Martha Pskowski
@psskow.bsky.social
Reporter for Inside Climate News in El Paso, Texas. Reporting on water, oil, gas, borders.
Pinned
Texas has no regulations to protect workers from the state’s blistering heat and overturned city ordinances that required rest breaks. What does that mean for workers in one of the hottest parts of the country? @keertigopal.bsky.social and I spent months investigating for @insideclimatenews.org (1)
Nuestro reportaje sobre los trabajadores que mueren del calor en Texas ahora está disponible en español en El Diario de El Paso @insideclimatenews.org diario.mx/el-paso/2025...
Aún mueren de calor trabajadores texanos
Pese a las altas temperaturas, no existen leyes estatales que los protejan al respecto
diario.mx
November 26, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Nuestro reportaje sobre los trabajadores que mueren del calor en Texas ahora está disponible en español en El Diario de El Paso @insideclimatenews.org diario.mx/el-paso/2025...
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
A notable subset of affected workers are Texas prisoners, many of whom both work (unpaid) in the fields and have no air conditioning in most TX prison units.
Texas keeps getting hotter, and workers keep dying in the heat insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Texas keeps getting hotter, and workers keep dying in the heat insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Texas Workers Keep Dying in the Heat - Inside Climate News
Despite its blazing temperatures, Texas has no labor protections for heat. That leaves workers, especially immigrants, vulnerable on the job.
insideclimatenews.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
A notable subset of affected workers are Texas prisoners, many of whom both work (unpaid) in the fields and have no air conditioning in most TX prison units.
Texas keeps getting hotter, and workers keep dying in the heat insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Texas keeps getting hotter, and workers keep dying in the heat insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
Before the public can act, they must know. But China is silencing independent journalists reporting on the environmental impacts of its massive Belt and Road Initiative—mines, ports, dams, power plants etc in mostly poor countries.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
China’s media suppression campaign is reaching around the globe to silence environmental journalists reporting on polluting Chinese companies.
How China Silences Environmental Reporters Beyond Its Borders - Inside Climate News
Journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Before the public can act, they must know. But China is silencing independent journalists reporting on the environmental impacts of its massive Belt and Road Initiative—mines, ports, dams, power plants etc in mostly poor countries.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
Eighteen-year-old Danny Nolasco died last summer working construction in the scorching Texas heat. He wasn’t the only one. As Texas continues to block heat safety labor protections, advocates call for a national standard.
Texas Workers Keep Dying in the Heat - Inside Climate News
Despite its blazing temperatures, Texas has no labor protections for heat. That leaves workers, especially immigrants, vulnerable on the job.
insideclimatenews.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Eighteen-year-old Danny Nolasco died last summer working construction in the scorching Texas heat. He wasn’t the only one. As Texas continues to block heat safety labor protections, advocates call for a national standard.
Texas has no regulations to protect workers from the state’s blistering heat and overturned city ordinances that required rest breaks. What does that mean for workers in one of the hottest parts of the country? @keertigopal.bsky.social and I spent months investigating for @insideclimatenews.org (1)
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Texas has no regulations to protect workers from the state’s blistering heat and overturned city ordinances that required rest breaks. What does that mean for workers in one of the hottest parts of the country? @keertigopal.bsky.social and I spent months investigating for @insideclimatenews.org (1)
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
How is this even up for debate? Why would companies not provide water breaks and shade for their workers? This is unbelievable and yet... Check out @insideclimatenews.org latest by @keertigopal.bsky.social and @psskow.bsky.social
Danny Nolasco was just 18 when he collapsed and died working construction in the Texas heat. We wrote about him, and 5 other workers whose heat-related deaths OSHA investigated last summer. From me and @psskow.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org
insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Texas Workers Keep Dying in the Heat - Inside Climate News
Despite its blazing temperatures, Texas has no labor protections for heat. That leaves workers, especially immigrants, vulnerable on the job.
insideclimatenews.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
How is this even up for debate? Why would companies not provide water breaks and shade for their workers? This is unbelievable and yet... Check out @insideclimatenews.org latest by @keertigopal.bsky.social and @psskow.bsky.social
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
“This is a basic human right, the ability for you to stop and drink water and be in the shade.," said Ana Gonzalez, organizing and advocacy director at the Texas AFL-CIO. "It’s just insane to me that this is a debate.” A sobering story from @psskow.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Texas Workers Keep Dying in the Heat - Inside Climate News
Despite its blazing temperatures, Texas has no labor protections for heat. That leaves workers, especially immigrants, vulnerable on the job.
