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Beluga Whales Find New Home After Rescue From Closed Canadian Theme Park

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A monumental marine mission is underway—an operation that’s truly a whale of a task.

Kicking off Monday, animal rescue teams began the formidable task of relocating nearly 36 belugas from a now-closed Canadian theme park to new sanctuaries in the United States.

Images emerging from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Monday capture the much-anticipated rescue operation, which appears to be progressing smoothly.

These graceful sea-dwelling “canaries” —some tipping the scales at a hefty 3,500 pounds—were observed gracefully being raised from their enclosures using large slings and a robust crane.

Among the whales was Sierra, a beluga who seemed unfazed by the adventure as she was transported away by truck.

Sierra is expected to be joined by Acadia, Osiris and Lilooet at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, CBC reported, while belugas Bertie Botts and Frankie are destined to be flown out to SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas. 

Canadian officials confirmed that Monday was the beginning of relocation efforts for all thirty of the whales. 

“The first wave of the rescue mission at Marineland is underway,” Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said.

The whale’s home at Marineland had shuttered after the death of the zoo’s owners John Holer and Marie Holer in 2024, according to CBC. 

Though staff continued to care for the sea creatures, the outlet reported the whales’ fate was in the balance for some time, with the belugas living under the threat of euthanasia if a suitable home wasn’t found. 

But authorities in Canada came to agreements with the US and Spain over moving the whales earlier last month, saving the creatures’ lives and giving them a new home. 

Tropical Storm Bertha Nears US: Preparations Underway

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A tropical storm has made its presence felt along the US Gulf Coast on Monday evening, as millions of residents prepare themselves for an imminent strike and potentially perilous conditions throughout the week.

On Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) identified the disturbance as Tropical Depression Two. As the day progressed, forecasters elevated it to the second named Atlantic storm, following an increase in wind speeds exceeding 39 mph.

Now designated as Tropical Storm Bertha, it is expected to move directly toward New Orleans, with predictions placing its arrival by Wednesday afternoon.

The storm is anticipated to unleash heavy rain and sustained winds exceeding 50 mph across the Gulf region, impacting the Florida Panhandle, as well as Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas.

Bertha’s east-to-west trajectory poses a significant threat to maritime activities, as boats and coastal communities face hazards from seas and waves potentially reaching heights of 16 feet this week.

AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Roys said in a statement: ‘Tropical systems can bring dangerous rainfall, flash flooding, and other hazardous impacts regardless of whether they receive an official designation.’ 

Tropical storm warnings have already been issued along the entire Florida coast by the National Weather Service, from Tallahassee to Miami, with officials saying the storm could ‘capsize or damage vessels.’

Up to eight inches of rain are expected in multiple areas, including Florida’s Tallahassee and Panama City, and in New Orleans, where nearly one million people live throughout the seven-parish metropolitan area.

Tropical Depression Two developed into Tropical Storm Bertha Monday evening, the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Depression Two developed into Tropical Storm Bertha Monday evening, the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season

The storm, which is expected to bring heavy rain and sustained winds of more than 50mph, forming in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday

The storm, which is expected to bring heavy rain and sustained winds of more than 50mph, forming in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday

Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to make landfall in Louisiana by Wednesday

Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to make landfall in Louisiana by Wednesday

Meteorologists expect Bertha to continue strengthening throughout Monday, as it forms in the extremely warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The rapidly forming cyclone has sustained winds of 40mph, just over the threshold to officially be a named tropical storm.

The National Hurricane Center expected stronger thunderstorms to develop and winds to pick up to between 40mph and 75mph by early Tuesday morning, when conditions will likely begin reaching their most dangerous levels.

By Tuesday night, the threat to the US is expected to peak when winds from Bertha reach 50mph and dangerous waves form along the Gulf Coast. 

‘Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions,’ NWS officials warned in a statement.

Storm models show nearly all tracks for Berth predict it will make landfall in the New Orleans area by 1pm local time on Wednesday.

The last named storm to make landfall in the US was Tropical Storm Chantal in July 2025. The last named storm to strike Louisiana was Hurricane Francine in 2024.

At the same time as Bertha gathers strength in the Gulf, millions of Americans from Minnesota to Louisiana have been dealing with skyrocketing temperatures across the Central US. 

