BREAKING NEWS
Wildfires latest: 10 confirmed dead as firefighters work to contain blazes in Los Angeles area
Read full article: Wildfires latest: 10 confirmed dead as firefighters work to contain blazes in Los Angeles areaFirefighters are hoping for a break from the fierce winds that have fueled massive blazes in the Los Angeles area, killing 10 people, obliterating whole neighborhoods and setting the nation’s second-largest city on edge.
DC sues federal government over pollution in Anacostia River
Read full article: DC sues federal government over pollution in Anacostia RiverThe District of Columbia is suing the federal government over pollution in the Anacostia River, hoping it will lead to a cleanup of the urban waterway.
Salvage complete of tanker at center of oil spill scare after being hit by Houthi rebels in Red Sea
Read full article: Salvage complete of tanker at center of oil spill scare after being hit by Houthi rebels in Red SeaAn oil tanker that burned for weeks in the Red Sea and threatened a major oil spill has been “successfully” salvaged, according private security firm Ambrey.
Winter storm plods into the Deep South, prompting states of emergency and school closures
Read full article: Winter storm plods into the Deep South, prompting states of emergency and school closuresAnother blast of winter storms is closing schools, snarling flights and putting millions of residents on alert across parts of the Deep South and south-central U.S. The National Weather Service says heavy snowfall and icy conditions are likely Friday in Mississippi, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Firefighters hope for a break from fierce winds fueling devastating blazes in Los Angeles area
Read full article: Firefighters hope for a break from fierce winds fueling devastating blazes in Los Angeles areaFirefighters are hoping for a break from fierce winds fueling massive blazes in the Los Angeles area, killing 10 people, obliterating whole neighborhoods and setting the nation’s second-largest city on edge.
An albatross couple shares egg duty in this captivating low-drama reality show
Read full article: An albatross couple shares egg duty in this captivating low-drama reality showA popular New Zealand bird “reality show” that each year follows a pair of northern royal albatrosses as they breed and raise a chick has drawn a global audience of devoted fans in its current 10th season.
Earth records hottest year ever in 2024 and the jump was so big it breached a key threshold
Read full article: Earth records hottest year ever in 2024 and the jump was so big it breached a key thresholdGlobal temperatures in 2024 soared to yet another record level, but this time it was such a big jump that Earth temporarily passed a major symbolic climate threshold.
How the wildfires in the Los Angeles area could affect California's home insurance market
Read full article: How the wildfires in the Los Angeles area could affect California's home insurance marketThe wildfires that destroyed homes in multiple sections of the Los Angeles area will test California’s efforts to stabilize the state’s insurance marketplace after many insurers stopped issuing residential policies due to the high fire risk.
Far from wildfire flames, residents of sunny Los Angeles go about their lives in disquiet and fear
Read full article: Far from wildfire flames, residents of sunny Los Angeles go about their lives in disquiet and fearAs fires raged from the seaside enclave of Pacific Palisades to the hillsides above Pasadena — with at least five dead and thousands of homes and other buildings leveled or damaged — residents accustomed to radiant sunshine and balmy weather reckoned with an unsettling reality.
In Los Angeles, people snap up air filters and wear masks against smoke pollution
Read full article: In Los Angeles, people snap up air filters and wear masks against smoke pollutionWith levels of sooty air pollution far too high across swaths of the Los Angeles area, people are taking precautions: wearing masks, buying air purifiers and staying indoors.
NOAA says La Nina ocean cooling has finally arrived, but it's weak and may cause fewer problems
Read full article: NOAA says La Nina ocean cooling has finally arrived, but it's weak and may cause fewer problemsA long-awaited La Nina has finally appeared, but meteorologists say the periodic cooling of Pacific Ocean waters is weak and unlikely to cause as many weather problems as usual.
Farming tech is on display at CES as companies showcase their green innovations and initiatives
Read full article: Farming tech is on display at CES as companies showcase their green innovations and initiativesSustainability is a key theme this year at the annual CES tech trade show in Las Vegas.
Wildfires latest: At least 10,000 structures have burned in a series of fires around Los Angeles
Read full article: Wildfires latest: At least 10,000 structures have burned in a series of fires around Los AngelesFirefighters are battling to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed seven people, burned at least 10,000 structures from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.
A powerful winter storm's heavy snow and sleet cancels flights and closes schools across US South
Read full article: A powerful winter storm's heavy snow and sleet cancels flights and closes schools across US SouthAnother blast of winter storms is closing schools, snarling flights and putting millions of residents on alert across parts of the Deep South and south-central U.S. The storm started dumping a mix of sleet and heavy snow Thursday in north Texas and Oklahoma, where schools canceled classes for more than 1 million students.
Stars lose homes in Los Angeles area fires and Jamie Lee Curtis pledges $1M to relief effort
Read full article: Stars lose homes in Los Angeles area fires and Jamie Lee Curtis pledges $1M to relief effortFires burning in and around Los Angeles have claimed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton and led to sweeping disruptions of entertainment events.
New LA-area fire prompts more evacuations while over 10,000 structures lost to the 2 biggest blazes
Read full article: New LA-area fire prompts more evacuations while over 10,000 structures lost to the 2 biggest blazesOfficials say the two biggest wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area this week have burned at least 10,000 homes, buildings and other structures.
Scientists drill nearly 2 miles down to pull 1.2 million-year-old ice core from Antarctic
Read full article: Scientists drill nearly 2 miles down to pull 1.2 million-year-old ice core from AntarcticAn international team of scientists say they’ve successfully drilled one of the oldest ice cores yet, penetrating nearly 2 miles to Antarctic bedrock to reach ice that's at least 1.2 million years old.
Monstrous wildfires blanket Southern California with smoky air, threatening the health of millions
Read full article: Monstrous wildfires blanket Southern California with smoky air, threatening the health of millionsMassive wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area have filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air quality advisories.
It's not really the typical time for nasty California fires. What are the factors that changed that?
Read full article: It's not really the typical time for nasty California fires. What are the factors that changed that?Here's what experts say is turning Southern California's speedy wildfires into a deadly urban conflagration that is defying the calendar.
Stargazers' delight: Efforts to cut unwanted light pollution in New Mexico win praise
Read full article: Stargazers' delight: Efforts to cut unwanted light pollution in New Mexico win praiseAdvocates for limits on indiscriminate outdoor lighting that are increasingly obscuring night skies worldwide are recognizing efforts by an oil and natural gas developer to reduce scattered light in New Mexico.
A second oil and gas lease sale for Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge draws no bids
Read full article: A second oil and gas lease sale for Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge draws no bidsThe U.S. Interior Department says that no bids were submitted for this week’s oil and gas lease sale in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
US will keep protecting more than 2,000 Rocky Mountain grizzly bears
Read full article: US will keep protecting more than 2,000 Rocky Mountain grizzly bearsThe Biden administration is keeping protections in place for more than 2,000 grizzly bears in Western states despite requests to lift the safeguards.
Puerto Rico's new governor appoints an energy czar to tackle the island's power crisis
Read full article: Puerto Rico's new governor appoints an energy czar to tackle the island's power crisisPuerto Rico’s new Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has appointed an energy czar to help pull the U.S. territory out of a power crisis as chronic outages persist.
Videos show deadly wildfires burning through Los Angeles area
Read full article: Videos show deadly wildfires burning through Los Angeles areaFast-moving wildfires are burning through the Los Angeles area, killing at least two people and causing thousands of residents to flee as homes and businesses are destroyed.
What to know about the devastation from the Los Angeles-area fires
Read full article: What to know about the devastation from the Los Angeles-area firesFires raging in the Los Angeles area reduced some 10,000 structures to ash and rubble, killed at least 10, displaced thousands of others and spread over an area larger than the size of San Francisco.
Wildfires latest: Tens of thousands ordered to evacuate as fires tear through Los Angeles area
Read full article: Wildfires latest: Tens of thousands ordered to evacuate as fires tear through Los Angeles areaFierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.
A Texas teenager helped his border community win a $13 million grant to improve the environment
Read full article: A Texas teenager helped his border community win a $13 million grant to improve the environmentPresidio, northwest of Big Bend National Park, will get dedicated green spaces along bike lanes and pedestrian streets, plant thousands of native trees and establish a high-school run air quality monitoring program.
The polar vortex readies to dump snow on Texas and its neighbors
Read full article: The polar vortex readies to dump snow on Texas and its neighborsAn area stretching from Texas to Tennessee is bracing for the expected arrival of freezing rain and snow, as some other parts of the country that already received an arctic blast this week are preparing to go another round with the plunging polar vortex.
Exxon Mobil Corp. sues California attorney general for defamation over plastic recycling claims
Read full article: Exxon Mobil Corp. sues California attorney general for defamation over plastic recycling claimsExxon Mobil Corp. has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several environmental groups.
Wild weather halted ferries between New Zealand's main islands again. Why isn't there a tunnel?
Read full article: Wild weather halted ferries between New Zealand's main islands again. Why isn't there a tunnel?Wild weather during New Zealand’s peak summer holiday period has disrupted travel for thousands of passengers on ferries that cross the sea between the North and South Islands.
