June 2024

TL/DR - The Joro spider, a large, brightly colored invasive species native to East Asia, is spreading across the South and East Coast of the United States. Despite public concern, spider experts say the species poses little risk to humans, while the increasing prevalence of invasive species that damage crops and trees is a greater worry.…

TL/DR - A severe storm hit the suburbs of Washington, D.C., causing damage and injuries in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Officials had issued a tornado warning, describing the situation as particularly dangerous, and believe that multiple tornadoes occurred. The storm damaged buildings, injured a number of people, and caused widespread reports of…

TL/DR - The National Park Service (NPS) plans to develop efficient compliance pathways for routine adaptation actions to counter climate change impacts on cultural resources. It also plans to fund a role that will act as the NPS Liaison to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Act provides the…

TL/DR - School districts in Amherst and Holyoke have secured federal funding to replace fossil fuel buses with electric buses. Amherst-Pelham will receive $600,000 and Holyoke will receive over $7.2 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus program, which aims to fight climate change and reduce harmful emissions.…