Gulf of America

The National Marine Fisheries Service has started a review that could remove the endangered status from Rice’s whales amid increased efforts toward offshore oil drilling.

The Interior Department announced a second sale of 80 million acres of the Gulf, set for March. The sales stop at the Florida-Alabama state line.

Underwater currents in the Gulf should be monitored when a hurricane approaches Florida. A new study shows the current slowed just before Hurricane Ian hit Category 5.

The Rice's whale is considered the most endangered whale in the world, with around 50 estimated to exist in the Gulf.

One bill changes the wording of dozens of state laws. The other mandates that state agencies and schools update materials to reflect the new name.