National (U.S.)

Despite the good reasons for animal exhibits in zoos, it may be time for a fresh look at zoos.

"Exelon, a leading competitive power provider, plans to shut two money-losing nuclear plants in Illinois, the company said Thursday, after efforts to push a bailout through the state’s Legislature fell apart."

"Water departments that use controversial lead-testing practices have told the Guardian they will change their methods after an investigation revealed they were not following environmental guidelines."

"Secretary of State John Kerry lambasted any future president who would tear up the international climate agreement the U.S. signed in April."

"Our waterways are filled with traces of drugs, says a new study conducted by the USGS."

"The Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it will impose a near-total ban on the sale of ivory, fulfilling a key element of the Obama administration's crackdown on wildlife trafficking."

"The battle over Exxon Mobil and the issue of climate change took a new turn Wednesday. Environmental groups, citing constitutional rights, said they would not comply with a sweeping request for information from the House Committee on Space, Science and Technology led by Chairman Lamar S. Smith (R-Tex.)."

"Just days after two federal agencies seemed to clear the way for offshore fracking in the Pacific Ocean, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called on it to stop."

"Just a few years ago, the United States seemed poised to say farewell to nuclear energy. No company had completed a new plant in decades, and the disaster in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011 intensified public disenchantment with the technology, both here and abroad."

"A Guardian investigation reveals that testing regimes similar to that of Flint were in place in major cities including Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia".