Environment

Smoke rises from wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Tuesday.

Wildfire Tears Through Tennessee As Region Suffers Exceptional Drought

5:32pm November 29, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

At least three people died and hundreds of structures were damaged or destroyed in Tennessee's Sevier County after a wildfire moved through populated areas overnight.

Texas, Oklahoma Divided Over How To Handle Earthquakes Linked To Oil Drilling

6:28pm November 28, 2016

by John Burnett

Oklahoma and Texas have been experiencing a rash of human-caused earthquakes. It happens when oil and gas wastewater gets pumped underground in the wrong places and disrupts faults. Oklahoma officials have cracked down on wastewater injection; Texas is apparently uninterested in doing much. That could mean a lot more quakes given that the country's biggest oil reservoir has just been discovered in west Texas.

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Louisiana Veteran Flood Victims Sill Find Recovery Programs Tough To Navigate

8:42am November 27, 2016

by Eve Troeh

Parts of Louisiana were inundated by heavy rain and flooding earlier this year. Myra Engrum lost her house, but it wasn't the first time. Hurricane Katrina ruined her home years earlier.

Environment

Inside The Climate Change Dispute Between Exxon Mobil And Rockefeller Family

5:13pm November 26, 2016

Exxon Mobil is accusing the Rockefeller family of masterminding a conspiracy against the company on climate change. New York Times reporter John Schwartz tells the story.

Haiti Still Reels From Hurricane Matthew, One Month On

9:28am November 26, 2016

Haitians voted for a new president this week and are hoping the winner can help speed the recovery. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Reuters correspondent Makini Brice.

Army Corps Of Engineers Issue Dec. 5 Leave Deadline To Pipeline Protesters

9:08am November 26, 2016

The Army Corps of Engineers has told a Native American tribe in North Dakota and its supporters that it will close down a camp housing protesters against a major oil pipeline in the state.

Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo prepares to speak at a Miami-Dade County school board meeting. Curbelo began his political career on the school board.

After Criticizing Trump, Miami GOP Congressman Prepares To Work With Him

6:29pm November 25, 2016

by Greg Allen

Rep. Carlos Curbelo won re-election in an area that went overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton. Now he faces challenges in backing his constituents' interests while working with a Trump administration.

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Going outside the day after Thanksgiving could be the perfect opportunity to get take a new portrait. People could also just enjoy the surrounding nature.

Black Friday May Start Looking A Little Greener With These Alternatives

1:33pm November 25, 2016

by Wynne Davis

People often reflect on what they're grateful for on Thanksgiving, but then go crazy for Black Friday deals in stores and online. But for some people a family hike is better than a store's deal.

A protester gathers goggles and Milk of Magnesia in anticipation of a confrontation and tear gas as she prepares to cross to the island. No clashes occurred.

Protesters Mark A Solemn Thanksgiving Day At Standing Rock

12:34pm November 25, 2016

Crowds swelled over the holiday at a Native American protest over an oil pipeline in North Dakota, but encounters with police remained peaceful.

Various species of ants engage in some kind of agriculture. Here, a leaf-cutter ant gathers food for its fungus farm.

Who Invented Agriculture First? It Sure Wasn't Humans

6:00am November 25, 2016

by Erin Ross

Ants in Fiji farm plants and fertilize them with their poop. And they've been doing this for 3 million years, much longer than humans, who began experimenting with farming about 12,000 years ago.