Swarms of giant crickets that resemble fat grasshoppers and leave a foul smell have been spotted in a third state after previously invading Nevada and Utah in “Biblical” proportions. The Mormon crickets have been found across highways in Dubois, Blackfoot, and other areas in eastern Idaho – where local residents have seen the insects land on buildings, cars, houses and roads in the thousands. What Are Mormon Crickets? @images_mc/Twitter The Mormon crickets more closely resemble large grasshoppers than they do traditional crickets. Measuring two inches long, they are known to leave a foul smell. Their name stems from the species’…
Author: Tom Williams
A new study, bringing together 12 years worth of meticulous research, has given some of the most precise measurements of Cepheid stars. The new research into the pulsating variable stars has been celebrated by scientists who say it will give them new abilities to measure the universe more precisely. What Are Cepheid Stars? Shot by Cerqueira/Unsplash Cepheid stars are a type of variable star – meaning that their brightness changes. They are known to brighten and dim within a short time period and studying them allows greater insight into the secrets of our universe. Cepheids are known to exhibit specific…
In vitro fertilization, the fertility treatment more commonly known as IVF, allows millions of people struggling to have children to make their dreams of a family come true. However, the fertility treatment has long been a source of division among Christians. Such divisions reached a peak last week after America’s largest Protestant denomination voted to condemn the process. A Consequential Vote Aaron Burden/Unsplash On 12 June, Southern Baptists voted to oppose the use of in vitro fertilization at their convention in Indianapolis. The 10,000 delegates gathered for the denomination’s first meeting which directly addressed the hot topic issue. The resolution…
Efforts by campaigners to ensure that drivers for Lyft and Uber get paid minimum wage has historically been beset by obstacles – as company leaders and politicians unite in opposition to proposals that would effectively give the drivers a pay rise. However, after years of setbacks in the state of Minnesota, drivers have finally secured a victory after local politicians and business leaders agreed to support new legislation. Why Don’t All Drivers Earn Minimum Wage? Paul Hanaoka/Unsplash Drivers for Uber and Lyft are classified as independent contractors rather than employees. Because of this, they don’t enjoy protections like sick days…
A California woman has become the state’s first known fatal victim of a bear attack. The highly unusual cause of her death has shocked wildlife officials in the state. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said, “This incident is the first known, documented fatal attack by a black bear in California history.” What Happened? Wikipedia 71-year-old Patrice Miller was found dead in her home in Downieville, California in November last year. This week, a coroner’s report has confirmed that a black bear attack was the cause of her passing. The coroner’s report posits that the black bear likely dragged…
The 2020 election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was decided by under 50,000 votes in three crucial states – Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin. Now polling suggests the upcoming November rematch between Biden and Trump could be even closer. Let’s examine the polling in seven crucial states that will likely decide who gets the keys to the White House for the next four years. Georgia: 2020’s Closest State Wikipedia In 2020, Democrats won the Peach State by 0.23% – with less than 12,000 votes of nearly five million cast separating Trump and Biden. Biden was the first Democratic Presidential candidate…
Earlier this month, Val and Amy Castor, veteran storm chasers with KWTV in Oklahoma City, discovered a massive hailstone in the Texas Panhandle. Discovering the hailstone while chasing a major thunderstorm system near Vigo Park, the pair’s attention was immediately drawn to its size. A Stunning Find Andres Siimon/Unsplash During their chase, the Castors encountered several baseball-sized hailstones that pelted their vehicle. One of these hailstones even cracked their windshield. Then, they discovered a hailstone in a ditch that measured over 7 inches in length. “That’s the biggest hail I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been chasing storms for more than…
A successful beverage company which has been operating for almost 90 years has recalled multiple of it’s soda products amidst a serious health warning. The Charles Boggini Company has recalled four popular flavors that they supply to restaurants. The recall will affect almost 3,000 gallons of their soft drinks. Which Popular Drinks Have Been Recalled? Breakingpic/Pexels The recall involves four different types of soda which have been flagged by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These are Pink Lemonade, Cola Flavoring Base, Yellow Lemonade and Yellow Lemonade X. The recall for these drinks, all of which were recalled…
An enormous great white shark has washed up on a beach with one part of its body missing. Experts believe an even larger sea animal is responsible. This new discovery comes as scientists continue to study the fascinating evolution of sea life – particularly why a number of large sharks keep being taken down by other animals. A Stunning Discovery! Resident Finds Dead Shark, While Researchers Offer More Detail Pagie Page/Unsplash At the end of May, a South Africa resident was stunned to find a 15-foot great white shark washed up on a beach at the mouth of the Nyara…
New Jersey Pest Control has warned North-easterners that an invasion of giant flying spiders is on it’s way. The spiders are venomous, with 4-inch-long legs and the ability to parachute through the air. Known as Joro spiders, they’ve been making headlines in America for over a decade. The insect invasion follows the Joro spider making a home for itself in Georgia in the early 2010s. Cicadas and Flying Spiders?! What To Expect. Wikipedia Much of the Midwest and Southwest is already reeling from the first simultaneous emergence of two cicada broods for the first time in decades. But for those…