ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

May 10 2026ENVIRONMENT

A Fresh Look at Protecting Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake is famous for its clear water, and that clarity comes from careful choices made by people over many years. Those decisions were based on old knowledge, modern science and solid rules, because once water gets dirty it is hard to clean up again. Even though more people are moving into t

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May 08 2026ENVIRONMENT

Holyoke says goodbye to rat poison on public land

Starting next month, Holyoke will stop using poison to control rats on city property. The City Council voted unanimously to ban a group of strong rodenticides called second-generation anticoagulants. The move follows concerns about how these chemicals affect more than just rats—they can harm pets, b

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May 02 2026OPINION

Science in America: Who’s Really Calling the Shots?

Earlier this year, a group of top science advisors got the boot. All twenty-two members of the National Science Board—experts nominated for their lifetime achievements—were removed before their terms ended. These weren’t random picks; they were carefully chosen from universities, industries, and res

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Apr 30 2026POLITICS

Budget Battle: EPA Faces Big Cuts in Congress

The Senate is turning its attention to a sharp proposal that could cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding by 50 percent. The plan, backed by President Trump’s administration, would slash the agency’s budget to $4. 2 billion, a dramatic reduction that would end many of the programs that ha

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Apr 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why a Plastic Bottle Ban Lacks Bite on Martha’s Vineyard

In 2021, Oak Bluffs residents voted to ban small plastic water bottles under 34 ounces—a move pushed by students worried about plastic waste. Five other towns on Martha’s Vineyard did the same after a campaign called Plastic Free MV urged action against single-use plastics between 2019 and 2022. But

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Apr 04 2026BUSINESS

The Bottle Bill Debate: Who Bears the Cost?

Maine’s bottle bill has kept millions of bottles out of trash for decades. It also built a system where people can return empty containers and get money back. The program costs a lot. Every year the state must collect, sort and process about 850 million containers. That work costs more than $70 mil

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Apr 04 2026POLITICS

Balancing Spending: Big Boost for Military, Big Cuts for the Planet

The 2027 budget plan from the current administration takes a clear stance on where it stands on spending. A massive $1. 5 trillion is being funneled toward defense, the highest figure ever requested. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, other areas face sharp reductions. Programs aimed at tackling climate

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Apr 02 2026ENVIRONMENT

How government rules shape how much companies fake their green efforts

Companies in China’s most polluting industries often get caught between two kinds of government pressure. One kind, called environmental subsidies, actually seems to push some firms toward lying about how green they are. It sounds backwards, but getting cash for being green can make managers focus o

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Mar 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

Southern California’s Clean Transport Jobs at Risk Without State Action

Southern California isn’t just following the electric vehicle trend—it’s driving it. The region has turned itself into a hub for clean transportation, with companies making batteries, electric trucks, and even solar-powered cars. The Port of San Diego is spending millions to switch from diesel to el

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Feb 18 2026ENVIRONMENT

Climate Change: A Threat to Our Health and Safety

In early 2026, a significant shift occurred in U. S. climate policy. The administration decided to revoke a 2009 finding that identified six greenhouse gases as threats to public health. This move was met with criticism, as many experts argue that climate change poses serious health risks. Extreme

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