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Earth Records Hottest August in 176 Years, NOAA Confirms

Earth Records Hottest August in 176 Years, NOAA Confirms

Earth experienced its hottest August on record in 2026, with global temperatures reaching 2.38°F (1.32°C) above the 20th-century average, according to NOAA's global climate report. This marks the highest August temperature since records began in 1850. The U.S. and Western Europe also endured their hottest summers, with the contiguous U.S. experiencing a monthly mean temperature from June to August 2026 that was 0.4°F (0.22°C) warmer than the previous record summers of 1936 and 2021. Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah each recorded their hottest summers. Globally, vast regions, including parts of Africa, Central Asia, and the Pacific Ocean, saw record-breaking warmth. Additionally, the planet's oceans outside polar regions were record-warm from June through August, driven by an intensifying El Niño and other factors.

US Records Hottest Summer, Surpassing Dust Bowl Era

US Records Hottest Summer, Surpassing Dust Bowl Era

The United States has experienced its hottest summer on record, surpassing the infamous Dust Bowl summer of 1936. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average temperature across the contiguous U.S. and Washington, D.C., from June to August 2026 was 74.4°F (23.56°C), breaking the previous record by 0.4°F. This summer also set a record for the highest nighttime lows, with 133 million Americans living in areas where at least 25% of nights were classified as 'extremely hot.' The heat was particularly severe in the western U.S., where states like Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah experienced their hottest summers on record, and Arizona tied its previous record. The data also revealed that four of the six hottest U.S. summers have occurred since 2021, highlighting the accelerating impact of climate change.

Summer 2026 Sets Record as Hottest in U.S. History

Summer 2026 Sets Record as Hottest in U.S. History

The summer of 2026 has officially been declared the hottest on record for the contiguous United States, according to NOAA. The average temperature for meteorological summer (June–August) reached 74.4°F (23.6°C), surpassing the previous records set in 1936 and 2021 by 0.4°F (0.2°C). This summer also saw widespread above-average temperatures nationwide, with nighttime minimum temperatures remaining unusually high. Several states, including Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, broke or tied their own summer temperature records. The heat dome during the July 4 holiday brought temperatures exceeding 100°F (37.8°C) and heat indices over 110°F (43.3°C) in parts of the East Coast and Midwest, leading to canceled events. Additionally, the Colorado River Basin experienced record-low water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead due to a worsening drought.

GSA Offers Required Training for Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts

GSA Offers Required Training for Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts

The General Services Administration (GSA) is providing mandatory Delegation Procurement Authority (DPA) training for warranted contracting officers. This webinar is specifically designed for government personnel who intend to utilize GSA’s active Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), which include 8(a) STARS III, Alliant 2, Polaris, and VETS 2. The training is a prerequisite for requesting a DPA, which authorizes contracting officers to issue awards and modifications under these GWACs. Participants will gain knowledge on how these Best-in-Class contract vehicles facilitate federal agencies in acquiring information technology (IT) services and solutions. Completion of this course awards 2 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) and is exclusively for government employees, not contractors.

Rams vs. 49ers: Will the NFL's Australia game be on a regular TV channel?

Rams vs. 49ers: Will the NFL's Australia game be on a regular TV channel?

The NFL's Australia game will only be on regular TV in two markets in the USA. Fans outside those markets can stream on Netflix or NFL+ (mobile only).

Western States Expand Medicaid Reimbursement for Doula Care to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes

Western States Expand Medicaid Reimbursement for Doula Care to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes

A growing number of western U.S. states are now allowing Medicaid to reimburse for doula care, a significant shift from a decade ago when only two states offered such coverage. Currently, 28 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, provide Medicaid reimbursement for doula services, according to the National Health Law Program. Montana is expected to join this group later this year, with Wyoming lawmakers and advocates also considering the measure. Doulas are trained professionals who offer emotional support and information to individuals before, during, and after childbirth. Colorado began reimbursing up to $1,500 for doula care in 2024. This expansion aims to make doula services accessible to a wider population, moving beyond being a service primarily affordable only to wealthier individuals.