insideclimatenews.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:52 PM
“This is a basic human right, the ability for you to stop and drink water and be in the shade.," said Ana Gonzalez, organizing and advocacy director at the Texas AFL-CIO. "It’s just insane to me that this is a debate.” A sobering story from @psskow.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
Danny Nolasco was just 18 when he collapsed and died working construction in the Texas heat. We wrote about him, and 5 other workers whose heat-related deaths OSHA investigated last summer. From me and @psskow.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org
insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Texas Workers Keep Dying in the Heat - Inside Climate News
Despite its blazing temperatures, Texas has no labor protections for heat. That leaves workers, especially immigrants, vulnerable on the job.
insideclimatenews.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Danny Nolasco was just 18 when he collapsed and died working construction in the Texas heat. We wrote about him, and 5 other workers whose heat-related deaths OSHA investigated last summer. From me and @psskow.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org
insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2411202...
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
When Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old from Texas, asked doctors about terminating her high-risk pregnancy to save her life, they assured her she had nothing to worry about.
Then she died of preeclampsia.
Then she died of preeclampsia.
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:30 AM
When Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old from Texas, asked doctors about terminating her high-risk pregnancy to save her life, they assured her she had nothing to worry about.
Then she died of preeclampsia.
Then she died of preeclampsia.
I have once again been assigned the root vegetables and butternut squash soup at the hubby's family Thanksgiving in El Paso. And they say going to liberal arts school in New England doesn't teach you marketable skills!
November 24, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I have once again been assigned the root vegetables and butternut squash soup at the hubby's family Thanksgiving in El Paso. And they say going to liberal arts school in New England doesn't teach you marketable skills!
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
China’s media suppression campaign is reaching around the globe to silence environmental journalists reporting on polluting Chinese companies.
How China Silences Environmental Reporters Beyond Its Borders - Inside Climate News
Journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org
November 23, 2025 at 5:50 PM
China’s media suppression campaign is reaching around the globe to silence environmental journalists reporting on polluting Chinese companies.
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
Our top story, from @liseolsen.bsky.social and @psskow.bsky.social: East Texans are uniting to fight oil waste pits in bucolic areas near Louisiana—all run by an operator who’s been cited for dozens of violations, and a worker’s death.
East Texans Fight Oil Waste Pits Run by an Operator Cited for Dozens of Violations
In bucolic areas near the Louisiana line, residents ask, "Why are Texas taxpayers liable for other states’ toxic waste?"
www.texasobserver.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Our top story, from @liseolsen.bsky.social and @psskow.bsky.social: East Texans are uniting to fight oil waste pits in bucolic areas near Louisiana—all run by an operator who’s been cited for dozens of violations, and a worker’s death.
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
In our magazine, from @liseolsen.bsky.social and @psskow.bsky.social: East Texans are uniting to fight oil waste pits in bucolic areas near Louisiana—all run by an operator who’s been cited for dozens of violations, and a worker’s death.
Published in partnership with @insideclimatenews.org
Published in partnership with @insideclimatenews.org
East Texans Fight Oil Waste Pits Run by an Operator Cited for Dozens of Violations
In bucolic areas near the Louisiana line, residents ask, "Why are Texas taxpayers liable for other states’ toxic waste?"
www.texasobserver.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In our magazine, from @liseolsen.bsky.social and @psskow.bsky.social: East Texans are uniting to fight oil waste pits in bucolic areas near Louisiana—all run by an operator who’s been cited for dozens of violations, and a worker’s death.
Published in partnership with @insideclimatenews.org
Published in partnership with @insideclimatenews.org
I learned recently there is an area in El Paso where the IBWC/TCEQ straight up can't sample the water in the Rio Grande because of all the militarization. I guess we just won't know anymore how god awful the water quality is!
November 14, 2025 at 1:36 AM
I learned recently there is an area in El Paso where the IBWC/TCEQ straight up can't sample the water in the Rio Grande because of all the militarization. I guess we just won't know anymore how god awful the water quality is!
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
Funding alert: @grist.org is offering grants of up to $5,000 for reporting on rural climate issues and environmental justice in the United States. Newsrooms and freelancers are welcome to apply. Please share! grist.org/updates/gris...
Grist opens applications for new rural reporting grants on climate and environmental justice
Applicants can request up to $5,000 per project.
grist.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Funding alert: @grist.org is offering grants of up to $5,000 for reporting on rural climate issues and environmental justice in the United States. Newsrooms and freelancers are welcome to apply. Please share! grist.org/updates/gris...
