North America

Latest in North America

New York City’s subway system isn’t ready for a storm-filled future

Environment

New York City’s subway system isn’t ready for a storm-filled future New York City’s subway system isn’t ready for a storm-filled future

By Angely Mercado

What we know—and don’t know—about the Huntington Beach oil spill

Environment

What we know—and don’t know—about the Huntington Beach oil spill What we know—and don’t know—about the Huntington Beach oil spill

By Sara Kiley Watson

point reyes national seashore lighthouse

Environment

Why Point Reyes’ new land management plan is so controversial Why Point Reyes’ new land management plan is so controversial

By Philip Kiefer

A satellite image of Tropical Storm Nicholas moving towards coastal Texas and Louisiana.

Environment

Nicholas marks the 14th named storm of 2021—a number we usually hit in November Nicholas marks the 14th named storm of 2021—a number we usually hit in November

By Sara Kiley Watson

Groundwater well near a cannabis farm in the Shasta Valley

Environment

A little-known cache of water tore apart this California cannabis-farming community A little-known cache of water tore apart this California cannabis-farming community

By Theo Whitcomb/Undark

Researchers retraced a woolly mammoth’s steps 17,000 years after it died

Environment

Researchers retraced a woolly mammoth’s steps 17,000 years after it died Researchers retraced a woolly mammoth’s steps 17,000 years after it died

By Kate Baggaley

What is the ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico, and why is it super-sized this year?

Environment

What is the ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico, and why is it super-sized this year? What is the ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico, and why is it super-sized this year?

Health

You could get the plague (but probably won’t) You could get the plague (but probably won’t)

By Claire Maldarelli

Videos show a surreal ‘eye of fire’ in the Gulf of Mexico after gas pipeline ruptures at sea

Environment

Videos show a surreal ‘eye of fire’ in the Gulf of Mexico after gas pipeline ruptures at sea Videos show a surreal ‘eye of fire’ in the Gulf of Mexico after gas pipeline ruptures at sea

By Rachel Feltman

How rescue specialists search for survivors in collapsed buildings

Technology

How rescue specialists search for survivors in collapsed buildings How rescue specialists search for survivors in collapsed buildings

A flooded Galveston pier

Environment

Texas’s 82-foot-tall storm-gate plan may have some gaping holes Texas’s 82-foot-tall storm-gate plan may have some gaping holes

By Eric Bender/Undark

footprint in desert sand

Science

Humans may have arrived in the Americas 15,000 years earlier than we thought Humans may have arrived in the Americas 15,000 years earlier than we thought

By Philip Kiefer

A Garibaldi fish swims through a California kelp forest.

Environment

These newly discovered sea sponges were hiding in plain sight in California’s kelp forests These newly discovered sea sponges were hiding in plain sight in California’s kelp forests

Environment

This rare ‘Finding Nemo’ fish mysteriously washed up on a California beach This rare ‘Finding Nemo’ fish mysteriously washed up on a California beach

Glass entrance of Southern California Food Allergy Institute with doctor in scrubs walking out

Health

This California clinic claims a 99 percent success rate in treating food allergies. Experts are skeptical. This California clinic claims a 99 percent success rate in treating food allergies. Experts are skeptical.

By Esther Landhuis/Undark

Dinosaur bones in museum.

Science

The T. rex ‘dynasty’ reigned for more than 125,000 generations The T. rex ‘dynasty’ reigned for more than 125,000 generations

manatee underwater

Environment

The US is tropicalizing, and you’ve probably already noticed the change The US is tropicalizing, and you’ve probably already noticed the change

By Philip Kiefer

grassy area burning in a forest fire

Environment

Forest fires leave behind charcoal—and it might be toxic for years Forest fires leave behind charcoal—and it might be toxic for years

By Philip Kiefer

A coyote in the snow.

Environment

Eastern coyotes are increasingly common—here are 5 facts to know about them Eastern coyotes are increasingly common—here are 5 facts to know about them

By Bob Humphrey/ Outdoor Life

fisherman holding a rope on a boat

Environment

Post-pandemic seafood could be more sustainable. Here’s how tech is driving the change. Post-pandemic seafood could be more sustainable. Here’s how tech is driving the change.

