Eric Whitney
Stories
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Environment
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.
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National
Despite strict laws, Texas is awash in intoxicating cannabis
Texas, the law-and-order land of guns, God and capital punishment, is awash in cannabis. A loophole in a law allowing farmers to grow non-intoxicating hemp has been exploited, and now intoxicating hemp products are everywhere.
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National
New evacuations ordered in LA fires, at least 13 dead
Mandatory evacuations remain in place in some communities in the LA basin while firefighting continues. But in Altadena, an extended family ignored evacuation orders and took heroic measures to save their home.
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National
LA fires rage on as those returning home try to ward off looters
Firefighters continue to struggle against the wildfires around Los Angeles. The death count has risen and looting has become a problem amid the destruction.
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National
The American industry that wants more government intervention
As President-elect Trump promises to eliminate government agencies and regulations, one American industry — mining — is asking for more intervention. They say national economic and military security are at stake.
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Science
Mars (yes, the planet) has its own Grand Canyon
New research is revealing similarities between Earth's Grand Canyon and ones on the red planet. It's informing future Martian exploration and settlement plans.
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National
Biden administration urges states to move forward with Colorado River sharing agreement
The seven states that share the Colorado River have a 2026 deadline for a new sharing agreement. The Biden administration this week encouraged them to hurry, in an apparent attempt to limit the incoming Trump administration's influence.
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National
With Democratic Senator Jon Tester's loss in Montana, Republicans take full control
Montana not only went enthusiastically for Trump for a third time, but took the last statewide seat held by a Democrat. Senator Jon Tester's defeat caps a years-long quest to erase purple from Montana's map.
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National
Female wildland firefighters organize for more support at work
Women in the federal wildland firefighting corps are organizing so they don't have to give up their often arduous, itinerant jobs when they have kids, and can continue climbing their chosen career ladder.
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Environment
A small, silver lining to the Colorado River drought
Land re-emerging from dried out reservoirs seems to be thriving with native plants. They're out-competing invasive weeds that are choking the river elsewhere.
