Launching a bus tour with a live Kodiak bear named Tag ambling behind him in the hot sun, Republican John Cox promised to bring “beastly" changes to state government. He spent $5 million to air a 30-second version on television statewide, his campaign said, a major amount this early in the campaign and indicative of the need to raise his profile.

Giant California condors are rare — but not at Cinda Mickols’ home. About 15 to 20 of the giant endangered birds have recently taken a liking to the house in the city of Tehachapi and made quite a mess.

A team of Illinois researchers is using dogs to track down a threatened species of turtle. Researchers believe ornate box turtles, once living in half of Illinois' 102 counties, are found in less than 10. One known home for the species is in Lee County, and a team from the Chicago Zoological Society and the University of Illinois spent Friday surveying the 3,800-acre Nachusa Grasslands.