WEATHER ALERT
Plans for flood warning system floundered before Hill Country floods, witnesses tell legislative flood committee
Read full article: Plans for flood warning system floundered before Hill Country floods, witnesses tell legislative flood committeeLawmakers serving on special committees investigating deadly floods blasted a river authority for failing to build a flood warning system on the Guadalupe River.
Gov. Abbott confirms 135 dead in historic Texas floods; special session called
Read full article: Gov. Abbott confirms 135 dead in historic Texas floods; special session calledGov. Greg Abbott will hold a press conference following a briefing on Texasโ continued response to recent severe flooding that impacted communities in San Angelo.
In Texas Hill Country, where flash floods are common, questions linger about lack of warnings
Read full article: In Texas Hill Country, where flash floods are common, questions linger about lack of warningsSerious questions are emerging about whether more could have been done to warn residents in time.
At least 120 dead in Texas Hill Country floods, more than 160 still missing
Read full article: At least 120 dead in Texas Hill Country floods, more than 160 still missingA devastating flood in Texas Hill Country has resulted in at least 104 deaths across six counties, with Kerr County being the hardest hit.
Bills seek to improve stateโs response to wildfires a year after devastation in Panhandle
Read full article: Bills seek to improve stateโs response to wildfires a year after devastation in PanhandleA proposal to create a statewide system connecting emergency personnel and agencies is among several bills that target problems exposed in 2024.
Governor Abbott to address Texasโ winter storm preparations
Read full article: Governor Abbott to address Texasโ winter storm preparationsGovernor Greg Abbott will hold a press conference to update on Texas's winter weather preparations, focusing on the state's power grid, roadways, and emergency services.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick updates Hurricane Beryl response and recovery efforts
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick updates Hurricane Beryl response and recovery effortsAs the Houston area works to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is providing updates on the stateโs response.
FEMA centers open for Houston area storm victims | What they do and donโt offer
Read full article: FEMA centers open for Houston area storm victims | What they do and donโt offerFEMA opened Disaster Recovery Centers in Houston and Coldspring on Friday, May 24 for in-person assistance to help people affected the the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and derecho winds that began April 26, 2024.
Texas emergency director calls for firefighting air force after historic Panhandle fires
Read full article: Texas emergency director calls for firefighting air force after historic Panhandle firesA special legislative committee is investigating what caused the Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest in state history.
Texans should prepare for โlife-threateningโ wind chills, but officials remain confident in power grid
Read full article: Texans should prepare for โlife-threateningโ wind chills, but officials remain confident in power gridGov. Greg Abbott and other leaders say Texans should protect their homes and vehicles as large portions of the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures.
Gov. Abbott holds news conference with PUC, ERCOT ahead of severe winter threats across Texas
Read full article: Gov. Abbott holds news conference with PUC, ERCOT ahead of severe winter threats across TexasGov. Greg Abbott will hold a press conference Wednesday at the State Operations Center in Austin ahead of the severe winter weather that is expected to impact the state of Texas this week.
Gov. Greg Abbott declares Dallas-Fort Worth deluge a disaster, freeing up state resources to help in recovery
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott declares Dallas-Fort Worth deluge a disaster, freeing up state resources to help in recoveryThe declaration covers 23 counties across the state and comes after some saw more than 10 inches of rainfall Monday.
Gov. Greg Abbott discusses ongoing security preparations at Texas-Mexico border
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott discusses ongoing security preparations at Texas-Mexico borderGovernor Greg Abbott held a press conference Friday at the Anzalduas International Bridge in Mission on the ongoing border security preparations at the Texas-Mexico border.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott discusses stateโs border security efforts, Biden administration and elimination of Title 42
Read full article: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott discusses stateโs border security efforts, Biden administration and elimination of Title 42Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a news conference on the stateโs border security efforts on Wednesday.
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Texas hospitals hit by staffing crisis as burnout depletes workforce and COVID-19 surges
Read full article: Texas hospitals hit by staffing crisis as burnout depletes workforce and COVID-19 surgesThe lack of available nurses has driven up salaries and created a heated, competitive job market as thousands of positions remain open throughout Texas.
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Gov. Abbott, Florida Gov. DeSantis hold border security briefing in Del Rio
Read full article: Gov. Abbott, Florida Gov. DeSantis hold border security briefing in Del RioGovernor Greg Abbott will host Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida for a border security briefing with state and local officials and law enforcement on Saturday, July 17 in Del Rio.
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Governor Abbott to hold border security briefing with sheriffs from border communities
Read full article: Governor Abbott to hold border security briefing with sheriffs from border communitiesGovernor Greg Abbott will hold a border security briefing with sheriffs from border communities at 12 p.m. Saturday at the Texas State Capitol. The Governor will be joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Adjutant General of Texas Tracy Norris, and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.
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Winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state history
Read full article: Winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state historyThe winter storm that left dozens of Texans dead, millions without power and nearly 15 million with water issues could be the costliest disaster in state history, potentially exceeding the $125 billion in damage from Hurricane Harvey. Last weekโs winter storm impacted every region of the state, a reason why experts and officials are discussing the possibility of damage and cost exceeding those from Hurricane Harvey. Kidd said he expects the state to be reimbursed for 75% of its expenses by the federal government. Back then, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar told lawmakers how much money theyโd have to spend on a state budget for the next two years. And he announced his support for legislation that โprohibits cities and counties from banning natural gas appliances.โAdThen last weekโs winter storm hit.
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Over 14 million Texans still donโt have safe drinking water in their homes
Read full article: Over 14 million Texans still donโt have safe drinking water in their homesHOUSTON โ More than 14 million Texans still do not have safe drinking water in their homes after a powerful winter storm burst pipes and knocked out power across the state this week. Toby Baker, executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, said the number of the stateโs 7,000 public water systems affected by the winter storm has increased from Friday to 1,445, but the population affected by those water systems has dropped slightly to 14.3 million. He said about 156,000 homes have no water service at all, which is down from 352,000 reported Friday. Kidd said the state has also ordered 250,000 meals-ready-to-eat to be distributed with another 5 million meals on the way. Kidd said Texans can also help the state complete its damage assessment faster by completing an online form to report damage that their property has sustained.
Texas Gov. Abbott hosts roundtable discussion, provides COVID-19 update with Houston health care professionals
Read full article: Texas Gov. Abbott hosts roundtable discussion, provides COVID-19 update with Houston health care professionalsTexas Gov. Greg Abbott held a roundtable discussion and deliver remarks alongside health care professionals on Tuesday at Houston Methodist Hospital.
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Texas opens COVID-19 care facility at Austin Convention Center to provide 25 more beds, with room to grow
Read full article: Texas opens COVID-19 care facility at Austin Convention Center to provide 25 more beds, with room to growJoining him are Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd (left) and former State Representative Dr. John Zerwas (right). (Photo by Tom Fox-Pool/Getty Images)AUSTIN, Texas โ Texas opened an additional facility on Tuesday to expand hospital capacity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in central Texas, according to Governor Greg Abbottโs Office. The facility will provide central Texas with additional hospital beds, medical equipment, and medical personnel to assist with the regionโs COVID-19 response. The facility has a capacity of 25 beds and can expand to more beds if needed, according to the governorโs office. โThis Alternate Care Site in central Texas will reduce the burden on local hospitals and help ensure that Texans diagnosed with COVID-19 receive the care they need,โ Abbott is quoted as saying in a news release.
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It could take 3 months to clear Lake Jacksonโs drinking water system of brain-eating amoeba, officials say
Read full article: It could take 3 months to clear Lake Jacksonโs drinking water system of brain-eating amoeba, officials sayLAKE JACKSON, Texas โ The road to drinkable water wonโt be a short one in Lake Jackson after a brain-eating amoeba was found in the water system. The discovery initially led officials to issue a do-not-use order for the Brazosport Water Authority. That was later changed to a boil-water notice for the city of Lake Jackson. Officials said they believe BWAโs distribution system is clean and that the issue is limited to Lake Jackson, where 11 of 54 sites tested there showed low levels of disinfectant. Baker said monthly and quarterly testing records for Lake Jackson show nothing of concern leading up to the discovery of the amoeba.

Watch Texas Gov. Greg Abbott discuss the state's PPE supply in San Antonio
Read full article: Watch Texas Gov. Greg Abbott discuss the state's PPE supply in San AntonioGreg Abbott on Tuesday will visit a Texas Division of Emergency Management warehouse in San Antonio to receive an update on the state's supply of personal protective equipment. He'll be joined by Nim Kidd, the chief of the state's emergency management division. Later Tuesday, Abbott will travel to McAllen to receive a briefing on the opening of the McAllen Convention Center as a health care facility. South Texas has been hot spot for the virus in recent weeks. The San Antonio event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Our livestream feed is courtesy KXAS in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Watch Gov. Greg Abbott address the need for more hospital beds in the Rio Grande Valley at 2:45 p.m.
Read full article: Watch Gov. Greg Abbott address the need for more hospital beds in the Rio Grande Valley at 2:45 p.m.Greg Abbott will visit South Texas on Tuesday to address the region's need for more hospital capacity to treat patients with COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. The event follows a morning stop in San Antonio where Abbott provided updates on the state's supply of personal protective equipment and how schools should reopen. Since July 20, when Texas passed 4,000 deaths, some Rio Grande Valley counties have seen significant increases in the number of people dying from COVID-19. In Texas, Hispanic people are the most likely to lack health coverage, making up 61% of the uninsured but only 40% of the population, according to figures used by the Texas Medical Association. Disclosure: Texas Medical Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Watch Gov. Greg Abbott address hospital capacity as coronavirus cases continue to rise statewide
Read full article: Watch Gov. Greg Abbott address hospital capacity as coronavirus cases continue to rise statewideThe number of people hospitalized for the new coronavirus has climbed recently in Texas. On Monday, the state reported that there are 2,326 patients with positive tests who are hospitalized a new high for the state. Greg Abbott has said theres no real need to ratchet back the opening of businesses in the state, citing the states hospital capacity. On Tuesday, hes holding a news conference to provide an update on hospital capacity. Disclosure: The University of Texas System has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.