EPA Clarifies Farmers' Right to Repair Equipment, Census Test Faces Cutbacks, and Other News
Washington, D.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on February 2, 2026, that it is clarifying farmers' rights to repair their own equipment, a move expected to save repair costs and increase productivity. Meanwhile, the U.S. Census Bureau is scaling back plans for its 2026 field test, raising concerns about the accuracy of the upcoming 2030 census, and Utah's Republican governor signed legislation adding two seats to the Supreme Court.
The EPA's guidance clarifies that the Clean Air Act (CAA) supports farmers' ability to repair their farm and nonroad diesel equipment. The agency stated that manufacturers can no longer use the CAA to justify limiting access to repair tools or software. "For America’s farmers, timely and affordable repairs are essential to planting, harvesting, and keeping operations running," the EPA said in a statement. "EPA is proud to set the record straight and protect farmers."
In other news, the U.S. Census Bureau is reducing the scope of its 2026 field test, which was designed to improve the accuracy of the 2030 census. According to NPR News, the test was expected to involve a mix of communities in six states, as well as a national sample of households. The cutbacks have raised concerns about the bureau's ability to produce a reliable population tally for redistributing political representation and federal funding in the next decade.
Meanwhile, Utah's Republican governor, Spencer Cox, signed legislation over the weekend that will add two seats to the Supreme Court, according to Vox.
In other developments, multiple news sources reported on a range of issues, including the discovery of a fungal solution for bark beetle infestations and a large collection of archaeological objects from HS2 railway construction. Concerns were also raised about potential political interference in NIH appointments, financial challenges for Asda, regulatory hurdles for the hemp industry, and an intensifying divide over transgender rights. A judge also condemned Trump-era immigration tactics. Additionally, reports detailed the rising death toll and ongoing investigation into the Crans-Montana bar fire, as well as the surprisingly low public awareness of alcohol as a carcinogen.
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