A Montana judge has ruled in favor of 16 young climate activists, stating that the state violated their rights to a “clean and healthful environment” by blocking climate considerations in energy projects. This decision sets a strong legal precedent for addressing climate change and may encourage similar lawsuits around the country.
In other news, the death toll from the Maui wildfires has reached 99, with searchers expecting to find 10 to 20 victims per day for the next 10 days. Hawaii Governor Josh Green has expressed concerns about the escalating wildfire risks in various parts of the United States, particularly as extreme heat affects the Pacific Northwest this week.
The Biden administration has released federal guidance that allows colleges to still consider race in admissions. Despite the recent Supreme Court decision rejecting race-based affirmative action in college admissions, institutions can still take race into account in personal statements, recommendation letters, data collection, and recruitment efforts.
On a different note, the Smithsonian has disclosed that it currently holds over 30,700 human bones and body parts in storage. While the reasons for this collection are not mentioned, it highlights the vast amount of human remains that are preserved and maintained by the institution.
In the world of sports, the women’s World Cup semifinals are underway. Spain defeated Sweden 2-1 in a thrilling match, securing their place in the final. Australia and England will face each other tomorrow for a chance to join Spain in the championship match.
In a surprising discovery, Michigan State students stumbled upon a 142-year-old observatory buried on campus. Construction workers encountered a hard surface while installing hammock poles, leading students to uncover part of the cobblestone foundation of the historic building. Plans are underway to transform the site into an archaeological dig site for undergraduates and local residents.
Lastly, have you ever wondered what that stuff in your bellybutton is? Science has the answer to this common curiosity.