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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.

Shipping Season Underway - Invasive Species Warnings Out

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Friday, March 23, 2007   


The St. Lawrence Seaway is open, which is good news for shipping in Minnesota and other Great Lake states. But, that brings the growing danger of contamination to waterways from non-native organisms, according to Jordan Lubedkin with the National Wildlife Federation.

"The problem is that seaways opening the Great Lakes are no more protected than they ere a year ago from invasive species, many of which are brought in by the shipping industry from ocean-going vessels."

Lubedkin believes Minnesota is the "battleground" in the effort.

"Lake Superior, in many ways, is ground zero, due to the fact that Duluth is a major port of activity, and such invasive species such as Eurasian ruffe, the quagga mussel, the round goby, have all infiltrated Lake Superior's waters, and have really changed the eco-system there."

Lubedtkin says it's a growing problem that we can head off. He notes there's legislation in Congress to address the threat of invasive species, such as zebra mussels and Asian carp, in Lake Superior and other Great Lakes.

"We can invest in technology to put in ocean-going vessels that would filter and clean the water to make sure that shipping vessels were not dumping dirty water into lakes that contain non-native organisms. We've had legislation that has sat dormant in our nation's capitol for the last four years. This would require ships to install this technology. We know we can do a better job than what we're doing now. It's just a matter of willpower."

He reports every 28 weeks, a new species invades the Great Lakes. And, one response is proposed federal legislation called the "National Aquatic Invasive Species Act," which includes funding for early detection and response to invasive species. He notes this is the fourth year such legislation has been introduced in Congress, and hopes this time it will get attention.


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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…


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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 …

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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)

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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 …

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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 …

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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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