State Climatologist: Texas Getting Hotter

The state climatologist recently predicted that Texas will continue to get hotter and for longer periods of time during the next 15 years. In “Assessment of Historic and Future Trends of Extreme Weather in Texas, 1900-2036,” John Nielsen-Gammon predicted the average annual temperature in Texas will be three degrees warmer than the average from 1950-1999, and the number of 100-degree days could nearly double compared to 2000-2018.

The report, sponsored by Texas 2036, a nonpartisan nonprofit group named for the state’s bicentennial in 15 years, indicates that the average coldest monthly temperatures will continue to rise, though that will vary across the state, as will rainfall predictions. Extremely severe weather is expected to increase.

“Storm surges from hurricanes will tend to be more severe because of higher relative sea levels, and a possible increase in extreme hurricane intensity may further increase storm surge risk,” Nielsen-Gammon wrote.

Bullying Prevention Month

One in five children report being bullied, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In Texas, at least 40% of those bullied have seriously considered suicide. The agency “provides caregivers the tools to empower their children to be anti-bullying champions and to get messaging out about bullying prevention” at GetParentingTips.com.

The content is designed to help parents and other caregivers to have conversations with their children about bullying. “The conversation to prevent bullying can start as early as when a child learns the difference between kindness and unkindness,” according to TDFPS.

Redistricting Skirmish Continues

Along party lines, the Texas Senate passed a redistricting plan Friday that pits the only two Black members of Congress from Houston against each other and does not create any more minority-majority districts, reported the San Antonio Express-News. Attempts to amend the plan by Democratic legislators were all rejected by the redistricting map’s principal author, state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston.

The Texas House has yet to release any redistricting proposals for Congress during the third special session, which ends Oct. 18. If the House doesn’t pass a redistricting bill, it’s likely both chambers will have to return for a fourth special session this year, the Express-News reported.