Toronto bans plastic bags
Mayor Rob Ford asked council to do away with a bylaw that required stores to charge five cents for plastic bags. Instead, council opted to excise the bags altogether.
Senate blocks GOP attack on clean air regulations
The Democrat-dominated Senate defeated a move to crush EPA regulations on mercury and toxic chemical emissions from coal power plants.
"Agent Orange corn" and herbicide spark concern
As the Food & Drug Administration decides whether to approve genetically modified corn that will be resistant to the chemical, the Environmental Protection Agency is considering stepping forward to restrict use of 2,4-D.
In Ohio, thousands protest new hydrofracking laws
Thousands marched to the Ohio statehouse and held a People's Assembly to map a fight back against laws enacted by Republican Gov. John Kasich giving the fossil fuel industry a green light on hydrofracking..
Union fire fighters risk life and limb in wildfires
Two wildfires have destroyed forest area, buildings, and homes, and the fire fighters understand that containing the blaze will be no easy feat.
Toxic chromium in New Jersey town plagues residents
While I was growing up as a teenager in Garfield, residents more directly affected by the chromium contamination were suffering.
My New Jersey hometown - contaminated?
Garfield, like the other neighborhoods along the Passaic River that border it, was a working class factory town during the 20th century.
In Western U.S., raging wildfires will get worse
A large wildfire - sparked by lightning on June 4, and growing out of control - is burning across the Colorado mountains.
Muted rebellion against Blue Dogs at W.Va. Dem convention
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, W.Va. Secretary of State Natalie Tenant and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin refused to budge from their association with Republican austerity politics.
