Since its inception in 1991, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) has consistently diverted waste from landfills by recycling diverse materials such as electronics, batteries, paint, household chemicals, and more. This progress is a result of collaborative efforts with 43 municipalities within Lake County. SWALCO’s Executive Director, Walter Willis, credits creativity and education...
The New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly that affects livestock and other warm-blooded animals, has emerged in South Texas. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed that screwworm larvae were found in a calf in Zavala County, Texas. As of June 11, six cases have been reported. Screwworm larvae burrow into the flesh...
In Town of Pines, Indiana, Cathi Murray has discovered coal ash in her backyard, a constant reminder of the contamination in her community caused by the nearby Michigan City Generating Station. The plant’s owner, Northern Indiana Public Service Co., distributed excess coal ash throughout the area as fill material starting in the 1970s, impacting local...
Tornadoes struck Northwest Indiana, leading to significant destruction and power outages. Residents have started evaluating and cleaning up the damage after the National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes hit the area, following similar events in Illinois. Despite the devastation, no fatalities were reported, although a truck driver was injured in Merrillville. Extreme Weather Hits Hebron and...
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday the deployment of $46 million to tackle the persistent pollution of the Tijuana River at the California-Mexico border. Since 2018, the river has received over 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage filled with industrial chemicals and waste, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission. In a collaborative effort,...
Intense heat and severe storms are sweeping across the United States this week, extending into the next as summer temperatures settle across the nation. Friday marks the last oppressively hot day for the East Coast, with numerous record highs anticipated in cities such as Baltimore, Washington, New York, Philadelphia, and Raleigh. On Thursday, Raleigh recorded...
Martin Dean surveyed the damage to his car, shining a small flashlight into the shattered window. Nearby, debris from an apartment building lay scattered, the roof among the remains. Merrillville, a town in northwest Indiana, suffered significant damage after a tornado swept through. This was just one of several areas affected by tornadoes outside Chicago...
As inflation rates climb to their highest in years, Californians encounter significant challenges at the gas pumps. In Los Angeles, the cost of filling a regular tank exceeds $100 at some stations. Recent data shows consumer and producer prices have surged, primarily due to the energy crisis linked to the war with Iran. Gasoline prices...
On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that reopens parts of federally protected marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean to commercial fishing. The administration describes this move as a step to enhance domestic seafood production and support U.S. fishing communities. Fishing industry organizations, some Pacific officials, and Trump administration leaders welcome the policy,...
Maps tracking wildfires and smoke, such as those on the fire.airnow.gov website, are partly the result of research funded by the U.S. Forest Service. The University of Washington (UW), being a top recipient of federal research dollars, feels the pressure from proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration. These changes could have a significant impact...