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Dive into the life (and death) of Elkhorn Slough with “Mother-Daughter Murder Night”
![Nina Simon's debut novel soared up the best-seller lists. Now she's talking inspiration -- from atop a stand-up paddleboard on this Monterey Bay slough. Nina Simon's debut novel soared up the best-seller lists. Now she's talking inspiration -- from atop a stand-up paddleboard on this Monterey Bay slough.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SJM-L-SLOUGHMURDER-4.jpg?w=526)
Nina Simon's debut novel soared up the best-seller lists. Now she's talking inspiration -- from atop a stand-up paddleboard on this Monterey Bay slough.
![The voracious animals are clearing dead vegetation that otherwise could fuel urban wildfires. The voracious animals are clearing dead vegetation that otherwise could fuel urban wildfires.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-GOATS-0715-02.jpg?w=140)
Watch a tsunami of goats storm down a Berkeley Hills road
The voracious animals are clearing dead vegetation that otherwise could fuel urban wildfires.
![Melissa Wolf's nonprofit pairs vulnerable young people, often living in juvenile correction facilities, with abandoned or abused dogs that have been rescued from shelters. The youth learn to train the dogs in basic skills and better prepare them for adoption. Melissa Wolf's nonprofit pairs vulnerable young people, often living in juvenile correction facilities, with abandoned or abused dogs that have been rescued from shelters. The youth learn to train the dogs in basic skills and better prepare them for adoption.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cnn-L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2ltYWdlL2luc3RhbmNlcy9jbHloZWJjM2MwMDAzM2I2a2I0bHA1bDB0-L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2FydGljbGUvaW5zdGFuY2VzL2NseWZ2MXFvMjAwMG56cXFsZWU4MzZzdWU.jpg?w=140)
By giving dogs a second chance through adoption, these vulnerable Santa Cruz County kids are getting a second chance of their own
Melissa Wolf's nonprofit pairs vulnerable young people, often living in juvenile correction facilities, with abandoned...
![A shark that bit a swimmer in Del Mar last month, leaving the man hospitalized with significant wounds, was a juvenile white shark, likely around 9 feet long and 6 to 8 years old. A shark that bit a swimmer in Del Mar last month, leaving the man hospitalized with significant wounds, was a juvenile white shark, likely around 9 feet long and 6 to 8 years old.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SUT-L-Del-Mar-Shark-attack-01.jpg?w=123)
DNA tests confirm shark that bit California swimmer was juvenile white shark
A shark that bit a swimmer in Del Mar last month, leaving the man hospitalized...
![Being declared a species, not a sub-species, would give the long-beaked common dolphins seen in large numbers off California coast greater protection. Being declared a species, not a sub-species, would give the long-beaked common dolphins seen in large numbers off California coast greater protection.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-DOLPHIN-0709-01-1.jpg?w=132)
Most seen dolphin off California should be its own species, new study argues
Being declared a species, not a sub-species, would give the long-beaked common dolphins seen in...
![Leilani, a Goldendoodle, ran when fireworks went off. Leilani, a Goldendoodle, ran when fireworks went off.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-RWCDOG-0709-1.jpg?w=135)
Dog missing since July 4th is rescued by canoer at Redwood City mudflats
Leilani, a Goldendoodle, ran when fireworks went off.
![Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day said that isn't enough available data on firefly numbers to determine the health of the species Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day said that isn't enough available data on firefly numbers to determine the health of the species](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TVP-L-NW-FIRE-FLIES-SMK-001.jpg?w=131)
Are lightning bugs a threatened species? No one knows. Firefly research ‘not where the money is,’ expert says.
Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day said that isn't enough available data on firefly numbers to...
![Two kittens adopted from an animal rescue continue to be frightened of loud noises and sudden appearances. Can their owner do anything to help calm them? Two kittens adopted from an animal rescue continue to be frightened of loud noises and sudden appearances. Can their owner do anything to help calm them?](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OPED-CATS-EMAIL-COMMENTARY-DMT.jpg?w=133)
Will two San Jose scaredy cats ever overcome their fears?
Two kittens adopted from an animal rescue continue to be frightened of loud noises and...