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Small Florida Fish Back From Brink of Extinction

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Mar 31, 2011

Okaloosa darter - USFW photo

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is upgrading the status of the Okaloosa darter from endangered to threatened saying that the population is being managed so well, the small fish is making major strides on its road to recovery. Much of the praise goes to a U.S. Air Force Base.

Originally listed as endangered in 1973, the Okaloosa darter is a small, perch-like fish known to occur only in six clear stream systems in Walton and Okaloosa counties in northwest Florida. About 96 percent of this watershed drainage area is under the management of Eglin Air Force Base.

Coal Waste Could Save Billions on Road Repairs

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Mar 31, 2011

the road leads ever on

Fly ash, a byproduct of coal-burning electric power plants, could save billions of dollars if used in the repairing of U.S. bridges and roads, researchers say.

Using fly ash to coat the concrete used to rebuild America’s infrastructure could extend the life of those roads and bridges by decades, saving billions of dollars of taxpayer money, scientists told a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday.

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$30,000 Lottery Ticket Left in Church Collection Plate

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Mar 31, 2011

lottery Cash Craze ticket from Maryland

A struggling Baltimore parish received a surprising donation two Sundays ago, when a winning lottery scratch-off ticket arrived in the collection plate.

The Maryland Lottery ticket, which was already scratched revealing the prize, was discovered by the church’s pastor when tallying the day’s contributions.

$30,000 Lottery Ticket Left in Church Collection Plate

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Mar 31, 2011

lottery Cash Craze ticket from Maryland

A struggling Baltimore parish received a surprising donation two Sundays ago, when a winning lottery scratch-off ticket arrived in the collection plate.

The Maryland Lottery ticket, which was already scratched revealing the prize, was discovered by the church’s pastor when tallying the day’s contributions.

Burt’s Bees Founder Buys Enough Land in Maine to Open National Park, Finds Common Ground With Hunters

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Mar 30, 2011

Lake Umbagog Natl Wildlife Refuge in Maine -USFW photo

The state’s sportsmen were outraged when Roxanne Quimby, the conservation-minded founder of Burt’s Bees cosmetics, bought up more than 120,000 acres of Maine’s fabled North Woods — and had the audacity to forbid hunters, loggers, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles on the expanses.

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Time’s Most Heroic Animals of All Time

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Mar 30, 2011

german shepherd

Time compiled a list inspired by the story following the Japan tsunami, where a dog remained alongside its trapped canine companion until it was dug out by rescue workers.

The top ten list includes a miniature horse used for therapy in senior homes, a carrier pigeon that helped save soldiers, and Trakr, trained as a police dog in Canada, the animal was credited with locating the last survivor beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York after September 11.

Does Food Dye Make Kids Hyperactive? FDA Panel Investigates Evidence

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Mar 30, 2011

Fruit Loops photo by ppdigital via Morguefile

Doctors and consumer advocates have long argued over whether hyperactivity might be tied to certain dyes and additives used in processed foods.

In a two-day meeting beginning Wednesday, an FDA advisory committee will examine the strength of evidence surrounding food dyes and the detrimental behavior changes seen in some children. They may decide that food labels should be changed to better protect consumers, or that certain dyes should be banned altogether, or to further study the issue.

Indonesian Example Counters Fears of Radical Religious States in Tunisia/Egypt

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Mar 30, 2011

Indonesian child holds US flags -USAID photo

Many scholars are pessimistic that Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution and the political transition in Egypt will successfully bring about democracy in these countries, and worry that there is a significant risk of Islamic political groups, some with radical interpretations of shari’a (Islamic principles of jurisprudence), taking on an inordinately influential role during the political transition.

Is there any truth to the argument that Islam is incompatible with democracy? The Indonesian example suggests otherwise.

Pixar Animates its First Female Hero in ‘Brave’

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Mar 29, 2011

Pixar's Brave screenshot

Pixar replaced Disney long ago as the undisputed king of animated filmmaking, but for 15 years Disney remained one-up on the upstart, until now. With its 13th major film in production, Pixar is, at last, turning to a female character to play the sole protagonist. And, like Disney’s Mulan, she will turn out to be an inspiration, despite her sassy ways and nonchalance for the breaking of out-dated rules (which rains turmoil down on her kingdom).

Pixar Animates its First Female Hero in ‘Brave’

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Mar 29, 2011

Pixar's Brave screenshot

Pixar replaced Disney long ago as the undisputed king of animated filmmaking, but for 15 years Disney remained one-up on the upstart, until now. With its 13th major film in production, Pixar is, at last, turning to a female character to play the sole protagonist. And, like Disney’s Mulan, she will turn out to be an inspiration, despite her sassy ways and nonchalance for the breaking of out-dated rules (which rains turmoil down on her kingdom).

