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Thursday, October 10, 2024

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At least four dead in St. Lucie County from tornadoes spawned by Milton; AZ voting advocates switch focus to voter education; EPA omits schools from new lead rule but federal funds could help; Where does Harris stand on factory farming?

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President Biden denounces disinformation about federal disaster response. Experts address concerns about how hurricanes impact voting, and activists left and right question VP Harris' stance on meat.

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Hurricane Helene has some rural North Carolina towns worried larger communities might get more attention, mixed feelings about ranked choice voting on the Oregon ballot next month, and New York farmers earn money feeding school kids.

IN farms have stricter rules for CAFO operations

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Monday, August 19, 2024   

A new study shows more than 1 million tons of animal waste is produced every year in the U.S.

Consumers' desire for more animal protein and better efficiency to reduce world hunger are a few of the reasons for the increase in concentrated animal feeding operations. Opponents said the emissions they produce pose a risk to public health. The animals' waste falls onto slatted floors into a manure pit and is then piped into a pond or "manure lagoon."

Elise Pohl, a graduate student in global public health at the Queen Mary University of London and the study's author, explained the disposal process.

"And then they take that manure and they pipe it into trucks to fertilize land," Pohl pointed out. "While it is sitting in that lagoon, it emits several different components; ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, endotoxins, carbon dioxide."

There are nearly 54,000 farms in Indiana. Farmers who want to start or expand a confined feeding operation on property which initially meets Indiana's Confined Feeding Control Law must get a permit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The operations are allowed and are based on size but must meet additional requirements.

The department has systems in place to regulate stormwater from manure-applied fields. The agency also oversees clean stormwater runoff diversion from manure and feed areas, manure handling and storage structures. Research has shown employees exposed to manure pit gases in other states have higher rates of respiratory illnesses. Pohl stressed the health risks don't stop there.

"The front line workers that are exposed to things like avian influenza and antimicrobial resistant genes and they can take that home, expose their family and friends," Pohl asserted. "And then it's further spread into the community."

As many as 70% of exposed workers developed acute bronchitis due to a lack of health and safety measures. In Indiana, routine and complaint-based inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with operational requirements. The department describes its oversight and design as more stringent than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.


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In Florida, the deadline to register to vote was Monday, and a Florida driver's license or Department of Motor Vehicles ID card was necessary to complete the registration. (Vilkasss/Pixabay)

Social Issues

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As Hurricane Milton makes landfall and Florida recovers from Hurricane Helene's devastation, voting rights groups have filed a legal challenge to …


Social Issues

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A Detroit educator recently told a congressional committee he is "terrified" at what a second Trump term as president could bring for America's public…

Social Issues

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Ho-Chunk Farms' annual Indian Corn Harvest is reviving and preserving this tradition for the northeast Nebraska tribe. Corn from a Winnebago family's …


There is no safe level of lead in a person's blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Scientists note even low lead levels have been shown to affect IQ, the ability to pay attention and academic achievement. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Clean water advocates in Maine are applauding the Environmental Protection Agency's new rule on lead pipe removals but warned drinking water in school…

Health and Wellness

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When it comes to stroke care, experts say, "time is brain." Now, a program launching in South Dakota will coordinate and strengthen stroke care …

Buildings are 32% of New York's annual greenhouse gas emissions, making them the state's largest emitter. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

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New York State authorized utilities to develop thermal energy network pilot programs to further its decarbonization goals. Thermal energy networks …

Environment

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From power outages to burnt farmland, North Dakota is coming to grips with the impact of several large wildfires that are linked to at least two …

Environment

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By Bennet Goldstein for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for Wisconsin Watch-Public News Service…

 

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