Texas Lawsuit Alleging Fraud in Construction of First Border Wall Comes Apart
Hidalgo County’s claims of improper enrichment by a former employee and his family are either dismissed or withdrawn. Employee sees vindication; the county says it could appeal or head to federal court.
New Details Alleged in Scheme to Make Millions Off First Border Wall in Texas
The latest lawsuit filing in Hidalgo County talks of kickback deals worked out over drinks and steak dinners.
How Harvey Hurt Houston, in 10 Maps
The city got two “100-year” storms in the two years before Harvey made landfall. All three storms flooded thousands of houses, many outside of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood plains.
How a Local Bureaucrat Made Millions Amid the Rush to Build a Border Fence
The feds faced a deadline to finish the first version of a border wall. Godfrey Garza Jr. of Hildalgo County, Texas, made it happen, and made himself a small fortune along the way. Other than Garza, no one seems too happy about that.
A Border Wall’s Uncompensated Victims
Scores of Texas landowners in the shadow of the border wall say the government should pay them for their damaged property values.
The Taking
The federal government’s boldest land grab in a generation produced the first border wall — and a trail of abuse, mistakes and unfairness.
Everyone Knew Houston’s Reservoirs Would Flood — Except for the People Who Bought Homes Inside Them
Despite concerns about flooding in and around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, government officials prioritized development.
Independent Monitors Found Benzene Levels After Harvey Six Times Higher Than Guidelines
After an oil tank in Houston’s Manchester neighborhood caved in, private monitors found levels that far exceeded California’s health guideline
Houston Officials Hope Harvey Convinces Congress to Fund Coastal Barrier
Mayor Sylvester Turner on Tuesday gave his strongest endorsement to date for constructing a physical coastal barrier to protect the region from deadly storm surge.
Houston’s Dams Won’t Fail. But Many Homes Will Have to Be Flooded to Save Them
The water that goes around the spillways is going to have to leave the reservoir somehow — and enter areas surrounding it.