Ship’s anchor may have caused massive California oil spill, investigators say

A ship’s anchor may have hooked, dragged and torn an underwater pipeline that spilled tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil into the ocean off the Orange County coast, according to federal investigators.

California oil spill: Beaches close as delayed response prompts questions

The Coast Guard says it did not investigate initial reports of an oil spill for nearly 12 hours because it didn’t have enough corroborating evidence and the agency was hindered by darkness and a lack of technology.

Zebra mussels found in Lake Owasso in Ramsey County

A Ramsey County lake has been found to have zebra mussels according to a DNR press release.

PHOTOS: Massive oil spill off California coast shows impact on wildlife, beachside communities

Photos show patches of oil coating the sand, signs warning people to stay off the beach and cleanup contractors in white outfits using skimmers and barriers to try to contain and clean the spill.

Class-action lawsuit filed in Huntington Beach oil spill

The first federal lawsuit linked to the 126,000 gallons of oil that spilled into the ocean off Huntington Beach is a proposed class-action suit that includes claims to recover damages for individuals and businesses damaged by the massive leak. The man who brought forward the lawsuit also alleges he has been, or will be, exposed to toxic oil contaminants.

Nobel Prize for physics goes to 3 for climate discoveries

The Nobel Prize for physics has been awarded to scientists Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann and Giorgio Parisi for their climate-related discoveries.

Infants ingest 15 times more microplastics than adults, new study finds

Researchers suggest the reason for the higher number found in infants is because they’re far more exposed to microplastics through items such as their teething toys, sippy cups and carpeting.

Extreme drought uncovers 'ghost town' hidden under Utah reservoir

Drought conditions in Utah appear to have unearthed a hidden “ghost town” that is normally under the Rockport Reservoir.

Fall foliage: Climate change affecting autumnal activity, experts say

Recent leaf-peeping seasons have been disrupted by weather conditions in New England, New York and elsewhere. Arborists and ecologists say the trend is likely to continue as the planet warms.

Controversial Line 3 oil pipeline officially put into service Friday

Enbridge Energy's controversial Line 3 oil pipeline, which runs through northern Minnesota, was officially put into service Friday.

Despite loud criticism, Enbridge's Line 3 oil pipeline will flow Friday

Line 3 has been in the works for nearly eight years, and despite some loud criticism of the project, Enbridge expects oil will begin flowing in the Minnesota section of the pipeline by early next week. 

Richfield High School commits to offering more plant-based protein meals

Richfield High School is the first high school in the country to sign the Forward Food pledge committing to increasing its plant-based options, the Humane Society of the United States announced Thursday.