More from Jack Aylmer
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Multiple cities in Oregon vote to ban ‘magic mushrooms’
A growing number of cities in Oregon have banned the use of psychedelic mushrooms, despite the state becoming the first in the country to legalize therapeutic use of the drug. Four cities added new voter-approved bans for psilocybin, the compound found in such mushrooms, in the Nov. 5 election. A dozen other communities that approved two-year… -
Nantucket’s offshore wind pushback begins again over new development
The island community of Nantucket, Massachusetts is facing renewed controversy over offshore wind projects. This time, local opposition is mounting against SouthCoast Wind, a proposed development which will be installed in the waters surrounding the town, consisting of 149 turbines that are expected to power over one million homes. The debate follows an earlier incident… -
Bahamas frees up over $120M to combat climate change in ‘nature-for-debt’ swap
The Bahamas announced on Friday, Nov. 22, it is freeing up funds to combat climate change through a debt swap financed by Standard Charter and backed by private investors. The “nature-for-debt” swap involves buying back existing debt through a new loan with reduced interest rates. It’s expected to unlock around $124 million for marine conservation… -
Lawsuit over E. coli outbreak draws attention to carrot producers
A Georgia woman is suing Grimmway Farms after suffering from an E. coli infection linked to contaminated organic carrots. The outbreak has sickened at least 39 people across 18 states and claimed one life. The 40-year-old plaintiff spent three days hospitalized after consuming Bunny Luv carrots, one of several recalled brands distributed by Grimmway Farms.… -
US’ 4 largest frozen spud producers accused of forming ‘potato cartel’
As reported on Wednesday, Nov. 20, just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the United States’ four leading producers of frozen spuds are in hot water. A handful of federal lawsuits filed this week accuse the companies of forming a “potato cartel.” Court documents allege that the potato producers coordinated prices through a third-party data company.… -
Northeast faces threat to water supply as drought hits NYC and New Jersey
New data released from the U.S. Geological Survey on Thursday, Nov. 21, revealed water supplies are being threatened in at least one part of the country. In the Northeast, severe drought conditions have left rivers, channels and reservoirs at historically low levels. Hydrologists are especially concerned because fall is typically when they see bodies of… -
The US backs away from plastic production limits in UN treaty: Report
The Biden administration is reportedly removing its support for a cap on plastic production. Governments from around the world are set to come together in Busan, South Korea on Monday, Nov. 25, for the fifth and final round of negotiations for a United Nations global treaty to end plastic pollution. Grist reports that White House staffers… -
Giraffes may be next on endangered species list as population rapidly declines
Giraffes could soon be listed on the endangered species list. U.S. wildlife officials say that’s because multiple species of giraffe populations are declining rapidly. Researchers point to the loss of habitat, poaching and climate change in their native land in Africa. According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation about 117,000 wild giraffes are left worldwide –… -
Michigan communities push back against renewable energy permitting process
Nearly 80 municipalities across Michigan have filed a legal challenge against the state’s permitting process for large-scale solar and wind energy facilities. The appeal claims that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) overstepped its legislative authority, prompting a debate over the balance of power between state and local governments in renewable energy development. At the… -
‘Bomb cyclone’ whips US Northwest, California with intense winds and rain
A so-called bomb cyclone, which meteorologists explain as a storm system that rapidly intensifies within 24 hours, whipped through California and the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The storm killed two people and left more than half a million households from Washington to California without power. A tree reportedly collapsed on a home east… -
NFL unlikely to penalize players for performing ‘Trump Dance’ celebration
Several NFL players have recently adopted a new on-field celebration mimicking President-elect Donald Trump’s signature dance move, raising questions about whether the league would impose penalties for the gesture. However, NFL insider Jordan Schultz is now reporting on X that his sources have indicated the league will not step in to prevent the celebration. “Since… -
Ed. Secretary nominee Linda McMahon facing prior abuse coverup allegations
Linda McMahon, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of education, is under scrutiny for her handling of alleged child sex abuse when she was CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). A decades-old allegation against a WWE employee has recently been revisited in a lawsuit by plaintiffs who claim they were abused while working for the… -
Federal officials review permit after bald eagle nest removed in Alabama
Federal wildlife officials are investigating the removal of a bald eagle nest in Alabama, one that they issued a permit for. The tree and nest were removed by a land developer over the weekend of Nov. 15, which locals say housed a bonded pair of the large birds. Along with the permit being investigated by…