Mississippi River leaders want to cut their plastic waste 20 percent by 2020
This week, the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative announced an initiative to cut plastic waste along the river by 20 percent by 2020.
Environment
Show collection items 
Minnesota cities to Congress: Let us help the bees
The House version of the farm bill being debated in Congress would bar cities from placing stricter regulations on pesticides.
Hurricane Maria: Puerto Rico one year later
From WHYY's series The Pulse, a special report "Hurricane Maria: Puerto Rico One Year Later."
Line 3 pipeline protesters block bridge near Bemidji
Protesters conducted a water ceremony and blocked a bridge near Enbridge Energy's planned Line 3 replacement pipeline in northern Minnesota.
Florence engulfs hog farms and chicken houses, thrashing North Carolina agriculture
At least 1.7 million chickens have died from flooding in the state. The impact is now coming into focus -- including overflowing pools of hog manure and waterlogged sweet potato fields.
Why don't more Americans have flood insurance?
Most Americans don't have flood insurance. Who will cover rebuilding costs after Hurricane Florence?
There's no stopping Toronto's 'uber-raccoon'
Toronto is known for its raccoons' aggressive ability to get into garbage cans. The city spent millions trying to fight the gray menace -- with mixed results.
Huge squirrel population driving farmers nuts in New England
There's a bumper crop of squirrels in New England, and the frenetic critters are frustrating farmers by chomping their way through apple orchards, pumpkin patches and corn fields.
Swollen N.C. rivers swamp dumps, raising water pollution fears
As rain from Florence continued to lash the Carolinas, the region's swollen rivers were beginning to swamp coal ash dumps and low-lying hog farms Sunday, raising concerns about water pollution.
How higher temps are making Florence worse
The big climate story of the week is Hurricane Florence. We'll tell you all about why climate change is making it more destructive.
A massive floating boom is supposed to clean up the Pacific. Can it work?
The giant, U-shaped tube is designed to form a garbage-corralling barrier propelled by wind and waves. Its creator hopes to remove half the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in five years.
Native American tribes file lawsuit seeking to invalidate Keystone XL pipeline permit
The Fort Belknap Indian Community and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe contend there was no effort to study how the 1,200-mile pipeline project will affect their water systems and sacred lands.
Native Americans propose change to Yellowstone landmark names
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is considering renaming a mountain and a valley in Yellowstone. The park features are named for men whose work was tied to mass killings of Native people.
Future massive wind turbines in MN face blowback from neighbors
The most powerful wind turbines ever seen in the state could soon be built in southwest Minnesota. The industry is ramping up turbine size in the name of efficiency, but the skyscraper-sized machines are also attracting more public opposition.
Singing in the shower to help save Cape Town's water
Cape Town's government asked people to save water by taking showers that lasted two minutes or less. Inspiration struck: the 2-Minute Shower Songs campaign.
Photos: Common carp are being removed from Minn. lakes by the truckload
Common carp have become a nuisance in some lakes because they're so good at moving around and destroying the habitats of more desirable fish species.
Emmer, McCollum weigh in on opening forests near Boundary Waters to mining exploration
Two of Minnesota's congressional members are taking opposing views on the Trump administration clearing the way for mining exploration in the Superior National Forest, within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Is the American desert shifting east?
A new study suggest climate change is expanding the desert eastward. Plus, a climate voice and a trip to the Arctic.
Feds reopen forests near Boundary Waters to mining
The Trump administration has canceled a study of a proposed 20-year mining ban within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, clearing the way for renewed mineral leasing.
Coastal labs studying increased flooding consider moving because of increased flooding
Scores of coastal research labs around the country are helping communities plan for sea level rise. But now many are starting to flood themselves.