Latest news with #ChasingFireflies
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Connecting the DNA dots: How new technology led to breakthrough in Morgan Nick case
THE WOODLANDS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — For the first time, viewers are getting a behind-the-scenes look at the forensic lab credited with cracking the decades-old Morgan Nick case. Six-year-old Morgan was abducted from a River Valley ballpark nearly 30 years ago. Her body was never found. But earlier this year, the Alma Police Department announced they were certain Billy Jack Lincks, a man who died in prison, was responsible for her disappearance. The breakthrough came from a single hair found in Lincks' truck, decades after Morgan went missing. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children uses forensic artists to help save lives 'Somehow it stayed there, that piece of hair to be vacuumed up. That's incredible,' said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram Labs. 'The first thing we do is we extract DNA from the rootless hair. It goes into the lab for a DNA library to be sequenced. In this case, we compared it to a family sequence.' Next Monday, June 9, marks the 30th anniversary of Morgan Nick's disappearance, and a two-hour special titled Chasing Fireflies will air in two parts on June 9 and 10, offering an in-depth look at the case, featuring investigators, forensic experts, Morgan's mother Colleen and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. The special will also be available early on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. on the streaming app 479 First. Watch in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Buzz Feed
16-03-2025
- Automotive
- Buzz Feed
30 Products That'll Help Get Your Outdoor Space Into Shape After The Hellscape That Was Winter
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Yes, even the lawn chair you left out for the last six months. 1. A heavy-duty electric pressure washer with five nozzles because sometimes the only seasonal refresh your outdoor space needs is a powerful deep clean to wash all that built-up grime from a long winter. The five quick-connect nozzles range from intense jet to gentle spray, so you can tackle all kinds of messes, such as mildew, tar, rust, grease, mud, etc. The pressure washer also comes with two detergent tanks, a garden hose adapter, a 20-foot high-pressure hose, and a 35-foot power cord. Promising review:"I am immensely pleased with my purchase. It has been superb so far. Installation was a breeze. Feels and looks like a quality product. Did a good job on my car. The water pressure was superb. Has different end nozzles for various jobs. I used the recommended end nozzle for washing my car, and it worked perfectly. I am certain this item would last an eternity, but only time will tell. Certainly a bang for the money spent on this pressure washer. I have absolutely zero regrets. Connectors did not leak, as stated in reviews from other purchasers. Yes, it is easy to cross-thread the connectors if you don't ensure it is seated properly before screwing them on. I would highly recommend this product." — Eric Get it from Amazon for $199. 2. Or a stain-busting Wet & Forget exterior spray so you can clean *and* prevent mold and algae buildup with minimal effort. Just spray down virtually any surface — no additional rinsing required! Promising review:"Love the fact that you just spray and let it do its thing. No rinse-off or anything. My outdoor rugs were a little drab after the winter, and this brought them back to like. No scrubbing either. Worked well." — Chasing Fireflies Get it from Amazon for $20.64. 3. An adhesive garbage guard because your yard is awash in flies, and you're pretty sure the trash is to blame. Apply one of these to the inside of your bin lid, and it'll slowly diffuse vapor that kills bugs while preventing new infestations. Amazon, Thanks to controlled release tech, one of these lasts for four months! Promising review:"Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. I placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge, to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying, and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor. It just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.)." — Michael E. Bradley Get it from Amazon for $9.84. 4. A long-handled standing weeder that'll make clearing away those rogue dandelions easier than ever — you don't even need to bend over! Amazon Grampa's Weeder is a family-owned small business that's home to a standing weeder design that's been around since 1913. Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding easy. Promising review:"Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim, given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy, has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard, and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun, but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." — JG Get it from Amazon for $44.99. 5. Plus, a crack weeder tool for when you're simply unable to ignore all those leafy weeds that manage to slip in through cracks in the concrete against all odds. 6. A set of metal hanging flower pots if you have a fence, deck railing, or trellis in need of some serious zhuzhing. Promising review:"Lovely colorful flower pots. Perfect size to hold a single flower, and they add such a nice pop of color to my yard. Very easy to hang up, no hardware required! I'm getting a lot of compliments on them. I bought several sets and planted bright flowers in them. I have them lining the inside of my yard and on the front of the house. They add a lot of cheer and homeyness for a simple and cheap project." — Maegan Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $18.59+ (available in multicolor, black, and white). 