Kate Tobin
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A science & technology television producer looking for new adventures on the road ahead...
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Articles by Kate Tobin
WATCH LIVE: Tipping Point — The Colorado River Reimagined | A PBS News Special
Nation Aug 19, 2026 12:07 PM EDT The Colorado River is at a crossroads. About 40 million people depend on the Colorado River for drinking water, and it irrigates more than 5 million acres of farmland. But a decadeslong drought along the river has depleted water levels in reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Powell to record lows. Dwindling snowpack in the headwaters and ever-increasing demand from agriculture and municipalities have overtaxed it to a near breaking point.
Scientists explore large-scale geoengineering to slow glacier melt
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio At a time when the impact of climate change is undeniable, some researchers suggest we need to start work on far more ambitious approaches for tackling these problems. These proposals are often referred to as geoengineering. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien looks at one such concept to deal with the melting of glaciers and sea ice. It's for our series, Tipping Point.
What scientists are learning after SpaceX debris crashed into the moon
A four-ton upper stage of a SpaceX rocket is believed to have hit the moon at 5,400 mph. The SpaceX rocket launched a pair of lunar landers last year, but the company’s scientists say a combination of solar activity and gravity put it on a collision course with the moon. Geoff Bennett discussed larger concerns about lunar litter with science correspondent Miles O’Brien. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.
Western states face more water cutbacks as Colorado River shrinks
PBS News Full Episodes Podcasts Newsletters Live Jul 31, 2026 6:35 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio After years of battles over its use — and a long-running drought — states that rely on the Colorado River are facing the prospect of further cutbacks. Years of gridlock among the states prompted the federal government to step in. A new blueprint lays out new requirements for managing the shrinking river.
Dry winter leaves farmers along Colorado River facing greater water shortages
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio This past winter was an extraordinarily dry one in the western U.S. A lack of snowpack that normally feeds the Colorado River has only deepened the impact of a drought affecting tens of millions in seven states and Mexico. Accelerated by climate change, the drought is taking a bite out of farmers' plans in Colorado. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports for our series, Tipping Point.
Opinion: Build a better Westhill High School or don’t build at all
A rendering of the proposed new Westhill High School.. Courtesy of SLAM and Amenta Emma When the plan for a new high school in Stamford was proposed in the 1960s, many voices — especially teacher voices — spoke up to say, “Don’t build a sprawling school with a flat roof in New England.” The plan went forward, and as we all know Westhill was eventually overcome with mold. Now the plan for the new Westhill is out there, and teachers see problems.
Artemis II astronauts embark on voyage around the moon
A day after liftoff, Artemis II is now well on its way. Four astronauts are on a ten-day voyage around the moon and back, traveling deeper into space than any human has ever before. For more about what’s happening now and what comes next, Amna Nawaz spoke with science correspondent Miles O’Brien. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.
Despite setback, researchers uncover new findings at Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio As Trump pulls back from regulations on climate change, many scientists remain worried about the warming of the oceans, melting glaciers and sea level rise. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien has been reporting from Antarctica on a mission to understand what's happening there. In his last report from the Thwaites Glacier, he looks at other key research projects that have been part of that trip.
Researchers face serious obstacles to measuring Antarctica's fastest-melting glacier
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio If you’ve been following Miles O’Brien’s reports from Antarctica, you know he’s with an international group of researchers trying to measure what’s happening to the rapidly melting Thwaites Glacier. Their work has been trying to capture information in ways that have never been done before. O’Brien has an update on how all that turned out, for our Tipping Point series.
What researchers are learning as they drill into Antarctica's 'Doomsday Glacier'
Jan 29, 2026 6:25 PM EST Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio An expedition to Antarctica has brought scientists and researchers to the widest glacier on Earth. The Thwaites Glacier is nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier because of its potential impact on sea levels if ice continues to melt. Miles O'Brien reports on the work to drill into the ice to record temperatures and understand the impact of climate change. It's part of our series, Tipping Point.
On board the voyage to Antarctica to learn why a massive glacier is melting
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Scientists are worried about the melting of Antarctica's ice sheets and what it could mean for sea levels. There's a two-month-long journey underway to conduct research that will better explain what's happening. But it's a journey that provides no guarantees that researchers will even be able to get the data they want. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports for our series, Tipping Point.
Inside Rocket Lab's effort to outpace larger space rivals
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The private space economy is growing significantly and the year ahead could be a big one. The first private space station is expected to launch next spring, new commercial space flights will be offered and SpaceX is considering a public stock offering. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on a space start-up in New Zealand catching some attention of its own.
California farms face pressure to boost efficiency as water supply declines
All right, well, let's try one. It was a cool, clear morning in the citrus grove when Gina Dockstader sliced open a Minneola orange for me, flooding my taste buds. Oh, that's delicious. And blowing my mind. Oh, my gosh. It's almost magical when you consider where we are, the middle of a blazing hot low desert, where Southern California meets Northern Mexico, a place that gets unlimited sunshine, but only two to three inches of rain each year.
WATCH: Tipping Point - The Mighty Mississippi | A PBS News Special
The Mississippi River, North America’s largest river system, is under threat. Air and water pollution, downstream flooding and coastal land loss are among the environmental pressures that are putting the health and future of the waterway — and the communities that depend on it — at risk.
Why engineers are turning to beavers for insights into managing water resources
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Beavers and the dams they build are not always embraced in the areas where they do their work. But there's a growing recognition that they also are building a kind of natural infrastructure that helps with water management and the climate. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien went to see the beavers at work during their busy season and has the story for our ongoing coverage of Tipping Points.
All I want for Christmas is a pardon Original
This Christmas, all I want is a pardon — but my last name isn’t Biden. My name is not known to millions. I’m just an ordinary person with an extraordinary label: “felon.” Years ago, I was convicted of a felony in Virginia for taking my daughter across state lines. We weren’t divorced yet, and she wasn’t harmed in any way. There was no malice or intent to break the law — only a misunderstanding in a painful time of family conflict.
Battery-powered aircraft could lead transition from fossil-fueled flight
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the first training program in the country for electric aviation. The program is just one part of a small but burgeoning effort to develop greener battery-powered aircraft for more routine use over time. Aviation correspondent Miles O'Brien reports.
How quantum computing could help us understand more about the universe
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Scientists, researchers and some big companies are eager to jumpstart the next generation of computing, one that will be far more sophisticated and dependent on understanding the subatomic nature of the universe. But as science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports, it’s a huge challenge to take this new quantum leap forward.
Why woodland management is key to nature recovery
Kate Tobin, our Nature Recovery Policy Advisor, talks about the importance of managing our woodlands to support nature recovery and increase wider benefits. A path through a woodland with English bluebells Walking through English woodlands, we are surrounded by a story of human endeavour and hope in the face of an unknown future. A forester plans and plants for several generations ahead and this need to predict future markets has led to a range of interesting legacies in our woodlands today.
What scientists hope to learn from asteroid sample returned to Earth on NASA spacecraft
PBS NewsHour You may have heard about a NASA probe that successfully brought some samples from a deep-space asteroid back to Earth. It took four billion miles to get them, but researchers believe it will be worth it. You also may be wondering just why scientists want these samples from what's essentially a huge rock flying through space. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien explains. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
James Webb Space Telescope prompts scientists to rethink understanding of the universe
PBS NewsHour Wednesday marks a year since the world first started seeing spectacular images of the cosmos that were captured by the powerful James Webb Space Telescope. But getting those images is only part of the important work being done by the $10 billion telescope. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports.
NASA’s Artemis rocket finally lifts off after political, financial, technical delays
For the first time in half a century, NASA is starting to make its way back to a lunar landing. The Artemis rocket was finally able to launch early Wednesday morning after prior delays, sending an unmanned capsule around the moon. At the same time, there are plenty of questions about the path NASA has chosen to make this happen. Miles O'Brien reports.
Russia's war in Ukraine imperils partnership with NASA - PBS NewsHour
Miles O’Brien Miles O’Brien Kate Tobin Kate Tobin Leave your feedback NASA is aiming to expand its astronaut launches from U.S. soil. Boeing is set for a test launch this week of its small spacecraft to the International Space Station. Russia and America have long been partners on the space station, but the invasion of Ukraine has led to new tensions and questions about the future. Miles O’Brien has our report about the rhetoric versus the reality.
