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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.

It's "Summer Slime Season" in Florida

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Wednesday, April 25, 2012   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The familiar sight of green waterways has some residents and environmentalists seeing red in Florida.

The "summer slime" visible in Florida's water is toxic algae - caused, according to scientists by industrial pollution, sewage, manure and fertilizer.

While many Floridians are aware of the slime, a television campaign launched this week hopes to educate them on where it comes from and what can be done about it.

Monica Reimer, an Earthjustice attorney, says she won't swim in Florida waterways anymore because she "knows too much."

"People need to just learn that they can't really use the waters like they used to - and to me, that's just shocking. I grew up in Florida. I think people assume they can go to the beach."

The algae appears in Florida's waterways as temperatures rise. The ad encourages Floridians to write to President Obama and demand that the Environmental Protection Agency step in and fully enforce the Clean Water Act in the state.

As a native Floridian, Reimer says she's concerned that people may be too accepting of the annual summer slime, because it's all they remember.

"This isn't normal. This isn't natural. This is the result of lax regulation and over-fertilization."

A few weeks ago, an early "summer slime" outbreak in the Fort Myers area prompted the Lee County Health Department to issue a warning for people to avoid contact with waterways in the county, just as the beach season is beginning.


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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

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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