What are 'orphan crops'? And why is there a new campaign to get them adopted? The grass pea is one: a hardy crop that can thrive in a drought. An agriculturist is spearheading an effort to diversity what farmers grow as climate change threatens staples like corn and wheat. Dan Charles
Wildfire smoke contributes to thousands of deaths each year in the U.S. Two new studies show the unseen toll smoke is taking on people across the country. Climate change is likely to make the problem even bigger. Alejandra Borunda
Coral reefs undergo what may become the most extensive bleaching event on record Ocean temperatures have been unusually hot, which turns the corals a ghostly white. Coral bleaching is expected to get worse as the climate keeps getting hotter. Scientists aim to help corals survive. Leila Fadel
Storm dumps heaviest rain ever recorded in the United Arab Emirates By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.59 inches of rain had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 3.73 inches at Dubai International Airport, which partially flooded and halted arrivals. The Associated Press
What biologists see from the shores of the drying Great Salt Lake Half of the Great Salt Lake in Utah has now dried up but scientists say there's still some time left to reverse its decline. Kirk Siegler
Florida blocks heat protections for workers right before summer Miami-Dade County had proposed rules that would give workers breaks, water, and shade when it's too hot. But a new state law prevents cities and counties from doing that. Alejandra Borunda
March is 10th straight month to be hottest on record, scientists say For the 10th consecutive month, Earth set a new monthly record for global heat — with both air temperatures and the world's oceans hitting an all-time high, the European Union climate agency said. The Associated Press
An Arizona energy company wants to build a new lake in the desert for hydropower An Arizona utility wants to build a new reservoir in the desert it says will lower its carbon footprint. There are skeptics. Katherine Davis-Young
Will Gov. Inslee's signature achievement live past his time in office? Speaking with Soundside host Libby Denkmann, Gov. Jay Inslee said a GOP-backed initiative to overturn the Climate Commitment Act is an attempt by Republicans to allow unlimited pollution in Washington state. Libby Denkmann
EPA's new rules to clean up heavy trucking met with support and criticism The EPA has finalized the strictest-ever limits on greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty trucks, a category that includes everything from buses to garbage trucks. Camila Domonoske
