News from the South - Texas News Feed

Proposed Transmission Line Threatens Texas’ Largest Reservoir

Published

2 days ago

July 16, 2025

www.texasobserver.org – Lise Olsen – 2025-07-16 08:43:00

Houstonian Mike Peppercorn bought property along Lake Livingston in 2008, choosing timberland where his family would have privacy and pasture where they could raise cattle for Future Farmers of America projects. He and his neighbors with acreage along Barrett’s Landing Road all figured that surely this lake—which serves as a reservoir for the City of Houston 80 miles south—was an invaluable public resource that would forever be protected.

That seemed like a safe bet. Lake Livingston, an enormous impoundment of the Trinity River created in 1971, is surrounded by retirement homes, ranchettes, and sprawling RV parks. Part of its shoreline is a popular 635-acre state park, and its waters, stocked with bass, crappie, and catfish, are favored by Texas anglers’ for fishing tournaments.

The reservoir, the largest located entirely in Texas, is owned by the Trinity River Authority and is a major source of Houstonians’ drinking water.

So it shocked Peppercorn‚ and his neighbors Karl Van Brocklin, a retired engineer, and Randy and Ginny Lammers, when energy giant Entergy Texas Inc. (ETI) proposed building a high-powered electrical transmission line, up to 160 miles long, that would run right through their properties and the lake itself.

One of Entergy’s favored pathways for the project, dubbed the SETEX Area Reliability Route would cut across about a mile of the reservoir. And yet Entergy, records show,

didn’t ever bother to inform the City of Houston—which gets about 70 percent of the water produced by the reservoir—about its proposed lake routes.

Lammers, Peppercorn and Van Brocklin, all former Houstonians who regularly gather to share research in a barn-like workshop on Lammers’ property, worry about much more than the impact of unsightly poles and power lines on birds and on the people who live, boat, and fish here. They fear that its construction could unleash toxic threats buried in the lake’s sediment that could poison the fish and impair water quality for Houston residents—and for everyone downstream.

“All of these routes are 100 miles long. Going across the lake is one mile. For the safety of everybody’s drinking water, why go across the water?” Peppercorn said in an interview with the Texas Observer.

Until this small group reached out to Randy Macchi, director of Houston Public Works, city officials knew nothing about it. Entergy’s plans call for erecting a variety of steel structures that, if one of the lake routes are chosen, would be anchored to pilings and stand at least 75 to as much as 195 feet tall above the water and could create a mile-long path of obstacles between 125 and 250 feet wide.

After being informed by the Barrett’s Landing bunch, Macchi dispatched a letter of opposition expressing concerns that any route across the lake could adversely impact the city’s water supply. “The construction of powerlines across Lake Livingston could create many undesirable scenarios; none of which are in the best interest of HPW’s customers or the customers of other entities” that receive treated lakewater,” he wrote.

But the city’s letter of opposition arrived too late to be considered. Macchi, who did not respond to the Texas Observer’s request for comment, told KPRC he’s outraged that the utility’s failure to inform city officials shut them out. “There’s a regulatory process, and Entergy notified a lot of entities… The City of Houston was not one of them. And that’s troubling—because this isn’t just a lake; it’s our most critical water source.”

Neighbors Mike Peppercorn (left) and Randy Lammers (right) fear that a proposed electrical line project that may cross Lake Livingston—and their neighborhood—could stir up contaminated sediment. (Photo by Lise Olsen)

The contested project, part of Entergy’s plans to improve the grid that connects Entergy’s power plant in Willis with several counties in East Texas, is now under review by an administrative law judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. By August, the judge is expected to make a recommendation on the project to the Texas Public Utility Commission. But a look at the growing number of opponents to Entergy’s proposed Lake Livingston routes shows that Entergy thus far has done little testing to determine how the lake’s ecosystem might be affected by the construction or by the power line itself.

