Louisiana to get $359K for water quality monitoring at beaches
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) will receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant for monitoring and notifying communities of high levels of bacteria.
'Ensuring the safety of beaches allows all Americans to have fun in the sun while providing an economic boost to coastal communities,' said Regional Administrator Scott Mason. 'I applaud Administrator Zeldin's initiative for ensuring our economies along the Gulf of America are vibrant and thriving.'
Why you may not want to use last summer's sunscreen
Over 10 beaches are under an advisory as of the most recent samples from May 27. LDH's Beach Monitoring Program tests water at sites along the coast weekly from May to October for enterococci bacteria.
See which Louisiana beaches are under advisory:
Constance Beach
Cypremort Point State Park Beach
Long (Dung) Beach
Gulf Breeze Beach
Grand Isle Beach Site #2
Grand Isle Beach Site #3
Grand Isle State Park Site #1
Grand Isle State Park Site #2
Grand Isle State Park Site #3
Grand Isle State Park Site #4
Holly Beach Site #1
Holly Beach Site #2
Holly Beach Site #3
Holly Beach Site #4
Holly Beach Site #5
Holly Beach Site #6
Lake Chares North Beach
Little Florida Beach
Martin (Mae's) Beach
Rutherford Beach
Planning a trip to the coast soon? Click here to see the latest advisories.
According to LDH's 2024 report on beaches in Louisiana, bacteria densities were higher than in 2023 and higher than historic norms at several beaches, including Constance Beach Complex, Holly Beach, Lake Charles North Beach and Rutherford Beach.
Supreme Court narrows scope of environmental reviews in Utah railroad case
See fish kills in Louisiana? Here's how to report it to LDWF
Red Stick Mom shares summer fun guide for Baton Rouge families
Former NICU nurse accused of abusing babies now allowed to see brother's children
Federal court blocks most of President Trump's tariffs
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area county could raise taxes to offset Trump Medicaid cuts
In response to recent federal legislation that cuts billions of dollars to Medicaid, Santa Clara County supervisors on Thursday unanimously voted to add a ballot measure to November's special election that would increase local sales tax by five-eighth cent (0.625%) for five years to try to backfill some of the projected lost federal revenue. The federal legislation HR 1 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in July. It includes the biggest cuts to Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income Americans, in the program's history. These cuts are expected to lead to devastating reductions in critical medical services, especially at public hospitals that rely primarily on Medicaid reimbursement, and to many people losing access to benefits and care. Santa Clara County's effort to raise local sales tax for this purpose appears to be one of the first such actions by a local jurisdiction to fill the gap in health care funding created by HR 1. If approved, the sales tax would generate an estimated $330 million a year, a fraction of the roughly $1 billion in estimated loss of federal funding over the next few would take effect April 1, 2026, and help fund health services, including the county's four public hospitals and 15 clinics. The current countywide sales tax rate is 9.125%; it would go up 0.625% to 9.75% if the measure passes. Some cities in the county have higher tax rates, such as San Jose (9.375%) and Campbell (9.875%). In those places, the tax would go up 0.625%. 'We cannot afford to sit back and tell ourselves it won't be that bad because it will, for all of us,' said Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. 'While no one is excited about new taxes, particularly in this volatile time, my view is this is a direct and necessary response to the enormous threats to a vast array of county services.' The special election, to be held Nov. 4, was called to replace county assessor Larry Stone, who stepped down in July. The county said the special election presented a unique opportunity to put the sales tax measure before voters quickly, since waiting until the regular election in November 2026 would increase the potential harm from the Medicaid cuts.
Fast Company
an hour ago
- Fast Company
Profits over people and microplastics in every meal?
