https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emily-foxhall/The latest news by Emily Foxhall.enFri, 11 Jul 2025 10:44:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/11/kerr-county-flood-warning-system-sirens/While sirens can help in areas with shaky cell service, experts say officials also need to consider alert fatigue and provide education on what to do in an emergency.By Emily Foxhall, Colleen DeGuzman and Hayden BettsFri, 11 Jul 2025 10:44:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/11/kerr-county-flood-warning-system-sirens/Floodwaters stained the walls of an apartment in Ingram on July 5, 2025. As lawmakers ponder how to respond the the deadly Hill Country floods, experts say warning sirens are just one tool that should be deployed.Water from the flood stained the walls in a residential apartment in Ingram on July 5, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/texas-weather-service-warning-kerr-county/Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.By Emily Foxhall, Terri Langford, Ayden Runnels, Jaden Edison, Alejandra Martinez and Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 08 Jul 2025 18:01:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/texas-weather-service-warning-kerr-county/The National Weather Service's West Gulf River Forecast Center in Forth Worth helps other offices like the Austin/San Antonio office predict floods.Weather monitors at the National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/01/senate-reconciliation-bill-texas-cornyn-cruz-border-reimbursement/The package includes $13.5 billion to reimburse states for border spending. It is expected to meet resistance in the House from some Texas Republicans.By Emily Foxhall and Owen DahlkampTue, 01 Jul 2025 11:20:15 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/01/senate-reconciliation-bill-texas-cornyn-cruz-border-reimbursement/The U.S. Capitol in Washington in January 2022.The U.S. Capitol in Washington in January 2022.Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/texas-nuclear-waste/The court’s decision is not a final ruling in favor of the licenses, but it removes a major roadblock.By Mark Sherman, Associated Press, and Emily Foxhall, The Texas TribuneThu, 19 Jun 2025 17:13:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/texas-nuclear-waste/The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for a possible nuclear waste site in Texas. However, the company that sought such a permit has abandoned its plans.The entrance to the Waste Control Specialists site, where radioactive and hazardous waste is being stored on Jan. 17, 2021.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/texas-heat-deaths-undercount/Deaths from heat are notoriously difficult to quantify because of how complex and subjective the process is. It leaves officials with an incomplete picture of who heat kills.By Emily Foxhall, Alejandra Martinez and Yuriko Schumacher, The Texas Tribune, and Dylan Baddour and Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate NewsWed, 14 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/texas-heat-deaths-undercount/Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, sweats while receiving treatment inside an Austin-Travis County EMS ambulance on a 102 degree day outside Austin Wrench A Part in Del Valle on July 7, 2023. According to the EMS crew, he passed out while searching for car parts under the hot sun.Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, sweats while receiving treatment from Austin-Travis County EMS first responders inside an ambulance during a 102 degree summer day outside Austin Wrench-A-Part in Del Valle on July 7, 2023. According to the EMS crew, he passed out while searching for car parts under the hot sun.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/01/texas-oil-electricity-power-lines-fires-panhandle/No state agency is taking responsibility for making sure the privately built lines that power many oil and gas sites are safe. Such lines have been blamed for sparking two recent Panhandle fires.By Emily Foxhall, Jayme Lozano Carver and Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Graphics by Elijah Nicholson-MessmerThu, 01 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/01/texas-oil-electricity-power-lines-fires-panhandle/Craig Cowden points to a pump jack on his Breezy Point Ranch in Pampa on July 7. Cowden said he often spots problems with oilfield electrical equipment such as a pumpjack with faulty wiring or a power line lying on dead grass.Craig Cowden shows parts of his property that are negligent from oil companies using his land, Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Breezy Point Ranch in Pampa, Texas. Cowden has made numerous complaints about the live wires and trash on his property.Annie Rice for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/25/texas-centerpoint-beryl-outages-company-plan/Jason Wells told regulators the company will launch a new outage tracker by Aug. 1. It will also trim more tree limbs near power lines and hire an executive to focus on emergency response.By Emily FoxhallThu, 25 Jul 2024 14:23:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/25/texas-centerpoint-beryl-outages-company-plan/CenterPoint President and CEO Jason Wells addresses the Public Utilities Commission at a hearing in Austin on July 25, 2024. The energy company proposed action plans for improved customer communication and restoring power quickly in future outages.CenterPoint President and CEO Jason Wells addresses the Public Utilities Commission at a hearing in Austin on July 25, 2024. The energy company proposed action plans for improved customer communication and restoring power quickly in future outages.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/25/texas-power-grid-puc-centerpoint-hurricane-beryl/The company’s power outages in July have drawn the ire of state leaders. Here’s what you need to know.By Alejandra Martinez, Emily Foxhall, Joshua Fechter and Kayla GuoThu, 25 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/25/texas-power-grid-puc-centerpoint-hurricane-beryl/Trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/18/texas-energy-grid-power-outages-climate-change-infrastructure/Repairing electricity infrastructure after storms usually costs customers. So could strengthening it before the next weather event.By Alejandra Martinez and Emily FoxhallThu, 18 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/18/texas-energy-grid-power-outages-climate-change-infrastructure/Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston on July 10, 2024.Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/14/centerpoint-linemen-beryl-recovery-houston/Beryl exposed how vulnerable the electric infrastructure is to failure, leaving residents angry and at risk.By Emily FoxhallSun, 14 Jul 2024 13:22:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/14/centerpoint-linemen-beryl-recovery-houston/Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston on July 10, 2024.Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/11/centerpoint-power-restore-texas-houston-when-why-timeline/According to state filings, the utility is restoring power at a relatively quicker pace than after prior storms. Texans are still fed up.By Emily Foxhall and Alejandra MartinezThu, 11 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/11/centerpoint-power-restore-texas-houston-when-why-timeline/A fleet of utility trucks line up Wednesday morning to help restore power after Hurricane Beryl brought major power outages in Houston.Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/beryl-texas-houston-power-outages/Power companies and Texas officials say restoration efforts could take days. Experts say Texans without electricity are facing a dangerous situation.By Pooja Salhotra, Jess Huff, Emily Foxhall, Alejandra Martinez and Kayla GuoTue, 09 Jul 2024 12:02:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/beryl-texas-houston-power-outages/Electrical workers gather supplies early Wednesday morning to provide support to people experiencing major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston.Electric workers gather supplies to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/texas-energy-efficiency-guide-federal-tax-rebates/Federal tax incentives are available to weatherize your house and switch to more energy efficient appliances. Rebates are coming.By Emily FoxhallTue, 09 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/texas-energy-efficiency-guide-federal-tax-rebates/Solar panels on the roof of an East Austin home.Solar panels can be seen on the roofs of homes Sunday, July 7, 2024 in East Austin.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/hurricane-beryl-houston-texas-cleanup/Across the Gulf Coast, fences toppled, awnings ripped, business signs soared away and traffic lights twisted askew.By Emily FoxhallTue, 09 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/hurricane-beryl-houston-texas-cleanup/Two sisters watch flooded Whiteoak Bayou waters flow next to downtown Houston on Monday. Houston residents began a familiar clean up process after the storm ravaged the Gulf Coast city.Two sisters watch flooded Whiteoak Bayou waters flow next to downtown Houston on Monday, July 8, 2024. Rains from Hurricane Beryl overflowed the bayou but were not as significant as Hurricane Harvey.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/08/hurricane-beryl-texas-damage-updates-rain/Tens of thousands of households and businesses aren’t expected to have electricity for most of this week.By Pooja Salhotra, Alejandra Martinez, Emily Foxhall, Jess Huff, Stephen Simpson, Maria Probert Hermosillo, Berenice Garcia, Kayla Guo and Dante MotleyMon, 08 Jul 2024 18:33:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/08/hurricane-beryl-texas-damage-updates-rain/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about CenterPoint Energy during a press conference at Gallery Furniture in Houston on Sunday, July 14, 2024.Governor Greg Abbott, speaks about Centerpoint Energy during a press conference at Gallery Furniture, Houston, Thursday, Sunday July 14,2024. Doug Sweet Jr. for Texas TribuneDouglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/05/texas-coast-hurricane-beryl/At least two counties, Nueces and Refugio, have issued mandatory evacuation orders.By Emily Foxhall, Berenice Garcia, Stephen Simpson and Pooja SalhotraFri, 05 Jul 2024 16:47:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/05/texas-coast-hurricane-beryl/NOAA graphic shows current position of Tropical Storm Beryl as of 7:00 p.m. Central Time on July 7, 2024, along with its projected path towards the Texas coast and beyond.NOAA graphic shows current position of Tropical Storm Beryl as of 7:00 p.m. Central Time on July 7, 2024, along with its projected path towards the Texas coast and beyond.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/02/texas-how-to-stay-safe-heat-climate-change/As climate change pushes temperatures higher, it’s even more important to remember how dangerous the heat is and take steps to protect yourself.By Emily Foxhall and Alejandra MartinezTue, 02 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/02/texas-how-to-stay-safe-heat-climate-change/Austin-Travis County EMS first responders carry a 75-year-old man to an ambulance during a 102-degree day in July 2023 outside Austin Wrench A Part in Del Valle. The man passed out while searching for car parts in the sun and told first responders he hadn’t eaten or drank any water all day.Austin-Travis County EMS first responders cart Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, to an ambulance during a 102 degree summer day outside Austin Wrench A Part in Del Valle on July 7, 2023. According to the EMS crew and Shipp, he was seen passing out while searching for car parts under the hot sun, and hadn’t eaten any food or drank any water all day.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/27/kinky-friedman-dies-texas-governor-race-musician/Friedman launched a boisterous campaign for governor in 2006, decades after forming the band Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys.By Emily Foxhall and Joshua FechterThu, 27 Jun 2024 10:37:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/27/kinky-friedman-dies-texas-governor-race-musician/Kinky Friedman is shown at his ranch in Medina on Dec. 12, 2013.Kinky Friedman is shown at his Medina ranch on Dec. 12, 2013.Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/20/texas-electricity-demand-forecast-ercot/The prediction by ERCOT reflects a new way of counting future demand and a spike in requests to connect to the grid from large power users.By Emily Foxhall and Kayla GuoThu, 20 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/20/texas-electricity-demand-forecast-ercot/The state's power grid operator says power demand in Texas could nearly double by 2030.Details of electrical transformers at the Austin Energy/Sand Hill Energy Center in Del Valle on March 24, 2020.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/03/texas-bee-bill-agricultural-tax-reduction/Twelve years after a state law gave tax breaks for keeping bees on at least five acres, people are still getting into the trade — or throwing in the towel and hiring professionals to do it for them.By Emily FoxhallMon, 03 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/03/texas-bee-bill-agricultural-tax-reduction/Students learn how to inspect a bee hive at entomologist Molly Keck’s house during a beekeeping class in Boerne on May 10, 2024.A student learns how to inspect a hive of bees at Entomolgist Molly Keck’s house during a bee keeping class in Boerne on Friday, May 10, 2024Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune