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Sunday, July 21, 2024

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VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

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President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

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It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

Investments Urged to Protect ME Water Infrastructure from Climate Change

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Monday, August 14, 2023   

More work and investment are needed to ensure all waters in Maine are safe for swimming, according to a new report.

At least 36 beaches in the state were potentially unsafe for swimming at some point during 2022.

John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment Maine, said polluted runoff and failing sewer systems are putting swimmers' health at risk.

"That's why we came together as a nation under the Clean Water Act and vowed that all of our waterways would be safe for swimming," Rumpler pointed out. "Let's commit ourselves to the task. We can get this done."

The federal bipartisan infrastructure law allocated more than $13 million to Maine for sewage and stormwater projects but Rumpler said the increase in climate-related weather events means more funds will be needed to ensure everyone can enjoy a day at the beach.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates America's wastewater and stormwater systems will require an investment of more than $270 billion over the next twenty years, and it may be a conservative estimate when it comes to the threat of climate change.

Rumpler contended investing in nature-based infrastructure could help.

"Wetlands and meadows and forests of Maine all help absorb stormwater and prevent the problem of runoff," Rumpler explained. "We need to protect our natural areas as well."

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, recently helped win the approval of $1.5 billion for the coming year to improve clean-water infrastructure, but the House just voted to cut two thirds of the total. Rumpler emphasized it will take bipartisan political will to ensure our waterways are safe for swimming.


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Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a political event in Grand Rapids, Mich., in early 2024. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

Health and Wellness

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Vice President Kamala Harris focused on reproductive rights at a campaign event in Michigan Wednesday. Her remarks come as President Joe Biden has …


Environment

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Construction could begin in Minnesota later this year in the final phase of one of the nation's largest solar energy developments, after state …

Social Issues

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Thousands of educators from across the nation will be in Houston starting this weekend for the American Federation of Teachers annual convention…


The Illinois State Board of Education report card said O'Fallon Township High School HSD #203 is currently only funded at 64%. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

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By Kristy Alpert for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Colla…

Health and Wellness

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Counterfeit medicine sales are on the rise, in Connecticut and nationwide. The state faced trouble with growing sales of counterfeit Xanax pills …

"Arizonans understand that it is insane to risk Phoenix or Tempe for Odesa or some corn field in Ukraine. It is not in our national interest to get involved," said U.S. Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Ariz. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr)

Social Issues

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More than 2,400 delegates gathered in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention and delegates from around the country, including …

Environment

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So far, states like Wisconsin have largely escaped the worst of the summer heat affecting much of the nation but a group of scientists wants regional …

Social Issues

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Postsecondary enrollment data for 2023 shows community college enrollment increased nationwide by more than 100,000 students, and a large percentage …

 

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