FILE – In this April 3, 2018, file photo, Environmental Protection…

In this April 3, 2018, file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks at a news conference in Washington. An internal government watchdog says the EPA violated federal spending laws when purchasing a $43,000 soundproof privacy booth for Pruitt to make private phone calls in his office.

Commission to consider household hazardous waste agreement

The Putnam County Commission Monday will consider approval of an agreement between the county and the city of Cookeville to locate a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site on city property.Under a The Putnam County Commission Monday will consider approval of an agreement between the county and the city of Cookeville to locate a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site on city property. Under the interlocal agreement, the city will allow the county to construct the facility at the city-owned brush collection site on West Jackson Street.

Stefanik looking for input on farm bill

U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro, wants farmers and other constituents to share their thoughts on the 2018 draft Farm Bill recently rolled out by House Republicans. One of the most significant changes included in the draft bill is an overhaul of the Margin Protection Program, which is supposed to provide farmers with financial relief when the selling price of milk is less than the cost of production.

Trump flips on trade pact, weighs rejoining Pacific Rim deal

In a striking reversal, President Donald Trump has asked trade officials to explore the possibility of the United States rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a free trade deal he pulled out of during his first days in office as part of his "America first" agenda.

Trump touts effect of his call with China’s Xi on U.S. beef exports

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he thinks a conversation he had with China's President Xi Jinping has had an impact on U.S. beef exports to China, where American exporters are now selling "a lot" of beef. U.S. President Donald Trump departs after giving remarks during an event in the White House Rose Garden in Washington, U.S., April 12, 2018.

Trump asks U.S. trade officials to look into joining Trans-Pacific Partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump has asked trade officials to explore the possibility of the United States rejoining negotiations on the Pacific Rim agreement after he pulled out last year as part of his "America first" agenda. Farm-state lawmakers said Thursday after a White House meeting with President Donald Trump that he had told his trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, to look into the possibility of getting back into TPP.

Estonia offers free genetic testing in nationwide experiment

Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year fo... Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions. Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions.

Spike Lee, Godard films to compete at Netflix-free Cannes

Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year fo... Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions. Emergency officials in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas are bracing for the start of what's historically the most active time of year for tornadoes while also facing wildfire threats because of severe drought conditions.

Vote slated for Wheeler to be EPA’s No. 2

The Senate is set to vote on Andrew Wheeler to be the number two official at the Environmental Protection Agency amid ethics concerns plaguing EPA chief Scott Pruitt and calls from Democrats for him to resign. Two GOP leadership aides told CNN they expected Wheeler to be approved, which would make him the latest appointee at the agency with close ties to the energy industry.

Drug testing plan considered for some food stamp recipients

The Trump administration is considering a plan that would allow states to require certain food stamp recipients to undergo drug testing, handing a win to conservatives who've long sought ways to curb the safety net program. The proposal under review would be narrowly targeted, applying mostly to people who are able-bodied, without dependents and applying for some specialized jobs, according to an administration official briefed on the plan.

Senators ask EPA to explain if Pruitt lied in Fox News interview

Three Democratic senators on the committee that oversees the Environmental Protection Agency are asking for answers on reports that the agency granted significant raises to two aides and whether Administrator Scott Pruitt lied about his knowledge of the raises in an interview on Fox News. The Atlantic reported last week that Pruitt granted raises to two of his aides at the EPA under a provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act after the White House personnel office denied the raises.

Trump ethanol moves may be worse for farmers than soy tariff

Based on his own back-of-the-envelope calculations, Minnesota farmer Kirby Hettver could lose tens of thousands of dollars of earnings because of President Donald Trump. But damaging as the brewing trade war with China may turn out to be for Hettver and other American soybean farmers, he says the greater financial impact could come if Trump moves ahead with changes to the U.S. ethanol mandate, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS.

Stopping Cruel High-Speed Pig Slaughter

USDA's proposed " Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection " rule would expand a failed and unlawful pilot program, the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point-based Inspection Models Project , to pig slaughterhouses nationwide, creating the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System. While the largest meat companies stand to profit from this privatized, speeded-up pig slaughter, animals, consumers, and slaughterhouse workers will pay a steep price.

Battered areas see new hurricanes on horizon

Regions still recovering from 2017's devastating hurricanes are scrambling to prepare for the new hurricane season, which is just two months away and expected to be busier than average. Houston has changed building regulations, Florida is seeking federal assistance and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long said Puerto Rico needs an estimated $50 billion to rebuild its infrastructure and electrical grid after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.

Pruitt’s security said to cost millions

In this Jan. 18, 2017 file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator-designate, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Pruitt has spent millions of dollars in taxpayer funds on unprecedented security precautions that include a full-time detail of 20 armed officers, according to agency sources and documents reviewed by The Associated Press.