Western states face a bleak future amid the worst drought in more than 1,000 years
William Brangham: That's right, Judy. Last summer, two of the largest reservoirs in North America, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, reached their lowest-ever recorded levels. Megadroughts have come and gone in the past, but this current one, now 22 years long, is being driven largely by human-caused climate change. According to the study, our warming atmosphere has made this drought much worse, 40 percent worse, and it's likely to continue.
NASA’s James Webb telescope poised to launch new golden age of astronomy
While kids across the U.S. will wake up tomorrow looking for gifts under the tree, NASA is hoping to celebrate with its own Christmas present a little higher up. The launch of their James Webb Space Telescope is slated for 7:20 am EST Saturday, setting up an unprecedented window into the cosmos. As science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports, NASA is hoping to unlock mysteries of the universe.
Unrelenting drought leaves millions who rely on Colorado River facing an uncertain future
The Colorado River is a critical resource for the western U.S. But a megadrought, one significantly exacerbated by climate change, is jeopardizing the river's future and threatening to upend how its water is used and longstanding agreements between states. Miles O'Brien reports as part of our coverage on how climate change is creating a "Tipping Point" for the U.S. and around the world.
Experimental technology works to bring back sense of touch for those living with paralysis
Experimental research is aiming to help paralysis victims regain their sense of touch. Miles O’Brien reports on a project run by the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center, which is a consortium of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute.
Small Florida community aims for energy independence by harnessing the power of the sun
Florida may be called the Sunshine State, but it is no stranger to the damaging impacts of climate change. Miles O'Brien profiles one small Florida community that is trying to take advantage of all that sunshine, billed as the country's first solar-powered town.
The commercialisation of British universities
Many longstanding issues with universities and higher education throughout the UK have finally come to light amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. From the use of non-disclosures agreements to silence students who’ve experienced misconduct, to the extraordinary tuition fee inflation for international students, the pandemic has made it clear that universities need to drastically change their model and approach to student welfare.
Opinion: Change culture, then - maybe - the schedule
By Kate Tobin and Sheryl Berkley Published 6:00 am EST, Sunday, December 22, 2019 Kate Tobin is an English teacher at Westhill High School and secretary of the Stamford Education Association. Kate Tobin is an English teacher at Westhill High School and secretary of the Stamford Education Association.
Opinion: Change culture, then - maybe - the schedule
By Kate Tobin and Sheryl Berkley Published 6:00 am EST, Sunday, December 22, 2019 Kate Tobin is an English teacher at Westhill High School and secretary of the Stamford Education Association. Kate Tobin is an English teacher at Westhill High School and secretary of the Stamford Education Association.
Lock and load for New Horizons, flight plan for Pluto probe is set
Jul 3, 2015 6:44 PM EST Having determined no last-minute course corrections are needed to avoid debris, the New Horizons team has radioed the flight plan to the spacecraft in advance of its close flyby of Pluto on July 14. “IT’S HAPPENING! IT’S HAPPENING!” was the message scrawled across the New Horizons’ Facebook page at around 9 am EDT on Friday.
Did wolves help restore trees to Yellowstone?
Twenty years on from their reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park, wolves are still howling. But does their presence spell good or bad tidings for other wildlife? “Since about 2008 our wolf numbers have been fairly flat,” said Doug Smith, who heads the National Park Service’s Wolf Project at Yellowstone. His group reintroduced 31 wolves into the park in 1995 and 1996, and he says there are now roughly 100 wolves – down from a peak of 174 in 2004.
Mission to Pluto hits a speed bump, but resumes its stride
Two days after briefly losing communication with the New Horizons spacecraft as it sped toward the dwarf planet Pluto, the probe’s operators say they understand the root cause of what happened and have taken steps to resume full operations. “We hit a speed bump,” said Principal Investigator Alan Stern. “New Horizons is operating flawlessly.
Lock and Load for New Horizons, Flight Plan for Pluto Probe Is Set
Having determined no last-minute course corrections are needed to avoid debris, the New Horizons team has radioed the flight plan to the spacecraft in advance of its close flyby of Pluto on July 14. “IT’S HAPPENING! IT’S HAPPENING!” was the message scrawled across the New Horizons’ Facebook page at around 9 am EDT on Friday.
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