SACRAMENTO — A push to pass first-in-the-nation California proposals to limit single-use plastic containers and other items drew support from actor Jeff Goldblum on Wednesday. Environmental groups hail the proposal as a landmark attempt to cut down on 75% of waste from plastic items like takeout boxes, food containers and...
Scientists Monitoring New Marine Heat Wave off West Coast
SEATTLE — Federal scientists said Thursday they are monitoring a new ocean heat wave off the U.S. West Coast, a development that could badly disrupt marine life including salmon, whales and sea lions. The expanse of unusually warm water stretches from Alaska to California, researchers with the National Oceanic and...
Nesting Penguins Can't Resist Lure of New Zealand Sushi Shop
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Two little blue penguins just couldn't stay away from a New Zealand sushi store, returning to nest there even after police had captured them and escorted them back to the ocean. Wellington police described them as "waddling vagrants," while the store's co-owner joked he had no...
Commission Keeps Oceano Dunes Open to Off-Roaders For Now
Oceano Dunes on California’s central coast will remain open to off-road vehicles for at least another year. After several hours of often emotional testimony, the California Coastal Commission voted to reject staff recommendations to phase out off-roading at the state recreational area. Instead, commissioners gave the California Department of Parks...
Gigantic Sharks Make Big Comeback off California Coast
They’re freaking huge. They’re harmless. And, it appears, they’re making a comeback. After all but vanishing five decades ago, the humongous basking shark — some measure up to 30 feet long — has been spotted along the Southern California coast. Unlike their fearsome cousins, basking sharks have tiny teeth and...
Maine is 1st State to Ban Single-Use Foam Containers
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine has banned single-use food and drink containers made from polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam. Maine now becomes the first state to enact a prohibition, though dozens of communities across the country, including Berkeley and New York City, already have bans in place. Some date back...
Mother Says It's a Miracle Her Son Survived Shark Attack
SAN DIEGO — The mother of a 13-year-old boy who suffered a large shark bite while lobster fishing in California said Monday that it's a miracle her son survived. Keane Webre-Hayes ate a cup of noodles and a doughnut and is talking and alert, said his mother, Ellie Hayes. He...
AP Explains: How Hurricanes Unleash Lethal Storm Surges
WASHINGTON — Behold the awesome power of water. Already the ocean is swallowing beaches, roads and anything else in the way of Hurricane Florence's monstrous storm surge. Storm surges aren't walls of water, like a tsunami, as commonly thought. Caused by a hurricane's winds pushing relentlessly on the shore, they are more...