In Stanislaus County, most tested private wells exceed safe limits for nitrate and other toxins. With little regulation, rural families rely on bottled water as long-term fixes lag.
Environment & Climate
Climate change is projected to make such events more common, but in the so-called "air-conditioned city," those without access to cooled air are most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
Federal funding is only guaranteed through 2027, and without action by the Minnesota Legislature, state funding will run out this year.
Arizona Democrats are again proposing bills focused on heat safety in workplaces, but face GOP resistance.
Phoenix strengthened its heat ordinance, adding anti-retaliation protections, enforcement authority, and penalties for contractors violating worker safety rules.
Nitrogen pollution from agricultural fertilizer contaminates the water for over 14,000 people in the Salinas Valley.
The first studies of last year’s fires have revealed some unexpected hazards of urban mega-fires.
Across hundreds of Alaskan communities, public schools are often the safest buildings where people can take shelter during disasters. After decades of state neglect, however, some have become emergencies themselves.
The Dispatch and the Columbus Metropolitan Library have launched a partnership that allows central Ohioans to test their homes for radon for free.
The Dispatch’s “Invisible Killer” investigation finds radon exposure widespread in Ohio, with low awareness, weak protections for kids and renters, inconsistent testing, and major gaps in screening and policy.