Tropical Storm Bertha formed on Monday and cross over Louisiana and Texas before weakening this week

Tropical Storm Bertha formed on Monday and cross over Louisiana and Texas before weakening this week

The last named storm to strike Louisiana was Hurricane Francine in 2024, which caused widespread flooding and power disruptions

The last named storm to strike Louisiana was Hurricane Francine in 2024, which caused widespread flooding and power disruptions

In the South, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and parts of Texas are also under a heat advisory on Monday, with the heat index expected to rise to 112F in New Orleans.

Long-range forecasters recently downgraded their predictions for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, due to the global weather phenomenon known as El Niño, which historically causes fewer major storms to form in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

On July 7, AccuWeather officially lowered its predictions for hurricane season because of the impact of El Niño, which is a natural climate pattern in which the central and eastern Pacific Ocean surface temperature becomes significantly warmer than average, flipping weather patterns worldwide.

The weather agency now believes there will be between eight and 14 named storms in the Atlantic this year, down from their prediction of 11 to 16 in March.

However, AccuWeather still predicted that four to seven of these storms will reach hurricane strength, and that three to five named storms will make landfall in the US – with Bertha likely being the first this week. 

AccuWeather’s Lead Long Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok told the Daily Mail in June that this does not mean Americans should let down their guard in 2026, as a major hurricane can still reach land despite the presence of El Niño.

‘It only takes one storm, and then boom! We’re not saying that El Niño is going to weaken and dampen the Atlantic Basin season completely,’ he said.

‘There’s still a lot of warm water, a lot of potential there. So, [I] just wanted to make sure [if] people were saying, “Oh, we don’t have to worry about anything this year.” That’s not true. It only takes one storm.’

4 Bed Exercises to Quickly Boost Ankle Strength Post-65

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Finding yourself a bit unsteady after reaching 65? Discover four effective bed exercises that can enhance your ankle strength and improve balance.

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Ankles often go unnoticed until they give way or cause a stumble on an uneven surface. Having dedicated nearly 40 years to personal training and co-founding TRAINFITNESS—renowned as the UK’s top personal training academy—I’ve refined techniques that can fortify ankles and boost stability. Surprisingly, performing four simple exercises before you even rise from bed can be more beneficial than complex routines.

Weakness, Stiffness, And Balance

After turning 65, it’s common to encounter issues such as ankle weakness, stiffness, and decreased balance—often they appear together. Stiffness tends to be the first symptom people experience, noticeable as a lack of smooth motion right when stepping out of bed. Weakness typically follows, particularly in the smaller muscles on the outer side of the ankle, which play a crucial role in preventing the foot from rolling on uneven terrain. Lastly, balance—anchored by those small ankle adjustments—is often compromised, forming the third pillar of ankle health.

These concerns often exacerbate one another. Stiffness diminishes the ankle’s movement range, hampering muscle activation along the entire length, which increasingly weakens them. As a result, the balance system shifts to rely more heavily on the hips rather than the ankles, leading to a slower reaction time. Over time, this pattern can culminate in falls and an inability to recover from minor stumbles.

Underneath all of that, most over 65s have shoes to blame. Decades in supportive footwear mean the small muscles of the foot and ankle have been doing very little work. When the shoes come off, and the ankle has to hold you up on its own, everything wobbles.

5 Standing Exercises That Flatten Apron Belly Faster Than Gym Machines After 50

Why Bed Beats Bands

Resistance bands are useful, but they load the ankle before it has the movement to load. Most over 65s don’t have the ankle range for a band pull to work properly, so they end up compensating with the hip or the knee, which trains the wrong pattern.

Bed exercises train the ankle through its natural range without any load. That sounds like less, but for a stiff, deconditioned joint, it’s exactly what’s needed first. The muscles wake up and start firing through their proper range, the joint fluid gets moving, and the small stabilizers relearn their job.

Bed exercises also let you feel the ankle working. Bands often mask that because the tension of the band takes over the sensation. When your foot is moving through the air against nothing but its own weight, you can feel every fiber engaging, which is how the brain learns to control the joint.

