- This December has been the hottest on record for many cities in the southeastern US. Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Little Rock, and Memphis all either matched or surpassed their previous record highs on Christmas.
- U.S. tribes are now seeing hope for some relief from clean water issues through the infrastructure bill, which dedicates $3.5 billion to the federal Indian Health Service and more funds through other federal agencies for water projects. These communities often lack indoor plumbing, so to cook or clean many residents must haul water by driving long distances to communal water stations and bathrooms. “You look at two billionaires competing to fly into outer space, yet we’re trying to get basic necessities in villages of interior Alaska.”
- While COVID-19 hospitalizations remain relatively low in most of Texas, the number of people testing positive for the omicron variant of COVID-19 is quickly rising. Public health experts fear that the variant could overwhelm the health care systems in areas already struggling with a depleted hospital workforce and low vaccination rates.
- Another reminder: don’t pour cooking oil, grease, or fat down the drain! Here is a list of locations in Arlington where home cooks can drop off their grease until January 10. Residents with more than 5 gallons of used cooking oil can request a pick up.
- The city of Pflugerville is considering a new $86 million pipeline project or treating wastewater into drinking water as options for future water supplies for their growing population. The city has projected that the demand for water will begin to exceed existing supply in 2025.