Since the 1970s, the U.S. has lost billions of birds. We now know that those losses aren’t just growing – they are accelerating in places with intensive human activity, particularly where agriculture and expanding communities are changing the landscape.

Bird population declines have been closely linked to pollution, use of ...Read more

During the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5, 2026, Paula White-Cain, senior adviser to the White House Office of Faith, introduced President Donald Trump as “the greatest champion of faith that we have ever had in the executive branch.” Taking the podium after her, Trump declared, “I’ve done more for religion than any other ...Read more

Over the past few years, a new class of medications has transformed the treatment of obesity. Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro work primarily by reducing appetite, helping people eat less and feel full sooner. Their success has demonstrated something important: Body weight is biologically regulated, and targeting the right biological ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Jacob Ulibarri spent about six hours on New Year's Day last year squashing hot spots where the Lachman fire had burned.

The rookie Los Angeles firefighter arrived sometime after 7 a.m., when the smoky areas were all over and easy to see. By the time the next crew swapped with his that afternoon, they were scarcer: "One every 30 ...Read more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — One of the most contentious pieces of legislation this session — one that would ban local governments from supporting parades, festivals and other activities promoting diversity, equality and inclusion — is headed to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Florida is where DEI goes to DIE,” declared Rep. Dean Black, the ...Read more

LOS ANGELES – A new report shows that nearly 40% of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tested by California regulators have residues of "forever" or PFAS chemicals, a family of compounds that can be lasting and harmful.

The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., reviewed California's own test data ...Read more

The U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran is forcing world governments to intervene to shore up energy supplies, with ongoing missile fire from both sides disrupting flows through a key waterway.

The International Energy Agency is proposing a release of emergency oil reserves that would be the largest in its history, with a decision possible later ...Read more

While the Iran war rages, Israel is quietly planning for a potential base at the mouth of the Red Sea from which to strike one of the Islamic Republic's last proxies still operating at full strength: the Houthis of Yemen.

That’s thanks to Somaliland, the breakaway territory on the Gulf of Aden that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ...Read more

The bulk of the money Missouri gives to its crisis pregnancy centers comes from federal funds meant to assist families experiencing poverty with basic necessities and child care, Republican Rep. Jason Smith said on the U.S. House floor in January.

As many as $3 of every $4 for pregnancy centers in Missouri was from the federal Temporary ...Read more

The patient came in with a belly full of blood, Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung recalled. Her pregnancy was ectopic, no longer viable, and could have killed her if left untreated. But when she went to a mobile pregnancy help center offering free care in an RV in St. Louis, she was told the pregnancy could be saved.

By the time she saw Zahedi-Spung days...Read more

ONTARIO, Calif. — Outside Andrea Galván’s Ontario home, two young boys stop on their scooters to watch their neighbor create signs. Galván, an art consultant and activist, is accompanied in her driveway by a group of volunteers passing stencils and aerosol paints around to one another.

“Can we join?” the boys ask.

Soon, they’re ...Read more

For nearly 60 years, crisis pregnancy centers have been a pillar of the anti-abortion movement.

Largely staffed by volunteers or part-time workers, these centers — sometimes referred to as pregnancy resource centers — offer limited services related to pregnancy and are guided by a religious mission to stop people from considering abortion. ...Read more

The Baltimore County bill that aims to ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identities and to require them to identify themselves on the job visibly continues to draw scrutiny from one Republican councilman.

Councilman Izzy Patoka, a Pikesville Democrat who’s running for county executive, introduced the measure ...Read more

North Korea test-fired cruise missiles from its latest warship, the second time in a week it has launched its new sea-to-surface weapons system as reports grow that the U.S. is shifting air defense assets out of South Korea to help it fight Iran.

Kim Jong Un oversaw the test on TV, accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, on Tuesday, a photo ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — San Diego County filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday, seeking full access to conduct a public health inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center after being allegedly denied the opportunity last month.

The legal action was expected after county Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre gave...Read more

LOS ANGELES — A Florida woman was criminally charged Tuesday after she allegedly sprayed bullets at the home of star singer Rihanna earlier this week.

Ivanna Ortiz, 35, of Orlando faces one count of attempted murder, nine counts of assault with a firearm, two counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling and one count of shooting at a motor ...Read more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A week after Florida cut nearly 12,000 people off the state program providing affordable access to life-saving HIV/AIDS medication, state senators are making a last-minute move to fund the program in full for the next few months.

The Florida Department of Health blindsided lawmakers in January when it announced a plan to ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said Tuesday that Missouri’s self-defense law imposes a burden of proof that is too high for her office to secure a murder conviction against one of the shooters in the 2024 Chiefs Super Bowl rally that left one dead and dozens of others wounded.

Johnson spoke during a press ...Read more