NEWS

Effective immediately, the Trump administration shut down the $800 de minimis exemption for Chinese imports. Now, all imports from China, no matter how small the amount, must enter the U.S. through standard customs procedures, submit full import documentation, and pay applicable duties and taxes.

What animal is helping researchers identify oak trees infected with the invasive pathogen that causes sudden oak death?

Answer: Experts from Forest Research used a trained spanador—a cocker spaniel labrador cross—to find the tree pathogen Phytophthora ramorum which causes sudden oak death.

PHOTO © Sara Porter

In 2023, Missouri lawmakers set up the Missouri Hardwood Forest Product Promotion Fund to promote real wood over lookalike products. The Missouri Forest Products Association has been investing those funds to raise awareness of real wood through the ChooseWood campaign.

PHOTO © MULLICAN FLOORING

3,400 staffers have been let go at the U.S Forest Service, about 10% of the total USFS workforce. Firefighters and other public safety officials are exempt from the cuts. 

PHOTO © Preston Keres USFS

Read more: Forest Service fires 3,400 people after ‘deferred resignation’ deadline passes →

The new budget resolution passed by the House of Representatives Budget Committee includes a minimum of $1.5 trillion in spending cuts across committees, with a target of $2 trillion; a $4.5 trillion cap on the deficit impact of the plan to extend the 2017 tax cuts; and an incremental $300 billion for the border and defense. The resolution increases the debt limit by $4 trillion. The resolution still needs to pass in the House of Representatives.