Publication Items

Conflict Over EPA, Interior FOIA Policies May Come to Head in 2020 [1]

FOIA is under fire. And for journalists who rely on open records to do their work, the coming year may prove a crucial test of policies at key federal agencies on the beat. This special WatchDog TipSheet takes a deep dive on looming FOIA controversies at Interior and EPA, flagging potential flashpoints for 2020.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [3]
Environmental Politics [4]
Government [5]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Policy [8]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Conflict Over EPA, Interior FOIA Policies May Come to Head in 2020 [1]
Soiled Skies Incite ‘Choked’ Author To Pursue Air Pollution Story [11]

The data on dirty air is devastating. But it wasn’t just the numbers that prompted freelance journalist Beth Gardiner to chase the story of worsening air pollution around the globe. It was also the impact on human lives and the intersection with politics, power and money. She explains in our latest feature story. Plus, resources for your own reporting.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [12]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [13]
Chemicals [14]
Climate Change [15]
Disasters [16]
Environmental Politics [4]
Health [17]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
People & Population [18]
Policy [8]
Pollution [19]
Science [20]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [21]
Asia [22]
Europe [23]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Soiled Skies Incite ‘Choked’ Author To Pursue Air Pollution Story [11]
Data Sources a Jumping-Off Point for Radon Stories [24]

If radon is the forgotten environmental health story, per our recent TipSheet [25], then at least journalists ready to report have some good resources to do it. Our latest Reporter’s Toolbox details several databases that provide invaluable info on the problem, including a new comprehensive, and mappable, database from the Centers for Disease Control.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [26]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [13]
Environmental Health [27]
Health [17]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Data Sources a Jumping-Off Point for Radon Stories [24]
Radon — The Forgotten Environmental Health Story [25]

Thousands of lives are lost each year to lung cancers caused by radon exposure. Yet as the latest TipSheet explains the story often remains untold. Get the context to help turn this life-and-death environmental health concern into local news reporting. Plus, Reporter’s Toolbox highlights databases [24] that can kick-start coverage.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [28]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [13]
Environmental Health [27]
Health [17]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Radon — The Forgotten Environmental Health Story [25]
‘Red List’ Is Among Top Data Resources on Threatened Species [29]

When it comes to rare species, good news can be equally rare. But that makes their stories all the more compelling to tell. And that’s why our latest Reporter’s Toolbox details a leading database, soon to be updated, called Red List. Plus, other species databases for reporters.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [26]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [30]
Environmental Health [27]
Environmental Studies [31]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Science [20]
Wildlife [32]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
International [21]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about ‘Red List’ Is Among Top Data Resources on Threatened Species [29]
Environmental Stories 'Down The Road' in 2020 From Highway Bill [33]

A massive transportation measure is working its way through Congress, with environmental elements including climate change and public transit. But will this “must-pass” measure actually pass in the coming year? Or will it be bogged down by politics or looming questions of how to pay for it? A new Issue Backgrounder explains.

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [34]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [15]
Consumer [35]
Energy & Fuel [36]
Environmental Politics [4]
Government [5]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Planning & Growth [37]
Policy [8]
Pollution [19]
Technology [38]
Transportation [39]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Environmental Stories 'Down The Road' in 2020 From Highway Bill [33]
Another Bad-News Year Ahead for U.S. Coal? [40]

As U.S. coal’s comedown continues, our latest Issue Backgrounder takes a close look at the factors behind the industry’s decline and finds a combination of economics, competition and shifting global markets, along with aging technology, politics and environmental pushback. What’s in store for coal in 2020?

SEJ Publication Types:
Backgrounders [34]
Topics on the Beat:
Activism [3]
Air [13]
Climate Change [15]
Economy & Business [41]
Energy & Fuel [36]
Environmental Politics [4]
Government [5]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Natural Resources [42]
Pollution [19]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Alaska and Hawaii [43]
California [44]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [45]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [46]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [47]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [48]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [49]
Northwest (OR WA) [50]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [51]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [52]
International [21]
Canada [53]
Mexico [54]
Africa [55]
Antarctica & Arctic [56]
Asia [22]
Australia & Oceania [57]
Central America & the Caribbean [58]
Europe [23]
Middle East [59]
South America [60]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Another Bad-News Year Ahead for U.S. Coal? [40]
Award-Winner Chronicles Radioactive Risks at Midwest Nuclear Plants [61]

A deeply documented investigation revealed serious problems in Illinois’ aging nuclear power plants, and won reporters Brett Chase and Madison Hopkins an outstanding small market investigative reporting award from the Society of Environmental Journalists last year. Chase spoke with SEJournal Online’s “Inside Story” about the “Power Struggle” project, about lessons learned and advice for other reporters. Read the Q&A.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story [62]
Topics on the Beat:
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Nuclear Power & Radiation [63]
Region:
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [45]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Award-Winner Chronicles Radioactive Risks at Midwest Nuclear Plants [61]
Grazing on Public Lands Still a Source of Controversy … and Stories [64]

As the Society of Environmental Journalists heads to Colorado this week for its annual gathering, it’s a good time to consider how to report on the vast public lands throughout the western United States. The latest TipSheet explores the history of conflict over public lands, the stories they yield and the resources needed to better report the issue.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [28]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [65]
Economy & Business [41]
Environmental Politics [4]
Government [5]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Natural Resources [42]
Policy [8]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
California [44]
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [46]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [48]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [52]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about Grazing on Public Lands Still a Source of Controversy … and Stories [64]
As Fiscal Year Ends, Local Stories Often Found in Appropriations Bills [66]

The politics of federal appropriations is convoluted, but buried within are important local environmental stories. Heading into the upcoming fiscal year, the latest TipSheet explains how the process works and where to find the news. Plus, spotting environmental pork barrel, and what a “minibus” bill is and why it matters.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [28]
Topics on the Beat:
Environmental Politics [4]
Government [5]
Journalism & Media [6]
Laws & Regulations [7]
Policy [8]
Region:
National (U.S.) [9]
Visibility:
Public [10]
- Read more about As Fiscal Year Ends, Local Stories Often Found in Appropriations Bills [66]

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