Great Lakes

High winds and dangerous rip currents make swimming in the Great Lakes unpredictable, and sometimes deadly — most beaches have no lifeguards, and hundreds drown in the lakes each year.

Scientists say lake herring, a key fish in Lake Superior's food web, is suffering because of mild winters and Europe's appetite for roe. Some say the species may be at risk of "collapse."

With hiring up and fuel prices down, a sales rebound is in the boating forecast. For power boaters, gas prices make a big difference: They measure fuel consumption in gallons per hour.