Find me now on Bluesky! (at) ellevarela.bsky.social Texas Environment & Climate Reporter for @capitalandmain and @pubhealthwatch
Houston, TX
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
We’re only five weeks out from AWJ! In anticipation of their arrival, we’re counting down to June 21 by highlighting two fellows each week. First up: @IssamAhmed and @Ellevarela! #AWJ2026
Read more about the fellows:
ow.ly/YeHl50Z0ioP
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Corpus Christi is operating under reservoir shortages and city leaders are planning for a formal water emergency that would cut usage by 25% for residents, small businesses and industry.
From PHW contributor @Ellevarela for @StraightArrow__
publichealthwatch.org/2026/0…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
It's a question being asked all over the country: What is going on with the water crisis in Corpus Christi?
@StraightArrow__ sent one of Texas' top environment reporters @Ellevarela to Corpus to find the answers on the ground.
Her dispatch: san.com/cc/inside-the-texas-…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
From @capitalandmain: Benzene emissions along the Texas Gulf Coast are among the highest in the nation. Benzene is a known cancer-causing chemical, & it's being released in communities on the fenceline of industry daily. #EnvironmentalJustice @Ellevarela capitalandmain.com/texas-gul…
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In the Government category, small division, the 2025 Best in Business Award winner is @Capitalandmain for “It’s Brown and Burns Your Eyes. In Small-Town Texas, Clean Water Is Elusive.” #BIB25
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
And congrats to my amazing colleagues at
@capitalandmain who won #BIB25 awards from @SABEW:
@aubry_erin
@Ellevarela
@LAJourno
@Photospice
@robinurevich
So honored to receive this award and grateful for the acknowledgment. 🙏
Here are the stories, which examined the growing intersection between big insurance companies, fossil fuels and the housing crisis.
capitalandmain.com/latest-ne…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
With Trump focused on building his 2000-mile border wall, virtually all environmental regulations designed to protect the community members and the wildlife of the Rio Grande have fallen by the wayside—with devastating effects. From @Ellevarela: trib.al/hPAOiMY
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
After Years of Gains, GOP Pushes to Roll Back Chemical Regulations -- @Ellevarela @capitalandmain capitalandmain.com/after-yea…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Trump has waived every environmental and transparency rule to build his 2000 mile border wall, devastating the Rio Grande and the communities and wildlife that depend on it. From @Ellevarela: trib.al/vfB1ItQ
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Known for Its Oil, Texas Became a Renewable Energy Leader. Now It’s Being Unplugged. @Ellevarela- capitalandmain.com/known-for…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
"I'm just moments from leaving this place. I can't do the water anymore. I just can't."
In small-town Texas, clean water can be elusive: capitalandmain.com/its-brown… by @Ellevarela for @capitalandmain
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Trump is proposing to defund the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (@chemsafetyboard), the lone independent agency watching over the Gulf Coast’s petrochemical corridor.
Story by @Ellevarela
capitalandmain.com/trump-adm…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Bittersweet to see my final @Hou_Landing piece publish today. This story began as a tip from someone who attended one of our events. She had struggled to get anyone to pay attention to her concern—the removal of a beloved community mural —but believed I would handle it with care.
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
The HL Board are the same multi-millionaires that this city relies on to cover the gap in public services, parks, and everything else we deserve our government to provide. This is shameful. No one’s wellbeing and livelihood should be at the whim of a small group of millionaires.
Read our full statement on where we stand with bargaining for our severance packages.
Please consider sending emails to the Houston Landing board of directors demanding they return with a fair and just offer. 🔗
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Just walked out of @Hou_Landing for the last time.
Gone too soon, but lots of good memories.
Great newsroom. Great colleagues.
Come and get them.
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Please send emails to Ann Stern from @HoustonEndowmnt, Jeff Cohen of @Arnold_Ventures, Alex Lopez Negrete from @LopezNegrete, Algenita Davis from @DowntownHouston, Anne Chao of Houston Asian American Archive and Rich Kinder from Kinder Foundation. 💜
actionnetwork.org/letters/gi…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
Read our full statement on where we stand with bargaining for our severance packages.
Please consider sending emails to the Houston Landing board of directors demanding they return with a fair and just offer. 🔗
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
This excellent story from @Ellevarela for @Hou_Landing highlights that landfills aren't just hidden piles of trash. They have very real and devastating consequences for people and communities. Read it here:
houstonlanding.org/houstons-…
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Elena Bruess (ellevarela.bsky.social) retweeted
@Ellevarela's spoke on the importance of having healthcare until at least January 2026.
For some members, our healthcare coverage is tied to very specific needs and changing it abruptly and quickly would put us under extreme duress, especially while searching for new jobs.
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