5 faith facts about Sam Brownback: Political champion of religious freedom

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, President Trump's nominee for international religious freedom ambassador, describes religious freedom as "the choice of what you do with your own soul." If confirmed, the 60-year-old, two-term Republican governor, former U.S. senator and onetime presidential candidate would be the first politician confirmed as the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

Opinion: Untold story is rural America keeps rejecting Big Wind

Buena Vista wind farm turbines photographed in the Altamont area of Contra Costa County, Calif., on Friday, May 8, 2015. The question of how many birds are killed on the Altamont Pass by the wind turbines located there has once again reared its ugly head.

Senate appropriators advance $38.4 billion energy spending bill

Senate appropriators on Thursday sent a $38.4 billion energy and water spending bill to the chamber's floor that is $4 billion more than President Trump's budget request. The Appropriations Committee approved the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for fiscal 2018 with a near unanimous 30-1 vote, with some Democrats choosing to delay their push to boost renewable energy spending until the bill comes up for a final vote on the floor.

State Dept survey reveals despair in the ranks: ‘People do not…

A survey of workers in the U.S. State Department under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has found that morale is at low and that employees "do not speak optimistically about the future." The Hill reported on a document obtained by the Wall Street Journal that details just how deep dissatisfaction runs in the rank and file of the State Department and U.S. diplomatic corps.

U.S. wind industry tacks as Trump shifts the political climate

Three days after Energy Secretary Rick Perry directed his staff to find ways to give a boost to coal and nuclear power, the rival wind industry kicked its lobbying response into action. The American Wind Energy Association would tap allies in Congress willing to weigh in with Perry and buy advertisements on "news channels closely followed by the Trump administration," according to a memo its leader sent to board members.

The Latest: UNHCR hopes for a generousa US refugee policy

The Latest on the Trump administration's revived travel ban for visitors from six mostly Muslim countries : The U.N. refugee agency says it hopes for a "generous approach" from the United States as the Trump administration adjusts U.S. refugee resettlement policies. Spokesman William Spindler of UNHCR noted the U.S. "tradition of generosity toward those fleeing war and persecution" after the administration set new criteria for visa applicants from six mostly Muslim nations and all refugees.

LETTERS: Readers speak out on climate, health care

Recent guest column by U.S. Rep. Randy Weber supporting President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement;Trump's own secretary of state, formerly Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, argued for acceptance.When it comes to how high they price their products, drug companies want the public to ignore what they spend on marketing and the tax breaks ... (more)

Oil to Keep Flowing in Dakota Line While Legal Battle Continues

Oil will continue to flow through the Dakota Access Pipeline through the summer while authorities conduct additional review of the environmental impact, after a judge on Wednesday ordered more hearings in coming months. Last week, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg in Washington ruled in favor of Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, who said more environmental analysis of the Dakota Access line should have been carried out.

More rational policies in our future?

In the wake of President Trump's exit from the Paris climate treaty, reactions from other quarters were predictably swift, nasty, sanctimonious and hypocritical. Al Gore paused near one of the private jets he takes to hector lesser mortals to say the action will bring "a global weather apocalypse."

Renewable energy push is strongest in the reddest states

Some of the fastest progress on clean energy is occurring in states led by Republican governors and legislators, and states carried by Donald Trump in the presidential election. Two years ago, Kansas repealed a law requiring that 20 percent of the state's electric power come from renewable sources by 2020, seemingly a step backward on energy in a deeply conservative state.

Pittsburgh residents don’t want their city ‘smoky’ again

Residents in Pittsburgh say it's ironic that President Donald Trump name-dropped their city during his announcement on Thursday that the United States was pulling out of a global climate accord. After all, it's stricter environmental regulations and clean energy policies that transformed their once "smoky city" into a beautiful place to live.