EPA: enforcing environmental laws, shaping pollution rules, and responding to health and climate threats with science-driven policy.
Households face higher costs for repairs and full system replacements as refrigerant transitions and supply constraints push up prices. Experts say replacements are increasingly likely when repair costs exceed half the price of a new unit, with rates varying by system type and home size.
As of April 2026, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted global fertilizer shipments, causing nitrogen fertilizer prices to nearly double. This has hit US and global farmers during critical spring planting, raising production costs and threatening crop yields for staples like corn, wheat, and rice. The shortage risks global food security and will likely push consumer food prices higher worldwide.
Recent memos show the US Supreme Court has been increasingly using secretive, expedited procedures to make major decisions, bypassing traditional deliberation. This shift began in 2016 with the blocking of Obama's climate policy and has since impacted numerous cases, raising concerns about transparency and judicial independence.
USC researchers have found that young non-smokers with high-quality diets may have a higher incidence of early-onset lung cancer. The study analyzes 187 patients under 50 and links higher Healthy Eating Index scores to cancer biology that differs from smoking-related cases. Researchers point to possible pesticide exposure as a leading theory while noting ongoing questions.
Rivian has begun delivering the R2, its more affordable EV, with plans for a $50,000 base version by 2027. CEO RJ Scaringe argues the R2 will broaden choice and avoid copying rivals, while production scales in Illinois and Georgia expand capacity.
Merlín, the two-year-old duck beloved by many Mexicans, has become a World Cup phenomenon. FIFA regulations have barred him from attending the Mexico vs. Czechia game, though he was allowed to be near the perimeter with his family. His owner, Carla Gómez, says the bird remains a symbol of luck for El Tri as the country advances.
Slate Auto has unveiled a bare‑bones two‑seat electric pickup starting at $24,950 and a two‑row SUV conversion at $29,950. Preorders are open with $300 deposits and production is scheduled to begin in late 2026; the base truck uses a 63 kWh LFP battery, rear‑wheel drive and an EPA‑estimated range of about 205 miles.
A Swansea University study finds warning labels on SUV adverts raise awareness of risks to pedestrians and cyclists but barely alter consumers’ intent to buy. The research suggests stronger interventions may be needed as SUVs dominate European sales and cities consider penalties.
ProPublica reports indicate a billionaire donor has leveraged political access to influence energy policy, while a separate investigation documents the impact of federal tear gas on children amid the administration’s crackdown.
The federal government has reached a settlement with Chemours over PFAS discharges, requiring a $22.5 million civil penalty and about $450 million in cleanup and compliance measures across West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey. The agreement allows continued PFAS production for commercial and military use while installing pollution controls and providing drinking-water protections.
The Supreme Court has ruled that federal pesticide law preempts state failure-to-warn claims in the Monsanto Roundup case, a decision that blocks thousands of pending lawsuits while upholding EPA labeling standards. Bayer welcomes the ruling as a win for science, farmers and regulatory clarity; critics warn it leaves harms unredressed.