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What It Takes to Save the Axoloti (Maria)
The author writes, “The Mexican axolotl — a dusky amphibian with the remarkable habit of neoteny, or retaining its juvenile body type all its life — once thrived in these canals. Though axolotls have been reproduced widely as lab animals and in the aquarium trade, where they are more often pink or yellow thanks to genetic mutations, it is now questionable whether any significant wild population remains. … ‘You cannot think about saving a species without saving the habitat, Dr. [Luis] Quintero, an ecologist, said. And habitat restoration ‘is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take a generation or more to see results.’”
Wisconsin Fake Electors Acknowledge Actions Were Used to Overturn Biden Election (Al)
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Ten Wisconsin Republicans who posed as electors for Donald Trump in 2020 despite the former president’s election loss have acknowledged their actions were part of an attempt to overturn an election. The statement was made Wednesday as part of a settlement in a lawsuit filed against the Republicans by Democratic electors for Joe Biden that sought $2.4 million in damages.”
Mike Johnson Says Republicans Are Blurring Jan. 6 Footage to Protect Rioters From DOJ (DonkeyHotey)
The author writes, “House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Tuesday that Republicans are blurring faces in security footage from inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to protect rioters from prosecution. ‘We have to blur some of the faces of persons who participated in the events of that day because we don’t want them to be retaliated against and to be charged by the DOJ,’ Johnson said at a news conference.”
Unknown Traders Appear to Have Anticipated October 7 Hamas Attack, Research Finds (Reader Jim)
The author writes, “Bets against the value of Israeli companies spiked in the days before the October 7th Hamas attacks, suggesting some traders may have had advance knowledge of the looming terror attack and profited off it, according to new research released Monday. The preliminary research, which hasn’t been peer reviewed, is from law professors at Columbia University and New York University and details a ‘significant’ and ‘unusual’ spike five days before the attacks in short selling in the most popular fund linked to Israeli companies. Short selling is a way to bet against the value of a security.”
In 10 Days, 8 Mexican Journalists Abducted or Shot at in 4 Separate Incidents (Russ)
From the Committee to Protect Journalists: “The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a spate of violent abductions and attacks on eight journalists in Mexico and calls on authorities to immediately, credibly, and transparently investigate whether the attacks were related to the reporters’ work and bring the culprits to justice.”
Public Funding Gave This Alabama Woman Shelter From the Storm. Then Her Neighbor Fenced Her Out (Laura)
From Inside Climate News: “Sandy Pouncey survived a 2019 tornado that killed 23. Cut off from access to her storm shelter, she’s afraid of the sound of thunder.”
How a Tiny Oregon Town Became ‘World Famous’ for Its Signature Hot Dogs (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “People have been known to travel for hundreds of miles, deep into rural Curry County, to try a delicacy that can only be found here in Langlois, Oregon: a hot dog. But it’s no ordinary dog. The town’s only grocery, the Langlois Market, says its house-made sweet mustard and specially peeled frankfurters are what make their dogs ‘world famous.’ For more than 40 years, the hot dog has been the star of the Langlois Market, where it’s featured on branded hats, T-shirts and bumper stickers. Employee McKayla Self-Blethen said the store sells hundreds of hot dogs daily.”