Resistance work comes later. Once the ankle has the range and the neural control from a fortnight of bed exercises, bands or bodyweight loading make sense. Starting with resistance and skipping the movement work is the mistake I see over and over.

Why Doing Them In Bed Works

The biggest barrier to daily exercise in this age group is getting started, and doing it in bed removes every excuse. No shoes, no clothes, no floor space, no cold room. The exercises are done before your feet ever touch the carpet.

There’s a physiological reason too. Overnight, the ankles stiffen up more than any other joint, especially if you sleep in a position where the foot points downwards. A few minutes of gentle movement before you stand up primes the ankle for the first steps of the day, which is the moment most falls happen.

And the pattern of doing something small every day beats doing something big once a week. The ankle responds to daily practice better than to intensity. Ten minutes on Monday morning is worth more than an hour on a Saturday.

5 Chair Exercises That Restore Hip Strength Faster Than Yoga After 60

Nigel Farage’s UK By-Election Takes a Twist with Australian Candidate Entry

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An eclectic mix of candidates, including a man with a bin on his head, three members of the Monster Raving Loony Party, Nigel Farage, and an Australian, have entered the fray to compete for the parliamentary seat vacated by the Reform UK leader in a pivotal by-election.

The Clacton by-election, set in motion by Nigel Farage’s resignation amid a donations scandal, has drawn a diverse array of contenders, each with distinct backgrounds and motivations.

Farage, under the microscope for allegedly failing to declare millions in gifts and donations from affluent supporters, resigned from his parliamentary role at the start of this month, igniting a by-election he plans to contest once more. The Reform UK leader is urging voters in south-east England to evaluate his deeds, rather than what he claims is a smear campaign orchestrated by the liberal “establishment.”

The by-election is slated for August 13.

Farage is predicted to reclaim the seat, as he is the sole mainstream contender after other leading parties opted out, dismissing the event as mere theatrics.

A number of joke candidates — including Count Binface and another called ‘Nick the Incredible Flying Brick’ — are vying for the seat, along with 20 independents.

Among them is Melbourne-born Daniel Pocock.

‘Unleash an Australian upon London’s establishment’

Pocock is a Swiss-Irish-Australian software engineer who describes himself as an “expert on cybersecurity, open source software [and] cryptocurrencies”.

According to his website, he was born in the Melbourne suburb of Coburg before moving to rural Wandong. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2002 with a Bachelor of Computer Science.

While studying, he joined the National Union of Students and used his technical skills to assist websites for early social causes. He built a website opposing the death penalty after Schapelle Corby’s arrest in Bali on drug trafficking charges.

He moved to Europe after graduation and worked for companies like Barclays Capital, Thomson Reuters, and UBS.

In a press release announcing his candidacy, Pocock says he was spurred to nominate himself for Clacton by the prospect of “novelty candidates”.

“If the Essex Lion was to appear on the ballot paper, I suspect it would have an equally good chance of winning. I have yet to see a single report about the real, day-to-day issues facing residents of the district,” he said.

“In a parody of this situation, I have chosen the codename Pocock-on-Sea for the operation to unleash an Australian upon London’s Establishment.”

Pocock said Farage has proposed many Australian policies to replace UK ones, though he did not specify which. Farage has previously outlined an immigration plan that echoes Australia’s offshore processing system, which has been heavily criticised by human rights advocates.

He has challenged Farage to a debate.

“Clacton residents now have the opportunity to take up the nearest pair of scissors and cut out the middleman. Why pay for Nigel Farage to copy Australian policies when you can simply have a real Australian like me?”

Farage’s party has returned favourable opinion polling in the UK for more than a year.

The 62-year-old is under investigation by the UK parliament’s anti-corruption watchdog over the non-disclosure of a £5 million ($9.6 million) donation from British-born, Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. Farage’s resignation means the inquiry will be suspended until after the by-election.

Some voters in Clacton, a beach town famous for its Victorian pleasure pier, said that, while they were confused about the reason for a new election, they still supported Farage, whatever gifts he had received.

Zoe Banks, a 53-year-old office worker, said she did not have a problem with the gift Farage received as long as it was legal, and she believed he was being attacked by the political establishment.

Nigel Farage, wearing a blue jacket, white shirt and blue tie.

