Podcasts about Clean Water Act

This week Joey and Cal are dreaming up the things they would change if we were solely focused on bird production and hunting success across the United States and Canada. We discuss the changes the EPA has made in rollbacks to the Clean Water Act and how it might affect bird populations and hunting. If we keep letting little things like this go, eventually there might not be duck hunting. Carter cooks up a new game for us to play called What the Duck and you're going to want to watch that section on our podcast YouTube channel if you plan on playing along. Thanks so much for listening and be sure to subscribe and review!   New Waterfowl Film out now! Out West | Waterfowl Hunting in Montana Stay comfortable, dry and warm: First Lite (Code MWF20) Go to OnXHunt to be better prepared for your hunt: OnX Learn more about better ammo: Migra Ammunitions Weatherby Sorix: Weatherby Support Conservation: DU (Code: Flyways) Stop saying "Huh?" with better hearing protection: Soundgear Live Free: Turtlebox Add motion to your spread: Flashback Better Merch: /SHOP

0000019c-933a-ddf2-a59f-df7fd8030000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/good-morning-from-wvik-news/2026-02-24/epa-considers-amending-clean-water-actRenata SagoEPA Considers Amending Clean Water Act341

The 15th annual Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Powwow is happening this Valentine's Day. Buffalo's Fire reports that organizers hope that the event goes fine, with participants and volunteers feeling safe and supported as the rawhide drum ushers in the Grand Entry. Tzapotl Flores (Salvi-Mexi Xicana) is a co-chair for the BAAITS powwow. She says, this year, the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is creating concerns. “We are developing very specific ICE protocols internally. We hear these forms of propaganda where Two Spirit people are ‘terrorists.' All of these different attacks on our community, but it's still going to happen. Because it is a tantamount important event that people need.” Another co-chair, Kat Warren, says the Trump administration has made things challenging for Two Spirits and the Native LGTBQ+ community. The president has rolled out executive orders that bans gender affirming care for youth, and defines gender as only male or female, determined at conception. “Y'know a lot of our folks are very concerned about the folks that are going to attend this powwow because we do bring in a lot of folks, and we want to make sure everyone is taken care and able to experience the medicine of the powwow. We see the struggles and we see the ongoing pressure of this administration and we are trying our best to be above it.” BAAITS is regarded as the largest Two Spirit powwow in North America, with non-gender contest dancing and flags representing Native LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit people. The North Fork of the Yellow River on July 17, 2025. (Photo: Danielle Kaeding / WPR) States and tribes would have less power to protect waterways under the Clean Water Act when reviewing energy and infrastructure projects. As Danielle Kaeding reports, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would limit their authority under a new rule. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the changes would protect water quality while ending “weaponization of the law” that has delayed or blocked projects. States and authorized tribes can review the effects of dams, bridges, and pipelines on wetlands and waterways under the Clean Water Act. The proposal would narrow water quality impacts they could consider. Nancy Stoner is an attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center. She says the rule would also remove a process that allows tribes to weigh in on federally regulated projects even if they haven't adopted their own programs to set water quality standards. “It puts a huge hurdle in front of tribes that they have to actually adopt a whole water quality standards program in order to look at a federally permitted activity, and what are the impacts on the waters, on the tribal waters.” Only about 15% of federally recognized tribes have received approval from the EPA to adopt their own programs for water quality standards. Franka Potente as Irene Vaggan in “Dark Winds” Season 4, Episode 3. (Photo: Michael Moriatis / AMC) This weekend sees the return of the AMC series “Dark Winds”. The award-winning detective series takes place in 1970s Navajo Country. Zahn McClarnon plays tribal police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, who finds himself stalked by a mysterious woman who carves a path of destruction across the reservation. Zahn McClarnon as Lt. Joe Leaphorn in “Dark Winds” Season 4, Episode 3. (Photo: Michael Moriatis / AMC) Franka Potente plays Irene Vaggan. She and McClarnon discuss their dynamic upon their first physical meeting in the season. “He's very vulnerable with no clothes on, half naked, but (Frank laughs) also vulnerable in his life and what he's going through psychologically and emotionally, with the possibility of losing his wife and searching for what the Diné people call ‘hozho’ y'know, the balance and stability in his life. And he's in search of that very much when he meets Irene for the first time. “I'm not connected to the earth anymore so she's very impressed and very enamored with what she's seeing, and she just wants to devour that.” “Dark Winds” premieres Sunday night on AMC. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Friday, February 13, 2026 – Indigenous Winter Olympians compete for gold in Italy

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Feb. 11, include: Gov. Jim Pillen announces partnership with Turning Point USA to create high school chapters statewide, proposed budget changes could shift youth populations at Nebraska's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers, lawmakers consider new specialty license plates, Lied Center for Performing Arts begins major renovation and expansion project, OSHA fines Horizon Biofuels nearly $148,000 after deadly explosion in Fremont, Nebraska cattle groups push back on expanded imports of Argentine beef, proposed federal Clean Water Act revision draws mixed reaction from farm and conservation groups.

WXPR News for 2-11-26

Annual 'Latino Day at the Legislature' takes serious tone amid ICE raids; City of Atlanta and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper settle Clean Water Act lawsuit; and the end of a 50-year era. Art Papers announces it will cease publication at the end of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in the GOP primary for governor. Senator Tammy Baldwin says Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should be fired following "chaos" caused be federal agents in Minneapolis. And, a new EPA rule would give Wisconsin and tribes in the state less power to protect waterways under the Clean Water Act.

On November 20th, 2025, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule to define what “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) means under the Clean Water Act. This is yet another effort to finally provide a durable WOTUS rule. Fortunately, the 2023 Supreme Court opinion in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency provided much-needed clarity for the agencies when determining what are regulable waters. Have the agencies developed a proposed rule that is consistent with Sackett? How have they defined key terms like “relatively permanent” and “continuous surface connection” and what wetlands would be regulated?The public comment period for this rule ended on January 5th, 2026, with a final rule likely to come out in the coming months. Please join our panel of experts as they detail what is in the rule, provide analysis and perspective on the rule, and explain what changes the agencies should make for any final rule.Featuring:Prof. Pat Parenteau, Professor of Law Emeritus, Vermont Law SchoolJohn Paul Woodley, Principal, Advantus Strategies, LLCDamien Schiff, Senior Attorney, Pacific Legal Foundation(Moderator) Daren Bakst, Director of the Center for Energy and Environment and Senior Fellow, Competitive Enterprise Institute

This week, we examine the nomination of Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and talk about why there is so much pushback from public land advocates Pearce has a history of advocating for the disposal of federal lands. In 2005, he pushed for initiatives to sell public land to mining companies and has argued that the federal government does not "need" the majority of its western land holdings. We also cover a few news highlights from the week including Secretarial Order No. 3447 to Expand Hunting and Fishing Access on Department of Interior lands, new regulations in Idaho concerning technology and hunting, proposed changes to the Clean Water Act and a Joint Resolution that threatens the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final part of a series on the Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule, Courtney Briggs from the American Farm Bureau Federation explains the importance of defining two key terms: relatively permanent waters and continuous surface connection.

The conversation is part of a series on the Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule updates. Courtney Briggs from the American Farm Bureau Federation discusses a proposed rule by the EPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers that aims to align with Supreme Court decisions on WOTUS.

