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Ted Papenfuss, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley’s Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, commenting on a rare legless lizard known as the Temblor, which can be found in desert scrub and grassland within Kern and Fresno Counties in California. The vast majority of the lizard’s range is open to, or already contains, oil and gas development. But a proposal to list the lizard as endangered could change the trajectory of the region. (Sierra Club — July 21, 2023)
Doctors are testing whether ChatGPT and predictive software can help cut down on tedious tasks and improve decision-making. One example includes answering the tidal wave of emails that physicians receive daily.
Each year, 15 billion gallons of untreated sewage and rainwater flood the city's waterways during storms. The water department has been under order by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the system.
The 40 COVID-19 deaths reported in Minnesota in June make up the lowest monthly total since March 2020. The state's overall toll is 14,896 — with seniors accounting for 83 percent of the deaths.
The death rate in the state’s prisons increased 34.6 percent from 2018 to 2022, which saw 135 deaths. This year is surpassing 2022’s rate even as the pandemic has waned and physical mail was stopped last year.
Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed a bill would have moved more than 200 people off waiting lists for government-supported care and saved the state money by accessing more federal Medicaid money to cover their costs.
What can Phoenix, the hottest large city in the country, teach local governments about managing extreme heat?
Before Jane Gilbert took on the job for Miami-Dade County, no city in the world had a chief heat officer. What can others learn from the work she’s doing?
Experts are calling for federal regulators to implement standards to protect outdoor workers from worsening air quality, such as monitoring air pollution and providing protective equipment if necessary.
The state’s depleted aquifers received 3.8 million acre-feet of water, more water than 11 million California households will use annually. But reaching sustainability will still take more water and stronger conservation efforts.
A new state law that goes into effect in September blocks city, county, school district and other authorities from limiting or banning the use, sale or lease of an engine based on its fuel source.
Joe Moody, a member of the Texas House, regarding the outstanding heat that many Texas inmates have to endure with little to no reprieve from air conditioners. Data shows that 68 of the state’s Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prisons lacked air conditioning and averaged well over 85 degrees, which would be considered a safety violation for a county jail that mandates temperatures remain below 85 degrees. Between June 1 and July 13, 78 inmates have died in the TDCJ prisons. Moody has proposed legislation to air condition state prisons for years, the most recent iteration failed in the last session. (TPR — July 19, 2023)
There are signs that Gov. Tate Reeves' reelection is in trouble, but he has an outstanding track record. Meanwhile, turning New Jersey red and a failure to comply.
Downtown activity in Utah's capital city is far greater than it was even before the pandemic, according to some reports. While parts of the local economy still struggle, tourism has roared back.
As the presidential campaign gets underway, some Republicans are pledging to wield federal power to nationalize their states’ policies. It’s an approach that seems at odds with the party’s history.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada has reported 166 passenger-on-passenger and 35 passenger-on-driver assaults in the fiscal year that ended last month.
The $3.8 billion flood-control project recently had to activate many of its overflow pipes and a sluice gate to manage the quickly gaining waters. As storms become more severe due to climate change, they will continue to outmatch the region’s infrastructure.
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake off of the coast triggered a tsunami warning that created confusion, traffic jams and evacuations despite the alert later being canceled. Some worry the inefficient system could erode public trust.
The state’s Vehicle Code says a person cannot drive a vehicle unless they hold a valid driver’s license. While the DMV still requires a physical license, it is working toward a mobile version for their app.
Bob McDevitt, the former president of Atlantic City’s Local 54 of the Unite Here Union, regarding his successor Donna DeCaprio, the first woman to lead the union in 107 years. The union represents about 10,000 members of the city’s casino workers, 60 percent of whom are women. DeCaprio began her work in the casino industry at the Trop World casino in 1987 and has been the union’s secretary-treasurer for the past 19 years. (Associated Press — July 19, 2023)
A proposed bill would pave the way for night markets and farmers’ markets across the state by cutting red tape and costs through a dedicated permit to regularly occurring market events.
Commissioners in Yancey County, in the western part of the state, considered withdrawing their library from the regional system after heated public debate about a Pride Month book display.
Most of our infrastructure has been designed to withstand rainfall projections that are hopelessly obsolete. Every part of the country at risk of flooding needs urgent and significant upgrades.
Rogers-O’Brien Construction is piloting a program in which its workers wear sensors on their arms that continuously monitor biometric data to reduce heat-related injuries and deaths. Nearly 300 people died last year in Texas due to heat.
The Lafayette, La., police department has started piloting 100 e-citation machines, as replacement of paper ticketing, to reduce time and safety risks for officers issuing citations.
About a quarter of businesses across the nation have adopted AI and many are beginning to use the tech in their hiring process. Only three states currently require employers to ask for consent first if using AI in hiring.
Brock Fankhouser, developer of the 1776 Gastonia planned community in Belmont, N.C. All homes in the community will be required to fly an American flag 365 days a year and prohibits any other flag, including even the state flag, from being flown. While Fankhouser claims the development is not political, 1776 seems to be marketed for conservatives. Homes will range from $450,000 to $700,000. (WFAE — July 11, 2023)
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