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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 07 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Better shows for kids: Why fun learning beats just fun

Kids laugh more than adults, but keeping them focused for an hour isn’t child’s play. At the Chocolate Church Arts Center, professional performer Jack Golden turned that challenge into a masterclass for elementary students. Instead of another forgettable school trip, the kids got a high-energy show

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May 06 2026TECHNOLOGY

Utah AI Hub Faces Big Debate Over Environment

Kevin O’Leary says he is the only data‑center builder who studied environmental science. He argues that criticism of his Utah AI project is too harsh, even though people worry about gas use, water needs and local wildlife. The project will cover 40, 000 acres in Box Elder County and could use up

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May 06 2026ENVIRONMENT

Rethinking Growth: Why We Need Green Economics

Green economists argue that the current focus on GDP is too narrow. They say we should look at how money affects nature and people’s well‑being instead of just counting production. This shift means measuring progress by the health of ecosystems and community happiness, not only by how much mon

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May 06 2026POLITICS

Shining a Scientific Light on Maine’s Future

Maine’s bees buzz not only for honey but also for the health of our land. They act like tiny detectives, gathering pollen and nectar that reveal hidden chemicals in soil, water, and air. Because of this role, a beekeeper from Portland who measures dangerous PFAS levels in his own hives sees the urge

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May 05 2026ENVIRONMENT

Turning a Mountain: The Debate Over a New Turnpike Path

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has long talked about moving a heavy traffic route away from an old tunnel that runs through Allegheny Mountain. The plan is to build a new bypass that would cut the highway around the mountain instead of through it. A local group called Citizens to Save the A

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May 05 2026ENVIRONMENT

Gold Mine Halted After Big Protest

The president of the Dominican Republic stopped work on a new gold and copper mine after many people marched to show their worries. The mining plan, called the Romero Project, is being built by a Canadian firm in San Juan province. Workers and locals were afraid that the mine could harm water suppli

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May 05 2026POLITICS

Power Shifts: Who Really Wins When Rules Change?

The debate about loosening California’s environmental review law, CEQA, is more than a cost‑cutting argument. A new push backed by well‑known business leaders, including a major tech figure’s political action committee, claims it will save money for the state. In truth, the savings would be felt by

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May 05 2026ENVIRONMENT

How War Destroys Nature—and Peace Could Help Fix It

Over a year ago, fighters in a long-running conflict put their weapons down in a dramatic gesture. The scene wasn’t newsworthy just because of the symbolic act—it was notable because the fighters were asking a bigger question: What happens to the land and nature after war ends? This isn’t just about

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May 04 2026ENVIRONMENT

When Earth Moves: How Swiss Pollution Spots Risk Contaminating Water

Switzerland keeps track of about 38, 000 spots where soil or ground water has been polluted. These can be old dumps, factory yards, shooting ranges, or places where accidents happened years ago. Most of us don’t notice them, but nature sometimes does. Heavy rain can turn quiet slopes into fast-movin

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