New & Noteworthy List for September 2025

Focuses on the resurgence of nuclear power and its role as an energy source and possible climate solution. Explores the pro-nuclear movement through the lens of a new generation of environmentalists, activists, and politicians who believe that nuclear energy offers a safe path to decarbonization. Focuses on the recent rescue of Diablo Canyon, California’s last nuclear power plant, which was slated to shut down in 2025.

Discusses the invention of barbed wire and its dissemination throughout Texas in the 1870s, which set the stage for the Barbed Wire Wars in the 1880s. Profiles the various actors who fueled the violent conflicts: free-range cattle advocates and homesteaders; owners of fenced land; and law enforcement tasked with preventing unlawful fencing and fence cutting. Highlights the Texas Legislature's and Governor John Ireland's actions during the wars, including the passage of HB 528, 18th Legislature, R.S., known as the Land Act of April 12, 1883, and fence-related legislation in the 18th Legislature, 1st C.S. in 1884: HB 2, HB 8, HB 9, HB 50/HB 84, and SB 42.

Examines the history of the creation and development of critical race theory (CRT). Presents a narrative description of the tenets of CRT, a timeline of milestone events, and seminal works, as well as criticisms of CRT. Explores the lives of individuals who founded or were influential in developing CRT, including Derrick Bell, Richard Delgado, Jean Stefancic, and Kimberlé Crenshaw.

Provides historical accounts of major flash floods in Texas from 1900 to 2002. Notes that Texas’ location and landscape makes the entire state, and particularly the Balcones Escarpment and Edwards Plateau in Central and West Texas, prone to flooding. Presents each flood incident in its own chapter, with background on the causes and effects of the flooding and archival photography.