Environment
Drought is shrinking Mississippi River levels — again. That’s a big problem for farmers
Farmers rely on the Mississippi River to ship grain and bring them imported fertilizer and other critical inputs. But another year of low river levels means barge travel will be more expensive.
Senator Durbin touts value of federal research funding in visit to University of Illinois bee facility
Sen. Dick Durbin brought $8 million to UIUC over five years for research on bee DNA. He came to campus on Thursday to see the results.
As tick-borne illnesses rise, Illinois is taking steps to increase surveillance
Tick-borne diseases have been on the rise in Illinois for many years. And new research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign finds ticks are migrating to different parts of the state.
Midwest cities will receive millions to clean up ‘forever chemicals.’ But some say it’s not enough
Settlement payments from chemical companies are helping cities pay for expensive PFAS removal technology. But local leaders say the dollars often fall short of covering the full costs to clean up drinking water.
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.