ReportWire

Tag: Environment

  • Report: Three of six Tahoe avalanche survivors buried in snow before rescue

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    Three of the survivors of last week’s deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe were buried under the snow before being dug out by their fellow skiers in the moments after the disaster, according to an initial avalanche occurrence report from the Sierra Avalanche Center.

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    Caelyn Pender, Ethan Baron

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  • Trump administration to stand by tough Biden-era mandates to replace lead pipes

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    WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Friday it backs a 10-year deadline for most cities and towns to replace their harmful lead pipes, giving notice that it will support a tough rule approved under the Biden administration to reduce lead in drinking water.

    The Environmental Protection Agency told a federal appeals court in Washington that it would defend the strongest overhaul of lead-in-water standards in three decades against a court challenge by a utility industry association.

    The Trump administration has typically favored rapid deregulation, including reducing or killing rules on air and water pollution. On Friday, for example, it repealed tight limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal plants. But the agency has taken a different approach to drinking water.

    “After intensive stakeholder involvement, EPA concluded that the only way to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act’s mandate to prevent anticipated adverse health effects ‘to the extent feasible’ is to require replacement of lead service lines,” the agency’s court filing said.

    Doing so by a 10-year deadline is feasible, the agency added, supporting a rule that was based in part of the finding that old rules that relied on chemical treatment and monitoring to reduce lead “failed to prevent system-wide lead contamination and widespread adverse health effects.”

    The EPA said in August it planned to defend the Biden administration’s aggressive rule, but added that it would also “develop new tools and information to support practical implementation flexibilities and regulatory clarity.” Some environmental activists worried that that meant the EPA was looking to create loopholes.

    Lead, a heavy metal once common in products like pipes and paints, is a neurotoxin that can stunt children’s development, lower IQ scores and increase blood pressure in adults. Lead pipes can corrode and contaminate drinking water. The previous Trump administration’s rule had looser standards and did not mandate the replacement of all pipes.

    Standards aimed at protecting kids

    The Biden administration finalized its lead-in-water overhaul in 2024. It mandated that utilities act to combat lead in water at lower concentrations, with just 10 parts per billion as a trigger, down from 15. If higher levels were found, water systems had to inform their consumers, take immediate action to reduce lead and work to replace lead pipes that are commonly the main source of lead in drinking water.

    The Biden administration at the time estimated the stricter standards would protect up to 900,000 infants from having low birth weight and avoid up to 1,500 premature deaths a year from heart disease.

    “People power and years of lead-contaminated communities fighting to clean up tap water have made it a third rail to oppose rules to protect our health from the scourge of toxic lead. Maybe only a hidebound water utility trade group is willing to attack this basic public health measure,” said Erik Olson, senior director at the Natural Resource Defense Council, an environmental nonprofit.

    The American Water Works Association, a utility industry association, had challenged the rule in court, arguing the EPA lacks authority to regulate the portion of the pipe that’s on private property and therefore cannot require water systems to replace them.

    The agency countered on Friday that utilities can be required to replace the entire lead pipe because they have sufficient control over them.

    The AWWA also said the 10-year deadline wasn’t feasible, noting it’s hard to find enough labor to do the work and water utilities face other significant infrastructure challenges simultaneously. Water utilities were given three years to prepare before the 10-year timeframe starts and some cities with a lot of lead were given longer.

    The agency said they looked closely at data from dozens of water utilities and concluded that the vast majority could replace their lead pipes in 10 years or less.

    Replacing decades-old standards

    The original lead and copper rule for drinking water was enacted by the EPA more than 30 years ago. The rules have significantly reduced lead in water but have been criticized for letting cities move too slowly when levels rose too high.

    Lead pipes are most commonly found in older, industrial parts of the country, including major cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee. The rule also revises the way lead amounts are measured, which could significantly expand the number of communities found violating the rules.

    The EPA under President Donald Trump has celebrated deregulation. Officials have sought to slash climate change programs and promote fossil fuel development. On drinking water issues, however, their initial actions have been more nuanced.

    In March, for example, the EPA announced plans to partially roll back rules to reduce so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water — the other major Biden-era tap water protection. That change sought to keep tough limits for some common PFAS, but also proposed scrapping and reconsidering standards for other types and extending deadlines.

    PFAS and lead pipes are both costly threats to safe water. There are some federal funds to help communities.

    The Biden administration estimated about 9 million lead pipes provide water to homes and businesses in the United States. The Trump administration updated the analysis and now projects there are roughly 4 million lead pipes. Changes in methodology, including assuming that communities that did not submit data did not have lead pipes, resulted in the significant shift. The new estimate does correct odd results from some states — activists said that the agency’s initial assumptions for Florida, for example, seemed far too high.

    The EPA did not immediately return a request for comment. The AWWA pointed to their previous court filing when asked for comment.

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    Michael Phillis

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  • Florida Wildlife Corridor Day highlights projects helping Florida’s waterways

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Earlier this week, Florida Wildlife Corridor Day took place at the State Capitol.

    The main event was an exhibit provided by Save Crystal River, highlighting how state-funded projects are helping Florida’s waterways and communities. The group says there are currently three iniatives: continuing the planting of seagrass, opening of spring vents and the placing of exo-forms which would help break waves.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Wildlife Corridor Day took place earlier this week in Tallahassee, with Save Crystal River showcasing an exhibit

    • That exhibit highlighted how state-funded projects are helping Florida’s waterways and communities

    • Conservation efforts to save Florida’s waterways are taking stage in Crystal River, with groups like the Friends of the Crystal River Wildlife National Refuge doing their part

    • Their goal is to ensure the survival of the waterways and those who call it home


    “It’s not a series of problems that are unique just to Crystal River and Citrus County,” said Lisa Moore, President of Save Crystal River. “All up and down the coast there have been places where those exo-forms would be useful to try to protect your shoreline.”

    And those conservation efforts to save Florida’s waterways are taking stage in Crystal River.

    Along the water outside the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Lace Blue-McLean and K.C. Nayfield take in a spectacular view.