By Virginia Gewin

person walking in snowy street

Environment

Is this winter weather ‘normal’? And other questions about the historic storms in the US. Is this winter weather ‘normal’? And other questions about the historic storms in the US.

By Sara Chodosh

snow on tree branches in texas

Environment

The real story behind the Texas power outages The real story behind the Texas power outages

snow on wind turbines

Environment

Explaining this week’s deadly US cold snap Explaining this week’s deadly US cold snap

By Philip Kiefer

honeycomb in a plastic bag

Environment

Bee theft is almost a perfect crime—but there’s a new sheriff in town Bee theft is almost a perfect crime—but there’s a new sheriff in town

By Andrew Zaleski

Nation's largest public housing project next to a power plant

Environment

At New York City’s biggest power plant, a switch to clean energy will help a neighborhood breathe easier At New York City’s biggest power plant, a switch to clean energy will help a neighborhood breathe easier

A lunar rainbow or moonbow stretching over the mountains at night in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Environment

In perfect conditions, rainbows can come alive at night In perfect conditions, rainbows can come alive at night

By Purbita Saha

glaciers in alaska

Environment

Glacier-dwelling bacteria thrive on chemical energy derived from rocks and water Glacier-dwelling bacteria thrive on chemical energy derived from rocks and water

By Kate Baggaley

Black and white photos of workers at the Empire State Building site, who defied death by vaulting one-fifth of a mile up on ropes and girders

Technology

Higher than man ever built before Higher than man ever built before

By Popular Science Team

A pod of fish with red backs and green fins splashing in shallow running water.

Environment

North America’s biggest salmon run may no longer be in danger North America’s biggest salmon run may no longer be in danger

By Alex Robinson / Outdoor Life

Alaska’s northern coast

Environment

Drilling the Arctic refuge doesn’t make sense—but Trump wants it to happen anyway Drilling the Arctic refuge doesn’t make sense—but Trump wants it to happen anyway

By Jeremy Deaton/Nexus Media News

Mighty Studio Building 3D Printed

Technology

A new material allows this company to 3D print most of a house in a single day A new material allows this company to 3D print most of a house in a single day

By Stan Horaczek

Environment

Warming waters may spell more back-to-back hurricanes for Gulf Coast residents Warming waters may spell more back-to-back hurricanes for Gulf Coast residents

By Jeremy Deaton/Nexus Media News

mixed-conifer forest

Environment

Healthy forests do more than just prevent wildfires Healthy forests do more than just prevent wildfires

By Bales & Conklin/The Conversation

Health

The pandemic could end Texas’s oil boom—and start something better The pandemic could end Texas’s oil boom—and start something better

By Justin Miller/Texas Observer

firefighters standing in a field full of small plumes of smoke

Environment

How we can burn our way to a better future How we can burn our way to a better future

Environment

Loggers could soon slice through one of the most important forests in the US Loggers could soon slice through one of the most important forests in the US

By Bjorn Dihle/ Outdoor Life

A man on a four-wheeler equiped with brush bumpers.

DIY

Six ways to make your ATV even more rugged Six ways to make your ATV even more rugged

By Tyler Freel/ Outdoor Life

Environment

How raging wildfires create hellish skies across the country How raging wildfires create hellish skies across the country

By Sara Kiley Watson

smoke rising from forest fire with mountain in background

Environment

California wildfires may give way to massive mudslides California wildfires may give way to massive mudslides

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Environment

This giant Gulf of Mexico reef is a conservation success story—here’s why it’s thriving This giant Gulf of Mexico reef is a conservation success story—here’s why it’s thriving

By Amal Ahmed/Texas Observer

A DACA supporter holds up a sign saying, "Our dreamers are the future of our nation"

Health

Dreamers have been leading America’s pandemic response, despite their own shaky future Dreamers have been leading America’s pandemic response, despite their own shaky future

By Lourdes Medrano/Undark

Greece fires helicopter

Technology

How aerial firefighters battle blazes from the skies How aerial firefighters battle blazes from the skies

jones fire california

Environment

California and the Forest Service have a plan to prevent future catastrophic fires California and the Forest Service have a plan to prevent future catastrophic fires

The Brooks Range sets the backdrop for vital caribou feeding grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

Environment

The Trump administration opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil companies—but none may bite The Trump administration opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil companies—but none may bite

By Scott L. Montgomery/The Conversation

a lightning bolt.