7. A pack of motion-activated lights with built-in solar panels to tackle those dark trouble spots around your home's exterior. If you're tired of tripping up the front stairs or standing in a pitch-black yard while taking out the dog, these solar-powered lights are your solution. Amazon Promising review:"I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy, and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them, and they did the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the sides and lights turn on. It has rained about three times, but they still work great. I'm hoping they last for a long time." — J. Argueta Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99. 8. And a pack of solar-powered stake lights for shedding some light on your too dark walkway. Instead of worrying about spraining an ankle in the dead of night, you can enjoy one of two exciting light modes — multicolored or classic white! Promising review:"These are incredible!! I like using the color feature in winter when it's drab outside, but once my gardens bloom, I stick to white. I have purchased these five times, and it's going to be six. I bought the first set two years ago and just purchased my newest set. I put the old ones right next to the sets I just purchased and had never changed the batteries on the original were still bright so I never needed to. They are beautiful!!" — mosey Get a six-pack from Amazon for $29.99 (also available in a pack of eight). 9. A fast-acting lawn repair formula because winter weather and your dog's bathroom habits have wreaked havoc on your yard. This easy-to-use combination of grass seeds, mulch, and soil amendment is specifically designed to repair pet-induced damage and get new grass growing ASAP. Promising review: "I used this in the spring to fill out our lawn more, and it worked great! I was worried because I feel like you always hear grass seed horror stories, but I just raked our lawn good, spread seeds all over, and watered it once (sometimes twice) per day, and it filled the lawn in beautifully!" — Mariah Get it from Amazon for $16.44. 10. And a fully assembled Scotts seed spreader for getting a quick, even spread of grass seed and fertilizer with practically no effort at all. Promising review:"This model is definitely a cut above the other spreaders made by Scotts. It is quite well constructed and has lots of nice features, like a large hopper, four drop holes, and dual spreader mechanisms. The wheels on this are very nice as well, and the edge guard feature works well. Very easy and effective to use and should provide years of use if maintained properly. Beats the pants off of every other spreader I have used. And it's attractive to boot!" — Gila Monster Get it from Amazon for $44.96+ (available in four styles). 11. A pack of polished vinyl siding hooks so you can dress up that blank canvas and finally hang up the planter, sculpture, or sign you bought months ago but didn't know how to hang without doing permanent damage to your siding. The answer? These durable hooks slide right into the seams with no tools required. Promising review:"I had previously ordered hooks for siding, and I couldn't use them. But these are great!! They are easy to 'slide' into the siding and are pretty sturdy, too. I am using three of this set and have hung different objects with them. The heaviest was a long welcome sign! You won't be dissatisfied by ordering them." — Cheryl Get a four-pack from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in larger multipacks). 12. A hard water stain remover that'll take care of the questionable film making your window glass look permanently foggy. Side effects might include running into your nearly invisible sliding glass door — it'll be that clean. It also works on a wide range of surfaces like stainless steel, brass aluminum, hard vinyl, chrome, and more. Promising review:"This product works great! I was surprised by the way it cleaned the old (at least 3-year-old water stains) off my patio doors! I put some product on a sponge and rubbed it on the window, and then wiped it off with a wet towel, and the spots were gone! I tested a small area and was amazed at how easily it worked. I tried different products, which did not work. This is a great product!" — Randy B. Get it from Amazon for $17.99. 13. A 4-in-1 soil moisture meter to help you figure out why your grass is browning or your flowerbed is wilting. This simple-to-use gadget can measure soil's moisture, as well as nutrient, pH, and light levels in just a few minutes. Promising review:"This is my first year gardening with crops and flowers. Our home came with two raised garden beds out in the field. However, the beds were closed down and covered with a tarp, bricks, water buildup, etc. This soil meter helped me discover what was needed and if I could use what was already there. I'm excited to use it again after my first composting experience, too." — Taylor Wingfield Get it from Amazon for $15.99. 14. And a sunflower seed mix if your monochromatic green lawn could use some livening up with low-maintenance blooms even beginner gardeners can easily grow in no time. Created by Nature is a family-owned small business. Promising review: "All the varieties grew, and I was very impressed by how they stayed nice and neat when planted in a row. I used them to edge one side of my garden. Several strong storms came through this summer and didn't break even one! They drew all types of pollinators: bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Stem cutting they did very well and can last up to a week." — Taryn Fellinger Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 15. Or a 20-pack of high-yield vegetable seeds because you've always dreamed of tending to a bountiful garden and your yard is looking like the perfect blank canvas right about now. Novice gardeners, fear not — sowing and growing instructions are included! Promising review:"I've planted all but three of the types of veggies, and every single one has germinated, and some are already ready to be transplanted! I'm so excited to have a garden full of different veggies! I highly recommend!!" — Brista Mangum Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available with herb seeds). 16. A famous Little Green upholstery cleaner for anyone looking to be shocked and awed by this machine's ability to suck up serious messes, restoring cushions and carpets to their former glory. Promising review:" Had purple berry stain dried on patio upholstery, and this took it out, following directions to pre-soak for five minutes. Amazing. Also had dog diarrhea on the carpet, and it came right out. Suction removed cleaning solution very, very well. Easy to clean unit and ergonomic handle easy to use. Really great product. Hope it lasts." — Judi Get it from Amazon for $99.98. 17. A wedge gutter scoop so you can spare your hands from the terrifying sludge fest going on in your gutters and get all those dead leaves and mud out of there without, ya know, actually touching it. Amazon Promising review:"Great tool and time saver. Used for the first time yesterday and it worked great. It scooped up dirt buildup and leaves easily. Well built and sturdy. Did the whole house in record time. It helps to pack leaves in scoop before removal. It is necessary to tilt towards roof to get past shingles. Very happy with my purchase." — Chuck E. Get it from Amazon for $11.99. 18. Some heavy-duty outdoor cleaning wipes if you need a gentle option to spruce up parts of your outdoor space, like the glass table that's coated in pollen or the "Chill & Grill" sign you accidentally left out all winter. Amazon Promising review:"I use these wipes on our outdoor cushions because the birds poop all over them. They work so well! They wipe away everything and leave no stains. They're thick and long-lasting. I re-ordered two more containers." — DT Get a 25-pack from Amazon for $9.79. 19. And some restorative wipes for bringing the color back to siding, patio furniture, grills, and more that took a beating over the winter. These wipes are saturated with a solution that cuts through the cloudiness to revive oxidized, faded, and sun-damaged surfaces. Promising review: "My metal barstools were left on the balcony all winter because of a surprise three-day blizzard. After being buried in snow all winter I thought for sure I would have to throw them out when I saw them in the spring. Looking at them now after using the product, no one would suspect that they weren't new ones!" — Mom@home Get five wipes from Amazon for $13.05. 20. A swivel bin pooper scooper and rake because this long-handled bin makes it easier (and less gross) than ever to clear your yard of doggy doo-doo, so you can frolic about without fear of stepping in something nasty. Amazon Promising review:"I have three dogs: a small, a large, and a giant breed. With work, I only get around to scooping the yard once a week. I previously had a claw grabber–style scoop. When it broke, I got this one. I just used it for the first time and picked up a week's worth of poop from three dogs in about one-quarter of the time it took me to do the yard with the claw-style scoop. The bin is big enough to hold a LOT of poop, so I make way fewer trips across the yard to empty it out. The absolute only downside is that the handle unscrews easily. I'm just going to put some glue in the joints and screw it into place, and that problem will be solved. I never thought I'd be so stoked about a pooper scooper, but here I am." — Amy B Get it from Amazon for $21.99. 21. An outdoor lockable deck box to hide away miscellaneous clutter like pool toys, yard tools, and patio cushions in secure, weatherproofed protection. Plenty of reviewers also use it on their front porches to protect packages! Amazon Promising review:"Provides a tremendous amount of waterproof storage for the garden cushions; however, I'm sure there are numerous additional uses. This storage bin has made it possible to keep the cushion close to the furniture. Easily assembled and has withheld the New England winters!" — J. T. Capone Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in seven sizes and six colors). 22. A waterproof outdoor curtain if your open-air space is a little too *exposed* for your liking. Put a little something-something between you, your neighbors, and the elements with top-notch light-blocking and insulation that repels heat and cold for an optimally comfy outdoor hang. Pick up a sturdy, rust-resistant curtain rod while you're at it! Promising review:"These curtains are AMAZING! Beautiful and elegant. Hangs beautiful, very light blocking, keeps rain out of our Tiki bar, we can sit out there in the rain, and keeps the heat in on a cool fall evening when we have the fireplace on!" — Sara Bushendorf Get it from Amazon for $31.95+ (available in 10 sizes and 16 colors). 