Photo: An aerial view of the Verde River. (Gabriel Pietrorazio / KJZZ) Monday is the deadline for the public to weigh in on a potential rule change by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that could impact which water bodies may be protected from pollution. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, tribes are among those asking for a 30-day extension to comment. The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) guides which resources fall under the federal Clean Water Act, but as written, the EPA rule would narrow the law's enforcement with estimates suggesting that 80% of the nation's wetlands could be at risk. Daniel Cordalis (Diné) runs the nonprofit Tribal Water Institute. “I think it's a big picture concern for everyone really. I think most tribes who want clean water – or the ability to make sure that water is usable, are probably going to write in opposition to kind of what the rule stands for.” While tribes can regulate waters on their reservations, they lack jurisdiction elsewhere. “Tribes can't look to the EPA anymore. And arguably, there's a duty on the federal government to protect these tribal resources, but who's going to do that?” Some states are stepping up, like Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Trevor Baggiore is the water quality division director at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. “We're coordinating with our neighbors, tribes or states or country on our southern border, to make sure that we each know what each other is doing. Hopefully, this new rule will add some clarity, as long as they are able to provide scientific tools to help us determine what's regulated and what's not.” Groups including the National Tribal Water Council, Association of Clean Water Administrators, and Environmental Council of the States are all asking for a 30-day extension to reply. Principal Brian Brown leads morning announcements as a part of his daily routine on December 17, 2025, at Norris Elementary School in Norris, S.D. (Photo: Meghan O'Brien / South Dakota Searchlight) Attendance at a school near the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations has nearly doubled in the past three years. School leaders say they are engaging one-on-one with students and families. They also are implementing Lakota language and cultural programming. South Dakota Searchlight's Meghan O'Brien reports. “I've been waiting all morning for you…” This is a typical morning at Norris Elementary, where most of the students are Native American. Principal Brian Brown walks the halls on December 17, 2025, and discusses a sign that celebrates Norris Elementary's attendance rate. (Photo: Meghan O'Brien / South Dakota Searchlight) Principal Brian Brown greets students and staff at the cafeteria tables as breakfast is served. Brown also asks teachers who is missing. It's a way of getting ahead of the problem, he says. When students are not at school, he makes phone calls and home visits. Just three years ago, barely half the students came to school regularly. Now, the school's attendance rate is above 90%. That is higher than the state average. It's a source of pride for Brown, who took over as principal in 2022. “I was very happy. I was very pleased, but more proud of the kids and the parents for their support and believing in Norris.” The leader of South Dakota's Education Department sees the success at Norris. The leadership and cultural engagement are important parts of that, says Joseph Graves. “So, now we want to see what kind of results this produces. We have the attendance. We have the drops in chronic absenteeism. Now we want to see what’s gonna happen with those proficiency rates and the graduation rates.” The school is on a gravel road about a half-hour from other schools in the White River School District. Its isolation makes it difficult to hire and recruit teachers. In a small community, it takes everyone to keep students involved, Brown says. Some teachers have multiple grade levels in one classroom. The school's head custodian and office administrator are also bus drivers. Brown steps in at lunchtime to help serve food. He also finds ways to make Lakota culture and language an important part of every student's day. Students sing every morning. Brown teaches Lakota studies to each grade once a week, and started the school's first drum group: the Black Pipe Singers. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts.

The conversation discusses the Waters of the US (WOTUS) regulation under the Clean Water Act, highlighting its complex history and lack of clear definition, leading to decades of debate over federal regulatory reach

The US Environmental Protection Agency heard testimony in Pittsburgh last week regarding proposed changes to the Clean Water Act. The Trump administration has proposed limiting which waterways can receive federal protection. Pennsylvania is joining a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the rideshare app of deceptive and unfair practices related to its subscription service. A former Lancaster County police officer was sentenced to up to 57 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting three girls in the 1990s. Andrew Scott Selby received the sentencing from a Chester County judge after Lancaster County judges recused themselves to avoid a potential conflict since Selby is a former officer. Hundreds of rapes in the State College area went unreported in public police data for nearly a decade. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is co-leading a bipartisan coalition of 35 Attorneys General who want Meta to stop promoting misleading weight-loss advertising. Cumberland County officials have revealed and installed its America 250 bell, part of the statewide "Bells Across PA" initiative. A 14-year-old Schuylkill County girl will sing the national anthem to kick off the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show. And a deeper dive: The Trump Administration plans to weaken the Endangered Species Act, and that could impact the fate of an ancient creature that lives in Pennsylvania-the eastern hellbender salamander. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's our end-of-year membership drive! Become a member today. Our nonprofit newsroom is powered by our members. Now through December 31st, every donation up to $1,000 will be matched. One-time donations will be doubled and monthly donations matched 12 times. Another $1,000 will be unlocked if we gain 50 new members at any amount. Donate today.  Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203.  And thanks!  On this week's show: How nature-based learning inspires human creativity. Pennsylvania is among the states suing the Trump administration over funding for electric vehicle chargers. We head out into the wilds of Pennsylvania with the people who keep an eye on the state's bears. We speak with the author of a collection of stories where bears are recurring characters. The US Environmental Protection Agency heard testimony in Pittsburgh about proposed changes to the Clean Water Act. A controversial data center has the green light to move forward with construction at the site of a former coal-fired power plant in Allegheny County. Three Mile Island is at the center of the Trump administration's push for new nuclear energy projects to power the ongoing race to advance artificial intelligence.   Sign up for our newsletter! Get our newsletter every Tuesday morning so you'll never miss an environmental story. 

Subscribe to receive transcripts by email. Read along with this episode.For 15 years, the Dallas-based climate conference the EarthX conference has created space where fossil fuel executives and environmental activists, Republican appropriations chairs and Democratic climate hawks, find common ground. The organization targets three core stakeholders: the corporate world, policymakers, and investors seeking startups where environmental solutions are baked into the bottom line. Peter Simek, EarthX's CEO, explains how reframing climate action around shared values—stewardship, economic opportunity, and love of the land—unlocks support that crisis messaging alone cannot reach.The doom story doesn't sell, Simek explained. “We're not motivated as a species by doomsday language. It puts people in fight-or-flight mode.” He points out how climate became an identity issue, tangled up in culture-war debates over hamburgers and gas-powered trucks, when the real conversation should center on clean air, clean water, and protecting the places we love. “The EPA and the Clean Air and Clean Water Act were passed during the Nixon administration,” he notes. “There are ways to message this that appeals across lines.”Simek bets heavily on bottom-up action as EarthX works to build bridges. States, cities, and private capital often move faster than federal mandates, he argues, and they're harder to reverse with a single executive order. Texas leads the nation in renewable energy deployment because wind and solar make bottom-line sense. “Even as there's a policy turn against it, there's still the driving reality that solar and wind are viable energy sources,” he says. A new event in 2026, the EarthX Institute, will focus on two policy priorities: nuclear energy, where bipartisan consensus is growing, and urban biodiversity.Whether conversations at forums like EarthX translate into policy velocity that matches the pace of climate impacts remains to be seen. Simek says he stays focused on tracking downstream results, specifically the investments funded, the coalitions built, and the policies incubated from the local level up. “It's about finding those ways in which there's common sense, common ground, common values,” he says. “Elements to talking about nature and the environment that no one can really disagree with.”Learn more about EarthX and its upcoming April 2026 conference at earthx.org.Subscribe to Sustainability In Your Ear on iTunesFollow Sustainability In Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube

Paiute and Shoshone tribes in California’s Owens Valley are facing a shortage of water—an issue that spans decades, but is now exacerbated by climate change. The city of Los Angeles, more than 200 miles away, is guzzling one-third of the groundwater in the region. The city’s diversion of water from the valley began in 1913. L.A. drained Owens Lake dry within a decade. The land, once lush with springs and streams, is now a parched landscape that hinders tribes' access to culture and economic development. Also, we’ll hear about how a proposed weakening of federal protections for the majority of the country’s wetlands could affect tribes. Tribes manage millions of acres of wetlands. The Trump administration seeks to limit the EPA’s authority on how it regulates pollution under the Clean Water Act. Scaling back those protections has potential consequences for much of the country’s sources of clean drinking water. GUESTS Daniel Cordalis (Diné), staff attorney with Native American Rights Fund and leads the Tribal Water Institute Teri Red Owl (Bishop Paiute), executive director of the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission Break 1 Music: The Four Essential Elements [Diigo Bee'iináanii] (song) Radmilla Cody (artist) K'é Hasin (album) Break 2 Music: She Raised Us (song) Joanne Shenandoah (artist) LifeGivers (album)

Paiute and Shoshone tribes in California’s Owens Valley are facing a shortage of water — an issue that spans decades, but is now exacerbated by climate change. The city of Los Angeles, more than 200 miles away, is guzzling one-third of the groundwater in the region. The city’s diversion of water from the valley began in 1913. L.A. drained Owens Lake dry within a decade. The land, once lush with springs and streams, is now a parched landscape that hinders tribes' access to culture and economic development. Also, we’ll hear about how a proposed weakening of federal protections for the majority of the country’s wetlands could affect tribes. Tribes manage millions of acres of wetlands. The Trump administration seeks to limit the EPA’s authority on how it regulates pollution under the Clean Water Act. Scaling back those protections has potential consequences for much of the country’s sources of clean drinking water. GUESTS Daniel Cordalis (Diné), staff attorney with Native American Rights Fund and leads the Tribal Water Institute Teri Red Owl (Bishop Paiute), executive director of the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission Break 1 Music: The Four Essential Elements [Diigo Bee'iináanii] (song) Radmilla Cody (artist) K'é Hasin (album) Break 2 Music: She Raised Us (song) Joanne Shenandoah (artist) LifeGivers (album)

Water is at the heart of America's national parks, yet many of these rivers, lakes, coasts, and wetlands are under growing stress from pollution, climate impacts, and decisions made outside park boundaries. In this episode from the Reservoir Center in Washington, D.C., Ed Stierli of the National Parks Conservation Association explains how his organization serves as the independent voice for 433 national park sites, backed by nearly 2 million members. He breaks down why more than half of waterways in national parks remain impaired, connecting the dots between upstream land use, aging infrastructure, and weakened protections that shape water quality. Stierli highlights how bedrock laws like the Clean Water Act and modern restoration programs have helped bring back iconic species and improve water conditions, while warning that political rollbacks could erode decades of progress. He also points to large-scale, watershed-based collaborations—uniting federal agencies, states, local governments, and nonprofits—to restore wetlands, rebuild natural buffers, and invest in resilient infrastructure. Throughout, Stierli stresses the power of public engagement and broad coalitions to secure funding, defend protections, and keep national parks functioning as living classrooms where people can experience and learn from healthy waters.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

On today's newscast: The Trump administration is planning to roll back a Biden-era rule that helped make sure oil and gas companies clean up their well sites; catastrophic wildfires that destroy neighborhoods are destabilizing insurance markets; and the federal government is limiting which bodies of water are eligible for protection under the Clean Water Act. Tune in for these stories and more.

