'Fracking' divides NY landowners

CALLICOON, N.Y. - Pete and Jack Diehl grew up in the tall clapboard house their German immigrant ancestors built in 1842, on a hillside overlooking a creek in the Catskills. Sharp-featured and lean, the brothers run dairy farms within a couple miles of one another. They own land together, and Pete's grandson works on Jack's farm every day after school.

Radiation detected 400 miles off coast of Japan

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Radioactive contamination from the Fukushima power plant disaster has been detected as far as almost 400 miles off Japan in the Pacific Ocean, with water showing readings of up to 1,000 times more than prior levels, scientists reported Tuesday.

'Carbon Nation' serves up climate change solutions

GREENFIELD - "Carbon Nation," the climate change solutions movie that has played in mainline theaters across the country, will be shown on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Public Library Community Room, sponsored by Greening Greenfield Energy Committee and Transition Towns Greenfield.

Proposed law suggests key to managing bears is restricting feeding by people

NORTHAMPTON - Local officials are keeping a close eye on proposed state legislation that would make illegal the feeding of wildlife, including black bears, whose encounters with humans have proliferated in Northampton in recent years. A bill filed in January by state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, would allow the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to enact new regulations and slap fines of $50 and $100 for habitual feeders of birds and mammals across the commonwealth.

• Related story: Bears are out there early

Bears are out there early

NORTHAMPTON - An unseasonably mild winter and continued availability of food sources has prompted more black bears to remain out of hibernation this winter, according to state wildlife officials.

"We're definitely seeing a lot more bears moving around this winter," said Laura Conlee, a wildlife biologist with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Panel hears health risks of wind turbines

BOSTON - Neil Anderson says the headaches, dizziness and palpitations began shortly after Wind One, a 400-foot high wind turbine, began operating about a quarter mile from his Falmouth home. So did sleep disruptions, ringing in his ears and elevated blood pressure.

Personal care products; Hispanic Americans hit hard by air pollution

Dear EarthTalk: I know that there are many issues with personal care products being unsafe for our health, but where do I look to find out what's safe and what's not?

- Mary Pulaski Trenton, N.J.