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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Weaker EPA Car Emissions Rule Puts Americans' Health at Risk

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Monday, April 6, 2020   

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a new rule that allows automakers to reduce car emissions by just 1.5% through 2026, down from the 5% requirement mandated by the Obama administration.

June Deen, who directs advocacy for the American Lung Association in North Carolina, says the science shows air pollution wreaks havoc on the lungs, and adds the weaker emissions standards put more people at risk.

"For example, ozone is a respiratory irritant," she points out. "It's a gas, and exposure is somewhat like getting a sunburn on your lung.

"That kind of irritation for someone who already may be predisposed to a respiratory problem, exacerbates their condition."

A report by the Environmental Defense Fund found that by 2040, under the new rule, U.S. consumers will use 142 billion more gallons of gasoline, and increase carbon emissions by an additional 1.5 billion tons.

Dave Cooke, senior vehicles analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists, says the move, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, is egregious.

"Why are they even messing with this policy in the first place?" he questions. "This is the strongest climate policy in effect today and it's working to deliver cleaner vehicles that cut fuel use and emissions.

"Ending it now is a choice to accelerate climate change, furthering one global catastrophe in the middle of another."

More than two-thirds of Americans support the Obama-era clean car standards, according to a 2018 American Lung Association poll.


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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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