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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Wednesday ordered the dismissal of a longstanding lawsuit challenging Oklahoma’s program regulating the disposal of coal ash. In Waterkeeper Alliance v. Regan, the D.C. Circuit held unanimously that the advocacy groups bringing the suit lacked standing to challenge Oklahoma’s environmental program, in part because certain claims “fall short of even speculation” and because Oklahoma’s program provides for greater public participation than the federal program. “From the beginning, this lawsuit was a political exer cise with little basis in law,” said Attorney General John O’Connor. “The district court found no real problem, and now the D.C. Circuit has held that the case should have never been allowed in the first place. Oklahoma is grateful for that decision. Court battles like this can take years, unfortunately, but defending Oklahoma’s interests is always worth it.”
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The Associate Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) National Office of Disaster Assistance was in Seminole last week to meet with various disaster relief agency representatives and community leaders. Francisco Sanchez, Jr., spoke with the group Thursday morning in the Seminole State College Haney Center Board Room. Prior to being named to his national position, Sanchez served as Deputy Homeland Security and Emergency Management Coordinator for the Harris County (Texas) Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Sanchez and those attending discussed ways to better coordinate and complement services offered to Seminole following the May 4 tornado, as well as how to improve all response efforts following disasters.
Read moreTop Story – George McGovern’s presidential campaign, already off to a bumpy start, ran into more problems Tuesday when his vice-presidential candidate announce he had been under psychiatric care during the early 1960’s. Key aids to McGovern. Confessed they did not know what the voter reaction would be in November to Tuesday’s disclosure by Senator Thomas F. Eagleton, D-Mo.
Read moreJust as most cars need to be refueled constantly, so does the nation’s blood supply. The American Red Cross has faced a concerning drop in blood and platelet donations this summer. Donors are needed to make an appointment to give in August to help prevent a blood shortage.
Read moreWinter weather comes on the heels of a vibrant, colorful autumn season. Shortly after fall foliage falls to the ground, nature tends to greet us with a considerably less colorful palette. What’s more, much of the wildlife and plants that make spring, summer and fall so awe-inspiring tend to hibernate in winter, making it more difficult to find bright spots on drab days.
Read moreThe Amorphophallus Titanum stinks. Better known as the “corpse flower,” the rare plant emits a noxious odor when it blooms, explains the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was expecting their corpse flower to bloom recently and prepared for the crowds it would attract. Resident horticulturist Jerome Stenger told reporters, “We’ve all heard how bad the smell is, but it’s just one of those things that you want to experience in order to describe it in your own words. And the fact that the occurrence is so rare, sometimes just blooming once in a decade, makes everyone want to see it.” Another fish story
Read moreA home insulation project certainly doesn’t offer the wow factor of a kitchen remodel, but insulation serves a vital function in the house that helps keep people comfortable and reduces energy consumption. Insulation is typically placed in areas where air escapes, such as between the stud cavities inside the walls and in the attic, and serves to slow and reduce heat transfer.
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