Arts & Life Climate activist who defaced Edgar Degas' sculpture sentenced to 60 days in prison A federal judge sentenced Joanna Smith to 60 days in prison for smearing paint on the case surrounding Edgar Degas' Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen at the National Gallery of Art. Chloe Veltman
Environment Can we combat climate change by brightening clouds? A University of Washington professor is the lead researcher on a team experimenting with "cloud brightening" technology to make clouds more reflective so they bounce more of the sun’s rays back out to space, theoretically cooling the Earth and combating global warming. Diana Opong Alec Cowan Hans Anderson
Environment Want an EV? Washington state offers $45 million in rebates State officials announced $45 million in rebates on electric vehicles Tuesday, with the point-of-sale discounts to be available in August to people buying or leasing a more climate-friendly car, whether new or used. John Ryan
Climate Europe is warming up faster than any other continent, and the heat is deadly The number of heat-related deaths in Europe increased 30% in the last 20 years. Climate change is to blame. Rebecca Hersher
Elections Campaign to defend Washington state's climate law raises $11 million, far outpacing opposition A campaign defending Washington’s Climate Commitment Act from repeal by voters launched Wednesday. The “No on 2117” campaign announced it has obtained more than $11 million in pledges from environmental groups, unions, tribes, and corporations. Amy Radil
Climate China's cities are sinking, putting tens of millions at risk Nearly a third of China's urban population lives in areas that are subsiding, according to a sweeping national survey of 82 major Chinese cities. In coastal areas, that makes sea level rise worse. Rebecca Hersher
Environment Lethal heat in West Africa is driven by human-caused climate change The recent deadly heat in West Africa is driven by human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, particularly in the wealthy Northern Hemisphere, according to an international report. Emmanuel Akinwotu
More aboard! Activists, officials disagree about how to boost Amtrak Cascades ridership Ridership on the Amtrak Cascades, running between Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver, Canada, has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, though it came close in 2023. John Ryan
National Florida blocks heat protections for workers right before summer Miami-Dade County had proposed rules that would give workers breaks, water, and shade when it's too hot. But a new state law prevents cities and counties from doing that. Alejandra Borunda
Environment Should Washington state consider climate impacts when it approves timber sales? A ruling by a King County judge over the sale of timber in Eastern King County points to the increased scrutiny the DNR faces over how it manages public lands. Libby Denkmann Hans Anderson
