The Trump administration has rescinded federal approval for New York City's congestion pricing program, sparking legal challenges from state officials.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy criticized the toll as an unfair burden on working-class Americans and small businesses.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) filed a lawsuit to maintain the program, citing its benefits in reducing traffic and emissions.
Governor Kathy Hochul vowed to continue the tolls during the legal battle, emphasizing state sovereignty over transportation policies.
Key quote:
“It’s mystifying that after four years and 4,000 pages of federally-supervised environmental review — and barely three months after giving final approval to the Congestion Relief Program — USDOT would seek to totally reverse course.”
— Janno Lieber, MTA chair and CEO
Why this matters:
Proponents of the congestion pricing plan argue that it not only eases gridlock but also reduces air pollution, contributing to a healthier urban environment. The revocation of the program raises concerns about increased emissions and the potential setback of efforts to combat climate change at the local level. As legal battles unfold, the future of New York City's congestion pricing remains uncertain, with implications for urban transportation policies nationwide.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has introduced a new category of “emergency” permits to fast-track fossil fuel projects, potentially limiting environmental reviews and public input.
The Army Corps is expediting approval for pipelines, mines and power plants, citing an energy emergency declared by President Trump.
The move could bypass the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires environmental impact assessments before major projects begin.
Projects benefiting from this fast-tracking include the controversial Line 5 pipeline in Michigan and a deepwater crude export terminal off Texas and Louisiana.
Key quote:
“This end run around the normal environmental review process is not only harmful for our waters, but is illegal under the Corps’ own emergency permitting regulations.”
— David Bookbinder, Environmental Integrity Project
Why this matters:
The Line 5 pipeline, which snakes beneath the Great Lakes, has long been a source of contention. Aging infrastructure and the potential for leaks or explosions have heightened concerns, particularly given the waterway’s role as a drinking source for millions. A similar controversy is playing out in Louisiana, where a proposed oil export terminal could disrupt wetlands that serve as natural storm barriers and vital habitats for wildlife.
Critics argue that bypassing public scrutiny could have long-term consequences for clean water, air quality and climate change efforts. At a time when world leaders are grappling with how to curb fossil fuel reliance, allowing projects to move forward without rigorous review raises questions about whether emergency measures are simply being used to justify business-as-usual development.
The Trump administration has fired more than 2,000 probationary employees at the Interior Department, part of a sweeping effort to reduce the federal workforce across multiple agencies.
The Interior Department dismissed about 2,300 employees, including staff from the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Geological Survey.
Other agencies, including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, have also seen large cuts, affecting scientists and researchers in fields like biology, engineering and climate science.
The Food and Drug Administration’s food science lab lost key personnel, disrupting studies on food safety, heavy metals in infant formula and bacterial contamination in processing facilities.
Key quote:
“U.S.G.S. touches American lives everyday, they just don’t know it, because so much of it is operating in the background.”
— Mark Sogge, former U.S. Geological Survey research ecologist
Why this matters:
The mass firings could weaken federal oversight of public lands, environmental protections and scientific research. The U.S. Geological Survey, for example, provides critical data on earthquakes, floods and climate patterns, while the FDA's food safety lab monitors contaminants in the nation’s food supply. The cuts may also disrupt long-term research on artificial intelligence, public health and energy technology. With layoffs extending to the IRS and Defense Department, the impact of these reductions could be felt across multiple sectors of government and daily life.
The Trump administration approved a license for the Texas GulfLink project, a deepwater oil export terminal off the coast of Freeport, Texas, allowing it to move forward with plans to ship up to two million barrels of crude oil per day.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration approved Sentinel Midstream’s application to build the Texas GulfLink terminal about 30 miles offshore.
The project aligns with the Trump administration’s goal of expanding U.S. energy exports and would serve as a major offshore crude oil hub.
Sentinel officials did not disclose the project’s cost, timeline, or remaining permit requirements.
Key quote:
“This permitting milestone is a testament to the hard work, perseverance and expertise of the Sentinel team.”
