A new assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey has found that regions where wastewater was left behind after oil and gas drilling were more susceptible to earthquakes. The examination of thousands of earthquakes that occurred across 17 geographic areas around the country found Oklahoma and Kansas in particular have experienced an exponential increase in seismic activity caused by drilling operations, according to The New York Times.

Oklahoma’s state government acknowledged the link between wastewater disposal and the surge in earthquakes in the state two days before the broader assessment's release on Thursday. According to both reports, injecting water to dispose of waste created by oil and gas drilling is the primary culprit and a greater contributor to the increase in earthquakes than hydraulic fracturing.

In other news…

Food: Following Wisconsin’s lead, Minnesota declared a state of emergency after identifying birds infected with H5N2 bird flu on 46 poultry farms across 16 counties. (via Reuters)

Justice: The Oklahoma judge assigned to handle the manslaughter case against the reserve police officer who allegedly mistook his gun for a Taser and killed Eric Harris may recuse himself because of his relationship with the sheriff’s office. (via Los Angeles Times)

LGBT Adoption: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has reversed a policy from the state’s Department of Child Safety that prevented same-sex couples from adopting. (via The Washington Post)

Wildlife: More than three dozen monkeys were rescued from circuses in Lima, Peru, and have been returned to a jungle sanctuary in the northern city of Iquitos. (via The Associated Press)