International
U.S. Launches Military Airstrikes Against Iranian-Backed Militants In Syria
Posted on · The Thursday strikes targeted Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria in response to rocket attacks against Americans in Iraq.
News
National
House Passes The Equality Act: Here’s What It Would Do
Posted on · The House voted Thursday to approve the bill to add and expand protections for LGBTQ people in the Civil Rights Act. Here's what it would do and why it's controversial.
Town Square
Is “Trauma” The Tax Houstonians Pay For Living In Texas?
Posted on · Nearly 80 people have died as a result of the storm and subsequent power failures, according to the Associated Press. Are natural and manmade disasters a part of living in Texas?
Coronavirus
Houston Methodist Finds 2 New Strains Of COVID-19 In Greater Houston
Posted on · The hospital had already identified variants from the United Kingdom and South Africa. Now strains from Brazil and California have arrived in the region.
Education News
Hilton Foundation Donates $10 Million To UH Hotel Management College
Posted on · The legacy gift to the UH Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management will create an unrestricted endowment.
Politics
Texas Lawmakers Face Tough Choices Over State Budget Impacted By COVID-19
Posted on · Cuts to key programs like public education are in the works, despite Governor Greg Abbott’s promises
Energy & Environment
ERCOT CEO Defends Power Outages As Texas Lawmakers Probe Winter Storm Response
Posted on · Bill Magness, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said widespread blackouts during last week’s winter storm were necessary to prevent grid failure.
Houston Matters
Electric Customers Go To Court Over Last Week’s Power Outage (Feb. 25, 2021)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: We take a closer look at the expensive and litigious fallout from last week's freezing weather and statewide power outages.
Energy & Environment
Resigning ERCOT Board Members Acknowledge ‘Pain And Suffering’ From Extreme Power Grid Strain That Caused Outages For Millions Of Texans
Posted on · In the power grid operator’s first board meeting since Texas’ power outages, a sixth ERCOT board member confirmed his resignation, and new details show that a shortage of natural gas fuel was a bigger problem last week than in 2011.
Energy & Environment
Gov. Greg Abbott, In Statewide Address, Promises Answers On Winter Weather Disaster
Posted on · "Tragic does not even begin to describe" the suffering Texans endured, Abbott said Wednesday evening.
Town Square
Let’s Fix This: How To Repair Your Home After The Houston Freeze And Access A Winter Storm Relief Fund
Posted on · As Greater Houston recovers from the Winter Freeze, master builder Matt Risinger offers guidance on DIY home repairs. We also learn about a new Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund.
Arts & Culture
Baytown Symphony Appoints 1st African American Conductor In Orchestra’s History
Posted on · Conductor Clarence Frank’s appointment signals continued change in the classical music world, which has struggled with lack of diversity and representation – and stands in contrast to recent racial controversies in Baytown.
Energy & Environment
Texas’ Power Grid Was 4 Minutes And 37 Seconds Away From Collapsing. Here’s How It Happened
Posted on · A cascading series of events could have left Texas in the dark for weeks — if not more.
Energy & Environment
Weekly Oil And Gas Update: Winter Storm Helps Boost Texas Oil To More Than $60 Per Barrel
Posted on · As Houstonians faced freezing temperatures and widespread power outages last week, the frigid weather also limited oil and gas production in the state. As output starts to stabilize this week, West Texas Crude is trading around $63 dollars a barrel.
Energy & Environment
Houston-Area Refineries, Plants Emitted Thousands Of Pounds Of Additional Air Pollution During The Winter Freeze
Posted on · State documents show facilities released some 700,000 pounds of excess air pollutants last week, as they faced electrical outages and equipment failures due to the severe winter weather.