State
Laura now forecast to be a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane
AP
Hurricane Laura is forecast to rapidly power up into a “catastrophic” Category 4 hurricane, even stronger than previously expected, as it churns toward Texas and Louisiana, swirling wind and water over much of the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Laura expected to cause severe weather in Mississippi
MPB
Mississippi is at risk for tornados and severe storms as Hurricane Laura makes landfall later today.
Mississippi’s alligator hunting season opens August 28
WXXV
The 2020 Public Waters Alligator Hunting Season opens at 12 p.m. noon on Friday, August 28. The season will be open for 10 days and will close at 12 p.m. noon on Monday, September 7.
State Government
Ex-Sen. Doty confirmed as Public Utilities Staff director
AP
A former state senator has been confirmed as director of the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff.
Sally Doty was nominated last month by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, and senators confirmed her to the post on Monday.
Regional
EPA to ‘crowdsource’ new ways to destroy PFAS, local advocates say agency could be doing more
WECT
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday announced an initiative that aims to develop new ways to safely destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as GenX.
National
Smoke From California Wildfires Is Contaminating Denver’s Air
Bloomberg
Hundreds of wildfires burning in California are blasting smoke over the Rocky Mountains and into Colorado, making Denver’s already poor air quality even worse.
Coronavirus Is Causing a Can Shortage
WSJ
Demand for cans is booming during the coronavirus pandemic, propelling can makers to boost manufacturing capacity to prevent shortages and capitalize on a trend they bet will stick.
‘Forever chemicals’ found in Chesapeake region's freshwater fish
Bay Journal
High levels of “forever chemicals” have been reported in freshwater fish and water from a Maryland creek, raising new questions about the extent and seriousness of these compounds’ contamination in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Park Service anniversary finds government working to implement new funding
The Hill
The government is working to implement new legislation giving the National Park Service’s infrastructure a well-needed facelift as the NPS, one of the most popular federal agencies, celebrates its 104th anniversary on Tuesday.
Press Releases
EPA Reminds Facility Operators to Prepare for Hazardous Weather
08/25/2020
DALLAS – (Aug. 25, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds facility operators of requirements for preventing, minimizing and reporting chemical releases.
Administrator Wheeler Discusses PFAS, Engages with Agriculture Stakeholders, Tours Brownfields Redevelopment in North Carolina
08/25/2020
Durham, N.C. (August 25, 2020) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler continued his swing through the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast region with stops in Fayetteville, Fuquay Varina, and Dunn, N.C. where he highlighted EPA’s work to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of North Carolina to strengthen the agriculture community, and promoted redevelopment work for Brownfields sites.
EPA, U.S. Department of Defense, and State Partners Launch Technical Challenge Seeking Innovative Ways to Destroy PFAS in Firefighting Foam
Trump Administration continues its commitment to support state, tribal, and local communities in addressing PFAS
08/25/2020
Fayetteville, N.C. (August 25, 2020) — At a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) roundtable hosted by U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-08) today in Fayetteville, N.C., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler launched an innovation challenge to identify solutions to destroy PFAS.
MSU Extension offers free water well testing, training
MSU Extension Service
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. -- Private water well owners in Mississippi can get their water screened for bacteria and learn more about how to manage, operate and protect their wells during several upcoming virtual workshops.
Coastal development, changing climate threaten sea turtle nesting habitat
FSU
A research team led by Florida State University found that sea turtles in the U.S. will have less suitable nesting habitat in the future because of climate change and coastal development.
