Environment

The herbicide dicamba can travel for miles, potentially triggering changes in weeds that are essential for pollinator health. Research shows that one weed in particular has an unusual response to being exposed to small doses of the chemical.

Wild tepary beans thrive in the borderland mountains – including in El Paso’s Franklin Mountains. These remarkably hardy West Texas legumes could play a role in making common beans more drought- and heat-tolerant.

As farmers face financial uncertainty, the Trump administration has moved to end protections on gray wolves that sometimes prey on livestock. But experts question if it's the right move for the species.

The Trump administration is narrowing longstanding interpretations of what it means to harm plants and animals protected under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation experts say the change will pose greater challenges for already-vulnerable populations, and several groups have sued the administration.

The TCEQ has temporarily shut down its online application system and has suspended all notices of intent for stormwater construction related to data centers, after a report from a national watchdog organization claimed the commission was violating the governor’s directive. Other actions like air emissions certifications and pollution notices for data center support structures appear unchanged.

The E.L. Reed Herbarium at Texas Tech has served as a record of plant life in the region since 1925 and last month, its team finally got to hold its centennial celebration.

Biden-era changes to the Clean Air Act would have tightened regulations for industrial sites, but the Trump administration has given exemptions to hundreds of facilities. People living near the sites are concerned about air quality and their well-being.

While parts of West Texas have seen some refreshing rainfall, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows more than 80% of the state is experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. According to a Texas Farm Bureau report, this continues to affect farmers and playa lake levels. Meanwhile, cattle industry groups in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities are affecting agricultural communities. Harvest Public Media’s Anna Pope reports they’re concerned about workforce disruptions and delays.

The elimination of the greenhouse gas emission standards could have sweeping impacts for Texas, which lead the country in carbon emissions from power plants in 2025.

A decade ago, a federal task force announced a plan to help monarch butterflies along their great migration. The six-state effort along Interstate 35 didn't take off as expected, but some roadsides are blooming anyway.