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.
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.
Covanta opens new facility in Indy to dispose of commercial, industrial waste
The new processing facility is designed to help local automotive, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers, among other businesses, reach or maintain zero-waste-to-landfill status.
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.
U-pick flower farm offers more than bouquets
P&D Flower Farm, in northeastern Johnson County, also offers floral arrangement and an event center for weddings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
China cutting U.S. soybean purchases in face of tariffs threat
There might be a political impact: Three of the top five soybean-exporting states—Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska—voted for President Donald Trump in 2016.
Not-for-profit RecycleForce aims to build $10 million facility in Indianapolis
An 18-month legal battle continues to linger over RecycleForce as it attempts to begin raising money from donors to fund construction of a 105,000-square-foot building at Sherman Park.
Crawfordsville startup CorVus fattens pigs for science
The newly built farm uses a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet to give animals heart disease and diabetes to help medical researchers find treatments.
Pruitt proposes limits to scientific research used by EPA staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency broke with four decades of practice Tuesday and proposed limits on the science used to develop policies protecting public health and the environment.
‘Shockingly weak’ cattle market should mean cheaper summer burgers
Cattle futures have been sliding as market watchers expect a landslide of meat in the coming months.