Environment
Green groups sue to block Trump’s offshore drilling plan in Gulf of Mexico
Four environmental groups filed a lawsuit today against the Trump administration for its decision to open more than 78 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico to offshore drilling. The groups – Earthjustice, the Gulf Restoration Network, the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity – issued a press release announcing the lawsuit and […]
The Florida Legislature keeps stomping on local laws
After the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in South Florida, the mayors of twenty Florida cities filed a legal challenge to a state firearm law. The controversial law allows the state to impose a $5,000 fine on any local official that dares to pass local gun regulations. The firearm law is an […]
The feds say they will keep releasing vile Lake Okeechobee pollution to coasts
Despite the nasty fluorescent green algae outbreak that’s happening off South Florida’s east and west coasts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has resumed releases of the polluted water from Lake Okeechobee that’s filled with fertilizer, manure and sewage from surrounding industrial agriculture operations and cities north of the lake. The Okeechobee swill flows out […]
Scott seeks oily bucks for U.S. Senate campaign
Gov. Rick Scott is flying to Oklahoma City this Thursday to seek political contributions from a who’s who of American fracking, oil, and coal company executives, the media outlet Energy & Environment News reports. E&E got a copy of the fundraiser invitation, and confirmed that Scott will lunch in a restaurant in the headquarters of […]
Legendary conservationist Nathaniel Reed dies at 84
One of the most prominent conservationists in Florida, Nathaniel Pryor Reed, died Wednesday. Reed was 84 and passed away after falling and hitting his head while on his annual Canadian salmon fishing trip. Reed was a lifelong resident of Jupiter Island on Florida’s southeast coast. “In a long career spent both in and out of […]
Legendary conservationist Nat Reed dies at 84
One of the most prominent conservationists in Florida, Nathaniel Pryor Reed, died Wednesday. Reed was 84 and passed away after falling and hitting his head while on his annual Canadian salmon fishing trip. Reed was a lifelong resident of Jupiter Island on Florida’s southeast coast. “In a long career spent both in and out of […]
What’s in our food? Florida congressman calls federal GMO labeling plan “grossly inadequate.”
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan announced this week that he has filed a formal objection letter with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, calling its food labeling plan for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) “grossly inadequate.” “As you work to issue a final rule later this year, I would urge you to go back to the drawing board […]
Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency Over Green Slime Outbreak
Gov. Rick Scott has issued an emergency declaration over the nasty toxic algae outbreak in South Florida. It applies in Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. The national headlines and television reports are a nightmare for South Florida’s tourism-based economies (and Gov. Rick Scott’s race for U.S. Senate,) with disgusting […]
The boy lawmaker from the family farm grows up — into a sellout
It’s shocking how Adam Putnam doesn’t get the respect he so richly deserves. The man has something like $37 million in his campaign account. As Commissioner of Agriculture, he’s got name recognition less accomplished politicos can only dream of, what with “Adam H. Putnam” emblazoned on every gas pump from Chumuckla to Miami Beach. He […]
Scary green monster attacks South Florida
The “Green Monster” is back – a fluorescent toxic algae outbreak that’s been sliming Florida’s east and west coasts, sparking bad-news headlines and leaving ruined beach vacations in its wake. Since this is political season, Florida candidates are formally expressing Grave Concern as people living in pricey waterfront homes understandably wail about their lost property […]
Adam Putnam hearts resigned EPA head Scott Pruitt
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who has done one controversial ethical thing after another – and we’re not even talking about his evisceration of our clean air and water laws – FINALLY resigned. Florida Democrats were quick to remind everyone that Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam (currently Agriculture Commissioner) has been a big Scott Pruitt […]
Eastpoint wildfire victims file for state aid as relief efforts continue
Residents in the wildlife-ravaged town of Eastpoint, south of Tallahassee, have filed 89 claims with the state for aid in emergency living expenses – for up to $5,000 per household. A controlled burn by a state forestry management contractor went out of bounds two weeks ago, racing over 800 acres and destroying a big chunk […]