Arkema Inc. said the Harris County Emergency Operations Center notified the company at 2 a.m. Thursday of explosions and black smoke coming from its Crosby plant, which was inundated by Hurricane Harvey’s floodwaters.
Jim Malewitz
Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Harvey’s winds and rain disrupt Texas agriculture
Hurricane Harvey did more than transform cityscape by turning highways into rivers; it also upended life for farmers and ranchers across dozens of counties that Gov. Greg Abbott declared disaster zones.
Posted inState Government
U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling against Texas congressional map
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday temporarily put on hold a lower court ruling that invalidated two of Texas’ 36 congressional districts.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Why not evacuate before Harvey? Houston leaders defend their calls to stay put
As Harvey’s waters strand thousands of folks in their homes and send some onto rooftops — a chorus of onlookers have asked: Why didn’t more local officials order mandatory evacuations?
Posted in
Politics
Texas House map must be redrawn, federal court says
Federal judges on Thursday found fault with some of the state’s 150 state House districts, which must now be redrawn ahead of the 2018 elections.
Posted in
State Government
Employees Retirement System of Texas lowers expectations, worrying workers
Trustees for the Employees Retirement System of Texas voted Wednesday to decrease earnings assumptions for its $26 billion trust fund, a rare move that could have major implications for the state budget and the retirement system’s beneficiaries.
Posted in
Courts
Federal judge tosses new Texas voter ID law; state plans to appeal
A federal judge has tossed out a new law softening Texas’ strict voter identification requirements. Texas’ attorney general says he will appeal the ruling.
Posted in
Lock the Vote
Puzzling shapes: Travel across this gerrymandered Texas district
As part of our Lock The Vote series, we examine a key piece of Republicans’ 2011 redistricting strategy, which courts said discriminated against minorities: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s curiously-shaped 35th Congressional District.
Posted in
State Government
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller criticizes Six Flags’ removal of Confederate flag
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is furious with the Six Flags amusement park chain over its decision to take down the Confederate flag and four others that had flown over the park.
Posted in
State Government
Texas state workers fear fallout from changing math on pensions
The Employees Retirement System of Texas is considering lowering its earnings assumption for the $26 billion trust fund. Labor advocates fear the move would push lawmakers to cut benefits or require current workers to chip in more.