Posted on · Sixteen communities in Houston are considered food deserts, places where grocery stores are in short supply. But the City of Houston is attempting to fill the gap. Officials are tossing around ideas to incentivize supermarkets to open up in lower-income areas. As Wendy Siegle reports, the goal is to try to shorten the distance between families and healthy food.
Posted on · Nearly two years ago, a Houston tennis pro began coaching a free clinic for people in wheelchairs. The initial response was slow, with only a couple of students. Now the weekly program bustles with activity. Wendy Siegle sat in on one of the practices of the only wheelchair tennis clinic in Houston.
Posted on · Texas has secured $15 million dollars in federal funds for the development of a proposed high-speed rail line from Houston to Dallas. The Texas Department of Transportation applied for a portion of the grant money last month. Wendy Siegle reports.
Posted on · The City of Houston is buying 17 mobile solar-powered units from the University of Houston. The containers will be able to power small appliances and devices during emergency situations or widespread power outages. And as Wendy Siegle reports — the inside of the units are fitted-out to be used for offices, storage, and first aid stations.
Posted on · The Ford Motor Company has just released a list of the 25 most electric-car ready cities in the country. And as Wendy Siegle reports, Houston is on it.
Posted on · A Port Arthur man has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for North America, which is often described as the Nobel Prize for grassroots environmentalism. Hilton Kelley is the first Texan and first African-American male to win the prize. Kelley was raised in Port Arthur, a town dotted with chemical plants and refineries. He's being honored for his fight for environmental justice in that community. Wendy Siegle spoke with Kelley about his award.
Posted on · Missouri City is getting a new park and ride. As Wendy Siegle reports, Metro is currently scoping out possible locations to put the new lot, which is expected to serve workers in the medical center.
Posted on · Power company Green Mountain Energy unveiled the state's first pollution-free electricity package today for owners of electric vehicles. As Wendy Siegle reports, a Houston-area man is the first to sign up for the package.
Posted on · The Texas Department of Transportation launched its "Talk Text Crash" campaign at the University of Houston today. TxDOT hopes the month-long campaign will raise more awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. As Wendy Siegle reports, students were able to get behind the wheel of a driving simulator to see how easy it is to lose control when sending a text.
Posted on · METRO is considering whether to add natural gas-fueled buses to its fleet. The transit agency is partnering with Austin and the Texas Transportation Institute to explore its options for natural gas. Wendy Siegle reports.
Posted on · The Texas Department of Transportation has adopted a new policy: all new road projects must make room for pedestrians and bicycles, not just cars. As Wendy Siegle reports, the new rules mean Houston should start seeing more bike and pedestrian-friendly roadways in the future.
Posted on · U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers, R-MI, and Russ Carnahan, D-MO, have introduced a new smart transportation technology bill (H.R. 995) into the House that would give six cities the opportunity to share in $1.2 billion dollars — as long as the money is used to fund innovative transportation technologies.
Posted on · Lipstick, shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo. We use these products every day, but what's in them? The campaign for safe cosmetics is hosting a seminar in Houston today to the discuss the latest research on toxic chemicals in personal care products. Stacy Malkan is co-founder of the group and author of the book Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. She's one of the experts on the panel at today's seminar, and spoke with Wendy Siegle.
Posted on · Local policy makers today voted not to take away money from bike and pedestrian-oriented projects. As Wendy Siegle reports — it was a small win for Houston cyclists, but not the outcome most were pushing for.
Posted on · As Texas lawmakers struggle to trim the budget, transportation advocates are hoping the legislators keep the scissors away from the dwindling pot of transportation dollars. A new organization called TAG — the Transportation Advocacy Group Houston Region — is calling on politicians to find more ways to finance highway and transit projects. Wendy Siegle reports.