Tongass roadless rule: The USDA will accept public comment on a proposed rule, to be published this week, that would restore protections against road building and logging in more than 9 million acres of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. (USDA)
Senate confirms Sams: By unanimous vote, the Senate confirmed Charles Sams as the first Native American to serve as director of the National Park Service. (NBC News)
Black farmer initiative: Smithfield Foods said the first family farmers have joined a contract grower program for Black and other minority farmers that is part of a $15 million “Unity and Action” commitment by the largest U.S. pork processor. (Smithfield)
Giant sequoia losses: Nearly 20 percent of the world’s sequoia trees died in three wildfires in the southern Sierra Nevada in the past 14 months, said the National Park Service. (Los Angeles Times)
Farm laws repealed: After a year of protests by farmers, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of three laws that had rolled back farm subsidies and price regulation of crops but were criticized as giving corporations the upper hand in setting sales prices. (Guardian)