Friday, July 9, 2021

News Clippings July 9, 2021

State

Crews cleanup small fuel spill on Seabee Base in Gulfport
WLOX

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - A small fuel spill was quickly cleaned at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport Thursday morning.

Gas leak on Seal Avenue and Division Street in Biloxi now capped off
WXXV

A gas leak in Biloxi earlier today that caused over 50 Biloxi residents to flee their homes has been capped off.

DeSoto County Flood Study Comment Period Ends July 12
DeSoto Times-Tribune

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) presented the draft of its DeSoto County Flood Study on June 29. 

As drilling efforts continue, water testing begins for fairgrounds well system
WLBT

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Drilling efforts put the Mississippi State Fairgrounds one step closer to having an independent water source now that workers and a hydrology report have found a significant pocket of water underground.

Accreditation renewed for City of Gulfport Public Works
WXXV

On June 21, 2021, the American Public Works Association (APWA) officially granted the City of Gulfport Public Works Department accreditation status for the 2nd consecutive time.

Water fund dries up
Enterprise-Journal

The well has run dry on the McComb’s water and sewer fund, according to city officials who asked for an emergency injection of over $1 million to pay water and sewer project loans.

City may increase fines for littering
Enterprise-Journal

In an effort to squash litterbugs, city officials are looking to follow suit with Pike County in raising its litter fine to almost double the current amount. 

Deadline to register for Miss Aquarium Pageant is Friday
WXXV

The Mississippi Aquarium is in search for the young lady that will reign as Miss Aquarium.


State Government

REPORT WARNS MISSISSIPPI'S DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION FUND IS IN TROUBLE
Northside Sun

A recently released report by the American Legislative Exchange Council ranked Mississippi's defined benefit pension system last or near last when it came to issues with its unfunded liabilities.

 
National

Court: DNR can impose farm conditions, consider well impact
AP

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin regulators can impose operating conditions on factory farms and consider high-capacity wells’ cumulative environmental impacts when deciding whether to grant permits, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

EU fines Volkswagen, BMW $1 bln for emissions cartel
Reuters

BRUSSELS, July 8 (Reuters) - The European Commission fined German carmakers Volkswagen and BMW a total of 875 million euros ($1 billion) on Thursday for colluding to curb the use of emissions cleaning technology they had developed.




Thursday, July 8, 2021

News Clippings July 8, 2021

State

These Mississippi Coast beaches had the highest bacteria levels in 2020, new report says
Sun Herald

At least seven Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches were found to be “potentially unsafe,” showing harmful levels of fecal bacteria on more than half the days their waters were tested, according to a 2020 report from the Environment America Research & Policy Center.

How often do Alabama beaches test for fecal bacteria? Here's how they compare to Mississippi
NOLA.com
 
When it comes to fecal coliform bacteria, Alabama beaches are far safer than Mississippi's, according to a new report from the Environment America Research and Policy Center.

Abandoned hotel deluged by hundreds of trashed tires
WLBT

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Abandoned buildings continue to create problems in the Capital City. One is now the target of illegal dumpers.


National

California nixing algae that crowds out food for sea animals
AP

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — For the first time, scientists say they have seen a species of bright green algae growing in the waters off California — and they are hoping it’s the last.


Press Releases

Area 5 Approved growing waters closed for oyster harvest effective at legal sunset
July 7, 2021
 
BILOXI, Miss. – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced today that Approved Area 5 “C” growing waters are closed to the harvest of oysters effective at legal sunset on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, due to excessive localized rainfall.


EPA Announces an Additional $50 Million Under the American Rescue Plan to Enhance Air Pollution Monitoring
07/07/2021

WASHINGTON (July 7, 2021) — Today, EPA announced that it will make $50 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding available to improve air quality monitoring in communities across the United States.


Wednesday, July 7, 2021

News Clippings July 7, 2021

State

GOLD COAST, CITY OF BRANDON BOTH ASK RANKIN COUNTY JUDGE FOR EXTENSION IN LAWSUIT OVER SEWER DAMAGE
Northside Sun

The city of Brandon and Gold Coast want a 10-day extension on several motions that will be addressed in a hearing in August.

These 7 Mississippi beaches test often for high levels of fecal bacteria; see data
NOLA.com

More than half the time their water was tested, seven beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast showed potentially unsafe levels of fecal coliform bacteria, according to a new report from the Environment America Research and Policy Center.
https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_1306dd3e-ddcd-11eb-a0bb-5f13bd18d5a0.html

West Rankin treatment plant slated to go online in August; Jackson to lose chunk of sewer revenue
WLBT

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Jackson city officials say they are about to lose millions of dollars a year in wastewater revenue.

Warren County hosting Hazardous Waste Collection Day on July 17
Vicksburg Post

Warren County’s annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day on July 17 is estimated to cost $31,000 to provide the service for free to residents using grant money.


Oil Spill

William Carey’s School of Pharmacy receives accreditation
WLOX

TRADITION, Miss. (WLOX) - William Carey University’s School of Pharmacy is now an accredited program, allowing more of the next generation of healthcare professionals to be educated right here on the Gulf Coast.

Crews to survey Mobile’s stormwater infrastructure, data will help flood mitigation
WKRG

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The City of Mobile, as part of RESTORE Act funding, has hired contractors to survey the city’s stormwater infrastructure.


Regional

Shark that mysteriously vanished from Gulf of Mexico in March reappears off Delaware
Bradenton Herald

A large great white shark that vanished four months ago from satellite tracking in the Gulf of Mexico has mysteriously resurfaced more than 1,100 miles north, off Delaware.


National

Coal Shows Its Staying Power as Economies Bounce Back
WSJ

Coal use is surging in some of the world’s largest economies as electricity demand rebounds from the pandemic, illustrating the challenges to countries looking to wean themselves off the dirty but reliable fossil fuel.

103-million-year-old dinosaur fossil found in Oregon
Fox News

A new dinosaur fossil has been found in the state of Oregon. Excavators discovered a fossilized dinosaur vertebra and they believe it is roughly 103 million years old, according to The Times-Journal