A new half‑acre pavilion, shaded ramadas and ADA‑friendly paths have opened at South Mountain, backed by roughly $25 million in voter‑approved parks funding.

A three-week-old mountain lion cub nicknamed Crimson was rescued in Southern California and transferred for care. He will remain at Oakland Zoo and be introduced to another rescued cub, Clover.

A juvenile gray whale appeared this week in the north fork of the Willapa River near Raymond; Cascadia Research and partners are monitoring the animal and asking the public to keep back.

Federal regulators renewed Diablo Canyon’s license after state and regional permits cleared, locking operations through at least 2030 while legal fights continue. Authorities tied approval to land conservation and water permits.

A short missing stretch of trail in Columbia Township is finally moving forward, linking Mariemont to the Little Miami and the 34‑mile CROWN loop.

A $155 million parks bond would fund 100+ projects in Tacoma, with Dash Point Pier reconstruction listed as an early priority. Ballots are arriving next week.

Wild turkeys are turning up across the Denver metro, including near the Denver Tech Center. Officials urge residents to keep distance and call local non-emergency lines for problems.

A foil surfer off Oahu filmed a hammerhead sliding beneath his board in January; state officials say such encounters are rare and usually nonfatal.

The City of Pittsburgh, Pirates Charities and the Laborers unveiled a plan to renovate youth baseball fields across neighborhoods, asking residents to report needs via PGH311.

A federal judge ordered increased spill at eight Columbia and Snake River dams to help endangered salmon. Tribes cheered while utilities warn of rate and navigation impacts.

A Hermosa Beach fisherman cut a line and freed a juvenile great white at the pier; bystanders cheered as the shark swam back to sea.

A life-size bronze of P-22 is being sculpted in Los Angeles and is expected to be installed near Griffith Park's Visitor Center by the end of 2026. The design will place the cat at eye level and weave local wildlife motifs into the base.

Bay Area redwoods are showing thinning crowns and brown foliage as summertime fog and water supplies shrink. Scientists and conservation groups warn coordinated protection and restoration are needed.