How to stay safe in the Texas heat
As climate change pushes temperatures higher, it’s even more important to remember how dangerous the heat is and take steps to protect yourself. Full Story
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Alejandra Martinez is a Fort Worth-based environmental reporter. She’s covered the impacts of petrochemical facilities on Black and brown communities, including investigating a chemical fire at an industrial complex and how the state's air monitoring system has failed Latino communities. Her work on climate change includes exploring the health effects of extreme heat and how extended droughts affect water resources. Before joining the Tribune in 2022, Alejandra was an accountability reporter at KERA, where she began as a Report for America Corps Member and then covered Dallas City Hall. She also has worked as an associate producer at WLRN in South Florida. A Houston native, Alejandra studied journalism at the University of Texas at Austin and speaks fluent Spanish.
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![Austin-Travis County EMS first responders cart Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, to an ambulance during a 102 degree summer day outside Austin Wrench A Part in Del Valle on July 7, 2023. According to the EMS crew and Shipp, he was seen passing out while searching for car parts under the hot sun, and hadn’t eaten any food or drank any water all day.]()
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Texas weather extremes likely to become normal, scientists say
Climate scientists say that extreme rain and drought are likely to become more common due to climate change. Full Story
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U.S. Supreme Court pauses federal smog control plan that Texas opposed
Environmental experts say the ruling will pause measures to reduce smog in some states and influence suits in lower courts. Full Story
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![Smoke from a power plant in San Antonio on Aug. 4, 2021.]()
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U.S. Supreme Court blocks the state’s Rio Grande water deal with New Mexico
Water law experts say the Supreme Court's recent decision will set a precedent for the federal government to intervene in water conflicts between states moving forward. Full Story
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![The Rio Grande at the New Mexico-Texas border on Monday, December 9, 2013 in El Paso.]()
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Texas farmers face mounting expenses as droughts worsen
Rising temperatures intensify drought and increase costs for the heavily subsidized crop insurance program. Full Story
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![A farm irrigation system near the High Plains town of Ralls, about 30 miles east of Lubbock, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Like much of Texas, the High Plains and Panhandle are facing drought conditions and extraordinary heat.]()
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Six Texas freshwater mussels, the “livers of the rivers,” added to endangered species list
Freshwater mussels can pump and filter eight to 15 gallons of water a day, cleaning rivers and streams. Six of the 50 mussels that call Texas home are federally protected by Monday’s listing. Full Story
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![Endangered freshwater mussels.]()
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Severe storms knock out power at North Texas voting sites
At least 76 polling places in four counties closed after the weather left hundreds of thousands of North Texans without power. Full Story
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![Dallas voters cast their ballots during the 2020 primaries on March 3, 2020.]()
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Texas’ first-ever statewide flood plan estimates 5 million live in flood-prone areas
The state’s flood plan shows which Texans are most at risk of flooding and suggests billions of dollars more are needed for flood mitigation projects. Full Story
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![A truck in flood waters in Livingston on May 2, 2024. Thousands fled their Southeast Texas homes as heavy rains saturated land in multiple counties.]()
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Federal forecasters predict the highest number of storms ever for 2024 season
Wind changes caused by the La Niña climate pattern and warmer-than-average ocean temperatures are expected to be major drivers to this year’s hurricane season. Full Story
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![A load of evacuees in the back of Chris Ginter's monster truck in Houston on Tuesday, Aug 29, 2017. Ginter helped evacuate people from their flooded neighborhood near the Buffalo Bayou.]()
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Texas lizard added to endangered species list over the oil and gas industry’s objections
The dunes sagebrush lizard lives in the same West Texas land that supports the state’s biggest oil and gas fields, and industry leaders say the new designation will hurt drilling and production. Full Story
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![Dunes Sagebrush Lizard.]()
Credit: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS