Environment

Our reporter Brad Burt has more on the power company blamed for igniting the largest wildfire in Texas history, which says it’s accepting responsibility— but denying any negligence related to the downed poles that sparked the fire. And KERA's Bill Zeeble reports on a group of Dallas grade schoolers who were visited by scientists in anticipation of the solar eclipse.

The Smokehouse Creek fire began on Feb. 26 due to a downed electricity pole. The blaze consumed over a million acres, making it the largest wildfire in Texas history. On Thursday, a representative from Xcel Energy's Southwestern Public Service Company testified before a Texas House committee charged with investigating the Panhandle wildfires.

The largest wildfire in the history of the Lone Star State broke out at the end of February and torched the Texas Panhandle for almost two weeks. One month later, our Olivia O’Rand spoke with a local fire expert on the benefits of fire management.If you are a farmer or rancher who has been affected by the fires, the Texas Farm Bureau offers applications for assistance through the Texas Panhandle Wildlife Relief Fund.

After complaints from the public, Lubbock's city council voted to reverse a new ordinance that required hiring a city-approved contractor to repair sewer lines in public right-of-ways like the alley. And after Lubbock's first prairie dog festival, our reporter Olivia O'Rand has more on what these little creatures mean for West Texas' wildlife.

It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week and the National Weather Service is encouraging people to plan for sudden weather events that can happen in the spring by doing a tornado drill. And KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports on how school districts are struggling with budget deficits because of inflation, lower enrollment, and no new state education funding in years.

A lot of these species were brought here to mitigate other issues. During the Dust Bowl, quick-spreading grasses were brought in to reduce soil erosion by holding the soil in place. But we created bigger problems.

A federal district court in Texas blocked a bill yesterday which would permit local and state law enforcement to arrest people they suspect to have entered Texas illegally. And Olivia O'Rand reports on invasive species in the high plains this National Invasive Species Awareness Week.

Crews continue working to contain what the Texas A&M Forest Service has called one of the largest wildfires in Texas history. Our reporter Brad Burt has more on the fire's spread and impact. And Samantha Larned reports on Lubbock Public Libraries' new outreach service.

While it can be easy to curse the cold and the mud, it’s important to realize the value this precipitation has to West Texas' most desperate resources.

Recent record-setting snowfall provided many Lubbockites with the snow day they’ve been wanting all winter. Our reporters Olivia O’Rand and Bishop Van Buren have more from experts on how the snow's impact on groundwater and agriculture will persist.