Our Daily Planet: Texas Freeze and Barrier Reef Blasted

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Texas Fish Freeze: The recent winter storms that hit the South didn't damage Texas fisheries as much as feared, yet hundreds of turtles have died, according to preliminary aerial surveys.

Barrier Reef Blasted: Cyclone Yasi and ongoing flooding have socked Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The wet weather has forced polluted water into the fragile ecosystem. [Related: Great Barrier Reef Clouded by Sediments Stirred by Storm ]

Warm Weekend: Much of the United States will have an uneventful weekend weather-wise. In case you miss the snow, check out these photos of snow cover from the year's storms .

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Arroyo Toads and Bald Eagles

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.

Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University.