ENVIRONMENT

May 16 2026ENVIRONMENT

What we know so far about Maine’s lumber mill fire chaos

A fire tore through a century-old lumber mill in Searsmont on Friday morning, sending thick smoke over Route 131 and forcing emergency crews to deal with explosions inside the site. The blaze erupted just after 10 a. m. and raged for hours, turning a place that’s been family-run since the 1800s into

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May 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

How tiny plastic bits in cow poop could harm beetle families

Scientists tested how plastic pollution in cow dung affects a common beetle species known for cleaning up animal waste. They found that when cow manure contains tiny plastic pieces—even in small amounts—it can seriously harm beetle babies. The beetles’ larvae struggled to survive when exposed to hig

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May 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

How Alaska’s Changing Seasons Explain Why You Should Care About Wildfires

Alaska doesn’t ease into wildfire season gradually—it jumps in fast. While the state still fights leftover winter melts in March and early April, the real shift happens as snow disappears and spring winds kick in, turning last year’s dry grass into kindling. Most Alaskans know the risks by now: one

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

River Watch: Spotting City and Farm Pollution

A new system has been set up to tell the difference between pollution that comes from a city and pollution that comes from farms or factories. The idea is to help people fix the river faster by knowing exactly where bad water is coming from. The project was tested on the Sile River in Treviso,

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Florida Stops Sloth Imports After Tragic Deaths at Closed Orlando Zoo

Florida has put a temporary hold on bringing sloths into the state after many of the wild‑caught animals died at a now‑closed attraction in Orlando. The two‑month pause was ordered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to stop new imports while it reviews rules for keeping these a

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Stuck in a weather rut: why the Northeast can’t shake off the gray skies

A stubborn weather pattern is keeping the Northeast stuck between low pressure and endless clouds. Instead of warm spring days, the region is facing a stretch of cool, damp weather thanks to what’s called an Omega block—a high-pressure ridge squeezing a low-pressure system in place. This setup acts

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

When tiny tire bits meet fish: how road wear turns plastic into a pollution booster

Every time a car rolls over a wet street, tiny bits of rubber fly off the tires. These microplastics don’t just float away. They change shape, break into smaller pieces, and latch onto other chemicals already stuck to them. Scientists wanted to see what happens when these tire bits get ground down e

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Oil spills and tensions rise in the Persian Gulf as conflict grows

Near a key shipping route, satellite images show dark patches spreading across the water. These aren’t small leaks—they stretch for miles near Qeshm Island and off the coast of Kuwait. The spills come after strikes on oil facilities, raising serious concerns about the environment and people living n

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Understanding PFAS in Compost: What Happens When Organic Waste Breaks Down

When organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings gets turned into compost, it doesn’t just turn into soil. It also mixes with biosolids—treated sewage sludge—creating a nutrient-rich product used in gardens and farms. But there’s a catch: compost can contain PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals

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May 14 2026ENVIRONMENT

Should land access rules be updated for hunters?

A group focused on environmental decisions recently discussed whether new rules should allow hunters to cross private land. The conversation happened in a council meeting where people shared different views. Some argued that current laws make it hard for hunters to move freely. Others worried that o

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