Georgia immigration judges granted only four percent of asylum cases in fiscal year 2025; Dekalb County is heading toward mediation in a federal Clean Water Act lawsuit; on WABE Arts Atlanta’s holiday stages are alive, from the Alliance Theater's "A Christmas Carol" to Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s “Nutcracker Suite.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen

This week's Climate Check adds to a string of stories we never thought we'd see in this nation again. The Clean Water Act of 1972 is landmark legislation that helped un-do generations of pollution. Now, the Trump administration wants to restrict how the Environmental Protection Agency can limit pollution dumped into wetlands. It's a victory for industry and developers — and a real threat to everyone who believes in clean drinking water. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Get more from Pat and UpNorthNews on their website and follow them on X, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast lineup. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guests: Melissa Baldauff, Earl Ingram

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe EU and many other countries are not getting free money, they were dependent on the money, now with their policies their economies are declining. ADP shows that employment is on a rebound. Trump has inflation under control, and a 150 years of data proves that he was right again, the [CB] mislead the public. The [DS] is in trouble, Trump & Elon set them up, remember when Elon said Trump was in the Epstein files. Now the D's and the fake news do not know how to get out of this and Trump has called for an investigation. The gloves are off. Trump is sending a clear message to the [DS], everything you put into place is now being reversed. The people are taking back control, Tariffs are more important than anyone realizes.   Economy EU cuts economic growth forecast for 2026 The European Commission has cut its forecast for the bloc's economic growth in 2026 amid risks posed by US tariffs and geopolitical tensions. In its twice-yearly outlook released on Monday, the European Commission said it expects the eurozone to grow by 1.2% next year, down from 1.4%, and the broader EU to grow by 1.4% instead of 1.5%. It added that the downgrade reflects higher-than-expected US tariffs on EU exports and uncertainty over possible further US moves.   Source: rt.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); ADP Employment Report Signals Rebound In Labor Market; Claims Confirm Resilience  For the four weeks ending Oct. 31, 2025, private employers shed an average of 2,500 jobs a week, according to ADP's new weekly employment report update, suggesting that the labor market improved significantly in the last week (from an 11,250 average drop during the prior week). Extrapolating with some simple math that implies a monthly drop of 10,000 jobs... While job growth is admittedly sluggish, ADP reports that new hires are on the upswing: In October, new hires accounted for 4.4 percent of all employees, ADP payroll data shows, up from 3.9 percent a year ago. This growing share of new hires would seem to run counter to the slowed pace of hiring. That contradiction tells us a lot about today's jobs market.   New hires typically fluctuates with the business cycle, but the aging U.S. workforce means that demographics have begun playing a bigger role in hiring decisions.    Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/epaleezeldin/status/1990539413550420062?s=20  Under the Clean Water Act of 1972, the federal government regulates pollution and activities in certain bodies of water to protect water quality. WOTUS defines which waters fall under this federal jurisdiction—things like rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. The definition has been contentious for decades because a broader one means more federal oversight (e.g., requiring permits for development, farming, or industrial activities near those waters), while a narrower one shifts more control to states and reduces regulations on private land use. What is the Sackett decision?In the 2023 Supreme Court case Sackett v. EPA, the Court (in a 5-4 ruling) significantly limited the EPA's authority by narrowing WOTUS to include only "relatively permanent" bodies of water with a "continuous surfac...

