Texas Watch

09/01/2025

We fight for the safety of workers on this day — and every day.

08/28/2025

"As of July 1, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) program has reduced surveillance to just two pathogens: salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told NBC News."

As of July 1, a critical surveillance program is monitoring for only two pathogens instead of the usual eight.

08/27/2025

"But while Morton, other residents and city officials appreciate the effort to repair damaged homes, they're calling for increased accountability to ensure that future the city programs don’t end up causing more housing setbacks."

The concerns from homeowners arise on the tail of city officials putting $100 million toward housing in wake of Hurricane Beryl and the 2024 derecho.

08/26/2025

In the News: "In September, a bill will take effect that requires all school buses to have seat belts.

'That's why it's so important that our school districts implement those policies and our school bus drivers make sure that every single student is buckled up,' Wendell said."

The bus driver was cited for swerving and for not wearing his seat belt properly.

08/21/2025

"Much of Wednesday’s testimony focused on youth camps emergency plans which are verified but not evaluated for effectiveness by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Current law does not require the state to keep copies of a youth camp’s emergency plan and it does not require that those plans be forwarded to parents ahead of time."

Senate Bill 1, which would require more oversight of emergency plans and evacuation procedures at summer camps, was advanced after the emotional hearing Wednesday.

08/18/2025

"Legislative recommendations by the families include laws that require structures in Texas to be moved away from floodplains and other hazardous areas, as well as requiring emergency management offices to formally trigger a campsite response in the event of an emergency."

Youth camp safety topped a list of special session agenda items outlined in a proclamation issued by Abbott.

08/07/2025

"After a slow but deadly start to hurricane season, the Atlantic Ocean is turning more active as the typical peak of activity approaches in September."

Weather patterns will become more conducive to tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic during mid-to-late August.

08/05/2025

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including notices for more than 300,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles."

The NHTSA issued multiple recalls last week, including notices for vehicles from Ford, Lincoln and Kia.

07/30/2025

"Advocates of the CSB say it is a vital independent system for gathering information, launching investigations and developing safety recommendations for the petrochemical industry. Without it, the work would fall to other agencies, industry workers or even residents — leaving a hole that the board had plugged."

Amid increasingly intense weather, the Chemical Safety Board is the lone independent agency watching over the Gulf Coast’s petrochemical corridor.

07/24/2025

"The mission of this website is to bring flood information into an accessible format for all Texans."

But rain events large enough to end a drought, as well as smaller events, can lead to flooding. On September 9, 1921, an intense but short-lived downpour occurred in Williamson County. The small town of Thrall received more than 36 inches of rain in 18 hours, setting a national record that remains t...

07/22/2025

"Ford is recalling more than 694,000 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles because the fuel injector may crack and leak, which may cause a fire."

Ford is recalling more than 694,000 Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles because the fuel injector may crack and leak, which may cause a fire

07/16/2025

"How sirens can help: They can be set up to trigger automatically if water reaches a certain height, which could require additional investment in flood gauges. This can be effective because it doesn’t require someone to be awake or rely on a judgment call on when to trigger them. There are also sirens that blare voice messages about impending danger."

While sirens can help in areas with shaky cell service, experts say officials also need to consider alert fatigue and provide education on what to do in an emergency.