Environment Why the next president's judicial appointments will impact climate action The Supreme Court's recent term illustrates the judiciary's outsized role in government's ability to address climate change. The coming election could shape the judicial landscape for decades to come. Nathan Rott
Science SpaceX rocket accident leaves the company's Starlink satellites in the wrong orbit A SpaceX rocket has failed for the first time in nearly a decade, leaving the company’s internet satellites in an orbit so low that they're doomed to fall through the atmosphere and burn up. The Associated Press
Science 2 galaxies, the Penguin and the Egg, get a family portrait thanks to Webb Telescope The galaxies' fanciful names belie their actual ages: In this case of the Penguin and the Egg, it’s the Egg that came first. Bill Chappell
Environment Climate change is making Colorado mountain streams more acidic and polluted New research says climate change has caused toxic metal pollution to double in some Colorado rivers and mountain streams. It's complicating efforts to clean up abandoned mining sites. Rae Solomon
Science Research shows AI can boost creativity for some, but at a cost Amateur writers using AI tools produced stories that were deemed more creative, but the research suggests the creativity of the group overall went down. Geoff Brumfiel
Environment AI brings soaring emissions for Google and Microsoft, a major contributor to climate change The tech giants both report surges in greenhouse gas emissions as they double-down on adding artificial intelligence to all of their products. Dara Kerr
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
Science This week in science: swimming lions, the 'glass' skin craze and a rotten egg planet NPR's Short Wave brings stories of lion brothers making a record-breaking swim in Uganda, the skincare trend among pre-teens that is worrying dermatologists, and a planet that smells like rotten eggs. Emily Kwong Regina Barber
Science A study found toxic metals in popular tampon brands. Here's what experts advise A first-of-its-kind study found lead, arsenic and other heavy metals in various tampon brands, but didn't link them to harmful health effects. Experts explain why it matters — and what to watch for. Rachel Treisman
