To keep insurance rates lower, Florida's elected officials last year voted to shift much of the state's hurricane risk to the government.

The state wants to fine Chevron Corp. $30,000 for releasing too much air pollution in the Hatter's Pond natural gas field near Creola. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management says that three compressor units in the gas field released higher amounts of volatile organic compounds than allowed under pollution permits.

A coalition of educators and conservationists submitted petitions Wednesday, calling for an initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot that would preserve more than 570,000 acres of the Arizona's most ecologically sensitive lands.

BIG SUR, Calif. -- Flames ominously licked the ridge overlooking this scenic coastal community, which sat nearly abandoned Thursday after an out-of-control wildfire prompted authorities to order more residents out of the area.

Climate scientists say extreme heat in California will worsen in the coming decades as a result of climate change.

GOLETA, Calif. -- Fires raged in both Northern and Southern California on Wednesday, with the stubborn blaze in Big Sur taking a turn for the worse and a new one near Goleta causing widespread power outages and burning within about a mile of neighborhoods.

BIG SUR, Calif. - Facing a stubborn fire, California officials ordered the evacuation of Big Sur on Wednesday as flames flared on nearby mountaintops and moved steadily toward this coastal retreat.

If you're free at 4 a.m. Aug. 11, Brandywine Creek State Park has a fun idea for you: watching meteors.

Florida will spend $224 million to shore up the state fund that helps cover insurance company losses from hurricanes, a sign that state officials remain fearful that a huge storm could result in billions in unpaid claims and lead to steep rate hikes for consumers.

If a catastrophic storm hits Florida this year, investor Warren Buffett will be there to help out. Gov. Charlie Crist and other State Board of Administration trustees agreed Wednesday to pay Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. $224 million on the chance an Andrew-type hurricane would hit the state.

Florida will pay Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate $224 million in exchange for a pledge to provide cash if the state is rocked by this year's hurricane season.

Cases of West Nile virus spiked in Georgia last year, likely fueled by drought conditions that allow the mosquito that spreads the disease to thrive. Health experts are expecting a similar number of cases this summer.

The billionaire developer of a planned Lanai wind farm that would supply power to Oahu is urging Gov. Linda Lingle to declare a state of emergency to combat soaring energy prices by fast-tracking big clean-energy projects.

The federal government will pay 90 percent of the emergency response costs from flood and tornadoes incurred by state and local governments this spring, but Iowa officials hope they'll pick up 100 percent of the cost.

AMES, Iowa -- Hundreds of Iowa companies lost workers, revenue and continue to face challenges to recovery in the aftermath of recent flooding, according to a new survey data from Iowa State University.

Gov. Chet Culver is urging Iowans to join the AmeriCorps national service program to help with flood recovery efforts, including the cleanup of damaged buildings and facilities, debris removal and reconstruction.

Gov. Chet Culver is urging Iowans to join the AmeriCorps national service program to help out with flood recovery efforts, including the cleanup of damaged buildings and facilities, debris removal and reconstruction.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Ia. -- This is Cedar Rapids, a city where nine square miles are gutted. There was no longer any standing water when Democratic state lawmakers toured Wednesday -- the river is serenely back in its banks. Left behind are dirt-covered roads, a canyon of debris and 7,198 flood-struck properties, including 5,390 houses, 30 churches, 27 government buildings, eight cultural sites and 1,322 businesses.

Sweet corn purists who demand the Iowa-grown variety at their cookouts will be disappointed this Fourth of July weekend.

Idaho hasn't retreated from its push to remove transuranic waste from the Idaho National Laboratory, Deputy Attorney General Clive Strong said. It's just chosen a different tactic.