The Affordable Clean Energy rule will establish a framework for emission reductions for coal plants. States will develop specific plans.

Exxon Mobil Corp. will pay $1.05 million to settle federal violations for polluting the Yellowstone River in Montana in 2011, when a broken pipeline dumped 63,000 gallons of crude oil 150 miles downstream from Yellowstone National Park.

While the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a clean up standard of 70 parts per trillion for some PFAS chemicals, the Environmental Working Group says a safe standard is 1 part per trillion. 

A new report card evaluating the overall health of the Mississippi River basin gives the watershed a D+ based on assessments in a number of areas ranging from flood control to ecosystem health.