"The price of water increased faster than inflation, grocery prices and median household income, nonprofit Food & Water Watch found in a new analysis."
"After 20 months of chaos, many U.S. scientists are hoping the results of the 3 November midterm elections will lead to changes in some of the White House policies they find most objectionable. But policy experts say there’s no guarantee that Democrats, even if they regain control of one or both chambers of Congress, will achieve meaningful boosts in federal support for research or an end to political interference by President Donald Trump’s administration."
"Wetland restoration and wildfire prevention can drive down insurers’ costs and skyrocketing premiums, a new study shows."
"Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, data center projects in rural areas could be eligible for major tax benefits starting next year. Some hyperscalers do not seem eager to take the free cash."
"Households in the contiguous United States will pay thousands of dollars more for energy through 2040 because of federal policy changes since President Donald Trump returned to office such as canceling new clean energy projects, according to modeling released Friday by a nonpartisan think tank."
"President Trump's new executive order allowing the use of red-dyed diesel on highways is aimed at lowering costs for truckers and farmers grappling with diesel prices that remain near record highs. But experts say they are skeptical that the order could deliver sweeping savings."
"Americans will pay more at the pump as the president eases up expectations on automakers. It’s one of several ways the White House is raising the cost of living."
"The market for battery-powered trucks may be slowing in the U.S. — but globally it’s a very different story." "Sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks hit a high in the first half of 2026, mostly thanks to China. Diesel prices are set to keep the momentum going."
An investigative journalism pair shone a light on an important but rarely reported subject with huge environmental consequences: the illegal trafficking of massive quantities of natural sand from African countries. Read an interview with Inside Story about their award-winning reporting and learn what surprised them most and how they overcame the story’s unique challenges.
The Interior Department keeps an extensive database of thousands of permits it issues to use federal lands for grazing livestock. And as the latest Reporter’s Toolbox notes, that data can readily be used as an investigative tool to look for one thing the government would rather the public not see — a penchant for permit partiality.