    “Our main mission is literally to support the Crystal River refuge complex- Chassahowitzka, Crystal River, and Three Sisters Springs,” said Blue-McLean.

    The two are the president and vice president of the Friends of the Crystal River Wildlife National Refuge. It’s a nonprofit dedicated to protecting these waterways, which are at risk, they say, of pollutants and other threats.

    “We’re loving it to death,” said Blue-McLean. “It’s just the management of finding that balance … of tourists that come and enjoy this wonderful area without destroying it at the same time and overusing it.”

    The group is working to protect the refuge and partnering with Save Crystal River. They’re raising funds for platforms and a manatee rescue ramp at Three Sisters Springs. The goal is to ensure the survival of the waterways and those who call it home.

    “Three Sisters Springs is a key place for releasing manatees back into the wild,” Blue-McLean said. “This ramp needs to be spruced up a little bit. So with that, with the platforms and the fishing pier we just added on that ramp, it’s up to $400,000 and we’re almost there.”

    “Once Three Sisters is done, we have some other ideas with improving access to some of the other parts of the refuge with boardwalks and viewing towers elsewhere,” said Nayfield. “So our work is never going to be done.”

    It’s a tireless effort, Nayfield says. One that goes beyond preserving, as education also plays a key role. That can be seen inside the visitor center. 

    “We need to keep it up. Keep providing the public with access to learn about nature, why we have the nature, of course, and why it’s worth preserving and seeing these beautiful creatures that inhabit the property and realizing they need to be conserved and preserved as well,” Nayfield said.

    So that others may enjoy nature like this.

    “People come to the Nature Coast for all of the natural resources that we have here in Citrus County, which is the largest in the state of Florida by the way,” said Blue-McLean. “We want to continue to protect that because once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

    A view worth protecting for future generations.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • U.S. Sen. Tina Smith rallying against vote to overturn Boundary Waters mining ban

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    Environmental advocates are sounding the alarm as a proposal to overturn a mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota steps closer to reality.  

    The U.S. Senate is set to vote next week on overturning a 20-year mining ban in Minnesota’s Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties. Former President Joe Biden signed the protection during the end of his time in office. 

    In January, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the bill introduced by Minnesota Republican Rep. Pete Stauber. 

    Lawmakers, including Minnesota Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, were joined Monday by environmental groups and outfitters that serve the Boundary Waters to say they don’t want to see the bill pass.

    Their fear is that copper mining projects will quickly move in, causing pollution and destruction to what has been protected land. 

    Smith says she’s working on rallying Senate Republicans to join her side to block the bill. She and others say at least one foreign group is already interested in mining the area. 

    Mining groups say any projects would be heavily regulated and vetted, but Smith says it’s not a deal she wants to see go through. 

    “We appreciate that mining is crucial to our economy and our national security and our way of life, but that is not what this mine is about. This mine is about a very well-connected, foreign mining conglomerate, Antofagasta,” Smith said. “It wants to develop this mine, dig up the copper, leave us with the mess, then send the metal most likely to China, and then sell it back to us or whoever is willing to pay the highest price.”

    This story will be updated.

    In:

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    Adam Duxter

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  • What Potomac sewage spillage means for drinking water

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    A collapse in the Potomac Interceptor sewer line sent over 200 million gallons of waste water into the Potomac River, prompting recreation advisories while officials said the region’s drinking water remained safe.

    According to DC Water, a section of the 54‑mile Potomac Interceptor sewer line collapsed on January 19 along Clara Barton Parkway in Montgomery County, causing a major overflow into the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The line normally carries about 60 million gallons of wastewater each day from areas including Dulles Airport to D.C.’s Blue Plains treatment plant.

    DC Water said crews quickly moved to build a bypass, which went into service on January 24, using pumps and the C&O Canal to divert flow around the damaged segment.

    Is the Potomac River Drinking Water Safe?

    “It’s important to note, DC Water’s drinking water system is separate from the wastewater system, and we want to reassure the public the drinking water is safe, and water service is NOT affected by this incident,” DC Water said.

    “The overflow is downstream from the Washington Aqueduct’s (Aqueduct) intakes at Great Falls. In coordination with the Aqueduct, the intakes are also closed at Little Falls downstream.” 

    A spokesperson for the agency reiterated to Newsweek on Tuesday that drinking water is not, nor ever was, impacted by the incident, and that the water and sewer systems are separate.

    “We have been coordinating with U.S. EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] since the Potomac Interceptor collapsed and appreciate the ongoing support and counsel they have provided. Just last week, we hosted the Assistant Administrator for Water for a tour of the site and briefing on the project and the progress made to date. Our operations team set up a bypass to reroute wastewater around the broken section and limit overflows to the Potomac River,” the spokesperson said.

    “Additional pumps have been installed this week to allow for the excavation of the damaged section to remove a rock dam and allow us to make emergency repairs to the pipe. While repairs are on track for completion within 4–6 weeks, this incident underscores the urgent challenge of aging infrastructure. Continued regional and federal partnership can help restore and strengthen one of the most critical water assets in the region.

    “DC Water stands ready to work together to protect our shared national treasure, the Potomac River,” they added.

    The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) said that Fairfax is the closest Virginia community that draws its main water supply from the Potomac River. Its intake point sits several miles upstream from where the spill entered the river, placing it outside the affected area.

    Potomac River Sewage Spillage Mapped

    DC Water released a map showing the spill site and the six locations where E. coli sampling has been underway. The agency said crews are concentrating on clearing debris from the broken pipe so repair work can begin. It also noted that cleanup and remediation planning is in its early stages, with efforts expected to focus on affected areas such as the canals and the Potomac River. Those measures will be developed in coordination with federal, state, and local partners, it said.

    The VDH has issued a recreational water advisory for the river “out of an abundance of caution” due to the spill and a subsequent discharge report on February 7—the area which extends 72.5 miles from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) in Fairfax County to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (Route 301) in King George County, it said.

    “VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time,” read a February 13 press release from the agency.