North Carolina Peatland Restoration Project Aims to Curb Carbon Emissions

North Carolina Peatland Restoration Project Aims to Curb Carbon Emissions

Investors and scientists are undertaking a significant project to restore a 23-square-mile tract of peatland in North Carolina's Inner Banks. This initiative aims to reduce climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions and regenerate native habitats. Decades ago, 50 miles of ditches were dug for an abandoned farming venture, which drained much of the water from thousands of years of accumulated peat. This drainage left the site vulnerable to drought and wildfires, altered native habitats, and caused it to emit 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Colorado-based Pantheon Regeneration plans to restore its property by blocking off ditches to control the water table, which is expected to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Following this, invasive species will be culled, and native grasses, flowers, and other plants will be replanted. Peatlands, though only accounting for 3% of the global land surface, store about one-third of the Earth’s carbon dioxide, more than all forests combined. However, when ...

Something to look forward to in each remaining Rockies series

Something to look forward to in each remaining Rockies series

Colorado Rockies news and links for Thursday, September 10th, 2026

Republican Candidates Target Health Insurance Companies in Campaign Ads, Citing Polling Advantage

Republican Candidates Target Health Insurance Companies in Campaign Ads, Citing Polling Advantage

Republican candidates across the U.S. are increasingly focusing their campaign messaging on criticizing large health insurance companies, a strategy traditionally employed by Democrats. This shift is evident in competitive Senate and House races in states like Iowa, New Jersey, and Colorado. Polling data presented by President Trump's political team to Senate Republicans indicates a significant political opening, showing a 46-point advantage when Republicans advocate for greater transparency regarding insurers' profits, claim denials, and wait times, while accusing Democrats of favoring insurance companies. For instance, Iowa Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson launched her campaign with an ad stating that 'healthcare companies are ripping you off' and has introduced legislation requiring insurers to disclose more information about care denials and delays. Similarly, Iowa Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has positioned herself as the 'number one enemy' of the big insurance lobby in her campai...

Colorado Enacts New Law Regulating Jail Strip Searches and Video Access After Misconduct Allegations

Colorado Enacts New Law Regulating Jail Strip Searches and Video Access After Misconduct Allegations

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed new legislation that restricts how jails in the state can conduct strip searches and when staff can access recordings of these searches. This law was prompted by allegations against Edward Aber, a former commander at La Plata County Jail, who is accused of improperly viewing over 3,000 strip-search videos of 117 incarcerated women over five years. The new law mandates that incarcerated individuals be informed if their strip search is being recorded. It also requires written approval and a logged reason for jail staff to access strip-search videos. Furthermore, the legislation establishes clearer guidelines for when strip searches can be performed, limiting them to intake processes, instances where staff reasonably believe contraband is being concealed, or scenarios with a history of contraband discovery. The bill also includes whistleblower protections for those reporting misconduct. This legislative effort was driven by survivors, advocates, and lawmakers, aiming t...

Buc-ee's Second Colorado Location Advances in El Paso County

Buc-ee's Second Colorado Location Advances in El Paso County

Buc-ee's Second Colorado Location Advances in El Paso County

U.S. Reservoirs Face Significant Sediment Accumulation Due to Wildfires and Extreme Rain, Threatening Water Storage Capacity

U.S. Reservoirs Face Significant Sediment Accumulation Due to Wildfires and Extreme Rain, Threatening Water Storage Capacity

U.S. reservoirs are experiencing a substantial loss of water storage capacity due to the accumulation of sediment, a problem exacerbated by climate change. Wildfires destroy vegetation that holds soil in place, and subsequent extreme rainfall washes torrents of sand, silt, and mud into these vital water bodies. For instance, Strontia Springs Reservoir in Colorado has lost nearly one-fifth of its capacity to sediment. This issue is widespread, with almost half of U.S. reservoirs being more than one-quarter full of sediment. The average U.S. dam is approximately 64 years old, and the sediment buildup, which engineers anticipated, is now reaching critical levels. The problem is particularly acute in the American West, where drought conditions are intensifying, leading to record low water levels in major reservoirs like those on the Colorado River. This reduction in storage capacity occurs precisely when water officials need to stockpile water to mitigate longer dry spells, creating a significant challenge for...