Matthew Renda
![Environmentalists sue over latest sage grouse plans](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/06/2017-06-08T013102Z_1_LYNXMPED5702Y_RTROPTP_4_USA-SAGEGROUSE-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Environmentalists sue over latest sage grouse plans
Wednesday saw another chapter added to the acrimonious saga of the sage grouse as a coalition of environmental groups filed suit in Idaho over recent amendments to land use plans in seven western states.
![Focus on climate change: West Coast sea stars all but wiped out by ocean warming](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/01/SunflowerSeaStars-Healthy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Focus on climate change: West Coast sea stars all but wiped out by ocean warming
The sunflower sea star, one of the largest and most colorfully arrayed of its kind in the world, has vanished from the California coast – yet another victim of climate change.
![Focus on climate change: Florida-sized Antarctic glacier melting faster than expected](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/01/ThwaitesGlacier.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Focus on climate change: Florida-sized Antarctic glacier melting faster than expected
NASA researchers published a study Wednesday showing a gigantic cavity — roughly two-thirds the size of Manhattan and 1,000 feet tall — growing rapidly at the bottom of the Thwaites Glacier in western Antarctica.
Study: Tipping point looms as climate change dries out Earth
Researchers have found Earth’s ability to trap greenhouse gas emissions is compromised by the increasing frequency and severity of droughts and heatwaves associated with climate change – meaning we’ll likely reach the tipping point sooner rather than later.
![Rise in snow lines tied to climate change in California](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/01/LAKE-TAHOE.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Rise in snow lines tied to climate change in California
Water officials must change how they manage California’s elaborate storage and distribution system to address six years of warmer-than-average temperatures, the state climatologist said on Thursday.
Report: Zinke’s Interior Department suppresses science to benefit oil and gas
In the report, the Union of Concerned Scientists accuses Zinke of leading a concerted effort to suppress science, willfully ignoring climate change, silencing Interior scientists and other staff and attacking the environmental laws meant to protect wildlife.
Zinke, top House Democrat Grijalva trade barbs with calls for resignation
If what happened Friday is any indication, the relationship between the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will be contentious to say the least.
Legal fight on climate change the likely winner of buried U.S. report
Environmental lawyers say a comprehensive climate change report released by 13 different federal agencies will provide substantial assistance to plaintiffs in major climate change litigation currently pending in the federal courts.
![Analysis: Trump politics, rhetoric helped turn Sun Belt blue in 2018 election](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2018/11/elections-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Analysis: Trump politics, rhetoric helped turn Sun Belt blue in 2018 election
The post-election analysis suggests trends in the American West – particularly the Sun Belt – favor the Democrats, not just in 2018 but in 2020 and beyond.
![Fast-moving California wildfire forces mass evacuations](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2018/11/fire-plume.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Fast-moving California wildfire forces mass evacuations
A 17,000-acre blaze in Northern California is rapidly spreading, prompting widespread evacuations and underscoring how there is no such thing as a fire season in the Golden State anymore — wildfires can happen anytime of the year. More than 27,000 people have been ordered to evacuate the town of Paradise, California, as the Camp Fire spreads in the surrounding foothills of Butte County.