Pollution

Mapping Out Local PFAS Risk, As Federal Rules Waver

As the Trump administration rolls back Biden-era rules limiting the presence of “forever chemicals” in drinking water, an updated data mapping tool helps pinpoint local angles on the PFAS story. The latest TipSheet outlines the basics on this class of widely used chemicals, their risks to humans and the challenges of regulating them, plus provides a half-dozen story ideas and questions to ask.

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"RFK Jr.’s MAHA Report Targets Food, Drug, Tech Industries: Key Takeaways"

"The Trump administration issued its long-awaited Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report Thursday, hammering various industries while deviating from mainstream science on key issues including farming practices, vaccinations and psychiatric medications."

Source: The Hill, 05/23/2025

Nations Still Emit Banned Climate Pollutant HFC-23 at High Levels. Now What?

"HFC-23 emissions from chemical plants in eastern China and elsewhere likely violate an international climate agreement despite readily available pollution controls. Advocates are pressing for action."

Source: ICN/Foreign Policy, 05/23/2025

House GOP Passes Bill to Gut the IRA. What Happened to All the Holdouts?

"Early this morning, the House voted 215-214 to pass a sweeping budget reconciliation bill with provisions that include a cancellation or phaseout for just about everything that was in the Inflation Reduction Act."

Source: Inside Climate News, 05/23/2025

"Republicans Flout Law and Precedent to Kill California’s Right to Clean Air"

"In a move Democrats warned would have disastrous consequences for the economy, the environment and public health, the Republican-led Senate Thursday voted to block California’s electric-vehicle mandates, revoking the state’s right to implement the nation’s toughest emissions standards."

Source: Inside Climate News, 05/23/2025
June 18, 2025

DEADLINE: Catalyst 2025 — Simulation of Working Through a Water Crisis

Rogue Water Lab invites applications from journalists to attend this high-intensity, immersive event to simulate working through a water crisis — complete with misinformation, stakeholder conflict, press pressure and policy implications. Sep 22–24, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisc. Apply by June 18.

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Plea Deal Shutters Watts Recycling Plant Accused Of Spewing Toxics At School

"A South L.A. recycling plant that has been accused of spewing toxic waste and metal projectiles onto the grounds of Jordan High School will be permanently shut down, according to a plea deal agreed to by the plant’s owners in court Tuesday."

Source: LA Times, 05/22/2025

"EPA Defunds Research Into PFAS Contamination on Farms"

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has canceled grant funding to university research teams studying how “forever chemicals” contaminate soil and groundwater, including at least $3 million for two projects specifically looking at contamination on farms."

Source: Civil Eats, 05/22/2025

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