National (U.S.)

"U.S. researchers have discovered a genetic mutation unique to African Americans that could help explain why blacks are so susceptible to asthma."

"More than 15 years after a fertilizer bomb was used to blow up a government building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, the federal government is proposing to regulate the sale and transfer of the chemical ammonium nitrate."

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is concerned that hydraulic fracturing of natural-gas wells near its dams — such as the one at Joe Pool Lake in southwestern Dallas County — could threaten dam safety."

"The Republican-led House has voted to 'stop,' 'block' or 'undermine' efforts to protect the environment 110 times since taking over the majority in January, two senior Democrats said last week."

The debt ceiling deal enacted by the House Monday contains provisions that will profoundly affect federal policy on the environment and energy. Environmentalists are crying foul. The Senate may vote on it Tuesday.

"New studies in California and Wisconsin reveal a dirty little secret: Out of sight, many urban sewer pipes are failing and germ-ridden filth is bleeding out."

"Across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, valuable goods are being transported daily. But the goods - crude oil, gasoline and other hazardous liquids, as well as natural gas - are shipped out of sight, through transmission pipelines under the land and waters of the region."

"A group of eight senators is asking the FDA to cease consideration of the fish as food, and is threatening to pull funding for the study if the agency does not comply."

"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is approaching completion of an ambitious study that concludes that a meltdown at a typical American reactor would lead to far fewer deaths than previously assumed."

"The Securities and Exchange Commission sent subpoenas this week to energy companies asking them for documents about how they calculate and publicly disclose the performance of their shale gas wells, according to oil and gas industry lawyers."