Community researchers, officials and local groups are taking temperatures throughout Houston to determine which neighborhoods are hottest.
Elena Bruess
Elena Bruess covers the environment for the Houston Landing. She comes to Houston after two years at the San Antonio Express-News, where she covered the environment, climate and water. Elena previously worked in the Midwest as a reporter for Circle of Blue, a nonprofit newsroom where she focused on water issues in the Great Lakes region. Before that, Elena covered health and inequity in Chicago as a Pulitzer Center reporting fellow. She is originally from Northeastern Iowa and holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a degree from University of Iowa's undergraduate writing program. When not on the beat, Elena will be reading a book in the sun or getting ultra-caffeinated at a coffee shop.
Posted inEnvironment
Air quality report finds three landfills make up nearly all methane emissions in Harris County
About 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston, towering hills of green loom over the community of Atascocita. Some nearly 200 feet tall, the hills can be seen from the main road, the area’s sport complex and the surrounding neighborhoods. All seems typical, except for a slight sour smell that wafts through the community – especially […]
Posted inInvestigations
Residents in limbo as environmental complaints stall East End affordable housing project
The project has been beset by environmental issues and developers who oppose the addition of a low-income complex in the gentrifying neighborhood.
Posted inInvestigations
Environmental concerns or NIMBY: What’s driving developers’ opposition to 800 Middle?
The Houston Housing Authority blames the opposition on NIMBYism. A pair of developers insist their concern is for the residents who would live there.
Posted inAround the Region
After Beryl, Houstonians rush to rescue injured and abandoned wildlife left by the storm
Hurricanes decimate habitat and displace wildlife. Houston SPCA staff are working with hundreds of rescued squirrels, opossums and birds after Beryl.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Whitmire asks Houston Housing Authority to halt move-in at East End housing complex
Mayor John Whitmire asked Houston’s housing authority to halt move-ins at an affordable housing complex until further environmental testing is done.
Posted inAround the Region
No power means no work for many in Houston after Beryl. The strain is starting to show.
Damage and power outages from Hurricane Beryl leave residents without work, causing worries over paying rent, restocking groceries and making repairs.
Posted inAround the Region
A storm of misinformation followed Hurricane Beryl ashore. Here’s what really happened.
Hurricane Beryl knocked out power to millions. It also unleashed a torrent of misinformation about what happened before, during and after the storm.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Did CenterPoint prepare enough for Hurricane Beryl? Politicians, residents want to know.
The utility company, which services nearly all of Houston, Harris County and Fort Bend County, drew early scrutiny Tuesday for its preparations as more than 1 million people remained without power.
Posted inAround the Region
Poor drainage leaves northeast Houston residents with full ditches, flooded homes after Beryl
On Houston’s northeast side, poorly maintained drainage infrastructure disproportionately impacts residents with flooding after Tropical Storm Beryl.