Our Daily Planet: Midwestern Floods and New Forest Rules

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

Major Midwest Floods: Millions of Midwesterners are at risk from spring flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

Sibuyan Battle: A battle is raging between environmentalists and mining companies over the "Galapagos of Asia."

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Dung Power: Livestock dung is a big problem in New Zealand, so farmers can't wait for hoards of dung beetles to arrive and cleanup the mess.

Forest Rules: New planning rules released by the Forest Service should bring federal forest management in line with what ecologists now know about what constitutes forest health, and how to restore damaged or diminished forests.

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Tropical Cyclone Dianne and California's King Tides

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.