Rock salt is different. In certain regions of the world, buried hundreds of feet below the ground are remains of evaporated seas. This mineral — halite — gets harvested by drilling the rock ...

Extreme cold and frequent storms have depleted the rock salt inventories local authorities rely on to keep streets and sidewalks safe, making it harder for suppliers to keep up with demand.

A national shortage of rock salt — a common product used to treat roads during icy weather — is causing issues across the winter-weary U.S. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state ...