Footnotes News in Brief Synthesizing the News Trump Signs the Water Infrastructure Act The law authorizes billions of dollars for state-level projects aimed at improving the nation's rivers, harbors, and drinking water. Emily Moon
Key Takeaways News in Brief A Former Monsanto Executive Could Be the Next U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith is a biologist and lawyer who's been with the Department of the Interior since April of 2017. Emma Sarappo
Environment News in Brief The Government’s Latest Hearing on the EPA’s Science Transparency Rule Bolstered Outsider Scientists’ Opinions Two of the three invited scientists agreed with the rule, even though other evidence suggests most scientists are against it. Francie Diep
Environment Scott Pruitt’s Testimony Before a Split Senate Committee Was Rowdy but Ultimately Unsurprising Half the senators lobbed the EPA chief softball questions; the other half blasted his attempts at deregulation. Francie Diep
Environment EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Favors National Fuel Standard The agency, which is in talks with states that have stricter fuel standards, expects to reach a decision on those potential changes by April. Kate Wheeling