A quarter of U.S. homeowners unprepared for costs of extreme weather
As climate change whips up wilder weather, more Americans must deal with "hazards they have not faced in the past," expert says.
ClimateWatch: Climate Change News & Features
Climate Watch: Overheated
CBS News Climate Correspondent David Schechter explores cooling solutions to stay healthy and safe as climate change makes our planet hotter.
Death Valley National Park just had its hottest summer on record
The average temperature from June to August was 104.5 degrees, breaking previous records of 104.2 degrees, set in 2021 and 2018.
McDonald's to revamp McFlurry containers after ditching plastic spoons
The popular dessert is getting a makeover that makes it more environmentally friendly.
Researchers find evidence that large sharks may be hunting each other
Researchers discovered the first known case of a porbeagle shark likely being killed by a large shark predator, raising questions about whether this rare instance represents a larger trend.
Electricity prices are on the rise. Is it inflation or an underlying issue?
U.S. energy infrastructure has proven to be problematic as-is, and threats to its reliability are growing. Experts say there's a solution.
Road closure: Keeping California's scenic Highway 1 open
Drivers on Highway 1, a ribbon of road that hugs the California coastline, are afforded spectacular views. But in recent years, fierce storms, landslides and wildfires have closed sections of the highway, blocking access to communities like Big Sur.
Weather changes leave Greek town's waterways carpeted in dead fish
Officials in Volos, Greece, say the "strong stench along the seafront" from millions of dead fish is killing business.
LEGO to scale up use of renewable plastics in its bricks
The legacy toy company is increasing the certified renewable or recycled materials that go into its bricks in an effort to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
U.S. is seeing a boom in clean energy jobs
Hiring across America's green energy sector is surging, a new Department of Energy report shows.
Houston plastic recycle program struggles
Houston partnered with ExxonMobil and other companies to perform "advanced recycling," which they say can handle the recycling of any type of plastic. But critics say "advanced recycling" may not be a viable solution and is a talking point used by the petro-chemical industry to keep consumers buying and using plastic guilt-free.
Heat-related deaths are on the rise, according to new study
From 1999-2023, the Journal of American Medical Association recorded 21,518 deaths where heat was either the underlying cause or the contributing cause of death, likely an underestimation, they say.
More Americans having to choose between food and energy bills
A growing number of Americans face energy poverty, struggling to afford to heat or cool their home. Health officials and climate experts are sounding the alarm.
7 takeaways from the Democratic Party platform on climate
Vice President Kamala Harris hasn't yet rolled out her climate policy, but the Democratic Party platform released this week devotes seven pages to the topic.
Funeral for glaciers lost to climate change
This week there was a funeral for 15 glaciers that have disappeared or are in critical danger as the planet heats up. CBS News national correspondent Dave Malkoff has more.
Judge blocks lithium drilling Arizona tribe says threatens sacred lands
A federal judge has temporarily blocked exploratory drilling for a lithium project in Arizona that tribal leaders say will harm land they've used for religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries.
Turkey wildfires raging for a 3rd day, worsened by windy and dry weather
More than 130 fires have erupted across Turkey in the past week, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate.
July was hottest on record, and 2024 is likely to top charts, NOAA says
NOAA forecasters say there's a 77% chance that 2024 will be the warmest year on record, after July marked the 14th consecutive monthly record.
Park Fire animation shows how it grew to historic size
California's Park Fire exploded just miles from the site of the 2018 Camp Fire, the worst wildfire in state history, before leaving a legacy of its own. See how quickly it unfolded.
New study estimates 47,000 heat-related deaths in Europe last year
Researchers say this is the second-highest heat related mortality burden in the last decade, following 2022 when an estimated 60,000 people in Europe died due to heat.
Americans' electric bills are rising along with the heat, survey finds
Seven in 10 Americans say searing heat is driving up their energy bills, poll shows. "It's like walking into soup," one person said.
As Debby hits Florida, Americans still moving to severe weather states
Nearly 69,000 new residents moved to Florida's flood-prone counties in 2022 and 2023, according to a Redfin analysis.
Fossils in Greenland ice sheet reveal increased risk of sea level rise
New research about Greenland's ice sheet could provide a warning of what's to come as the planet continues to warm.
Why future hurricanes could bring flooding to millions more Americans
Hurricanes are bringing more rain than ever, thanks to climate change, making even Category 1 storms more dangerous.
"Dead zone" the size of New Jersey emerges in Gulf of Mexico
The "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico has created more than 4 million acres of habitat with little to no oxygen that could kill marine life.
Science
Science
Starbucks plastic cup investigation
CBS News tracked plastic cups meant to be recycled by Starbucks and found that most of those did not end up at recycling facilities. CBS News' David Schechter breaks down the investigation's findings.
NASA shows off image of U.S. military's abandoned "city under the ice"
Scientists now have a clearer picture of Camp Century, an abandoned U.S. military base long hidden under the ice in Greenland, thanks to a NASA research team's good luck.
Divided U.N. negotiations for plastic treaty
Negotiators are far apart as the United Nations tries to work out the world's first treaty to curb plastic pollution. Issues creating roadblocks include limiting new manufacturing of plastic and the potential phasing out of some chemicals. For more on the talks, CBS News was joined by Erin Simon, vice president and head of plastic waste and business for the World Wildlife Fund in the U.S.
Honolulu hopes to identify long-unclaimed bodies with advanced DNA testing
Forensic pathologists hope advanced DNA testing technology will enable them to attach names to all the unidentified people at the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office.
Dishing up space food
At the Johnson Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston, NASA scientists develop dishes – freeze-dried, heat-stabilized, or irradiated – to serve on the International Space Station. Correspondent David Pogue checks out what's on the menu in Earth orbit.
How are U.S. winters permanently changing?
This winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted above-average temperatures throughout the U.S. because of a "slowly developing" La Niña pattern. CBS News Sacramento meteorologist Tracy Humphrey reports on the changing winter conditions.
Emperor penguin found on Australian beach released at sea after 20 days of care
The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia was released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach.
Iceland volcano flares in region's 7th eruption in one year
A volcano erupted in southern Iceland, near the town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon spa, marking the region's seventh eruption in a year.
How collecting pine cones helps renew Oregon forests after wildfires
Conservationists are teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service and logging companies to clear scorched land and make room for new reforestation projects.
Restoring forests decimated by wildfires
Large wildfires fueled by climate change have destroyed tens of millions of acres of forests in the Pacific Northwest in recent years. Jonathan Vigliotti explores a major effort underway to restore those forests.
Giraffes need endangered species protection, U.S. officials say
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed new protections for giraffes, saying their populations are threatened by poaching, habitat loss and climate change.
Carcass of massive endangered whale washes ashore in Alaska
The carcass was comparable to the width of a college basketball court and female, according to biologists.
Energy Secretary Granholm on Trump presidency
Former leaders and climate experts have issued a letter calling the U.N.'s annual climate meeting "no longer fit for purpose." Recently, CBS News spoke with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about the summit and what the incoming Trump presidency means for clean energy and climate change. The conversation took place before the president-elect made his pick for energy secretary.
Parts of Great Barrier Reef dying at record rate, alarmed researchers say
Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian researchers say, and they fear the rest of it has suffered a similar fate.
Long-term effects of Trump plans for oil, gas
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to "drill, baby, drill" on Day 1 in office. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter joins to take a closer look at the environmental impact of some of Trump's potential energy and climate policies.
U.S.
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Kash Patel targeted in possible Iran-backed cyberattack, sources say
The apparent hackers targeted Kash Patel's communications, but whether they succeeded and how much access they had to the data is still being investigated, the sources said.
Trump considering replacing Hegseth with DeSantis for defense secretary
This comes after President-elect Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attended a memorial for fallen law enforcement officers Tuesday in Florida.
Hunter Biden's federal gun case dismissed after being pardoned by his father
Hunter Biden could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely.
Debbie Nelson, mother of rapper Eminem, dies at 69
Debbie Nelson's fraught relationship with her son Eminem had been no secret since the Detroit rapper became a star.
Donald Trump Jr. joins e-commerce company, sending its shares up 270%
PublicSquare, which describes itself as catering to "patriotic Americans," is adding the son of President-elect Donald Trump Jr. to its board.
MoneyWatch
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Donald Trump Jr. joins e-commerce company, sending its shares up 270%
PublicSquare, which describes itself as catering to "patriotic Americans," is adding the son of President-elect Donald Trump Jr. to its board.
Blue Ridge Beef recalls Puppy Mix over salmonella risk
Federal regulators say puppy food sold by Blue Ridge Beef in seven states tested positive for salmonella.
Travel Tuesday offers big savings for those who missed Cyber Monday
From plane tickets to car rentals, the travel-themed discount day offers once-in-a-year deals. Here's what to know.
U.S. looks to end subminimum wage for workers with disabilities
A Biden administration proposal would phase out a program that lets employers pay some workers less than $7.25 an hour.
Frontier to introduce first-class seating. Here's what it will look like.
Frontier is adding premium seating tier to its offerings. Here's what it will look like, and when it will be available.
