Manure spills and overflow from large hog farms has become a problem for many local waterways. Those spills often contains high levels of nitrates and pesticides which can endanger fish populations and contaminate water supplies. But now, researchers have found a variety of corn that could make hog manure less harmful. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Steve Frenkel Reports:
Category: News Spots
El Nino Brings Early Allergy Season
The tropical weather pattern known as El Nino has been blamed for floods in California and tornadoes throughout the South. In the Great Lakes Region, El Nino has brought warmer than usual temperatures. And as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Tom Scheck reports, the mild winter has health care professionals worrying about this year’s allergy season:
Female Hormones Found in Waste Water
Millions of American women rely on birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Millions more depend on replacement hormones to prevent symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and osteoporosis. Both medications contain a synthetic version of the female hormone estrogen. And now, researchers at the University of Mississippi found that some of that estrogen ends up in wastewater. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Steve Frenkel has more on the potential effects:
Illinois River to Be Protected
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the State of Illinois are teaming up to save the heavily polluted Illinois River. The project is being hailed as the nation’s "largest effort to save an ailing river." The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Steve Frenkel reports:
Lake Champlain Demoted
Lake Champlain didn’t last long as a Great Lake. Earlier this month, Midwest lawmakers were miffed when Champlain was designated the sixth Great Lake. Last week, the Senate voted to demote the lake and as the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Martha Foley reports, this week the House is expected to agree:
Shipping Strike Averted
The Great Lakes Sailors Union has decided not to strike against two steel-hauling fleets this year. As the Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Mike Simonson reports, a strike could have been disastrous for an otherwise strong shipping season:
Potato Plague Resurgence
The fungus responsible for the Irish Potato Famine that claimed more than one million lives in 1840 is back and stronger than ever. Scientists are warning American potato growers to beware. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Steve Frenkel has the story:
Brownfield Developers Showcase New Strategy
Buffalo is taking an aggressive approach to remediate, market and sell Brownfields—vacant land formerly used by heavy manufacturers. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Mike McKay has more:
Great Lakes Shippers May Face New Fees
The U-S Coast Guard has resurrected a proposal to make commercial shippers pay for ice breaking and buoy-tending services. But industry officials say it’ll cause an unfair burden on Great Lakes shipping companies. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Mike Simonson reports:
Energy Efficiency Neglected in Deregulation
Laws deregulating electrical industries have been passed in many states nationwide. Last fall, the Illinois state legislature approved such a measure. But energy efficiency provisions were left out. Legislators pledged to consider them this spring. But now it seems all bets are off. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Steve Frenkel reports: