The Great Salt Lake is dying. Can this $1B Trump plan save it? Two factors are driving the decline: water use and less precipitation due to climate change. Saving the lake may require 260 billion gallons of water.

Can a diverse group of interests including universities, Governor Cox, Donald Trump, environmental groups, Josh Romney, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others save the Great Salt Lake in time for the 2034 Olympics? They hope so. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

It was sort of funny, but still nervewracking. I was waiting for one of them to just take out their cell phone.

As millions of people held their breath, the four Artemis II astronauts flawlessly splashed down back to Earth in the Orion capsule, ending their history-making 10-day mission to the moon and back.

📸: Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)

Follow live: bit.ly/4cgYK5T

March 2026 was the hottest March since records started 130+ years ago March 2026 concluded as the warmest March over 132 years of records, federal data shows.

March 2026 was the hottest March since records started 130+ years ago. See the temperatures in your community. www.usatoday.com/story/news/w... via @usatoday

🙂

Artemis II astronauts suggest 2 names for moon's many craters Changes in color and light seen by astronauts studying the moon's surface on April 6.

Want to know more about the moon craters discussed during today's Artemis II flyby, and the new names proposed by the crew? Read more here: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

We watched with a family of 5 from London. You can hear they were quite excited.

Artemis launch from Haulover Canal

A year later, experts say full effect of DOGE cuts may never be known The full effects of DOGE cuts to tens of thousands of federal contracts and agreements may never be fully known, experts say, and controversy lingers.

I'm interested in talking to academians and grant recipients about these changes in science and grant funding for a story I've been working on. If anyone is interested, I'm at dpulver@usatoday.com. Here's a previous story: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Where can I see DC's cherry blossoms? What to know as they bloom. The National Park Service closely monitors the cherry blossoms on the National Mall in Washington, DC to keep the nation updated.

Cherry trees in DC are likely to hit "peak bloom" today. They've hit this point before April 3 in 16 of the last 20 years.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/g...

Spring is a season of transition — and increasingly, of surprises. Staying safe means understanding risks before they feel obvious.

'Kona storm' astounds forecasters with 'astronomical' rain in Hawaii Officials are still working to assess and address damage from the March 13-16 storm that dropped up to four feet of rain on the island of Maui.

They've cut the power outages on Hawaii's Big Island in half today. Just about 1,000 remain without electricity, as the state gears up for another shot from the 'kona low.' www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...

Is Cuba in a 'hurricane zone'? The numbers say yes. After President Donald Trump claimed Cuba isn't in "a hurricane zone," an analysis shows the nation is seeing more activity than many other locations.

🌪️ We checked on whether Cuba fits the definition of 'a hurricane zone.' The statistics seem to illustrate yes.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...

This endangered wildflower does something scientists didn’t expect Faced with extreme drought, these wildflowers adapted. Scientists call it "evolutionary rescue" and say it's a hopeful sign for humanity.

🌎 Climate change news isn’t always bad.
A small wildflower’s fight against extinction is offering scientists rare insight into resilience — and how ecosystems might adapt.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Toxic tides terrorize beaches. Now scientists are fighting back. A new development from the University of South Florida may help control toxic algal blooms. It's one of a number of methods in a slow pipeline.

🧪 Scientists aren’t giving up.
Researchers are testing new ways to control red tide and other harmful blooms — a race against warming seas and nutrient pollution.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Harmful algal blooms can kill thousands of fish and other marine life Algal blooms, including Karenia brevis or "red tide" on the US Gulf coast, can be harmful to marine life and humans alike.

🐟 Toxic tides.
Harmful algal blooms can wipe out thousands of fish, close beaches and threaten health. Scientists are searching for solutions, but face huge hurdles.
www.usatoday.com/picture-gall...

This (safe) simulator lets you experience a deadly beach danger Ocean rip currents have been called silent killers. Simulators can help swimmers learn how to survive.

🌊 Beach season comes with hidden dangers.
A new simulator shows how deadly rip currents work — safely — and why even strong swimmers can be caught off guard.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Michigan sees earliest ever EF-3, deadliest tornado day since 1980 Storms spawned 14 twisters in the U.S. March 5 -7, killing eight, including four in Michigan, the deadliest tornado day in the state in 46 years.

