“To anyone considering where they want to live, raise a family, visit or build a business — we want you to join us here in Massachusetts.”

Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, regarding the state’s new designation as a safe haven for trans youth, families and their health-care providers, as made law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday, June 25. The Human Rights Campaign estimates that more than 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced this year across state legislatures as of May, 70 of which have already been enacted. (Gothamist — June 25, 2023)

Larry Underwood, a 73-year-old resident of Puxico, Mo., who lives near the Duck Creek Conservation Area, regarding the discovery of northern snakeheads, a invasive species of fish, in the area, creating concern that the hard-to-contain species could spread and become a problem. The fish reproduce quickly, have sharp teeth, can survive out of water for days and can grow to nearly 3 feet in length. Some people, including Underwood, are skeptical of the state’s abilities to contain the species, comparing the efforts to the state’s attempt to control feral hogs with little luck. (Associated Press — June 23, 2023)

Dana Dolan, resident of Elko, Nev., regarding the invasion of tens of thousands of Mormon crickets across northern Nevada. The bugs leave behind a stench that is akin to burning flesh and they stick to tires and the bottoms of shoes and they create an oil slick that has caused some vehicles to slide off roads. The crickets are expected to stick around until at least mid-August, after the bugs have mated and laid eggs and, subsequently, died. (Associated Press — June 20, 2023)

Amy Chen, Upside Foods’ chief operating officer, regarding the company’s development and approval by the U.S. Agricultural Department to sell lab-grown chicken meat. Cultivated meat is grown in steel tanks, using cells that come from a living animal, a fertilized egg or a special bank of stored cells. “Cultured” meat is much more expensive than meat from whole, farmed birds and cannot yet be produced on the same mass scale, but advocates celebrate the development as a way to eliminate harm to animals and reduce environmental impacts of raising animals for food. (Associated Press — June 21, 2023)