National (U.S.)

"Forest fires are burning longer and stronger across the western United States, lighting up the landscape with alarming frequency. Residents are forced to flee, homes are incinerated, wildlife habitats are destroyed, lives are lost. Last year, the Forest Service spent more than half its annual budget fighting fires."

"The beverage giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have given millions of dollars to nearly 100 prominent health groups in recent years, while simultaneously spending millions to defeat public health legislation that would reduce Americans’ soda intake, according to public health researchers."

"Nearly 100 national health and medical groups — including the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — enjoy sponsorships by Coca-Cola Co. or PepsiCo, according to a new study by two Boston University researchers."

"After years of slow, steady growth, residential electric prices are poised to decline for the first time in nearly a decade and a half."

"US plug-in vehicle sales reached a quarterly record for the three-month period that ended September 30, as demand improved for plug-in models such as the Tesla Model S battery-electric vehicle and the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)."

"A federal court on Sunday rejected the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's request to halt construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, which the tribe says would destroy some of its sacred sites."

"Following the devastation from Hurricane Matthew and a campaign urging moderators to ask a climate question, the issue was again ignored."

"The amount of methane in the atmosphere is growing, but it’s not coming from where you think. While methane from fracking and other fossil-fuel activity hasn’t increased over the last 10 years, agriculture, landfills, and wetlands are getting gassier, according to a new study in Nature."

"Two watchdog groups are accusing the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) of abusing its nonprofit status, pointing to information about ExxonMobil Corp. as proof. The Center for Media Democracy and Common Cause say ALEC is engaging in corporate lobbying for organizations like Exxon, while working under an IRS nonprofit designation that prohibits such lobbying."

"Earlier this year, President Obama hit a milestone: He designated more monuments than any other president in U.S. history."