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US states, New York City sue EPA for relaxing climate rule over hydrofluorocarbons

US states, New York City sue EPA for relaxing climate rule over hydrofluorocarbons

By Jonathan Stempel July 21 (Reuters) - The Trump administration was sued on Tuesday by 18 Democratic-led states, Washington, D.C. and New York City over a new federal rule they say would harm the climate by giving companies more time to stop using dangerous hydrofluorocarbons in commercial
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NASA Announces New Biosphere Research Opportunity to Study Earth's Ecosystems

NASA Announces New Biosphere Research Opportunity to Study Earth's Ecosystems

NASA has introduced a new research opportunity under its ROSES-2025 program, focusing on the Biosphere. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, their biogeochemistry, and biodiversity. The program will leverage satellite data, field studies, and modeling to study changes in ecosystems due to natural and human-induced factors. The research will cover four main areas: Biological Diversity, Land Cover and Land Use Change, Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry, and Terrestrial Ecology. Proposals for this program are due in two stages, with the first deadline on September 4, 2026, and the second on November 6, 2026.
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Flash Drought Expands Across Central U.S., Wildfire Smoke Persists

Flash Drought Expands Across Central U.S., Wildfire Smoke Persists

A flash drought is rapidly developing across the central United States due to a persistent ridge of high pressure, uneven rainfall distribution, and declining soil moisture levels. Meteorologist Eric Snodgrass from Nutrien Weather Intelligence highlights that soil moisture in the top 40 cm has sharply decreased, stressing crops in key agricultural regions. Wildfire smoke from new fires in Washington and Oregon continues to impact air quality across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeastern U.S., despite recent relief in southern Canada. Severe storms and localized flooding are also affecting areas such as south-central Texas, which recently experienced over 30 inches of rainfall. Additionally, El Niño is strengthening, with sea surface temperature anomalies reaching 2.1°C above normal, expected to influence global weather patterns through next spring. Forecast confidence remains low due to weak atmospheric momentum, complicating long-term predictions.
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Meteorologist Warns of Flash Drought Risks in Central U.S. Amid El Niño Developments

Meteorologist Warns of Flash Drought Risks in Central U.S. Amid El Niño Developments

A growing flash drought across the central United States, coupled with persistent wildfire smoke and the rapid development of El Niño, is creating a challenging weather outlook for North American agriculture. According to Nutrien meteorologist Eric Snodgrass, a large ridge of high pressure has dominated weather patterns, leading to uneven rainfall and declining soil moisture in key crop-producing regions. Recent storms have provided some relief in southern Canada, but new fires in Washington and Oregon are contributing fresh smoke to the U.S. air masses. The rapid deterioration of soil moisture is particularly concerning for corn and soybean regions, where crops depend on timely summer precipitation. Despite thunderstorms, rainfall remains localized, creating a checkerboard effect of moisture distribution.
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Oregon Proposes New Fees for Undersea Cable Use Amid Data Center Growth

Oregon Proposes New Fees for Undersea Cable Use Amid Data Center Growth

Oregon Proposes New Fees for Undersea Cable Use Amid Data Center Growth
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Robert Plant Pays Radio Station to Stop Playing 'Stairway to Heaven'

Robert Plant Pays Radio Station to Stop Playing 'Stairway to Heaven'

Robert Plant Pays Radio Station to Stop Playing 'Stairway to Heaven'
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Body of Missing Teen Swimmer Recovered at Blue Lake Park

Body of Missing Teen Swimmer Recovered at Blue Lake Park

The body of a missing teenage swimmer was recovered at Blue Lake Regional Park in Troutdale, Oregon, on Tuesday evening. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies and Gresham firefighters responded to reports of a swimmer who did not resurface around 5:40 p.m. The 15-year-old boy was found underwater about 75 feet from the shore at approximately 6:25 p.m. Despite 45 minutes of medical treatment, the boy was pronounced dead. Officials noted that the boy was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
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Wildfire Smoke Continues to Impact North America Amid Climate Concerns

Wildfire Smoke Continues to Impact North America Amid Climate Concerns

Wildfire smoke, once considered a regional issue for the West Coast, has become a widespread problem across North America. The source highlights the increasing frequency and severity of wildfire smoke events, with notable occurrences in Oregon since 2017 and the Midwest experiencing smoke from Canadian fires in 2023. The summer of 2026 has brought yet another wave of smoke, signaling a troubling 'new normal' driven by climate change and rising CO2 levels. The article emphasizes the urgent need for decarbonization efforts to mitigate the root causes of these fires and their associated air quality impacts (CleanTechnica, 2026).
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NASA Study Highlights Controlled Burns as Key to Sequoia Survival Amid Wildfires

NASA Study Highlights Controlled Burns as Key to Sequoia Survival Amid Wildfires

A NASA-funded study has revealed that controlled burns significantly enhance the survival rates of giant sequoias during wildfires. The research, published in Nature Communications, analyzed data from 26,403 giant sequoias across 19 groves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The study found that sequoias in areas managed with prescribed burns were nearly four times more likely to survive extreme wildfires. This method reduces tree mortality by thinning underbrush and dead wood, which are primary fuels for high-intensity fires. The study comes in the wake of the 2020 and 2021 fire seasons, which saw a record 6.8 million acres burned across California, resulting in the destruction of 19% of the mature giant sequoia population.
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Oregon Wildfires Expand Amid Heat Advisory

Oregon Wildfires Expand Amid Heat Advisory

Oregon is experiencing an intense wildfire season with 25 active fires burning over 350,000 acres as of July 20, 2026. The largest fires are concentrated in central, eastern, and southern Oregon, including the Rowe Creek Complex near the John Day River, which spans 142,936 acres and is at 0% containment. Other significant fires include the Powder River Fire in Baker County at 20,454 acres (25% containment) and the East Evans Creek Fire in southern Oregon at 15,000 acres (8% containment). Hot and dry conditions are forecast to persist, with potential thunderstorms later in the week offering hope for rain but also posing risks of lightning-induced ignitions. Fire restrictions are in effect across the Willamette National Forest, and evacuation notices have been issued for several areas. Source time: July 20, 2026, 2:10 p.m. PT.
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NASA Announces New Biosphere Research Opportunity in ROSES-2025

NASA Announces New Biosphere Research Opportunity in ROSES-2025

NASA has introduced a new research opportunity under the ROSES-2025 program, focusing on the Biosphere. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, their biogeochemistry, and biodiversity. The program includes four research areas: Biological Diversity, Land Cover and Land Use Change, Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry, and Terrestrial Ecology. The research will leverage data from space, aircraft, and field studies to analyze changes in ecosystems and their impact on the Earth's system. Proposals for this program are due in two stages, with Step-1 proposals due by September 4, 2026, and Step-2 proposals by November 6, 2026. The evaluation will be conducted through a dual anonymous peer review process.
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Property Inspector Discovers Hidden Room Above Garage in Portland Home

Property Inspector Discovers Hidden Room Above Garage in Portland Home

Ryan Edmiston, a property inspector in Portland, Oregon, made a surprising discovery during a routine inspection of a house for a potential buyer. While examining the property, Edmiston found a hidden room above the garage that neither the current owner nor the potential buyers knew existed. The house, which had undergone several extensions over the years, featured multiple attics, but only three were accessible. Edmiston discovered the hidden room by accessing a small panel in the garage ceiling, revealing a staircase leading to a well-preserved space. The room, described as a 'time capsule,' contained a furnished office with desks, chairs, and overhead lights. The access point to the room was cleverly concealed behind a drawer. Edmiston shared his discovery on social media, where it garnered significant interest.