“He’ll walk it,” she said of the vote. “This time I might actually vote for him … if he’s not broken any rule.”

But Ray Lynaugh, a 54-year-old bus driver, disagreed.

“I dislike the man immensely,” he told the Reuters news agency. “What he stands for, what he’s done to the country. He is self-serving, self-centred.

“Why people vote for him, I don’t know.”

At the UK’s last general election in July 2024, Reform won a 46 per cent share of the vote, comfortably ahead of the second-placed Conservative Party at 28 per cent.

Some voters are dismayed that Farage’s only main challenger appeared to be Count Binface.

Binface is a silver cape-clad character created by comedian Jonathan Harvey, who has run against three prime ministers over the last decade to poke fun at them while, he says, celebrating democracy.

“That’s a joke. Is that a joke?” Alan Jones, a 57-year-old local, asked.

— With additional reporting by Reuters.


Frequent Offender Arrested Again Within 24 Hours for Bold Jewelry Store Theft

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In a cycle of crime and consequence that’s become all too familiar, a California man found himself back in a jail cell within a day of his release. Authorities claim he repeated the very same misdeed that initially landed him in jail, despite being on pretrial probation.

Identified as 19-year-old Andre Wiley, he was apprehended last week following what officials described as a conspicuous jewelry store heist. His re-arrest unfolded mere hours after Sacramento County Sheriff’s detectives allege he teamed up with two accomplices, fresh on the heels of his release from Placer County Jail where he faced accusations of burglary, conspiracy, and grand theft.

Reports from the investigation detail how Wiley, along with 18-year-old Andrew Ivy and Kameryus Mayhand, paid an ill-intentioned visit to a local jewelry store.

Allegedly, Ivy and Mayhand played their role by drawing staff attention through casual browsing. Meanwhile, Wiley allegedly sat unobtrusively at a consultation desk, clandestinely pocketing two pieces of jewelry before the group made their swift escape.

Surveillance image and mugshots of suspects in Sacramento jewelry store theft

The incident was captured in surveillance footage, which depicted the three suspects lingering outside a jewelry store in the Sacramento area, their faces later appearing in booking photographs released following their arrests. (Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities also released surveillance video appearing to show the entire alleged theft unfold, from the trio casually entering the store and walking around inside to their sudden dash out the door moments later.

A short time later, the Rancho Cordova Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit located the suspects’ vehicle, leading to their arrests and the recovery of the stolen items, authorities said.

Surveillance captures suspects walking through Sacramento jewelry store

Surveillance video shows three suspects walking through a Sacramento-area jewelry store before an alleged theft. (Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)

Deputies then discovered Wiley had been released from the Placer County Jail less than 24 hours earlier and was already on pretrial probation for burglary, conspiracy and grand theft charges — the same offenses he is now accused of committing again, the sheriff’s office said.

Wiley, Ivy and Mayhand were all booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy and grand theft.

Suspects arrive at Sacramento jewelry store before alleged theft

Surveillance image shows three suspects approaching the entrance of a Sacramento-area jewelry store before an alleged theft. (Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office released the suspects’ booking photos because detectives believe they may be connected to additional thefts.

Surveillance shows suspects leaving Sacramento jewelry store after alleged theft

Surveillance image shows suspects exiting a Sacramento-area jewelry store following an alleged jewelry theft. (Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)

Anyone who recognizes the suspects or believes they may have been victimized is asked to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office at 916-874-5115.

Fiery Exchange: Tom Homan Takes on CBS’ Margaret Brennan Over Deadly Houston ICE Incident

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During a discussion on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” White House border czar Tom Homan stood by the use of unmarked vehicles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Homan sparred with host Margaret Brennan on whether officers employed emergency lights during the pursuit of a Houston man who was subsequently fatally shot.

Homan contended that unmarked vehicles are essential for officers to locate suspects effectively. He asserted that compliance in certain situations could prevent tragic outcomes.

“Ultimately, the investigation will provide clarity, but these individuals would still be with us if they had just complied during a vehicle stop orchestrated by federal law enforcement. Adherence is key,” Homan commented.

Brennan expressed concerns about the implications of using an unmarked vehicle in the incident leading to the fatal shooting of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE officer.

