Agency of the U.S. Interior that administers federal lands and resources
Trump's orders have reduced national monument sizes in Utah, reopening decades-long battles over land protections under the Antiquities Act. Biden previously restored boundaries and expanded protections, while legal questions about unilateral changes persist. The shift has sparked backlash from conservationists and tribes, and from Utah officials seeking more development room.
Wyoming lawmakers and allies are backing a plan to swap 933 acres of public land around Martin’s Cove for LDS Church-owned land nearby, a move that would bring the public into the deal and seek congressional approval.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has announced a September 15 lease sale for 41 parcels totaling 2,840 acres in Wayne National Forest, bringing fracking to the forest for the first time. The sale faces legal challenges and public input during a 30-day protest period, while GOP-backed energy policies advance elsewhere.
The Energy Department has selected five states—Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah—as potential hosts for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. These campuses would combine waste management, enrichment and advanced reactors, with data centers and manufacturing. The plan aims to attract private investment and create jobs, as part of a broader push to accelerate civilian nuclear energy under the current administration.
The Spokane Complex Fires are burning near Spokane, Washington, with multiple blazes uncontained. Evacuations have intensified to tens of thousands, and authorities warn that hotter, drier conditions could worsen the situation. Firefighters are contending with wildland-urban interface terrain, extreme weather, and ongoing investigations into ignition sources. The outlook remains challenging as temperatures rise later in the week.
The White House is facing renewed scrutiny over Natalie Harp, Trump’s close aide known as the “human printer,” as reports of her role and gifts surface during the Irish visit. Independent reporting shows Harp’s proximity to the president has sparked internal tensions and renewed questions about media access and internal communications.