The latest New England stories on topics like climate change and the environment, the economy, health, racial equity, culture and politics — as reported by newsrooms of the New England News Collaborative, a nine-station consortium of the region's top public media organizations.
These unusual CT River fish are 'ecosystem engineers.' How to stop worrying and love the lamprey
"We want them here," said one ecologist. "They're generally an underappreciated fish."
-
The long entanglement and short life of right whale 5120
By the time Brian Sharp saw the whale dead on an Edgartown beach, her jet black skin was pockmarked by hungry seagulls, her baleen had been dislodged from her mouth, and thick rope was wrapped tightly — as it had been for the last 17 months — around the most narrow part of her tail. -
From frost fans to hayrides, wild weather is forcing CT farmers to adapt to a changing climate
Last year was a tough one for Connecticut farmers. From late-spring frosts to devastating summer floods, 2023 was the latest in a string of wild weather. And it’s forcing farmers to rethink what they grow and how they do it. -
Climate Superfund Act would make oil companies pay for climate damages in Vermont
After a year of historic flooding, some Vermont lawmakers and environmental advocates are pushing for the state to create a new program similar to the federal Superfund program to pay for climate damages with money from big oil companies. -
'Another level of coverup': How a Mass. law prevents clergy abuse survivors from getting justice
The Massachusetts charitable immunity law caps damages in lawsuits against a nonprofit at $20,000 — including those alleging child sexual abuse. That means some lawyers won't take these cases. -
Building a salt marsh, in the city: New Bedford is reclaiming a piece of urban waterfront for nature
Salt marshes lace much of the South Coast shoreline, but not in New Bedford. Now, with climate resilience in mind, the city and a nonprofit partner are building a salt marsh, from scratch, in one of New Bedford’s most densely populated neighborhoods.
