State
Mississippi investigated rare child cancer cases in Ocean Springs. Here’s what the report says.
Sun Herald
One year has passed since 7-year-old Sophia Ann Myers died of DIPG, and still Coast parents are no closer to finding out why Coast kids are dying of the rare and incurable brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.
First new oil wells in years being drilled in shale region
AP
GILLSBURG, MISS.
An Australian company is drilling new wells in an oil formation that straddles southwest Mississippi and southeast Louisiana, the first new wells drilled in about three years, after a crash in oil prices dried up activity.
Meridian states reasons for firing Kelvin McGruder in answer to legal complaint
Meridian Star
The city of Meridian cited numerous reasons for firing Parks and Recreation Director Kelvin McGruder in response to a legal complaint McGruder filed against the city.
...As for Roberts, McGruder claimed Roberts violated environmental protection laws when he "illegally" dumped material on city property and "moonlight(ed)on city time as a security officer at a local credit union."
The city responded that the "dumping" had been reported to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, which didn't have an update on the investigation as of Oct. 3. The city said it didn't have evidence of moonlighting.
Throw away hazardous household waste in Hancock County Saturday
WLOX
Hancock County is giving residents a place to drop off any household waste they need to get rid of.
Second Mississippi deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease
Clarion Ledger
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks announced on Friday afternoon that a second deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
Annual Coastal Cleanup draws out hundreds of volunteers to pick up trash
WLOX
From Hancock to Jackson County, people across the Coast came together Saturday to make South Mississippi a cleaner place to live and visit.
Yearlong photography project to benefit Music Bend Nature Trail
Daily Journal
State Government
Mississippi is one step closer to state lottery as Gov. Bryant appoints 5-person board
Clarion Ledger
Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed four men and one woman to construct and oversee Mississippi's fledgling state lottery, a corporation that could be up and running as early as late 2019.
Mississippi to open last leg of $600M-plus I-269 on Friday
AP
Mississippi's newest interstate highway will open on Friday afternoon.
Emptying the bench: State sees exceptionally large number of judicial retirements
Daily Journal
When Mississippi trial courts return to session in January, one-third or more of the benches could be occupied by brand new judges.
STATE FORESTRY HEAD JAILED FOR DUI
WCBI
LEAKE COUNTY (WCBI/WLBT) – The executive director of the State Forestry Commission is free after his arrest on DUI charges.
Oil Spill
After Hurricane Michael, a hunt for surviving oysters in Apalachicola
Tampa Bay Times
APALACHICOLA
T.J. Ward’s phone rang. Service had improved in the days since Hurricane Michael.
'Living seawall' helps bring new marine life to Sarasota Bay
Paid for with funds from BP oil spill
SARASOTA, Fla. — The waterfront in downtown Sarasota is getting a new look. Crews just constructed a “living seawall” near O’Leary’s bar and grill.
Regional
A 14-year-long oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico verges on becoming one of the worst in U.S. history
Washington Post
NEW ORLEANS — An oil spill that has been quietly leaking millions of barrels into the Gulf of Mexico has gone unplugged for so long that it now verges on becoming one of the worst offshore disasters in U.S. history.
Magnitude 3.2 earthquake rattles in TN
WMC
About three miles outside Ridgley, Tennessee an earthquake rumbled early Monday morning.
According to the USGS the magnitude 3.2 quake shook at 6:06 a.m.
After Louisiana black bear delisted as threatened species, bear lawsuit heats up
The Advocate
There's a federal judge in Washington D.C. who's going to be hearing a lot about hybrid bear heads and interbreeding.
National
This floating pipe is trying to clean up all the plastic in the ocean
CNN
San Francisco (CNN)A 2,000 foot-long floating pipe nicknamed Wilson is about to start its mission to collect all the plastic in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Grouper, snapper, cod? Mislabeling is rampant in the seafood industry
CBS
Recent investigations and studies have shown mislabeling – sometimes due to error but often the result of outright fraud – is rampant in the seafood industry, showing up both in the marketplace and on restaurant menus.
Press Releases
Scientist Invents Device to Improve Fishery Operations
Design being tested by Gulf shrimpers reduces bycatch of untargeted marine life
OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi marine biologist has created a new device that could greatly improve shrimping operations and is putting the device to the test through partnerships with members of the Gulf of Mexico fishing industry.
Save the Date: Open Ocean Annual Meeting Webinar, November 14
The Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group will hold its annual public meeting via an interactive webinar on November 14, 2018.
National Association of Manufacturers Joins EPA Smart Sectors Program
10/19/2018
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) welcomed the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as a new partner of the Smart Sectors program.
EPA’s Indoor airPLUS Program Honors Partners with 2018 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award
10/19/2018
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized eight organizations with 2018 Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards, including two Leaders of the Year, for their ongoing commitment to building healthier homes with the Indoor airPLUS Program.
