Doctoral program in aquaculture and fisheries approved for university at edge of Ark. Delta

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Studying fish once seemed so simple: find out where they were biting and keep it under your hat. Now the study of fish has evolved into Ph.D.-level programs that can make fish bigger, tastier and a larger part of the nation’s economy.

With showers and sleeper trailers, chow hall and church tent, wildfire base camp like a city

LOS ANGELES — “Good morning!” Capt. Chip Paulson shouts from the canvas deck chair beside his fire engine. Never mind that it’s just shy of 4 p.m.

Lobster turf wars bring conflict to quiet, remote island off Maine coast

MATINICUS ISLAND, Maine — Life here is defined by the ocean. It’s the ocean that feeds the livelihoods of the lobstermen. It’s the ocean that dictates the weather. And it’s 20 miles of ocean that separates Matinicus from the mainland and makes it a world apart.

First hunter to report Idaho wolf kill gets harassing phone calls

LEWISTON, Idaho — The first hunter to report a wolf kill in Idaho says he’s been flooded with nasty messages.

Dolly Parton sings ‘My Mountain, My Home’ at ceremony celebrating 75th anniversary of Smokies

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Homegrown superstar Dolly Parton sang “My Mountain, My Home” as leaders rededicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on its 75th anniversary in a ceremony Wednesday.

Star of ‘The Cove’ film about brutality of dolphin hunt sets out to win over Japanese public

TAIJI, Japan — All Ric O’Barry wants is to stop the killing, so the dolphin trainer for the 1960s “Flipper” TV series figured the natural place to start was in this seaside Japanese town.

NY requiring life jackets during colder months for all passengers in small recreational boats

ALBANY, N.Y. — Seizing on the chilling fact that drowning happens faster in cold water, New York has become the first state to require life jackets on everyone in all small boats during the coldest half of the year.

First public wolf hunt in decades under way in lower 48, judge eyes request to halt

BOISE, Idaho — Gray wolves were back in the cross hairs of hunters on Tuesday, just months after they were removed from the federal endangered species list and eight decades since being hunted to extinction across the Northern Rockies.

Idaho’s wolf hunt off to slow start as federal judge eyes request to halt

BOISE, Idaho — The first legal wolf hunt in decades in the lower 48 states is off to a slow start.

Report: Communities should make it easier for families to make fat-fighting healthy choices

WASHINGTON — Where you live matters when it comes to children’s waistlines, says a report that finds lots of options localities could and should use to fight child obesity — from easy bike paths, to luring healthier stores, to taxes on junk food.

Wolf hunts to open in Northern Rockies as judge considers request to halt killing

MISSOULA, Mont. — Gray wolf hunting was set to begin in the Northern Rockies, even as a federal judge eyed a request to stop the killing of the predators just four months after they were removed from the endangered species list.

Wolf hunts to proceed in Northern Rockies as judge weighs injunction request

MISSOULA, Mont. — Gray wolf hunting will begin in the Northern Rockies as a federal judge considers an injunction request by environmental and animal welfare groups to stop the predators from being killed.

Wolf hunts to proceed in Northern Rockies as judge weighs request to stop them

MISSOULA, Mont. — Wolf hunting will begin in the Northern Rockies as a federal judge weighs a request by environmental and animal welfare groups to stop the predators from being killed.

Scenic trips to see waterfalls, foliage in Western NC

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Some of the prettiest places to see fall foliage in Western North Carolina also offer scenic views of waterfalls.

Texas fishermen endured hunger, heat and hallucinations during week atop capsized boat in Gulf

BLESSING, Texas — Three Texas fishermen who spent eight days stranded in the Gulf of Mexico atop their capsized boat endured hunger, blistering heat, scares from sharks and hallucinations, but they never gave up hope they’d be rescued.

Texas fishermen recount survival atop capsized boat during week missing in Gulf of Mexico

BLESSING, Texas — One of three Texas men who spent a week lost at sea says rescue helicopters flew over as the men stayed with their capsized boat in the Gulf of Mexico.

Fate of Rocky Mountain wolf hunts in Idaho, Montana in federal judge’s hands

BOISE, Idaho — Greg Wooten says shooting a Rocky Mountain wolf won’t be easy, even if a federal judge doesn’t blow apart the hunting season before it starts.

Tropical Storm Danny expected to weaken but will still produce dangerous surf along East Coast

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. — Danny weakened to a tropical depression early Saturday but was still expected to produce a second straight weekend of dangerous surf along the East Coast.

Idaho Republicans blast GOP candidate’s ‘Obama tags’ quip; Risch disowns Rammell

BOISE, Idaho — The list of Idaho Republicans condemning a GOP gubernatorial candidate’s comments about buying a license to hunt President Barack Obama grew Friday, as party leaders worried the incident would reflect badly on the state.

Tropical Storm Danny brings rough surf to Carolina coast; boy, 12, goes missing in ocean

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. — People on the East Coast warily eyed the approaching Tropical Storm Danny, which reinforced the dangers of even a weakening storm after a young boy disappeared Friday in rough surf.

Boy, 12, goes missing in rough surf off North Carolina coast caused by Tropical Storm Danny

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. — A 12-year-old boy has gone missing in rough surf along North Carolina’s coast caused by the approaching Tropical Storm Danny.

Tropical Storm Danny likely to bring rough surf, send tourists home from North Carolina coast

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. — Coastal residents looked ahead Friday to a late-summer weekend with fewer beach-loving tourists as Tropical Storm Danny kicked up rough surf that forecasters warned would be too risky for boaters and swimmers, though tempting for surfers.

Dutch court puts 13-year-old girl under guardianship to delay her solo world sailing trip

UTRECHT, Netherlands — A Dutch court ordered authorities to take temporary guardianship of a 13-year-old girl on Friday, delaying her plan to sail solo around the world until psychologists can assess her capacity to undertake such a risky voyage.

Dutch court oredress state care for 13-year-old girl to delay her solo world sailing trip

UTRECHT, Netherlands — A 13-year-old Dutch girl who hoped to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world was put under state care for two months Friday while psychologists assess her capacity to undertake the risky voyage.

Idaho Republican says he was only joking about ‘Obama Tags’

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho Republican gubernatorial hopeful insists he was only joking when he said he’d buy a license to hunt President Barack Obama.

Tourists at Sequoia National Park rerouted as rangers helicopter in to destroy pot garden

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — A section of this Sierra Nevada national park was closed to visitors Thursday while rangers helicoptered in to destroy a sizable marijuana growing operation just a half-mile away from a crystal-filled cave popular with tourists.

6 juvenile wolves in Idaho found dead just days before start of proposed hunt

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho officials say six juvenile wolves were found decomposing on U.S. Forest Service land.

MEMO FROM MARTHA’s: Chef trades kitchen knives for irons to golf with duffer-in-chief

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. — A day after playing golf with the chairman of the UBS banking giant, President Barack Obama hit the links with an assistant White House chef during his Martha’s Vineyard vacation.

After national park tour, Udall, McCain agree global warming a problem but stay quiet on fixes

ESTES PARK, Colo. — Global warming is threatening America’s national parks. But there is no consensus about how to prevent the harm.

Obama starts weeklong vacation on picturesque Martha’s Vineyard with workout, tennis, golf

CHILMARK, Mass. — President Barack Obama played tennis with his wife and golf with his buddies Monday, starting his first vacation in office on Martha’s Vineyard, a picturesque island known as a refuge for the wealthy and privileged.