    What People Are Saying

    DC Water CEO David L. Gadis said in an open letter: “We recognize that describing response actions and infrastructure details does not erase the environmental impact or the concern this incident caused. For those who live near the river, recreate on it, or work every day to protect it, witnessing this unfold was distressing. We hear that clearly.

    “This incident has also underscored a broader reality facing utilities across the country: much of the infrastructure that protects our waterways was built decades ago, long before today’s environmental standards, population growth, and climate pressures. The Potomac Interceptor – more than 60 years old – is a critical regional asset, conveying wastewater from across the metropolitan area to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. Its failure reinforces why sustained investment and vigilance are essential.”

    President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday: “There is a massive Ecological Disaster unfolding in the Potomac River.”

    An EPA spokesperson told The Hill: “DC Water is responsible for responding to the Potomac Interceptor collapse, and there is currently no impact to drinking water systems. EPA inspectors are visiting the site every week to perform compliance monitoring, and EPA will continue to coordinate with DC Water to ensure their efforts are sufficient.”

    What Happens Next

    DC Water said Monday that its crews and contractors were “nearing completion of an enhanced bypass system that will allow emergency repairs to begin on a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor.”

    “The emergency repair is expected to take another 4-6 weeks once the enhanced bypass system is activated ,” it said.

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  • Newsom tells world leaders Trump’s retreat on the environment will mean economic harm

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    SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom told world leaders Friday that President Trump’s retreat from efforts to combat climate change would decimate the U.S. automobile industry and surrender the future economic viability to China and other nations embracing the transition to renewable energy.

    Newsom, appearing at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, urged diplomats, business leaders and policy advocates to forcefully stand up to Trump’s global bullying and loyalty to the oil and coal industry. The California governor said the Trump administration’s massive rollbacks on environmental protection will be short-lived.

    “Donald Trump is temporary. He’ll be gone in three years,” Newsom said during a Friday morning panel discussion on climate action. “California is a stable and reliable partner in this space.”

    Newsom’s comments came in the wake of the Trump administration’s repeal of the endangerment finding and all federal vehicle emissions regulations. The endangerment finding is the U.S. government’s 2009 affirmation that planet-heating pollution poses a threat to human health and the environment.

    Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin said the finding has been regulatory overreach, placing heavy burdens on auto manufacturers, restricting consumer choice and resulting in higher costs for Americans. Its repeal marked the “single largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States of America,” he said.

    Scientists and experts were quick to condemn the action, saying it contradicts established science and will put more people in harm’s way. Independent researchers around the world have long concluded that greenhouse gases released by the burning of gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels are warming the planet and worsening weather disasters.

    The move will also threaten the U.S.’s position as a leader in the global clean energy transition, with nations such as China pulling ahead on electric vehicle production and investments in renewables such as solar, batteries and wind, experts said.

    Newsom’s trip to Germany is just his latest international jaunt in recent months as he positions himself to lead the Democratic Party’s opposition to Trump and the Republican-led Congress, and to seed a possible run for the White House in 2028. Last month Newsom traveled to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and in November to the U.N. climate summit in Belém, Brazil — mocking and condemning Trump’s policies on Greenland, international trade and the environment.

    When asked how he would restore the world’s confidence in the United States if he were to become president, Newsom sidestepped. Instead he offered a campaign-like soliloquy on California’s success on fostering Tesla and the nation’s other top electric vehicle manufactures as well as being a magnet for industries spending billions of dollars on research and development for the global transition away from carbon-based economies.

    The purpose of the Munich conference was to open a dialogue among world leaders on global security, military, economic and environmental. Along with Friday’s discussion on climate action, Newsom is scheduled to appear at a livestreamed forum on transatlantic cooperation Saturday.

    Andrew Forrest, executive chairman of the Australia-based mining company giant Fortescue, said during a panel Friday his company is proof that even the largest energy-consuming companies in the world can thrive without relying on the carbon-based fuels that have driven industries for more than a century. Fortescue, which buys diesel fuel from countries across the world, will transition to a “green grid” this decade, saving the company a billion dollars a year, he said.

    “The science is absolutely clear, but so is the economics. I am, and my company Fortescue is, the industrial-grade proof that going renewable is great economics, great business, and if you desert it, then in the end, you’ll be sorted out by your shareholders or by your voters at the ballot box,” Forrest said.

    Newsom said California has also shown the world what can be done with innovative government policies that embrace electric vehicles and the transition to a non-carbon-based economy, and continues to do so despite the attacks and regressive mandates being imposed by the Trump administration.

    “This is about economic prosperity and competitiveness, and that’s why I’m so infuriated with what Donald Trump has done,” Newsom said. “Remember, Tesla exists for one reason — California’s regulatory market, which created the incentives and the structure and the certainty that allowed Elon Musk and others to invest and build that capacity. We are not walking away from that.”

    California has led the nation in the push toward EVs. For more than 50 years, the state enjoyed unique authority from the EPA to set stricter tailpipe emission standards than the federal government, considered critical to the state’s efforts to address its notorious smog and air-quality issues. The authority, which the Trump administration has moved to rescind, was also the basis for California’s plan to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

    The administration again targeted electric vehicles in its announcement on Thursday.

    “The forced transition to electric vehicles is eliminated,” Zeldin said. “No longer will automakers be pressured to shift their fleets toward electric vehicles, vehicles that are still sitting unsold on dealer lots all across America.”

    But the efforts to shut down the energy transition may be too little, too late, said Hannah Safford, former director of transportation and resilience at the White House Climate Policy Office under the Biden administration.

    “Electric cars make more economic sense for people, more models are becoming available, and the administration can’t necessarily stop that from happening,” said Safford, who is now associate director for climate and environment at the Federation of American Scientists.

    Still, some automakers and trade groups supported the EPA’s decision, as did fossil fuel industry groups and those geared toward free markets and regulatory reform. Among them were the Independent Petroleum Assn. of America, which praised the administration for its “efforts to reform and streamline regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions.”

    Ford, which has invested in electric vehicles and recently completed a prototype of a $30,000 electric truck, said in a statement to The Times that it appreciated EPA’s move “to address the imbalance between current emissions standards and consumer choice.”

