The U.S. is on track to close half of its coal-fired generation capacity by 2026
By the end of 2026, based on current announcements from utilities, coal capacity will fall to 159 gigawatts (GW), down from its peak of 318GW in 2011.
North & Central America
This archive covers progress stories from North and Central America, spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Central America. Readers will find reporting on health, environment, community resilience, and policy advances across the region.
U.S. FDA approves over-the-counter sale of overdose reversal drug Narcan
Over-the-counter Narcan is now a reality: the FDA cleared the 4 mg naloxone nasal spray for sale at pharmacies, convenience stores, and other retailers without a prescription — the first opioid overdose reversal drug ever to earn that status in the U.S. The medication works within minutes to restore breathing, and it’s safe enough that any bystander can use it, no medical training required. For years, harm reduction workers quietly distributed naloxone in their communities, knowing how much it mattered; this decision finally meets them where they’ve been standing. Putting a life-saving tool on the same shelf as aspirin won’t end the overdose crisis on its own, but it’s a powerful reminder that expanding access — trusting ordinary people to help each other — is how public health movements actually save lives.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs protections bill in historic LGBTQ+ victory
The bill, which passed the state house in a 64 to 45 vote earlier this month, adds the categories of sexual orientation and gender identity to Michigan’s 1976 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA).
U.S. Postal Service to buy 9,000 electric vehicles and construct 14,000 charging stations
“We are moving forward with our plans to simultaneously improve our service, reduce our cost, grow our revenue, and improve the working environment for our employees,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, in a statement.
California to transform San Quentin State Prison into ‘Norwegian style’ rehabilitation center
Governor Gavin Newsom told the Los Angeles Times that his goal was “ending San Quentin as we know it” and working to “completely reimagine what prison means.”
Experimental pill achieves complete cancer remission in 18 people with aggressive leukemia
The new drug, called revumenib, has completely eliminated cancer in a third of the participants in a long-awaited clinical study from the University of Texas.
New Mexico updates anti-discrimination law to include LGBTQ+ protections
The new law establishes a broader slate of protections for LGBTQ+ people by defining gender and sex in state law and expanding existing definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Novo Nordisk to slash U.S. insulin prices, following move by Eli Lilly
The Danish drugmaker will reduce the list price of its NovoLog insulin by 75%, and for Novolin and Levemir by 65%.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs order protecting rights to gender-affirming healthcare
Walz’s executive order parallels legislation awaiting a floor vote in the state House to make Minnesota a “trans refuge state.”
Honduran president ends ban on emergency contraception, making it widely available
For years, Honduras was the only nation in the Americas to have an absolute ban on the sale or use of emergency contraception, also known as morning-after or “Plan B” pills.