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   In this episode, Justin interviews Julia Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute, about her career, background, lifelong interest in agriculture and food, and how she joined the Meat Institute following a career in environmental law. The discussion covers the role of the Meat Institute in the food supply chain and how it serves member companies and the food industry in general, through its food safety best practices and a free online course, "The Foundations of Listeria Control." Julia reveals the Protein PACT initiative and explains how food safety relates to risk management with their shared values. She tells how meat processors are good community members. Listen for advice on the culture of safety and how it starts at the very top of the organization.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About RIMS and RIMScast. [:17] About this episode of RIMScast. We will be joined by Julia Anna Potts, the CEO of the Meat Institute. We'll discuss food safety and education, and risk frameworks that the Institute uses to ensure that our food and supply chains are clean. But first… [:47] The next RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep with AFERM will be held on December 3rd and 4th. The next RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep with PARIMA will be held on December 4th and 5th. These are virtual courses. [1:03] Links to these courses can be found through the Certifications page of RIMS.org and through this episode's show notes. [1:11] RIMS Virtual Workshops! On November 19th and 20th, Ken Baker will lead the two-day course, "Applying and Integrating ERM." [1:24] "Managing Data for ERM" will be led again by Pat Saporito. That session will start on December 11th. Registration closes on December 10th. RIMS members always enjoy deep discounts on the virtual workshops. [1:40] The full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode's notes. [1:52] This episode is released on November 18th, 2025, Day Two of the RIMS ERM Conference in Seattle, Washington. We've covered a lot of ERM ground in the last few episodes. For more ERM, click the link to the RIMS ERM Special Edition of Risk Management magazine in the notes. [2:18] RIMScast ERM coverage is linked as well. Enhance your ERM knowledge with RIMS! [2:24] On with the show! Our guest is Julie Anna Potts. She is the President and CEO of the Meat Institute. She leads the Institute in implementing programs and activities for the association. [2:38] She is an agricultural veteran, previously serving the American Farm Bureau Federation as its Executive Vice President. [2:47] With Thanksgiving coming up next week in the U.S., I thought this would be a great time on RIMScast to talk about food safety, food production, and what another not-for-profit is doing to ensure the safety of our products and the speed and efficiency of our supply chain. [3:07] We're going to have a lot of fun and talk turkey, so let's get to it! [3:12] Interview! Julie Anna Potts, welcome to RIMScast! [3:27] Julie Anna Potts and RIMS CEO, Gary LaBranche, are both part of the Committee of 100 with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. They get together with other association heads across industries. Julie Anna says it is very valuable. [3:44] Julie Anna and Gary were talking in the summer about food safety and about what the Meat Institute does, and Gary invited her to be on RIMScast. [3:57] Justin notes that it is the week before Thanksgiving in the U.S. Juliana says they are doing so much in Washington now, and food safety is always top-of-mind around the holidays. There are lots of turkeys and turkey products being sold in the United States. [4:45] Julie Anna says turkey is cultural for Thanksgiving, and poultry, and how you cook it and handle it in the kitchen is incredibly important for food safety. [5:01] Justin asks, Is fish meat? Julianna says fish is protein, but we don't classify it as meat or poultry. Justin wants to keep the argument going with his family at Thanksgiving. [5:31] Julie Anna says they have lots of arguments around the Meat Institute, like whether ketchup belongs on hot dogs. Julie Anna says the answer to that is no. [5:41] Julie Anna has been at the Meat Institute for a little over seven years. She came in as President and CEO. She has been in Washington for most of her career, since undergrad. She graduated from law school in D.C. and worked at a firm. [5:59] Julie Anna has been in agriculture, representing farmers for years. She went to the Senate as Chief Counsel of the Senate Agriculture Committee. She has been at the Meat Institute for the last seven years. [6:19] Food and agriculture have been central to Julie Anna's career and also to her family life. Her husband grew up on a farm. Julie Anna is two generations off the farm. [6:32] They love to cook, dine out, and eat with their children; all the things you do around the holidays, and gather around the Thanksgiving table. They have passed to one of their three children their love of food traditions. She's their little foodie. [6:52] Julie Anna has a career and a personal life that is centered around food. [7:11] The Meat Institute members are the companies that slaughter animals and do further processing of meat. They are in the supply chain between livestock producers and retail and food service customers. [7:35] To be a general member of the Meat Institute, you have to have a Grant of Inspection from the Food Safety Inspection Service of the USDA. The Federal Grant of Inspection is a requirement to be able to operate and to sell into the market. [7:56] When we look at the capacity we have at the USDA, in the last several months, we're not seeing a decline in capacity, but more emphasis on our Food Safety Inspection Service. [8:18] Through DOGE, voluntary retirements, through additional resources coming in with the One Big Beautiful Bill, and through recruiting, the Meat Institute is seeing its member companies have staffing, even through this government shutdown. They're considered essential, as always.  [8:54] The Meat Institute was established in 1906 for the purpose of addressing food safety and industry issues. Those are Jobs One, Two, and Three, every day. The Meat Institute has all kinds of education it offers to its members. [9:15] The members of the Meat Institute have strong food safety programs. They have HASSA Plans and third-party audits. The Meat Institute helps any member company of any size, from 25 employees to global companies, with education on, for example, Listeria training.   [9:53] The Meat Institute has just launched an online platform that has had great uptake. If you have associates in your business who have never had food safety training, for all levels of folks, there is online, free, and freely available training on how to deal with Listeria. [10:19] All the Meat Institute member companies have significant Food Safety staffing and Food Safety Quality Assurance Programs. Julie Anna praises the people throughout the industry who work in Food Safety for their companies. It's a life-or-death matter. [10:45] Food Safety staff are always seeking to become better, so the Meat Institute has a Food Safety Conference and Advanced Listeria Training (an in-person module). They interface with the regulators, who are partners with the Meat Institute in this.  [11:14] The Meat Institute is always striving for better Best Management Practices across everyone's programs, which are never just the minimum. A philosophy of doing just what is compliant does not get you into the best space. [11:36] The Meat Institute is here to encourage Best in Class, always. Food Safety is non-competitive in the Meat Institute. Everyone across the different-sized companies, from 25 employees to 100,000, can feel comfortable sharing what's working for them. [12:06] That is important when it comes to conferences and other things they do. Let's be candid with each other, because nobody can get better if you're not. [12:17] The Meat Institute has seen cultural issues where CEOs don't think about Food Safety and Quality Assurance because they have great people taking care of it. That's true a lot of the time, until it isn't. [12:42] The tone that needs to be set at the very top of the organization is that this is hugely important for risk management. Hugely important for your brand and your ability to operate. [12:56] The Meat Institute board asked, if we are pushing culture down through the organization, what kinds of questions do I need to ask, not just my Food Safety Team, but everyone, and demonstrating my knowledge, understanding, and commitment to governance of this big risk? [13:31] The Meat Institute created a template of a set of questionnaires for executives. It is a C-Suite document and documentation. [13:47] It's a voluntary questionnaire for a CEO, regardless of company size, indicating that you understand how important this is in ensuring that everything that you push down through your organization, culturally, is focused on Food Safety. [14:05] The link to the Listeria Safety Platform is in this episode's show notes. [14:11] Justin says the structure of the Meat Institute is very similar to the structure of RIMS, with open communications and knowledge-sharing, or else the industry does not grow or improve. [14:27] Justin says it sounds like the industry executives are stepping up their game amid the tumult coming out of Washington. Julie Anna agrees. [14:47] Julie Anna says the Meat Institute has been driving that progress. It is incredibly important. Julie Anna thinks that in a lot of industries, there is a pull and tug between the companies and regulators. [15:07] In the case of meat and poultry inspection and what the Meat Institute does with FSIS, it is a collaboration. The inspectors verify for consumers what the companies are doing to keep food safe. [15:28] It is up to the company to decide how it is going to do this effectively and successfully and get better at it. [15:41] Numerous third parties do audits and help customers across the supply chain, but the responsibility rests with the companies. [15:59] The Meat Institute staff has highly technical people who come out of academia, out of the plant, having done FSQA, Legal, and safety regulations. There are folks who have been in inspection in the government at FSIS. [16:29] The Meat Institute has several staff whose job it is to stay on top of the latest improvements and ensure that everybody knows what those are, and in dialogue with our FSIS inspection leadership here in Washington, D.C. [16:46] The Meat Institute looks to FSIS to make sure that consumer confidence is there. It does nothing for our industry if consumers think that FSIS isn't being an effective regulator. [17:11] The Meat Institute companies have to be the ones that do more than the bare minimum to ensure they're doing the best they can. The Meat Institute's philosophy is always to push further and further. [17:25] There is an expense associated with that. The Meat Institute does its best to help manage that risk for its companies by giving them everything they need to be the best that they can be. [17:40] The Meat Institute has 36 employees. They are very transparent in the Food Safety world. They want non-members to take advantage of all their resources in Food Safety. A lot of the things they offer on education and regulations can be accessed without being a member. [18:14] The Meat Institute has recently joined an alliance to stop food-borne illness and is looking to get more engaged in that organization. That's across several segments, not just meat and poultry. [18:35] The Meat Institute has committed and re-committed over the years to the efforts it makes with its companies. The Meat Institute looks for its companies to be leaders in the Food Safety space. [18:53] Quick Break! The RIMS CRO Certificate Program in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management is our live virtual program led by the famous James Lam. Great news! A third cohort has been announced, from January through March 2026! [19:14] Registration closes January 5th. Enroll now. A link is in this episode's show notes. [19:22] Save the dates March 18th and 19th, 2026, for The RIMS Legislative Summit, which will be held in Washington, D.C. [19:31] Join us in Washington, D.C., for two days of Congressional Meetings, networking, and advocating on behalf of the risk management community. Visit RIMS.org/Advocacy for more information and updates and to register. [19:45] We've got more plugs later. Let's return to our interview with Meat Institute CEO Julie Anna Potts! [19:56] Julie Anna says a lot of our companies are also regulated by the FDA because they do further processing. For example, pizzas with pepperoni, or any number of mixed products that have both FDA and USDA regulatory personnel on site. [20:20] FSIS is, by far, more present and more in tune with what member companies are doing than the inspectors at the FDA. [20:30] Justin asks if restaurants can be members of the Meat Institute. There is a segment of membership called Allied Members, which includes restaurants and grocery stores. If they are not processors, but they are procuring meat and poultry for sale, they are in the meat industry. [21:09] The Meat Institute has had a great deal of interaction on many issues with its retail and food service customers. [21:25] Shortly after she joined the Meat Institute, Julie Anna was handed a mandate from the board to be proactive and lean in on the things consumers are interested in with an initiative to continue to maintain or rebuild trust. [21:48] These are things like food safety, animal welfare, environmental impact, and worker safety. They call this initiative Protein PACT (People, Animals, and the Climate of Tomorrow). Food Safety is front and center in Protein PACT. [22:13] The Meat Institute has a way of focusing its efforts through this lens of improvement in five areas that work together to reassure consumers. When they know that you're working on all these issues and trying to improve, it increases trust in all the above issues. [22:54] Retail and Food Service customers in the industry want to know more and more. They want to know upstream, what are you doing to get better? [23:05] They want to know how they can take the data that you are collecting anonymously and in the aggregate to communicate at the point-of-sale area to ensure that their customers, collectively, are getting what they need? [23:23] Julie Anna saw this recently at H-E-B, a popular grocer in Texas. Julie Anna walked through one of their huge, beautiful, newly renovated stores. The engagement the ultimate customer has is in the store, asking questions of the butcher. [24:07] It's wonderful to be able to say, If you have food safety concerns, we have a relationship that we can give you the knowledge you need to answer those concerns, and it's coming very consistently across the industry. [24:40] Justin asks, When the Meat Institute members lean in, are they leaning in at 85% or 93%? You'll only get ground beef jokes here, on RIMScast! Julie Anna says, it's all good. Justin says those kinds of jokes are called The Manager's Special. [25:17] One Final Break! RISKWORLD 2026 will be held from May 3rd through the 6th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. RISKWORLD attracts more than 10,000 risk professionals from across the globe. Guess what! Booth sales are open now! [25:37] This is the chance to showcase your solutions, meet decision-makers face-to-face, and expand your global network. Connect, Cultivate, and Collaborate with us at the largest risk management event of the year. The link to booth sales is in this episode's show notes. [25:53] Let's Return to the Conclusion of My Interview with Meat Institute CEO Julie Anna Potts! [26:16] Julie Anna was an environmental lawyer in private practice. Her work involved the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and Superfund. One of her clients was the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). [26:42] When Julie Anna left the firm, she moved in as General Counsel to the AFBF, the largest general farm organization in the U.S. Besides environmental law, she worked there in lots of other types of law as General Counsel. [27:06] At the Meat Institute, Julie Anna collaborates with the AFBF. The ag sector in Washington, D.C., is very collaborative. The Meat Institute works closely with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Pork Producers Council, and the commodity groups. [27:35] Everybody is connected. If you are working on an animal issue, you're going into crop groups and animal health companies. The Meat Institute works with everyone. Their philosophy is, We all get better when we share knowledge. [28:03] That's the basis of the conversation Julie Anna and Gary LaBranche had in the summer about this podcast. The Meat Institute has resources it would love to share on the risk management of food safety issues. [28:20] The Meat Institute also knows consultants and other help outside of the meat industry that they can point people to, as needed. The Meat Institute would love to be a resource to the listeners of RIMScast. You can check out the contact information in the show notes. [29:02] Julie Anna is familiar with risk professionals. She serves on the board of Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide Agribusiness has Food Safety expertise. When Julie Anna practiced law, she worked with clients on helping them manage risk and assess potential outcomes. [30:09] Julie Anna says risk management is one of her favorite topics. How do you plan to recover from a flood after a hurricane? How do you plan for farm animal disease? There are now three animal disease outbreaks that are constantly on their minds at the Meat Institute. [30:31] The Meat Institute helps run tabletop exercises with its companies, sometimes involving government officials, as well. It's New World Screwworm to the South. It's High Path Avian Influenza, which has crossed over from poultry to dairy and beef cattle.  [30:48] Julie Anna continues, We have African Swine Fever, which has not gotten to the United States, thank goodness! All of these require a certain level of preparedness. So we work on it as a policy matter, but we also need to operationalize what happens when this happens. [31:16] The pandemic is a good recent example of what happens when things fall apart. Member companies have a very limited ability to hold live animals if they're not going to slaughter. They don't have anywhere to go. [31:44] The pandemic was an example of what happens when something reduces capacity and the animals start backing up. It's incredibly important that things work. The pandemic was unimaginable to a lot of people. It tested our risk management models. [32:10] Once we were there, dealing with it, we had incredible adaptability to the circumstances we were facing. That only happens if you face certain problems every day to keep that plant running. For member companies, if the plants don't run, the animals don't have a place to go. [32:37] Farmers get a lower price for their animals, consumers have the perception that there's not going to be enough food, and there's a run on the grocery stores. During the pandemic, it righted itself really quickly, once we got some PPE, etc. in place, and some guidance. [32:59] The member companies relied heavily on the CDC to tell them how to get people in so the plants could run. It was difficult for everyone. Julie Anna thinks that we learned a lot from that experience on how to help your company troubleshoot in the moment to keep going. [33:37] Julie Anna addresses how PFAS issues are being handled. It's an EPA issue and a state's issue for regulations on packaging and recycling. The state issues are predominant. Environmental issues are being addressed at the state level. We could end with 50 regimes. [35:04] That's where there's more risk for the Meat Institute and its members, especially companies that sell nationwide. There is very little state regulatory work that the Meat Institute does directly. [35:26] The Meat Institute is examining how to utilize other resources to figure out, with a small staff, how to monitor and stay ahead of these things for our members. That's very much on their minds. The EPA's work has been swinging back and forth between administrations. [36:02] It's hard to convince a business of a good recommendation if the rules are going to change with the next administration. It's a problem of where to invest in things like measuring emissions and what to do to satisfy customers when the rhetoric changes dramatically. [37:04] Justin says we've had a different administration every four years for the last 16 years. He says if he were a business owner, he would do everything he could to make sure the water coming in and going out is clean to avoid verdicts. Nuclear verdicts are through the roof. [37:27] Julie Anna speaks of social inflation by juries wishing to send a message to big corporate entities. She says member companies are dealing with these issues all the time. What's the right amount of rulemaking for effluent limitation guidelines? [38:20] The Meat Institute had opposed what the Biden administration had proposed, given that the number of companies it estimated would not be able to stay in business was close to 80. The Trump administration has backed off and is leaving in place what was there before. [38:52] That's all part of the Federal policy debate in D.C. It does not diminish the commitment its members have to be good community members. They work in their communities. Julie Anna was just down in East Tennessee at a wonderful family company, Swaggerty Sausage. [39:16] They do water treatment. They are beloved in the community because of how they take care of people. They bring in pigs from North Carolina and turn them into sausage. Julie Anna met the fifth generation. He is eight months old. [39:40] Julie Anna had a great visit with people, understanding how their commitment to the environment and animal welfare, and the things they can show their community members that they are doing, works for them. Julie Anna saw how the sausage is made, Justin adds. [40:28] Justin says, You've been such a delight to speak with, and we've learned so much. Is this the busiest time of year for your members, with Thanksgiving coming up, the religious holidays coming up, and then New Year's? Are they keeping Safety at the top of their risk radar now? [40:59] Julie Anna says Our members, and we, keep Safety at the top of the risk radar every single day. It does not get harder during high-volume days. [41:15] There's a spike around Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. There's a lot more turkey happening around Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas, but certainly, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, brisket, and all kinds of things. It's cyclical. [41:49] Julie Anna wishes Justin could come into a plant with her, walk through, and see the number of times there are interventions for food safety. X-rays for foreign material. Sprays for certain types of pathogens, and the ways in which the hide is treated. [42:14] It is such a huge part, and they are so proud of what they do. They are happy to show anybody how we continue to hold that up as the most important thing. Worker Safety is also hugely important. We're talking about our humans and what we do to protect them. [42:42] Safety is really important, and it does not receive any less attention at busy times. [42:50] Justin says that's a great sentiment to close on. It has been such a delight to speak with you, and I'm so glad we had the chance to do this. It's going to be especially impactful now, just ahead of Thanksgiving and the religious holidays, and the New Year. [43:16] Special thanks to Julie Anna Potts of the Meat Institute for joining us here on RIMScast just ahead of Thanksgiving 2025. Links to the Meat Institute resources are in this episode's show notes, as is RIMS coverage of Food Safety and related topics. [43:34] Plug Time! You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in the show notes. [44:02] RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [44:20] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [44:38] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [44:54] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [45:09] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. Please remember to subscribe to RIMScast on your favorite podcasting app. You can email us at Content@RIMS.org. [45:21] Practice good risk management, stay safe, and thank you again for your continuous support!   Links: RIMS-CRO Certificate Program In Advanced Enterprise Risk Management | Jan‒March 2026 Cohort | Led by James Lam RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy | RIMS Legislative Summit SAVE THE DATE — March 18‒19, 2026 RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) Reserve your booth at RISKWORLD 2026! 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RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — Featuring RIMS President Kristen Peed!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model®   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guest: Julie Anna Potts, CEO, The Meat Institute   Production and engineering provided by Podfly.  

