Articles by Regional Reporter, Illinois Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco is the Midwest regional reporter for Grist and WBEZ Chicago. He previously covered waterways, wildlife, and agriculture for the Mississippi River Basin Agriculture and Water Desk, Harvest Public Media, and WNIJ Northern Public Radio.
All Articles
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![An air monitor attached to a light pole]()
![An air monitor attached to a light pole]()
After a civil rights complaint, Chicago built the nation’s largest air monitoring network
As extreme heat reshapes air quality, the network of 277 monitors is expected to help identify localized pollution hot spots.
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![EPA administrator gives presentation]()
![EPA administrator gives presentation]()
Biden’s clean drinking water plan is being rebranded as MAHA
The EPA is distributing billions authorized under the Biden administration while reducing overall funding levels and promoting the work as part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
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![Gardener inspects seedlings]()
![Gardener inspects seedlings]()
Once dismissed as weeds, native plants are now flying off the shelves
Gardeners across the country are flocking to climate-resilient native plants as concerns about extreme heat, flooding, and pollinators grow.
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![Illustration over tire tracks over prairie and stream]()
![Illustration over tire tracks over prairie and stream]()
Illinois is feuding with itself over endangered species protections
The state Department of Transportation has sidestepped endangered species protections in 11 cases, according to public records.
