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I don’t wish this on anyone”: Two families mourn their losses after a record year for Texas heat deaths

Summary

The Texas Tribune reports on the tragic impact of extreme heat in Texas during 2023, which claimed the lives of 334 individuals, marking the highest number since records began in 1989. The article recounts the stories of Don Green, an 86-year-old veteran, and Eugene Gates Jr., a 56-year-old postal worker, both of whom succumbed to the heat. It emphasizes that the heat wave disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, including migrants, with Harris County, Tarrant County, and Dallas County experiencing the highest number of heat-related deaths. The piece discusses the increasing frequency of extreme heat due to climate change and highlights the devastating consequences for outdoor workers, prompting calls for better protections and awareness.

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