EASY LISTENING DEP'T.: [THE WASHINGTON POST] "Mr. Cheney supported tax cuts and defense spending increases, like nearly all Republicans, but he joined the rightmost wing in voting against a federal holiday honoring the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the Equal Rights Amendment, creation of the Education Department, a ban on armor-piercing bullets, and anti-apartheid sanctions on South Africa. He likewise opposed Head Start for preschool children, the Superfund Program for Toxic Waste Cleanup, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. The one exception to his otherwise blanket endorsement of hard-right culture war positions was his support, eventually, of gay marriage, apparently brought on strictly because one of his own daughters was a lesbian." Please visit, read, and support INDIGNITY! https://www.indignity.net/

Thank you to today's sponsors!- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada's land and water from invasive species- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete react to shocking news from Ontario's Great Lakes: a 60-pound grass carp, one of the most destructive invasive species on the planet, has been caught in Lake Huron near Bruce Nuclear. To unpack what this means for our fisheries, the guys welcome DFO biologist Trisiah Tugade, who explains how this fish reached Canadian waters, what its presence could mean for bass, walleye, and waterfowl, and how anglers can help stop the spread. Plus, the crew talks Campbell's Soup's Clean Water Act violations, listener questions about fall bass spawning, and a massive Garmin LiveScope giveaway open nationwide - including Quebec!

How the toxicity infecting our current national politics is also affecting local government and limiting access to Vermont's elected officials. Plus, the chair of Vermont's Republican party addresses the resignation of a GOP state senator who took part in a racist and antisemitic text group chat, two environmental non-profits accuse a Panton farm of violating the federal Clean Water Act, Dartmouth college says in order to retain its academic independence it is rejecting a compact with the Trump administration, and why on-line sports betting saw a surge in Vermont in September.

Once again, the Trump administration is working to hobble the growth of clean energy.  On Monday, the administration announced plans to use the Clean Water Act permitting process to prioritize fossil fuel projects and potentially undercut renewable energy.   POLITICO's James Bikales and Kelsey Tamborrino break down what's behind this move towards “energy dense” projects – likely to harness fossil fuels – and what this means for the future of renewable energy. Plus, a federal judge allows work to restart on the stalled Revolution Wind offshore wind project after the Trump administration halted it last month.  James Bikales is a reporter for POLITICO.   Kelsey Tamborrino is a reporter covering clean energy for POLITICO.  Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy.   Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO.   Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO.  Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A subsidiary of Campbell Soup has admitted in court that it violated the Clean Water Act in Ohio 5,400 times. https://www.lehtoslaw.com

Agriculture scored a win recently when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California's ruling that the Clean Water Act's exemption for “irrigated agriculture return flows” shields projects like the Grassland Bypass Project (GBP) from federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements.At the heart of the issue is David Cory, President of the Grasslands Basin Authority. This week David joins Darcy and Darcy and shares the history of the GBP, the related San Joaquin River Water Quality Improvement Project (SJRIP), the eleven-year litigation, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, and much more. You'll learn from David that even when you do things the right way from the beginning and involve the right stakeholders, things don't always go as planned.  Be sure and listen-in! To learn more about David and the GBP, visit www.GBAAuthority.com.Send us a textWe Grow California Podcast is paid for by the Exchange Contractors Federal PAC and Exchange Contractors State PAC and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