According to Salgado’s family, he mistook the ICE officers for robbers rather than recognizing them as federal agents.

“Well, the family of the man in Houston said that he thought he was being robbed because it was an unmarked vehicle,” Brennan said.

“Not that it was law enforcement at all.”

Homan maintained that ICE vehicles contain equipment allowing officers to identify themselves during stops.

“They had emergency lights. They activate emergency lights. Blue lights,” Homan said.

“You know, in my vehicle I drive, where I’m with my security detail, we have emergency lights.”

Brennan challenged Homan to substantiate that claim, noting that publicly available videos did not appear to show emergency lights and the officers involved were not wearing body cameras.

“That there were lights, because the videos that we’ve seen there aren’t, and because there weren’t body cameras,” Brennan said.

“It is hard to substantiate some of what you are saying.”

Homan acknowledged that he had not reviewed the videos of the Houston incident. 

“OK, well, I have not seen the videos,” Homan said.

The border czar qualified his earlier claim, saying the vehicles should have contained lights and sirens but acknowledging that he could not confirm whether officers used them.

“Now, if they didn’t activate the lights, again, I haven’t seen that video,” Homan said.

“If they didn’t activate the lights, then there’s an issue there, right?”

“A lot of police departments, I’m in New York City right now, a lot of NYPD officers are driving unmarked vehicles, and that helps them find people that don’t want to be found, right?”

He backed the nationwide deployment of body cameras, arguing that the footage would allow the public to see encounters from an officer’s perspective.

“I think body cameras are the way to go,” Homan said.

“I think body cameras let the American people know what that officer sees when he takes that action.”

Homan said ICE had purchased cameras and was training personnel to deploy nationwide.

The agency will require officers to record vehicle stops with at least one body camera.

Salgado was not the intended target of the Houston operation, federal officials acknowledged.

ICE initially said he rammed a federal vehicle and attempted to run over an officer, prompting the officer to fire in self-defense.

Witnesses in Salgado’s van disputed the agency’s account.

Six days later, an ICE officer fatally shot a Colombian driver in Biddeford, Maine, who also was not the operation’s intended target.

DHS said the officer opened fire while “fearing for public safety” as the driver attempted to flee.

Investigations into both shootings remained underway.

A third man, a 28-year-old Mexican national, was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer after fleeing federal immigration agents in St. Augustine, Florida.

Airborne Ocean Toxins: A New Threat to Global Safety

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New findings have revealed that harmful chemicals from Florida’s notorious blue-green algae blooms are becoming airborne, meaning even those residing miles away from contaminated sources could be at risk.

A recent study highlights that toxins, released by cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, are becoming airborne in Southwest Florida. This situation brings about significant concerns about respiratory hazards linked to these dangerous substances.

In a collaborative effort, scientists from Wyoming’s Brain Chemistry Labs teamed up with the nonprofit Calusa Waterkeeper, deploying air sampling devices throughout Southwest Florida to track these toxins.

Alarmingly, each air sample contained the neurotoxin 2,4-DAB, a cyanobacteria byproduct. This toxin was previously identified in the brain tissue of stranded dolphins in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. These dolphins exhibited symptoms akin to Alzheimer’s disease.

Cyanobacteria are ancient organisms credited with contributing to the development of Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere billions of years ago.

However, when waterways become overloaded with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, often from agricultural runoff or poorly treated sewage, these bacteria can multiply rapidly, forming dense blooms that release toxins into the environment.

Scientists have long focused on contaminated food and drinking water as the primary routes of exposure to the toxins, but the new findings suggest that breathing contaminated air may be an equally important pathway.

Harmful algae toxins are linked to a range of health issues, from immediate respiratory and gastrointestinal problems to long-term neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease.

Florida's blue-green algae toxins are becoming airborne, reaching people miles from contaminated water (stock)

Florida’s blue-green algae toxins are becoming airborne, reaching people miles from contaminated water (stock)

To find out if algae toxins can become airborne, researchers developed a special device called ADAM, short for Airborne Detection for Algae Monitoring.

This portable air sampler was designed to collect air at ‘breathing height,’ about five to six feet off the ground, which is the level where people would actually inhale it.