    Toyota, meanwhile, deferred to a statement from Alliance for Automotive Innovation president John Bozzella, who said similarly that “automotive emissions regulations finalized in the previous administration are extremely challenging for automakers to achieve given the current marketplace demand for EVs.”

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    Phil Willon, Hayley Smith

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  • Local Girl Scouts lead project to improve Tarpon Springs’ water quality

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Down by the Sponge Docks, a noble project gets underway.

    What You Need To Know

    • Two local Girl Scouts are leading a unique project to help improve water quality, using oyster shells to create vertical oyster gardens or ‘vogs’

    • Oyster gardens act as a natural filter for pollutants in the water and a habitat for small marine life
    • Each vog has 20 to 25 oyster shells attached, attracting oyster larvae where they will grow into mature oysters and can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day
    • Waddell and Mills are looking to install 100 vogs in Tarpon Springs


    Two local Girl Scouts are leading a unique project to help improve water quality. They’re using oyster shells to create vertical oyster gardens. The oyster gardens act as a natural filter for pollutants in the water and a habitat for small marine life.

    “The main purpose of them is for oyster larvae to attach to them so they can start growing,” says Susie Mills, Girl Scout Troop 712 & 807.

    Girl Scouts Rylie Waddell and Susie Mills are leading the project.

    “We saw that our waterways are kind of murky, full of pollution,” said Rylie Waddell, Girl Scout Troop 712 & 107. “We know that’s not good for the environment or the health of our sea life and we want to make a change in that.”

    Each shell is placed on a rope to create what’s called a ‘vog,’ or vertical oyster garden. The vog is then tied off near the sea wall where it acts as a natural filter.

    “Each vog has 20 to 25 oyster shells and those oyster shells will attract oyster larvae because oyster larvae look for a hard-like surface to kind of cement to,” says Waddell. “So they will grow and they’ll grow into mature oysters, which can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.”

    The girls are not alone on their mission. Behind them is a team of family and volunteers.

    “I’m just happy that other people also see the problem and want to help,” says Mills. “It’s very encouraging because I know I wouldn’t be able to do this all by myself.”

    “It’s such a noble project and our river needs help,” says Mick Poppa, harbourmaster for the City of Tarpon Springs.

    People who frequent the river already recognize their hard work.

    “Some of my fishermen at the marina that have slips at the marina are always so remorseful about what’s going on with the estuaries upriver and how the fishing isn’t as good as it used to be,” said Poppa. “This will do nothing but help that.”

    With 100 vogs as their goal, Waddell and Mills are looking to make a sizable impact.

    “We hope to clean up most, if not all, of this waterway,” said Mills.

    Protecting the water and what comes with it.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Withlacoochee River could be headed toward record low water levels this summer

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    DUNNELLON, Fla. — Conservation leaders say lakes, rivers and the aquifer in Citrus County could be headed toward record low levels by this summer.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakes, rivers and the aquifer in Citrus County could be headed toward record low levels by this summer

    • In last month’s hydrologic report, the Southwest Florida Water Management District says current water levels along the Withlacoochee River are 2 to 3 feet lower than a year ago
    • The dip in water levels could affect businesses along the river, such as Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
    • SWFWMD officials say they do not expect conditions to improve until the summer with some much-needed rain in the wet season


    A recent hydrologic report from the Southwest Florida Water Management District shows that current water levels along the Withlacoochee River are 2 to 3 feet lower than a year ago because of the shortfall of rain we’re seeing across the region.

    “Our shop does both a trip on the Rainbow (River), a trip on the Withlacoochee, and I always tell people, no matter what, that the confluence is the coolest spot,” Rainbow River and Kayak owner Meriah Kirk said.

    Tucked away amongst the trees in Dunnellon, you’ll come across Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak — a business that thrives on both the Rainbow and Withlacoochee rivers. But recently, something about the water is being noticed.

    “Usually they’re at least, this time of year, about up to here,” Kirk said, pointing out water lines. “They’ve been about up to here, but now even further.”

    Kirk said staff and visitors alike have noticed a dip in the river’s level.

    “We have had some people comment on the flows being lower, being a little more stagnant,” she said. “And then with the way over in the marina, the way the cove is very stagnant, we’ve had some of our boat owners there kind of comment on that.”

    Following the river south into Pasco County, Mark Fulkerson with the Southwest Florida Water Management District surveys the river.

    “Over the past three decades, we’ve had four severe droughts that hit the Withlacoochee River,” Fulkerson said. “Just in those 30 years, it’s only happened four times. But this year, just looking at the data, we’re shaping into a fifth one of those.”

    In last month’s hydrologic report, Fulkerson noted water levels are 2 to 3 feet lower than a year ago. A big change for the river and surrounding ecosystem.

    “Last year at this time, we were three months after Milton,” Fulkerson said. “The water was probably 3 feet higher than it is now. So that’s kind of the difference between last year and this year. This year, we didn’t have a Milton. We didn’t have a big, real wet season to fill things up.”

    Just looking at the surrounding trees, you’ll notice water lines from Milton are still there, showing just how low the river has become. Fulkerson said he does not expect conditions to improve until the summer with some much-needed rain in the wet season.

    “Those summer rains are going to have to materialize a lot better than what we had last year, or we’re going to go into maybe an additional year of very low water levels.”

    As for Kirk and her business, she said she remains optimistic for rainfall — even with the business’ busiest time of year, spring break, just around the corner.

    “The springs are really important, so I think it’s important to make sure we’re taking care of them and making sure we’re doing as much as we can to take care of them,” Kirk said.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • New Tempest Threatens Portugal, One Week After Storm Kristin

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    LISBON, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Portugal is bracing ‌for ​a new storm that ‌authorities warn could trigger floods and further ​devastation, as the country still struggles with the aftermath of Storm ‍Kristin.

    The Portuguese Institute of the ​Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) said late Monday that the ​new ⁠storm, named Leonardo, is expected to begin impacting mainland Portugal from Tuesday afternoon through Saturday.

