Suitland, MD...From the Bureau of Economic Analysis...Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018, according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 4.2 percent. The Bureau emphasized that the third-quarter advance estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency (see “Source Data for the Advance Estimate” on page 2). The "second" estimate for the third quarter, based on more complete data, will be released on November 28, 2018.
Are We Really That Divided? Even on Abortion Gallop Polling Shows 79% Agree
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/25/2018 08:44 AM
Arnold, CA...One of the things we love about covering small towns is that it matters much less where your political loyalties lie and more if a person tries to help his or her community thrive. In our rural and at times economically challenged counties and communities it takes a group effort just to keep small towns functioning. No one asks or cares how you vote when volunteers help for a parade, clean up a park or work on a hiking trail. In rural areas we still know each other in the analog world and not just as keyboard junkies. That is a good thing.
The polls from May of 2018 show that 29% believe abortion should be Legal under any circumstances. 50% believe abortion should be Legal under certain circumstances. Only 18% believed it should be illegal under all circumstances. Click above for full polling data.
Two Visitors Fall from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/25/2018 02:07 PM
Yosemite, CA...A male and female visitor died in an apparent fall from Taft Point in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park Rangers are recovering the bodies this morning. This incident is under investigation and no further details are available. No photos or videos are available. The identification of the deceased has not yet been determined.
Soil Survey Covering 780,000 Acres of Critical Foothill Landscape Released to the Public
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/24/2018 03:05 PM
Davis, CA...The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Science Division has now published the soil survey “Central Sierra Foothills Area, Parts of Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties” (CA630). The publication concludes years of extensive research, analyzing and categorizing of data on the private lands of the two counties.
Sonora, CA...From the Stanislaus National Forest..."Wildlife biologist Marcie Baumbach helps conduct bat surveys across the forest to learn more about species composition, age, sex, reproductive status, and body condition." Bat Week is an annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature. Bat Week is organized by a team of representatives from across the United States and Canada from conservation organizations and government departments.
The White House on a Year of Action to Combat the Opioid Crisis
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/24/2018 01:10 PM
Washington, DC...One year ago this week, President Donald J. Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Ever since, the Trump Administration has applied an all-of-Government approach to the epidemic, allowing each agency and department to do their part to help the cause. This is a crisis that cannot be solved through Government action alone. Private-sector and nonprofit partners are stepping up and stepping in to make a difference. Today, President Trump hosted 21 of these organizations at the White House. Their work is innovative, groundbreaking, and promising for the millions of Americans who struggle with addiction or support loved ones who do.
Washington, DC...Between October 22 and 24, 2018, suspicious packages were received at multiple locations in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas and Florida. The packages are being sent for analysis at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. “This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI. We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We ask anyone who may have information to contact the FBI. Do not hesitate to call; no piece of information is too small to help us in this investigation.”