Latest news with #U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
Epoch Times
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Epoch Times
Winds Drive Canadian Wildfire Smoke Into US, Triggering Air Quality Concerns Across Midwest
Smoke from dozens of wildfires burning in Canada drifted south into the United States on Friday, carried by powerful upper-level winds and prompting air quality warnings across several Midwestern states, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The influx of smoke created unhealthy conditions for people and animals sensitive to pollution in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the agency's AirNow interactive
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bad Bunny Shares Cryptic Instagram Message as Tourists in Puerto Rico Go Viral for Allegedly Killing Endangered Coquís
Some tourists went viral on Reddit after bragging about silencing Puerto Rico's iconic coquí frogs The post sparked backlash, with Puerto Ricans calling the act disrespectful to the island's culture and wildlife Bad Bunny responded on Instagram, amplifying the coquí's croak as a subtle but powerful defense of his home, Puerto RicoBad Bunny is once again using his platform to speak out for Puerto Rico, this time not just through his lyrics but through his actions and love for the island. On Wednesday, May 28, the global superstar, whose real name is Benito Martínez Ocasio, shared a cryptic message on Instagram Stories, which many took as a response to a growing controversy about the coquí, Puerto Rico's iconic little frog with the big voice. As per mitú, Bad Bunny posted a black screen with a drawn-out version of his song 'Qué Le Pasó a Hawaii' from his latest album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, that featured the croak of the coquí turned way up. It all started when a Reddit post on the r/PuertoRicoTravel subreddit went viral. A tourist at a restaurant in Condado was reportedly overheard bragging about spraying something at their Airbnb to quiet the coquís. The coquís' nightly song is considered one of the island's most cherished and recognizable sounds. Puerto Rican content creators quickly pushed back, calling the move disrespectful to both local culture and native wildlife. Many locals called out the harmful action in the comments, writing: 'If you don't like the coquí, maybe Puerto Rico isn't the place for you.' Beyond being annoying to a few tourists, this issue touches on something much more serious. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 'Any person that injures, captures, or kills a Coquí guajón destroy its eggs, and/or modify its critical habitat is subject to penalties under Federal law.' Though the Coquí guajón is one species, the common coquí is found everywhere on the island. Nonetheless, their protection matters to both conservationists and island residents. For Bad Bunny, his Story wasn't just about frogs: It was about respect for the island, its culture and the people who live there. He's been sounding that alarm for a while now with Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, specifically his song 'Qué Le Pasó a Hawaii,' which warns against Puerto Rico following in Hawaii's footsteps with over-tourism and outside investments that in his eyes, have chipped away at Puerto Rico's identity. In the song, he sings, 'They want to take the river and the beach away from me ... They want my neighborhood and my grandma gone.' Throughout the track, the coquí's croak echoes briefly in the background. Alongside the album, he released a short film, which was a visual love letter to Puerto Rico. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. It features 'Toad Concho,' a frog mascot that's part playful character and part symbol for the island's vulnerable wildlife. Like the song, the film reinforces what's at stake. For many Puerto Ricans, the coquí isn't just a frog; it's home. And with one simple Instagram post, Bad Bunny managed to remind the world of that. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Unsafe bacteria found at popular mountain swimming spot near Boise
Boise has been hit with summer-like weather this week, but swimmers should think twice before taking a dip at a popular beach spot where unsafe bacteria was just found. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees Lucky Peak Lake and its dam, announced in a social media post that recent testing found high levels of E. coli at all three swimming areas it manages at Robie Creek Park. The bacteria levels exceeded Idaho safety standards, according to officials, who said test results must show no more than 235 organisms per 100 milliliters of water. The count at Robie was 690. Robie Creek Park is located about 40 minutes northeast of Boise where Robie Creek meets an arm of Lucky Peak Lake known as Mores Creek. The park offers picnic areas, a playground and beaches. Officials received the test results on Tuesday and quickly posted warning signs in the area. 'The sample for Robie is routinely taken from the middle of the beach area in a couple feet of water and does not reflect on water quality at any other areas of Lucky Peak Lake,' the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said in a Facebook post. 'Those results are also provided here and show exceptionally clean water at Macks and Barclay.' Officials said they would not remove the warning signs until 'the average of results falls below the established standard,' meaning it will take multiple clean tests before the swimming areas are deemed safe again. The Corps of Engineers said it plans to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to perform additional testing near the Robie Creek Bridge.