    The Iberian Peninsula has experienced a succession of storms bringing heavy rain, thunder, snow and strong gales in ‌the last few months, with southern Spain facing what some ​residents describe ‌as its wettest ‍winter ⁠in 40 years.

    IPMA said Leonardo may bring persistent and at times heavy rain, with wind gusts reaching up to 75 km/h (47 mph) along the coast south of Cabo Mondego in the country’s central region, and 95 km/h in the highlands.

    The gusts, however, should be less ​intense than those exceeding 200 km/h unleashed by Storm Kristin, which battered central mainland Portugal from early last Wednesday, killing at least six people and leaving a trail of destruction across homes, factories and critical infrastructure.

    Daniela Fraga, deputy commander of national emergency and civil protection authority ANEPC, told reporters late on Monday that heavy rain in the coming days could lead to floods and inundations, mainly ​in the regions that were affected by Storm Kristin.

    Nearly 134,000 households were still without electricity, around 95,000 of them in the Leiria region in the centre of the ​country, power distribution company E-Redes said.

    (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

    Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

    Photos You Should See – January 2026

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    Reuters

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  • Portugal Counts Multi‑billion‑euro Damage After Storm Kristin Tears off Roofs

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    By Sergio Goncalves and Miguel Pereira

    LISBON/LEIRIA, Feb ‌2 (Reuters) – ​Last week’s Storm Kristin ‌left hundreds of homes in central Portugal without roofs, ​tens of thousands without power and residents lining up for emergency building materials, as ‍authorities warned damage could run ​into billions of euros.

    The storm swept across the region early on ​Wednesday, with ⁠wind gusts topping 200 kph (124 mph) and heavy rain uprooting trees and ripping off roofs. It killed at least six people and cut power to hundreds of thousands of households.

    “The roof blew off, all the windowpanes are ‌broken, everything is chaos and misery,” said Paula Franco as she queued ​in ‌Leiria for donated tiles ‍to repair ⁠her home.

    Portugal’s government on Sunday approved a 2.5 billion-euro ($2.95 billion) package of loans and incentives to help people and businesses rebuild after the storm.

    The government could apply for grants from the European Solidarity Fund and unused EU recovery funds to finance reconstruction, Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said on Monday ​at a joint news conference with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.

    Leiria, one of Portugal’s main industrial hubs known for its plastics and metalworking industries, was among the hardest-hit areas.

    Hundreds of houses, several roads, schools, factories and railway lines have been affected. At the Monte Real air base near Leiria, the storm damaged several aircraft, including F16 fighter jets.

    Nearly 170,000 households were still without electricity on Monday, Graca Carvalho said.

    Damage in the region could total between 1.5 billion euros ​and 2 billion euros, Henrique Carvalho, president of the Leiria Business Association, told broadcaster NOW.

    The government on Sunday extended a state of calamity in 69 municipalities until February 8, with more heavy rain ​and flooding expected.

    (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Miguel Pereira; editing by Charlie Devereux and Ros Russell)

    Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

    Photos You Should See – January 2026

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    Reuters

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  • Farm owner speaks on importance of conserving land

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    HARDEE COUNTY, Fla. — With more people calling Florida their home comes increased development, but one state program is working to preserve agricultural land as growth continues.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program was established in 2001, designed to protect important agricultural lands through land conservation easements
    • Over 500 applications were submitted to the program in 2025
    • Farmer Ned Hancock applied to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program about a year ago to protect his family’s land for generations to come
    • The interest in the program has increased by 90% since 2023


    Over 500 applications were submitted to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program statewide in 2025.

    In a quiet corner of Hardee County sits land that’s been in Ned Hancock’s family since 1855.

    “Outside of their love of God and their love of their family, nothing meant more to them than this land,” said Hancock.

    Though his family didn’t originally farm the property, Hancock knew he wanted to put it to use.

    He started in the citrus industry and later expanded into cattle. Today, the family owns over 3,500 acres, known as Charlie Creek Marsh.

    Hancock said the land isn’t just part of his history — it’s his livelihood.

    “Every agricultural endeavor has its challenges and its ups and downs, so we’re hoping that the next 20 years make up for the last 20 years,” he said.

    That’s why Hancock applied to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program about a year ago.

    The program protects rural land through permanent agricultural land conservation easements, even as surrounding areas grow. 

    About three miles of Hancock’s family property is now part of the program, a decision he said benefits not just his farm, but the community as well.

    “For generations now, it’s going to be just like this,” he said. “It’s going to be cleaning up our water, clearing up our air, creating wildlife corridors.”

    According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, interest in conservation programs has increased by over 90% since 2023.

    “Our agricultural landscapes are what’s left of green space in our state. It’s what much of our wildlife is utilizing to continue to thrive in a rapidly growing state,” said Conservation Florida President and CEO Traci Deen.

    Since the program started in 2001, officials said over 200,000 acres of working agricultural land have been preserved.

    For Hancock, it’s about protecting the future so farmers like him can preserve their way of life for generations to come.

    “I hope 150 years from now, some of my descendants are saying, ‘Man, I’m glad they did this,’” he said.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • How to keep your pets safe during cold spells

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    WISCONSIN — As temperatures continue to plummet, it’s important to keep your pets warm, dry and safe.

    The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals released these safety tips on its website ahead of the cold spell:

    If you’re too cold, so is your pet

    If left outside in the cold, pets can freeze, become disoriented, get lost, get hurt or even killed. Pets should be kept inside, where it’s warm and safe.

    ASPCA also said pets should not be left in the car alone. In cold weather, cars can act like refrigerator, keeping cold air inside. This could freeze your pet, lead to health problems or kill them.

    Make sure to wash and dry your pet’s feet and tummy after a walk or outdoor time

    On walks, pets can step in ice, salt or other chemicals that could hurt their feet and paw pads. ASPCA recommended bringing a dry, clean towel on long walks if you need to clean off irritated paws.

    ”Don’t forget to check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes,” ASPCA said.