This week's agriculture news highlights policy developments as Congress returns to session, including updates on labor, environmental regulations and water policy. We also bring insights from Bayer Crop Science on the future of short corn. A federal district court in Louisiana recently vacated part of the 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate Rule, specifically the H-2A disaggregation provision. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn proposed revisions to wastewater regulations for meat and poultry processors. Looking ahead, the Trump administration is preparing to propose a new Clean Water Act rule in the coming weeks. Additional reports point to a projected increase in U.S. net farm income in 2025, along with new insights on ag export trends. A conversation on the future of short corn, in addition to what it provides to growers, is this week's interview with two voices from Bayer Crop Science: NA Technical Product Lead for Preceon™ Devin Hammer and Digital Enablement Product Lead Andy Folta. They share how shorter, thicker stalks benefit the plant, the length of time Bayer has been testing the Preceon™ Smart Corn System, and how short corn can also be utilized for silage. This discussion took place at the recent Farm Progress Show with Ag News Daily Co-Host Tanner Winterhof. Stay connected with us for more agriculture content on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, along with our weekly videos! ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW IRM, WHERE APPLICABLE, GRAIN MARKETING AND ALL OTHER STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES AND PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. ©2025 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

Opening Reflections and California Concerns The AgNet News Hour began with hosts Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer sharing lighthearted Friday greetings before shifting to California's serious agricultural challenges. Papagni noted worsening Central Valley air quality caused by wildfires, likening the smoke to winter fog. He warned that tensions between state and federal governments over forest management may intensify as fall approaches. Boyer added that federal intervention could even extend to California's 2028 Olympic preparations. Policy Spotlight: Mexican Wolf Debate Boyer reported on a House Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025. The legislation would delist the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act, a move supported by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Arizona and New Mexico Cattle Growers Associations, and the Public Lands Council. Tom Patterson, President-elect of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, testified that wolf populations have shifted from a livestock concern to a community safety threat, citing attacks on pets, horses, and even children. In regulatory news, the EPA declined stricter wastewater rules for meat and poultry processors, concluding that current Clean Water Act requirements suffice. The National Chicken Council applauded this decision as a balanced approach to water quality regulation. Immigration Reform and the Dignity Act The program's central feature was an interview with Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League, who addressed farm labor shortages and immigration policy. He highlighted the bipartisan Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), introduced by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX), as the most promising reform since the early 2000s. The Act includes a three-pronged approach: Long-Term Residents – renewable work authorization cards with penalties for undocumented status. Legal Pathways for New Workers – stronger background checks and legal entry channels. Criminal Entrants – removal of individuals linked to crime or gang activity. Cunha emphasized that the Act also provides protections for Dreamers and addresses Social Security benefits for long-term contributors who have paid into the system for decades. Coyotes, Fear, and Fake Documents Cunha warned about coyotes—human smugglers who charge up to $15,000 per person and often supply migrants with fraudulent documents. Workers fall into debt while employers unknowingly hire with false credentials. He called the system a “disaster” and urged growers to pressure congressional leaders like David Valadao, Jim Costa, Jimmy Panetta, and Vince Fong to support the Dignity Act. Despite federal assurances, many farmworkers still live in daily fear of deportation. Some alter their appearance to avoid suspicion, while enforcement remains concentrated in large metropolitan sanctuary cities. Farm Labor: Hard Work Few Will Do Papagni stressed that farm labor is not unskilled work, pointing to strawberry, lettuce, melon, and table grape harvesting as examples requiring years of expertise. Cunha agreed, noting that domestic welfare recipients are unlikely to take on such demanding jobs—something proven during the 1996–1998 Welfare to Work Program. With many long-time workers nearing retirement and fewer young people entering agriculture, Cunha pressed for a comprehensive guest worker program. A Call to Action Cunha's message to farmers and ag communities was clear: contact your congressional representatives and urge support for the Dignity Act. He highlighted Vince Fong as a key California lawmaker yet to sign on. If passed, the bill would initiate a five- to six-month rule-writing process, during which workers would receive documentation verifying employment, providing immediate protection while regulations are finalized. Farm Income and Market Updates According to the U.S. Economic Research Service (ERS): Net farm income in 2025 is projected at $179.5 billion, up 40.7% from 2024—the second-highest on record. Median farm household income, however, is projected to decline by $1,189 in 2025, reflecting weaker off-farm earnings. Government payments are forecast at $40.5 billion, the highest since 2020. The dairy sector is also strengthening, with exports reaching 18.7% of domestic production in June—the highest since 2022. Domestic yogurt consumption rose 12.2%, while overall use of milk solids grew 3%. Competitiveness and Global Pressures Papagni noted the difficulty of competing with countries paying $10–20 per day compared to California's $16 per hour wages, combined with stricter U.S. regulations. Boyer emphasized that despite higher costs, U.S. agriculture provides the world's safest and most affordable food supply, thanks largely to immigrant labor. Citrus Greening and Global Potato Trends Rick Dantzler of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation reported promising progress in the fight against citrus greening disease. Oxytetracycline trunk injections are showing strong results, with healthier canopies and improved fruit quality, though production costs rose 7%. Meanwhile, the global frozen potato market has shifted dramatically. Between 2019 and 2024, China and India moved from net importers to exporters of frozen fries and processed potato products, expanding markets into Asia and the Middle East. Criminal Provisions in the Dignity Act The legislation also strengthens criminal enforcement, including: Tougher penalties for illegal re-entry after multiple deportations. DNA testing to confirm family ties. Stricter penalties for voting by non-citizens. Increased minimum penalties for child sex trafficking. Boyer linked these provisions directly to combating coyote networks and broader exploitation. Wrapping Up The episode closed with Papagni and Boyer urging farmers to engage in the policy debate, follow updates at AgNetWest.com, and recognize that immigration reform is essential to keeping U.S. agriculture competitive and sustainable.

Camas resident David Gerton argues that the city must order Lacamas Shores HOA to restore its biofilter to original standards. He cites Clean Water Act violations, toxic algae risks in Lacamas Lake, and potential city liability if action is not taken. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-city-should-order-the-lacamas-shores-hoa-to-restore-its-biofilter-to-its-original-condition/ #Camas #LacamasLake #HOA #Biofilter #CleanWaterAct #Pollution #Stormwater #WADeptOfEcology #EPA #Opinion #LetterToTheEditor

Nancy Churchill contends that Washington's Department of Ecology is using decades of layered laws and the Clean Water Act to extend its reach into rural life. She says landowners face rising threats from nonpoint pollution regulations, which could strip away property rights and impose costly mandates. Churchill urges rural residents to submit comments before the Aug. 29 deadline and to push Congress for changes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-nonpoint-trap-how-decades-of-law-became-state-control/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #PropertyRights #Ecology #CleanWaterAct

Host Joe DeMare talks about our global warming enhanced summer and how 90 degree water in the Gulf of Mexico is making life miserable as far north as Canada. Next he plays a montage of recordings from the 45th annual Governor's Fish Day including a press conference at the end. Rebecca Wood's piece is on the most common butterfly in the world, the Cabbage White. Ecological News includes Congress eliminating the Clean Water Act, NSF employees sending a letter decrying the politicization of science, and Australia giving away free electricity because they have so much solar power. 

Serious pollution incidents by water companies in England rose by 60% last year, but the best-selling author Robert Macfarlane says there is a way to save our rivers. Days after a long-awaited review of the water sector in England and Wales was published, Amol sat down with Robert for a conversation about the state of rivers globally, why some are dying and how we can save them. From President Donald Trump's dismantling of the Clean Water Act in the US to the dying River Wye, Robert takes us on a journey around the world and explains why he is optimistic about the future. He says we can do things like give our rivers rights and mobilise citizen scientists to save them. Robert also digs out Amol's report card from when he taught him at Cambridge University more than twenty years ago. GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Rohan Madison. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

In the latest episode of The Environmental Law Monitor, Bracewell's Anouk Nouet joins Daniel Pope to delve into the complexities of criminal negligence in environmental law. Using United States v. Hanousek and a major oil spill in Alaska as a case study, they unpack the legal intricacies and the unexpected outcome for Edward Hanousek, the roadmaster of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, offering valuable insights into responsibilities and liabilities in environmental management.

