"Review Reveals Problems Protecting Workers From Pesticides"
"BELLE GLADE, Fla. — Dozens of farmworkers looked up at the little yellow plane buzzing over the Florida radish field, a mist of pesticide falling from its wings."
Source: AP, 02/04/2016
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Klamath River Dams Moving Toward Removal Despite Congressional Barriers
"California, Oregon and the federal government are working on a way around congressional barriers to the removal of hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River."
Source: LA Times, 02/04/2016
"New Link Between Zika and Microcephaly Is Found in Brazil"
"Researchers in the state of Pernambuco, home to a third of Brazil’s suspected cases of infant microcephaly, said on Wednesday that they have identified some the clearest evidence yet of a direct link between the debilitating birth defect and the Zika virus."
Source: FRONTLINE, 02/04/2016
"U.S. Lawmakers Chastise Officials At All Levels Over Flint Crisis"
"U.S. lawmakers criticized environmental officials at a hearing on Wednesday for not acting sooner when they saw a report that drinking water in Flint, Michigan was polluted with dangerously high levels of lead."
Source: Reuters, 02/04/2016
Sunshine Week Starts March 13; FOIA Turning Fifty
Not everybody loves freedom of information. Those who do celebrate "Sunshine Week" annually in hopes of educating the public about why they need to know what their governments are up to. This year, Sunshine Week will get extra oomph from the fact that the Freedom of Information Act is turning 50 years old.
Group Issues Data Map Showing Poor, Minorities Face More Toxic Risks
Based on a variety of data sources, the Center for Effective Government's new map and database shows that "people of color and poor residents are significantly more likely to live near dangerous chemical facilities than white and non-poor residents" in the U.S.
EPA Releases Latest Toxics Release Inventory — a Key Tool for Journos
The database, which covers a list of some 689 toxic chemicals, includes self-reported information about dangerous chemicals handled and released at industrial facilities during 2014, the latest year for which data is available. Companies reported the 2014 totals in mid-2015.
DEADLINE: Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors (FIRE) Services and Grants
Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors (FIRE) helps independent journalists by providing two services: a complimentary Editorial Consultancy and a Virtual Newsroom. Applications are open for services and grants of up to $12,500 to assist freelance reporters working on investigative stories. Rolling deadline. Also, on a trial basis through May 15, 2021, FIRE is accepting applications for customized contract-related legal assistance from two veteran media attorneys.
Flint Hearing Raises Freedom of Information Concerns
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's openness has been a major issue throughout the crisis of contaminated drinking water in Flint, which has caused lead poisoning of some children. One aspect of the openness issue is the ability of agency employees to speak with journalists; another is unfulfilled FOIA requests.
SEJ Member Spotlight: Bill Funk
Bill Funk began his career in environmental journalism from an unlikely place — law school. After graduating from Vermont Law School with a Master's in Environmental Policy and a JD, he decided that instead of litigating environmental issues he’d rather write about them. Coming from a non-traditional journalism background hasn’t slowed his progress as a journalist though – Bill received four, count’em, four fellowships and awards in 2015.
