Your Environment Update Archives

An Indigenous scientist wants us to look at conservation differently

Kara HolsoppleAugust 16, 2024

Jessica Hernandez says Indigenous science and knowledge can make conservation more holistic and help us solve our toughest environmental problems.

ConservationCultureYour Environment Update

A woman in a red hard hat and orange vest smiles through a large frame decorated with multi-colored pieces of plastic.

A Pittsburgh-area teacher finds plastic and inspiration on a Lake Erie research expedition

Kara HolsoppleAugust 9, 2024

After a week-long expedition, 5th-grade Franklin Regional teacher Brienne May says she's better equipped to teach real-world science: "To see how questions are asked, how data is analyzed...and how obstacles are overcome."

PollutionWaterYour Environment Update

A small turtle on yellow lines in the middle of a road

A new report recommends ways to keep Pennsylvania wildlife and drivers safe

Kara HolsoppleAugust 2, 2024

Wildlife corridors connect species with habitat and prevent vehicle collisions. Corridors can be anything from culverts or bridges to a series of connected land.

Climate ChangeConservationWild PennsylvaniaWildlifeYour Environment Update

A new report says the promises of the plastic recycling industry don’t pan out for communities

Kara HolsoppleJuly 19, 2024

The Ohio River Valley Institute’s report concludes chemical, or advanced recycling won’t solve the plastic pollution problem or create sustainable jobs.

EconomyEnergyYour Environment Update

A grey puff of smoke come sout of a dark smokestack

How the Supreme Court’s ‘Good Neighbor’ ruling could impact air quality in Pennsylvania

Kara HolsoppleJuly 11, 2024

The court temporarily blocked an EPA rule to reduce cross-state pollution until a challenge to the rule plays out in federal court.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

A woman in a blue shirt standing in a school auditorium talking with three women

5 takeaways from the NTSB investigation of Ohio train derailment

Julie GrantJune 27, 2024

The National Transportation Safety Board approved the findings of its investigation into a train derailment in East Palestine that released toxic chemicals into the community.

East PalestineTransportationYour Environment Update

a giant daddy long legs sculpture made of wood set against green trees

“Big Bugs” land at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Kara HolsoppleJune 26, 2024

The large-scale scultures of David Rogers' Big Bugs + Pollinators highlight the ecological importance of insects and pollinators.

ConservationCultureDesignWild PennsylvaniaWildlifeYour Environment Update

A downtown street is flooded with water and a silver truck is parked on a sidewalk

How one Ohio town is preparing for a future of floods

The Ohio NewsroomJune 12, 2024

The river has flooded in Shelby, Ohio numerous times in the town's history. Now there's a grassroots effort to stop it and prevent damage.

Climate ChangeYour Environment Update

People stand around a man in a plaid shirt at a public meeting

There is something wrong under New Freeport

PublicSourceJune 12, 2024

After the 2022 frack out, residents report rashes, foul water and a problem that may be growing bigger. EQT denies responsibility. Documents and videos reveal undisclosed details.

EnergyHealthPollutionYour Environment Update

A road lined with green trees is wet with oil and gas wastewater

Former DEP secretary wants spreading conventional oil and gas wastewater on roads to remain illegal

Kara HolsoppleJune 7, 2024

State regulators haven't issued a permit for conventional oil and gas well owners to dump wastewater on roads for years, but it still happens.

EnergyPollutionWaterYour Environment Update

Full Episodes

Episode for January 24, 2025

Episode for January 17, 2025

Episode for January 10, 2025

2024 Election

What Pennsylvania voters say about the environment

Longtime environmental official on Pennsylvania election results: People will need to be ‘as tenacious as the industry’

What can we expect from a Trump administration? Our reporters weigh in.

Your Environment Update