Wastewater Rates Under Fire: Hawaii County commissioners pushed back on proposed sewer rate hikes tied to costly wastewater and cesspool upgrades, including a major Hilo treatment plant replacement, after officials warned bills could jump 20% this November and more than double over five years. Dark Skies Push: New York lawmakers are weighing a statewide Dark Skies Protection Act that would limit overnight outdoor lighting (with exceptions for events) to cut light pollution and energy waste. Invasive Pest Alert: Washington’s WSDA is urging residents to inspect winter greenery for elongate hemlock scale and report/dispose of any infested items to prevent spread. Brownfields Cleanup Funding: U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1M for Jamestown to assess, clean up, and redevelop contaminated sites using EPA Brownfields Program money, including work tied to the Chadakoin River corridor. Heat and Water Safety: A World Cup heat-safety report warns that while players get hydration breaks, surrounding NJ/NY neighborhoods face dangerous conditions without similar protections. Clean Water Campaign: charity: water launched “Football Takes Water” to fund 21 clean-water projects worldwide during the World Cup. Lyme Risk Expands: Lyme disease is spreading beyond the Northeast, with tick-bite emergency visits rising and deer ticks moving into more states, raising stakes for New Yorkers’ awareness and diagnosis.