Nov 14 Watch Rapid Urban Growth Strains Nevada’s Natural Resources Rapid growth in Las Vegas has caused tension between urban and rural areas about the strain on Nevada's natural resources. The battle over water and energy use has raised debate about the need for conservation and alternative sources of energy. Continue watching
Nov 12 Criminal Investigation Opened into San Francisco Bay Oil Spill By PBS News Hour Federal investigators on Monday were considering whether to file charges against crew members of a ship that struck the Bay Bridge on Wednesday, spilling 58,000 gallons of fuel oil into the San Francisco Bay. Continue reading
Nov 07 Watch Astronomers Spy New Planet in Distant Solar System Scientists announced Tuesday that they had discovered a new planet orbiting the star 55 Cancri, 41 light years from Earth, making it the most crowded solar system identified outside of our own. Astronomer Geoff Marcy talks about the new planet… Continue watching
Nov 05 Watch Environmental Issues Fuel California’s Water Wars Southern California is coping with water shortages due to a judge's ruling limiting the amount of freshwater that can be pumped from the northern part of the state. Environmental advocates, concerned about the effect on wildlife, lead the battle over… Continue watching
Oct 30 Watch Chemical Used in Household Plastics Sparks Concerns The chemical bisphenol A, known as BPA, is used to make many common plastic products used in U.S. homes, including baby bottles. Scientists and expert panels have been tasked with determining whether BPA has adverse effects on human health. Continue watching
Oct 25 Oil and Gas Giant BP to Pay Fines Totaling $373M By Admin, PBS News Hour London-based BP has agreed to pay a total of $373 million in fines for violating regulations tied to a fatal refinery explosion in 2005, operating leaking oil pipelines and engaging in a price-fixing scheme, the government announced Thursday. Continue reading
Oct 23 Watch Competition Puts Energy-Efficient, Solar-Powered Homes on Display The U.S Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon brought teams from 20 universities to the National Mall to showcase their designs for a modern, solar-powered home. Interest in the event has grown amid new concerns over energy costs and climate change. Continue watching
Oct 23 Discovery Launches on Space Station Construction Mission By PBS News Hour The space shuttle Discovery launched on time Tuesday morning despite worries that rainy weather and ice buildup on the craft's fuel tank might delay the launch. Continue reading
Oct 22 Watch New Outbreaks of Drug-resistant Staph Infection Reported in Schools Over the weekend, there were more reports of students being diagnosed with a dangerous antibiotic-resistant staph infection known as MRSA. A medical expert from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine explains the risks of the sometimes-deadly bacteria. Continue watching
Oct 12 Watch U.N. Climate Panel Member Details Nobel-winning Work Former Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the Nobel Peace Prize Friday. Michael Oppenheimer, a member of the U.N. panel, discusses the honor and how the group's work has furthered the debate on climate… Continue watching