A powerful storm combining an atmospheric river and a bomb cyclone is causing severe weather, including potential flooding and power outages, across the U.S. East Coast.

Recent rainfall in Maine has not significantly improved the state's rainfall deficits of 6 to 9 inches, leading to continuing drought conditions.

Two endangered North Atlantic right whales were found entangled in fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts, posing a potentially fatal threat to one juvenile whale.

A 'bomb cyclone' has killed two people and left over 500,000 homes without power in the northwest U.S., as strong winds and rain hit the region, closing schools and downing trees.

Despite late-October rain, extreme drought has expanded across southern and coastal Maine, now covering nearly 43% of the state, including Portland. The National Weather Service says another foot of precipitation is needed before soils freeze to substantially ease conditions.

Calm late-summer conditions and a fall surge in forage fish activity led to a rare sighting of harbor porpoises inside Maquoit Bay in Brunswick, Maine. The columnist reflects on seasonal transitions and why porpoises may have ventured into the typically shallow bay.

Maine has issued a do-not-eat advisory for white-tailed deer and wild turkeys in parts of Knox, Thorndike and Unity after tests found elevated PFAS in muscle tissue. The advisory expands earlier restrictions tied to contamination from sludge-applied farm fields.

North Yarmouth, Maine removed about 80 ash trees from Baston Park after an emerald ash borer infestation was detected. The wood will be processed by the Cumberland Wood Bank for local heating under state-advised precautions.

More than 5% of Maine is now in extreme drought and about 58% in severe drought, covering all of southern and coastal areas. Forecasters expect little to no rain through early next week, with potential showers later but uncertainty about meaningful relief.

The damage from the storm Tuesday and Wednesday recalled the aftermath of a tsunami, with survivors left to pick up the pieces as they mourn loved ones lost in Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory. Many streets were still blocked by piled-up vehicles and debris, in some cases trapping residents in their homes. Some places still don’t have electricity, running water, or stable telephone connections.

A shark attacked a diver near the Chatham Islands, prompting emergency response from Hato Hone St John and the New Zealand Flying Doctors Service.

Seven more pilot whales died after becoming re-stranded at Golden Bay, Tasman, following their initial rescue. Six perished naturally, while one was euthanised due to poor condition.

Hairless, wart-like tumours have been reported on squirrels across parts of the United States and Canada; veterinarians and wildlife officials say the condition is caused by a poxvirus (squirrel fibromatosis) and is usually not a threat to humans or common pets.

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation is probing how an invasive stoat appeared and died on the previously predator-free Rakiura/Stewart Island.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada authorized a rare recreational sockeye opening in the non-tidal Fraser River from Mission to Hope (Aug. 22–Sept. 1, 2025) after unexpectedly large sockeye returns; retention is two sockeye per day and four pinks per day, with restrictions to avoid impacts on non-target stocks.