State
Deer hunters in South Mississippi: Submit samples to be tested for chronic wasting disease
Clarion Ledger
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has asked hunters to submit deer samples for chronic wasting disease and participation is on track to meet the department's goal of 5,000.
Reservoir experts keep careful watch on water
WJTV
Rain continues to fall, the reservoir continues to rise and more rain is expected.
WJTV 12's Katey Roh talked with the folks who are working hard to keep the Reservoir from spilling over.
MEMA sets level-3 emergency over flooding
WLBT
Flooding caused by the heavy rains already leaving an estimated $5 million damages according to Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director Gregory Michel.
Saltillo board raises water rates
Daily Journal
In a split vote Wednesday, the Saltillo Board of Aldermen voted to raise the rate customers pay for their water.
COMMERCIAL FISHING SEASONS OPENED JANUARY 1, 2019
WXXV
Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced this week that commercial fishing seasons for Red Drum, Gray Triggerfish and Greater Amberjack opened in Mississippi territorial waters on January 1, 2019 at 12:01 a.m. local time.
State Government
Mississippi Legislature has several vacancies, others running for higher office
Clarion Ledger
The 2019 Mississippi Legislature convenes Tuesday with at least three vacancies due to state lawmakers being elected judges in November and another lawmaker will join the Court of Appeals in February.
Bryant picks deputy to lead Mississippi Employment Security
AP
Gov. Phil Bryant is nominating a longtime employee of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to lead the jobs agency.
Oil Spill
LAND AND FUNDING ACQUIRED FOR CONSERVATION
WXXV
The first land acquisition from the Deepwater Horizon settlement in Mississippi is complete.
In 2010, there was a large oil spill in the Deepwater Horizon, which resulted in a settlement to the state of Mississippi.
State acquires Jackson County land with Deepwater Horizon settlement funds
Mississippi Press
Land has been secured in Jackson County after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history caused significant damage to the ecosystem along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Regional
Contaminated groundwater, a toxic legacy of Georgia’s air bases
AJC
For decades, the United States Air Force used a toxic firefighting foam that contaminated water near bases and exposed communities to chemicals linked to cancer and a variety of other health problems.
National
Wheeler’s Nomination as EPA Head Expected Once Shutdown Ends
Bloomberg
President Donald Trump is expected to formally tap acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler as early as this month to be the agency’s permanent chief, the first step in what could be a drawn-out confirmation battle.
Novel international greenhouse gas commitment goes into effect
The Hill
The United Nations is cheering a first of its kind international climate pact to curb the use of a potent greenhouse gas that went into effect on January 1.
Senate confirms Trump’s pick for EPA international office
The Hill
The Senate confirmed President Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) international affairs office.
GOP commissioner on federal energy panel dies
The Hill
Kevin McIntyre, a member of the five-person Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), died Wednesday at the age of 57, the commission said Thursday.
Environmental Groups Threaten to Sue EPA Over Air Quality
AP
A coalition of environmental groups filed a notice of intent to sue on Thursday, warning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it must hold Utah and Arizona accountable for missing deadlines to submit plans to clean up air pollution.
How Volkswagen turned from diesel pariah into electric gorilla
E&E News
Three years ago, Volkswagen AG was in the depths of scandal because it lied about the emissions of its diesel cars. As 2019 begins, it has emerged as the most disruptive player in the business of selling a different kind of fuel: the electrons that move electric cars.
Washington could become the first state to legalize human composting
NBC
When Americans die, most are buried or cremated. Washington could soon become the first state to allow another option: human composting.
