Environment & Great Lakes
63 storiesThe page brings together environmental updates, data stories, policy explainers and service and safety guidance, using air quality and shoreline issues to anchor the reporting. Environment & Great Lakes clarifies who is responsible and what action comes next.
Longview pulp mill disaster exposes years of safety violations
A chemical tank collapse at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington killed 11 workers in May. State and federal records show the mill had a long record of safety complaints, equipment failures and toxic chemical releases before the tragedy.
Power Outages and Tornado Damage Disrupt Metro Detroit Neighborhoods
More than 200000 DTE customers lost power after severe storms and a confirmed tornado struck Metro Detroit communities Thursday night leaving homes damaged and residents displaced as cleanup begins
Nearly 280,000 Lose Power as Severe Storms Hit Southeast Michigan
Tornado warnings and damaging winds swept through southeast Michigan Thursday, toppling trees, halting school dismissals, and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity as utility crews raced to restore service
Southeast Michigan Survey Seeks Resident Input on Urban Deer Issues
Residents in Farmington Hills and neighboring cities are being asked to weigh in on deer-related problems, from car crashes to property damage, as part of a new regional survey open through November 1
Federal Order Halting Invasive Carp Project Lifted After Whitmer-Trump Call
Work on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project to block invasive carp from Lake Michigan resumed after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directly appealed to President Donald Trump, highlighting the urgency as carp were detected just 80 miles from the lake.
MSU Releases Wasps Across Michigan to Control Invasive Lily Beetles
Michigan State University has released over 4,400 parasitoid wasps statewide to target the destructive scarlet lily beetle, aiming for long-term pest control without pesticides. Residents may see new research plots and volunteer-planted lilies in local gardens.
Florida County Adds Local Radar After Missed Tornado Warning
Lee County, Florida has installed its own advanced weather radar after a tornado went undetected by federal systems, highlighting how local governments are investing in technology to close dangerous gaps in storm detection and emergency response.
Farmington Hills to Join Regional Urban Deer Survey This Fall
A new urban deer survey will run from September 1 to November 1, 2026, as Farmington Hills and other Southeast Michigan communities seek data to address rising deer-related accidents, property damage, and health risks
Power Outages Top 90,000 After Severe Storms Hit Metro Detroit
Nearly 93,500 DTE Energy customers in Metro Detroit lost electricity after Wednesday night's storms brought damaging winds, flash flooding and widespread debris. Utility crews are working to restore service as residents face blocked roads and cleanup challenges.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Parts of Southeast Michigan
Oakland and Livingston counties face severe thunderstorm warnings until 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, while most other Metro Detroit counties remain under no active alerts. Residents are urged to monitor conditions as storms move through the region.
Oakland County Residents Asked to Weigh In on Urban Deer Management
A new survey invites Oakland County residents to share their experiences with local deer as cities consider expanding culling programs. The survey is open through November 1 and aims to guide future management decisions.
Scarcity Drives New Risks and Opportunities for Local Governments
As demand for water, land, and energy grows, local governments face tough choices about resource allocation while investors see new opportunities. Fragmented oversight can leave communities exposed to risks that cross agency boundaries.
Poll Finds Data Centers Least Supported by U.S. Communities
A new national survey shows nearly half of Americans oppose new data centers in their neighborhoods, with concerns over energy, water use, and AI growth driving resistance. Support for other developments remains much higher.
Metro Detroit Deer Cull Plans Face Delays and Long Waitlists
Metro Detroit suburbs including Livonia and Beverly Hills are seeking deer culls to manage rising deer populations, but staffing shortages and high demand mean some communities may wait until 2027 or later for USDA-led operations
Tropical Storm Edouard Brings Flood Risk to Texas and Louisiana
Tropical Storm Edouard is forecast to make landfall in Texas, bringing heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding to communities along the Gulf Coast, including parts of Louisiana, with impacts expected to begin Tuesday.
G20 Finance Leaders Meet in Asheville Amid U.S. Tariff and Iran Tensions
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is hosting G20 finance ministers in Asheville, North Carolina, as the U.S. seeks support on Iran and faces strained trade relations with key allies. The meetings follow renewed hostilities and recent hurricane recovery efforts.
Colorado River Water Cuts Leave Western Towns and Farms Facing Uncertainty
A new federal plan to reduce Colorado River water use is forcing Arizona towns and farmers to reconsider their future, as reservoirs hit record lows and legal battles intensify over shrinking supplies
Dozens of U.S. Cities Enact Data Center Moratoriums and Bans
At least 76 local governments across the U.S. have moved to restrict or ban new data centers, with most efforts succeeding. The trend is driven by concerns over electricity, water use, and community impact, according to new tracking data.
Border Wall Construction Begins on Tohono O'odham Land in Arizona
Federal contractors, escorted by armed agents, have started building a border wall segment in southern Arizona, entering Tohono O'odham Nation land despite tribal objections and ongoing legal disputes over sacred sites and property rights.
Consumers Energy Plans Temporary Flow Cut at Hodenpyl Dam for Inspection
Consumers Energy intends to reduce or halt water flow from the Hodenpyl Dam to the Manistee River the week of September 21 to inspect storm damage, raising concerns among river advocates about environmental impacts and alternative options.
Lawmakers Push New Funding After Cyberattacks on Water Utilities
After cyberattacks linked to Iran targeted water systems in at least seven states, federal and state lawmakers are proposing new funding and oversight to strengthen utility cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure from future threats.
Lake Ontario Renamed 'Lake America' in U.S. by Presidential Order
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming the U.S. portion of Lake Ontario as 'Lake America,' escalating tensions with Canada amid ongoing trade disputes. The change affects federal naming conventions but not Canadian usage.
Southeast Michigan to See Seasonable Weather Before Next Week's Warm-Up
Southeast Michigan residents can expect mild, mostly dry weather through Saturday, with a late-summer warm-up and increased humidity forecast for early next week. A partial lunar eclipse will also be visible Thursday night, weather permitting.
Michigan Family Farms Shrink as More Land Enters Preservation Programs
Michigan is seeing a steady decline in family-owned farms, but more farmland is being protected through conservation programs as land values rise and development pressures increase, especially in northern regions.
Michigan Attorney General Releases Report on Flint Water Case Failure
A new report from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office defends its approach to the Flint water crisis prosecution, blaming a Supreme Court ruling for the collapse of criminal charges and leaving many Flint residents unsatisfied
Michigan Approves $50M Grant for Copperwood Mine in Upper Peninsula
The Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded $50 million in state grants for land and road improvements at the proposed Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County, aiming to revive the region's economy despite ongoing environmental concerns and public opposition.
SpaceX to Build $100 Billion Rocket Launch Site in Louisiana
SpaceX will invest $100 billion to construct its largest rocket launch facility on Louisiana's southern coast, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and the first launches as early as 2029. The project is set to create 3,000 jobs over ten years.
Lowndes County Residents Press for Data Center Transparency
More than 150 residents gathered at the Hayneville courthouse to demand answers from county officials about the proposed 800-acre Project Red Clay data center, which has requested enough power for one million homes and raised concerns over local oversight
Michigan Air Quality Monitoring Gaps Leave Many Without Local Data
Large areas of Michigan, especially in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, lack air quality monitors, leaving residents without accurate information during wildfire smoke events and other pollution spikes
Data Center Debate Shapes Pennsylvania Governor's Race
Pennsylvania's race for governor is now centered on data center development, with new state standards, campaign attacks, and public opposition influencing both candidates' positions ahead of the November election.
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