IRON

Jan 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

Little Hands, Big Impact: How a School Garden Grows More Than Plants

In Leesburg, VA, something special is sprouting at Frederick Douglass Elementary. It's not just a garden; it's a place where young minds are learning to nurture the Earth. This isn't just about growing vegetables. It's about growing a sense of responsibility in the next generation. The school's gar

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Jan 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

Florida's Bird Battle: Flamingos vs. Mockingbirds

Florida is in the middle of a bird debate. A state lawmaker wants to change the state bird from the mockingbird to the flamingo. This isn't just about picking a favorite bird. It's about conservation and recognition. The flamingo has a strong supporter in Jim Mooney. He's been pushing for the flami

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Jan 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

Climate Change and Extinction: What the Facts Really Say

Climate change has been a hot topic for years, with many people saying it's causing animals and plants to die out at an alarming rate. But a new report from the UK Royal Society shakes things up. It says that extinction rates haven't gone up much in the last 200 years. In fact, for bugs and plants,

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Jan 22 2026SCIENCE

Science Meets Storytelling: Three Writers Win Big for Blending Worlds

Three writers have just won $10, 000 each for their unique ability to mix science and storytelling. The National Book Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation handed out these awards to celebrate books that make science feel as exciting as a good story. The winners are Kimberly Blaeser, Anna N

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Jan 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

Reviving the Kennebec: Balancing Nature and Industry

The Kennebec River has been a vital resource for Central Maine for millennia. It has supported local communities, wildlife, and significant fish populations. Today, it also powers industries and offers recreational opportunities. Recently, The Nature Conservancy and Brookfield Renewable agreed to pu

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Jan 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

The Messy Truth Behind America's Factory Farms

America's factory farms, or CAFOs, produce a staggering amount of waste. This waste often ends up in our rivers and lakes, making them unsafe for swimming or fishing. The problem is that these farms are not held to the same environmental standards as other industries. Unlike factories, they don't ha

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Jan 22 2026EDUCATION

Science Meets Storytelling: Three Authors Win Big

Three writers have been given $10, 000 each for their unique ability to mix science and literature. The National Book Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation just announced the winners of their fifth annual Science + Literature awards. The winning books are quite different from each other. Ki

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Jan 22 2026POLITICS

Minnesota's Mining Ban Faces Major Shift

The U. S. House of Representatives recently voted to undo a mining restriction in northern Minnesota. This move could open the door for a big mining project by Antofagasta, focusing on copper, cobalt, and nickel. The vote was close, with 214 in favor and 208 against. This decision now heads to the

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Jan 22 2026CRIME

Can Street Design Help Lower Violent-Sexual Crimes?

Violent-Sexual Crimes (VSC) are a big problem in many cities. People often blame bad street design for these crimes. But what if changing how streets look could help? This idea is not new. Many studies have looked at how single things like lighting or trees affect crime. But most have not looked at

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Jan 21 2026BUSINESS

Micron's Mega Project: A Community's Push for Fair Deals

Micron's massive $100 billion chip factory in New York is making waves, but not everyone is cheering. A group of local advocates, unions, and environmentalists are stepping up, asking Micron to make some serious promises—ones that are legally binding. This project is huge. It's set to be the bigges

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