Ohioans lead petition to prevent growth of data centers
By Finn Smith | Apr. 21A group of Ohioans is collecting signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment that would restrict the expansion of data centers across the state.
ENVIRONMENT
Thousands of acres of Ohio land approved for fracking
By Finn Smith | Apr. 14The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission recently approved over 8,500 acres of land on Salt Fork State Park and Egypt Valley Wildlife Area for fracking. The decision has angered many environmental activists across the state for potential negative environmental and health effects.
ODNR proposes to rename Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area
By Bridget Thomas | Apr. 10ONDR proposed changing the name of the Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area to Trump Wildlife Preserve in March. The name change has faced backlash on social media due to the connotation of the Trump name.
Senator proposes a constitutional right to hunt and fish
By Laynee Eslich | Apr. 9The right to hunt and fish is currently established through the revised code rather than in the constitution. ODNR would continue to regulate which species, where and which people can hunt and fish under proposed legislation.
Ohio Senate Bill 294 reevaluates energy production
By Bridget Thomas | Mar. 25Ohio Senate Bill 294 aims to promote fossil fuel and natural gas energy production, while making it more difficult to invest in renewable energy.
Ohio EPA to review data center wastewater permit for river disposal
By Finn Smith | Mar. 20The Ohio EPA is considering a general permit for data centers to apply for the discharge of wastewater into surface waters in the state. The permit would allow a streamlined process for data center facilities to receive authorization, and has raised concerns with environmental activists.
World’s largest natural gas generation facility planned for Ohio
By Finn Smith | Mar. 17Portsmouth is expected to be the site of the largest natural gas generation facility in the world, generating 9.2 gigawatts of power, as part of a Japan-U.S. trade deal.
All 88 Ohio counties under spotted lanternfly quarantine
By Kaitlin Hogg | Mar. 6The spotted lanternfly population has become an increasingly larger problem in Ohio, leading the Department of Agriculture to impose a state-wide quarantine on Feb. 17.
Seismic events in Southeast Ohio reach high in 2025
By Laynee Eslich | Feb. 10ODNR reported 173 tremors in the past year in Southeast Ohio. Nine earthquakes have been reported in the region since the start of 2026.
Bald eagle comeback results in four nests in Athens
By Fiona Petticrew | Feb. 9The American bald eagle population is thriving in Ohio, with around 964 confirmed nests. Wildlife professionals discuss their comeback and explain how they are being protected in Ohio.
Pike County nuclear site experiences cleanup, new development
By Finn Smith | Jan. 22The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, a historic producer of U.S. nuclear energy, is undergoing mass decontamination and decommissioning. Local organizations are now working together to initiate new projects on the site to bolster energy production and create local jobs.
EPA approves new insecticide, conservation groups sue
By Finn Smith | Jan. 20The EPA recently approved a new pesticide known as isocycloseram. The chemical’s approval has drawn backlash from conservation groups who claim there is a risk of long-term health effects.
400-pound black bear reported by hunters, bear presence increasing
By Kaitlin Hogg | Dec. 2There was an increase in black bear sightings in recent years, due in part to the fact hunting black bears is illegal in the state of Ohio, paired with the growing public interest in protecting the animals.
ODNR sued over approval of two injection wells
By Finn Smith | Dec. 2Two injection wells approved in Washington County have caused concern among local Marietta officials, residents and environmental groups for potential danger to nearby drinking water sources. ODNR approved the wells with outdated regulations, prompting a lawsuit by Buckeye Environmental Network.
Growth of data centers poses environmental threats for Southeast Ohio
By Finn Smith | Nov. 18The growing number of data centers in Ohio is raising concerns due to their reliance on fracking. Experts say the increase in fracking could place environmental burdens on the Southeast region of the state.
Survey reveals hundreds of bee species across Ohio
By Kaitlin Hogg | Nov. 4An Ohio State University survey conducted through the Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership has identified nearly 500 bee species across the state, offering new insight into the diversity and vulnerability of Ohio’s native pollinators.
Spotted lanternfly could pose threat to Ohio vineyards
By Finn Smith | Nov. 4The spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect native to parts of Asia, has made its way into the U.S. and is causing concern in Ohio. The insect has a particular interest in feeding on grapevines, worrying vineyard owners across the state.
Jet stream shift brings cold snap, ends Ohio’s fall warmth
By Alex Passero | Nov. 3A southward shift in the jet stream brought freezing temperatures to Athens last week, ending weeks of unseasonable warmth and signaling a shift toward typical November weather.
Open burning regulations go into place this fall
By Laynee Eslich | Oct. 29Ohio currently has the driest land in the modern history of the state, increasing the risk of wildfires. Open burning regulations have been put into place to lessen wildfire probability.
Natalie’s Notes: Jane Goodall’s legacy must be preserved
By Natalie Saddler | Oct. 14Jane Goodall was not only a conservationist but a humanitarian with scientific breakthroughs, specifically in primatology. The world must continue her legacy, especially now with the ever-growing climate crisis affecting wildlife conservation.
