Two young journalists collaborated from continents apart — with the help of a Society of Environmental Journalists grant — to report on illicit trade in a highly prized timber. A new entry in our recently launched StoryLog column captures the whole process, from the spark of an idea, through research, a winning grant proposal, field reporting and published stories. Plus, lessons learned.
"Some whale songs can give scientists valuable information about the ocean’s geography, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science. What’s more, their songs can be used as a form of seismic testing, which uses blasts of sound to map out the ocean floor. Forms of this technology can be harmful to whales and other marine life."
"As the first heavy rains of the season poured across the Santa Cruz Mountains last month, emergency responders and residents braced for debris flows, road closures and power outages. Others also feared for their drinking water."
"Darlene Jenkins couldn’t understand why her gas and electric bills were so high. Then she met an advocate in a North Baltimore parking lot."
"In early January, Darlene Jenkins took her power shutoff notice to the Fuel Fund of Maryland, a nonprofit organization that helps residents navigate utility crises. She owed a little over $2,500—more than a quarter of her yearly income.
"President Biden plans to nominate David Turk, a former Obama administration official, as his deputy energy secretary."
"A Wisconsin judge ordered the state Department of Natural Resources on Thursday to start a gray wolf hunt this month rather than waiting until November."
"The Environmental Protection Agency asked courts on Friday to partially freeze a mandate that was issued when judges scrapped the Affordable Clean Energy rule last month."
"The Interior Department is postponing auctions of oil and gas leases in four Western states and revoking the authorization for a planned March sale of drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sales in coming months of tracts in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming are being postponed by the Bureau of Land Management “to confirm the adequacy of underlying environmental analysis,” according to an emailed Interior statement.
"President Joe Biden has an opportunity to shape one of the most important federal courts for environmental policy and other regulations after Judge David S. Tatel announced plans to take senior status."
"A powerful earthquake that hit Japan on Saturday was an aftershock of the devastating 9.0 magnitude quake that struck the same area almost 10 years ago, according to the national Meteorological Agency."
