Umair Irfan is a freelance science reporter based in Washington, D.C.
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New York poised to roll back progressive climate mandates
Mandates issued in 2019 required New York to cut emissions by 40% by 2030. Governor Hochul is moving to soften the goals, citing rising costs.
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The Human Obsession With Aliens Goes Way, Way Back
A new book charts the millennia-old history of our fascination with aliens, and how myth transformed into research.
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12:20
Alaska Issues Its First-Ever Heat Advisory
The National Weather Service issued the heat advisory earlier this week, with temperatures in central Alaska climbing to the mid-80s.
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10:55
The Department Of Health And Human Services Cuts 10,000 Jobs
The cuts hit multiple agencies, affecting work on HIV, gun violence prevention, vaccines, minority health research, and more.
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12:15
10% Of NOAA Staff Laid Off, With More Cuts Possible
Layoffs at the agency, which releases weather forecasts and monitors extreme weather, could have serious implications.
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11:04
Los Angeles Wildfires Burn For Days, Stoked By Santa Ana Winds
Several different fires are causing extreme damage in the Los Angeles area. Strong Santa Ana winds are one factor behind their rapid spread.
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11:59
At COP29, The World’s Top Polluters Are No-Shows
Leaders from the top-polluting countries, like the US and China, aren’t showing up to the UN’s big climate conference in Azerbaijan.
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11:25
Hurricane Helene’s Damage Could Affect The Global Tech Industry
The storm flooded mines in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, which supply the tech industry with some of the purest quartz in the world.
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12:15
Yes, It’s Hot. But How Hot?
Researchers say the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is a better indicator of heat stress.
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12:01
10 Years Later, Flint’s Water Crisis Still Isn’t Over
While progress has been made, many residents say they still don’t know if their tap water is clean or not.