NASA's Artemis II nears the moon, oil trumps endangered species, and western U.S. asks, Where's the snow?'

"Artemis II left Earth orbit last Thursday, making the four astronauts onboard the first humans in over 50 years to do so. Today is a critical day for the mission as it plans to execute a historic lunar flyby and go farther from Earth than any human ever has."

"The Endangered Species Committee exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act, despite widespread consensus that it could lead to some species going extinct."

"Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the move was necessary for national security in light of ongoing lawsuits, although he did not specify which lawsuits he was referring to."

NASA's Artemis II mission successfully lifted off, making four astronauts the first humans to leave Earth orbit in over 50 years. The mission plans a historic lunar flyby, reaching unprecedented distances from Earth. In environmental news, the Endangered Species Committee exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act, despite concerns about potential species extinction. This decision was influenced by national security considerations and ongoing litigation, marking a significant policy shift since the committee's last meeting in 1992.

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