Lake Forest

Around 200,000 endangered Indiana bats spend their summers in the forests around Mark Twain Lake in Missouri, and work crews are now thinning trees in the area. The activity has drawn attention because the bats depend on the lake's surrounding woodland for summer roosting, raising questions about how the work will be balanced with protection of the federally endangered species.

Residents of the Forest Lake area in Florence County, South Carolina, are rallying against a proposed rezoning and calling on county officials to create a new conservation zoning category. Locals argue stronger protections are needed for the lake and surrounding natural habitat, and want planning rules that would prevent incompatible development rather than relying on case-by-case rezoning fights.

Discount retailer Burlington has opened a new store in Lake Forest, California. The Orange County Register reported the opening in its local business status update column. The store adds to the retailer's Southern California footprint and gives Lake Forest shoppers another off-price option alongside nearby competitors.