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Trump administration narrows habitat protection for endangered species

Illustration accompanying article: Trump administration narrows habitat protection for endangered species
  • The Trump administration on Friday finalized a rule narrowing the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, allowing oil, gas, mining and logging on critical wildlife habitats so long as animals are not directly killed or injured.
  • The change eliminates decades of federal protections that had prohibited development on habitat areas where threatened and endangered species live.
  • Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the rule restores the law's original intent and follows a 2024 Supreme Court decision limiting federal agencies' authority to interpret environmental statutes.
  • Environmental groups, including the Center for Western Priorities, said the move could drive species toward extinction and described it as a gift to oil and mining companies.
 2026-07-11 · 3 MIN READ

Appeals court: US not required to restore removed national park material

Illustration accompanying article: Appeals court: US not required to restore removed national park material
  • A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled Thursday that the Trump administration is not required to reinstall plaques and signage on climate change, immigration, and slavery that were removed from national parks.
  • The ruling reverses a June 2026 district court order by Judge Angel Kelley that had given the Interior Department 21 days to restore the materials.
  • The appeals court found that the advocacy groups challenging the removals did not present specific evidence of "irreparable harm," contradicting the lower court's determination.
  • The removals stemmed from a May 2025 directive by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum instructing the National Park Service to flag content that "inappropriately disparages Americans past or living."
 2026-07-02 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Tick season intensifies; deer management eyed as tool to curb spread