    Rub petroleum jelly into your pet’s paw pads before you head out the door

    This helps protect them from salt and chemicals. Booties are another great option to protect paws outside.

    (Pixabay)

    Keep your home humidified and your pet dry

    Towel drying your pet as soon as they head inside will help keep their skin healthy, avoiding flakes or itchiness.

    ”Repeatedly going into the cold and then coming back to a warm home can cause this skin reaction in pets,” ASPCA said. “Again, paying close attention to their feet and in-between their toes will help prevent and treat skin irritation in the winter.”

    Do not shave your pets down in the winter

    A dog’s coat is like, well, a coat. The longer it is, the more warmth they’ll have.

    If you have a long-haired dog, feel free to trim them down to avoid things getting caught in their fur or hair, such as ice balls, salt crystals or de-icing chemicals. Those can all dry out their skin.

    If you have a short-haired pet, bundle them up in a coat, sweater or turtleneck.

    Skip baths if possible during cold spells

    Too many baths could get rid of oils in your pet’s skin, increasing the odds of their skin getting dry or flaky. During the winter, opt for moisturizing shampoo. Ask your vet if they have any recommendations.

    (AP Photo)

    Clean antifreeze spills

    Antifreeze can kill your pet.

    ”Additionally, cold weather chemicals like ice melts can be dangerous when ingested, so always be mindful and keep chemicals up and out of paws’ reach,” ASPCA said.

    Feed your pets more

    ASPCA said pets burn extra energy throughout the winter in order to stay warm. The extra calories and plenty of water are needed when it’s chilly.

    Make sure they’re cozy at night

    Your pet should be sleeping off the floor and away from any drafts. Consider adding a blanket to their bed to keep them extra toasty.

    (Christopher Miller)

    Stay together, and on a leash, when you’re outside

    Don’t let your dog off leash during a snowstorm, onto snow or on ice.

    ”Dogs can lose their scent in the snow and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure your dog always wears an ID tag,” ASPCA said.

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    Aly Prouty

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  • How should Richmond spend its $550 million Chevron settlement? City leaders want to know

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    RICHMOND — As half a billion dollars from Chevron start to flow into Richmond’s coffers, city leaders want to know exactly how residents would like to see that money spent.

    To get those answers, councilmembers have agreed to set aside up to $300,000 to contract out support that would facilitate community feedback. A central goal of the initiative, approved during a meeting Tuesday, is to develop a “just transition” away from the fossil fuel industry while ensuring community buy-in for how the dollars are spent.

    “We’re in that moment where we actually do have to be as careful and as thoughtful as we can to make decisions for the future,” said Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, who drafted the item with Councilmember Claudia Jimenez and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. “We’re making a huge turning point for our city if we do it right. Or we can do it like the way people who win the lottery, go out and buy a bunch of fancy things and then be broke in 10 years.”

    The $550 million Richmond is poised to collect stems from an agreement it negotiated with the Richmond Chevron Refinery. In exchange for the funds, the council agreed to remove a tax measure, dubbed the Make Polluters Pay campaign, from the November 2024 ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would have brought in between $60 million and $90 million annually by charging Chevron for every barrel of raw material that was processed at the plant.

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    Sierra Lopez

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  • Manatee County to take 5 million gallons of water a day from Peace River in 2036

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Part of Manatee County’s long-term water plan calls for taking drinking water from the Peace River.

    It comes at a critical time, as the county has seen an increase in water consumption because of rapid growth in the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • According to county officials, it’s part of a long-term plan. Starting in 2036, the county would take five million gallons of water a day from the river

    • Other counties already get their drinking water from the Peace River, and because of increased demand, Manatee County moved up its timeline by a year

    • While environmental groups worry about future affects, the county says a new water source is essential to keep drinking water flowing

    Protecting the environment and local waterways is a top priority for Abbey Tyrna.

    “Oh, the environment means everything — not just to me, but to our economy,” she said.

    She is the executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper, an organization that protects and restores Florida’s waterways.

    She is concerned about where Manatee County will get its drinking water in the future, as the county plans to tap into the Peace River.

    “It cannot satisfy the growing population. The Peace River will go dry,” she said. “We already see problems in the headwaters of the Peace River. We need to protect the headwaters of the Peace River.”

    Other counties already get their drinking water from the Peace River, and because of increased demand, Manatee County moved up its timeline by a year.

    According to county officials, it’s part of a long-term plan. Starting in 2036, the county would take five million gallons of water a day from the river.

    Currently, the county uses about 50 million gallons of water a day.

    Two-thirds comes from Lake Manatee, and one-third comes from groundwater.

    “Currently, we don’t take any water from the Peace River Authority. But our long-term planning has always had a contingency plan to connect to the Peace River,” said Patrick Shea, the utilities director for Manatee County.

    At the water treatment plant, he says there is plenty of drinking water, but usage has increased over time.

    “Because of growth — recent growth — and the dry season, our annual projections for water use and water demand have increased, moving up that timeline,” he said.

    Abbey says the county should explore other options before tapping into the Peace River.

    “We need to start connecting to reclaimed water and stop using our limited supplies of groundwater for things like irrigation,” she said.

    While environmental groups worry about future effects, the county says a new water source is essential to keep drinking water flowing.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Manatee County cruise port proposal faces opposition

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — A cruise terminal proposal has generated pushback from Manatee County residents and raised concern from environmental groups.

    What You Need To Know

    • A cruise terminal proposal in Manatee County raises environmental concerns

    • Enironmental advocates say the project could impact coastal wetlands, mangroves, and seagrass meadows

    • The proposal is expected to generate significant economic benefits, according to SSA Marine

    Protecting Tampa Bay’s water and wildlife is a passion for Maya Burke, but it’s also her job. The proposal could have a significant affect on her.

    Burke, assistant director for the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, says a spot near the South Sunshine Skyway rest area is ecologically rich.

    “There are important coastal wetlands and mangrove forests, lush seagrass meadows. There’s even hard live bottom out in this part of the bay. So it’s really unique and important habitats, and it would be devastating to lose these,” she said.

    Burke worries about the impact of a large port.