New York Millionaires Offer to Pay Extra Taxes to Offset Budget Cuts

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Mar 29, 2011

Mark Ruffalo in YouTube video

Millionaires across New York State are banding together to ask for more taxes.

About 100 wealthy New Yorkers, including actor Mark Ruffalo, say they want to do their part to help the state out of its budget crisis, and they are encouraging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to extend their so-called millionaire’s tax.

The group, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, sent an open letter with about 100 signatures to Cuomo and state legislators Thursday urging them to renew the tax, slated to expire in April, in order to avert budget cuts that would hurt the poor and middle class.

“Many of us New Yorkers are troubled that you’re giving a $5 billion tax cut to 2 percent of New York’s most wealthy, while cutting $9 billion from education and social services for the rest of New Yorkers,” said the NYC celebrity in an online video addressing Cuomo.

(WATCH the video below, and read more at DNA Info)

New York Millionaires Offer to Pay Extra Taxes to Offset Budget Cuts

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Mar 29, 2011

Mark Ruffalo in YouTube video

Millionaires across New York State are banding together to ask for more taxes.

About 100 wealthy New Yorkers, including actor Mark Ruffalo, say they want to do their part to help the state out of its budget crisis, and they are encouraging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to extend their so-called millionaire’s tax.

The group, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, sent an open letter with about 100 signatures to Cuomo and state legislators Thursday urging them to renew the tax, slated to expire in April, in order to avert budget cuts that would hurt the poor and middle class.

India’s Tiger Census Reveals Encouraging Rise

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Mar 29, 2011

tiger

The efforts of tiger conservationists and the Indian government appear to be paying off.

Officials received “a very encouraging sign” from a new tiger census published on Monday that estimated the number of wild tigers in India to be 1,706. That’s almost 300 more than the last count of the highly threatened species, tallied in 2006.

Mississippi Lawmakers Honor Widow of Civil Rights Hero

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Mar 29, 2011

Medgar Evers headstone in Arl. Nat'l Cemetary, Willjay -GNU license

The Mississippi Legislature honored the widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers for her bravery, championing civil rights and race relations even while her family lived under constant threat during their fight for voter registration and economic advancement for blacks.

“Myrlie Evers-Williams saw the Civil Rights Movement as a Christian movement teaching love, liberation and equality for all under the law, and it is appropriate that we acknowledge the contributions and commitment of this nationally known leader,” according to a resolution read Monday by both legislative chambers.

(READ the AP article in Washington Examiner)

Medgar Evers headstone in Arl. Nat’l Cemetary, Willjay -GNU license

Hilton Foundation Pledges $50 Million To Clean Water Initiatives

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Mar 28, 2011

image by Sun Star

On World Water Day last week, the Conrad Hilton Foundation announced a pledge of $50 million to address the water needs of more than one million people in sub-Saharan Africa and water stressed areas of India and Mexico. The pledge of $50 million over five years will deliver access to sustainable safe water, increase advocacy, and expand knowledge on global water best practices.

14% of the world population — over 900 million people — do not have access to adequate clean water, while 38% lives without basic sanitation.

Chicago Youth Program Fights Violence With Employment

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Mar 28, 2011

Chicago Ceasefire rally - photo courtesy of website

Even though youth violence rates around the country have been decreasing in recent years, nearly 700 children were hit by gunfire last year in Chicago.

In an effort to reduce the violence, a program called CeaseFire is working to curb gang activity by helping at-risk youth find employment. CeaseFire also patrols the streets of poorer, urban neighborhoods to stop crimes before they happen.

(READ the story – or listen – at NPR.org)

L.A. Mayor Proves Union Bargaining Works, Agreement Would Save City $400 Mil

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Mar 28, 2011

Mayor Villaraigosa , photo by NGerda

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa agreed with city unions on ways to save $400 million over the next four years to help close budget deficits, calling it a demonstration that collective bargaining can work.

The plan, which must still be ratified, calls for union workers to pay as much as 4 percent of their salary toward retirement health-care coverage. It would also freeze pay increases.

Troubled War Vets Turn Death Row Dogs Into Uplifting Friends

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Mar 28, 2011

opeartion heroes-and-hounds NBC video

United States veterans struggling with homelessness, alcoholism, or post-traumatic stress and dogs who were on “death row” in shelters because they were considered unadoptable have found comfort in one another.

Both were struggling to find their way in a society that couldn’t find a place for them. But through Operation Heroes And Hounds, they have each other.

Zoo Goes Solar in Big Green Test

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Mar 27, 2011

solar-panel-zoo-interview-youtube

Visitors to the Cincinnati Zoo are marveling at the sight: Nearly four acres of solar panels over a vast span of concrete parking lot.

Billed as one of the largest public urban solar displays in the country, the $11 million solar canopy will do more than help control the zoo’s $700,000 annual electric bill when it’s turned on next month.

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