Politics
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Kash Patel targeted in possible Iran-backed cyberattack, sources say
The apparent hackers targeted Kash Patel's communications, but whether they succeeded and how much access they had to the data is still being investigated, the sources said.
Trump considering replacing Hegseth with DeSantis for defense secretary
This comes after President-elect Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attended a memorial for fallen law enforcement officers Tuesday in Florida.
Hunter Biden's federal gun case dismissed after being pardoned by his father
Hunter Biden could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely.
Chad Chronister, Trump's pick to lead DEA, withdraws from consideration
Chad Chronister has been sheriff of Florida's Hillsborough County since 2017.
Some GOP senators seem tepid on Hegseth nomination as allegations pile up
The concern could put another one of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks at risk of falling short of the support needed for confirmation.
HealthWatch
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Are flu and COVID high now? Here's how the season has started
Levels of both the flu and COVID viruses are still low across much of the country, the CDC says.
Here's how holiday drinking can affect your health, according to a doctor
Estimates show Americans drink twice as much during the holiday season as they normally do. Here's how the extra alcohol can impact your health.
Kids worked overnight shifts at pork processing plant, feds find
Feds find 11 kids illegally employed for at least 4 years at Seaboard Triumph Foods facility in Sioux City, Iowa.
Jane Fonda with a secret of aging well
A Yale study showed that older people with more positive beliefs about aging lived an average of 7.5 longer than people who equated aging with disease and decline. Actress and activist Jane Fonda and anti-ageism advocate Ashton Applewhite present "Sunday Morning" viewers with a key to living a longer life, by maintaining a better outlook.
Are there really risks to fluoride in water?
President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., says fluoride can cause health problems and wants it removed from our drinking water. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, has more on the risks and benefits that come with fluoride.
World
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U.S. charges Chinese national for exporting guns and ammo to North Korea
A Chinese national living in California is accused of exporting guns and ammunition to North Korea at the direction of North Korean agents.
Trump says he will attend Notre Dame reopening in Paris this weekend
Notre Dame is set to reopen this weekend after a 2019 fire, with a grand celebration.
South Korea lifts martial law order, president urged to resign
South Korea's main opposition party on Wednesday urged South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign immediately or face impeachment.
Treasure trove of Roman coins found during construction in U.K.
The stash of over 1,300 coins has become known as the Worcestershire Conquest Hoard.
Iran frees rapper Toomaj Salehi months after death sentence overturned
Iran has released dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi more than two years after his backing of women's rights protests over Mahsa Amini's death landed him in prison.
Entertainment
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British indie-rock band Sports Team robbed at gunpoint in Vallejo, California
A touring British indie-rock band said they lost personal gear when armed robbery targeted their van while they were getting coffee at a Vallejo Starbucks Tuesday morning on the first day of their U.S. tour.
Debbie Nelson, mother of rapper Eminem, dies at 69
Debbie Nelson's fraught relationship with her son Eminem had been no secret since the Detroit rapper became a star.
Extended interview: Selena Gomez
In this web exclusive, singer-songwriter-actress-entrepreneur Selena Gomez opens up to correspondent Tracy Smith about her experiences graduating from Disney Channel programs to her latest film, “Emilia Pérez,” and her series “Only Murders in the Building”; how rejection fueled her ambition and subsequent success; her revealing documentary, “My Mind & Me,” in which she discusses her physical and mental health struggles; and of life beyond social media.
"The Brutalist" named year's best film by New York film critics
The New York Film Critics Circle, one of the nation's oldest and most venerated critics' groups, is kicking movie awards season into high gear Tuesday as they select their choices for the best of 2024.
Oprah Winfrey selects "Small Things Like These" as new book blub pick
Oprah Winfrey's new book club selection, "Small Things Like These" by Claire Keegan, explores courage and compassion in 1985 Ireland.
Technology
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Technology
Most common passwords of 2024 revealed
Hackers' favorites top this year's list of most common passwords, with "123456," "password" and "qwerty123" leading the pack. Experts warn these choices make your accounts an easy target.
Bluesky says X's "partisan microphone" are driving users to it
Bluesky has added millions of new subscribers in the last month as some users leave X. Here's what to know.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Company pilots drone food delivery service
In California, a company is running a pilot program for drone food delivery. Itay Hod takes a look at how the service works.
Canada's antitrust watchdog files lawsuit against Google over its ad business
Canada's Competition Bureau says that an investigation found the company "unlawfully" tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its dominant market position.
Science
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Science
Starbucks plastic cup investigation
CBS News tracked plastic cups meant to be recycled by Starbucks and found that most of those did not end up at recycling facilities. CBS News' David Schechter breaks down the investigation's findings.
