National (U.S.)

"New polling data shows that public concern about climate change is at a new high, as the US emerges from its warmest-ever winter".

"Under fierce attack from the political right, and with even some Democrats questioning its competence, the Environmental Protection Agency is facing a tumultuous election year — with rising regulatory responsibilities, falling budgets and its very existence at stake."

"The rulings of Obama's Supreme Court nominee position him squarely in the mainstream of environmental jurisprudence, a big shift from Scalia."

"Heavy winter rains have left the Missouri and Mississippi River basins, from Iowa to Louisiana, at an elevated risk of moderate flooding through June, U.S. government forecasters said on Thursday."

"SeaWorld, together with the Humane Society of the United States, announced a landmark agreement Thursday to drastically alter practices at its theme parks, which have come under increased scrutiny for their treatment of animals. The company confirmed that it will end orca breeding."

"U.S. EPA's Region 5 office tiptoed around Michigan's environmental agency to avoid conflict on the lead contamination issue in Flint, Mich., even questioning whether to issue a violation for failing to prevent corrosion to the city's lead pipes, emails show."

"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday blamed career bureaucrats in Washington and his own state for the Flint water-contamination crisis, while the head of the federal Environmental Protection Agency faulted him and other state officials."

"While a harsh national spotlight focuses on the drinking water crisis in Flint, Mich., a USA TODAY NETWORK investigation has identified almost 2,000 additional water systems spanning all 50 states where testing has shown excessive levels of lead contamination over the past four years."

"Peabody Energy Corp., the largest U.S. coal miner, said it may not be financially strong enough to remain in business in its current form and that the company may seek bankruptcy protection."

"The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to expand the public's access to government records, after a year of delay."