Animals Mysterious Blue Dogs Something very strange was recently discovered near an old, abandoned chemical plant in Russia: a pack of stray dogs covered in blue fur. The Dzerzhinskoye Orgsteklo plant, which once made hydrocyanic acid and plexiglass, closed down about six years ago — but the building still stands. People who live near the plant began spotting the […]
Finance Mortgage Rates Hit 7.23% Mortgage rates pushed to a fresh two-decade high this week, making it tougher for the housing market to emerge from its stark slowdown. The average 30-year fixed mortgage came with an interest rate of 7.23%, according to data published Thursday by Freddie Mac. Some borrowers are paying even loftier rates. The rate was 7.09% a […]
Business Jobless Claims Drop Jobless claims drop to 3-week low of 230,000. Still no sign of rising U.S. layoffs. The numbers: The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week fell by 10,000 to a three-week low of 230,000, offering further evidence that the labor market remains rock solid. New jobless claims slipped from a revised […]
Animals Dogs of Chernobyl The Dogs of Chernobyl Are Experiencing Rapid Evolution, Study Suggests For decades, scientists have studied animals living in or near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant to see how increased levels of radiation affect their health, growth, and evolution. A new study analyzed the DNA of 302 feral dogs living near the power plant, compared the […]
Animals Animals With The Shortest Lifespans Many factors determine the lifespan of an animal — habitat, food sources (and availability), the animal’s size and its ability to protect itself from predators. Longevity often depends on the age the animal reaches sexual maturity. The Greenland shark has a lifespan of 500-plus years, but they mate later in life, which accounts for why […]
Animals Rare Bird Spotted in 178 Years Bird watchers are flocking to northeastern Wisconsin in the hopes of glimpsing a southern shorebird last seen in the state almost 180 years ago. Logan Lasee, a member of the Bay Area Bird Club, spotted a roseate spoonbill in the Ken Euers Nature Area in Green Bay on July 26, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. More […]
Health NYC’s New Rule on Takeout Utensils Begins NYC’s new rule on takeout utensils begins; Eateries, stores must start using garbage containers on Tuesday It’s a new era for restaurants in New York City. Two new rules take effect this week that will impact your takeout and delivery experience, among other things. Picking up food now comes with a new responsibility for the […]
Animals Treetop Trail Minnesota Zoo opens Treetop Trail, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop They cut the ribbon and took a walk Friday at the Minnesota Zoo after years of decay, and then development. The official opening of the new Treetop Trail took place Friday morning. The trail follows the old monorail line that closed in 2013 with […]
Blog National Hot Dog Day When we think of summer, hot dogs come to mind almost immediately. It’s just part of the overall experience. A summer day at the amusement park or at a baseball stadium pairs nicely with a hot dog (or tofu dog, for those of you who prefer a meatless version). Hot dogs don’t have to be […]
Blog A Fuzzy Invasion When Alicia Griggs steps outside her suburban Fort Lauderdale home, Florida’s latest invasive species comes a-hoppin’ down the street: lionhead rabbits. The bunnies, which sport an impressive flowing mane around their heads, want the food Griggs carries. But she also represents their best chance of survival and moving where this domesticated breed belongs: inside homes, […]