Massive damage of rare plants probed at Nevada mine site

RENO, Nev. (AP) — State and federal authorities are investigating the mysterious loss of a significant swath of a rare desert wildflower that’s being considered for federal protection at a contentious mine site in Nevada. The Australian mining company, Ioneer Ltd., and state biologists are investigating the unprecedented incident 200 miles southeast of Reno. They believe small mammals most likely caused the damage to thousands of plants at the only place Tiehm’s buckwheat is kn