Articles written by michael biesecker
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Rains from Florence cause collapse at NC coal ash landfill
Duke Energy said Saturday night that heavy rains from Florence caused a slope to collapse at a coal-ash landfill at a closed power station near the North Carolina coast. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said about 2,000 cubic yards (1,530 cubic...
After Florence, barrier islands still doomed by rising sea
NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. (AP) — Richard Barnett spent his week boarding up the windows of million-dollar homes perched precariously at the northern tip of Topsail Island, a narrow spit of North Carolina ringed with sandbags to offer some armor a...
Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew
The heavy rain expected from Hurricane Florence could flood hog manure pits, coal ash dumps and other industrial sites in North Carolina, creating a noxious witches' brew of waste that might wash into homes and threaten drinking water supplies....
Court orders ban on harmful pesticide, says EPA violated law
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration endangered public health by keeping a widely used pesticide on the market despite extensive scientific evidence that even tiny levels of exposure can harm babies'...
EPA watchdog probing air-quality results issued after Harvey
WASHINGTON (AP) — An internal watchdog at the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it will review whether federal and state officials kept the public appropriately informed last year about potential air quality threats after H...
Governor orders probe of abuse claims by immigrant children
WASHINGTON (AP) — Virginia's governor ordered state officials Thursday to investigate abuse claims by children at an immigration detention facility who said they were beaten while handcuffed and locked up for long periods in solitary confinement, l...
Lobbyist tied to EPA chief's condo tried to influence agency
WASHINGTON (AP) — Newly filed reports show the Washington lobbyist linked to a bargain-priced Capitol Hill condo leased by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt had far more contact with the agency than previously disclosed, d...
AP FACT CHECK: EPA's Pruitt and his bargain condo deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt has falsely claimed that a man who was listed as the landlord of a bargain-priced condo Pruitt rented in Washington last year was not a lobbyist at the time. Steven Hart was in f...
Teen held in Texas attack is said to have used father's guns
SANTA FE, Texas (AP) — The Texas student charged in the school shooting at Santa Fe High School described planning the attack in private journals, including a plan to kill himself, posted an image on Facebook of a "Born to Kill" shirt and used his f...
At hearings, EPA chief seeks to divert blame for ethics woes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt, yet another Trump administration official with his job on the line over ethical concerns, took heat from lawmakers Thursday over his profligate spending and lobbyist ties and t...
EPA security chief also worked for owner of tabloid company
WASHINGTON (AP) — The security chief for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency worked on the side as a private investigator for the owner of a tabloid news company with close ties to President Donald Trump. EPA special agent Pasquale "...
EPA chief signs proposal limiting science used in decisions
WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a proposed rule Tuesday that seeks to restrict the types of scientific studies that regulators can use to determine the impact of pesticide and pollution exposure o...
Lobbyist tied to condo leased by EPA chief retires from firm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The fossil-fuels lobbyist tied to the bargain-priced Capitol Hill condo leased by Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt is taking early retirement as a result of the scandal. J. Steven Hart sent an email to friends a...
EPA chief sat in coach when not flying on taxpayer's dime
WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt flew in coach-class seats on at least two trips home to Oklahoma when taxpayers weren't footing the bill, despite claims he needed to travel in first class at government e...
FEMA faulted for failed contracts to deliver hurricane aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded contracts for hurricane supplies without adequately researching whether winning bidders could deliver what they promised, according to a new investigation by Democrats on a Senate o...
Facebook puts ads on pages illegally selling animal parts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook is displaying advertisements for well-known American corporations along with content from group pages operated by overseas wildlife traffickers illegally selling the body parts of threatened animals, including elephant i...
Security for EPA chief comes at a steep cost to taxpayers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt's concern with his safety came at a steep cost to taxpayers as his swollen security detail blew through overtime budgets and at times diverted officers away from investigating e...
Security for EPA chief comes at a steep cost to taxpayers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt's concern with his safety came at a steep cost to taxpayers as his swollen security detail blew through overtime budgets and at times diverted officers away from investigating e...
Trump expresses confidence in EPA chief as questions linger
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House officials sounded increasingly doubtful Thursday about the future of embattled Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt, even as President Donald Trump appeared to throw him a public lifeline. Speaking T...
AP sources: EPA chief spent millions on security and travel
WASHINGTON (AP) — EPA chief Scott Pruitt's concern with personal safety came at a steep cost to taxpayers as his swollen security detail blew through overtime budgets and at times diverted officers away from investigating environmental crimes in o...
White House changes tone on EPA chief, reviewing his conduct
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a marked change in tone, the White House says President Donald Trump is not OK with recent revelations involving the embattled head of the Environmental Protection Agency. For his part, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is denying h...
EPA chief's job not assured after Trump's praise _ and ire
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump offered a measured gesture of support for the embattled head of the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday, but those words of encouragement for Scott Pruitt also came with a White House warning about t...
EPA's Pruitt lived in DC condo connected to energy lobbyist
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Environmental Protection Agency lived in a Capitol Hill condominium linked to a prominent Washington lobbyist whose firm represents a roster of fossil fuel companies. ABC News first reported Thursday that EPA Adminis...
AP FACT CHECK: Science contradicts EPA warming memo
WASHINGTON (AP) — Climate scientists say an internal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency memo on how officials should talk to the public about global warming doesn't reflect reality. EPA's public affairs office put out "a set of talking points a...
EPA chief paid $50 a night for DC condo linked to lobbyist
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Environmental Protection Agency paid just $50 a night to stay in a Capitol Hill condominium linked to a prominent Washington lobbyist whose firm represents fossil fuel companies, officials acknowledged Friday. EPA A...