Congress is back in session this week with the House wrapping up its work before its August recess. On the agenda: legislation to increase financial oversight of the Veterans Affairs department, and votes on bills to increase penalties on people who reenter the U.S. after being deported, and to reform the Clean Water Act's permitting process. The Senate still has another work week before leaving for their annual break. On their agenda: confirmation votes for several executive nominations. Hanging over all of this--the ongoing issue of the Jeffrey Epstein files. House Speaker Mike Johnson says doesn't have any plans to put a resolution on the floor that calls for the Trump administration to release Epstein files. Instead, he wants to give administration time to put out documents on its own. And yesterday was the six-month anniversary of the second Trump administration, and polls say Americans are giving the president mixed reviews. A new Decision Desk HQ poll shows the president's disapproval rating near its highest level since January. Meanwhile, a new CBS News poll shows Americans say they want the president to focus on consumer prices instead of raising tariffs. And the Washington Post's polling average showing a clear downturn in the president's approval rating on immigration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this case, the court considered this issue: Does the Hobbs Act require a federal district court to accept the Federal Communication Commission's legal interpretation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act?The case was decided on June 20, 2025.The Supreme Court held that the Hobbs Act does not preclude judicial review of an agency's statutory interpretation in district court enforcement proceedings, and district courts must independently determine whether the agency's interpretation is correct under ordinary principles of statutory interpretation. Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the 6-3 majority opinion of the Court.Courts may grant pre-enforcement review of agency orders through three types of statutes: those that expressly preclude subsequent judicial review in enforcement proceedings (like the Clean Water Act), those that expressly authorize review in both contexts, and those that remain silent on enforcement proceedings (like the Hobbs Act). The Hobbs Act falls into the third category, which triggers a default rule allowing district courts to independently assess agency interpretations. The Administrative Procedure Act codifies this presumption of judicial review, stating that “agency action is subject to judicial review in civil or criminal proceedings for judicial enforcement” unless prior review was adequate and exclusive. The phrase “determine the validity” in the Hobbs Act refers specifically to entering declaratory judgments in pre-enforcement proceedings, not to the broader process of evaluating an agency interpretation's correctness in enforcement actions.The Emergency Price Control Act precedent from Yakus v United States does not control because that wartime statute contained two provisions working together: exclusive jurisdiction language plus an express prohibition against other courts considering validity. Congress chose not to include this second, prohibitive provision when enacting the Hobbs Act six years later, demonstrating its intent not to preclude enforcement-stage review. Practical concerns about potential court disagreements do not override statutory text and administrative law principles, as circuit splits followed by Supreme Court review represent the ordinary judicial process. Requiring all potentially affected parties to challenge every agency order within 60 days or lose their rights would be impractical and unfair, particularly for entities that did not exist when orders issued or had no reason to anticipate future enforcement proceedings.Justice Elena Kagan authored a dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, arguing that the Hobbs Act's grant of “exclusive jurisdiction” to appellate courts to “determine the validity” of agency orders plainly precludes district courts from making such determinations in enforcement proceedings.The opinion is presented here in its entirety, but with citations omitted. If you appreciate this episode, please subscribe. Thank you.

This Day in Legal History: Abraham Lincoln Passes First Income TaxOn July 1, 1862, amid the mounting costs of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the nation's first true federal income tax under the Tax Act of 1862. This legislation imposed a 3% tax on annual incomes over $600 and a 5% tax on incomes exceeding $10,000—significant thresholds at the time. The tax was part of a broader revenue strategy that included an expansion of excise taxes and the creation of the Internal Revenue Office, the predecessor to today's IRS. It marked a pivotal moment in U.S. legal history, as the federal government, for the first time, claimed broad authority to directly tax personal income.Though innovative, compliance with the law was inconsistent, reflecting both limited administrative capacity and public resistance. The tax was designed to be progressive and temporary, aimed solely at funding the Union war effort. After the Civil War, political pressure mounted against its continuation, and public sentiment shifted toward limiting federal power in peacetime.The law remained controversial until it was effectively struck down decades later. In 1895, the Supreme Court ruled in Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. that a similar federal income tax law was unconstitutional, declaring it a "direct tax" not properly apportioned among the states. This decision undermined the legal foundation of the 1862 tax, though it had long since lapsed. It wasn't until the ratification of the 16th Amendment in 1913 that a permanent federal income tax regime was constitutionally authorized.The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued several rulings that significantly reduced federal environmental protections, continuing a broader judicial trend. In one of the most consequential decisions, the Court curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This 8-0 ruling allows federal agencies to narrow the scope of environmental reviews, excluding indirect and future project impacts, which could expedite infrastructure projects like a proposed crude oil railway in Utah. Justice Brett Kavanaugh emphasized that courts must defer to agency discretion in such matters, reinforcing agency authority but limiting public scrutiny.The Court also restricted EPA powers under the Clean Water Act in a 5-4 decision concerning a wastewater permit for San Francisco. The majority found the EPA's water quality requirements too vague, weakening enforcement capabilities and potentially harming water quality in affected areas. This decision strips the agency of a key tool used to maintain federally regulated waters' safety.Additionally, the justices allowed fuel producers to challenge California's stringent vehicle emissions standards in a 7-2 ruling, broadening legal standing for businesses in environmental litigation. These moves collectively signal a judicial shift favoring regulatory leniency and business interests over expansive environmental oversight.US Supreme Court dealt blows to EPA and environmental protections | ReutersFollowing a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limits nationwide injunctions, two federal judges are expediting legal challenges to President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship. The order, which takes effect July 27, denies automatic U.S. citizenship to children born on U.S. soil unless at least one parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident. During hearings in Maryland and New Hampshire, a Department of Justice lawyer confirmed that no deportations of affected children will occur before the order becomes active.Judges Deborah Boardman and Joseph LaPlante demanded written assurances from the government, and plaintiffs in both cases—immigrant rights advocates and pregnant non-citizens—pushed for immediate class-wide relief due to fears surrounding their children's legal status. The Supreme Court's ruling last Friday did not validate Trump's policy but did restrict judges from issuing broad injunctions that halt federal policies for the entire country, unless done through class action lawsuits. Justice Amy Coney Barrett's opinion suggested that class actions remain a viable path to broader judicial relief.Trump's administration argues that the 14th Amendment does not guarantee birthright citizenship, a position rejected by many lower courts. The Maryland judge scheduled a ruling after July 9, while a hearing in the New Hampshire case is set for July 10.Trump lawyer says no immediate deportations under birthright citizenship order, as judges to decide on challenges | ReutersThe Trump administration has appealed a federal judge's decision that struck down an executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, known for its past representation of Hillary Clinton and Democratic interests. The appeal, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, follows a May ruling by Judge Beryl Howell that permanently blocked the order, which aimed to bar Perkins Coie's clients from federal contracts and restrict the firm's attorneys from accessing federal buildings.Judge Howell condemned the order as an abuse of presidential power meant to punish political adversaries, stating that using government authority to settle personal scores is not a lawful use of executive power. Similar executive orders against three other law firms—WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey—were also struck down by different judges in Washington. The Justice Department has not yet appealed those rulings.Perkins Coie, along with the other firms, argued that the orders violated constitutional rights, including free speech, and were designed to intimidate attorneys from representing clients disfavored by Trump. The firm expressed confidence in presenting its case to the appeals court. Meanwhile, nine other firms have reportedly settled with the administration, offering nearly $1 billion in pro bono work and other terms to avoid being targeted.Trump administration appeals blocking of executive order against law firm Perkins Coie | ReutersMy column for Bloomberg this week argues that the explosive growth of tax breaks for data centers—driven by the demands of artificial intelligence—is creating unsustainable losses for state budgets. While these facilities are essential for powering AI models, states are racing to hand out subsidies with little oversight or accountability. I point out that what began as modest tech incentives have ballooned into open-ended giveaways, with Texas' projected tax losses surpassing $1 billion and Virginia now dedicating nearly half of its economic development incentives to data centers.I argue that states should not abandon data center investment but must start demanding more in return. That means linking tax breaks to responsible energy use, such as locating facilities near stranded renewable power or requiring dry cooling and on-site energy storage. These measures would mitigate the strain on local water and power systems, especially since AI data centers use far more energy than traditional ones and often during peak demand hours.The current model rewards scale rather than innovation or job creation, essentially turning data center exemptions into bottomless credits for big tech firms. Many states don't even track the actual cost of these subsidies, creating a feedback loop of growing losses and minimal scrutiny. I call for stronger transparency and for aligning data center growth with public interests—especially as AI infrastructure becomes embedded in state economies. Without intervention, we risk reinforcing outdated, inefficient policy frameworks just as computing becomes more powerful and energy-intensive.AI Boom Should Prompt States to Rein in Data Center Tax Losses This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Regulations are written in blood. Whose blood are we using? Do you like clean water? Do you think dumping raw sewage into rivers and ocean is a good idea? The deregulation movement is targeting clean water, and they are using the courts to do it. Standards is a new series from Everything is Public Health, where we examine all the rules and regulations keeping us safe and healthy, and the deregulation movement working to destroy them.-o-Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingispublichealth  Bluesky Social: @everythingisPHMastodon: @everythingispublichealth Email: EverythingIsPublicHealth@gmail.com Photo credit: Public domain image from WikicommonsSupport the show

