What We Learned This Week - "Habemus Papam"

In a case with national implications, the American Farm Bureau Federation plans to ask the U.S.  Supreme Court to overturn two lower court decisions regarding the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint.  The 500-mile long Ohio River algal bloom was called the worst in the River's history.  Chicago River testing revealed very high levels of bacteria from human waste. Pope Francis visited the nation's capital, asked the country to "do unto others" and prayed that "God bless America."  The Associated Press style book no longer allows use of the terms "denier" or "skeptic" to describe people who disagree with the scientific consensus on climate change.   Weed resistance to the popular herbicide glyphosate is increasing rapidly throughout the Midwest.   Asian carp were found in the upper reaches of the Wabash River Basin. The Obama administration announced that the greater sage-grouse does not need protection as an endangered species.   The small Mississippi River town of Kimmswick, Missouri will be the corporate headquarters and home port for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. Pennsylvania's three-month-old budget stalemate is still stale.  Hilda was named Wisconsin's "cow of the year."  Gulf coastal flooding could increase several hundredfold by 2100.  Land Institute founder Wes Jackson, is preparing to retire.  Since 2008, there was a large increase in U.S. sales of organic goods, but the number or organic farms and land devoted to organic farming shrank.   "Farm Aid"  celebrated its 30th anniversary.  Environmental groups want greater Federal protections for the threatened northern long-eared bat near two West Virginia coal mines.  A group of West Virginia coal mines recently sold for nothing.   The number of operating U.S. coal mines has hit its lowest point on record.  And last but not least, a judge allowed lyrics from John Prine's coal mining protest song "Paradise" to remain part of a lawsuit against Peabody Energy.