The device uses two collection methods: a glass fiber filter that captures particles, and a liquid ‘impinger’ that traps any toxins dissolved in the air.

Between July and December 2021, the team placed these samplers at multiple locations across Southwest Florida, specifically along the lower Caloosahatchee River, within the Matlacha Preserve areas and at sites like the Cape Coral Yacht Club, running each one for 24 hours at a time. 

At each site, they also collected water samples to compare the toxins found in the air with those found in the water. 

The air samples were then analyzed for a range of toxins. Because Florida’s Gulf Coast also experiences red tide blooms from Karenia brevis, they also tested for brevetoxins — respiratory irritants linked to red tide.

The study, published in the journal Toxins, found that even when there were no visible algae blooms in the water, toxins were still present in the air.

Of the 21 water samples collected, 62 percent showed no signs of cyanobacteria or algae at the surface.

Pictured is the ADAM sampler's collection system, showing the glass fiber filter and liquid impinger that work together to capture both particle-bound and dissolved toxins from the air

Pictured is the ADAM sampler’s collection system, showing the glass fiber filter and liquid impinger that work together to capture both particle-bound and dissolved toxins from the air

This map shows the locations where researchers collected air and water samples across Southwest Florida. The study focused on areas along the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass, with samples taken at multiple sites between July and December 20

This map shows the locations where researchers collected air and water samples across Southwest Florida. The study focused on areas along the Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass, with samples taken at multiple sites between July and December 20

Yet despite the lack of blooms, air samples regularly contained detectable levels of toxins. 

The device collected both particles and dissolved compounds, leading researchers to conclude that people may be chronically exposed to low concentrations of these toxins through inhalation.

‘Even though we can avoid contaminated food and water, preventing exposure through breathing is far more difficult,’ lead scientist Dr James Metcalf said.

The air filters detected a red tide toxin in just five percent of samples. But other toxins were far more common. One appeared in a third of samples, and after more sensitive testing, detection rates hit 100 percent. 

That suggests people are breathing in low levels of these compounds even when no blooms are visible.

Water samples contained an even broader mix of toxins linked to health issues. Liver toxins were found in 29 percent of samples, nerve toxins in 43 percent and respiratory irritants in 38 percent. 

Only one sample, which contained an actual bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa, a type of blue-green algae, showed high levels of microcystin-LR — the most common and well-studied cyanotoxin. For the most part, toxin concentrations were low, consistent with the absence of significant blooms.

There was no clear link between what was in the air and what was in the water at the same location. Airborne toxins were detected even when the water showed little to no algae.

Pictured is the pump that draws air through the system at two liters per minute

Pictured is the pump that draws air through the system at two liters per minute

This suggests that aerosols can travel from distant sources or that even small amounts of algae can release toxins into the air.

The frequent detection in air samples raises concerns about chronic, low-level exposure.

‘These data suggest that you don’t need to be close to toxic blooms to be exposed through breathing,’ Metcalf said.

‘We continue to find cyanobacterial toxins in the air, as in our study of dust blown from the exposed lakebed of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.’

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One of the most concerning long-term health risks is the potential link between the neurotoxin BMAA and neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS or Parkinsonism dementia complex (PDC), which is a rare neurodegenerative condition that combines symptoms of ALS, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

This connection has been observed in primate models and cell cultures, where BMAA exposure can trigger harmful effects such as excitotoxicity and protein aggregation in the brain.

Microcystins are also being investigated for their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and potentially contribute to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases by causing neuroinflammation and other cellular damage.

However, more research is needed to fully understand these links, and a 2017 EPA review concluded that current data does not definitively prove BMAA causes brain disease in humans.

Toxins like brevetoxin from red tides are well-known respiratory irritants. Inhaling them can cause coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, wheezing and chest tightness.

People with pre-existing conditions like asthma are particularly vulnerable. Research has shown that breathing in aerosolized brevetoxins can cause measurable decreases in lung function for asthmatics, making their symptoms noticeably worse.

Recent studies show that inhaling microcystins, which have also been found in lake and sea spray aerosols, can cause harmful airway inflammation. This inflammation is similar to a specific type of asthma and may even worsen existing inflammatory lung conditions.

