Flooding Feared After Storms Sock South-central US

By Katie Fretland

Oklahoma City - Residents and businesses from southeast Texas north through western Missouri braced for flooding Tuesday after a violent band of storms brought heavy rain, hail and at least one tornado, with more of the same forecast for the next several days.

The National Weather Service said a tornado touched down Monday evening about 25 miles southwest of San Antonio. The twister damaged several homes, trapping some people inside their mobile homes, but no fatalities were reported, according to The San Antonio Express-News.

The fresh crop of storms comes after two tornadoes damaged homes and railcars in North Platte, Neb., on Sunday. The EF3 twister with winds up to 165 mph injured four people.

Flooding remains a serious concern across the affected areas.

Eight inches of rain was expected in southeastern Kansas, which has been unusually dry for nearly a year. 

The area has had less than three-fourths of the precipitation it typically gets since last April, state climatologist Mary Knapp said.

The weather service said some low-lying areas experienced flash floods, including along the Marmaton River at Fort Scott, Kan. Forecasters said the river would likely exceed flood stage later Tuesday, but drop again Thursday when the rain subsides.

Emergency management officials said they're keeping an eye on the clouds but feel that southeast Kansas can handle several days of rain.

In Arkansas, however, emergency management officials readied teams to respond to flash floods, especially in the western part of the state where the heaviest downpour was expected. The U.S. Forest Service closed campsites preemptively Monday, exercising caution after 20 people died in a flash flood at a remote campground in 2010.

Forecasters in Tulsa, Okla., said the slow-moving storm was expected to stall over the area, dumping up to 12 inches of rain in isolated areas.

"When rain falls in those terrain areas" — especially the hills and valleys — "it's quickly funneled into small rivers and streams," said B.J. Simpson, a National Weather Service meteorologist. "Those are the most dangerous areas."

Still, even flatlands could see the potential for runoff and flash floods if the rain comes too fast for the ground to absorb it.

"There's really no amount of dry ground that can take up to 10 inches of rain in a couple day timeframe," Simpson said.

Thousands of customers lost power in San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth, where strong winds and rain pelted the area, and power outages were reported in Oklahoma City and Tulsa County. Flights were stopped temporarily Monday night at Love Field airport and some 35 flights were canceled Tuesday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Scientists Warn EPA Over Monsanto’s GMO Crop Failures, Dangers

By Anthony Gucclardi

United States - A group of scientists is calling for major federal action in order to deal with the threat posed by Monsanto’s GMO crops, now petitioning the EPA to address the issue head on. The group of 22 academic corn experts are drawing attention to the immense failure of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn, which is developing mutated and resistant insects as a result of its widespread usage.

Corn is critical not only as a food staple, but is heavily used in ethanol production, animal feed, and much more. As GM corn becomes the norm, currently taking over 94 percent of the supply, these scientists are seriously concerned about the future of corn production.

Joseph Spencer is one outspoken member of the group, a corn entomologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, part of the University of Illinois. Spencer states that what is happening is no surprise, instead it is something that needs to be addressed. Warning the EPA over the dangers, the experts sent a letter on March 5th to the agency explaining their worries regarding long-term corn production prospects in light of GMO crops failures. Specifically, the experts are worried about the lack of protection presented by GMO crops against rootworms.

The EPA has already acknowledged that Monsanto’s GMO crops are creating resistant rootworms, which are now ravaging the GMO crops as they mutate to the biopesticide used known as Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). The EPA found that the resistant rootworms, which are evolving to resist the insecticide, are currently found Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska. After the EPA evaluated documented cases of severe crop damage as well as reports from entomologists, the EPA stated “Monsanto’s program for monitoring suspected cases of resistance is ‘inadequate’”.

Essentially, the GMO crops are doing the opposite of their supposed purpose — leading to more damage from rootworms as they become mutated to resist the defense of the crops. And Monsanto has answered by simply further genetically modifying the Bt, which research shows is extremely ineffective.

“When insecticides overlay transgenic technology, the economic and environmental advantages of rootworm-protected corn quickly disappear,” the scientists wrote.

It’s time for the EPA and other agencies to address the serious threats to nature and human health presented by Monsanto’s genetically modified creations.

Energy Expert Calls MidAmerican Nuclear Plant "Bad Idea"

By  Jillian Petrus

Iowa City, Iowa - Dr. Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research in Takoma Park, Maryland is a world renowned energy expert.

On Sunday, Eastern Iowans had the unique opportunity to hear Dr. Makhijani speak about his concerns over small nuclear reactor proliferation in the Midwest.

“Nuclear reactors are risky and expensive,” Makhijani says, “I do not believe the small reactors that are produced are going to alleviate this problem. I think there’s more hype than substance to that.”

At the Iowa City Public Library, a group of about 30 people listened to Makhijani talk about the dangers of nuclear energy on the one year anniversary of Japan’s Fukushima disaster. Dr. Makhijani expressed a strong opinion that the United States is not putting enough emphasis on testing our own reactors against similar situations. He says people living in the Midwest, particularly Iowans, can grow safer alternative energy methods.

“There’s more wind energy in the Midwestern belt of the country than all the oil production of all the oil exporting countries put together.”

Makhijani has conducted studies in Utah, Nebraska and Minnesota looking at how wind energy can be grown as a major energy source while maintaining cost efficiency. He says, based on his findings, it is possible.

