As some warned, federal environmental agencies have begun to purge web info on topics like climate change. WatchDog TipSheet has that story, plus items about an unusual libel lawsuit, a news outfit using satellite for groundtruthing, a new source of online water data, how journalists can protect against surveillance and more.
The 2017 hurricane season officially begins this week and experts say it may be worse than usual. So the latest TipSheet has sources and tools to help you prepare for your hurricane coverage. Understand the importance of landfall and storm path, find out about this year's big wild card, and get tips for staying safe.
"Many Texans who live along the U.S.-Mexico border support President Donald Trump, but their affection for the New York real estate mogul-turned-politician comes with a caveat: They do not want a wall."
"The chubby Cleveland toddler wears a long-sleeved purple shirt that proclaims she is 'Daddy's little darling.'"
"Rising nitrate levels in the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers are forcing Mankato to adjust how it provides drinking water to residents and potentially threatens the city's attempts to limit the amount of water it takes from the region's most critical aquifer."
"As local lawmakers continue to pressure the military to do more to clean massive groundwater pollution near its bases in Bucks and Montgomery counties, contaminant levels appear to have increased in the past year."
"'Climate change' is out. 'Resilience' is in. 'Victims of domestic violence' are now 'victims of crime.' Foreign aid for refugee rights has become aid to protect 'national security.' 'Clean energy investment' has been transformed into just plain 'energy' investment."
"Coal is on the defensive in the nation’s power industry. Even in coal country."
"A sense of déjà vu pervaded the latest meeting of oil exporting countries. While production cuts have again bolstered oil prices, the optimism may fade, as shale producers in the United States jump back into the market and the rise of renewables dims prospects for demand."
"The reluctance of U.S. federal regulators to require operators of nuclear reactors to spend $5 billion to enhance the security of spent fuel rods stored underground threatens the country with a potential catastrophe, scientists warned on Friday."
