Newark’s Brick City cleanup program continues through Aug. 22
Newark’s Department of Public Works has three more Saturday Brick City cleanup dates scheduled in August, with supplies, snacks and water provided to volunteers.
Environment & Weather
Weather, climate, pollution, air and water quality, conservation, wildlife, natural resources, and environmental policy.
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Denver opens cooling centers as late-July heat sets daily records
Denver opened recreation centers and libraries for cooling during a late-July extreme-heat episode as daily heat records were set and July tracked toward one of the city’s hottest on record.
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Puerto Rico authorizes $2 billion coastal resort as governor declares water-use emergency
Puerto Rico authorized a roughly $2 billion luxury coastal development in the island’s southwest on July 31, as Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón separately declared a water-use emergency and activated the National Guard.
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Idaho disaster declaration opens federal recovery pathway for six counties after March storm damage
A federal major disaster declaration approved July 2 made eligible government departments and certain private nonprofits in six Idaho counties eligible to seek FEMA Public Assistance after severe March storms.
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Minneapolis among Twin Cities communities hit by hazardous wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota moved into Minneapolis and the Twin Cities on July 16, 2026, as an Air Quality Alert covered the area and heat-index values were forecast to reach 95 to 100 degrees.
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Spokane-area fires destroy about 600 structures as evacuations continue
Fast-moving fires near Spokane destroyed about 600 structures and drove large-scale evacuations as Washington declared a statewide wildfire emergency.
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New Mexico drought declaration puts water supplies and wildfire readiness at center of Santa Fe risk
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s May 20 statewide drought and severe-fire declaration cited historic-low snowpack, record-high spring temperatures, low runoff and below-average river flows. Santa Fe County is also listed in extreme drought conditions by Drought.gov.
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Wildfire smoke keeps Boise-area air unhealthy for sensitive groups; outdoor burning prohibited
Idaho DEQ forecasts Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality in the Treasure Valley on Aug. 1, with an AQI of 135, as wildfire smoke continues to affect the region. An advisory is active in Ada County, where outdoor burning is prohibited.
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Utah emergency declaration covers 3 counties after wildfire impacts and flooding
Gov. Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency July 22 for Beaver, Piute and Sevier counties as communities respond to wildfire impacts and dangerous flooding.
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Illinois opens 2026 electric-vehicle rebate cycle with $14 million available
Illinois residents can apply through Dec. 31 for rebates of up to $4,000 on qualifying all-electric vehicles, subject to eligibility rules and available funding.
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NWS heat advisory put Jackson under elevated heat risk through July 27
A National Weather Service Heat Advisory covered the Jackson area through 9 p.m. CDT on July 27, 2026, warning of dangerous heat conditions and related health risks.
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Helena listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups as smoke and heat affected region
Montana DEQ listed Helena’s particulate pollution as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups at 9 a.m. July 27, while National Weather Service forecasts called for smoke and highs near 94 and 102 degrees.
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NWS Albuquerque forecast flags monsoon flood and heat hazards
A July 25 National Weather Service Albuquerque forecast called for continued daily monsoon storms, with locally heavy rain, flash-flood potential, lightning, gusty winds and rising heat across the Rio Grande Valley.
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Detroit order halts residential water shutoffs during extreme heat
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s July 1 executive order directs city departments to protect residents and workers during extreme heat and halts residential water shutoffs during qualifying periods.
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West Virginia seeks expedited federal disaster declaration after deadly July flooding
Gov. Patrick Morrisey has requested an expedited major-disaster declaration for seven West Virginia counties after catastrophic flooding began July 21, along with statewide hazard-mitigation assistance.
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Utah declares emergency in three counties after wildfires and catastrophic flooding
Gov. Spencer Cox declared an emergency in Beaver, Piute and Sevier counties, activating Utah’s emergency plan as wildfire burn scars raise flash-flood and debris-flow concerns.
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New Jersey activates damage-assessment portal for potential federal severe-weather aid
New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management has activated a damage-assessment portal as the state continues its response to severe weather and considers a possible request for federal assistance.
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Iowa severe-weather aid remains available to households in six counties, with August deadlines
Eligible households affected by severe weather in six Iowa counties may apply for up to $7,000 through the state’s Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program. County deadlines fall on Aug. 10, Aug. 20 and Aug. 21, 2026.
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Jersey City included in early-morning flash-flood warning as storms move through region
A National Weather Service flash-flood warning issued at about 5:41 a.m. EDT on Aug. 3 included Hudson County, placing Jersey City in the alert area during intense rainfall in the New York metropolitan region.
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Gulfport forecast calls for hot, humid days and repeated storm chances through Aug. 3
A National Weather Service forecast issued July 27 projected Gulfport highs around 92 to 93 degrees, elevated humidity and thunderstorm chances as high as 70% through Aug. 3.
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Juneau opens flood hotline as city prepares for anticipated Suicide Basin flood
The City and Borough of Juneau has opened a weekday hotline for questions about the anticipated 2026 glacial lake outburst flood while final openings in flood barriers are being closed.
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Frankfort forecast calls for high near 84, 30% storm chance through Aug. 3
A National Weather Service Louisville forecast for Frankfort and Franklin County calls for mostly cloudy conditions, a high near 84 degrees and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms during the period ending Aug. 3.