In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson sits down with environmental educator and NAU professor Dr. Stefan Sommer for a compelling discussion on climate change and its multifaceted challenges. With deep expertise in sustainability, biodiversity, and public outreach, Dr. Sommer unpacks the science behind global warming, while Paul presents a pro-growth, free-market perspective. Together, they explore where environmental urgency meets economic practicality—striving for a balance that drives solutions and optimism.Topics Discussed in the VideoThe Climate Crisis Explained: Dr. Sommer breaks down why today's climate patterns are beyond historical norms, referencing gigaton-scale carbon emissions, warming oceans, and the race toward critical temperature thresholds like 1.5°C.Economic Toll of Climate Change: From wildfires to floods, climate-related disasters are racking up costs in the trillions. Dr. Sommer outlines the impact on agriculture, food prices, and insurance markets—making the climate issue both environmental and economic.Arizona's Green Energy Potential: The conversation highlights Arizona's vast opportunity in solar and wind energy, with specific projects contributing gigawatts of renewable power. Dr. Sommer urges the state to capitalize on its geographic advantage and federal incentives.Free Market vs Regulation: Paul argues that capitalism offers the most viable path to solving environmental problems, using examples from his international experiences. Stefan emphasizes that regulation like the Clean Water Act was essential for past environmental victories.The Case for and Against Nuclear Power: The two examine the role of nuclear energy, discussing emerging technologies, costs, and public concerns. Can new-generation nuclear be a bridge to a low-carbon future?Public Perception and Climate Education: Dr. Sommer points out the significant role misinformation plays in slowing progress. He shares how his outreach, including training over 160 teachers, aims to rebuild trust in science and equip communities for action.

Spring is here! To celebrate get to know Green Is The New Blue and learn about an effort for the equestrian community to become environmentally conscious. For the Legislative and Regulatory Update, we're diving into Waters of the US and the Clean Water Act.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3659 –Show Notes and Links:Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse CouncilEmployment & Internships - The American Horse CouncilScholarships - The American Horse CouncilFollow Horse Radio Network on Facebook or follow Horses In The Morning on FacebookFollow the American Horses Council on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)

Spring is here! To celebrate get to know Green Is The New Blue and learn about an effort for the equestrian community to become environmentally conscious. For the Legislative and Regulatory Update, we're diving into Waters of the US and the Clean Water Act.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3659 –Show Notes and Links:Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse CouncilEmployment & Internships - The American Horse CouncilScholarships - The American Horse CouncilFollow Horse Radio Network on Facebook or follow Horses In The Morning on FacebookFollow the American Horses Council on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)

Aaron Citron is the Associate Director of External Affairs at The Nature Conservancy, where he leads state-level policy engagement across Colorado. His work spans a wide array of conservation priorities, including water management, healthy forests, renewable energy siting, and partnerships with private landowners and tribal nations. Aaron plays a key role in bridging on-the-ground conservation efforts with the legislative and regulatory frameworks that support them. He also helps shape TNC's strategy around climate and energy policy, working to ensure a rapid but responsible transition to renewable infrastructure. Aaron grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where early exposure to the desert landscape—and its vital, limited water resources—sparked a lifelong interest in the natural world. After studying history and political science at Emory University, he returned west for law school at the University of Arizona, focusing on water and land use law. His career has taken him from local land trusts to national NGOs like Environmental Defense Fund, always at the intersection of policy, place, and practical impact. Along the way, he's built a reputation for thoughtful, collaborative work that reflects both his legal background and his deep connection to the West. In our conversation, Aaron shares a detailed look at how conservation policy gets made—from coalition-building and legislative drafting to navigating complex stakeholder relationships. We discuss examples like Colorado's response to Clean Water Act rollbacks and new tools to support in-stream flows on the Yampa River. He talks about the balance between urgency and patience, the importance of trust in long-term conservation, and how calm, clearheaded engagement can shape better outcomes. It's a compelling look at the behind-the-scenes work that makes public-facing conservation efforts possible. Be sure the check out the episode notes for a full list of everything we discussed and links to everything. Thanks to Aaron for this conversation and thank you for listening. Enjoy! --- Aaron Citron Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/aaron-citron/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. During the last week of every month throughout 2025, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy's leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West and beyond. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy's impactful work in the West and around the world, visit www.nature.org --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:15 – Starting at the beginning, growing up in Tucson 7:42 – Underrated Arizona 11:23 – From environmental history to law school 15:22 – After law school, including a TNC internship 18:11 – Landing at the Arizona Land and Water Trust 21:24 – Path to TNC 24:06 – Aaron's role at TNC 27:42 – Clean Water Act protection project 33:40 – Getting the information to the people 35:29 – Yampa River Fund 40:39 – What makes someone good at policy work? 46:11 – The power of relationships 49:00 – Federal versus state policy focuses 53:40 – Remaining calm 57:21 – Book recs 1:01:53 – Parting thoughts --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Since the Clean Water Act, biodiversity in the Chicago River has increased, and there are now over 60 species of fish, including mimic shiner and brook silverside. Those species are spawning, and their offspring are also doing well, says Austin Happel, research biologist at the Shedd Aquarium, who focuses on urban freshwater systems. Reset learns more from Karen Weigert, Reset sustainability contributor, director of Loyola University Chicago's Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency concerned whether the Clean Water Act allows the Environmental Protection Agency (or an authorized state) to impose generic prohibitions in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits that subject permit-holders to enforcement for violating water quality standards without identifying specific limits to which their discharges must […]

Today's Headlines: Trump's first joint address to Congress touched on immigration, DOGE, Mars, and a new Office of Shipbuilding. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Zelensky called Friday's Oval Office meeting “regrettable” and pushed for future cooperation. Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China took effect, sending markets tumbling nearly 700 points. Canada and Mexico announced retaliatory tariffs, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at potential tariff relief soon. The administration is walking back mass federal firings after a judge ruled them likely illegal, giving agencies until September to finalize terminations. Republicans in Congress were advised to avoid in-person town halls after viral confrontations. The Supreme Court weakened the Clean Water Act, making it easier for companies to discharge raw sewage into waterways. Meanwhile, a BlackRock-led group bought majority stakes in key Panama Canal ports, taking control from a Hong Kong-based firm. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNN: Zelensky describes Oval Office meeting as ‘regrettable,' says he is ready to negotiate peace  WSJ: Trump's Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Take Effect, With Added Duties on China BNN Bloomberg: Trump Mulling Canada, Mexico Tariff Compromise, Lutnick Says  Huffpost: Trump Abruptly Walks Back His Directive To Fire Thousands Of Federal Employees NBC News: Republicans advised to avoid in-person town halls after confrontations over layoffs go viral The Guardian: US supreme court weakens rules on discharge of raw sewage into water supplies  WSJ: BlackRock Strikes Deal for Panama Ports After U.S. Pressure Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's News Day Tuesday! Sam and Emma break down the biggest headlines of the day. First, they run through updates on the free-fall of the markets amid Trump's tariffs, Trump's cut off of aid to Ukraine, Trump's joint session, state-level Democrats' defense of trans athletes, a USAID report on the child death they prevent, SCOTUS' weakening of the Clean Water Act, DOGE's attack on NOAA, Trump's assault on Social Security, and Trump's incoming attacks on DOE and US forests, also discussing the possibility of Democratic Leadership finally coming around on acting like an opposition party over the GOP's government shutdown. They also watch JD Vance give an emotionally vivid recounting of his and Trump's harrowing showdown with Zelenskyy, expand a little on Trump's upcoming joint session (NOT a State of the Union), and Israel's ongoing shutdown of aid to Gaza, before parsing through Trump's insane new crackdown on protest and free speech, heartily backed by RFK. Sam and Emma highlight the Dow Jones going into free-fall just as Trump made his tariff announcements and Trump's ongoing attack on the Social Security Administration, before shifting to the state of the Democratic Party, with leadership finally turning a corner on *not* helping Trump pass his agenda, and wrapping up with Richie Torres' insane announcement of a bipartisan Crypto Caucus And in the Fun Half: Sam and Emma check in on self-proclaimed creeps Rahm Emmanuel and Bill Maher as they talk peeping on women in relation to… the Chicago Mayorship. The anti-vax community is outraged at RFK's decision to change course from not trying to prevent measles, to trying to prevent measles, and the MR Team dives deep into Sam's recent appearance on Piers Morgan with health quack Julian Michaels and Russian asset Benny Johnson, plus, your IMs! Call the Congressional switchboard and tell them not to vote for a clean continuing resolution (and to not join the Crypto Caucus!: 202-224-3121 Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: DeleteMe: Take control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for DeleteMe. Now at a special discount for our listeners.Today get 20% off your DeleteMe plan by texting MAJORITY to 64000. The only way to get twenty percent off is to text MAJORITY to sixty four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. Zippix Toothpicks: Ditch the cigarettes, ditch the vapes and get some nicotine infused toothpicks at https://zippixtoothpicks.com today. Get 10% off your first order by using the code MAJORITYREPORT at checkout. Your lungs will be glad you did. Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/