Environment
A trio of space weather satellites blast off together to study the sun’s violent side
NASA’s smaller Carruthers Geocorona Observatory was deployed. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign designed satellite is named after the late scientist George Carruthers, who invented the ultraviolet telescope left on the moon by the Apollo 16 astronauts in 1972.
Mississippi River mayors want FEMA reform to include wetlands to fight floods
Along with calls for better disaster mitigation programs, the mayors announced a new federal data tool that will compile information on drought, flooding and river levels.
The University of Illinois planned to divest from fossil fuels by this summer. Students want to see action
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said in 2020 that it would aim to stop investing in fossil fuel companies by this summer, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Moderate drought expected to persist in Central Illinois despite rain threats
The lack of rain has led to moderate drought for nearly all of McLean County. The far southeastern tip of the county is in severe drought, along with Champaign-Urbana and eastern Illinois.
Lawsuit leads to release of federal funding for EV chargers in Illinois
Attorney general sued for release of grant funding allocated by Biden-era law
Skyglow is erasing the stars, but smarter outdoor lighting can help bring the night back
Americans are losing their starry views to light pollution. But some communities are make lighting decisions to help preserve night skies – while benefiting wildlife and human health.
What to know about algal blooms after Mattoon’s recent water crisis
The bacteria within blue-green algae can create dangerous levels of microcystins, or neurotoxins, which can sicken and even kill people who drink, cook or wash with water containing them.
Solar for All would have powered emergency housing in a Midwest town. Then the EPA cut the funds
Municipalities and nonprofits across the country may have to abandon planned solar energy projects after the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was terminating a $7 billion grant program to expand solar access.
Illinois is making ‘rewilding’ an official conservation strategy
A new law in Illinois formalizes efforts to reintroduce native keystone species like bison and beavers in the state, which advocates say will help other species recover.
Clean water advocates say new law will protect drinking water from PFAS contamination
The PFAS Reduction Act will phase out the use of manufactured per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, by 2032.
The Midwest is getting warmer, even though summer highs are dropping. Here’s why
Summer afternoon temperatures have cooled off in the middle of the country in recent decades. But hotter nights and winters are still driving more overall warmth in the region.
Mattoon invests in algaecide, new water pump to prevent future water emergencies
The city of Mattoon will be spending around $300,000 to prevent harmful algal blooms like the one that tainted its drinking water a month ago.