Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk

Meet Desk reporter Bennet Goldstein! He reports for Wisconsin Watch, covering agriculture, water, and environmental issues across the state. His work often investigates the dairy industry’s impact on water quality, including a revealing story on how satellites and AI were used to detect illegal manure spreading in winter—a practice that threatens waterways. “I love the unexpected turns in this work—finding a new story, following my curiosity, and uncovering something no one else is covering,” he said. He describes the Upper Mississippi River Basin as “our own little Appalachia,” with scenic beauty and fewer industrial pressures than other parts of the river. Lately, he’s been digging into another interesting topic: beavers, and their impact reshaping landscapes.

?Louisiana’s Solar for All program—nicknamed Solar for Y’all—is meant to expand access to solar energy for low-income residents, but its future is now uncertain. The Trump administration has already canceled billions in other contracts, and advocates worry this $156 million investment may be at risk. Read more about the potential impact on Louisiana’s solar future from Elise Plunk at Louisiana Illuminator and Halle Parker at WWNO. https://lnkd.in/gN6WgBJR?

Meet Desk reporter Elise Plunk of Louisiana Illuminator, who covers environmental and water issues. A recent graduate of the University of Florida, she’s passionate about exploring Louisiana’s complex water infrastructure and the environmental factors shaping its future. “Louisiana’s water system has been struggling for years, and I’m excited to dive into all the causes,” Plunk said. She’s especially interested in how petrochemicals affect harmful algal blooms—a problem she saw firsthand growing up in Florida. For Elise, journalism is all about connection. “I love talking to people, learning their stories, and uncovering details I never knew before,” she said. “It’s a dream come true to get paid to write about it.”

What’s it like to zip across the frozen Mississippi River on a fanboat? Reporter Madeline Heim with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joined scientists to find out, as they study ice thickness and climate impacts to the river. Read her latest dispatch in this week’s newsletter. Subscribe now: https://lnkd.in/gAiwuhC5?

What’s it like to zip across the frozen Mississippi River on a fanboat? Reporter Madeline Heim with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joined scientists to find out, as they study ice thickness and climate impacts to the river. Read her latest dispatch in this week’s newsletter. Subscribe now: https://lnkd.in/gAiwuhC5?

Mayors with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative traveled to Washington D.C. last week to push Congress to fund flood control, disaster response, and key shipping programs as rising waters and extreme weather put communities at-risk. But with federal budget cuts looming, the future is uncertain. Read more from Elise Plunk at the Louisiana Illuminator: https://lnkd.in/gYMt3ZhV?

A new bill could improve Mississippi River fisheries and protect the river’s ecosystem. The Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025 would fund habitat restoration, fisheries research and efforts to manage invasive species. Supporters say it’s long overdue. Read more by Elise Plunk at the Louisiana Illuminator: https://lnkd.in/gyRbSHsg?

The Trump administration's budget-cutting measures have had wide-reaching impacts across the country, including in the Mississippi River Basin. This week in the newsletter, we share an incredible story from Desk reporter Avery Martinez from KMOV News 4 on that topic and how it helped two Missouri farmers bridge the political divide. https://lnkd.in/gAiwuhC5

Meet Eric Schmid, economic development reporter for St. Louis Public Radio and a contributing journalist for the Mississippi Ag & Water Desk. Lately, Eric has been exploring the world of venture capital funding. He’s especially interested in how innovation in agriculture, geospatial tech and biosciences intersect with business development and environmental issues. His fascination with the Mississippi started in a five-person canoe on the river near St. Louis. “That moment, I realized the river's vast scale and my own small place within it,” he said. “That sparked my passion for understanding how the river and communities connect in this massive system.” Follow Eric’s reporting for more insights into the Midwest’s economic and environmental future!

Louisiana's wetlands are vital carbon storage centers, but destroying these reservoirs can accelerate harmful emissions that accelerate global warming, according to experts. As the Trump administration is fast-tracking several projects that could destroy wetlands near Lake Charles, new research finds the stakes for Louisiana’s coast are even higher than previously thought. Read more from Desk reporter Elise Plunk and Louisiana Illuminator. https://lnkd.in/g6zV9peZ?