    “If we have a cruise port here, not only would we need to protect things like Rattlesnake Key, which are already here existing in natural state, but we would have to add more beyond that. So we would have to sort of come out with a net benefit for the environment,” she said.

    Because the proposal has not been added to a Manatee County Board of Commissioners agenda, the county has no comment on it. We reached out multiple times to individual commissioners for their opinion. None responded. The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau also declined comment.

    But SSA Marine, a national terminal cruise operator, says the proposed port will have a positive economic impact. On the website Knott Cowen Cruise, it says: “We estimate that the construction investment for this proposed project will generate more than 31,000 jobs in industries directly and indirectly related to the port in the state and region, and boost labor wages by $1.6 billion. In addition, this infrastructure investment is projected to generate more than $5 billion in total economic impact for the state and regional economy.”

    Florida AAA representative Mark Jenkins says the prospect of adding a cruise port in Manatee County is an exciting opportunity.

    “I think this has a direct economic impact on the area as well, because you have travelers who are coming to the area for a cruise, many of them looking to stay a couple of days before and after their cruise where they’re visiting the hotels, the restaurants and different establishments,” he said.

    But many Manatee County residents don’t agree.

    Corey McKeever started a petition a week ago against the port. It already has thousands of signatures.

    “There had to be someone that could stop this, and I guess that person had to be me,” he said.

    He felt the need to lead the movement, as someone who knows these waters. He has owned and operated McKeever’s Marine for 15 years.

    “It will destroy the water. It will destroy the ecosystem bigger. It will destroy all the local businesses because these companies are creating their own businesses. This money is not going to come to us. It’s going directly to the cruise company,” he said.

    And for environmentalists like the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, the debate isn’t just about ships or jobs — it’s about what could be lost in waters that can’t easily be replaced.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Lido Beach renourishment project to begin Sunday

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    SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Crews were scheduled to start a renourishment project at Lido Beach on Monday, but rough weather forced a delay.

    What You Need To Know

    • The renourishment will begin Sunday and is expected to be completed in April, before sea turtle nesting season. The $12 million cost for this year’s renourishment is fully covered through federal funding

    • A 50-year partnership between the City of Sarasota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calls for renourishment of Lido Beach every five years. This year, around 300,000 cubic yards of sand will be added, all dredged from New Pass

    • The county says signs will be posted alerting beachgoers when areas are temporarily closed, and the plan is to keep the beach as open as possible

    The work will now begin Sunday, with 300,000 cubic yards of locally sourced sand being brought in. The plan is to rebuild shoreline lost to storms.

    Officials say dredging will begin in New Pass, with crews starting at the north end of the beach and moving south.

    Once a week, Dawn D’Alessio searches for small gifts from the sea.

    “It’s a treasure hunt, really. You never know what you are going to find,” she said.

    For D’Alessio, it’s about the joy that comes with the find.

    “This is how I get rid of my stress — coming to the beach and collecting shells,” she said.

    A 50-year partnership between the City of Sarasota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calls for renourishment of Lido Beach every five years. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Julia Hazel)

    She’s walking along Lido Beach, which will soon undergo a restoration project.

    A 50-year partnership between the City of Sarasota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calls for renourishment of Lido Beach every five years. This year, around 300,000 cubic yards of sand will be added, all dredged from New Pass.

    “I think it’s a great idea. From all the damage the beaches sustained from the storms, it’ll really help the environment — get more sand here and build up the barriers to protect the residents,” she said.

    The City of Sarasota’s engineer, Sage Kamiya, says the project aims to restore what was lost from recent hurricanes, especially Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024.

    “There were areas of the beach that lost up to 80 feet of width, and a lot of that is being put back. I think we’ve averaged about a 50-foot width that will be restored going forward,” he said.

    Crews will start at the north end of the beach near the Lido Beach Pavilion and make their way south to restore 1.2 miles of eroded shoreline.

    But some businesses on the beach, like Lido Island Grill, worry the project could interfere with business.

    “February is when we start to have the full season with our customers, and we’re hoping they won’t be scared of the renourishment and all the work and its impact,” said Christophe Barthe, the manager of Lido Island Grill.

    The county said that signs will be posted alerting beachgoers when areas are temporarily closed, and the plan is to keep the beach as open as possible.

    The beach is D’Alessio home away from home, with renourishment projects ensuring she’ll be able to return for years to come.

    The renourishment will begin Sunday and is expected to be completed in April, before sea turtle nesting season. The $12 million cost for this year’s renourishment is fully covered through federal funding.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Chile Wildfires Leave 19 Dead Amid Extreme Heat as Scores Evacuated

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    CONCEPCION, Chile, Jan 19 (Reuters) – Wildfires ‌in ​Chile have left at ‌least 19 people dead, authorities said on Monday, as ​the government carried out mass evacuations and fought nearly two dozen blazes ‍exacerbated by intense heat and ​high winds.

    While weather conditions overnight helped control some fires, the largest ​were still ⁠active, with adverse conditions expected throughout the day, security minister, Luis Cordero, said at a news briefing on Monday.

    “The projection we have today is of high temperatures,” Cordero said, and the main worry was that ‌new fires would be triggered throughout the region.

    Parts of central and southern ​Chile ‌were under extreme heat ‍warnings with ⁠temperatures expected to reach up to 37 Celsius (99 Fahrenheit).

    STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN NUBLE, BIO BIO

    As of late Sunday, Chile’s CONAF forestry agency said firefighters were combating 23 fires across the country, the largest of which were in regions of Ñuble and Bío Bío, where President Gabriel Boric declared a state ​of catastrophe.

    Over 20,000 hectares (77 square miles) have been razed so far, an area about the size of Seattle, with the largest fire surpassing 14,000 hectares on the outskirts of the coastal city Concepcion.

    The fast-moving blaze tore through the towns of Penco and Lirquen over the weekend, destroying hundreds of homes and killing several people, with authorities still assessing the damage.

    HEAT, BLAZES ALSO IMPACT ARGENTINA

    Authorities are currently battling the fire as it threatened Manzano prison on ​the edge of Concepcion and the town of Tome to the north.