NASA shows off image of U.S. military's abandoned "city under the ice"
Scientists now have a clearer picture of Camp Century, an abandoned U.S. military base long hidden under the ice in Greenland, thanks to a NASA research team's good luck.
Divided U.N. negotiations for plastic treaty
Negotiators are far apart as the United Nations tries to work out the world's first treaty to curb plastic pollution. Issues creating roadblocks include limiting new manufacturing of plastic and the potential phasing out of some chemicals. For more on the talks, CBS News was joined by Erin Simon, vice president and head of plastic waste and business for the World Wildlife Fund in the U.S.
Honolulu hopes to identify long-unclaimed bodies with advanced DNA testing
Forensic pathologists hope advanced DNA testing technology will enable them to attach names to all the unidentified people at the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office.
Dishing up space food
At the Johnson Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston, NASA scientists develop dishes – freeze-dried, heat-stabilized, or irradiated – to serve on the International Space Station. Correspondent David Pogue checks out what's on the menu in Earth orbit.
Crime
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Defense for Nima Momeni claims Bob Lee did drugs with murder weapon
Attorneys for defendant Nima Momeni on Tuesday wrapped up their closing argument with a surprise video clip they claimed showed stabbing victim and Cash App founder Bob Lee doing cocaine with the murder weapon.
British indie-rock band Sports Team robbed at gunpoint in Vallejo, California
A touring British indie-rock band said they lost personal gear when armed robbery targeted their van while they were getting coffee at a Vallejo Starbucks Tuesday morning on the first day of their U.S. tour.
Daniel Penny trial jury deliberates
The jury is deliberating in Daniel Penny's trial for the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway back in 2023. CBS News New York's Christina Fan reports.
Ex-ballerina convicted of killing husband gets 20 years in "Black Swan" case
The case drew national attention, with some comparing Ashley Benefield to the protagonist of the 2010 film "Black Swan."
Feds say man in U.S. sent guns to North Korea
Shenghua Wen, a Chinese national living in California, has been charged by federal law enforcement for allegedly shipping guns and ammunition to North Korea. Prosecutors allege Wen received $2 million from North Korean agents to purchase the equipment, according to a complaint.
Space
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Webb telescope captures stunning new image of the "Sombrero galaxy"
The Sombrero galaxy, named for its resemblance to the Mexican hat, is about 30 million light-years from Earth.
Blue Origin launches 6 tourists to the edge of space
Marc and Sharon Hagle, both making their second space flight, were among the passengers for the NS-28 mission.
Blue Origin launches 9th space tourism flight
The ninth Blue Origin space tourism flight launched from West Texas Friday morning. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood and space expert Scott Heidler offered analysis of the flight.
Trump, Musk attend SpaceX launch
President-elect Donald Trump attended SpaceX's sixth flight test of its Super Heavy-Starship on Tuesday with CEO Elon Musk. The burgeoning friendship between the two men played a key role in Trump's reelection, with Musk now set to run a government efficiency agency in the coming months. CBS News political reporter Jake Rosen and Politico aviation reporter Oriana Pawlyk join "America Decides" with more.
SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship, with Trump there to watch
President-elect Donald Trump was on hand with Elon Musk for the sixth test flight of SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship rocket.
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Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death
Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.
Serial killer Rodney Alcala's secret photos
See some of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala's photographs that were discovered by detectives in a Seattle storage locker.
Summer music heats up 2024
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
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Reaction to Pete Hegseth's latest controversy
President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth met with Republican senators on Tuesday amid allegations ranging from sexual assault to workplace misconduct. Hegseth and his attorney have denied any wrongdoing. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes and CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane report on the mixed response from GOP senators.
South Korean president lifts martial law
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted his martial law order just hours after he announced that the country would be subject to military rule. The country's parliament voted to reject the president's initial declaration. CBS News national security contributor Sam Vinograd breaks it down.
Deputies hailed as heroes for fiery home rescue
Two sheriff's deputies are being praised for their courage in their rescue of two children who were trapped in a backyard when a home caught fire this weekend in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. The deputies tore a fence apart piece by piece to reach the siblings. Alan Gionet has more on the dramatic rescue.
Stellantis and Intel CEOs resign
A record number of CEOs have left their roles in 2024, according to an analysis by a career transitioning firm. Stellantis and Intel's CEOs contributed to the trend this week as the companies face declining stock prices. Andy Challenger, senior vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
North Carolina still recovering amid the cold
Several North Carolina counties opened warming shelters for people without heat access or who were displaced by Hurricane Helene last September. Some are enduring the cold while living in tents as they wait for more aid. CBS News correspondent Janet Shamlian reports.