AP

A flare and a spare: Hawaii volcano visitors see 2 eruptions

  • By CALEB JONES

    and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER Associated Press

The first eruption in 38 years of the world’s largest active volcano is drawing visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane said Tuesday that "the viewing has been spectacular,” especially at night and before sunrise. Visitors to the 24-hour park are currently able to witness both the lava flowing from a fissure on Mauna Loa and the glow from the lava lake at nearby Kilauea volcano. Officials were initially concerned that lava flowing down Mauna Loa would head toward the community of South Kona. Scientists later assured the public the eruption had migrated to the volcano’s northeast flank and wasn’t threatening communities.

Maine leaders urge retailers not to pull lobsters from cases

  • By Christian Wade The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Maine’s political leaders are trying to avert a nationwide boycott of American lobster over the industry’s potential impact on critically endangered north Atlantic right whales.

AP

US bat species devastated by fungus now listed as endangered

  • By JOHN FLESHER AP Environmental Writer

The Biden administration is designating the northern long-eared bat as an endangered species. Officials say that the bat's situation has worsened since it was classified as threatened in 2015. The species is among a dozen U.S. bats suffering from white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that causes bats to emerge early during hibernation, sometimes burn up winter fat reserves and starve. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will work with timber companies and landowners to protect trees where bats nest. The agency will also seek cooperation from the wind energy industry to reduce the likelihood that bats will strike turbines. The bat is found in 37 eastern and north-central states, plus Washington, D.C., and much of Canada.

Gun groups caution against gun control measures in Virginia after shootings

Gun groups caution against gun control measures in Virginia after shootings

  • By Tyler Arnold The Center Square

(The Center Square) – After three football players were killed in a shooting at the University of Virginia and six people were killed in a shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, gun groups are cautioning against efforts to impose stricter gun control measures.

Rescued trafficked victim: It takes 5 to 13 years to buy freedom

  • By Bethany Blankley The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A letter in possession of a woman rescued from a sex trafficking ring in Texas says it takes roughly five to 13 years to buy freedom. Law enforcement officers have told The Center Square it can take longer if the victims are sold more than once and owe multiple debts.

AP

2 rescued after plane hits transmission tower in Maryland

  • By AP

Authorities say they rescued two people from a small plane that crashed into a Maryland electricity tower. Officials say the crash Sunday evening in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Montgomery Village temporarily knocked out power to about 120,000 customers and left the plane dangling 10 stories above the ground. Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein says responders were able to safely remove the pilot and passenger early Monday after electricity crews made it safe to attempt a rescue. He says both suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospitals. Authorities say the plane departed from White Plains, New York, and that the pilot is from Washington and the passenger is from Marrero, Louisiana.

AP

Cyber Monday deals lure in consumers amid high inflation

  • By HALELUYA HADERO The Associated Press

Days after flocking to stores on Black Friday, consumers are turning online for Cyber Monday to score more discounts on gifts and other items that have ballooned in price because of high inflation. Adobe Analytics, which tracks transactions for top online retailers, forecasts Cyber Monday will remain the year’s biggest online shopping day and rake in up to $11.6 billion in sales. Some analysts expect the amount of items consumers purchase could remain unchanged - or even fall - compared to prior years. And profit margins are expected to be tight for retailers offering deeper discounts to attract budget-conscious consumers and clear out their bloated inventories.