Gainesville man charged after alleged assault on four young children

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Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 24-year-old man named Jordan Terrell Banks was taken into custody yesterday on accusations of assaulting four young children in a fit of anger.

The incident occurred around 1:53 p.m. on July 19, prompting an immediate response from an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy to a local residence. The complainant reportedly provided video evidence showing Banks striking three of the children without provocation. The footage depicted Banks forcefully hitting a one-year-old on the head, causing her to collide with the couch. He was also seen hitting a three-year-old on the head and then striking a two-year-old across her back with such force that she fell. Additionally, the caller claimed that Banks struck a five-year-old.

Fortunately, the deputy noted that the children did not appear to have any visible injuries.

Upon being advised of his rights, Banks reportedly confessed to striking the children in anger, acknowledging that it was not meant as a disciplinary action. He admitted he acted wrongly and should not have hit them in such a manner.

Banks has been charged with four counts of domestic battery and four counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. His full criminal history is unavailable, but he has no local adult convictions. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Jonathan Cain Criticizes Springsteen’s Political Commentary

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Jonathan Cain, known for his roles as keyboardist and guitarist with the iconic rock band Journey, didn’t hold back when criticizing fellow musician Bruce Springsteen. Describing Springsteen as an “annoying, bitter old man” who should tone down his political commentary, Cain quipped, “You were ‘Born in the USA,’ weren’t you? So act like it.”

During a recent chat on the Tom Barnard Podcast, Cain shared his thoughts on patriotism and politics, stating, “We’re blessed to live where we live.” The musician opened up about his switch in political views, revealing, “I’m obviously a conservative. I used to be a Democrat back in the old days, but I just couldn’t go there anymore.”

Cain reflected on his political evolution, mentioning, “I thought Obama, maybe, but then I saw where he was going and I’m like, ‘Okay, we can’t have this anymore.’ So I’m a diehard conservative,” solidifying his stance on the political spectrum.

He further expressed his sentiments by commenting on other celebrities, stating, “And guys like Bruce Springsteen should shut up. Honestly, shut up, Bruce. Him and… who’s the other one? Robert De Niro. I mean, who cares, guys? Really? Do your art.”

Watch Below:

Cain — who recently released the song “The Winds of Freedom: A Salute to America” for the 250th anniversary of America’s independence — went on to say, “I try to keep politics out of my music,” explaining, “I’m releasing this patriotic song because I’m a diehard patriot.”

“I think we should do what we do, and try to unify,” he added. “I think our job is unifying people — and I feel the same way with with Journey. We have our respective parties [Republicans and Democrats] out there in the audience, and they’re singing ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.’”

“Now, people say, ‘Well, you’re Christian and you’re conservative,’ and I’m, like, ‘So what?’ I don’t preach it on stage. I don’t spend ten minutes talking about it,” Cain said.

The keyboardist-guitarist elaborated, “I just don’t think it’s cool to have celebrities going there. It’s a bad look.”

“And, Bruce, I mean, what the heck? I used to like him, and now he’s just annoying. He’s an annoying, bitter old man,” he added. “I mean, story it, really. You were ‘born in the USA,’ weren’t you, dude? So, act like it.”

“But even that song [‘Born in the USA’], if you look at the lyrics, it’s a kind of a diss to our country,” Cain pointed out.

Late last year, Cain released a song called “No One Else,” in honor of slain conservative icon Charlie Kirk.

Listen Below:

In September, Cain will kick off a fall North American “Final Frontier” farewell tour with Journey.

As for Springsteen, he has spent most of his year so far attacking President Donald Trump, wrapping up his anti-Trump “Land of Hope and Dreams American” tour in May, after verbally assaulting the president’s administration at very stop.

In March, the left-wing rocker claimed he isn’t afraid of losing a portion of his fans after doubling down on his anti-Trump and anti-ICE stance, saying, “I’m ready for all that.”

Earlier this month, Springsteen declared himself a “patriot” for trashing President Trump.

Alana Mastrangelo is a reporter for – News. You can follow her on Facebook and X at @ARmastrangelo, and on Instagram.