    Both Chile and Argentina rang in the new year with heat waves which have continued into January. Earlier this month, wildfires ​broke out in Argentina’s Patagonia, burning around 15,000 hectares.

    (Reporting by Alexander VillegasEditing by Bernadette Baum)

    Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

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    Reuters

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  • Mozambique President Cancels Davos Trip Due to Severe Floods

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    MAPUTO, Jan 19 (Reuters) – Mozambique’s President ‌Daniel ​Chapo has cancelled ‌his trip to the World Economic Forum ​in Davos this week due to severe floods that have ‍damaged infrastructure and affected ​hundreds of thousands of people in the ​Southern African ⁠country.

    Chapo wrote in a post on Facebook late on Sunday that Mozambique “is going through a tough time … (and) the absolute priority at this moment is to save lives”.

    Heavy ‌rains since mid-December have caused widespread floods in Mozambique’s ​Gaza, ‌Maputo and Sofala provinces, ‍with ⁠several river basins above alert levels, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report on Sunday.

    The OCHA report said authorities estimated that more than 400,000 people had been affected, with numbers expected ​to rise as rains continue.

    Neighbouring South Africa has deployed an air force helicopter to Mozambique to help with search-and-rescue efforts.

    Heavy rains have also affected parts of South Africa, including the northeast where its renowned Kruger National Park is located. On Monday Kruger reopened to day visitors after being closed for several days.

    Flooding has become more frequent ​and severe in southeastern Africa as climate change makes storms in the adjacent Indian Ocean more powerful.

    (Reporting by Custodio Cossa; Additional reporting by Wendell ​Roelf in Cape Town; Writing by Alexander Winning; Editing by Michael Perry)

    Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

    Photos You Should See – January 2026

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    Reuters

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  • People build nest boxes for declining owl population

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The smallest owl in Florida is becoming more rare.

    Experts in Pinellas County said the Eastern Screech Owl’s population has been declining in the southeastern U.S. over the last ten years. 

    There are efforts to help the bird rebound in Pinellas County.

    What You Need To Know

    • The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural extension in Pinellas County hosted a nest box building for Eastern Screech Owls

    • A natural resources agent said that the Eastern Screech Owl’s population has declined by 16% in the southeastern U.S. over the last ten years
    • The hope is the artifical habitats will help the population rebound

    • In 2025 , the extension distributed nearly 100 nest boxes over four different species


    The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Extension in Pinellas County is hosting nest box building events before the owl’s breeding season starts.

    Andrea Kiernan attended a nest box building event in January.

    “I love my birds, and the screech owls are absolutely adorable and anything we can help to give them a nest and let them have babies that’s what we’re going to do,” Andrea Kiernan said.

    Over the last ten years, the UF IFAS extension in Pinellas County said the Eastern Screech Owl’s population has declined by about 16% in the southeastern U.S.. 

    Natural resources agent Lara Milligan said that habitat loss is to blame. 

    “Just the cutting down of our natural areas. As we’re cutting down trees, we’re not only destroying their homes, but also their food chain, food supply and all the animals that they depend on to feed on and thrive and survive,” said Lara Milligan Natural Resources Agent, UF IFAS Extension Pinellas County.

    At their latest event, they distributed 19 boxes that will serve as artificial habitats. 

    “By providing these houses, hopefully they’ll be attracted to them and say, ‘Hey, like this is suitable habitat for me,’ raise their young there and help their populations to rebound,” Milligan said.

    A few screws later, Kiernan is all done. She plans to put the nest box in a tree in her backyard. 

    “They usually sit with their heads sticking out and sun themselves during the day. It’s pretty cool,” Kiernan said.

    Last year, the extension distributed nearly 100 nest boxes over four different species. 

    The UF IFAS Extension in Pinellas County will host another nest building event

    It’ll be at Brooker Creek Preserve on Feb. 21, 2026.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • New Gulfport environmental team begins taking tree inventory

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    GULFPORT, Fla. — The City of Gulfport launched its new environmental team Saturday.

    Its first mission is to take an inventory of the city’s trees after 2024’s storms.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Gulfport Environmental Team has launched

    • The team is doing an inventory of trees in the city

    • The city had set out to grow its tree canopy to 30%. The vice mayor estimates they are at around 20% after the 2024 hurricane season

    • They will use the data to come up with tree-planting plans


    The initial team of about a dozen people collected data about tree species, size, condition and location outside the Gulfport Community Center.

    The goal is to learn about the city’s tree canopy and biodiversity. 

    Terrence Lee was at the inaugural event.

    “It’s an easy way to volunteer, and it gets you out and about during the day,” Lee said.

    The city’s tree coverage was at around 23%, but then hurricanes Helene and Milton barreled in.

    While it is starting with trees, the team plans to tackle other environmental goals in the future. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Tyler O’Neill)

    “We lost a lot of trees, and we haven’t found out how many yet, but probably we’re down about 19 or 20% canopy now,” said April Thanos, vice mayor of the City of Gulfport.

    Prior to the 2024 storms, the city had set out to grow its tree canopy to 30%.

    Dean Hay, a founding member of the environmental team, said that trees have many benefits, from shade to air quality and even drainage. 

    “They help with stormwater infiltration,” he said. “They actually lower the ground water, so that when we receive more rainwater from our rain events, then there’s more room to store that water underground so that we don’t have such high water tables and flooding.”

    The team is doing an inventory of trees in the city. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Tyler O'Neill)

    The team is doing an inventory of trees in the city. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Tyler O’Neill)

    Once team members get enough data, they will start coming up with mid- and long-range plans to plant trees across the city. That’s Lee’s favorite part. 

    “I know how to do it, and I know how to do it well. If and when it comes to that, I’m definitely going to be there to help plant trees,” Lee said.

    While it is starting with trees, the team plans to tackle other environmental goals in the future.

    Gulfport will have a free tree giveaway on Feb. 21, 2026.

    City residents can pick up a tree from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Clymer Park.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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