Flooding

A state law passed after July 4th floods in the Texas Hill Country requires camps to have redundant internet access in order to receive an operational license. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports The Texas Department of State Health Services has reached an agreement with these camps over fiber optic requirements. Texas prisons saw a 2,400 percent increase in drug overdose deaths over the past seven years. As KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports, officials say it's the result of an influx of contraband into state correctional facilities.

The $4 million system could provide up to several hours of advance warning, giving residents more time to evacuate before floodwaters become dangerous.

The Texas Department of Health Services previously notified Camp Mystic its license to operate may not be renewed unless it made major revisions to its emergency plan.

The Eastland family, the camp's owners, testified the day after a team of investigators shared findings about a lack of emergency training among camp counselors.

Freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions here in Lubbock have continued after the weekend, prompting area school districts, colleges, and universities to cancel today's classes. Much of the country is still dealing with dangerous winter weather, putting power grids under strain from coast to coast. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports that ERCOT says the state energy grid is performing better now than in 2021's winter storm. Another severe weather event in Texas this past summer could have traumatic effects for thousands of adults and children for months or even years. Texas Public Radio's Norma Martinez has more on mental health response following the July 4th floods in Kerr County.

Thousands of employees whose contracts end this year will lose their jobs, FEMA managers said at personnel meetings this week. The cuts could hobble the nation's disaster agency.

Hundreds of newly published text messages add more detail to the devastating timeline of the deadly July 4 Texas floods.

More than 130 people died as floodwaters swept through the region on July 4. Now, recovery continues amid legal action and scrutiny of flood preparedness.

As Texas Tech’s football team waits to learn its first opponent in this year’s College Football Playoffs, our Bishop Van Buren reports on a push for long-term stability within the program. Two recently passed state laws that address outdoor warning sirens in flash flood zones are closer to implementation. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro explains Senate Bill 3 and Senate Bill 5, set to affect 30 counties this week.

For many families across the state, Thanksgiving this year is complicated — because of the destructive flooding on the Fourth of July that left at least 138 people dead. They’re grappling with unanswered questions and loss.