January is when cities across the country do a one-night count of their homeless populations. In one Indiana city, the mayor is already thinking about the results. Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson raised her right hand this month hand and took the oath of office. .
A group of conservation, sporting and land-stewardship organizations calls the U.S. Forest Service s move to conserve old-growth forests a "good first step." The plan aims to use a science-based management plan to address climate change and other threats to forests, affecting millions of acres of trees in Montana. Frank Szollosi, executive director of the Montana Wildlife Federation, said in Montana, the old-growth management plan would be part of a broader effort to help trees sequester carbon, which he said they are losing the ability to do. .
Individuals and environmental groups have had their input on NV Energy s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan, which some say will play a big role in the state s energy future. The feedback session was mandated under Assembly Bill 524 which passed last year to increase transparency and engage Nevadans in energy decisions. NV Energy says one of its biggest challenges will be meeting the state s rapidly growing power demands, while also ensuring reliability, affordability and sustainability. .
Housing is a major issue in this year s legislative session and for some, simply staying in their home is the goal. One measure in Olympia would help stabilize rent prices for tenants. In the first half of 2023, more than 6% of Washingtonians were forced to move because of rent increases. .
An Arizona conservationist is lauding the U.S. Forest Service for announcing what some are calling a "historic proposal" to conserve old-growth forests. Michael Cravens, advocacy and conservation director with the Arizona Wildlife Federation, called the plan "pragmatic and based in science." He added that the inventorying of mature and old-growth forests is a crucial step in making Arizona s forests more resilient against the impacts of wildfires and drought, which have posed serious consequences in the Grand Canyon State. .