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Overpumping in Tulare County Threatens Newly Rebuilt Canal, Lawsuit Reveals

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Farmers in Tulare County, California are facing criticism for their excessive groundwater pumping, which is endangering a newly constructed section of the Friant-Kern Canal. The canal had to be rebuilt due to overpumping, which caused a 33-mile segment to sink. A lawsuit filed on February 16 claims that the farmers are being allowed to pump so much groundwater that it is causing further damage to the canal. The Friant Water Authority and the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District filed the lawsuit against the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency, which is responsible for reducing groundwater pumping under … Read more

Deliberations Continue as Seven Witnesses Testify in Natural Bridge Zoo Animal Cruelty Case

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The jury trial for an animal cruelty case in Rockbridge County, Virginia, is underway, with seven witnesses taking the stand on Tuesday, February 27th. The case, which centers around alleged mistreatment of animals at the Natural Bridge Zoo, has garnered significant attention. Amy Taylor, lead investigator from the office of the attorney general, testified that a tip from PETA prompted the investigation. To ensure impartiality, Taylor recruited a Powhatan County Animal Control Officer who was unfamiliar with the zoo and its employees to conduct an undercover visit. During the trial, Sergeant Christine … Read more

Kansas Senate Introduces Bill to Limit Health Officers’ Authority Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Senate is once again attempting to revise public health laws in response to criticism of the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, a bill to remove health officers’ authority to issue orders was passed, as was a bill guaranteeing visitation access to hospitalized family members. However, neither bill had enough votes to override a potential veto. In November 2021, backlash against the pandemic response prompted Republicans to call the state’s first special legislative session, leading to the passage of a bill targeting employer vaccine mandates. Democratic Governor Laura … Read more

Guilty Verdict Reached in Run-D.M.C. Star Jam Master Jay Murder Trial: Justice Served, But at a Price

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New York – Two men have been found guilty in the murder trial of hip-hop icon Jam Master Jay, a member of the group Run-D.M.C. Jason Mizell, also known as Jam Master Jay, was shot and killed in his music studio in Hollis, Queens in 2002. The guilty verdict came after a month-long trial and three days of deliberation by the jury. The prosecution argued that Mizell’s godson, Karl Jordan Jr., and his childhood friend, Ronald Washington, killed the DJ because they were cut out of a cocaine trafficking deal. Witnesses testified that Jordan killed … Read more