Trump administration scales back protections of American wild bird species

The Trump administration on Tuesday finalized changes that weaken the government's enforcement powers under a century-old law protecting most American wild bird species, brushing aside warnings that billions of birds could die as a result.

Murmuration of starlings mesmerize crowds in small Marin County strip mall

Technically, the term murmuration refers to the bizarre-looking feat when hundreds, sometimes thousands, of starlings fly in swooping, intricately coordinated patterns through the sky. As for what it looks like? A massive swarm of shape-shifting black birds flying in unison among the clouds. 

Astronauts ring in New Year with zero-gravity 'ball drop' in space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station had their own New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with a zero-gravity "ball drop" to ring in 2021.

COVID-19 mutations should not impact vaccine effectiveness, health experts say

Variants of COVID-19 are showing up in countries like the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and South Africa, but the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will still help humans create the necessary immune response to the virus, health experts say.

What are President-elect Biden's plans for NASA?

NASA has big plans to send humans back to the moon and then to Mars. But President-elect Joe Biden could make big changes to the space program. He says he wants to boost NASA budget and review its priorities.

Vice President Mike Pence announces new name for Space Force members: ‘Guardians’

"It is my honor on behalf of the president of the United States to announce that henceforth the men and women of the United States Space Force will be known as ‘Guardians,’" Pence said during the ceremony.

COVID-19 models plot harrowing scenarios for California hospitals

Over the next four weeks, California hospitals could be overflowing with 75,000 patients — about five times the current level — and an average of 400 people will die every day.

TPWD designates Lake Buchanan as 'infested' with zebra mussels

The designation is a result of recent sampling efforts that revealed new evidence of a reproducing population of zebra mussels in the lake.

Health officials track safety as COVID-19 vaccines roll out

On Tuesday, a health worker in Alaska suffered a severe allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.