Dallas City Council considers ban on gas-powered leaf blowers

Calling gas-powered blowers, a public health concern, the Dallas City Council committee directed the city's new environmental commission to study a potential ban on the ubiquitous tools. According to the California Research Board, one hour using a lawnmower emits the same amount of pollution as a car driving from Dallas to Lubbock. But one hour of a leaf blower is like driving from Dallas to Orlando, Florida.

Huntington Beach oil spill: 1,200-foot ship dragged oil pipeline, Coast Guard says

The Coast Guard designated the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, S.A. -- the operator of the vessel involved in an anchor-dragging incident that may have caused the oil spill in Huntington Beach -- and Dordellas Finance Corporation -- the owner of the vessel -- as parties in interest in the marine casualty event.