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Bill Gates and Warren Buffett's Nuclear Project in Wyoming Sparks Economic and Environmental Debate

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett's Nuclear Project in Wyoming Sparks Economic and Environmental Debate

In Kemmerer, Wyoming, a new nuclear power plant project backed by billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett is underway. The TerraPower Natrium project, supported by $2 billion in taxpayer assistance, aims to provide a quicker and more efficient alternative to traditional nuclear plants. This development comes as the local coal industry faces decline, with the nuclear project promising to bring thousands of construction jobs and eventually 300 permanent positions. While some residents welcome the economic boost, others express skepticism about the environmental risks and the involvement of wealthy investors. The project is part of a broader initiative under the Trump administration to diversify the U.S. energy economy with advanced nuclear technologies.

Daily Briefing: School's back from summer!

Daily Briefing: School's back from summer!

Why's the big first day so different across the country? Here is the news to know on Monday.

NASA Celebrates Idaho National Laboratory's Role in Nuclear-Powered Space Exploration

NASA Celebrates Idaho National Laboratory's Role in Nuclear-Powered Space Exploration

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visited the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to celebrate its contributions to nuclear power in space exploration. The visit highlighted INL's work on microreactors and the Space Reactor 1 Freedom (SR-1), which is set to power an interplanetary spacecraft to Mars in 2028. The event underscored the collaboration between NASA and the Department of Energy, with INL playing a pivotal role in advancing nuclear technology for space missions. The celebration also marked the successful testing of nuclear reactors at INL, aligning with an executive order from President Trump to advance nuclear power.

US Lab Develops Faster Production Method for Critical Nuclear Isotope Californium-252

US Lab Develops Faster Production Method for Critical Nuclear Isotope Californium-252

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed a new chemical process that significantly reduces the production time for californium-252, a rare radioactive isotope used in nuclear reactor startups and various industrial applications. ORNL is the only producer of californium-252 in the Western world, and the new process could save a week or more in the production schedule. The demand for this isotope is expected to rise as the US plans to expand its nuclear energy capacity, including the construction of new reactors and increasing the power of existing ones. The isotope is also used in national security applications and various industrial processes.

Department of Energy Approves Safety Design for Deep Fission's Underground Reactor in Kansas

Department of Energy Approves Safety Design for Deep Fission's Underground Reactor in Kansas

The Department of Energy (DOE) has approved Deep Fission's Nuclear Safety Design Agreement for its Gravity reactor, a 15-megawatt pressurized water reactor intended to be placed a mile underground near Parsons, Kansas. This approval marks the first of four necessary steps in the DOE's authorization process. The reactor's design utilizes a mile of water above it as a containment measure, allowing the project to bypass a full environmental impact statement. This innovative approach could potentially transform the economics of nuclear power in the U.S. by reducing construction costs and regulatory hurdles. The approval is not for the reactor itself but for the plan to ensure its safety, setting the stage for further development and testing.

FDA Proposes New Rule on Food Additives, Delays Ultra-Processed Foods Definition

FDA Proposes New Rule on Food Additives, Delays Ultra-Processed Foods Definition

The FDA has proposed a new rule requiring food manufacturers to notify the agency of all ingredients brought to market under the GRAS pathway. This move aims to close a regulatory loophole that has allowed companies to use certain additives without FDA oversight. However, the Trump administration has delayed defining 'ultra-processed foods,' a promise made earlier this year. The proposal comes amid significant foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S., including cyclosporiasis and salmonella. The new rule would formalize the GRAS framework as a mandatory notification system, impacting how new and existing food additives are regulated.

Florida Soccer Player Detained by ICE Before Championship Final

Florida Soccer Player Detained by ICE Before Championship Final

Florida Soccer Player Detained by ICE Before Championship Final

July 2026 Becomes Hottest Month in U.S. History

July 2026 Becomes Hottest Month in U.S. History

July 2026 has officially been recorded as the hottest month in U.S. history since temperature records began in 1895, according to NOAA (CNN, 2026). The average temperature across the contiguous United States was 3.3°F (1.8°C) above the 20th-century average, surpassing previous records set in July 1936 and July 2012. Heat domes, which trap hot air, were a dominant feature, leading to extreme heat across the East Coast, Plains, and Southwestern states. Wyoming experienced its hottest July and hottest month ever recorded. Over 600 monthly records for maximum and minimum temperatures were broken nationwide. The extreme heat also contributed to large wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, while Europe faced its hottest summer on record.

Traditional plastic forks shed harmful microplastics. Plastic created from sugar is an alternative

Traditional plastic forks shed harmful microplastics. Plastic created from sugar is an alternative

At a Massachusetts lab, pebble-sized pellets are transformed into forks and films that won’t leave microplastics in the environment

Trump officials propose new requirements for food additives and ingredients

Trump officials propose new requirements for food additives and ingredients

U.S. health officials want food manufacturers to provide more information about new additives and ingredients

Trump Administration Allocates Billions to Halt Renewable Energy Projects

Trump Administration Allocates Billions to Halt Renewable Energy Projects

The Trump administration has been actively using taxpayer funds to halt renewable energy projects, specifically offshore wind farms. According to reports, the administration has paid significant amounts to energy companies to abandon wind farm projects off the coasts of New York, California, and Louisiana. This move is part of a broader pattern where the administration has spent nearly $4 billion to cancel various wind energy projects. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue that this strategy increases reliance on fossil fuels, which are more polluting and costly. The administration's actions have sparked controversy, as they are seen as a step backward in the fight against climate change and a misuse of taxpayer money.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Release $65 Million for Children's Legal Services

Court Orders Trump Administration to Release $65 Million for Children's Legal Services

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has ordered the Trump administration to release $65 million in withheld payments to legal service providers representing unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings. The court's decision mandates the release of funds by a specified deadline, emphasizing the legal entitlement of these children to humane treatment and due process, including access to legal representation. House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro criticized the administration's withholding of funds as an attempt to pressure lawyers into disclosing sensitive information about the children and their families.