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Disqualified Georgia utility candidate Daniel Blackman appeals and will remain on the ballot for now
ATLANTA (AP) — A day after Georgia Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger disqualified Democrat Daniel Blackman from running for the Georgia Public Service Commission, the candidate appealed Thursday and will remain on the ballot for now, his lawyer said. An administrative law judge recommended earlier this week Raffensperger disqualify Blackman, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator, from the District 3 seat because he did not show he lived there long enough.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa communities to receive $5.5 million for brownfield site cleanup
A former zinc smelter and lead alloying facility in Keokuk is one of several sites selected to received a commulative $5.5 million in EPA Brownfields Program grants. (Photo courtesy of EPA) Five Iowa communities have been selected to receive $5.5 million in grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up and restore blighted or contaminated properties. Sites selected in Iowa are former grocery stores, a YMCA building, a meat packing plant, abandoned businesses and a smelting facility. The EPA Brownfields Program helps a community to assess, clean up and eventually reuse contaminated sites that would otherwise be unusable. The City of Clinton received a grant for a little over $1 million, which City Administrator Matt Brooke said will be used to remove the pool section of the city's former YMCA. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The former YMCA building is contaminated with asbestos and lead, which make it unsuitable for redevelopment until it is remediated. 'This grant funding will enable Clinton to continue a crucial environmental cleanup project,' Brooke said in a press release sent by EPA. 'Clinton continues to work toward a cleaner and greener community for all people to live, work, and enjoy.' Iowa Western Community College receives EPA grant for job training The Iowa grants are part of a nationwide allotment of $267 million in brownfields grants. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the program will help to create new opportunities for businesses and housing while strengthening local economies. 'EPA's Brownfields program demonstrates how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity complement each other,' Zeldin said in a statement. 'Under President Trump's leadership, EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water while supporting sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.' The EPA Brownfields Program started in 1995, but saw a significant boost in funding under former President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan. Another recipient of the recently awarded funding, East Central Intergovernmental Association, has facilitated brownfield clean up projects in eastern Iowa through its participation in the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund with EPA. The association was awarded $1.5 million to help replenish the fund, which EPA said has been 'high performing.' The fund thus far has supported projects like the YMCA remediation in Clinton and a property in Dubuque. 'Many communities are burdened with brownfield sites but lack the resources to address them,' said Dawn Danielson, ECIA's brownfields coordinator. 'The ripple effect of EPA's investments is transformational, not only for the site itself but also for surrounding properties.' Danielson said the remediated sites typically become 'catalysts for economic development' in the area and breathe 'new life' into communities. Le Mars Mayor Rob Bixenman, similarly said the grant will revitalize 'key areas' of the community and help to accelerate the city's community development plan. Le Mars was awarded $400,000 to assess and develop clean up plans at a former Walmart, meat packing plant, landscaping company and unused hotel along the city's business corridor. The City of Keokuk was also selected to receive just under $2 million to clean up a 16-acre site that formerly smelted and refined zinc and lead. According to EPA, the site is contaminated with coal tar, zinc smelting residuals that are high in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH, and heavy metals. The plant opened in 1915 and operated until the 1980s. The site has received a number of EPA grants as the city works to clean up the site and hopefully attract a redeveloper. The City of Red Oak was also selected and will receive a $500,000 grant to conduct site assessments and community engagement for unused properties along its Broadway Street. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
