air pollution

Industries and cities used to pollute rivers so heavily that at least one caught fire a dozen times. But like the Spring River in Kansas, some waterways are now bouncing back. Plus: Residents in a small Kansas town are upset about a smelly landfill.

Some residents of Galena, Kansas, live downhill from the landfill and say smoke and rotten-egg odors are impacting their day-to-day lives. There’s been discussions about diminishing property values.

The U.S. Department of Justice reached agreement with The Kroger Co., which owns Dillons stores in Kansas, regarding its mismanagement of refrigerant chemicals, including payment of a $2.5 million penalty.

St. Louis, Missouri, was ranked 21st worst city across the country for its ozone levels this year, while Kansas City was ranked 34th worst for its ozone levels. Now, the Trump administration is trying to roll back air pollution and other environmental regulations, which experts say could harm public health.

Authorities around Fredericktown, Missouri, called for some evacuations and told other nearby residents to shelter in place. The state Department of Natural Resources is on the scene to assess potential environmental impacts from the incident.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates Rush Island released 275,000 tons of sulfur dioxide after it was updated without required pollution controls in 2007 and 2010.

After decades of pollution, redlining and disinvestment, Wyandotte County residents are demanding change and taking steps to make it happen.

The annual “State of the Air” report from the American Lung Association shows some progress for the region and the nation in smog reduction but reports that particulate pollution levels are deadly.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is smothering U.S. cities throughout the Midwest. Kansas City is under an ozone alert Wednesday showing that the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Congressional representatives from St. Louis and Kansas City and environmental groups argue the state’s plan doesn’t make meaningful attempts to reduce the pollution that causes haze.

The American Lung Association's latest “State of the Air” report card shows cities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska have cleaner air than they used to. But soot from wildfires continues to pose a risk.

Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska are among dozens of states that have yet to submit plans for improving air quality in protected areas. Environmental nonprofits are suing the EPA to compel the agency to take action.