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In the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s comment, the agency’s wildlife division director Alan Cain remarked that the company had done insufficient work to determine the impact on “important rare or protected species and their associated habitats”—including alligator snapping turtles and other creatures that live in or near the reservoir—along the more than 100-mile route proposal. The letter doesn’t specifically mention the Livingston reservoir.

Lake Livingston may look pristine. Indeed, park officials boast that its shoreline is home to multiple nesting pairs of Bald Eagles. Trinity Water Authority officials like to brag that big strides have been made to improve the quality of the river’s sometimes turbid water since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972.

But this huge reservoir’s waters are still troubled. Since 2017, it has been listed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as an impaired body of water—contaminated by cancer-causing dioxins and PCBs. In other words, it’s one of the lakes and rivers that the state has designated as needing more protection and clean-up to fully comply with the lofty aims of the Clean Water Act. In 2017, the TCEQ did a limited amount of testing of sediment in the lakebed, probing four sites for toxics, but those samples are miles away from the proposed route, according to a report posted online.

For even longer, an underfunded Texas fish-testing program has documented that some of this lake’s gar and even its prized species of catfish and bass are essentially too dangerous to be regularly eaten by anyone because of those same carcinogenic contaminants.

Though Lake Livingston and other East Texas lakes along the Trinity River continue to be popular for anglers, the state health department has issued periodic advisories warning children and women of child-bearing age not to eat gar and bass or catfish–and for all others to limit consumption. Surprisingly, Cain, the Texas Parks and Wildlife official who reviewed the proposed pipeline routes, doesn’t mention Lake Livingston or the fish studies that the park service has conducted there over the years.

The source of the poisons found in those fish issues is believed to be contaminated sediment in the bed of the lake—sediment that’s already frequently disturbed by floods and hurricanes but would be stirred up by the process of excavation and construction of those enormous metal towers and high-powered lines.

Entergy has also failed to consider that Lake Livingston is used for “recreational purposes”–despite the ubiquitous presence of fishermen, boaters and campers, according to documents filed by the Trinity River Authority (TRA) Attorneys representing the TRA, which opposes the route through the lake and favors alternatives, have objected that there was “no discussion of recreational uses of Lake Livingston itself and no discussion of boating or potential public safety hazards that would be created.” (The TRA did not immediately respond to the Observer’s request for comment).

For its part, Entergy insisted in a statement released to KPRC that “we are committed to transparency and continue to fully participate in the regulatory review process, which includes opportunities for public input and review of all routes under consideration.”

The utility company’s statement adds it was “also committed to complying with all federal and state environmental regulations, including any permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act. While route evaluation is ongoing and no final decision has been made, each proposed route—including lake and land crossings—is being thoroughly assessed based on a number of factors, including environmental impact, community input, engineering feasibility, and long-term reliability for our customers.”

Peppercorn argues that Texans who fish, live, and ultimately drink this water deserve more answers before the PUC approves construction through this large reservoir and popular recreation area. He and his neighbors argue that any other route would be better.

“We want a study on the water,” he told Observer. “There’s a lot of people who pull water on the Trinity River and on Lake Livingston–and not all of them have the sophistication of the City of Houston…Why not do the right things?”

The post Proposed Transmission Line Threatens Texas’ Largest Reservoir appeared first on www.texasobserver.org

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This content primarily focuses on environmental concerns and government accountability related to a proposed energy infrastructure project. It highlights grassroots activism opposing corporate and utility power, emphasizes the protection of public natural resources like drinking water and wildlife, and critiques the lack of transparency from the energy company. The focus on environmental protection and regulatory oversight is consistent with a Center-Left perspective, which often values sustainability, public health, and community advocacy while expecting corporations and government agencies to act responsibly. However, the article maintains a measured, fact-based tone without strong partisan rhetoric or ideological extremes.

