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10,000-Year-Old Mastodon Tooth Discovered in California Creek

10,000-Year-Old Mastodon Tooth Discovered in California Creek

An exceptionally well-preserved fossilized Pacific mastodon tooth, estimated to be at least 10,000 years old, was recently discovered in a creek bed in San Mateo County, California. The discovery was made during field surveys for a habitat enhancement project in a Midpeninsula (Midpen) Regional Open Space District preserve. Paleontologist Wayne Thompson described it as the most complete and spectacular mastodon molar he had ever seen from the area. Initially mistaken for an oddly shaped rock, the fossil was confirmed to be an intact molar from an adult Pacific mastodon, measuring approximately 8.5 inches long, 7 inches deep, and 3 inches wide. The Pacific mastodon, a massive herbivore, roamed California, Oregon, the northern Rocky Mountains, and parts of Mexico during the Pleistocene epoch, from about 2.5 million years ago until its extinction approximately 11,700 years ago.
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Rare Pacific Mastodon Tooth Discovered in San Mateo County Preserve

Rare Pacific Mastodon Tooth Discovered in San Mateo County Preserve

A remarkably well-preserved molar from an adult Pacific mastodon, estimated to be 10,000 years old, was discovered in a creek bed within a San Mateo County open space preserve. Brigid Lynch, a geomorphologist with Balance Hydrologics, found the fossil during a survey for a project supporting threatened California red-legged frogs. Initially appearing as an unusually shaped rock, paleontologists later identified it as an intact mastodon molar. This discovery is considered the most complete and spectacular mastodon molar found in the area. Pacific mastodons, distinct from American mastodons, were large herbivores that roamed California and other parts of the western United States and Mexico during the Pleistocene epoch, which ended approximately 11,700 years ago. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has donated the fossil to Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability for further research, including carbon dating to determine its exact age and the creation of a 3D scan for educational purpo...
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Rare Mastodon Fossil Discovered in San Mateo County Creek

Rare Mastodon Fossil Discovered in San Mateo County Creek

A remarkably well-preserved molar from a Pacific mastodon, an extinct species of prehistoric elephant, was recently discovered in a San Mateo County creek by geomorphologist Brigid Lynch. The tooth, described as being in 'immaculate condition' and the size of a toaster, is considered one of the most complete mastodon molars ever found in the Bay Area. Pacific mastodons, which weighed up to 13,000 pounds and stood 9 feet tall, roamed western North America from over 2.5 million years ago until about 11,000 years ago. The discovery was made while Lynch was conducting field surveys for a habitat enhancement project for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The fossil has since been donated to Stanford University's Doerr School of Sustainability, where researchers plan to conduct carbon dating and other analyses to determine its exact age, the mastodon's diet, and past climate conditions.
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U.S. Initiatives Focus on Expanding Equitable Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

U.S. Initiatives Focus on Expanding Equitable Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Various U.S. federal, state, and local initiatives are actively working to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with a significant focus on ensuring equitable access. The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $623 million in grants to broaden the national EV charging network. Federal programs, including those from the FHWA and USDOT, provide funding and guidance for infrastructure development. States like Oregon are implementing programs, such as the Community Charging Rebates Program, to extend EV charging access to underserved and rural communities. Planning documents from various regions, including the Bay Area and Tahoe-Truckee, outline strategies for increased plug-in electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure needs. Research studies are also examining disparities in EV charging availability and affordability across different racial and income groups in California, highlighting the importance of social equity in deployment.
USA TodayUSA Today
These are the happiest states in America. See where your state ranks

These are the happiest states in America. See where your state ranks

A new report from WalletHub has ranked all 50 states for happiness. Here's who came out on top.
Springfield News-LeaderSpringfield News-Leader
How happy is Missouri? See where the state ranks

How happy is Missouri? See where the state ranks

See where Missouri ranks in WalletHub's study on the happiest states in the country.
USA TodayUSA Today
Fraud Alert: These 10 college football teams have some explaining to do after Week 1

Fraud Alert: These 10 college football teams have some explaining to do after Week 1

Ten teams enter the USA TODAY Sports fraud court after Week 1. Some will be cleared. Others may face a guilty verdict.
AP NewsAP News
Big Ten's headline attractions this week have No. 1 Ohio State and Michigan facing major challenges

Big Ten's headline attractions this week have No. 1 Ohio State and Michigan facing major challenges

The second full week of the college football season has many more attractive matchups involving Big Ten teams
1Weather1Weather
Recent Earthquakes Detected by PNSN in the United States

Recent Earthquakes Detected by PNSN in the United States

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) has reported several recent earthquakes in the United States over the past two weeks. Notable events include a 2.0 magnitude earthquake near Willits, California, on September 7, 2026, at 03:50 UTC, and a 1.6 magnitude quake near Goat Rocks, Washington, on September 8, 2026, at 13:49 UTC. The strongest earthquake recorded by PNSN during this period was a 5.3 magnitude event off the coast of Oregon on September 7, 2026, at 01:30 UTC, followed by a 3.9 magnitude quake in the same region shortly after.
1Weather1Weather
Wildfire Mitigation Costs Surge for Pacific Northwest Utilities

Wildfire Mitigation Costs Surge for Pacific Northwest Utilities

Utilities across the Pacific Northwest are investing heavily in wildfire mitigation projects to reduce the risk of power equipment sparking catastrophic fires and to limit liability costs. PacifiCorp, a major utility, recently settled a $2.2 billion lawsuit over six fires in Oregon and California that burned nearly 300,000 acres. Other utilities, such as Puget Sound Energy and Avista, are spending millions annually on measures like upgrading equipment, vegetation management, and installing smoke-detecting cameras. These efforts aim to harden the grid against worsening wildfire conditions, but they come with significant financial implications for both utilities and consumers. Rate hikes are becoming a common response to these rising costs, with Puget Sound Energy planning a 16.75% increase in 2027. State regulators are beginning to scrutinize these expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness and affordability for residents.
USA TodayUSA Today
College football Week 1 overreactions: Michigan lost, Oregon in danger, ACC stinks

College football Week 1 overreactions: Michigan lost, Oregon in danger, ACC stinks

It's easy to take Week 1 of the college football too seriously. That's why we're here. We offer five overreaction from the first major weekend.
Rochester Democrat and ChronicleRochester Democrat and Chronicle
Powerball winning numbers for Monday, Sept. 7, 2026: Jackpot $190M

Powerball winning numbers for Monday, Sept. 7, 2026: Jackpot $190M

The Powerball jackpot for the Monday, Sept. 7 drawing was an estimated $190 million with a cash option of $81.7 million.