South
Hail cripples massive solar farm, sparking resident concern about vulnerable 'green' tech
An onslaught of hail in southeastern Texas that destroyed large portions of a massive solar farm is highlighting the perils of trading traditional power sources for vulnerable “green” alternatives and sparking concern about the potential for chemical leaks from the broken panels.
Aerial footage captured the significant damage suffered by the Fighting Jays Solar farm in Fort Bend County, Texas. The March 15 storm shattered hundreds of panels and prompted a nearby resident to question if the solar panels were leaking chemicals such as cadmium telluride, which is linked to serious health risks in humans.
“My concern is the hail damage that came through and busted these panels – we now have some highly toxic chemicals that could be potentially leaking into our water tables,” Needville resident Nick Kaminski told Fox affiliate KRIV-TV. “I have a family — two children and a wife. My neighbors have kids and a lot of other residents in the area who are on well water are concerned that the chemicals are now leaking into our water tables.”
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Images captured by Fox affiliate FOX26 Houston KRIV show extensive damage to Fighting Jays Solar in Fort Bend County, Texas. (FOX26 Houston KRIV)
The Fort Bend County Environmental Health Department is investigating the incident and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has also been contacted regarding any potential chemical contamination, Needville Mayor Chad Nesvadba told Fox News Digital. Fort Bend County officials didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.
Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, represents the community surrounding the solar farm and is engaged with those whose homes, businesses and property were destroyed by the storm, according to spokesperson Emily Matthews, who noted the incident underscores the importance of an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy policy.
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“As far as solar farms being damaged where hail and tornadoes are common, those companies knowingly run the risk of building solar panel farms in these areas,” Matthews told Fox News Digital. “Events like this underscore the importance of having an all-of-the-above energy approach to meet our energy needs and showcase how our country cannot solely rely on or fully transition to renewable energy sources like this.”
Denmark-based Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the parent company of the Fighting Jays Solar project’s developer, AP Solar Holdings, confirmed the storm had taken out much of the farm, but there was currently no risk to the nearby community of chemical exposure.
Local resident Nick Kaminski is interviewed by Fox affiliate FOX26 Houston KRIV. (FOX26 Houston KRIV)
“On March 15th, a hailstorm caused solar panel damage to Fighting Jays Solar, a 350 MW project located in Fort Bend County, Texas,” CIP told Fox News Digital in a statement. “We are currently assessing the extent of the impact of the storm on the generation of the project, while the plant continues to safely operate at a reduced capacity.”
It added: “The silicon-based panels contain no cadmium telluride and we have identified no risk to the local community or the environment.”
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The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees the state’s power grid, said it was aware of the situation, but had not identified any grid reliability concerns. The Texas Public Utilities Commission added that it has yet to receive any reports about the incident.
Still, Daniel Turner, the executive director of energy watchdog group Power the Future, said the storm’s impact could foreshadow future threats to the U.S. power grid if the nation transitions to a heavy reliance on solar energy.
Rep. Troy Nehls, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, appears during a hearing on June 6, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“There’s this enormous shell game happening by the Biden administration, by the environmental left, presenting wind and solar as perfectly green, clean, and carbon-neutral,” Turner told Fox News Digital. “They use all of these buzzwords. But they’re none of that and they also have enormous drawbacks. And it’s doing the American people a great disservice to obfuscate these very obvious shortcomings.”
He noted that, because solar panels are largely manufactured in China, the destruction of solar farms could be leveraged in geopolitical disputes between the U.S. and China.
“Why would we expect them to race to our aid when our grid is down nationwide, and they are the ones holding the goods that we need to get back up?” Turner said.
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Fighting Jays Solar came online in July 2022 and spans more than 3,000 acres, according to AP Solar Holdings. It is located about 40 miles from downtown Houston.
The destruction of the project, meanwhile, comes as the nation broadly races to replace existing fossil fuel power with green energy alternatives. But those plans have been criticized by experts who warn of those energy sources’ reliance on certain windy and sunny weather conditions.
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is asking the community for help in locating three people involved in a May 31 robbery at a 7-Eleven at 411 W. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Three suspects allegedly entered the gas station at 2:50 a.m. and ran for the exit while stealing alcohol, according to an APD press release. A store clerk tried to intervene and was tackled, resulting in significant injuries, police said.
If anyone has information, APD is requesting they contact APD’s Robbery Unit at 512-974-5092. You may submit an anonymous tip through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.
A reward up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Alabama
Alabama under first heat advisory of the season as officials urge residents to take precautions
SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – Alabama is under its first heat advisory of the season as dangerously high temperatures and humidity combine to push heat index values into the triple digits.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory as conditions increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, and anyone who works or spends extended time outdoors.
Selma Fire Chief Walter Dailey says it doesn’t take long to feel the effects of the extreme heat.
“It’s hot,” Dailey said after spending just a few minutes outside. “I’m sweating. I can feel it running down my back.”
For firefighters, the dangers are even greater. Dailey says crews often respond to emergencies while wearing nearly 150 pounds of protective gear, causing them to lose significant amounts of fluids in a short period of time.
“In the first 30 minutes, we’re able to sweat out about four or five gallons of actual fluids from our bodies,” he said. “So hydration is extremely important for us.”
Even though the temperatures are soaring, emergency calls don’t stop. Dailey says firefighters continue responding to structure fires, grass fires and other emergencies while adjusting their daily routines when possible to limit unnecessary time outdoors during the hottest parts of the day.
He warns that heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop much faster than many people realize.
“Heat exhaustion is serious business,” Dailey said. “It happens in a matter of minutes.”
Tips to stay safe during extreme heat
Dailey encourages residents to:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day instead of waiting until you feel thirsty.
- Replace fluids and electrolytes if you are working or exercising outdoors.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing.
- Take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned building.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, generally between late morning and early evening when possible.
- Check on older neighbors, relatives and anyone who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
- Never leave children or pets unattended inside a parked vehicle, even for a short amount of time. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly within minutes.
What if your home doesn’t have air conditioning?
For people living in homes without air conditioning, officials recommend spending as much time as possible in cooler public places such as libraries, community centers, shopping malls or other designated cooling locations during the hottest hours of the day.
Closing blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight, using fans to improve airflow, limiting the use of ovens and other heat-producing appliances, and drinking water frequently can also help reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
If someone begins experiencing heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness or stops sweating despite the heat, move them to a cooler location immediately, provide water if they are alert, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
As temperatures remain dangerously high, Dailey says one of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they feel thirsty.
“At the point you’re already sweating, if you’re not drinking, you’re already behind on being hydrated,” he said.
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The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Monday, June 29, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 29 drawing
10-14-41-53-59, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 29 drawing
Midday: 1-9-5
Evening: 7-2-9
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 29 drawing
Midday: 1-6-7-1
Evening: 4-9-8-3
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from June 29 drawing
11-12-23-27-32
Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 29 drawing
04-25-26-31-36, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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