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, […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – Texas has the highest rate and number of children without health care insurance in the nation, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. Last year, some 873,000 Texas children lacked coverage, and more than 120,000 lost coverage between 2016 and 2018. Adriana Kohler, senior […]

by Mark Richardson AUSTIN, Texas – A new initiative seeks to improve a patient’s health without a visit to a doctor or a hospital. The Factor Health program at the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School, funded by a $2.6 million grant from the Episcopal Health Foundation, aligns unconventional partners to identify, prove and pay […]

by Eric Galatas SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Texas schools are using refrigerated freight containers converted into hydroponic farms as an extension of the classroom. At IDEA charter schools, students learn how to grow leafy greens and other vegetables, and deliver their harvests directly to the school cafeteria. Caroline Katsiroubas – director of community relations at Freight Farms, the […]

by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman AUSTIN, Texas – It’s shopping time for the 2.5 million Texans who have Medicare coverage. Open enrollment for the program starts today and runs through December 7. It’s the one time of year beneficiaries can review their plan, and switch coverage if needed. State Director of AARP Texas Tina Tran noted that because health […]

by Mark Richardson HOUSTON – Where you live in Texas can be a determining factor in how long you live, according to new research. The map, developed by the Episcopal Health Foundation, analyzed census tracts to reveal significant differences in life expectancy in neighborhoods sometimes only a few miles apart. Brian Sasser, the foundation’s chief communications officer, […]

by Eric Galatas AUSTIN, Texas – This pat weekend, homeowners in Texas and all 50 states were opening their homes to friends, neighbors or anyone curious about adding solar energy to power homes. Texas ranks sixth nationally for total installed solar capacity, but most solar arrays are at utility scale, not on individual rooftops. Hanna Mitchell […]

by Eric Galatas COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Inspired by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg of Sweden, Texas students are joining a global strike today calling for immediate action on climate change. Jacob Slaughter, organizer with the group Aggies for Climate Justice, says students’ aims include creating a glide path for workers to transition out of the fossil-fuel industry. He […]