Free Republic

Seventy percent of coral reefs off the coast of Florida are eroding and experiencing a net loss of habitat, according to new research out of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Science. The decline is a result of bleaching events which are driven by climate change, ship groundings and disease. In 2014, researchers discovered an outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, which is decimating reefs both in Florida and the Caribbean. The state’s coral reefs also support around 70,000 jobs and generate $8.5 billion annually, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)...

"... had strong favorability nationally ..." In the wake of a presidential campaign that reminded Americans of the string of allegations of sexual misconduct lodged against him, former President Bill Clinton’s status as a former president has eroded, according to a new survey. A University of Virginia Center for Politics-Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that when assessing which former president Americans would like to see back in the White House, Bill Clinton received only 6 percent support. By comparison, 21 percent of those participating in a similar poll in 2012 said they would like to Bill Clinton return to the White House....

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans who already have health insurance are blaming President Barack Obama's health care overhaul for their rising premiums and deductibles, and overall 3 in 4 say the rollout of coverage for the uninsured has gone poorly. An Associated Press-GfK poll finds that health care remains politically charged going into next year's congressional elections. Keeping the refurbished HealthCare.gov website running smoothly is just one of Obama's challenges, maybe not the biggest. The poll found a striking level of unease about the law among people who have health insurance and aren't looking for any more government help. Those are...

“Darn tooting.” Back in October when the HHS contraception/abortifacient/sterilization mandate issue was more under the radar than it is now (the announcement on January 20 was far from the first communication about it from the administration), President Obama bragged about it during a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Chicago. From the White House transcript: And to make sure that those laws are upheld, we appointed two brilliant women to the Supreme Court. (Applause.) We repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” so that every single American can serve their country, regardless of who they love. (Applause.) And, yes

<p>STRAFFORD, Vt. -Stuart and Susan Rogers wear beepers because the toxic waste dump two miles from their home might collapse and let loose a toxic mudslide.</p> <p>Acid waste from the nearby Elizabeth copper mine was killing part of the Ompompanoosuc River, so the Environmental Protection Agency drafted a $15 million cleanup plan under the Superfund program. The EPA, however, provided no money for the work.</p>