Menefee, the first Black Harris County attorney, has focused on environmental justice issues and implementing stricter regulations for industrial facilities.
Elena Bruess
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 inEnvironment
Climate on the ballot? Houstonians consider national and local environmental issues this election
Harris County residents have to decide if they approve a higher tax rate for flood control infrastructure repairs.
Posted inEnvironment
Local authorities decry Pemex ‘failure to communicate’ during deadly chemical leak in Deer Park
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the hydrogen sulfide leak that killed at least two and injured 35.
Posted inEnvironment
Two dead, dozens injured after chemical release of hydrogen sulfide in Deer Park
Pasadena and Deer Park ordered residents to shelter in place, asking them to close windows and doors and turn off their ACs.
Posted inEnvironment
Texas takes lawsuits from Harris County, gets lower settlements from polluters. Who benefits?
The state took over a third of Harris County’s lawsuits against the petrochemical industry since 2017. Critics say it’s a way to deplete local power.
Posted inEnvironment
Fifteen years after BP oil spill, Galveston scientists are striving to save Gulf’s deep-sea coral
The BP oil spill decimated miles of habitat in the Gulf, including the unexplored deep-sea coral. Scientists are working to restore its habitat.
Posted inEspañol
Nueva norma de OSHA podría por fin aliviar del calor a trabajadores con pocas protecciones en Texas
OSHA está recibiendo comentarios y sugerencias sobre la nueva norma hasta finales de año, y los activistas instan a los trabajadores a que cuenten sus historias.
Posted inEnvironment
With few protections in Texas, OSHA’s new rule could finally provide relief from heat to workers
OSHA is accepting comments and suggestions for the new rule until the end of the year, and advocates are urging workers to tell their stories.
Posted inBreaking News
La Porte residents evacuate, shelter-in-place after Energy Transfer pipeline fire
Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident started when a white SUV crashed through the fence surrounding the pipeline’s right-of-way and hit a surface-level valve, according to the authorities.
Posted inEnvironment
Wondering if you live near an industrial flood zone? Rice researchers have a map for that.
Harris County has the highest concentration of flood-prone industrial facilities in the nation, according to Researchers at Rice University.