People & Population

US Datacenters Face Further Backlash Over Wastewater Pollution

"When officials in Wyoming conducted a routine test on the water that was being discharged from a massive under-construction Meta datacenter, it was a shock to find it contained a rare and potentially hazardous bacterium."

Source: Guardian, 09/15/2026

Virginia Tells Richmond Airport To Reduce Its Use Of ‘Forever Chemicals’

"The Richmond airport is renewing its stormwater discharge permit, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) added general requirements for the airport to monitor and lower its discharge of PFAS. Some stakeholders say that’s not enough and are asking for specific reduction targets."

Source: Bay Journal, 09/15/2026

Suit Charges Cameron Parish LNG Terminals Are Hurting Seafood Industry

"A group of commercial fishers, fishing guides and seafood processors in southwest Louisiana is suing liquefied natural gas company Venture Global, claiming that dredging operations in preparation for the construction of a new terminal resulted in a sediment spill that killed millions of oysters and diminished catches of finfish, crabs and shrimp."

Source: Verite News, 09/15/2026

Judge Weighs “Fairness” Of $7.25B Roundup Settlement For Cancer Victims

"Opposing teams of attorneys spent hours on Monday battling over a proposed $7.25 billion settlement of the US Roundup cancer litigation that, if approved, would allow Bayer to keep selling its controversial glyphosate weed killers while providing roughly $10,000 to $165,000 for individuals suffering from cancer they blame on Roundup use."

Source: The New Lede, 09/15/2026

Trump Administration Blocks $25 Million In Funding For National Parks

"The Trump administration has blocked more than 130 projects in national parks across the country worth at least $25 million, according to internal documents reviewed by The Washington Post — funding that had already been secured for some of the most visited parks for work such as fire preparedness in California, prehistoric mound protection in Iowa and sled dog care in Alaska."

Source: Washington Post, 09/15/2026

Farm Bill Stuck in the Mud?

The Farm Bill — omnibus legislation that affects the food supply of millions of Americans, as well as their air, water and soil — is bogged down in hyperpartisan division. But as Backgrounder outlines, environmental journalists would be wise to track how Congress ultimately uses it to address matters like land and water conservation, rural water supply and pollution, pesticides and more.

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Pennsylvania Says Unvaccinated Woman Has Died From Measles Complications

"An official in Pennsylvania has confirmed the measles-related death of a 40-year-old woman. Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong told NPR that the woman, who died on Saturday, was unvaccinated."

Source: NPR, 09/14/2026

America’s Air Monitors Are Disappearing — With Power To Expose Polluters

"Laws in Louisiana and other states now curb the use of community-collected data. In Louisiana, public air monitors are often located miles from major industrial polluters and fail to test for some of the most dangerous chemicals."

Source: Floodlight, 09/14/2026

Overdue Trash Bill Left This Alabama Woman in Handcuffs. She’s Not Alone.

"A review of court records in Winston County shows criminal prosecutions over trash debt have spanned decades. The Southern Poverty Law Center says the practice is illegal and immoral."

Source: Inside Climate News, 09/14/2026

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