Nation

What’s causing the drought in the West — and why it’s so bad

By Chloe Jones

The Western United States is at a tipping point in the water crisis as a two-decades long drought culminates with historically low water supply.

Why Bill Cosby’s conviction was overturned

By Maryclaire Dale, Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press

Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction has been thrown out by Pennsylvania's highest court, which ruled that he was unfairly prosecuted because a previous district attorney had promised he wouldn't be charged.

House votes to launch new probe of Jan. 6 capitol attack

By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

Lawmakers approved a special committee on Wednesday to probe the violent attack as officers who were injured fighting former President Donald Trump's supporters watched from the gallery above.

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dies at 88

By Robert Burns, Associated Press

Donald Rumsfeld, the two-time defense secretary and one-time presidential candidate whose reputation as a skilled bureaucrat and visionary of a modern U.S. military was unraveled by the long and costly Iraq war, died Tuesday.

U.S. to add ‘X’ gender marker on passports

By Kate Sosin, Orion Rummler, The 19th

Transgender and intersex Americans will have the power to identify their own gender on travel documents by the end of this year, an administration official said.

Skip the fireworks this record-dry July 4th, fire scientists urge the U.S. West

By Philip Higuera, The Conversation, Alexander L. Metcalf, Dave McWethy, Jennifer Balch, the Conversation

The heat wave hitting the northwestern U.S. and Canada has caused record-dry levels in many regions. Over 100 scientists warn against fireworks on 4th of July, citing wildfires as a major concern.

Biden raising federal pay to fight wildfires

By Aamer Madhani, Matthew Daly, Associated Press

The Biden administration says it is hiring more federal firefighters — and immediately raising their pay — as officials ramp up response efforts in the face of a severe drought that's setting the stage for another destructive summer of intense…

Pope to meet with Indigenous survivors of Canada’s residential schools amid demands for apology

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Francis has agreed to meet in December with Indigenous survivors of Canada's notorious residential schools. The meeting comes amid calls for a papal apology for Catholic Church's role in the abuse and deaths of thousands of native children.

Bill Cosby released from prison after court finds due process violation

By Maryclaire Dale, Associated Press

Bill Cosby has been freed from prison after Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned his sexual assault conviction. It is a stunning reversal of fortune for the comedian once known as “America's Dad.”…

California tests off-the-grid solutions to power outages

By Daisy Nguyen, Associated Press

To improve energy resilience in California, utilities and small communities are installing microgrids that can disconnect from the larger electrical grid and switch to using solar energy generated and stored locally.