Bears, particularly the plentiful black bears that are the source of much human-bear conflict, can serve as a opening to larger environmental stories, such as habitat destruction and the challenges of the “wildland-urban interface.” This week’s TipSheet has some of the good news/bad news on bears, with story ideas and resources for your reporting.
"The Agriculture Department has canceled a contract that would have awarded federal bailout money to a Chinese-owned pork producer after the company asked for the contract to be terminated amid a political backlash."
"Trey Glenn, the administrator of EPA's Southeast branch who has been indicted on ethics charges, has stepped down."
"Federal regulators have given U.S. grid companies until Jan. 1, 2028, to shield vulnerable high-voltage transformers from damaging electrical currents triggered by a massive solar eruption."
"Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is planning to host a town hall next month on climate change, with the goal of pushing aggressive policies to fight global warming."
"Over 110 Democratic lawmakers filed court documents on Monday to join environmentalists' lawsuits opposing President Trump's rollback of the Obama administration's expansion of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah."
"Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke blamed “environmental radicals” for the California wildfires that have killed at least 77 people, saying they stop forest management practices that could have prevented the fires."
"In a Democratic clash on Capitol Hill, progressives are pushing an ambitious plan to wean the U.S. off fossil fuels, boost renewables and build a 'smart' grid. Meet the "Green New Deal."
"President Trump's EPA isn't just rolling back regulations, it's failing to enforce the rules that remain on the books, according to a new report from a group formed to track the administration."
"The Bureau of Land Management is moving forward with plans to work around a federal court order and offer tens of thousands of acres of greater sage grouse habitat in planned oil and gas lease sales early next year."