Environment

Two of the largest wildfires in California’s history are burning right now Two of the largest wildfires in California’s history are burning right now

By Rachel Feltman

A solar installer

Environment

California shut off power grids this week, but not because of clean energy California shut off power grids this week, but not because of clean energy

By Jeremy Deaton/Nexus Media

Environment

Escaped exotic animals are changing the Texas landscape Escaped exotic animals are changing the Texas landscape

By Asher Elbein/Texas Observer

A blue agave plant

Science

Five burning questions about tequila, answered Five burning questions about tequila, answered

By Purbita Saha

American hunters on horseback through the Yukon

Health

With the US-Canada border closed, wildlife tourism is hurting With the US-Canada border closed, wildlife tourism is hurting

By Joe Genzel/ Outdoor Life

The Mexico City landscape

Health

Mexico City buried its river and lakes to prevent disease. But then COVID-19 happened. Mexico City buried its river and lakes to prevent disease. But then COVID-19 happened.

By Elena Delavega/The Conversation

Health

The racial disparities in COVID cases are even more striking than we thought The racial disparities in COVID cases are even more striking than we thought

By Claire Maldarelli

Into the Wild Bus

Science

The tragic legacy behind the famous ‘Into the Wild’ bus The tragic legacy behind the famous ‘Into the Wild’ bus

By Tyler Freel/ Outdoor Life

Kevin Shulz catches air at the Waco training grounds.

Environment

Pro surfers hit artificial waves in the heat of the climate crisis Pro surfers hit artificial waves in the heat of the climate crisis

Health

Traveling midwives fill crucial health care gaps in rural US states Traveling midwives fill crucial health care gaps in rural US states

By Sophie Novack/Texas Observer

A cluster of spawning sockeye salmon.

Environment

The battle over Alaska’s Pebble Mine is about to get more dramatic The battle over Alaska’s Pebble Mine is about to get more dramatic

By Michael R. Shea/Field & Stream

Environment

Inuit researchers are leading a scientific movement to understand life on the ice Inuit researchers are leading a scientific movement to understand life on the ice

By Matthew Halliday/Undark

NASA final Shuttle launch

Science

Astronauts explain what it’s like to be ‘shot off the planet’ Astronauts explain what it’s like to be ‘shot off the planet’

alaska permafrost lab

Environment

Inside a frozen tunnel hiding the galaxy’s biggest secrets Inside a frozen tunnel hiding the galaxy’s biggest secrets

By Madeline Ostrander/Undark

Cabin fever is real problem. But it's one you can solve.

Health

How to avoid cabin fever (from someone who lives in an actual cabin) How to avoid cabin fever (from someone who lives in an actual cabin)

By Tyler Freel/ Outdoor Life

The facade of the Movimiento Juventud 2000 migrant shelter.

Health

Migrants don’t carry more viruses than anyone else Migrants don’t carry more viruses than anyone else

By Lourdes Medrano/Undark

"Bedlam" tackles the systemic failures and cultural taboos of treating mental health conditions. It airs on PBS tonight at 10 p.m. EDT.

Health

Meet the health care workers and patients on the front lines of another national crisis Meet the health care workers and patients on the front lines of another national crisis

By Purbita Saha

the newly discovered dinosaur: Dineobellator notohesperus

Science

These newly discovered raptors were like feather-covered cheetahs These newly discovered raptors were like feather-covered cheetahs

By Kate Baggaley

DIY

This Alaskan town is a crucial stop on the Iditarod—for its pie This Alaskan town is a crucial stop on the Iditarod—for its pie

By Rossi Anastopoulo/Saveur

NTSB drone image

Technology

What authorities have learned so far about the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash What authorities have learned so far about the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

By Rob Mark/Flying