State
Mississippi environmental board approves air quality permit for Enviva wood pellet plant
Clarion Ledger
A state environmental board on Tuesday approved the air quality permit for what could be the largest wood pellet plant in the world, opening the door for the controversial southeast Mississippi facility to break ground later this summer.
Gov. Bryant: $500k approved for testing Mississippi’s offshore waters
WLOX
Storm in Gulf could break up toxic algae bloom
If the storm increases salinity, Dr. Bucolo believes it wont be much longer until Mississippi beaches open back up.
WWL
METAIRIE, La. — The potential storm coming our way could affect the harmful algae that's closed all Mississippi beaches. In that regard, the storm may actually bring us some relief.
Toxic blue-green algae has made it dangerous to swim and fish along all of Mississippi's shoreline and in Lake Pontchartrain.
Marine scientists agree caution is the best approach to algae bloom
WLOX
HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - When the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources started seeing evidence of the blue-green algae, marine scientist Kristina Broussard said she knew it was going to be an “unprecedented bloom".
Toxic Algae Bloom Closes 25 Beaches On Mississippi's Coast, Fed By Fresh Floodwaters
NPR
A bloom of toxic algae has forced Mississippi to close 25 beaches along its Gulf Coast. State environmental officials say people can still visit the sandy beaches — but they should avoid any contact with the water.
Closed Mississippi beaches due to toxic algae hurting local businesses
CBS
Gulfport, Miss. — With temperatures in the upper 90's Tuesday, it was a good day for a swim along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. But a toxic algae bloom has forced the state to close all coastal beaches for swimming.
Algae water advisories lead to layoffs by beach vendor
WLOX
BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - The trickle-down theory of economics just hit the beach as one vendor said he had to lay off two of his employees Tuesday.
BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE ALGAE BLOOM
WXXV
Beachgoers here on the Coast aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of the toxic algae bloom. One Biloxi souvenir shop has continued to see a decrease in sales which is believed to be linked to the beach closures.
Shrimpers: shrimp season ruined even if Spillway closes
WLOX
Summer bummer: Sewage overflow keeps Pearl River, Jackson waterways off limits
Clarion Ledger
As Jackson rolls into the summer months and temperatures continue to climb, several water contact advisories remain in place advising residents to stay away from the water.
MONROE CO. SUPERVISORS SAY STORM DEBRIS IS MORE THAN ESTIMATED
WCBI
MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been almost three months since the devastating Hamilton tornado, and cleanup is still part of the daily routine.
Could you start growing hemp in Mississippi next year? State task force begins study
Clarion Ledger
Mississippi farmers packed a state Capitol room Monday to learn about a potentially lucrative new crop for their fields: hemp.
Nearly 400 cited on Mississippi waters over holidays
Daily Journal
During the four-day holiday period, state conservation officers handed out nearly 400 tickets to boaters and people enjoying the water a little too much.
New Chief Sworn In for MS Band of Choctaw Indians
WJTV
A new chief is sworn in for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Cyrus Ben took his oath of office Tuesday (7/9) night.
Heavy rain in our forecast as a Gulf tropical system likely forms by Thursday
WLOX
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - The WLOX Weather Team continues to track a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. It will likely organize today or tomorrow and become a depression or storm.
State Government
Mississippi sees revenue increase in most recent budget year
AP
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi government collected nearly 5% more money during the state budget year that recently ended than it did the previous year.
Regional
Corps: Bonnet Carre Spillway set to close next week, depending on weather
WWL
NEW ORLEANS — The Bonnet Carre Spillway is set to close between July 15 -18, pending potential tropical weather that the Army Corps of Engineers met on Monday to discuss.
Uncertainty surrounds ADEM’s role in regulation of banned chemicals
WHNT
DECATUR, Ala. - 3M announced on Monday that the company was expanding chemical investigation into decades-old landfills in Morgan County.
National
A vote this week may help launch changes to federal PFAS oversight
MLive
Congress is looking at a wave of proposed PFAS legislation, including several amendments added to the military spending bill for 2020.
Plastic Has A Big Carbon Footprint — But That Isn't The Whole Story
NPR
Plastic waste gets a lot of attention when photos of dead whales with stomachs full of plastic bags hit the news. Pieces of plastic also litter cities, and tiny plastic particles are even floating in the air.
Indonesia returning 57 containers of developed world’s waste
AP
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia is sending dozens of containers of waste back to wealthy nations after finding it was contaminated with used diapers, plastic and other materials, adding to a growing backlash in Southeast Asia against being a dumping ground for the developed world’s rubbish.
EPA approves Idaho hazardous waste revisions
AP
BOISE — Idaho businesses that produce hazardous waste can now use an electronic tracking system rather than paper forms following the federal government’s approval Tuesday of Idaho’s request to revise some of its rules.
Opinion
We should welcome Enviva pellet plant into our community. Here's why.
James L. Cummins, Guest Columnist
Clarion Ledger
Enviva, a renewable energy company that makes wood pellets, has been in the news lately, as they prepare to build a manufacturing facility in Lucedale. We should support their arrival in another community in our state.