Elk on a shelf: Colorado wildlife officials rescue elk tangled in rope on ice climbing route
Read full article: Elk on a shelf: Colorado wildlife officials rescue elk tangled in rope on ice climbing routeWildlife officials have rescued a bull elk by lowering it down a cliff after the animal became entangled in a rope at a popular ice climbing area in southwestern Colorado.
Biden administration withdraws old-growth forest plan after getting pushback from industry and GOP
Read full article: Biden administration withdraws old-growth forest plan after getting pushback from industry and GOPThe Biden administration is dropping its plan to conserve old-growth forests after getting pushback from Republicans and the timber industry.
Why Greenland? Remote but resource-rich island occupies a key position in a warming world
Read full article: Why Greenland? Remote but resource-rich island occupies a key position in a warming worldGreenland plays an outsized role in the daily weather experienced by billions of people and in the climate changes taking shape all over the planet.
Biden administration finalizes clean electricity tax credits, says Trump should keep in place
Read full article: Biden administration finalizes clean electricity tax credits, says Trump should keep in placeBiden administration officials say new tax credits are available for companies that generate clean electricity and it would be a mistake for President-elect Donald Trump to try to undo them.
In Cincinnati, roller rink provides warmth and shelter from nation's Arctic blast
Read full article: In Cincinnati, roller rink provides warmth and shelter from nation's Arctic blastAbout 200 people, many homeless, are seeking daytime shelter at Over-The-Rhine Recreation Center in Cincinnati as sub-freezing temperatures grip much of the nation.
Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal
Read full article: Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama CanalPresident-elect Donald Trump says he won't rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland as he declared U.S. control of both to be vital to American national security.
Oregon places new rules on homeowners living in certain high-risk wildfire areas
Read full article: Oregon places new rules on homeowners living in certain high-risk wildfire areasOregon homeowners who live in certain areas at high risk of wildfire must now meet new building and so-called defensible space codes.
Why more frequent cold blasts could be coming from global warming
Read full article: Why more frequent cold blasts could be coming from global warmingFrigid air that normally stays trapped in the Arctic has escaped, plunging deep into the United States for an extended visit that is expected to provoke teeth-chattering but not be record-shattering.
Severe flood warning issued as the UK faces more weather disruptions
Read full article: Severe flood warning issued as the UK faces more weather disruptionsSerious flooding swamped parts of England and snow forced three airports to close temporarily as wet and icy weather combined to extend travel chaos that has plagued the U.K. since the start of the year.
Dangerously high winds force Biden to cancel event announcing two new national monuments
Read full article: Dangerously high winds force Biden to cancel event announcing two new national monumentsDangerously high winds have forced President Joe Biden to cancel a trip to the Eastern Coachella Valley to announce the creation of two new national monuments.
The polar vortex brings its bitter cold to the Southern US
Read full article: The polar vortex brings its bitter cold to the Southern USThe plunging polar vortex is bringing subfreezing temperatures to some of the southernmost points of the U.S. A forming storm system is threatening to dump snow on parts of Texas and Oklahoma, while communities in Louisiana and Florida may see frigid cold.
Biden will honor tribal requests by designating 2 new national monuments in California
Read full article: Biden will honor tribal requests by designating 2 new national monuments in CaliforniaPresident Joe Biden is signing a proclamation to establish two new national monuments in California in part to honor two tribes.
Monkey in a tutu escapes from a home. Missouri sheriff's office says the capture was 'bananas'
Read full article: Monkey in a tutu escapes from a home. Missouri sheriff's office says the capture was 'bananas'A monkey in a pink tutu that slipped out of a Missouri home was captured before a winter storm slammed the state.
Biden issues ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters. Trump vows to undo it
Read full article: Biden issues ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters. Trump vows to undo itPresident Joe Biden is moving to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters.
Polar vortex keeps much of the US in its icy grip
Read full article: Polar vortex keeps much of the US in its icy gripMuch of the U.S. is being blasted by ice, snow and wind, as the polar vortex that dipped south over the weekend is keeping an area stretching from the Rocky Mountains to the coast of Maine in its frigid grip.
More than 30 dolphins have died since an oil spill near southern Russia, experts say
Read full article: More than 30 dolphins have died since an oil spill near southern Russia, experts sayA dolphin rescue center in Russia says 32 dolphins have died since fuel oil spilled out of two storm-stricken tankers three weeks ago in the Kerch Strait near the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
The heaviest snowfall in a decade is possible as a wintry blast roils parts of the US
Read full article: The heaviest snowfall in a decade is possible as a wintry blast roils parts of the USA blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures stirred up dangerous travel conditions in parts of the central U.S. on Sunday.
Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and Germany
Read full article: Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK and GermanyHeavy snow and freezing rain have brought widespread disruption across Europe particularly in the U.K. and Germany with several major airports suspending flights.
Russia-appointed officials in Crimea declare emergency as oil spill reaches Sevastopol
Read full article: Russia-appointed officials in Crimea declare emergency as oil spill reaches SevastopolRussia-appointed officials in Moscow-occupied Crimea have announced a regional emergency after oil was detected on the coast of Sevastopol.
US Chamber, oil industry sue Vermont over law requiring companies to pay for climate change damage
Read full article: US Chamber, oil industry sue Vermont over law requiring companies to pay for climate change damageThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an oil industry trade group are suing Vermont over its new law requiring that fossil fuel companies pay a share of the damage caused by climate change.
Finalized tax credit for cleaner hydrogen gets a cautious OK from some environmental groups
Read full article: Finalized tax credit for cleaner hydrogen gets a cautious OK from some environmental groupsThe Biden administration released long-awaited final rules Friday for a tax credit that will send billions of dollars to producers of cleaner hydrogen.
A double dose of nasty winter is about to smack much of the US with snow, ice and biting cold
Read full article: A double dose of nasty winter is about to smack much of the US with snow, ice and biting coldMeteorologists forecast a strong snow and ice storm followed by brutally cold conditions will soon smack the eastern two-thirds of the United States.
California begins 2025 with solid start to winter snowpack, but more storms are needed
Read full article: California begins 2025 with solid start to winter snowpack, but more storms are neededCalifornia is beginning 2025 with a solid start to the winter snowpack, but more storms are needed to keep the state’s water supplies on track.
A drop in groundwater could mean big trouble for a tiny snail as Nevada lithium project presses on
Read full article: A drop in groundwater could mean big trouble for a tiny snail as Nevada lithium project presses onOpponents of a huge lithium mine under construction in Nevada want U.S. officials to investigate whether the project already has caused a drop in groundwater levels that could lead to extinction of a tiny snail.
Climate-friendly electricity sees big battery projects soar again for 2024
Read full article: Climate-friendly electricity sees big battery projects soar again for 20242024 was another banner year for a source of electricity that is better for people’s lungs, better for climate change and may be reaching your home now when you turn on the lights or turn up the thermostat — large banks of batteries.
Here are the biggest stories from our data visuals team in 2024
Read full article: Here are the biggest stories from our data visuals team in 2024The Tribune’s data journalists helped visualize everything from voter participation and extreme weather to gaps in the state’s border wall. Here are some of the highlights.
Powerful thunderstorms threaten Texas and Louisiana, delaying holiday travel
Read full article: Powerful thunderstorms threaten Texas and Louisiana, delaying holiday travelParts of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are under severe weather watches as the National Weather Service predicts a storm system in the Gulf of Mexico could bring high winds, hail and possible tornadoes to the region.
New York to charge fossil fuel companies for damage from climate change
Read full article: New York to charge fossil fuel companies for damage from climate changeLarge fossil fuel companies would have to pay fees to help New York fight the effects of climate change under a bill signed by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Snowy owl rescued from car grille by Minnesota woman who saved another bird hours earlier
Read full article: Snowy owl rescued from car grille by Minnesota woman who saved another bird hours earlierA great gray owl and a snowy owl are being treated by experts after being rescued by a northern Minnesota woman.
Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows
Read full article: Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand growsA Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040.
After 20 years, the post-tsunami generation stays vigilant for future disasters
Read full article: After 20 years, the post-tsunami generation stays vigilant for future disastersQurrata Ayuni, a 28-year-old survivor of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated her hometown two decades ago, has transformed her resilience into purpose.
California residents on edge as high surf and flooding threats persist on Christmas Eve
Read full article: California residents on edge as high surf and flooding threats persist on Christmas EvePersistent high surf and flooding threats along California's coast have residents on high alert a day after a major storm was blamed for one man's death and the partial collapse of a pier.
Look back at some of the best Texas Tribune reads of 2024
Read full article: Look back at some of the best Texas Tribune reads of 2024Our journalists brought life to the experiences of everyday Texans, held powerful institutions accountable and surfaced stories that went beyond the daily news cycles.
Third entangled endangered whale spotted in span of a week off East Coast
Read full article: Third entangled endangered whale spotted in span of a week off East CoastA third endangered whale has been spotted entangled in fishing gear off the East Coast, marking an alarming end to the year for a species threatened with extinction.