23. Or a panel of faux ivy vines that brings similar levels of privacy and shade to your outdoor space with a more au naturale look and feel. Snag some green zip ties, and you're ready for easy, tool-free installation! Promising review:"I ordered two of these faux-ivy panels to cover up the large wooden fence surrounding my patio. I needed some greenery to balance all the industrial materials and urban landscape. I am very pleased with the outcome!! The panels have been up for a few weeks and have withstood several rain showers and some harsh winds with no problems. Great purchase!" — Myia E. Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three sizes). 24. A scrub-free mold and mildew stain remover to take care of your nastiest cleaning challenges in seconds. Just spray the ready-made formula and watch stubborn stains and odors ~disappear~ right before your eyes. RMR Brands is a small business that launched in 2013, creating powerful cleaning solutions for your toughest messes. Promising review:"I used this product on the vinyl siding on my house, which was covered with green mildew. Within 15 seconds (as advertised), the mildew was disappearing literally before my eyes. I rinsed the siding off with water and my house looks like the siding was brand-new. THIS PRODUCT REALLY WORKS! Note: Wear clothing that you can dispose of afterward; it will take the color out of fabric quickly if you get it on your clothing." — Ron Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three sizes). 25. A pack of four-way water test strips that make it easy to deduce what's gone wrong with your pool water so you can make any necessary adjustments and start enjoying it! Promising review: "Super easy to use. You dip in the water for two seconds and you just have to match the colors in your strip with the box of the product. It will tell you about alkalinity, chlorine level, etc. Very easy and self-explanatory. It is very helpful to see the quality of the water. I use it for our above-ground inflatable pool. It is large and has a pump, so we treat it with chemicals, and I love that these strips help me see if the treatment is enough." — Debora B Get a 50-pack from Amazon for $6.68+ (available in three styles) 26. Plus, a concentrated swimming pool clarifier for turning hazy water into a crystalline shade of blue with the teensiest amount of product. I'd say it sounds too good to be true if there weren't so many glowing reviews with photo evidence. Promising review:"If used as directed and followed by proper pool maintenance, this product will become a staple of your routine for keeping your water sparkling. We have a 25,000-gallon mineral water pool. We love that its nonirritating, nontoxic, biodegradable formula is easy on skin and hair. Regular use helps prevent buildup of fine particulates and improves the effectiveness of filtration. Money well spent." — John Get it from Amazon for $21.99. 27. A can of versatile anti-skid acrylic paint because it's designed to adhere to most surfaces, so you can give everything from those dingy brick steps to your concrete patio the functional facelift it needs. Promising review:"I tried several paints on my mom's deck stairs, and they all peeled within a year. This paint solved the problem. Heat, sun, rain, snow, no problem. And it really adds a nice grip to the surface. Definitely worth the investment for me." — DL Get it from Amazon for $42.50+ (available in four sizes and seven colors). 28. An all-in-one wood stain and sealer with what they call "goof proof" application, so you can look like a pro and transform your fence, deck, shed, bench, or any other of your home's wooden wonders with ease. Be sure to give it around 14 days to settle into its true color — it'll look darker shortly after application. Promising review:"Applied two coats to the pressure-treated deck. Goes on effortlessly with a brush or roller. Spilled drops and brush strokes blend together. Absorbs into wood. Dark Walnut color goes on darker and lightens some. Repels water well. Nothing here that is going to peel up and flake off like some products that claim to last for 5+ years but only hold up a year or two." — Jricky Get it from Amazon for $44.98 (available in additional colors). 29. A set of interlocking teak wood tiles if your yard feels more like an industrial wasteland than an outdoor oasis. These tiles easily cover up most any hard surface and require ZERO tools to install, making them a perfect option for your neglected rental patio. Promising review:"Living in Hawaii you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt–proof, total, I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!" — Adelia Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $81.99. 30. Some coconut husk mulch to freshen up dreary, dried-up flowerbeds with a rich, rust color mulch that actually absorbs water and won't float away next time you're treated to a heavy rain. This mulch comes in a dehydrated brick that expands to cover an area of roughly two cubic feet after hydrating with four gallons of water. Promising review:"Used this in my flower beds this spring. We put in new beds in the backyard (lots of shade-tolerant plants) and in my front yard, in the wildflower garden. Looks beautiful." — Nati Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in seven sizes and six colors).
