Latest Posts
2020 picture of Texas comes into focus: A diverse state dominated by major metros
Texas added about 4 million new residents from 2010 to 2020, making it the third fastest-growing state. At the same time, it also became more diverse, and much like the rest of the country, its residents are increasingly concentrated in cities and suburbs.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/iiif-service_pnp_highsm_27900_27961-full-pct_25-0-default.jpg?itok=dh7Y2JYf)
San Antonio still reckons with lessons from deadly 1921 floods
A new book revisits a flood that devastated San Antonio a century ago that claimed hundreds of lives and reshaped the city. It also led to the construction San Antonio’s first modern flood infrastructure and the development of the nation’s earliest environmental justice movements as Hispanic people confronted deadly disparities in housing and flood control.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/san%20antonio%20flood%20map.jpg?itok=mX0Bz7ym)
Texas’ approach to virtual learning is another step backward for equity
Texas Senate Bill 15 is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. Originally intended to set in place policy to fully fund virtual schooling for districts around the state, the passage of this bill could have been a proud moment for Texans, a response to the immediate needs of school districts during the pandemic.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/pexels-august-de-richelieu-0.jpg?itok=CmAgPERB)
Floods vs. forever homes: What drove decisions to rebuild rather than relocate after Harvey?
After catastrophic floods—like those after Hurricane Harvey dumped several feet of rain on the Houston area four years ago—survivors generally have two options: rebuild, perhaps with the help of flood insurance or federal reimbursement programs, or relocate, perhaps by selling a damaged home or waiting for a government buyout program. A new study has found that the route people choose might have more to do with their pre-flood plans rather than the scale of the disaster itself. This has implications for how policies are designed to encourage resiliency and managed retreat.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/friendswood-harvey-coast-guard.jpg?itok=R_iIlqNX)
Without mask mandates, Texas undermines school districts' efforts to undo pandemic learning gaps
The Texas Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on local mask mandates means the state has officially told public schools to start the 2021-2022 school year as if the COVID-19 pandemic never happened. More correctly, as if it was still not happening. Others have already pointed to the health risks posed by not having a mask mandate in place at schools, and schools around the Houston area have already had to close because of outbreaks. But beyond the dangers posed to the health of students, staff, and families, the state’s approach is undermining schools’ ability to accelerate students’ learning and close gaps created and compounded over the past 18 months.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/masks-in-school.jpg?itok=KxSNlU2t)
From hurricanes to COVID-19, state and local governments increasingly rely upon FEMA grants
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has become increasingly relied upon to help states and local jurisdictions recover and prepare for disasters, particularly hurricanes, floods, fires and more recently, pandemics. Proposed rule changes for the program could reduce future funding allocations, even as disasters seem to become more commonplace.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/FEMA-DHS-042020.jpg?itok=jtjT4ETJ)
Cities struggle to regain employment levels seen prior to the pandemic
The jobs recovery is coming along haltingly, and it has been particularly sluggish for the nation’s biggest cities. Even with historic levels of new job openings, it might take longer for cities to adapt to the new dynamics of the post-2020 (we won't call it post-pandemic) economy.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/pexels-jonas-ferlin-h.jpg?itok=ZTP_aSnO)
With 25 years of service, the Girls Empowerment Network's focus on listening and being responsive to its clients drove home a key lesson: For any nonprofit to be effective, it needs to continually make its services accessible to people.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/Girl%20Power_photo_0.jpg?itok=KvktkH0-)
Understanding the unvaccinated: A look at hesitancy as well as access
The Delta variant has led to COVID-19’s fourth wave—a surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. More than any other factor, what's driving this is the number of unvaccinated people—who either by choice or by design are not getting shots. Because vaccine hesitancy and access varies across states and cities, local solutions might be key to closing the gap.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/ian-hutchinson-iuiKtPNHObA-unsplash.jpg?itok=THeZeIWt)
Here’s where rent relief is helping Harris County residents at risk of eviction
The new CDC moratorium on evictions will expire on Oct. 3, but renters who are in jeopardy of losing their homes — and landlords who are owed money — can still apply for federally funded assistance.
![](/sites/g/files/bxs4896/files/styles/articles_in_list_thumbnail_260x175_cropped_/public/images/Cost%20of%20Harris%20County%20evictions.jpg?itok=40r9-Ju2)
Physical Address
Rice University
Kraft Hall
6100 Main Street, Suite 305
Houston, TX 77005-1892