— Jeff Ballard, CEO of Sentinel Midstream
Why this matters:
The Texas GulfLink terminal is poised to become a major player in U.S. crude oil exports. The offshore terminal, planned near Freeport, Texas, would allow for the direct loading of massive oil tankers, reducing the reliance on smaller vessels and onshore infrastructure. Proponents argue that this increases efficiency and strengthens energy security, particularly in a global market still shaped by geopolitical instability. But the project has also drawn criticism from environmental groups and climate advocates. Offshore terminals carry the risk of oil spills, which can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems and livelihoods.
The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have halted programs designed to mitigate conflicts fueled by climate change, leaving vulnerable regions without critical support.
USAID programs that helped manage water resources, prevent famine, and provide job training in unstable regions have been shut down as the administration's pushes to dismantle the agency.
A federal court issued a temporary restraining order, but much of the aid work has already stopped, including projects that supported climate resilience in Niger, Iraq, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
Security experts warn that climate-driven crises, such as water shortages and failed crops, increase the risk of violence and extremism, making these programs vital to global stability.
Key quote:
“People will be measurably less able to cope with climate shocks. In some cases, people will die of hunger.”
— Anonymous aid-agency staff member
Why this matters:
Climate change is already straining water and food supplies, fueling conflicts in regions where resources are scarce. USAID projects helped communities adapt, reducing tensions over land and water and preventing extremist recruitment. Without these initiatives, vulnerable populations face greater hardship, potentially leading to more instability and violence. The U.S. National Intelligence Council has warned that climate threats will increasingly affect national and global security. As extreme weather worsens, the loss of these programs could have long-term geopolitical consequences.
The Trump administration has dismissed hundreds of Federal Emergency Management Agency employees and is now compiling a list of staff involved in climate change, equity, and environmental justice programs, raising concerns about the agency’s disaster response capacity.
FEMA has fired more than 200 employees, with Homeland Security cutting another 200, citing wasteful spending.
An internal email instructs FEMA leadership to identify all staff involved in climate, diversity, and equity initiatives, potentially affecting most of the agency.
Critics warn the cuts could weaken FEMA’s ability to respond to disasters, especially as climate-related crises increase.
Key quote:
“It’s weird to spend nearly 15 years dedicated to public service, a decade of which I spent working specifically in the flood insurance space, and then get terminated for being a ‘new’ employee.”
— Christopher Page, former FEMA attorney
Why this matters:
FEMA plays a key role in disaster preparedness and response, but mass firings could leave the agency understaffed as extreme weather events intensify. Climate change has made hurricanes, floods, and wildfires more destructive, increasing the need for federal support. The focus on cutting staff tied to climate and equity initiatives signals a shift in priorities that could affect long-term resilience efforts. Critics argue that targeting experienced personnel undermines efficiency rather than improving it.
Western North Carolina farmers face mounting losses and uncertainty months after Hurricane Helene devastated crops, equipment, and land, with state and federal aid still slow to arrive.
The storm caused an estimated $4.9 billion in agricultural losses, wiping out crops, livestock feed, and infrastructure in a region known for apples, Christmas trees, and vegetables.
Despite $31 billion in federal relief funds for farmers, it remains unclear how much will reach North Carolina or when, leaving many struggling to rebuild before spring planting.
Farmers face difficult decisions about whether to continue, with some considering selling their land as financial uncertainty and emotional strain take their toll.
Key quote:
“There’s not a gambler in Vegas that has the intestinal fortitude a farmer has.”
— Adam McCurry, agriculture technician
Why this matters:
Agriculture is the backbone of western North Carolina’s economy, but extreme weather events are pushing farmers to the brink. Floodwaters stripped away topsoil, destroyed orchards, and ruined infrastructure, leaving many without the resources to recover. Delayed aid threatens not just individual farms but entire rural communities that rely on agriculture and agritourism. With more frequent storms and climate-related disasters, the survival of small farms grows more uncertain, raising concerns about food security and the future of farming in the region.
Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.
