After trillions of periodical cicadas emerged from years of burrowing in the U.S. last month, scientists are hoping to capitalize on the rare event by studying the effects the insects have on the food chain. Brood XIII and Brood XIX are loudly buzzing across America together for the first time since 1803, making 2024 a year of plentiful food for for snakes, spiders, birds, and even some mammals. But what happens when this all-you-can-eat buffet doesn’t come back next year? The BBC has more.
Ten Years After the Flint #Water Crisis, Distrust and Anger Linger
A city is forever changed, and so is residents’ relationship with their water.
The betrayal of trust by the institutions meant to protect Flint’s residents has made some of them extra cautious as they look to keep themselves and their community safe.
Looking Up is a sculpture by Tom Friedman. It’s in Council Bluffs, #Iowa at the east end of the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge. This photo shows #Omaha, #Nebraska in the distance. If you ever visit, check out this artwork. It was modeled with pieces of leftover aluminum pans. Walking around the statue and staring up at it is a complete joy.
Available: https://maryleephoto.com/featured/looking-up-sculpture-with-omaha-mary-lee-dereske.html
Sometimes when we walk, we pass by this statue of Jesus at the Queen of Angels Church right off Welles Park in Lincoln Square. We often call him Bangra Jesus. Put on some Bangra music and look at the photo - ROFL
Saw this last week on my way to work. These butterflies were everywhere around Chicago! I was struck but the contrast of the butterfly with the faded college posters.
Been a bit busy so I have not had a chance to post in a while - hope to post some more photos over the next few days. I really enjoy #Pixelfed but sometimes hate posting from my phone. Looking forward to the update that will allow HEIC photos from the website.
@spleenly In 2022 on the way back to Chicago from Holland, Michigan, we stopped at an Indian restaurant called "Namaste India" somewhere in the middle of Indiana. It was a typical North Indian / Punjabi restaurant but it was in an old seafood place. So it had anchors and ships wheels and other nautical items on the wall. I think even the table had sea shells. Nothing had been changed in the decor.
#Michigan Lawmakers Working to Fix a Program That Failed to Compensate the Wrongfully Convicted
State law provides $50,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment, but a ProPublica investigation showed how the law’s narrow requirements led to delays, partial settlements and outright denials of payments.
I’m bummed that this is happening at the same time as #Ragbrai and #AirVenture, but for anyone into #Ubuntu who has neither their head in the clouds nor butt on a bike saddle, I recommend checking out this year’s North America #UbuCon in #GreenBay.
#FlashFreeze, snow to shock millions following May-like warmth
As quickly as temperatures surge in the central and eastern #UnitedStates this week, they will crash so fast that snow will accumulate in some areas and wet areas may flash freeze in others.
By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Feb 26, 2024 2:27 PM EST | Updated Feb 26, 2024 2:31 PM EST
"A temperature crash of 20, 40 and even 60 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of hours may not only bring a cold shock to more than 100 million people from the #Midwest to the #Northeast but also a winter whiplash and hazardous flash freeze in some areas spanning Monday to Wednesday night, AccuWeather meteorologists caution.
"Shortly after surging to warmth more typical of May and early June, a blast of frigid air associated with a strong cold front and severe #thunderstorms will slash temperatures by leaps and bounds into midweek. Temperatures will nosedive by 20-40 degrees in cities such as Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York City, Nashville and Atlanta to name a few. However, in some places, such as Kansas City, Missouri, the rapid plunge may reach 60 degrees in less than 24 hours.
"Combining temperature, wind, precipitation and other factors, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures may plummet 60-80 degrees.
"In #Chicago, following a high temperature of 75 degrees on Tuesday, temperatures may fail to climb back to the freezing mark on Wednesday afternoon following a plunge into the upper 20s Wednesday morning.
"This is about the biggest temperature drop you will ever see for the Mississippi Valley area, AccuWeather Meteorologist and Social Media Producer Jesse Ferrell said. Ferrell also pointed out that hundreds of daily highs and warm night records would be set last week.
"'In St. Louis, after a high in the mid-80s on Tuesday, temperatures will crash to 18 degrees by Wednesday morning, which is a drop of about 66 degrees,' Ferrell stated.
"In many cases, the gusty winds will allow paved surfaces to dry off after severe thunderstorms or downpours move through, but that will not be the case everywhere. There are some zones where a flash freeze may occur which would be a serious hazard for motorists and pedestrians.
"#Snow will be flying and accumulating from potions of the Colorado Rockies into Tuesday to the northern tier of Minnesota and Michigan into Tuesday night.
"In the Central states, several inches of snow will pile up over the Colorado Rockies, with 1-3 inches around Denver. Minneapolis will pick up a quick coating to an inch, but enough snow to shovel and plow will fall on International Falls, Minnesota.
"Farther to the east, in portions of the central and northern Appalachians to northern New England, the snow will be more spotty and generally limited to the higher terrain. However, as temperatures drop, roads may not have a chance to dry off in all areas before freezing air sets in.
"From late Wednesday to Wednesday night, motorists and pedestrians from Kentucky to upstate New York should closely monitor temperatures and be on the lookout for icy patches. Surfaces that appear to be wet may be icy, where the temperature has dropped to near or below the freezing mark.
"Along Interstate 80 in western Pennsylvania, following a high in the 60s on Wednesday morning, temperatures will plummet through the 30s and 20s during the evening with periods of snow and the potential for icy travel.
"Stiff winds and dry air should be enough to prevent widespread icy conditions from developing later Wednesday night along I-95 from #WashingtonDC, to #NewYorkCity and #Boston."