WEATHER ALERT
Federal court overturns Texas agency’s pollution permit for Gulf Coast natural gas export terminal
Read full article: Federal court overturns Texas agency’s pollution permit for Gulf Coast natural gas export terminalJudges overturned a state air pollution permit that was issued last year, arguing that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality illegally enabled Port Arthur LNG to avoid emissions control requirements.
U.S. Rep. Randy Weber concerned Texas projects hurt amid Freedom Caucus budget fight
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Randy Weber concerned Texas projects hurt amid Freedom Caucus budget fightThe far-right congressman from Friendswood still backs the conservative push to lower spending, but worries bipartisan Texas projects have been impacted.
Port Arthur pollution fight shows how Texas blocks citizen protests
Read full article: Port Arthur pollution fight shows how Texas blocks citizen protestsA local activist went before a judge, arguing for lower pollution limits on two new liquified natural gas facilities. The judge sided with him, but the state environmental agency sided with the companies.
Five Texas refineries polluted above federal limit on cancer-causing benzene last year, report found
Read full article: Five Texas refineries polluted above federal limit on cancer-causing benzene last year, report foundBenzene is a known human carcinogen, according to the EPA. The Texas refineries were among a dozen industrial plants in the U.S. that emitted the highest levels of the chemical in 2021.
Officers seize gold-plated pistol, nearly $44,000 in cash and 2 kilos of cocaine after routine traffic stop
Read full article: Officers seize gold-plated pistol, nearly $44,000 in cash and 2 kilos of cocaine after routine traffic stopA routine traffic stop ultimately resulted in the seizure of a gold-plated pistol, nearly $44,000 in cash, two kilos of cocaine and a rifle, Port Arthur authorities said in a Saturday release.
What’s a hurricane tip you wish you had learned sooner?
Read full article: What’s a hurricane tip you wish you had learned sooner?Whether you’ve experienced a bad storm yourself, or maybe it was your friends or relatives who had to survive the ordeal, it’s better to ask these questions before we’re in the midst of a disaster: Have you ever received advice about how to prepare for a hurricane that really stuck with you?
VYPE U: Episcopal Gets Win vs. Port Arthur Memorial
Read full article: VYPE U: Episcopal Gets Win vs. Port Arthur MemorialThe boys kicked their season off with a 66-51 win against Port Arthur Memorial. The Hildebrand Athletic Center, home to the Episcopal Knights, allowed for both teams to be socially distanced. First QuarterThe tip off went to Port Arthur Memorial, heading into their offense starting the game. Port Arthur was aggressive right back fouling left and right. Third QuarterWith Episcopal getting the ball first, Port Arthur came back with a strong full court press.
Delta weakens to a depression
Read full article: Delta weakens to a depressionAfter Hurricane Delta made landfall Friday evening as a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph near Creole, Louisiana, it has continually weakened overnight and through this morning and as of 10am become a depression. Delta weakens to a depression (KPRC)The biggest threat is still rain with 2-4 inches likely along its path with some isolated amounts possible as much as 6-10 inches for the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Delta picks up speed toward the northeast (KPRC)WindCameron and Lake Charles, Louisiana, which took a direct hit from Hurricane Laura, stayed on the “clean” side of Delta -- west of the eye. Compared to Laura, Delta is not as strong and not as well-organized. Delta made landfall near Creole Louisiana, only about 12 miles to the east of the track of Hurricane Laura six weeks earlier.
A week after hurricane evacuation, nursing home residents with COVID-19 still waiting to return to East Texas
Read full article: A week after hurricane evacuation, nursing home residents with COVID-19 still waiting to return to East TexasTexas health officials have not said how many of the evacuated residents had active coronavirus infections, but state records indicate at least nine nursing homes reported plans to move COVID-19 patients. Statewide, nearly half of nursing homes report having at least one active coronavirus infection among residents or staff. Evacuating nursing homes is challenging even under more normal circumstances. But remaining in place is not an option during a hurricane, and federal regulations require nursing homes to develop and practice emergency preparedness plans. Disclosure: The Texas Health Care Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Texas officials record deaths linked to Laura's landfall
Read full article: Texas officials record deaths linked to Laura's landfall(AP Photo/Eric Gay)HEMPHILL, Texas – Texas recorded four deaths Friday linked to Hurricane Laura, which roared ashore along the Louisiana border the day before. Sabine County Emergency Management Coordinator Kerwin Lloyd identified the first death as David Murrell, 54, in East Texas. One was 60, the other was 53, and both were from Port Arthur. At least two Port Arthur police officers also required hospital treatment for a dangerous level of carbon monoxide exposure, Burnett said. Officials blame Laura for a total of 14 deaths, with the rest counted in Louisiana.
Houston hospitals bracing for the storm in the midst of pandemic
Read full article: Houston hospitals bracing for the storm in the midst of pandemicWhile at least seven local hospital campuses are now closed, at least three emergency rooms remain open. They do not anticipate the closed hospital campuses, which include outpatient, wellness centers and orthopedic hospitals, to reopen until at least Friday. Flood gates securedOfficials at the Texas Medical Center in Houston closed the flood gates Wednesday afternoon. Per emergency recommendations, the metal doors close eight hours before any storm makes nearby landfall. Research and our teaching activities within this building were completely halted for many weeks,” said Scott Patlovich, UT Health Assistant VP Environmental Health and Safety.
Hurricane Laura nears Category 5 strength as Gulf Coast braces for what's expected to be "catastrophic" damage
Read full article: Hurricane Laura nears Category 5 strength as Gulf Coast braces for what's expected to be "catastrophic" damageHundreds of Hurricane Laura evacuees wait in their cars as they line up for hotel vouchers at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Credit: Bronte Wittpenn/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORKGet the latest updates on Hurricane Laura here. Hurricane Laura almost strengthened into a Category 5 storm Wednesday as it neared the Gulf Coast and threatened "catastrophic" devastation from storm surge and wind damage on both sides of the Texas-Louisiana border. The storm, currently a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to make landfall after midnight Thursday. Hurricane Laura is also expected to cause flooding and damage from storm surge, which pushes water from the coast inland.
Still recovering from Harvey, Texans in Beaumont and Port Arthur are now preparing for a new hurricane during the pandemic
Read full article: Still recovering from Harvey, Texans in Beaumont and Port Arthur are now preparing for a new hurricane during the pandemicPort Arthur residents board buses to evacuate the area before Hurricane Laura strikes the Gulf Coast in Southeast Texas. Almost three years after hurricane Harvey damaged their homes and their belongings, masked volunteers in bright colored t-shirts brought new beds, chests and nightstands to their doorsteps. According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Laura continues to strengthen and is expected to become an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane. At a noon press conference Wednesday, Gov. The report from the National Hurricane Center forecasts a storm surge of between 10 and 15 feet around the Jefferson County area. On Friday, I went to a house that we had fixed [after Hurricane Harvey]," he said.
Port Arthur mayor issues evacuation order before Laura hits
Read full article: Port Arthur mayor issues evacuation order before Laura hitsPORT ARTHUR, Texas Port Arthur's mayor on Monday issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Southeast Texas city before Tropical Storm Laura which forecasters say could strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane makes landfall. Laura was expected to make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Port Arthur is about 30 miles (about 50 kilometers) from the Louisiana border. Forecasters have said Laura could change course and make landfall near Houston. We are ready to deal with this situation as well," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday.