The Bush administration politically tinkered with more endangered species decisions in California than previously admitted, federal investigators revealed Wednesday.

By Matt Weiser, The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Jan. 10--Five Delta fish species continue marching toward extinction, according to new data released Wednesday, a result that some observers warn may signify a major ecological shift in the West Coast's largest estuary.

A conservation group sued the Interior Department on Thursday seeking documents about decisions on endangered species the group alleges were tainted by political pressure from a former high-ranking Interior official.

By Mike Taugher The nations largest irrigation district, a consistent foe of environmentalists, has taken the unusual step of buying a $12 million ranch in the northern Delta to restore wetlands and other habitat.

WASHINGTON _ Julie A. MacDonald entered the Bush administration ready for war. She left it badly wounded, a case study in how political influence can backfire.