This economist survived a wildfire. Now she's taking on California's insurance crisis An economist's harrowing escape from fire, and her big ideas to rescue California from its insurance doom spiral. Greg Rosalsky
Trump's energy emergency is a gift to fossil fuel firms. It's likely headed to court President Trump signed a "national energy emergency" that gives his administration new powers to boost fossil fuel development around the country. Jeff Brady
LA fires inside the evacuation zone Some people who didn't evacuate are now hunkering down in their houses. The National guard and police warn that no one comes in and anyone choosing to leave won't be allowed back. Neighbors inside are making the best of the situation. Katia Riddle
Seattle claims to 'protect' hundreds of trees that were never threatened An analysis shows that fewer than 3% of “protected” trees were actually preserved under the city’s controversial 2023 ordinance. Robert McClure/InvestigateWest
Project 2025 and Hanford: What Trump’s second term could mean for WA’s toxic sludge A conservative policy roadmap — and past actions from the new president's first term — could offer clues as to what he might have in store for one of the most radioactive places in the world. Anna King
Advocates worry about North Carolina's old growth forests, damaged by Hurricane Helene The old growth forests of Western North Carolina took a beating from Hurricane Helene. Now they've lost a bid for federal protection. This worries advocates that the forests could soon vanish. Katie Myers
Development is taking a toll on Florida's precious springs The state has been slow to adopt rules to protect Florida's endangered springs. While a boom in residential construction has increased the amount of groundwater being taken from the aquifers. Greg Allen
U.S. electricity demand is set to explode. That will make it harder to cut climate pollution Analysts say the country will burn a lot more natural gas in the coming years to meet soaring electricity demand, potentially locking in decades of heat-trapping emissions. Michael Copley
Toyota's commercial truck company will pay $1.6 billion for faking emissions tests Hino Motors will plead guilty to submitting false emissions data to regulators for more than 100,000 heavy-duty trucks. The company will pay an array of fines, and fix some affected vehicles for free. Camila Domonoske
Pacific Northwest’s busiest volcano predicted to erupt by end of 2025 Thanks to a dense array of sensors on the volcano’s summit and flanks, scientists know that Axial Seamount has been swelling with magma and getting taller, a sign that it’s ready to go off. John Ryan