by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – Several fatal incidents linked to e-cigarette use made headlines in 2019, and health advocates are hoping young people in Texas and across the United States will consider making a New Year’s resolution to kick the habit. Marina Hench, senior government relations director for the Texas chapter of the American Cancer Society’s […]

by Nadia Ramlagan AUSTIN, Texas –  Nearly 100 days are left before the 2020 Census count begins, and advocates for Texans over age 50 say this massive undertaking is an opportunity for people looking for short-term work. Tina Tran, state director of AARP Texas, says her organization is helping older residents who want to get involved to […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – Children up to age 6 in Texas and across the nation continue to lose health coverage, according to a new Georgetown University report. Among 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, Texas has the highest rate of uninsured kids. Anne Dunkelberg, associate director of the Center for […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – More workers are stressed out before they even get to the office, according to a new survey of 2,800 workers conducted by the staffing firm Robert Half. Half of the workers said driving to and from work is stressful. Stress has been linked to numerous negative long-term health impacts, and studies have shown long-distance […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – In the wake of recent reports of fatal lung illness connected with the use of e-cigarettes, new research seems to confirm concerns about the health impacts of vaping. A study by Boston University researchers found that e-cigarettes altered cholesterol levels, and Dr. Florian Rader, a cardiologist at the Smidt Heart […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – A bipartisan bill aimed at keeping wildlife populations healthy and off the endangered species list is set for markup by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee this week. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would allocate $1.3 billion to state wildlife agencies. And Janice Bezanson, executive director with the Texas Conservation […]

by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman AUSTIN, Texas – In Texas, 3.4 million people are caregivers, a role they are thrust into whether they choose it or not. And new data quantifies the value of their efforts. According to AARP, Texas caregivers provided $35 billion worth of unpaid care in 2017. Rose Puente of San Antonio has been […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – The Trump administration is moving to reverse protections for the country’s largest national forest, and opponents fear national forests in Texas and other states could be next. A U.S. House committee is hearing testimony on a proposal to fully exempt the Tongass National Forest in Alaska from the 2001 Roadless […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – After winning permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, public lands advocates are pressing leaders in Congress to fully fund the program that taps offshore oil and gas royalties for conservation and recreation projects. A Senate committee is set to vote on a permanent funding bill just after Veterans Day, […]