Lucianne Walkowicz: Should We Be Using Mars As A Backup Planet? Lucianne Walkowicz is all for space exploration, but says we shouldn't expect Mars to save us from a damaged Earth. She warns us not to lose sight of preserving the home we already have. NPR/TED Staff
Agreement Reached To Protect Devil's Staircase, Other Oregon Wildernesses The legislation, which appears headed to a vote in January, also includes provisions aimed at helping protect the Crooked River Ranch in Central Oregon from wildfire. Jeff Mapes
Troubled Oregon Mega-Dairy Up For Auction After Year Of Complaints A troubled mega-dairy in the Columbia Basin is now on the auction block. The sale of Lost Valley Farm comes after more than a year’s worth of pollution complaints and scrutiny by regulators. Courtney Flatt
Japan Reportedly Will Leave International Whaling Group To Resume Commercial Hunts Earlier this year, Japan unsuccessfully lobbied members of the International Whaling Commission to drop the organization's ban on commercial whaling. Ian Stewart
How Thick Forests Can Reduce Snowpack When it comes to building snowpack, a pristine forest isn't necessarily a good thing. New research shows how forest thinning can lead to more water and snowmelt come spring. Erin Ross
This Christmas tree pesticide poisons kids, but Washington state hasn’t banned it Hawaii and California banned or limited the pesticide. Gov. Jay Inslee is not considering a ban, a spokesperson said. Tony Schick
Oregon Moves On Plan To Repurpose The Elliott State Forest For Research Oregon State University wants to create a world-class research forest near Coos Bay. Now they need $121 million. Jes Burns, Dirk VanderHart
Dam Agreement Aims To Help More Salmon Survive Columbia River Journey A new agreement aims to help more young salmon make their way past dams along the Columbia and Snake rivers. Tony Schick, Cassandra Profita, David Steves