Springville Police Chief Explains Key Bank Robbery Arrest

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SPRINGVILLE, Ala. (TRIBUNE) — In a commendable team effort, Springville Police Chief Jason Mize acknowledged the collective dedication of his officers, community vigilance, and the support of fellow law enforcement agencies for the swift capture of a suspect linked to the July 13 PNC Bank heist in Springville.

Chief Mize emphasized the unwavering commitment of every member of the Springville Police Department in safeguarding local businesses and residents. He assured that their resolve to track down lawbreakers remains resolute as they confront criminal activities within the city.

“Our resources might be limited at times, but we compensate for that with an unyielding pursuit and undaunted dedication,” Mize stated, highlighting the department’s diligent efforts.

Kristopher Michael Tribble, aged 50, found himself behind bars at the St. Clair County Jail with no option for bail. His arrest, on first-degree robbery charges, followed a thorough search of his residence conducted on Friday.

Currently held without bond, Tribble could face further charges from Jefferson County, as indicated by Chief Mize. The bank robbery occurred on Monday, July 13, at the PNC Bank located on 6384 U.S. 11 in Springville.

Mize said officers initially responded to a panic alarm at the bank at around 12:41 p.m. Officer D. Weal was first to arrive, where he met with bank employees.

According to employee reports, the suspect arrived on a motorcycle covered in a metallic material, which is now believed to be aluminum foil or some form of heat shielding, according to Mize. The suspect entered the bank wearing a motorcycle helmet, ski mask, sunglasses, a riding jacket, riding pants, and motorcycle boots.

Mize said the suspect unzipped his jacket, pulled a gun from his chest, laid it on the counter, and pointed the firearm toward the teller. After receiving the money, the suspect returned the handgun to his riding jacket and left the scene.

Investigators used Flock Safety cameras in Springville to help track possible exit routes Tribble took after leaving the bank to help identify the type of motorcycle used in the robbery.

Mize said investigators from the Springville PD, FBI agents from the Birmingham field office, and a physical security coordinator from PNC also reviewed bank surveillance footage.

“Numerous hours were spent by SPD officers reviewing video and Flock camera playback revealing the motorcycle and riding gear the offender used at the time of the robbery,” Mize said.

On July 16, Crime Stoppers of Alabama received an anonymous tip about the robbery. According to Mize, the tip said “the tin foil motorcycle guy” had been seen heading down Clay-Palmerdale Road toward Alabama 75 before turning onto Brookwood Road toward Miles Springs Road.

Mize said he and Springville Police Sgt. K Snider traveled to the area after receiving the tip where Snider checked dumpsters at nearby businesses and schools for possible material used to cover the bike but did not discover anything.

Later that evening, Mize said he saw a BMW GS1200 traveling down Miles Springs Road matching the evidence from PNC Bank and Flock cameras. The driver at the time was described as a slender white man and the passenger as a slender white female.

The motorcycle then turned north on Alabama 75, heading toward Blount County. The driver turned onto Mitchell Farm Road and accelerated quickly before Mize lost sight of the vehicle. The vehicle was described as red and not displaying a license plate.

Mize said he relayed that information to law enforcement agencies in Blount County, later contacting Pinson public safety administrator Chris Sharit.

On Friday, July 17, Mize said Sharit helped obtain pictures and video footage of the motorcycle in the Miles Springs Road area. Investigators further obtained footage of Mize following the bike the prior evening on Alabama 75.

“At this point, we were confident that our suspect was a white male driving a red and white BMW 1200 motorcycle,” Mize said.

The information was confirmed Friday morning when Springville police received another anonymous phone call. The tip led to a home on Miles Springs Road. Research into the address showed Tribble lived there and owned a red and white BMW 1200.

Springville police acquired a search warrant and executed a search at 3:15 p.m. the same day.

Tribble attempted to flee out the backdoor of the property but was stopped by an officer, according to Mize.

FBI agents arrived shortly after and assisted with gathering evidence from the property.

Springville Mayor Austin Phillips praised the department’s work Friday after Tribble was taken into custody.

“I’m just really proud of our officers and the investigative work they’ve done,” Phillips said. “They’re still processing the scene of the search, but the suspect is in custody.”

“This case, like most I’ve worked, can only be successful with devoted police officers and the assistance from the public along with assistance and resources from other law enforcement agencies,” Chief Mize said.