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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.

MA reforestation plan aims to counter urban heat islands

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Monday, March 4, 2024   

A proposed urban reforestation program in Massachusetts aims to help cities mitigate the effects of climate change.

Legislation would create a state advisory council to help municipalities choose the best timing for tree plantings and which native species would be most effective in reducing urban heat islands caused by large swaths of concrete.

Rep. Steve Owens, D-Watertown, said funding would be prioritized for neighborhoods with less than 20% of tree canopy cover.

"Things like selecting the optimal sites, analyzing current tree canopy," Owens outlined. "That's something that folks may or may not be able to do on their own."

Owens pointed out neighborhoods are losing trees to development and environmental factors faster than they are being replaced. He said studies have found trees not only keep neighborhoods healthier and cooler but are also associated with a reduction in crime.

The urban reforestation plan would build upon Massachusetts' long-running Greening the Gateway Cities program, which aims to plant more trees in areas suffering economically from the loss of manufacturing jobs.

Owens noted many of the areas are also considered environmental justice neighborhoods, which have a greater number of tree deserts and higher rates of particulate matter in the air.

"Tackling those first is not just important because they have the fewest trees but it's usually because they have the most impact of pollution," Owens asserted.

Owens added increasing tree canopy cover is both a climate mitigation and carbon-capture solution, which could help Massachusetts reach its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The bill has advanced out of the state's Environment and Natural Resources committee.


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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…


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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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