Here's how $4 billion in government money is being spent to reduce climate pollution Most states submitted plans to reduce planet-warming pollution to unlock federal grant money, and they proposed projects to get started. This week, the Biden administration announced the winners. NPR

Also see yesterday's EPA statement posted yesterday:

94 people in Florida accused of defrauding the government during COVID-19 pandemic, so far Dozens in Florida, including several people in Jacksonville, are paying the price after they were accused of misusing COVID-19 loans. John Asebes WJXT News4JAX

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Federal investigators with the US Attorney’s Office say more than $84 million is believed to be fraudulently used.

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Climate change is ending the Sun Belt boom For decades, Americans streamed from North to South. No more. AOL Staff AOL

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Since the widespread adoption of air conditioning in the 1970s, Americans have moved in droves from cold northern climes to sunny southern ones. That has led to booming populations in states such as Florida, Texas and Arizona, and a shift in economic activity from north to south.

Pandemic Fund by World Bank draws over $700 mln from US, Germany | Reuters

COVID-19 devastated teacher morale − and it hasn’t recovered The pandemic led many teachers to leave their jobs − a trend that could continue if education leaders don’t address issues that affect morale. The Conversation

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Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth The average global temperature reached 17.09 degrees Celsius, or about 62.76 Fahrenheit, which is just above the record set last July. NBC News

Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, according to data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. 

South Africa passes its first sweeping climate change law South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a broad climate change act that will set caps for large emitters and require every town and city to publish an adaptation plan. Nellie Peyton Reuters

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US targets nitrous oxide in new phase of climate fight The Biden administration on Tuesday announced it would seek to curb U.S. emissions of powerful industrial greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide as it enters a new phase in the national strategy to fight climate change under the Paris agreement. Valerie Volcovici Reuters

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Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place—the picture is unsettling (medicalxpress.com)

Map Shows States With "Very High" Covid Rates A map of levels of Covid in wastewater suggests a higher rate of infections in a swathe of states. Newsweek

Some 17 US states have detected "very high" levels of Covid in their wastewater, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A rise in levels of Covid found in wastewater can signal that more people are getting infected.

ICU-acquired infections more common in COVID patients than those with flu Compared to influenza, COVID-19 patients had longer ICU stays. CIDRAP

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who required intensive care unit (ICU) treatment were more likely to acquire infections than those hospitalized with influenza, according to a new study in Scientific Reports.

Rescue From Above: How Drones May Narrow Emergency Response Times - KFF Health News Public safety and health care organizations are using drones to speed up lifesaving treatment during medical emergencies in which every second counts. khnkytjaw KFF Health News

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