For decades, the plastic crisis has always felt far away, whether through time or across distance. But unfortunately, we're no longer talking about environmental pollution 'out there' in the ocean. Microplastics, tiny fragments that come from the breakdown of everyday plastic items, are now inside all of us, turning this from a theoretical risk into a shocking—and deeply personal (physically) —reality. Despite this fact, most Americans remain unaware of just how prevalent microplastics are in our lives. New national research that we conducted with our partners at The 5 Gyres Institute paints a troubling picture: while 77% of Americans say they've heard the term 'microplastics,' only 49% actually understand what it means. Even about half of people—51%—know it's often a result of larger plastic breaking down. The knowledge gap That knowledge gap is more than an academic concern. It's a public health crisis, especially when you consider that, after the term is defined for survey respondents, 90% of Americans state that they're worried about microplastics in the human body—and they're right to be. Science confirms that these particles have been found in breast milk, placental tissue, lungs, brains, blood, and more. And studies are increasingly linking microplastics to serious health impacts, including cancer, heart disease, hormone disruption, and infertility. But even when you close that knowledge gap, people who care often feel stuck. Our research shows that 70% of Americans don't know how to reduce their exposure to microplastics and 67% can't name a single company actively working on the problem (we're hoping to change that!). That sense of powerlessness is as dangerous as the plastic itself, because people want better. They just don't know where to turn. At Grove, we've seen firsthand that Americans are searching for answers and they're looking to us: to companies, brands, and private-sector leaders. They want healthier homes, safer products, and more sustainable choices. They want corporations to lead—not with vague promises, but with bold, measurable action. This is our collective moment. A solution Consumers didn't create the plastic crisis. We, the private sector, did. For decades, our industries have driven plastic adoption in product design, packaging, and sourcing. And we were lied to and manipulated by the petrochemical and plastics industry that shaped this system. Now, we, the private sector in 2025, must dismantle it. That means going beyond plastic. It means rejecting outdated systems that rely on single-use packaging, microbeads, and petrochemical-based materials. It means investing in compostable and refillable formats, shifting supply chains, being transparent about ingredients and sourcing, and leaning into the circular economy. It means learning and being aware of the impact plastics are having in our bodies and environments. It means supporting legislation, like the newly introduced bipartisan Microplastics Safety Act, which calls on the FDA and HHS to investigate and report on the health impacts of microplastics. Most importantly, it means refusing to offload responsibility onto consumers and admitting that recycling, long touted as a solution, simply isn't enough. Only 5% of plastic is recycled and the rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or breaks down into microplastic particles that pollute our air, food, water, and (if not abundantly clear by now) our bodies. At Grove, we remain unwavering in our commitment to eliminate plastic from the products we make and sell—and to empower others to do the same. But we can't do it alone. The cost of inaction Consumers are demanding accountability. Our research shows that 79% of Americans believe microplastics represent a human and environmental emergency; 82% believe companies should be doing more. But only half (54%) believe that businesses are actually stepping up. That gap is where trust and long-term relevance will be won or lost. The cost of inaction is rising. Not just in terms of public health, but in trust, consumer confidence, and regulatory risk. There will come a time soon when inaction on microplastics will be seen for what it is: negligent at best, and reckless at worst. Companies that continue to delay action on plastic pollution aren't just making a business decision. They're making a decision that directly impacts human health. Brands that cling to plastic-heavy models are effectively choosing profits over people, and they'll have to live with the consequences. But brands that choose to lead? They'll be rewarded with consumer loyalty, resilience, and relevance in a world that's rapidly waking up to this crisis. The science is clear. The public is paying attention. The future will not be plastic. And the time for action is now.
Axios
2 hours ago
- Axios
Trump to oversee Armenia-Azerbaijan peace accord on Friday
President Trump will host a signing ceremony tomorrow at the White House for a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, alongside the leaders of those countries. The big picture: The deal is one of Trump's most significant foreign policy achievements so far and could help end one of the world's longest-running conflicts. It's another chance for Trump — who described Friday's gathering as a "Historic Peace Summit" — to portray himself as the global peacemaker-in-chief. He's previously heralded diplomatic breakthroughs between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Pakistan, and most recently Cambodia and Thailand — even as peace in Ukraine and Gaza proves elusive. Zoom in: Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a series of cross-border conflicts since the late 1980s — most recently in 2023, when Azerbaijan captured the contested territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. The U.S.-brokered agreement is intended to ensure peace, but also has a significant economic component. Armenia has agreed to allow a 43.5-km corridor through its territory — to be developed by the U.S. and named the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" — linking the bulk of Azerbaijan to a small Azeri enclave on the Turkish border. The intrigue: The corridor would allow people and goods to travel between Turkey and Azerbaijan and beyond to Central Asia without passing through Iran or Russia. That's not currently possible because the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is closed and highly fortified. Iran strongly opposes the project, and Russia has also criticized it, while Turkey is strongly in favor. Both countries are former Soviet Republics, but have had strained ties with Moscow in recent years. "By unblocking this issue Americans are going to benefit in billions of dollars of new trade annually. Russia and Iran and china lose influence in a part of the world they considered their own domain Armenia dropped its own longstanding opposition to the corridor during talks with the U.S. Behind the scenes: The Trump administration's involvement in the conflict started in March when White House special envoy Steve Witkoff traveled from Moscow on a surprise visit to Baku. The U.S. official said Witkoff made the trip at the request of the Qatari government, which encouraged him to try to get a deal. After the trip, Witkoff tasked Aryeh Lightstone, a special government employee on his team, with leading the diplomatic efforts, the U.S. official said. Lightstone made five trips to the region for talks with the parties. Lightstone was a top aide to then-Ambassador to Israel David Friedman in Trump 1.0, and is close to Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. How it happened: The Trump administration pitched Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the idea that by agreeing to allow the U.S. to develop the transit corridor, he would be gaining a friend in Washington — and a powerful buffer against any future invasions by Azerbaijan. The low-profile talks will now turn into a very public agreement. On Friday, Trump will host Pashinyan and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev at the White House to sign it. Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was "very proud of these courageous leaders for doing the right thing" for their people. What they're saying: "This deal is opening Armenia to the world. Instead of relying on Iran they will have now the U.S. as a key partner," the U.S. official said. The official argued that it was "very Trumpian" to approach the issue through trade and not through "the lens of someone else's conflict," adding that now "Russia and Iran and China lose influence in a part of the world they considered their own domain." "This deal creates an irreversible path for normalization between the countries under the auspices of the Trump administration," the U.S. official contended. The official said that at least at the beginning the peace agreement will be mainly between the governments, but the hope is that over time it will help create a more "warm peace" between the people on both sides of the border.
