Author: Cecil Larson

This year's devastating floods have created difficult times for many people in the Midwest, but they have created nirvana for mosquitoes. Kansas City and the surrounding area could potentially become a hotbed for mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus in the coming years due to rising temperatures and more frequent flooding, predicted by climate experts. “Once that flood [subsides]and you have a lot of standing water reservoirs, then the mosquito populations can really thrive and you'll see a real big increase in both populations and then in some cases a disease if a pathogen is circulating in the area,”…

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Duluth, Minn. — Aquaculture, the practice of raising aquatic organisms such as fish and shrimp, has enormous potential for sustainable seafood production, but aquaculture in the Great Lakes region has not kept pace with increasing consumer demand for fish and seafood, and the region is lagging behind behind progress in maritime littoral states. Minnesota Sea Grant is working to address this problem. Amy Schrank, Extension Program Manager and Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator, Minnesota Sea Grant. Image credit: Cait Dettmann/MNSG.“Significant challenges to the development of aquaculture in the Great Lakes region include a lack of consumer awareness of what aquaculture…

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Despite concern about increased air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and the potential to harm endangered species, a bipartisan group of Midwest governors and fuel industry leaders are pushing the federal government to approve increased ethanol sales this summer. Ethanol, a renewable fuel made from corn, is not usually available in the summer months as it is associated with increased levels of smog. The ethanol strain known as E15, which means it is a maximum of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, cannot be sold during the summer, specifically from June 1 to September 15. The fuel releases more pollutants…

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WISCONSIN — On Monday, President Joe Biden announced the creation of 31 technology hubs across the United States. This includes the creation of the Wisconsin-based Biohealth Tech Hub. Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward Wisconsin — the group she's tasked with leading — offered some insight into how the new initiative might work. “Now we're going to move to a Phase II designation,” Johnson said. “The first designation with Phase I didn't give us any funding, although we did get a planning grant that will give us $350,000 to put toward some workforce development programming.” If all goes according to plan…

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MIDWEST — Growing up, Alisa Melendez would wake up to the Broadway cast recording of “Mamma Mia!” on Saturday mornings. It was her perfect way to start the weekend. What You Should Know Growing up, Alisa Melendez would wake up to the recording of “Mamma Mia!” on Saturday mornings. It was her perfect way to start the weekend Now the Mexican actress is breaking barriers and playing Sophie Sheridan on tour, something she never thought she'd do “Mamma mia!” dances across the Midwest in the first half of 2024 — including Cleveland Connor Palace Theatre from January 30 to February…

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Personal repository report | The RepositoryWalsh women's lacrosse player Hannah McFeeters and Cavaliers baseball player Brant Alazaus were named Great Midwest Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week.McPheeters was named Offensive Player of the Week. He scored five goals on nine shots against Mercyhurst on Sunday. He also had three draw controls and one ground ball.More: Malone's Kelsey Byers and Walsh's Jessie Rock named G-MAC Softball Players of the WeekThis was McFeeters' second G-MAC weekly honor of the season.Alazaus was named the conference pitcher of the week. He went 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA over 11 innings in starts against California…

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Even with some problems, Shawnee County officials say the Midwest Health Aquatic Center is a hit with swimmers. “Parker surveys show that they're coming from all different kinds of counties, even some out-of-state tags, so it seems to be extremely popular,” said Terry Bertels, deputy director, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. Within a week of the pool being open, the runner slides were closed, the wave pool needed repair and the zip line needed a handle replacement. The wave pool and zip line were able to be replaced the same day. However, contractors will be on site later this week…

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Ohio Outlaws Ruck As Extra Inning Softball begins her mission to support our new EIS 2.0 Initiative to Empowerment, inspiration and support all participants in the game of softball, we begin this transition by revealing our improved rankings for Class of 2029. Our new ranking format includes a change from ranking individual players at the seventh and eighth grade level to ranking their age group by teams, both regionally and nationally. read more HERE! This strategic shift reflects our commitment to promoting a team approach to the development and recognition of young athletes. By prioritizing team rankings for this age…

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Dan PriceFive local teenagers joined the 27-musician School of Rock Midwest AllStars. Three are from Westlake High. From left, Evan Nickels, Jake Cohen and Dan Hyland. They will be joined by Normandy High's Donald Pelc and Grand Valley High's Matt Storer. MUSIC PREVIEW2012 School of Rock Love Hope Strength Midwest AllStars Tour When: 15:30 Sunday. Where: Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Tickets: $10 at the door. Web: schoolofrock.com, rockyriver.schoolofrock.com, highlandheights.schoolofrock.comIt's not really a long journey from a picnic table, picking screaming guitar riffs to a tennis racket on stage at The Q, doing it with an actual axe. All…

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