Tools for Citizens

The Texas Tribune is a completely online journalistic experiment. Of late, it's offered some cool interactive tools for the curious-minded:

1) Interactive Map of Ammonium Nitrate Sites in Texas

Wondering if your friendly neighborhood feed store is another "West" explosion waiting to happen? You can track down over 110 sites listed by the State Health Services Department as facilities storing the chemical Ammonium Nitrate in powder or liquid form. It also tells you where the nearest school and hospitals are in relation to the site.

2) Tracking Energy Industry Contributions Among Texas Politicians

Use this handy tool to trace which elected officials are the recipients of political campaign contributions from T. Boone Pickens, Oncor, Energy Future Holdings, and all the other major industry players since January of 2011. Not surprisingly, Greg Abbott leads all comers as he gears up to run for Governor.