Michael Biesecker

Duke Energy activated a high-level emergency alert at a retired coal-fired power plant in North Carolina as floodwaters from the nearby Cape Fear River overtopped an earthen dike at the facility and inundated a large lake.

North Carolina environmental regulators say several open-air manure pits at hog farms have failed, spilling pollution.

Tuesday's surprising move by the court was a blow to the president and at least a short-term victory for the coalition of 27 mostly Republican-led states and opponents in the fossil-fuel industry, who call the regulations "an unprecedented power grab."