On Tuesday, oil hit the coast of Texas, officially reaching every state along the Gulf of Mexico. About five gallons of oil were found near Galveston, Tex. appearing in the form of small tar balls. According to state Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, tar balls are not uncommon in Texas; they hear about ten reports of them a year. That same office also confirmed that the oil has come from the BP Deepwater Horizon leak, and said it has most likely reached Texas by a boat or vessel rather than ocean currents.
We talk with Larry McKinney, director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, about the oil arriving on Texas beaches.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!