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Scammers target volunteer fire department helping flood victims

Published

9 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Staff Editor

www.kxan.com – David Barer – 2025-07-17 12:31:00

SUMMARY: The Office of Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating scammers who targeted the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department’s flood relief fundraiser after the devastating July 4 flood in Kerr County, which caused over 100 deaths. Scammers created fake Venmo accounts to divert donations, though Venmo shut them down quickly. Paxton vowed to use full authority against such fraud. The fire department’s genuine fundraiser continues via GoFundMe and mail donations. The Better Business Bureau warns of sophisticated AI-driven scams cloning websites and hijacking links. Donors are urged to verify payment sites, avoid wiring money, research charities, and be cautious of urgent appeals to prevent fraud.

Read the full article

The post Scammers target volunteer fire department helping flood victims appeared first on www.kxan.com

News from the South - Texas News Feed

Democratic doctor challenging GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz

Published

15 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Staff Editor

feeds.texastribune.org – By Gabby Birenbaum – 2025-07-17 06:00:00

By Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune

July 17, 2025

“Harlingen doctor becomes first Democrat to challenge GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz for South Texas congressional seat” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Ada Cuellar, a Harlingen-based emergency physician, launched her campaign for Texas’ 15th Congressional District on Thursday, becoming the first Democrat to run for the South Texas seat that her party is targeting in the 2026 midterms.

Anchored in Hidalgo County along the border and running north to the edge of San Antonio, the district — represented by Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg — has been emblematic of Democrats’ recent struggles throughout the Rio Grande Valley and with Latino voters generally. De La Cruz first won office in 2022, becoming the first Republican to represent the district after it was redrawn to favor Republicans.

The seat has been in Democrats’ crosshairs ever since. But South Texas was the epicenter of a national rightward shift in 2024 among Latinos, who make up about three-quarters of the 15th District’s eligible voting-age population, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. President Donald Trump was the first Republican to win Hidalgo County in decades, improving from a 28% vote share in 2016 to 51% last year.

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will likely face an uphill battle. De La Cruz won reelection by 14 points in 2024, despite the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and other national groups targeting it as a potential pickup. The district leans Republican by a 7-point margin, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index.

While Cuellar — who has no relation to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo — is the first candidate to officially announce, Tejano music star Bobby Pulido has also been floated as a potential candidate. Pulido said he planned to enter politics in 2026, and he has been heavily recruited by Democrats, according to Politico.

Cuellar lives outside the district boundary, in the district of Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen. She is from Weslaco and went to college in Edinburg.

Members of Congress do not have to live in the district they represent, though residing outside the boundaries can open candidates to attacks from their opponents.

De La Cruz is the only Texas Republican the DCCC currently lists among its 2026 targets. But the spectre of redistricting, which could put more seats in play and upend the state’s political map, is hanging over both parties. South Texas is a key area where Republican map-drawers will likely try to draw friendlier seats by targeting De La Cruz’s Democratic neighbors, meaning the contours of the 15th District could change.

Under any new map, the district’s population is likely to remain overwhelmingly Hispanic — meaning Democrats will need to reverse their recent slide to have any chance of recapturing the seat.

Cuellar, a 43-year-old Rio Grande Valley native, believes Latino voters, in particular, were looking for change last cycle as they felt the bite of high costs fueled by inflation. She believes Democrats can position themselves as the party of change in 2026, especially on issues like health care, after Republicans including De La Cruz voted for Medicaid cuts as part of Trump’s recently enacted megabill.

“People are frustrated with health care costs, inflation, the economy, how difficult it is to succeed,” Cuellar said. “And I think a lot of frustrations were directed towards the Democratic Party.”

National Republicans expressed confidence they would hold onto the seat.

“Monica De La Cruz remains a steadfast advocate for the people of South Texas, consistently delivering commonsense results,” Zach Bannon, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement. “Voters are eager to send her back to Washington to continue her work and will resoundingly reject any out of touch Democrat in the race.”

