Our Daily Planet: Colorado Bike Race and Tropical Storm Cherono

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

Colorado Bike Race: A professional bicycle race through Colorado National Monument has the National Park Service battling powerful politicians over the controversial route.

Spring time: Spring's official start is just a few days from today. Read about the science behind the start of spring.

Hawaii Tourism Takes Hit: Hawaii suffered millions of dollars in damage when the tsunami generated by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake in Japan. Now it faces a loss in tourism dollars with fewer Japanese visitors -- the Aloha State is the top U.S. destination for Japanese tourists.

Tropical Storm Cherono: With winds of up to 50 mph (80 kph), Tropical Storm Cherono is swirling over the south Indian Ocean.

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Chile Earthquake and Minnesota's New Baby Camel

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

Our Daily Planet: Chile Earthquake and Minnesota's New Baby Camel

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.