Starbucks ditching plastic straws, citing environmental threat to oceans
While plastic straws account for a small percentage of the waste that ends up in oceans, they’ve become a flashpoint for corporations that sell food and beverages.
Energy & Environment
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EPA Chief Scott Pruitt resigns amid crush of scandals
A former coal lobbyist, Andrew Wheeler, will take over the agency as acting administrator on Monday, Trump said, Unlike Pruitt, Wheeler has a low-key approach, cultivated during decades of working in Washington.
Downtown sinkhole repair could take longer than expected
A busy downtown intersection could remain closed through the weekend while crews repair a sinkhole that developed there Wednesday, Citizens Energy Group said Thursday afternoon.
Lawsuit alleges Hormel, Tyson, other companies inflated pork prices
A federal lawsuit filed Thursday in Minnesota alleges the companies colluded to inflate consumer pork prices on such popular products as Ball Park Franks, Spam and Hillshire Farm.
Duke Energy, consumer groups reach agreement to cut electric bills
If approved by Indiana utility regulators, the agreement would cut the monthly electrical bill of a typical household by an average of 5.6 percent.
UPDATE: Cummins loses out on GE’s industrial-engine business
General Electric Co. has agreed to sell its industrial gas engine business to a private equity for $3.25 billion, passing over interest in the acquisition from Columbus-based Cummins Inc.
IndyGo rethinks another electric-bus buy
IndyGo is expected to back off plans to purchase electric buses this year to replace the mass-transit system’s older diesel fleet, saying electric-vehicle technology is not yet good enough to meet its needs.
IBJ Media moving to Monument Circle
The publisher of Indianapolis Business Journal and its sister newspapers plans to relocate in March to the Indianapolis Power & Light Co. headquarters building in the southeast quadrant of the Circle.
Biodiversity champion wins Indianapolis Prize for conservation work
The seventh recipient of the prize has been credited with protecting hundreds of species and millions of acres of critical habitat around the world. He will receive $250,000.
Farmers struggle with growing suburban traffic
In suburban Indianapolis, the roads farmers have used for decades to reach their fields have become increasingly busy.
EPA sends White House revision on fuel economy standards
The proposal is widely expected to scale back future fuel economy rules for cars and trucks. EPA administrator Scott Pruitt has criticized Obama-era standards, saying this spring they were “too high.”
2018 Innovation Issue: Mammoth IU research effort tackles state’s thorniest problems
The Grand Challenges program has set aside $300 million for projects designed to solve “major and large-scale problems facing humanity” that can be addressed only by multidisciplinary research teams.
Indiana farmers see dry growing season start, hope for rain
Indiana farmers are hoping for precipitation to return despite the cold and wet beginning of spring that's caused planting issues.
Indiana consumer agency recommends state reject IPL rate increase
In a sharp rebuke, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor said IPL’s $96.7 million rate increase is unjustified. It is recommending a much smaller increase.
Startup with local operations targets 2022 debut for hybrid-electric plane
Boeing Co.-backed startup Zunum Aero plans to deliver its first hybrid-electric plane in 2022 to JetSuite Inc., setting the stage for a new era in regional flying.
Indiana agency wants to end newspaper notices on air permits
IDEM officials say making the change will expand public access to permit-related documents and decisions because more people are using the internet. But environmental groups disagree.
Conservative revolt over immigration sinks House farm bill
House Republican leaders suffered a setback Friday when conservatives scuttled an ambitious farm bill.
Reports predict possible climate changes in Indiana
Two new Indiana climate reports say the state's forests will likely benefit from longer growing seasons, but the state could also face increased spring flooding and summer droughts.
Wind-energy developer dismisses auditor after being informed of accounting weaknesses
Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives Inc. dismissed auditor Crowe Horwath and said it is taking steps to address the financial issues raised.
Oil rebounds as Trump dumps Iran deal, promises new sanctions
Crude oil futures dropped only 1 percent in New York on Tuesday after earlier dipping more than 4 percent.