People & Population

After 9/11, Documents Suggest, New Yorkers Were Misled About Air Quality

"In the harrowing months th�at followed the attacks on the World Trade Center, New Yorkers were repeatedly assured that the air around the fallen towers was safe to breathe. But 10 months later, health officials were still finding evidence of asbestos as much as half a mile away, according to a sample of air quality records being released on Tuesday."

Source: New York Times, 09/09/2026

Trump Seeks to Ease Meat Processing Regulations, Targets Big 4 Packers

“Trump said Friday that he was authorizing legal documents to be drafted to give farmers and ranchers ‘the right to process their own food,’ casting the move as an effort to break what he called a ‘nasty monopoly’ in the meat industry,” Macias reported." “The announcement came after cattle producers and some Republicans pushed back on Trump’s plan to temporarily allow tariff-free imports of up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef, a move intended to ease pressure on consumers facing high prices at the meat counter.”

Source: Successful Farming, 09/08/2026

Pentagon Delays PFAS Cleanup at Over 200 Military Sites for Third Time

"The Pentagon is again delaying its timelines to clean up “forever chemicals” at hundreds of contaminated military sites across �the United States, the third time in a year the department has extended estimates for completing a key phase of the cleanups."

Source: NOTUS, 09/08/2026

Amid Extreme Weather Black and Hispanic Homeowners Pay More for Insurance

"Homeowners in Hispanic and Black communities nationwide are paying a disproportionate share of skyrocketing home insurance costs, according to a recent report. The disparities leave communities of color at greater risk as climate change increases the frequency of billion-dollar disasters."

Source: Inside Climate News, 09/08/2026
November 30, 2026

DEADLINE: Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Fellowships and Mentorships

Environmental Photography Fellowships & Mentorships 2027 – one $20K and six $5K fellowships plus 10 mentorships for photographers documenting environmental and conservation stories. No prior publication required. Deadline Nov. 30.

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Unpacking Puerto Rico’s Water Crisis

Puerto Rico is suffering from months of water rationing. But for journalists to fully cover this many-layered water story requires a real understanding of how the U.S. territory's politics and history have brought it to this crossroads, argues columnist Yessenia Funes. That, plus a capacity to listen to affected communities, report on solutions and consider partnerships with local journalists.

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Wells Drying Up At South Dakota Homes And Ranches Due To Heat And Drought

“We can’t do laundry or dishes or take showers other than with a little trickle,” said Connie Howie, 76. “Other times we have a little water because it seems to come and go.”

Source: South Dakota News Watch, 09/04/2026

Gen Z Is Using ‘Polyester’ As An Insult. It’s Actually A Throwback.

"Here's how the fabric went from a "miracle" fiber to TikTok slang for fake."

"Even if you’re not wearing polyester now, it’s probably sitting somewhere in your closet — after all, it is the most ubiquitous fabric for textiles on Earth. Is that bad? 

Judging by social media, the answer is solidly “yes.” Influencers want you to know it’s a form of plastic, fashioned from melted crude oil or PET bottles and extruded into threads. That disgust factor (“ugh, I’m wearing plastic?”) might help explain why “polyester” is now trending as an insult on TikTok.

Source: , 09/03/2026

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