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Houston Communities Fight To Recover A Month After Hurricane Beryl’s Impac

Summary

Nearly a month after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Houston, many communities, particularly Black and elderly residents, are still struggling with the storm's aftermath. The Category 1 hurricane caused widespread power outages, with some neighborhoods left without electricity for over a week. Residents report that government officials have been largely absent, leaving community leaders and local celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion and Bun B to provide crucial aid. The storm's disproportionate impact on marginalized communities highlights ongoing issues of systemic racism and inequality in disaster recovery efforts in Houston.

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February 20, 2025
Urban & Development
Urban & Development

The Trump administration plans to reduce staff at the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) disaster recovery office by 84%, cutting the workforce from 936 to 150.

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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Trump administration has ordered FEMA to stop its decades-long role in developing stronger building codes, a move experts warn could undermine disaster resilience

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Energy Justice
Energy Justice

The Trump administration’s rollback of clean energy incentives is threatening a surge in U.S. factory construction driven by Biden-era subsidies.

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Environmental
Environmental

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is attempting to seize $20 billion allocated for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a Biden-era clean energy loan program...

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Climate Change
Climate Change

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Bullard Center Team
Bullard Center Team

The Trump administration is attempting to freeze or reclaim $20 billion in climate funds previously allocated by the Biden administration for green banks...

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Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation

On his second day as Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cut funding for three National Institutes of Health (NIH) programs focused on climate change...

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Economic Justice
Economic Justice

With the HBO series White Lotus expected to drive tourism to Thailand’s Koh Samui, concerns over the environmental and social impacts of mass tourism are growing.

February 19, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton successfully blocked federal regulations that would have required states to track and report highway pollution levels.

February 18, 2025
Education
Education

As Texas faces surging electricity demand, a new pilot program is exploring the use of “virtual power plants” (VPPs) to help stabilize the grid.

February 14, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation

Vice President JD Vance previously supported increased funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), but environmental advocates worry about his stance...

February 13, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services in a 52-48 Senate vote, marking a shift in the Republican stance on health policy.

February 13, 2025
Education
Education

Grist has launched an interactive tool that tracks nearly $700 billion in climate and infrastructure funding allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan...

February 12, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Trump administration has begun dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency under the guise of improving efficiency.

February 12, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation

In a rare display of bipartisanship, Congress unanimously passed the EXPLORE Act, a bill aimed at expanding outdoor recreation access.