Behind the decline of the American paddlefish

For more than 100 million years, the American paddlefish have called the Mississippi River home, but their numbers and habitat have declined. Ian Lee has details.

• Oct 20, 2025
• 1:41

Helicopter crashes into barge on Mississippi River, killing 2

The helicopter ran into a powerline and crashed Thursday morning on the Mississippi River, officials said.

• Aug 7, 2025

Saltwater threatening NOLA drinking water

Communities along the Mississippi River are facing a growing threat of saltwater intrusion from the Gulf. CBS News' Kati Weis reports on the impact on the seafood industry and concerns about the safety of New Orleans' drinking water.

• May 13, 2025
• 2:49

Saltwater intrusion in Mississippi River threatens livelihoods

Researchers say drought, sea level rise, severe storms and dredging are partly to blame for the increased in frequency and swatch of saltwater intrusion.

• Apr 28, 2025

Saltwater intrusion on the Mississippi River

Communities along the Mississippi River are facing a growing threat from an intrusion of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico. Kati Weis reports it's impacting the seafood industry and raising concerns about the safety of New Orleans' drinking water.

• Apr 28, 2025
• 2:52

Most endangered rivers list revealed

Nearly everyone in the U.S. lives within a mile of a river, but half the rivers in the country have unsafe levels of pollution that threaten the water quality. The nonprofit conservation group American Rivers highlighted threats to rivers with its 2025 "Most Endangered Rivers" list. American Rivers President and CEO Tom Kiernan joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.

• Apr 15, 2025
• 4:20

"Dead zone" the size of New Jersey emerges in Gulf of Mexico

The "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico has created more than 4 million acres of habitat with little to no oxygen that could kill marine life.

• Aug 2, 2024

Saltwater threatens New Orleans' drinking water

Drought conditions brought the Mississippi River to unusually low levels. As a result, New Orleans' drinking water could become contaminated by saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico. Omar Villafranca has the story.

• Sep 26, 2023
• 2:11

Salt water threatens New Orleans water supply

A drought in the Midwest has lowered water levels in the Mississippi River so much that salt water is now pushing upstream, threatening water quality in and around New Orleans. CBS News' Omar Villafranca reports.

• Sep 26, 2023
• 3:51

Woman who left newborn to die next to Mississippi River learns fate

Prosecutors said DNA evidence also links Jennifer Matter to a baby girl found dead by the Mississippi in 1999.

• May 1, 2023

Mississippi River communities contend with flooding

Communities along the Mississippi River in states including Iowa and Wisconsin are experiencing some of the worst river flooding in decades as snow melt feeds into the river. Meteorologist Nick Stewart has more.

• Apr 27, 2023
• 1:45

Midwest mayors remain upbeat despite flooding on Mississippi River

The Mississippi already has crested in St. Paul, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, but it will be days before it begins falling in some areas to the south.

• Apr 27, 2023

18 extreme weather events caused $165 billion in damage last year, NOAA says

America's onslaught of mega costly weather disasters remains stuck in high gear.

• Jan 10, 2023

Drone captures fall colors in Minnesota

A drone captured stunning fall foliage along the Mississippi River in Minnesota this week.

• Oct 7, 2022
• 1:11

Amber McLaughlin set to become first transgender woman executed in U.S.

McLaughlin is scheduled to die by injection Tuesday for killing a former girlfriend in 2003.

• Jan 3, 2023

Drought affecting more than half of U.S.

America's largest rivers are reaching their lowest levels ever, threatening water access for millions. CBS News anchor Anne-Marie Green breaks down the ongoing water scarcity crisis.

• Dec 5, 2022
• 2:26

Drought disrupts "irreplaceable" Mississippi River shipping corridor

The drought is expected to last through January, threatening the critical supply chain.

• Oct 27, 2022

Mississippi River water levels drop

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is constructing a 1,500-foot-wide underwater levee in the Mississippi River to prevent saltwater from threatening drinking water. Officials say record low water levels and flow rates are allowing saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to push upriver. Cameron McWhirter, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has covered the issue, joined CBS News to discuss what's behind it and how it impacts the U.S. economy.

• Oct 18, 2022
• 3:29

Barges grounded by low water clog Mississippi River traffic

Lack of rainfall in recent weeks has left the Mississippi River approaching record low levels.

• Oct 6, 2022