State
MDEQ reopens five sections of beach in Harrison Co.
WLOX
Sections of the Mississippi beachfront closed after Hurricane Nate are reopening. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality announced Wednesday five areas in Harrison County are now safe to enjoy.
Get back out to the islands. All but one are open after Hurricane Nate.
Sun Herald
If you’re itching to get out to the islands off Mississippi’s coast, all but one are open.
Gulf Islands National Seashore officials announced Wednesday that they are done making assessments and cleaning up the Mississippi islands, with the exception of West Ship Island, after
Hurricane Nate left damage Oct. 7-8.
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION SOCIETY IN TOWN
WXXV
Here on the Gulf Coast we know the importance the water and natural environment plays in our everyday life.
Recycle Day planned for Madison October 28
Madison County Journal
Madison Recycle Day returns Oct. 28 to help folks tidy up.
From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. that Saturday, Keep Madison the City Beautiful hosts its second event this year at the corner of Main Street and Highway 51.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for Oct. 28
Daily Leader
Residents can drop off unwanted or unused medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Save-a-Lot parking lot.
Coast Guard members rescued after cutter catches fire in Mississippi Sound
Sun Herald
Two Coast Guard members were evacuated from Coast Guard Cutter Brant early Wednesday after reporting a fire on the vessel.
Monroe County EMA stages mock train derailment exercise
Monroe Journal
One of the advertising pitch lines of the Department of Homeland Security is simply “Be ready.” Last week, first responders, health care facilities and high school health sciences students collaborated with the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for joint disaster exercises in Amory and Aberdeen.
Solar Plant coming to the Pine Belt
WJTV
SUMRALL, Miss. (WJTV) — A new form of renewable energy is being brought to the Pine Belt this winter, and it’s coming in a big way. The largest solar farm this side of the Mississippi River is being built right now in Sumrall just outside of Hattiesburg.
Earthquake shakeout drill: Thursday at 10:19 a.m.
NewsMS
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging everyone in the state to take part in the 2017 “Great Central U.S. ShakeOut” Earthquake Drill on Thursday, October 19 at 10:19 a.m.
Oil Spill
Deepwater Horizon settlement funds to be used to improve Texas coastline
Houston Chronicle
More than $5 million in funds related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been set aside for five projects in Galveston Bay, including restoration of 150 acres of marshlands, rehabilitation of oyster reefs and protection of bird habitats.
Regional
Louisiana to get only about $70 million as first offshore oil revenue payment, feds say
Times-Picayune
Louisiana will only get about half of the $140 million maximum in offshore oil revenue sharing it was expecting under the federal
Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, a state official said Wednesday (Oct. 18).
National
Trump Tells EPA to Halt Ethanol Quota Changes
Bloomberg
President Donald Trump intervened personally with the
Environmental Protection Agency amid pressure from Republicans in the politically important state of Iowa who worried the agency was poised to weaken biofuel quotas, three people familiar with the discussions said.
Dem senator puts holds on two EPA nominees
The Hill
Sen.
Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has placed a hold on two of President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominees.
Controversial EPA nominee already working for agency
The Hill
A controversial nominee for a top Environmental Protection Agency post is already working at the EPA, E&E News
reported Wednesday.
Big Oil Touts Its Core Business: Fossil Fuels
Renewables alone not enough to satisfy world’s energy needs, executives say
WSJ
LONDON—Big oil company executives asserted that fossil fuels would remain the central part of their business for decades, despite recent investments in renewables and other energy sources made in response to efforts to curb carbon emissions.
Future looks bleak for deepwater drilling after companies scrap oil rigs
Bloomberg
Transocean Ltd. is finally sending Pathfinder to its grave, after two years in a Caribbean purgatory that cost about $15,000 a day.
Opinion
Stopping Sue and Settle
The EPA moves to limit extortion by environmental lawsuit.
Editorial – WSJ
Scott Pruitt continues to press reform at the Environmental Protection Agency, this week issuing a directive to curb the collusive Washington game of “sue and settle” lawsuits. This is a victory for democratic consent over legal extortion.
Press Releases
MDWFP Releases Wild Turkey Management Plan
To address the ever-changing needs of the state's wild turkey flock, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) recently completed development of a
Comprehensive Wild Turkey Management Plan.
Study Estimates about 2.1 Million People using Wells High in Arsenic
USGS
A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 2.1 million people in the U.S. may be getting their drinking water from private domestic wells considered to have high concentrations of arsenic, presumed to be from natural sources.
