Articles written by matthew brown, matthew daly - associated press

MATTHEW BROWN, MATTHEW DALY - Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has approved a pair of sweeping settlements that could lead to endangered species protections for hundreds of animal and plant species by 2016. Friday's order by U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan means the government must act on imperiled species ranging from the northern wolverine and Pacific walrus to dozens of snails, mollusks, butterflies and plants. The order comes after the Obama administration reached deals with environmental groups that filed lawsuits challenging the government's h...