Democrats flipped the U.S. House in 2018 — including through pickups in Texas — largely by talking about Republicans’ efforts to quash the Affordable Care Act. Democrats hope to follow a similar playbook in 2026 by homing in on the Medicaid and ACA cuts in the megabill. Groups have been actively recruiting physicians like Cuellar to run for office as part of that pitch.

During her campaign, Cuellar said she also plans to discuss the need for a county hospital and more doctors in the district, along with plans to make health care more affordable.

Disclosure: Politico 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. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The lineup for The Texas Tribune Festival continues to grow! Be there when all-star leaders, innovators and newsmakers take the stage in downtown Austin, Nov. 13–15. The newest additions include comedian, actor and writer John Mulaney; Dallas mayor Eric Johnson; U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; New York Media Editor-at-Large Kara Swisher; and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso. Get your tickets today!

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/ada-cuellar-democrat-monica-de-la-cruz-south-texas-congress/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

The post Democratic doctor challenging GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz appeared first on feeds.texastribune.org

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This article from The Texas Tribune leans Center-Left, primarily due to its emphasis on Democratic perspectives, framing of Republican actions, and favorable attention to Democratic candidate Ada Cuellar’s campaign. While the article includes factual data and references to Republican figures like Rep. Monica De La Cruz, the narrative highlights Democratic strategies, critiques of Republican policies (especially Medicaid cuts), and Cuellar’s policy priorities without equally presenting counterpoints from her Republican opponent. The language is measured and journalistic, but the thematic focus and selection of quotes subtly favor Democratic viewpoints.

News from the South - Texas News Feed

Court orders release of Uvalde school shooting records

Published

1 day ago

July 16, 2025

Staff Editor

feeds.texastribune.org – By Ayden Runnels – 2025-07-16 15:17:00

By Ayden Runnels, The Texas Tribune

July 16, 2025

“Appeals court orders release of Uvalde school shooting records” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

A state appeals court judge on Wednesday ordered Uvalde County and its school district to release records and documents related to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, affirming a previous trial court order.

A coalition of 18 news organizations, including The Texas Tribune, sued the City of Uvalde, Uvalde County and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District in 2022 for access to body camera footage, 911 call records and communications made during the school shooting. Law enforcements’ response to Texas’ deadliest school shooting, in which 19 students and two teachers were killed, has been scrutinized extensively for failures in communication that delayed response time while the shooter was still in two classrooms with children.

Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell had opposed providing the records, pointing to criminal proceedings against former Uvalde school district Police Chief Pete Arredondo that she said could be hampered by the documents’ release. But Judge Velia Meza with Texas’ Fourth Court of Appeals wrote in the opinion for the case that the criminal proceedings and a separate lawsuit were not enough reasons to withhold the records.

“In response, these entities offered only minimal justification — citing a grand jury investigation and a civil lawsuit — without providing legal or evidentiary support for withholding the information,” Meza wrote.

Arredondo is facing several felony charges of child endangerment, with a trial date set for October.

In a statement, Laura Prather, a media law attorney with Haynes Boone representing the news organizations, said the ruling sends a clear message to government officials that “vague legal claims” cannot be used to withhold records.

“The public has waited more than three years for answers about what went wrong that day,” Prather said. “This decision brings us one step closer to those answers and preventing future tragedies.”

A spokesperson for the Uvalde school district said its school board and superintendent have scheduled a discussion about the requested records during their public meeting on July 21. The Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to a request for comment. The order from Meza did not specify when the records would need to be released.

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/16/uvalde-school-shootings-records-release/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

The post Court orders release of Uvalde school shooting records appeared first on feeds.texastribune.org

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This article primarily presents factual reporting on a legal decision involving the release of records related to the Uvalde school shooting. The tone is neutral and focused on public interest and transparency without showing ideological leanings or framing the story to favor a particular political viewpoint. It reports on actions taken by courts, law enforcement, and media organizations without editorializing or expressing bias. While the topic touches on sensitive issues like law enforcement accountability, the coverage remains straightforward and balanced, adhering to journalistic standards of impartiality.