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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

New York Scores Clean-Air Victory: Record Power Plant CleanUp

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Tuesday, October 9, 2007   

Washington, DC – There's a change in the air coming for New York that's not related to the autumn weather -– cleaner and clearer skies. One of the nation's largest power producers has agreed to pay $4.6 billion to start cleaning up its coal-fired power plants in five states, after a long-running legal battle. At issue are the air pollutants that create acid rain and smog across the Northeast.

Under the agreement announced on Monday, American Electric Power will spend billions to install air pollution control equipment as part of a record-breaking settlement with the U.S. Justice Department over Clean Air Act violations. David Willett is with the Sierra Club, one of the groups that joined New York and several other states, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in the lawsuit filed eight years ago.

"This is a huge victory for clean air, it's good news for anyone who breathes in the East and Northeast because there will be significant reductions in the pollution that causes smog and acid rain."

While the settlement is seen as a major victory for health and the environment, Willett says the long-term game is non-polluting alternative energy. In the shorter term, Willett says residents and tourists will soon be able to notice the difference in air quality over many of New York's most popular attractions.

"The fact that those plants are going to have to get significantly cleaner will mean cleaner air over many of America's landmarks."

In addition to the equipment expenditures, the company will pay a $15 million fine, and spend $60 million to repair environmental damage caused by acid rain, soot and smog. More settlement details will come today.




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Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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