A running list of endangered rivers becomes an annual starting point for strong local coverage of critical water issues. This week’s TipSheet spotlights the latest additions to an inventory of trouble spots around the United States, plus key angles and issues for coverage, and a selection of top resources.
A journalism teaching project planned to cover local energy inequities. That was before Hurricane Irma swept Florida. In the end, inspired student reporters moved community leaders to action with human-centered, data-driven stories focused on solutions. Journalist and educator Cynthia Barnett shares the lessons in our latest EJ Academy column.
"The Canada lynx, listed as a threatened species by the federal government, may have one more thing to worry about. University of New Hampshire scientists on Monday announced they have discovered a previously undiagnosed parasite transmitted by ticks as well as a virus in the medium-sized cat known for its long ears."
"The European Union’s top court ruled on Tuesday that Poland violated environmental laws with its massive felling of trees in one of Europe’s last pristine forests."
"Royal Dutch Shell defended its ambition to cut carbon emissions on Monday, urging investors to oppose a shareholder resolution arguing that the oil and gas giant is not doing enough to meet international targets to tackle climate change."
"Fayetteville’s public drinking water does not contain GenX, but another chemical that is just as troubling — a likely carcinogen known as 1,4 dioxane — has been detected in greater concentrations in city water over the past year."
"The Bureau of Land Management has developed a draft analysis that calls for removing some key protections from Obama-era greater sage grouse conservation plans in Wyoming, including easing restrictions on oil and gas development and expanding some permitting exemptions."
"While much of the world may be focused on President Trump’s threats of a trade war with China, Canada’s attention right now is on a commercial feud within its own borders. The provinces of British Columbia and Alberta are locked in a battle over a $7.4 billion expansion of a pipeline that runs from Alberta’s oil sands to a tanker port near Vancouver, a plan approved long ago."
"Help the farmers or help the poor? The farm bill House lawmakers will consider Wednesday forces vulnerable Republicans in contested House races in largely rural districts to make a difficult, perhaps politically lethal choice between the two constituencies."
"Scott Pruitt, the embattled EPA chief whose lavish spending has come under intense scrutiny, had extravagant tastes well before he came to Washington. In 2014, while he was attorney general of Oklahoma, the expenses of his office were $27.7 million higher than those of his predecessor, Drew Edmondson, according to a state audit published in 2016."
