Governor’s Mansion and Dehn’s latest Weekend Insider on obese Texans: The best of our best content from June 18 to 22, 2012.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Even in Coastal Areas, Drought Leaves Lasting Concerns
As last year’s drought intensified, the Colorado River brought less fresh water to the Gulf of Mexico. For the latest installment in KUT News’ series on water issues, Mose Buchele looks at Matagorda Bay, where water quality has suffered — and the economy, too.
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Energy
Drought Maps Show Improvement, but Dry Conditions Linger
For the first time since March 2011, no part of Texas is under the worst stage of drought, according to new U.S. Drought Monitor data. But as Laura Rice of KUT News reports, some parts of the state are drier than they’ve been in the last few months.
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Energy
Texas’ Blackout Avoidance Measures Could Cost Billions, Group Says
Texas’ efforts to stave off future blackouts could cost ordinary households hundreds of dollars per year, a filing by a Texas industrial group suggests. Texas regulators are due to vote on the proposal next week.
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Energy
In a More Urban Texas, Farmers Face Uncertain Future
The drought has permanently changed life for some Texans, but in many ways, the scarcity just underlined a looming crisis. For the latest installment in KUT News’ series on water issues, Mose Buchele looks at Wharton County, where water concerns have imperiled a generation of rice farmers.
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Energy
State’s Readiness for Hurricane Season Touted
The 2012 hurricane season is here. TxDOT officials point to recent drills and expanded social media efforts as evidence that they are better prepared to help Texans with potential mass evacuations.
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Energy
Urban Redevelopment Renews Concerns Over Industrial Sites
The federal government has spent millions of dollars cleaning up so-called brownfields, old industrial properties contaminated by toxic waste. But as Dave Fehling reports for StateImpact Texas, the re-development of some of the state’s urban cores has revived concerns over some of the sites.
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Energy
Hot Weather, Hot Seats, Hot Reptiles
As summer begins, the spotlight will be on the dunes sagebrush lizard (will it get an endangered listing or not?), former EPA regional head Al Armendariz (who’s testifying in Washington) — and, of course, the perpetual question of whether the electric grid has enough juice.
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Energy
Updated: Combs, Oil Groups Applaud Decision to Keep Lizard Off Endangered List
A federal decision not to list the dunes sagebrush lizard — whose habitat includes the West Texas oilfields — as threatened or endangered set off a round of cheering by state officials and oil groups. But some environmentalists fear for the lizard’s future.
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Energy
On Water Conservation, Seeing Room to Improve
As Texas recovers from the severe drought of the last two years, water experts say that conservation is the easiest way to make sure the state has enough water for future growth. But conservation doesn’t always come naturally.