The water was their livelihood. Now Thailand's sea nomads work to preserve a vanishing way of life
Read full article: The water was their livelihood. Now Thailand's sea nomads work to preserve a vanishing way of lifeThe Moken, a group of indigenous people from Thailand and Myanmar, once sailed freely between the archipelago of 800 islands off the coast of the two countries.
Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South
Read full article: Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the SouthFarmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber.
South Texas coal-fired power plant to switch to clean energy after receiving more than $1 billion in federal money
Read full article: South Texas coal-fired power plant to switch to clean energy after receiving more than $1 billion in federal moneySan Miguel Electric Cooperative's plan to turn into a solar and battery plant will leave only 14 coal-fired power plants in the state.
Texas lawmaker files bill to reduce “forever chemicals” in sewage-based fertilizer
Read full article: Texas lawmaker files bill to reduce “forever chemicals” in sewage-based fertilizerThe bill would require companies to test fertilizer made from sewage sludge for PFAS and meet limits before selling them to Texas farmers and ranchers.
EPA head Regan, who championed environmental justice, to leave office Dec. 31
Read full article: EPA head Regan, who championed environmental justice, to leave office Dec. 31Michael Regan, who has led the Environmental Protection Agency throughout President Joe Biden’s four-year term, said Friday he will be leaving the agency Dec. 31, about three weeks before Biden’ leaves office.
UN food agency says 40 million people are struggling to feed themselves in West and Central Africa
Read full article: UN food agency says 40 million people are struggling to feed themselves in West and Central AfricaThe U.N.'s food agency says more than 40 million people are struggling to feed themselves across West and Central Africa.
What to know about Vanuatu, the Pacific island nation struggling to recover from a massive quake
Read full article: What to know about Vanuatu, the Pacific island nation struggling to recover from a massive quakeEfforts to recover bodies of people trapped in collapsed buildings continues in the earthquake-hit Pacific nation of Vanuatu.
South Texas groups sue state agency for allowing SpaceX to discharge industrial water without permit
Read full article: South Texas groups sue state agency for allowing SpaceX to discharge industrial water without permitRio Grande Valley groups are accusing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in a lawsuit of bypassing state regulations by allowing SpaceX to temporarily discharge industrial water at its South Texas launch site without a proper permit.
Texas’ citrus industry — once an agricultural powerhouse — is on the brink of disaster
Read full article: Texas’ citrus industry — once an agricultural powerhouse — is on the brink of disasterA hurricane and winter freeze devastated the South Texas industry. A lack of water is preventing a full recovery.
Harmful gas billowing from Texas and New Mexico comes mostly from smaller leaks, researchers say
Read full article: Harmful gas billowing from Texas and New Mexico comes mostly from smaller leaks, researchers sayHuge quantities of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, are being emitting by oil and gas operators in the 75,000-square-mile Permian Basin straddling Texas and New Mexico.
In Florida, a race is on to save the Everglades and protect a key source of drinking water
Read full article: In Florida, a race is on to save the Everglades and protect a key source of drinking waterFor decades, largescale engineering projects for development and agriculture drained and partitioned South Florida's Everglades, a vast wetlands landscape home to endangered and threatened species and a vital source of drinking water for millions of Floridians.
Ireland embraced data centers that the AI boom needs. Now they're consuming too much of its energy
Read full article: Ireland embraced data centers that the AI boom needs. Now they're consuming too much of its energyDozens of massive data centers are consuming more electricity than all of the urban homes in Ireland and starting to wear out the warm welcome that brought them here.
Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%
Read full article: Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%President Joe Biden is pledging to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035.
France's Macron says tour of cyclone-devastated Mayotte is a day he won't forget
Read full article: France's Macron says tour of cyclone-devastated Mayotte is a day he won't forgetFrench President Emmanuel Macron has traveled to the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte to survey the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Chido.
Number of dead and missing still unclear as first aid arrives in quake-hit Pacific nation of Vanuatu
Read full article: Number of dead and missing still unclear as first aid arrives in quake-hit Pacific nation of VanuatuThe number of people killed and missing remains unclear two days after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.
China's getting a big electric car battery swapping boost in 2025. Would that work across the globe?
Read full article: China's getting a big electric car battery swapping boost in 2025. Would that work across the globe?Global battery maker CATL says it will expand its electric vehicle battery swapping in China in 2025.
Endangered whales found entangled in rope off Massachusetts, and 1 is likely to die
Read full article: Endangered whales found entangled in rope off Massachusetts, and 1 is likely to dieThe federal government says that two endangered whales have been spotted entangled in fishing gear off Massachusetts and that one is likely to die from its injuries.