
Judge orders wildlife service to do more to protect imperiled species from pesticides
By Douglas Main
A federal judge ruled late Wednesday that the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) must finish assessing the impact of five pesticides on endangered and threatened species, and that the agency had violated federal law with its “unreasonable” delay in completing the required analyses.

“Chaos and panic” as US slashes funds for small farmers and food assistance
By Carey Gillam
Farmers and food assistance groups around the country are reeling this week amid a series of moves by the Trump administration to cut funding for programs that support small and disadvantaged farmers and provide food for low-income families.

Microplastics boost antibiotic resistance in E. coli, lab study suggests
By Shannon Kelleher
Co-mingling of tiny pieces of plastic with certain harmful bacteria can make the bacteria harder to fight with several common antibiotics, according to a new study that adds to global concerns about antibiotic resistance.

The growing cancer crisis in young adults and a call to action
By Dr. Raphael Cuomo
Over the past several decades, cancer has been predominantly viewed as a disease of aging. Conventional wisdom suggests that the longer we live, the more opportunities our cells have to accumulate genetic mutations that can eventually lead to malignancies.

Amid lack of faith in FDA, US states rush to ban food dyes
By Carey Gillam
Call it a MAHA moment. At least a dozen US states – from traditionally conservative Oklahoma to liberal-leaning New York – are rushing to pass laws outlawing commonly used dyes and other chemical additives in foods, citing a need to protect public health.

Postcard from California: Chemical warning labels are everywhere – and they’re working
By Bill Walker
A driver entering an enclosed parking garage in California is greeted by a 20-by-20-inch sign declaring in 72-point type:
WARNING: Breathing the air in this parking garage can expose you to chemicals including carbon monoxide and gasoline or diesel engine exhaust, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Unregulated flame retardants can break down into toxic byproducts, study shows
By Douglas Main
New research shows that two unregulated and widely used flame retardants found in many electronic devices and touted by industry as non-toxic break down into harmful molecules that can pose a health risk to fish and potentially other creatures, including humans.
Over-planting of GM corn costing farmers billions, study finds
By Douglas Main
A new study adds to evidence that farmers in the US corn belt have over-planted a type of genetically modified (GM) corn, leading to estimated losses of more than $1 billion as the pests the corn was designed to repel have grown resistant over time.
House hearing probes Biden climate spending as Zeldin threatens clawback
By Shannon Kelleher
A Republican-led House committee on Wednesday held a hearing that scrutinized the Biden administration’s spending on energy and environmental projects, amid concerns about possible conflicts of interest and the fast pace of funds appropriated in the former president’s final months in office.
New data show widespread chemical contamination of drinking water
By Douglas Main
A newly released trove of data reveals widespread pollution of US tap water with more than 320 chemical contaminants, including industrial chemicals and farm-related pollutants.