Environment

Large tornado outbreaks are becoming more common. But it's unclear why

4:27am May 20, 2025

by Steve Inskeep

It's getting more common for a lot of tornadoes to form over a big area in a short period of time. But the total number of tornadoes each year in the U.S. is stable.

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A photo of Williams Companies employee mowing grass

Natural gas pipeline company defends Triad expansion project

3:27pm May 19, 2025

by DJ Simmons

The proposed development that calls for 24 miles of new pipeline to be laid across the Triad and another 31 in Rockingham County leading into Virginia has sparked safety concerns among residents.

Researchers puzzle over rash of baby monkey kidnappings

11:36am May 19, 2025

Young, male capuchin monkeys have started kidnapping the babies of nearby howler monkeys. Why? Maybe boredom.

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Where does your weather forecast come from?

5:30am May 19, 2025

Whether you get your forecast from an app on your phone, a website or a meteorologist on TV, most of the underlying information comes from the federal government.

Environment

Experts warn of rapid climate change in NC as White House moves to boost fossil fuels

2:41pm May 16, 2025

by David Ford

As global temperatures reach new records, subtle changes are taking place in North Carolina. The shift can be seen in nature, with new subtropical plant species and trees taking root here, and in the animal kingdom with the recent arrivals of armadillos — now found in more than two dozen North Carolina counties — and manatee sightings in Wilmington.

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Wildlife diversity decreases in Lake Duden as drought takes effect in Konya

Scientists have figured out why flamingos are such weird eaters

6:00am May 16, 2025

Flamingos look silly when they eat, but new research suggests they're actually being smart.

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Environment

'Reveal' journalist goes into the waters of Appalachia to assess damage to hellbender ecosystems

4:07pm May 14, 2025

by Paul Garber

Journalist Jackie Flynn Morgensen says what happened to the hellbender salamanders after Helene could give glimpses into how extinctions happen.

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Environment

Energy efficiency advocates decry Trump plan to cut appliance regulations

4:45pm May 13, 2025

by Jeff Brady

The Trump administration wants to eliminate or weaken 47 Department of Energy regulations, including some efficiency standards for appliances. But efficiency advocates say that would be illegal.

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Need help switching appliances from gas to electric? A 'coach' can help

7:08am May 12, 2025

by Jeff Brady

Government incentives for climate-friendly upgrades are confusing to navigate, and it can be hard to find businesses that sell them. So a new industry is emerging to help: the decarbonization coach.

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Chimps' rhythmic drumming and complex calls hint at origins of human language

6:00am May 12, 2025

Two studies of wild chimps point to the evolutionary roots of human language. The studies found that chimp communication often relies on rhythmic structures and call combinations.

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