Matthew Sanders

5 days ago | abc17news.com | Matthew Sanders

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Does the pope’s nationality matter to you? A new pope was chosen on Thursday. And for the first time in centuries of church history, he's an American. He's the first American ever to head the Vatican. And while that is historic, Leo has a varied international biography, and the pontiff is selected to guide the faithful around the world. Do you think the pope's nationality matters? Vote in the poll.

6 days ago | science.nasa.gov | Matthew Sanders

Mars Reconnaissance OrbiterAfter a seven-month cruise to Mars and six months of aerobraking to reach its science orbit, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter began seeking out the history of water on Mars with its science instruments. The instruments zoom in for extreme close-up photography of the martian surface, analyze minerals, look for subsurface water, trace how much dust and water are distributed in the atmosphere, and monitor daily global weather.

6 days ago | abc17news.com | Matthew Sanders

DNR: Columbia stormwater permit renewal a time for city, state to work together on issue of homeless camps A Missouri Department of Natural Resources official says work on Columbia’s stormwater operating permit is a time for the state and city to work together on handling complaints of trash buildup near waterways. DNR asked the city on Feb. 28 to come up with a more specific plan to address illegal dumping from getting into the water.

6 days ago | abc17news.com | Matthew Sanders

White smoke rises from Vatican as cardinals agree on Pope Francis’ successor (CNN) — White smoke has risen above the Sistine Chapel, the signal that cardinals have chosen a new pope on the second day of the conclave. His identity, and the name he will take as pontiff, will be revealed soon. Cardinals took two days to select a new pontiff, matching the timeline from the previous two gatherings and suggesting that a leading candidate quickly impressed his peers during the secretive process.

6 days ago | abc17news.com | Matthew Sanders

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you have concerns about a proposed federal autism database? The Department of Health and Senior Services on Wednesday introduced a pilot program to collect information about autism. The program would harvest data from Medicare and Medicaid, including insurance claims, medical records and smartwatch data. It's part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s pledge to find the causes of autism by September. The plan has drawn pushback from autism and privacy advocates.