Houston Matters

What Dangers Does the Chemical Industry Pose to Houston?

Posted on · A 2014 gas leak at a DuPont chemical plant in La Porte killed four workers. In response to that accident, the Houston Chronicle obtained chemical inventories of more than 2,500 businesses in Greater Houston to learn which pose the greatest risk to the public. We talk with reporters Matt Dempsey and Mark Collette about what […]

Houston Matters

One Year Later: Lessons Learned from the DuPont Chemical Accident

Posted on · Sunday marks the one year anniversary of the fatal leak at the DuPont chemical plant in La Porte that killed four workers. We discuss what's been learned since the accident with Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Lise Olsen. MORE: What Went Wrong at La Porte DuPont? (Houston Matters, Nov. 18, 2014) Regulators Make Safety Recommendations To […]

Houston Matters

Regulators Make Safety Recommendations To DuPont After Deadly Leak

Posted on · It’s been nearly a year since four workers died in a toxic gas leak at the DuPont chemical plant in La Porte. Last week, federal investigators presented their findings. Houston Matters€™ Maggie Martin discusses the report with News 88.7 reporter Syeda Hasan. Investigators with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board say flawed safety procedures, design problems […]

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Industry and the Environment: Tuesday’s Show (October 6, 2015)

Posted on · On today’s Houston Matters, we examine a pair of developments involving industry and the environment in Houston. First, it's been nearly a year since four workers died in a toxic gas leak at the DuPont chemical plant in La Porte. Last week, federal investigators presented their findings. Houston Matters' Maggie Martin discusses the report with […]

Good, Bad and Ugly

Harris County Sues VW and Protesting at Whole Foods: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Houston News

Posted on · From Harris County suing Volkswagen, to a ruling on an accident at a La Porte chemical plant, to a protest at a local Whole Foods in Houston over food produced by prison labor: our rotating panel of "non-experts" comes together to consider The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of the week's Houston news. This […]

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The Top Houston and Texas News Stories of 2014: Houston Matters for Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014

Posted on · As you prepare to ring in the New Year, we thought it would be a good time to revisit the old one. From the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, to the DuPont plant accident, to the fight over ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft, 2014 was certainly a busy one for news stories. Some stories resonated with […]

Houston Matters

Federal Investigators: Chemical Industry Has A Safety Crisis

Posted on · The U.S. Chemical Safety Board says the industry it oversees is experiencing a safety crisis. The board investigates industrial accidents, and it says recent deadly explosions and chemical leaks in Texas make a strong case for action. We discuss the issue with News 88.7’s energy and environment reporter Dave Fehling.

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Immigration Reform and La Porte Chemical Leak Deaths: Houston Matters for Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014

Posted on · Amid an incoming GOP majority in the U.S. Senate, we’re learning the Obama administration is poised to lift the threat of deportation for millions of people who have entered the country illegally. Some argue such a move would be an executive overreach. On this edition of Houston Matters, we discuss whether, amid the changing winds […]