The end of the ‘murder hornets’: Officials say species eradicated in US
Officials say the ominously-named “murder hornet” has been eradicated in the U.S. Five years after the world’s largest hornet species made its first appearance in Washington state near the Canadian border, the U.S. and Washington Departments of Agriculture announced Wednesday, Dec. 18, that they have officially stamped out the invasive breed.
The “murder hornets”—otherwise known by their official name, northern giant hornets—get the moniker from their powerful stings, which can threaten humans, and their ability to quickly destroy entire hives of honey bees.
Officials worried about their potential to destroy honeybee populations, a key part of many plant and animal ecosystems. However, the officials said they had not spotted the hornets anywhere since 2021, prompting the recent declaration.
Residents helped prevent their spread by reporting sightings and placing traps on their properties.
One effort involved finding a hornet and tying a radio tag around it with dental floss. That allowed officials to find a hive of murder hornets and destroy it just as its queens began to emerge.
Washington state officials say they will continue to place traps in the area next year as a precaution.
How Hurricane Helene’s destruction led to swarms of bees, wasps, yellow jackets
As thousands continue to recover from deadly Hurricane Helene another danger is lurking: yellow jackets, wasps and bees. Reports of stings from swarms of the insects increased as underground bee colonies and wasps’ nests have been disturbed or washed away from severe flooding.
The increase in stings forced state officials to adjust on the fly and get EpiPens and Benadryl ready for statewide distribution.
North Carolina announced on Friday, Oct. 4, that it was buying up the medications and said officials would give the medications to residents through hospitals, emergency medical services and other health providers soon.
Those allergic to the insects’ venom can die from one sting if medical help isn’t quickly available. Health experts also warned that being stung more than a dozen times can lead to a severe reaction, which can lead to convulsions, vomiting and fever. Additionally, doctors said that individuals should wait to clear trees from their property until nighttime, when the bees and wasps are least active.
If a person does encounter a swarm, experts said they should put their hands over their face and walk away slowly to avoid stings.
Many of those stung are reportedly line workers trying to restore power to hard-hit communities.
In the meantime, state officials told those with deathly allergies to stings to get emergency refills at local pharmacies and carry emergency medication at all times.
Judge to rule on motion to disqualify Fulton County DA Fani Willis
A ruling is expected Friday, March 15, concerning the Georgia DA in former President Trump’s election interference case. And, SpaceX’s Starship rocket successfully launches into orbit but faces issues on its return to Earth. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, March 15, 2024.
Judge to rule on Fulton County DA Fani Willis disqualification motion
A Georgia judge is set to rule Friday, March 15, in a motion related to former President Donald Trump’s election interference case, focusing not on Trump but on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Judge Scott McAfee, speaking to a local TV affiliate, indicated that his decision is expected today.
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The motion involves some defendants’ lawyers calling for Willis’ disqualification. They argue she should be removed because of her past relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she appointed. They claim the relationship, marked by shared vacations, was financially beneficial for Willis.
Willis and Wade have both testified, denying any misconduct. Earlier this week, Willis filed a response urging Judge McAfee to dismiss the motion, stating the defendants failed to demonstrate a conflict of interest.
Trump, along with 18 others, pleaded not guilty last summer to all charges related to the case. Since then, three defendants have accepted plea deals.
Appeals court rejects Peter Navarro’s bid to remain out of prison
Navarro had argued that he should not be incarcerated during the appeal process. However, the three-judge panel ruled against him, meaning Navarro must report to a federal prison in Miami by next Tuesday to begin a four-month sentence.
He was sentenced in January for refusing to cooperate with the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Navarro claimed he was unable to testify before the committee because former President Donald Trump had invoked executive privilege.
Ministry: 20 killed, more than 100 injured waiting for food in Gaza City
This tragic event follows another recent incident two weeks ago, where hundreds were reportedly killed while attempting to reach aid trucks, with the circumstances of that event also being a matter of dispute.
Amidst these developments, there are reports that Hamas has proposed a temporary cease-fire. This proposal includes the release of groups of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel’s war cabinet is set to convene today to discuss this proposed plan.
Father of Michigan school shooter found guilty, faces 15 years in prison
James Crumbley, the father of the teenager who carried out the deadly shooting at a Michigan high school in 2021, has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The tragedy left four students dead and several others injured. This verdict follows closely on the heels of similar charges against the shooter’s mother, Jennifer Crumbley.
James Crumbley faces up to 15 years in prison and was convicted on four counts. Both he and his wife are scheduled for sentencing in April. Prosecutors in court argued that the Crumbleys neglected clear warning signs and criticized their failure to secure the firearm used in the shooting.
The cases marked the first time in the U.S. parents have been directly charged for deaths resulting from a mass shooting conducted by their child.
SpaceX successfully launches Starship rocket into orbit
SpaceX successfully conducted a test launch of the largest rocket ever built on Thursday, March 14. This third attempt of the Starship rocket was successful, taking off from the company’s Texas facility and achieving orbit for the first time.
SpaceX announced that this flight marked the farthest and fastest the Starship has ever traveled. However, the mission encountered difficulties during its return to Earth, with the spacecraft apparently breaking apart upon re-entry. Despite this setback, SpaceX described the day as “phenomenal.”
During a quarterfinal match at Indian Wells, play was halted due to a swarm of bees. The interruption came just 19 minutes into the match and lasted nearly two hours.
Efforts to resolve the issue involved summoning a man with a vacuum to remove the bees from the court. Despite the disruption, Carlos Alcaraz managed to defeat both his opponent and the unusual challenge posed by the bees to secure a win.
Nearly half of honeybee colonies died in 2022, but population remains stable
A recent survey conducted by the University of Maryland and Auburn University has shed light on the dire situation faced by honeybees, with the loss of nearly half of all bee colonies reported last year. This alarming figure represents the second-highest death rate on record, leaving beekeepers deeply concerned about the future of these vital creatures.
“This is a very troubling loss number when we barely manage sufficient colonies to meet pollination demands in the U.S.,” said former government bee scientist Jeff Pettis, president of the global beekeeper association Apimondia. “It also highlights the hard work that beekeepers must do to rebuild their colony numbers each year.”
The survey, which extensively examined America’s beekeepers, revealed that approximately 48% of bee colonies were lost. However, the study’s authors emphasize that despite this high rate of loss, the overall population of bee colonies remains relatively stable.
Scientists involved in the study have attributed the substantial decline in bee colonies to several factors. Climate change is believed to be disrupting the bees’ normal winter routine, causing them to emerge prematurely and struggle to survive. Parasites, pesticides and starvation have also been identified as other primary causes responsible for the decimation of last year’s colonies.
“There are threats certainly in the environment and honeybees have persisted,” Jay Evans, a research entomologist at the U.S. Department Agriculture, said. “I don’t think honeybees will go extinct but I think they will always have these sort of challenges.”
Experts have said that losing a significant portion of the honeybee population each year is not unprecedented. The survey’s scientists assert that it is typical to lose around 20% of bees over the winter season, but more than three-fifths of beekeepers surveyed said their losses were higher than that last year.
“The situation is not really getting worse, but it’s also not really getting better,” University of Maryland bee researcher Nathalie Steinhauer, the survey’s lead author, said.