Umair Irfan

climate change, energy, and environment reporter for Vox

Covers climate change, energy, and the environment for Vox

Umair Irfan on KCRW

East Palestine, Ohio, is still reeling after a freight train — that was carrying hazardous materials — got derailed.

Slashed workforce and fewer regulations led to East Palestine train derailment

East Palestine, Ohio, is still reeling after a freight train — that was carrying hazardous materials — got derailed.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Scientists at the National Ignition Facility say they’ve achieved fusion. Theoretically, it can generate lots of energy without nuclear waste.

This nuclear fusion breakthrough could revolutionize clean energy

Scientists at the National Ignition Facility say they’ve achieved fusion. Theoretically, it can generate lots of energy without nuclear waste.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Hurricane Ian is the first major storm to hit the Tampa Bay area in about a century. Like many coastal regions, its population has rapidly grown.

Hurricane Ian will bring dangerous, days-long flooding to Florida

Hurricane Ian is the first major storm to hit the Tampa Bay area in about a century. Like many coastal regions, its population has rapidly grown.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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Video game performers have gone on strike after two years of negotiations around AI and the use of performers’ digital likeness.

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The Federal Reserve announced a half-a-percentage point cut in interest rates on Wednesday. Mortgage rates had already been falling, but the median home price in LA is $1 million.

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Train passengers up and down California and Oregon say it’s worth keeping Amtrak as a vital lifeline and a nostalgic leisure activity.

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Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down a letter signed by hundreds of SAG-AFTRA members calling on union leaders to protect Pro-Palestine members from being blacklisted.

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Private developers are using LA’s affordable housing policy to build no-frills micro-units for LA workers earning about $75,000 a year.

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As Greta Gerwig prepares to dive into production on her adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, the director is attempting to persuade Netflix to release her film on thousands of IMAX…

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A coalition of unions filed unfair labor charges against Disney, claiming the company forced workers at its Anaheim theme park to remove union buttons during their shifts.

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It’s been more than two years since anyone watched the second season finale of HBO’s “Euphoria.”

from The Business