He also addressed the issue of a bill currently in the Iowa senate. It proposes a rate increase for MidAmerican Energy users. The energy company says the additional money generated by the increase would go toward building another nuclear plant. Makhijani calls this plan a “particularly bad idea”.

“The way it is financed, basically, is pay in advance without even a guarantee that it will be delivered.”

Iowa lawmakers could take action this week on the bill, but some are still questioning, like Makhijani, if the measure would hurt customers and distract from the growth of alternative energy possibilities in Iowa.

Odd Stories: No nugget: Top Bidder for Commander in Chief Chicken Drops Out

By Nick Hytrek

Dakota City, Nebraska - George Washington didn't let the fact that many of his troops had no shoes on their feet stop him from attacking an enemy camp at Trenton, N.J.

Rebekah Speight isn't going to let a buyer's cold feet keep her from raising money to send kids to summer camp.

The owner of the now world-famous McDonald's McNugget bearing a resemblance to Washington remains optimistic about selling the frozen chicken chunk after the winner of an online auction backed out on the deal.

"They were very sorry," Speight said of the bidder, who had submitted the winning bid of $8,100 Monday on eBay.

Speight said eBay rules allow her to offer the McNugget to the second-highest bidder, who had bid $8,000.

Speight said she's been in contact with that bidder, but a deal might not be doable because the bidder lives overseas. Speight is concerned that she might not be able to ensure that the chicken will ship quickly enough to remain frozen.

If that deal falls through, Speight said, she can offer the nugget to the third-highest bidder, and so on. She has 60 days to decide what to do.

The Washington McNugget has taken on a life of its own, drawing interview requests from media in Germany and Canada. Speight said her goal remains to raise $15,000 to send 50 kids from the Family Worship Center in Sioux City to summer camp in Dayton, Iowa.

"I know the McNugget is fun, but it's really about the kids and getting them to camp," she said.

Speight, of Dakota City, noticed the nugget's resemblance to the first president when cleaning up her children's uneaten meals at a Sioux City McDonald's three years ago. It's been in her freezer since then.

Odd Stories: License Plate

Nebraska - An attorney is taking the state of Nebraska to court so he can have a license plate reading “NE 420”.

Frank Shoemaker asked for the plate from the state's motor vehicle department and was told he wasn't allowed to have it. Beverly Nerth, the director, said the 420 numerals “were used to promote marijuana use, an illegal drug in the state.” She added the combination may also be assumed to represent Adolf Hitler's birth (April 20, 1889), and Colorado's Columbine High School massacre which happened on April 20, 1999.

The American Civil Liberty Union, who is representing Shoemaker, said nothing about the plate is obscene or offensive about the license plate and it's a political statement.”

License plates can be used to express a personal or political statement according to the 8^th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, said ALCU's Tracy Hightower-Henne.

Update: Frank Shoemaker has been allowed to get the plate he desired.

Odd Stories: Careful About Texting When It Comes to Drugs

Broken Bow, Nebraska – A mistakenly sent text message resulted in a man's drug arrest.

One of Nebraska State Patrol's officers started getting text messages from someone trying to buy drugs. Instead of telling him he has the wrong number or warning him that he's a cop, the trooper corresponded with the man until they set up a meeting place.

When he arrived at the agree-upon place he arrested Aaron Sartin and charged him with driving under the influence of drugs, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Other charges may be added.

Keystone XL Legislation Won't Go Through Sandhills

Lincoln, Nebraska – Two bills to make sure the Keystone XL Pipeline would not go through the Sandhills region of Nebraska will reach a final vote November 29^th.

Nebraska's legislators also approved a measure allowing the state to pay around two-million dollars for an environmental study for a new route and gives governor Dave Heineman the final say on it.

Nebraska Senator Mike Flood announced proudly he made a deal with TransCanada, the company behind the Keystone XL pipeline. While he didn't say specifically what was in the deal, he did say the company volunteered to move the route out of the Sandhills.

Another bill was approved on November 17^th by Senator Annette Dubas giving the Nebraska Public Service Commission authority for all future oil pipelines. It doesn't apply to Keystone XL.

Odd Stories: A Really Small Fine

York, Nebraska - A 57-year fine for speeding is finally paid off.

With the mounted and framed ticket and payment in his possession, a man walked into the station and told police chief Don Klug he found the ticket amongst his mother's belongings and wanted to pay the fine. He said he believes his mother was visiting York on July 13^th, 1954 and lost track of the citation.

Making the story a little weirder is the wording on the ticket.  It reads "We are sorry to have to leave this tag. However, our parking space is so limited we have to divide it up. A charge of 10 cents is made for your extra time. You may enclose a dime in this envelope and deposit it in the red box located on the corner.  “We hope you understand our parking problem.  Help us solve it, won’t you? Thanks! Come again!” It was signed “York Police Department.””

The York News-Times reports Klug explained in those times parking meters were used to regulate time in the downtown stalls and on each corner was a red deposit box. Violators could simply put the fine money in the accompanying envelope and push it through the slot on the red box. Each day, an officer or parking administrator would collect the fine money with the meter change collected once a week.

Officer Klug says he doesn't know the name of the man who left the ticket.

Climate Change Strikes Hard in Thailand

Denver – The Listera virus is continuing its outbreak and claims a 29^th life. The victim is the eighth death in Colorado. According to the Centers for Disease Control 139 people either died or were sickened in 28 states.

The reason why new listeria outbreaks are occurring weeks after they were pulled from the shelves is its symptoms may not show up for three months.

Some of the other deaths happened in Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, Reuter adds.