Nate Perez

The move would protect nearly 300,000 acres of Nevada's Ruby Mountains from future oil, gas, and geothermal drilling. The region is popular for fishing and birdwatching. And it's the ancestral homeland of the Tomoak tribe of western Shoshone Indians who had requested the protection. The Biden administration has made several announcements protecting public lands since the November election.

The move would protect nearly 300,000 acres of Nevada's Ruby Mountains from future oil, gas, and geothermal drilling. The region is popular for fishing and birdwatching. And it's the ancestral homeland of the Tomoak tribe of western Shoshone Indians who had requested the protection. The Biden administration has made several announcements protecting public lands since the November election.

President-elect Donald Trump could reverse many of the announcements once he's in office. For now, the announcement protects the land from fossil fuel extraction for two years, and it opens a 90-day window for public comment. But some environmentalists were not satisfied.

President-elect Donald Trump could reverse many of the announcements once he's in office. For now, the announcement protects the land from fossil fuel extraction for two years, and it opens a 90-day window for public comment. But some environmentalists were not satisfied.

In a statement, the Center for Biological Diversity called the protections incomplete, pointing out it does not ban gold mining. Nate Perez, NPR News.

In a statement, the Center for Biological Diversity called the protections incomplete, pointing out it does not ban gold mining. Nate Perez, NPR News.

This is NPR News in Washington. Medicare recipients are about to save a big chunk of money at the pharmacy counter. Starting January 1st, there will be a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug spending. The provision was part of the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden in 2022.

This is NPR News in Washington. Medicare recipients are about to save a big chunk of money at the pharmacy counter. Starting January 1st, there will be a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug spending. The provision was part of the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden in 2022.

The White House estimates an estimated 19 million seniors and people with disabilities will save an average of $400 per year. Every year, scientists describe thousands of new species, and 2024 was no different. NPR's Jonathan Lambert highlights some notable critters added to the scientific record this year.

The White House estimates an estimated 19 million seniors and people with disabilities will save an average of $400 per year. Every year, scientists describe thousands of new species, and 2024 was no different. NPR's Jonathan Lambert highlights some notable critters added to the scientific record this year.

Health officials say bird flu is infecting more dairy herds, mainly in California. More than 65 people have caught the virus in the U.S. over the past year, but researchers say the risk of catching the virus remains low for most of the public. Almost all the human cases of bird flu have occurred after someone had close contact with infected animals. This is NPR News.

Health officials say bird flu is infecting more dairy herds, mainly in California. More than 65 people have caught the virus in the U.S. over the past year, but researchers say the risk of catching the virus remains low for most of the public. Almost all the human cases of bird flu have occurred after someone had close contact with infected animals. This is NPR News.

Barbados and other island states, they're facing immediate impacts like rapid sea level rise. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said countries who have burned the most fossil fuels need to play a bigger role.

Barbados and other island states, they're facing immediate impacts like rapid sea level rise. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said countries who have burned the most fossil fuels need to play a bigger role.

Haina said climate change will affect every aspect of life in vulnerable countries, from education to health care and to the economy. Nate Perez, NPR News.

Haina said climate change will affect every aspect of life in vulnerable countries, from education to health care and to the economy. Nate Perez, NPR News.