🌪️ Michigan just rewrote the tornado record books.
The state saw its earliest-ever EF 3 tornado — and its deadliest tornado day since 1980.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

These springtime dangers can sneak up on you Rising temperatures bring a wide range of weather dangers − many of them surprising or underestimated.

⚠️ Springtime dangers aren’t always obvious.
From early tornadoes to rip currents and toxic tides, warmer weather changes risk fast — sometimes before people realize winter’s grip is gone.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...

Spring doesn’t just bring flowers. It brings risks that sneak up on people — often before we’re ready. A few important climate & weather stories you may have missed over the past week or so. 🧵👇

Is Cuba in a 'hurricane zone'? The numbers say yes. After President Donald Trump claimed Cuba isn't in "a hurricane zone," an analysis shows the nation is seeing more activity than many other locations.

We looked at landfalls in the Caribbean & talked to @franklinjamesl.bsky.social who compared tracks around Cuba to other hurricane-prone locations. The conclusion?Cuba is in an active hurricane location. www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...

Toxic tides terrorize beaches. Now scientists are fighting back. A new development from the University of South Florida may help control toxic algal blooms. It's one of a number of methods in a slow pipeline.

As a Gulf Coast native, I've experienced red tide & harmful algal blooms my entire life. Interesting talking to scientists about their search for solutions and the challenges to reducing the scope of the toxic blooms.

@cmarinescience.bsky.social @whoi.edu

www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Michigan sees earliest ever EF-3, deadliest tornado day since 1980 Storms spawned 14 twisters in the U.S. March 5 -7, killing eight, including four in Michigan, the deadliest tornado day in the state in 46 years.

Earliest ever EF-3 tornado on record documented in Michigan, along with more than a dozen other tornadoes and eight deaths from last week's tornadoes. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Fearsome Melissa retired as hurricane name; say hello to Molly A world hurricane committee voted to retire Melissa as a hurricane name, and chose Molly as the replacement in 2031.

Melissa is retired as a hurricane name after its disastrous trek through the Caribbean. Thanks to @bmcnoldy.bsky.social for the brilliant trivia on hurricane names. His blog post is here:
bmcnoldy.blogspot.com/2026/03/100t...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...

Hurricane Melissa now tied for strongest winds in an Atlantic storm With less than three months until the start of a new hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center is wrapping up some of its work on 2025 storms.

The high winds in Hurricane Melissa before it made landfall were even higher than originally calculated, and it's now tied for strongest winds in an Atlantic storm, the National Hurricane Center finds in final report. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Olympians, scientists marvel at the wonder of snow. Here's why As snow powers the Winter Olympics, you probably underestimate the simple snowflake. For starters, snow isn't technically white.

I could talk to David Robinson, New Jersey state climatologist, about snow for hours. It's a fascinating topic, and timely for the #WinterOlympics
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Assassination by frog? Scientists ponder a 'very surprising' report. Poison dart frogs have fascinated researchers. Now their toxin has allegedly been linked to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The reported discovery of poison from an Ecuadorian dart frog, either actual or artificially created, in analyses taken from the body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny raises more questions, experts told USA TODAY. Its use would be unprecedented in humans. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Wood storks to be taken off the 'endangered' list Forty years ago, wood stork populations in Florida were plummeting. But federal and private efforts have made a dramatic difference, officials say.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will remove the wood stork from its endangered species list, saying it has recovered to the point it no longer qualifies. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Icy weather highlights open questions about climate change effects There's a confounding dilemma for many folks trying to make sense of winter weather in the context of climate change.

Icy weather highlights open questions about climate change and cold weather. Spoiler: Climate change does not mean winter is going away, at least not anytime soon. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Extreme cold likely for hundreds of millions across US. Snow and ice also warned. See the maps and pay attention to these weather warnings this week. Check in with neighbors and family. If you have to travel, use caution! Keep warm gear in your car. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @usatoday