For people experiencing homelessness in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties, this summer’s heat wave has proven life-threatening for those still without shelter.
Elena Bruess / Staff writer
Elena Bruess covers the environment for the Houston Landing. She comes to Houston after two years at the San Antonio Express-News, where she covered the environment, climate and water. Elena previously worked in the Midwest as a reporter for Circle of Blue, a nonprofit newsroom where she focused on water issues in the Great Lakes region. Before that, Elena covered health and inequity in Chicago as a Pulitzer Center reporting fellow. She is originally from Northeastern Iowa and holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a degree from University of Iowa's undergraduate writing program. When not on the beat, Elena will be reading a book in the sun or getting ultra-caffeinated at a coffee shop.
Posted inExplainers & Guides
Knowing your rights as a tenant during Houston’s suffocating summer
As the heat piles on renters this summer, here are some legal actions and tenant resources that are available for Houstonians.
Posted inAround the Region
Houston Housing Authority to install 1,600 air conditioning units in three housing complexes
Cuney Homes, Irvington Village and Kelly Village residents will hear details from Houston Housing Authority on receiving new AC window units.
Posted inEnvironment
How one map tells the story of Houston’s heat inequity across vulnerable communities
The hottest neighborhoods in Houston this summer also have the least amount of air conditioning.
Posted inDiverse Communities
Mobile farmers market takes fresh fruit and vegetables to Houston’s food deserts
Urban Harvest offers fresh produce, dairy and meat at mobile markets, targeting Houston’s low-access supermarket areas.
Posted inAround the Region
Fort Bend residents hoping proposed EPA rule prompts changes at coal-fired power plant
A proposed revision of the regional haze rule, would limit sulfur dioxide emissions at six power plant stations in Texas, including WA Parish.
Posted inEnvironment
Turner plans task force to move residents away from contaminated northeast Houston rail yard
The city will have to find about $25 million to buy out and relocate nearby families. The mayor called on Union Pacific to help fund the effort.
Posted inAround the Region
Soaring temperatures increase number of days with high ozone levels in Houston area
Texas’ environmental regulator already has declared 18 high ozone days in Houston, and twice as many in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria region as 2022
Posted inAround the Region
With water break rules blocked by new law, Texas workers have few protections from the heat
Between 2011 and 2021, there were 42 work-related heat deaths in Texas – the most of any state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Posted inEnvironment
Chemical Safety Board blames massive 2019 ITC blaze on lack of safeguards, plant design
The tank farm fire burned three days, endangered surrounding Houston communities and polluted air and water with toxic fumes and petrochemical runoff.