Latest Articles

Tuning out California's Prop 23 with a song

The fight to keep California's global-warming law intact takes a turn for the musical. Here's a little ditty clean-energy advocates are hoping California voters will be whistling on their way to the polls.

Alaska's NPRA oil reserves estimate lowered about 90 percent

The U.S. Geological Survey has revised its previous estimates about the amount of "undiscovered" oil and gas present in Alaska.

In defense of candy

Americans don't eat too much candy. Our problem is that we consume too much candy masquerading as real food and beverages.

Better Eating Through Engineering

I’ve been interested in efforts to improve school lunches ever since my days as a reporter at the Seattle P-I, and here’s one of the coolest ideas I’ve run across: the “smart cafeteria.” Despite our best efforts to get kids to love jicama sticks or broccoli spears, you can’t really force them to eat something […]

New Jersey's Gov. Christie kills ARC Tunnel project dead

After two weeks of "reconsideration," Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) has once again killed the nation's largest public transit project, a rail tunnel under the Hudson River that was pegged to cost $8.7 billion and create thousands of jobs. This time, it seems certain it will stay dead.

Global weirding and the scrambling of terroir

Hail storms, tornadoes, and other weather anomalies are battering growers around the country. How can farmers, their seeds, and breeds learn to adapt to uncertainty itself?

Google exec explains Atlantic offshore wind investment [AUDIO]

Alison Stewart of PBS spoke with the dir. of green business operations for Google about Google's plan to invest $200M in a network for wind energy.

Senate ag committee chair is opening up. Who's in line?

Blanche Lincoln, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, is headed for defeat. You won't catch me shedding tears over her exit, but who will replace her in this key role? A Big Ag politician, or one who might support Farm Bill reform?

Ask Umbra’s Book Club: Share your Americana experience and win a free book!

Welcome to our book club discussion of United States of Americana -- Backyard Chickens, Burlesque Beauties and Handmade Bitters by Kurt B. Reighley. Today's topics include what you're doing to get away from your computer to have real experiences in the world. Share your rootsy ideas and have a chance to WIN a FREE book!

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood talks about livable communities

Secretary of the Department of Transportation Ray LaHood would like to build the infrastructure that would let you leave your car at home. We had a chance to talk with him the other day about what exactly "livable communities" are -- and if Republican legislators will ever vote to fund them.