Environment How to live without plastics for a month, according to the founder of a global movement Plastic Free July is upon us! Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, founder of Plastic Free July, encourages people to take the challenge with friends, start small and keep a “plastic free kit” on hand. Claire Murashima
Environment Marathon Oil reaches a $241 million settlement with EPA for environmental violations The federal government announced a settlement with Marathon Oil for alleged air quality violations at the company's oil and gas operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The Associated Press
Health How to prepare for power outages if your health depends on home medical devices For most people, power outages are an inconvenience. For those who count on electricity for home medical equipment, they can be a crisis. Here's how to plan ahead for health care needs in a blackout. Ginny Graves
Climate 'We're screaming into the void.' Across the U.S., heat keeps breaking records It’s not your imagination. Temperature records are falling across the U.S. Climate scientists say they've been predicting this for decades. Julia Simon
Climate California's wildfire season is already proving to be a challenge After a mild fire year in 2023, California's early fire season of 2024 has had a busy start. A persistent heatwave is making conditions more challenging for wildland firefighters. Jacob Margolis
Environment These monkeys were 'notoriously competitive' until Hurricane Maria wrecked their home Rhesus macaques on Cayo Santiago are known for being intolerant, hierarchical and aggressive. After 2017's Hurricane Maria destroyed their home, the monkeys' society underwent surprising changes. Ari Daniel
Climate Las Vegas hits a new record high of 120 degrees Fahrenheit With a heatwave persisting across the West, Las Vegas broke its all-time heat record on Sunday at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Anne Davis
National Border town firefighters scramble to save migrants from extreme summer heat Over two hot days, the Sunland Park Fire Department responded to 10 calls to help migrants overcome by heat illness. Firefighters say heat emergencies are increasingly common along the border. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán
Climate June sizzled to a 13th straight monthly heat record, but July might break string It's not that records are being broken monthly but they are being "shattered by very substantial margins over the past 13 months," a climate scientist said. Associated Press
Climate Florida's warmer temperatures cause damage even as its lawmakers deny climate change As warmer temperatures continue to plague Florida, the state has become more Republican — and less willing to take steps to curb the carbon dioxide emissions that accelerate climate change. Ayesha Rascoe
