State
Marco makes landfall, but it's Tropical Storm Laura that has Gulf residents really nervous
CNN
Just because Marco weakened to a tropical depression doesn't mean the Big Easy can breathe a big sigh of relief.
President approves disaster declaration for Mississippi
WTOK
WASHINGTON (WTOK) - FEMA announced Monday that federal emergency aid has been authorized for Mississippi by President Trump for areas affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura as of Aug. 23. It would supplement state, local and tribal response efforts .
DMR hopes oyster cultch yields seafood dividends
WLOX
BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is hoping the traditional way of cultivating oysters will bring back one of the area’s favorite seafood menu items.
Scrap Metal Pile Goes Up In Flames
WCBI
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A pile of scrap metal goes up in flames on Monday and it takes firefighters hours to put out.
Mississippi firefighters to help battle wildfire in Colorado
WLBT
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Colorado firefighters will get some help from Mississippi firefighters as they work to contain a wildfire in Western Colorado.
Toyota Mississippi Refocuses Community Grants Toward Covid 19 Relief Efforts
WCBI
BLUE SPRINGS, MISS. (WCBI) – During a typical year, Toyota makes grants available to environmental programs and initiatives focusing on science, technology, engineering and math in local schools. However, for the rest of the fiscal year, the automaker is targeting its grants to support Covid 19 relief.
State Government
Mississippi lawmakers resolve budget for Marine Resources
AP
The Mississippi Legislature returned to the Capitol on Monday and adopted a budget for the state Department of Marine Resources, nearly two months after the July 1 start of the state fiscal year.
Mississippi Senate confirms new state revenue commissioner
AP
The Mississippi Senate on Monday confirmed an attorney as the new commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
Oil Spill
‘We’re battening down the hatches,’ MS Aquarium CEO says, as storms Marco, Laura approach
Sun Herald
The Mississippi Aquarium has canceled “soft openings” planned for Monday through Thursday as Tropical Storm Marco moves toward shore ahead of Tropical Storm Laura, expected to become a hurricane in the Gulf.
Regional
EPA administrator: Chemours should make newer, safer PFAS chemicals
The Daily News
Andrew Wheeler, the administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said on Monday the Chemours Co. chemical plant near Fayetteville should switch production to a newer, less dangerous form of the controversial PFAS chemical.
Invasive South American fish known as the ‘vegetarian piranha’ found in Tennessee
Sun Herald
National
On Minnesota farm, experiment could change how farmers get costly nitrogen
Star Tribune
After land and seed, nitrogen for fertilizer is the largest yearly expense for corn and soybean farmers. It costs more per acre than fuel, crop insurance or labor.
3,000-pound skull uncovered by Missouri students after rancher stumbles upon mystery
Sun Herald
You never know what you can find right under your feet.
A rancher discovered something unusual sticking out of the ground while repairing a fence last summer. Now researchers unearthed a 3,000-pound triceratops skull, experts said.
Opinion
Tourism chief: Aquarium brings exciting new element
Sun Herald
On behalf of the Coastal Mississippi staff and Board of Commissioners, I extend a heartfelt thanks to our industry partners and visitors for taking extraordinary precautions to keep our region safe during this unprecedented global pandemic.
Press Releases
EPA Responds to Tropic Storm Marco, Prepares for Tropical Storm Laura
08/24/2020
WASHINGTON (August 24, 2020) — With Tropical Storm Marco impacting the Gulf Coast and Tropical Storm Laura projected to follow a similar path, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking the necessary steps to help communities in the Gulf Coast area stay prepared and stands ready to respond accordingly to what could potentially be substantial flooding.
Trump EPA Approves First-Ever Long-Lasting Antiviral Product for Use Against COVID-19
08/24/2020
WASHINGTON (August 24, 2020) — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a groundbreaking development in the Trump Administration’s efforts to combat the novel coronavirus.
