June 12, 2024
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 | Yasmeen Khalifa, Audience Engagement Producer |
Best of the Bayou
Photo by: Elizabeth Conley (Staff Photographer)
Today we're talking about Texas oil companies leaking toxic gas near schools and homes...
If you read one thing: Across Texas, oil companies are belching hydrogen sulfide gas into communities, near families and schools, with few or no repercussions, an investigation by the Examination and the Houston Chronicle has found.
How does this happen?
Hydrogen sulfide gas, referred to as H2S, can get released into the air during oil production or when it escapes from aging or improperly sealed storage tanks.
The state has a limit for hydrogen sulfide in the air, but regulators broadly disregard it, downplaying the health threats, the investigation found. At two sites in the Permian Basin alone, gas levels exceeded the state limit 1,590 times since the state started measuring in 2020.
Is the gas dangerous?
Extremely high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can kill quickly, but less attention has been paid to those breathing in lower levels of the gas in their daily lives. Studies have linked chronic low-level H2S exposure to neurological and other health problems.
Texans living near facilities leaking the gas describe a litany of ailments, including headaches, nausea, eye and nose irritation, coughing, asthma and rashes.
Read Will Evans, Caroline Ghisolfi and Amanda Drane's full story here and key takeaways from the investigation here.
See if there are high concentrations of toxic gas near you using this map.
Learn how to report oil wells leaking toxic H2S gases in your community here.
Stay in the Loop
Photo by: Susan Barber
📰 Need to Know
- Mike Miles said STAAR gains could mean a faster end to the state takeover. A higher percentage of Houston ISD students met or exceeded grade level on most STAAR exams in grades 3 through 8, closing the gap with students across Texas, state-appointed Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles said Tuesday.
- Inside one family's fight against toxic H2S gas leaks in West Texas. The Hinojos family lives across the street from oil and water storage tanks found to leak H2S repeatedly over the years. The family says they haven't been able to get anyone to put a stop to it.
- Self-driving Cruise vehicles are returning to Houston for road testing. Cruise, a driverless car company that was under investigation for reports of pedestrian injuries, will resume road testing in Houston.
- Controller Hollins sent the mayor 10 pages of questions about the firefighters' deal. City Council approval for Houston's $1.5 billion firefighters' settlement may face further delay after Controller Chris Hollins raised 44 additional questions in a 10-page letter to Mayor John Whitmire.
- Texas district courts announced a new operation to decrease the use of gun switches. Four Texas district courts announced a new initiative Monday aimed at helping to curtail the use of switches, or devices that turn firearms into automatic weapons.
💼 Business
- Kroger is giving away 45,000 pints of ice cream for the summer. To kick off the season, the grocery chain plans to give away 45,000 pints of ice cream to customers on June 20. Here's how to get one.
🚗 Outside the Loop
- What's with the waterspout sightings in Galveston and along the Gulf Coast? Waterspouts were spotted along the Texas coast Monday. As waterspout season gets underway, here's what you need to know before heading to the beach.
Point of View
Photo by: Yasmeen Khalifa
Biden's new border policies may sway Latinos — but will they last?
After President Joe Biden's asylum crackdown last week, he's considering protections to keep mixed-status families together. But will his policies last beyond the election year, asks the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.
- George H.W. Bush at 100: How good a president was he? Presidential scholars Brandon Rottinghaus and Justin Vaughn of the Presidential Greatness Project assess the performance of the nation's 41st president.
Houston vs. All Y'all
Photo by: Jon Shapley/Staff Photographer
The Astros' Kyle Tucker has yet to resume baseball activities.
It's been more than a week since the outfielder fouled a ball off his shin, throwing into question whether he'll return as soon as eligible Friday.
- Yainer Diaz is still limited by a sore finger but hopes to avoid the injured list. The catcher says there is still some pain in his finger after being hit by a foul tip on Sunday in Anaheim.
- Texans mailbag: Which player looks poised for a bounce-back year? With mandatory minicamp wrapped up, it's a good time to gauge the progress of Juice Scruggs, John Metchie and Dameon Pierce.
Get Out
Os Mutantes and Drive-By Truckers are among top Houston live events this week.
Amanda Pascal, John Egan and Tamarie's Texas Toast are also among the picks for the week.
- Texas Renaissance Festival responded to its portrayal in 'Ren Faire.': The docu-series chronicling the power struggle between 86-year-old festival founder George Coulam and three of his ambitious employees has been a hit with viewers and critics.
I know reality TV isn't for everyone, but it's definitely for me. There's nothing like putting on a mindnumbing show after work. So imagine my excitement when I found out two Houstonians are on the cast of "Love Island USA" season six, which premiered yesterday. Houston has only ever disappointed us on recent reality shows (looking at you, "Love is Blind"), but maybe it's our time to shine.
Puzzle of the Day:
Poker meets solitaire: try your hand.
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