Southern California reporter @insideclimatenews.org. Former NJ.com/ The Star Ledger. Syracuse University alum. Tips: steven.rodas@insideclimatenews.org. Bilingual: English | Spanish https://insideclimatenews.org/profile/steven-rodas/https://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mvapdqo6ws24@columjournreview.bsky.social wrote about the Keyport investigation I launched (wt @karinpricemueller.bsky.social) Environmental testing, commissioned by NJ.com, revealed that the neighborhood around the landfill, which was first shut down in 1979, “is a ‘hot spot’ of toxins.” [contains quote post or other embedded content]11 Sep 2026 13:47 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvapdqo6ws24https://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mvapdqo6ws24@columjournreview.bsky.social wrote about the Keyport investigation I launched (wt @karinpricemueller.bsky.social) Environmental testing, commissioned by NJ.com, revealed that the neighborhood around the landfill, which was first shut down in 1979, “is a ‘hot spot’ of toxins.” [contains quote post or other embedded content]11 Sep 2026 13:47 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvapdqo6ws24https://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mtujgxecds2cnew for @insideclimatenews.org, Arizona, California and Colorado are still reviewing Nevada’s new lawsuit against the Trump administration’s 10-year Colorado River plan. Nevada commented on the suit. As did Wyoming on the federal plan. h/t @jakebolster.bsky.social and @wyattmyskow.bsky.social https://insideclimatenews.org/news/24082026/nevada-sues-trump-administration-over-colorado-river-plan/25 Aug 2026 00:04 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtujgxecds2chttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mtujgxecds2cnew for @insideclimatenews.org, Arizona, California and Colorado are still reviewing Nevada’s new lawsuit against the Trump administration’s 10-year Colorado River plan. Nevada commented on the suit. As did Wyoming on the federal plan. h/t @jakebolster.bsky.social and @wyattmyskow.bsky.social https://insideclimatenews.org/news/24082026/nevada-sues-trump-administration-over-colorado-river-plan/25 Aug 2026 00:04 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtujgxecds2chttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3msvgjpj3u22preporting for @insideclimatenews.org, as a wildfire approached the site of one of the worst nuclear meltdowns in U.S. history, California officials scrambled to respond and establish proper real-time radiation and air monitoring, internal emails show (wt Nina Dietz) https://insideclimatenews.org/news/12082026/california-sandy-fire-santa-susana-nuclear-site-safety/12 Aug 2026 15:20 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvgjpj3u22phttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mr5u5b4gvc2yOne of my final projects at @starledger.bsky.social published today. Wildfires are erupting more frequently in #NewJersey, encroaching ever closer to crowded neighborhoods with limited escape routes. The state faces a myriad deficiencies in its preparation, I found. https://www.nj.com/news/2026/07/a-catastrophic-california-level-wildfire-will-scorch-nj-someday-were-not-ready-for-it.html21 Jul 2026 12:54 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr5u5b4gvc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mpvwchnztk2onew for @insideclimatenews.org, I spent several days in Planada, #California, where people are known to shut themselves indoors during the summer and use bottled water or Brita filters out of their concern over dairy operations’ contamination of air and water https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05072026/california-dairy-farm-expansion-plan-worries-residents/05 Jul 2026 15:46 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpvwchnztk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mpvwchnztk2onew for @insideclimatenews.org, I spent several days in Planada, #California, where people are known to shut themselves indoors during the summer and use bottled water or Brita filters out of their concern over dairy operations’ contamination of air and water https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05072026/california-dairy-farm-expansion-plan-worries-residents/05 Jul 2026 15:46 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpvwchnztk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3moxq3j4sw222The latest chapter in the Keyport investigation I launched, from @karinpricemueller.bsky.social. People who live in neighborhoods near an old dump are 15% more likely to have cancer than other residents of their county, according to a preliminary disease incidence study nj.com commissioned. [contains quote post or other embedded content]23 Jun 2026 15:35 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3moxq3j4sw222https://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mnhvidav6c2gAlready 2 months since I left Jersey! It has been a very rewarding start at @insideclimatenews.org and I just wanted to share a few stories as I get settled into California. I spent a day on a mountain ridge near Ojai where families fear an oil spill was never fully cleaned up 1/ https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23052026/california-oil-spill-cleanup-worries-residents/04 Jun 2026 15:04 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnhvidav6c2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mk3lsppugc2t**Some personal news** After 5 years at @nj.com/ @starledger.bsky.social — including 4 years covering the environment — I will be leaving the newsroom. I’ve loved my time here, which began as part of a fellowship wt Syracuse University. I’m beyond proud of the work I’ve produced in my home state!22 Apr 2026 13:23 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3lsppugc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mjoy3phhus26new investigation for @starledger.bsky.social, I spoke with several families at the Jersey bayshore over fears contamination is linked to cancer diagnoses. So far: 41 cancer cases. Most are near a town’s old, improperly-capped and heavily-cited dump. h/t @karinpricemueller.bsky.social https://www.nj.com/news/2026/04/new-cancer-cluster-feared-in-nj-neighborhood.html17 Apr 2026 12:59 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjoy3phhus26https://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mguetqzers25new from Gov. @mikiesherrill.bsky.social’s budget for @starledger.bsky.social, the $60.7 billion plan includes over $1B in subsidies for NJ Transit. About $140M was re-directed from fund meant to build clean energy. @alexfromnj.bsky.social: #NewJersey is “hampering” its ability to lower costs 1/312 Mar 2026 12:14 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mguetqzers25https://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mgfsw246ks2oscoop for @starledger.bsky.social, 2 major groups that rep businesses and builders in #NewJersey — NJ Business & Industry Association and NJ Builders Association — are legally challenging new rule over how people can build at Jersey Shore amid sea level rise projections https://www.nj.com/ocean/2026/03/jersey-shore-economy-will-be-crippled-biz-group-says-in-legal-showdown-over-new-rule.html06 Mar 2026 17:16 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgfsw246ks2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mgar3wkpm22rnew for @starledger.bsky.social, I wrote 2,000 words about #NewJersey’s new rule which will require homes built in flood-risk areas to be 4 feet above the standard set by FEMA. #JerseyShore builders and realtors are worried, environmentalists are happy but cautious. https://www.nj.com/ocean/2026/03/panic-at-the-jersey-shore-over-new-rule-development-home-prices-are-on-the-line-locals-say.html04 Mar 2026 17:01 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgar3wkpm22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3mfp2237y2227new enterprise for @starledger.bsky.social, I embedded for 48 hrs with a #NewJersey rescue unit 17 days after losing a firefighter to the icy waters of Delaware River. We hunkered down as a blizzard the state had not seen in 30 years beared down. Photos: Dave Hernandez https://www.nj.com/camden/2026/02/clocking-in-for-the-storm.html25 Feb 2026 15:53 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfp2237y2227https://bsky.app/profile/stevenrodas.bsky.social/post/3metb6rl3nc2kmini-exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social, families in 13 towns will not get home elevations like initially thought bc #NewJersey says FEMA would consider too costly. “They’re having another program pulled out from under them,” said Amanda Devecka-Rinear of the New Jersey Organizing Project. https://www.nj.com/somerset/2026/02/69-nj-homes-need-a-lifeline-to-save-them-from-mother-nature-its-not-coming.html14 Feb 2026 14:46 +0000at://did:plc:c3ampnvszl7rt5mwitjeway6/app.bsky.feed.post/3metb6rl3nc2k