As a research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, it’s been Brian Halstead’s job for years to observe the San Francisco garter snake. And he’s constantly startled by its beauty. It has an orange-red head, turquoise chin and both colors running in stripes, along with white, across the length of its lean black body. The reptile has the shine of a tire recently sprayed with Armor All, and the bold color choices of a contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” “It's a snake,” Halstead says, “that even somebody who doesn’t like snakes can love.” Cast your vote: Vote for the (unofficial) Official Animal of San Francisco: Final Four! The San Francisco garter snake is both a stunner and a survivor, its habitat shrunk to alarming extremes by encroaching urban sprawl. The snake lives only in the Bay Area, its highest profile home flanked by a freeway overpass, PG&E transformers and the San Francisco International Airport. It has been name-checked by Ronald Reagan. It’s been on … [Read more...] about A snake named San Francisco: Endangered Bay Area serpent is a survivor
Caltrain san jose airport
‘Unacceptable’ to bar, limit access of police aviation security, Dela Rosa tells airport execs
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa speaks during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in this file photo taken on March 1, 2023. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo MANILA, Philippines — Airport officials got a mouthful from Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday for supposedly barring the police aviation security group from entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). According to Dela Rosa, he was told by members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEG) that they are no longer allowed inside the Naia. He said it would be “a very immature reaction” and could compromise airport security if the supposed change in policy was a result of the Senate probe on alleged human smuggling at the Naia. But Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Cesar Chiong immediately denied this during the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee. “No sir, that’s not true sir. In fact, during our coordination meeting with the PNP-AVSEG, it … [Read more...] about ‘Unacceptable’ to bar, limit access of police aviation security, Dela Rosa tells airport execs
Another atmospheric river is heading to California. Here’s where and when it will hit
The Bay Area has a day to dry out before a new atmospheric river closes in on California. A storm will start late Monday and continue Tuesday before subsiding Wednesday. As a low-pressure system heads from the Gulf of Alaska to California’s central coast, it will steer the bulk of the atmospheric river to Central and Southern California. While the Bay Area will get rain, the bulk of it is likely to hit the Santa Cruz Mountains, with 2 to 3 inches. Bay Area hills and mountains could average 2 inches, while the valleys could get up to 1 inch. Another layer of Sierra Nevada snow The storm that dropped rain on the Bay Area on Sunday is likely to bring scattered snow to the Sierra Nevada through late Monday morning, with 1 to 2 feet of snow possible. Tahoe has a slight chance of snow Monday before the next storm approaches at night. The low-pressure system sliding down from the Gulf of Alaska will carry much colder air. Sierra Nevada snow levels could drop 3,000 to 4,000 feet by … [Read more...] about Another atmospheric river is heading to California. Here’s where and when it will hit
Newsom vetoed high school ethnic studies bill after complaints from Jewish groups about curriculum
SACRAMENTO — Jewish groups angered by their exclusion from a proposed ethnic studies curriculum for California high school students credited their concerns in large part for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of a bill requiring the course for graduation. It was the latest twist in a fight that has lasted more than a year over whether California’s high school students should be required to take an ethnic studies class and, if so, what should be included. The bill’s author pulled it in 2019 after a similar dispute over the course material. This year a revised version of the bill easily passed the Legislature, but Wednesday night, Newsom vetoed it. In his veto message, the governor said only that the curriculum still needed more work because it was “insufficiently balanced and inclusive.” AB331 would have added a one-semester ethnic studies course to the high school graduation requirement, starting with the 2029-30 academic year. Newsom’s veto infuriated the bill’s supporters, who said … [Read more...] about Newsom vetoed high school ethnic studies bill after complaints from Jewish groups about curriculum
A Fright Delight: Bone-Chilling House of Horrors in Texas Is the Week’s Most Popular Listing
Skeletons, coffins, and spiders, oh my! A "haunted" house that has been scaring people in Baird, TX, has officially creeped out social media, making it this week's most popular home on Realtor.com®. The home has been operating as a seasonal haunted house and boasts a staged interior decked out with spooky scenes. Skeletons adorn the living room, where the Grim Reaper lurks in the background. Tarantulas crawl the walls of the kitchen. There's even a secret door found behind a coffin. Bonus: Its affordable price won't scare away buyers! Other homes that made the popularity list include a historic mansion in Ohio featured on HGTV's "If Walls Could Talk," three buildable oceanfront properties in Florida, and an entertainer's dream home with a custom bar in Illinois. For a full look at this week's 10 most popular homes, keep on scrolling. 10. 21217 County Road 181, Bullard, TX Price: $674,900 This Texas farmhouse is big on design, value, and efficiency. Offering … [Read more...] about A Fright Delight: Bone-Chilling House of Horrors in Texas Is the Week’s Most Popular Listing