NASA assessing when Boeing's Starliner could be ready to launch with astronauts

Boeing continues to troubleshoot a new issue with its Starliner spacecraft before the company tries again to launch two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. 

California sea lion hops into UCLA rowers' boat

A malnourished sea lion pup hopped into a UCLA rower's boat, surprising the crew and nuzzling some of the athletes. 

‘Planet Parade’ 2024: watch guide for 6 planets aligned on June 3

On June 3, 2024, skywatchers can witness a rare "planet parade" of six planets—Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—aligning in the pre-dawn sky, visible near the eastern horizon about 20 minutes before sunrise.

Birds covered in oil reported along WA, OR beaches

Multiple agencies investigate reports of oiled birds on the Washington and Oregon coasts and urge public to report sightings but avoid contact.

Rare 40-ton whale skull discovered on North Carolina beach

A massive whale skull, believed to belong to a 40-ton humpback whale, washed ashore on Hatteras Island in North Carolina, attracting significant interest from both beachgoers and marine biologists.

Japan grappling with invasive raccoon population

Japan's raccoon infestation has gotten considerably worse over the last decade, multiple Japanese news sources are reporting.

May's full Flower Moon happening soon: What to know

The Full Flower Moon is unique astronomical event best viewed from regions like the southeastern U.S., parts of Central America, and northeastern South America.

What can we learn from fire ants? Maybe a lot

Experts say black fire ants arrived in the U.S. in 1918 and red fire ants in the 1930s, leading to a massive population increase, with five times more ants per acre than in South America, and they're infamous for their bites and stings.

Endangered Species Day 2024: 10 of the world’s most endangered animals revealed

Currently, more than 41,000 species have been assessed to be under threat of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Officers capture black bear in tree in backyard of Pierce County home

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said they received several reports of bear sightings since the weekend in the Tacoma area. Officials captured the bear in the backyard of a home in Lakewood.

Olympic marmot conservation plan: Could reintroducing wolves save the species?

Conservationists are advocating for the Olympic marmot, a beloved species found only in Washington state, to be added to the endangered species list. The Center for Biological Diversity attributes the subspecies’ decline to climate change and predation by coyotes.

Killer whales attack and sink sailing boat off Gibraltar

An unknown number of orcas rammed a sailing yacht in Moroccan waters in the Strait of Gibraltar on Sunday morning, causing it to later sink, the latest attack in a trend that has been terrifying sailors in the region for the past four years. 

Solar storm: X8.7 solar flare erupts in largest of sun cycle

On Tuesday, the sun unleashed another powerful solar flare. The NWS discussed whether the intense solar storm will impact activities on Earth.

Bear breaks into Southern California family's refrigerator, steals watermelon

"The bear plucked out of the refrigerator a third of a watermelon that was sliced and then proceeded to walk to our front yard to sit and eat it."