EJToday: Top Headlines

The Secret Terms of Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Deal [9]

"Some of the Trump administration’s partners could remain anonymous, hidden behind a parent company based in Barbados. The oil deal is designed to prevent future U.S. presidents and Venezuelan leaders from changing or dismantling the enterprise."

Climate Change [10]
Conflict/Corruption [11]
Economy & Business [12]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Environmental Politics [14]
Laws & Regulations [15]
Military [16]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
South America [19]
Source: ProPublica [20], 10/22/2026
- Read more about The Secret Terms of Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Deal [9]
Trump Ties Disaster Aid to Votes as Midterm Fight Heats Up [21]

"The White House is using federal disaster relief as leverage while Republicans fight to keep power in Washington, with President Trump saying on one occasion that voting for Democrats could mean less money for states."

Conflict/Corruption [11]
Disasters [22]
Environmental Politics [14]
Government [23]
Water & Oceans [24]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: New York Times [25], 10/22/2026
- Read more about Trump Ties Disaster Aid to Votes as Midterm Fight Heats Up [21]
Satellite Detects 166 Major Methane Leaks at New Mexico Oil and Gas Ops [26]

"A new report by Gas Leaks Project and Earthworks tallied 166 major methane leaks at 121 New Mexico oil and gas facilities between January 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. According to the report, few of the leaks appear to have been reported to the state as required by New Mexico rules and operator permits."

Chemicals [27]
Climate Change [10]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Government [23]
Infrastructure [28]
Laws & Regulations [15]
Pollution [29]
Technology [30]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Capital & Main [31], 10/22/2026
- Read more about Satellite Detects 166 Major Methane Leaks at New Mexico Oil and Gas Ops [26]
The River Can’t Be Trusted [32]

"After two wildfires in 2024 charred hillsides above Ruidoso, New Mexico, experts warned dangerous flash floods could affect large parts of the tourist town."

Disasters [22]
Forests [33]
Water & Oceans [24]
Public [17]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [34]
Source: ProPublica [35], 10/22/2026
- Read more about The River Can’t Be Trusted [32]
Heat Storm: 7 Takeaways From Our Investigation Of Supersized Heat Waves [36]

"Reuters conducted a data-driven examination of global temperatures that shows heat waves have surged in size and frequency since the 1960s. These are the key takeaways."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [22]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [34]
Source: Reuters [37], 10/22/2026
- Read more about Heat Storm: 7 Takeaways From Our Investigation Of Supersized Heat Waves [36]
Flesh-Eating New World Screwworm Parasite Found in US Wildlife [38]

"USDA says screwworm found in elk in Texas, and warns hunters and ranchers to be vigilant to help stop spread"

Biodiversity [39]
Environmental Health [40]
Wildlife [41]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [34]
Source: Guardian [42], 10/22/2026
- Read more about Flesh-Eating New World Screwworm Parasite Found in US Wildlife [38]
UN Sees Higher Global Warming, Even In Best-Case Scenario [43]

"Global warming is now projected to exceed previous estimates, with even the most ‌optimistic scenario seeing average temperatures rise to 1.7-1.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by mid-century, a UN report showed on Wednesday."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [22]
People & Population [44]
Pollution [29]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
International [45]
Source: Reuters [46], 10/22/2026
- Read more about UN Sees Higher Global Warming, Even In Best-Case Scenario [43]
After Decade of Blocking Methane Control, Trump EPA Promises New Rules [47]

"In both terms, Trump has rolled back or blocked attempts to reduce highly warming methane emissions from the oil and gas industry."

Chemicals [27]
Climate Change [10]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Pollution [29]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Inside Climate News [48], 10/22/2026
- Read more about After Decade of Blocking Methane Control, Trump EPA Promises New Rules [47]
World Bank Withdraws Major Loan to an Agribusiness Tied to Deforestation [49]

"The reversal comes after environmental and Indigenous rights groups pushed the bank to acknowledge environmental concerns. More watchdogging of development banks is on the horizon, they say."

Agriculture [50]
Biodiversity [39]
Environmental Politics [14]
Forests [33]
Laws & Regulations [15]
People & Population [44]
Public [17]
South America [19]
Source: Inside Climate News [51], 10/22/2026
- Read more about World Bank Withdraws Major Loan to an Agribusiness Tied to Deforestation [49]
This 'Wonderland of Rocks' Just Became America's Newest National Park [52]

"Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona was redesignated as the United States' 64th national park on Oct. 20, 2026, offering unique geological features, wildlife and dark‑sky conditions, but it remains small and under‑resourced."

Biodiversity [39]
Environmental Politics [14]
Laws & Regulations [15]
Natural Resources [53]
People & Population [44]
Wildlife [41]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [34]
Source: USA TODAY [54], 10/22/2026
- Read more about This 'Wonderland of Rocks' Just Became America's Newest National Park [52]
US Is Outlier Among Rich Nations in Slowing Climate Progress: UN Data [55]

"The scientific report, identifies the United States as an outlier among the nations responsible for the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions."

Climate Change [10]
Environmental Politics [14]
Pollution [29]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
International [45]
Source: New York Times [56], 10/21/2026
- Read more about US Is Outlier Among Rich Nations in Slowing Climate Progress: UN Data [55]
U.K. Approves Long-Delayed North Sea Gas Field Despite Climate Concerns [57]

"Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July, has sought to balance pressure to tackle rising bills with demands from some Labour lawmakers to reduce fossil fuel use."

"Britain on Wednesday approved the Jackdaw North Sea gas field, ending years of legal and political wrangling as the Labour government seeks to balance its climate goals with energy security concerns.

Energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said the project would begin supplying gas to British homes and businesses by the end of this month, helping ease energy costs that have surged during the Iran war.
Climate Change [10]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Environmental Politics [14]
Pollution [29]
Water & Oceans [24]
Public [17]
Europe [58]
Source: Reuters [59], 10/21/2026
- Read more about U.K. Approves Long-Delayed North Sea Gas Field Despite Climate Concerns [57]
The Overlapping Plagues Quietly Devastating American Forests [60]

"The trees are sick. Epidemics are escalating, across numerous species, as more and more pests and pathogens invade forests. Their entryway is global trade — in live plants, and in the countless products that are shipped in wooden pallets, crates and other packaging. As trade has boomed, so have the opportunities for tiny stowaways to wreak havoc."

Biodiversity [39]
Climate Change [10]
Forests [33]
People & Population [44]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: New York Times [61], 10/21/2026
- Read more about The Overlapping Plagues Quietly Devastating American Forests [60]
US Clean Energy Jobs Fell In 2025 For The First Time In Years [62]

"Clean energy installations have persisted at record levels despite President Donald Trump’s best efforts to stop them. But the first year of Trump’s second term did leave a mark on U.S. jobs in the sector." "Employment in the sector dipped in Donald Trump’s first year back in office — and many more expected jobs won’t materialize thanks to canceled clean energy projects."

Climate Change [10]
Energy & Fuel [13]
Environmental Politics [14]
Technology [30]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Canary Media [63], 10/21/2026
- Read more about US Clean Energy Jobs Fell In 2025 For The First Time In Years [62]
After Trump Scraps Key Climate Report, Scientists Plow Ahead Anyway [64]

"After the Trump administration dismissed scientists behind a key national climate report last year, some of them decided they’d keep working on it — but from outside the government."

Climate Change [10]
Environmental Politics [14]
Journalism & Media [65]
People & Population [44]
Science [66]
Public [17]
National (U.S.) [18]
Source: Washington Post [67], 10/21/2026
- Read more about After Trump Scraps Key Climate Report, Scientists Plow Ahead Anyway [64]

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