Rural Democratic lawmaker announces switch to the GOP in the latest setback for Kentucky Democrats
State Sen. Robin Webb, who represents a four-county swath of northeastern Kentucky, revealed she will join the ranks of GOP lawmakers who control the flow of legislation in the state. Webb was one of the last rural Democrats in Kentucky's legislature, and her defection leaves her ex-party more tethered to urban and suburban districts in a state with large stretches of rural territory controlled by the GOP.
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Giant Endangered Manta Ray Roughly Taken from Florida Waters to Be Put Into Captivity with Official Approval
'I mean, he was in pain. That animal was in pain," a witness alleged of the aquatic animal Florida locals are calling out state authorities after a dolphin tours company saw a crew capturing an endangered giant manta ray earlier this month. In a now-viral reel first shared to Facebook by Panama City Beach-based Water Planet USA on July 12, staff aboard the touring company's boat recorded video of five men roughly removing the fish from its natural habitat and placing it in a small pool for transport. 'Unfortunately, on todays tour- we witnessed a heartbreaking scene,' the video's caption read. The clip has since been shared by local outlets, including WPLG and the Orlando Sentinel, with the latter reporting that the giant endangered manta ray will be taken to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, despite it being a protected species. Water Planet USA told its followers that they should be 'outraged' by what had taken place. 'This video shows a giant manta ray—perfectly healthy—harvested just off Panama City Beach under a permit held by Sea World. It's heartbreaking and unacceptable,' the post continued. Although catching manta rays is generally banned in Florida, the state can allow special licenses for purposes that "increase the public's knowledge and awareness of Florida's marine resources." The license to capture the manta ray on July 12 was issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which allowed for one of the animals to be captured for exhibition purposes, per the Sentinel. PEOPLE has reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "As a citizen of this country, you have the right and the moral obligation to address the issue with your local representatives, of our Government issuing permits for the cruel and inhumane capture of ocean mega fauna such as the giant manta ray for public display, especially if our marine resources are exported overseas for gainful purposes,' Denis Richard of Water Planet USA, who was present when the video was filmed, told PEOPLE in a statement. 'These permits are a disgrace and an insult to our country's and the world's scientific community," Richard continued. No one from Water Planet USA appeared on-camera, but someone from their boat could be heard yelling, 'Let him go! You should be ashamed of yourselves!' SeaWorld Abu Dhabi opened in May 2023 and operates as a research, rescue & rehabilitation center. It is the first SeaWorld park outside of the U.S. and the first park without orcas. It is also the largest indoor marine-life theme park. However, Richard says that's still not good enough. 'The risks of that manta ray being traumatized and possibly dying in that process are very high because they are a very sensitive species,' the Water Planet USA founder and CEO told the Orlando Sentinel. He told WPLG his thoughts on witnessing the capture: 'I was horrified, and everybody on board was really upset," Richard told WPLG of witnessing the capture. 'I mean, he was in pain. That animal was in pain.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Giant manta rays are the world's largest ray with a wingspan of up to 26 feet, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service, a U.S. federal agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This species of rays has 'highly fragmented populations,' and their main threats are commercial fishing, the agency said. It is considered a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. PEOPLE was not immediately able to reach SeaWorld Abu Dhabi for comment. Read the original article on People
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This Simple Back-to-School Hack Eases First-Day Anxiety
Tucking a family photo into your child's pencil box is a small but powerful way to ease first-day nerves and help kids feel supported and confident. The start of back-to-school season brings about a variety of emotions for kids and parents alike—excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, a bit of anxiety. The thought of meeting new people, navigating a different environment, and stepping into an unfamiliar routine can be overwhelming, especially for a young child. I love this super simple trick I saw on Coffee and Carpool's blog about placing a family photo in your child's pencil box to ease those back-to-school jitters and decided to try it out! Why place a family photo in a pencil box or lunch box? Other than the familiar faces your child will see that will provide a sense of peace and calm. Here are some other reasons to use a family photo. Sense of Belonging: A family photo serves as a small but powerful reminder of a loving environment where the child feels safe and accepted. Reduced Anxiety: The photo acts as a tangible piece of home, reducing feelings of separation anxiety. Instant Comfort: A quick look at loved ones can act as an instant morale booster, helping kids tackle challenges with greater confidence. Enhanced Focus: When children feel emotionally secure, they can focus better on their lessons and engage more effectively in classroom activities. Family Photo Pencil Box – Materials: pencil case (hardback not soft pouch works best) school supplies printed photo that fits in the inside lid of your pencil box Instructions The process is as straightforward as it sounds: Choose a Photo: Select a family photo that your child loves. It could be a holiday snapshot, a picture from a family outing, or even a casual photo taken at home. We loved this one hike we did so chose that as a reminder for my child. Size It Right: Make sure the photo fits into the pencil box without taking up too much space. You can print a smaller version if necessary. There are many free tools like Canva you can use to resize an image easily. Discuss: Show the photo to your child before placing it in the pencil box. This can be an excellent opportunity to discuss their feelings about the new school year and remind them that their family is always with them, in spirit if not in person. Place It: Simply place the photo in the pencil box with double-stick tape or for more permanence you can glue it on (however you can't swap out the photo as easily if yoiu do that). You can also use glue dots or removable tape. Final Thoughts This straightforward back-to-school idea is a tiny gesture, but it could make a big difference in how your child perceives and adapts to a new academic environment. So this school year, as you shop for pencils, erasers, and notebooks, don't forget to add a loving family photo to that pencil box. It may be the most valuable 'supply' of all!
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
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Trump's EPA Reportedly Wants to Remove Limits on Tailpipe Emissions
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A new draft plan is reportedly going to unwind the EPA's ruling that greenhouse gases are a public health issue. If passed, the federal agency's ability to enforce restrictions on automakers could be limited in the future. The plan would overturn official EPA policy that has been in place since 2009. A newly drafted plan from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said to be days away from going public, aims to strip the agency's ability to limit greenhouse gases. According to reporting from the New York Times, the draft proposal rescinds a 2009 declaration that carbon dioxide and methane emissions are hazardous to public health. If verified and passed, such a proposal presents further headwinds to EV adoption and also removes limits on tailpipe emissions. The ruling would also affect industrial pollution, but as far as the automotive industry is concerned, it would remove carbon emission limitations as a target for automakers. With fines for CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) violations largely eliminated and federal rebates for EV purchases gone, this new change could continue to change the course of domestic car manufacturing. Long-term, such a change would limit the EPA's authority to enforce rules aimed at limiting climate change. The proposed draft is said not to argue with the science regarding greenhouse gas emissions, but rather it states that the EPA has legally overstepped its authority. It seeks to limit the EPA's ability to legislate except in specific circumstances. There are several steps to be taken before such a change occurs, not least of which are various legal hurdles. If enacted, the new plan would almost certainly face challenges from various sources. It also has to weather some form of public review. It took two years for the EPA to officially label greenhouse gases as a public health issue after a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that they were pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Unwinding this finding may take a similarly long timeline. If you are in the automaking business, however, it's fairly straightforward to see which way the winds are blowing. For the near future, investing in combustion-powered transportation is likely to be the safe bet. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