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
US firefighter detained on the job speaks out after deportation: ‘I feel betrayed’
Exclusive: Border patrol arrested José Bertin Cruz-Estrada while he was battling a wildfire in Washington. He is now in Mexico, separated from his family in Oregon
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
When the (hubby's) family group text is discussing Prop 4... it's my moment to shine!
November 4, 2025 at 9:55 PM
When the (hubby's) family group text is discussing Prop 4... it's my moment to shine!
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
Editor-in-Chief @gusbova.bsky.social introduces our Nov/Dec 2025 issue: "Books. That’s right—it’s 2025, and I’m using the medium of a print magazine to talk to you about the even longer words-on-paper form that is the book. Why?"
Editor's Letter: Introducing Our November/December 2025 Issue
A note from the editor-in-chief
www.texasobserver.org
November 1, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Editor-in-Chief @gusbova.bsky.social introduces our Nov/Dec 2025 issue: "Books. That’s right—it’s 2025, and I’m using the medium of a print magazine to talk to you about the even longer words-on-paper form that is the book. Why?"
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
CBP's usually moribund "Accountability and Transparency" page just posted 7 notifications about migrant deaths.
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/acc...
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/acc...
Accountability and Transparency
Securing America's Borders
www.cbp.gov
October 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
CBP's usually moribund "Accountability and Transparency" page just posted 7 notifications about migrant deaths.
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/acc...
www.cbp.gov/newsroom/acc...
During a forum about water held today in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, demonstrators protested the participation of the Israeli water company Mekorot. The state water utility (JCAS) and Juarez water utility (JMAS) have both promoted partnering with Israeli companies to address local water problems.
October 22, 2025 at 7:12 PM
During a forum about water held today in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, demonstrators protested the participation of the Israeli water company Mekorot. The state water utility (JCAS) and Juarez water utility (JMAS) have both promoted partnering with Israeli companies to address local water problems.
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
A decade ago, Douglas Menjivar became a whistleblower and activist after he was raped in ICE detention.
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Trump's ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.
Douglas Menjivar is a survivor and activist. He’s also married to a U.S. citizen, but he was caught up in the president’s mass deportation agenda anyway.
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A decade ago, Douglas Menjivar became a whistleblower and activist after he was raped in ICE detention.
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
lots of fighter jets flying over my house in El Paso today! wonder what that could mean...
October 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
lots of fighter jets flying over my house in El Paso today! wonder what that could mean...
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
In 2024, I wrote a story for Texas Monthly about Michelle Haas, whose complaints resulted in the removal of books about slavery from historic Texas slave plantations. Haas sued us, alleging defamation, and was represented by the preferred lawyer of billionaire J.P. Bryan. Today, we won on appeal.
October 16, 2025 at 2:13 PM
In 2024, I wrote a story for Texas Monthly about Michelle Haas, whose complaints resulted in the removal of books about slavery from historic Texas slave plantations. Haas sued us, alleging defamation, and was represented by the preferred lawyer of billionaire J.P. Bryan. Today, we won on appeal.
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
New report examines fossil fuel ties of dozens of Trump administration hires.
grist.org/accountabili...
#FossileFuel #Climate #Oil #Gas #Policy
grist.org/accountabili...
#FossileFuel #Climate #Oil #Gas #Policy
New report examines fossil fuel ties of dozens of Trump administration hires
Public Citizen and the Revolving Door Project found 43 fossil-fuel industry insiders among nominees and appointees to agencies charged with enforcing energy and environmental policy.
grist.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
New report examines fossil fuel ties of dozens of Trump administration hires.
grist.org/accountabili...
#FossileFuel #Climate #Oil #Gas #Policy
grist.org/accountabili...
#FossileFuel #Climate #Oil #Gas #Policy
Reposted by Martha Pskowski
Breast cancer, dizziness, headaches: El Paso residents ask if a warehouse’s toxic emissions are to blame.
grist.org/accountabili...
#Cancer #Health #Chemicals #Texas #TX #Environment
grist.org/accountabili...
#Cancer #Health #Chemicals #Texas #TX #Environment
Breast cancer, dizziness, headaches: El Paso residents ask if a warehouse's toxic emissions are to blame
After a Grist investigation revealing exposure to the carcinogen ethylene oxide, El Paso residents confront troubling questions about their health.
grist.org
October 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Breast cancer, dizziness, headaches: El Paso residents ask if a warehouse’s toxic emissions are to blame.
grist.org/accountabili...
#Cancer #Health #Chemicals #Texas #TX #Environment
grist.org/accountabili...
#Cancer #Health #Chemicals #Texas #TX #Environment