ENVIRONMENT

Apr 20 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why wind and dry air make North Carolina a fire risk today

North Carolina’s Piedmont and Sandhills regions are facing a different kind of storm today—not rain, but strong, dry winds. A cold front slid through during the morning, and instead of bringing showers, it left behind air so dry that humidity levels could drop below 25%. Add northwest gusts as high

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Apr 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

Grand Canyon Guardian: A Scientist’s Lifelong Mission

Kelly Burke grew up in Colorado, always drawn to wide open spaces. In 1986 she moved north to study geology at a university near the Grand Canyon. Her love for the canyon deepened when she helped drive river trips to keep money flowing while finishing her thesis. A chance ride on the Colora

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Apr 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

LECA Trash on Portugal’s Coast: A Hidden Problem

A new study shows that lightweight expanded clay aggregates, a common building material, are flooding Portugal’s beaches. Researchers walked along 50‑meter stretches of shore at eight different spots around Aveiro, from open ocean dunes to sheltered lagoon edges and a busy port channel. At eve

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Apr 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

Northern Minnesota Adds More Counties to Burning Ban Amid Wildfire Threat

The state is tightening rules on outdoor fires because the heat and dryness are making wildfires more likely. Starting at 8 a. m. on Monday, April 20, the Department of Natural Resources added several northern counties to its list where open burning is prohibited. These new areas include Becke

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Apr 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

Microplastics on the Move: From City Streets to Caspian Shores

The world is full of tiny plastic pieces, but how they travel between land and sea is still a mystery. Scientists set up air samplers at seven different heights over the southern Caspian Sea and also used a vacuum pump to pull in air for two months. They collected samples from the coast, from the

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Apr 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Data Centers in Virginia: A Hidden Health Cost

Virginia hosts the world’s biggest cluster of data centers, a stretch known as “Data Center Alley. ” The region grew because it sits close to Washington, D. C. , offers cheap land, and has long‑standing tax breaks. Today, most of these facilities are in Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax counties,

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Apr 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Holly Dam Dilemma: Flood Risks and Community Conflicts

In the northwest corner of Oakland County, a historic dam built in 1840 is at the center of growing worries. The Stiff’s Mill Pond, located near a 1901 home owned by Gary Helton and Tina Hembree, has risen after heavy rain this month. The couple’s property sits on a hill close to the dam, which is o

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Apr 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Community Earth Day Bash in Cumberland County

The New Cumberland Collective is set to host its fourth Earth and Arts Festival on Sunday from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. at the local library. The event is part of several Earth Day celebrations in central Pennsylvania, which take place on Wednesday. This year’s program will include hands‑on workshops ab

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Apr 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Big Spill, Big Fight: Fishermen Push Back Against Louisiana Oil Leak

A huge oil spill from the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) has sparked two new class‑action lawsuits by local fishermen and a charter boat captain. The suits accuse LOOP of gross negligence, willful misconduct, and hiding the fact that the leak was not contained until five days after it started. T

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Apr 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Celebrating Earth Day: Reading’s Big Green Bash

Reading welcomed its 36th Earth Day in City Park with a lively mix of learning and fun that showed how the town cares for nature. The city teamed up with a local nonprofit to pull together workshops, music and hands‑on activities that invited everyone from kids to grandparents. The event grew year a

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