July 4th heat wave set to hammer US may bring ‘ring of fire’ effect

A Fourth of July weekend heat wave will put the ‘fire’ in ‘fireworks’ for much of the U.S., a report said Thursday — with the potential for a “ring of fire” effect to bring storms to parts of the Midwest.

Pared-down Muir Woods experience means less visitors

Muir Woods, the National Monument in Marin County, has created a pared-down experience to keep staff and visitors safe. The pandemic means instead of admitting as many as 5,000 visitors daily, Muir Woods is letting in about 1,800.

Woman, 72, gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park after getting close to take photos

The 72-year-old unnamed woman got within 10 feet of the bison “multiple times” while at her Bridge Bay Campground to take photos before it attacked, the National Park Services wrote in a press release.

Bayer to pay up to $10.9 billion to settle Monsanto case

 Bayer said Wednesday that it will pay up to $10.9 billion to settle litigation over the weedkiller Roundup, which has faced thousands of lawsuits over claims it causes cancer.

Indonesia's most volatile volcano spews ash in new eruption

Mount Merapi’s clouds of ash, accompanied by a rumbling sound heard miles away, blanketed several villages on the main island of Java.

Mountain lion cub spotted in downtown San Francisco

If you see a mountain lion in San Francisco, officials advise that you back up slowly facing the animal and do not run.

'Itty bitty gator rolls': Baby gators use defensive move to eat fish scraps in Louisiana pond

Floridians have lived around alligators long enough to know and witness the death roll, a defensive move by the reptiles -- usually seen when they are captured by a trapper. However, for some baby gators, it was to help chow down on a fresh pile of fish scraps. 

Yosemite National Park to reopen this week with modifications

 California’s Yosemite National Park will reopen with restrictions this week after being closed for more than 2 1/2 months because of the coronavirus outbreak, officials announced Monday.

Turtle watchers: Fill in beach umbrella holes during nesting season

As sea turtle nesting season gets underway, conservation groups are reminding beachgoers to fill in umbrella holes and remove other hazards from the beach to allow baby turtles the best chance at making their way to the water.

Asteroid larger than Empire State Building set to whiz by Earth this weekend

An asteroid which NASA estimates may be larger than the Empire State Building is headed in Earth’s direction and expected to pass near our planet on Saturday. 

All systems go for SpaceX launch
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The Saturday Falcon 9 launch is the first manned mission for California-based SpaceX.

SpaceX capsule carrying NASA astronauts reaches orbit on its way to the International Space Station

With the flight already delayed three days by bad weather, forecasters put the odds of acceptable conditions at 50-50 for the 3:22 p.m. liftoff of the 270-foot Falcon 9 in what would be the first launch of astronauts into orbit by a private company.

Demo-2 forecast: 50-50 chance of good weather for Saturday's historic SpaceX launch

If SpaceX and NASA are going to make history with a launch from Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, they’re going to have to beat the odds. Meteorologists still say there is only a 50-percent chance of acceptable weather for the second Demo-2 launch attempt.

Cal Academy of Sciences announces major job cuts amid pandemic

And the effort to protect public health and save lives has proven deadly to the revenue stream that supports nearly 40,000 animals inside and the 504 employees of the famed science museum, planetarium, and aquarium.