Latest news with #KGPE
The Hill
31-07-2025
- General
- The Hill
F-35 goes down in fiery crash in California; pilot safely ejects
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An F-35C 'Rough Raiders' jet crashed into a field in Fresno County, California, on Wednesday. Naval Air Station Lemoore said the pilot is safe after successfully ejecting before the crash. Toni Botti, a public information officer for the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, said the pilot was located and transported to a hospital where he was 'doing OK' as of Wednesday night. 'The little that we know about the pilot is that he is a veteran pilot with lots of experience,' Botti told reporters. Turbulence on Delta flight sends 25 passengers to hospitals Deputies responded to the downed aircraft, which crashed near Cadillac and Dickenson avenues, at around 6:40 p.m. Naval Air Station Lemoore confirmed the F-35C attached to the VFA-125 Rough Raiders jet went down not far from base. NAS Lemoore reports no additional personnel were affected. The crash ignited a fire, however, which grew to encompass five acres. It had been 100% contained as of 9 p.m., according to Cal Fire, and was extinguished just before 11 p.m. Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes, who oversees the district, told Nexstar' KSEE that aircraft actually crashed in his cottonfield. It's also not the first time an aircraft has crashed into his land: There was a deadly F-18 crash in the same area almost two decades ago. A federal investigation is underway. No further information on the incident has been officially released.
The Hill
13-06-2025
- General
- The Hill
Yosemite changes rulebook after trans pride flag hung on El Capitan
YOSEMITE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An updated rulebook for Yosemite National Park would criminalize activists for flying certain flags within the world-renowned landscape. According to the Yosemite Superintendent's Compendium approved last month, flags bigger than 15 square feet are prohibited from being hung in designated areas, including on the park's iconic rock formation El Capitan. The ban also applies to a series or combination of banners, flags, or signs that total more than 15 square feet in aggregate (unless authorized by permit). Yosemite National Park's El Capitan has recently served as a medium from which activists have expressed messages of distress or protest. In February, park rangers held an upside-down American flag from the historic mountain as federal cuts were made to the National Park Service. More recently, on May 20, what was described as the largest flag hung from the mountainside showcased a transgender pride flag. Organizers said they flew the pride flag 'to make a statement: Trans people are natural and Trans people are loved. Let this flag fly higher than hate.' At the time, Yosemite National Park issued a statement confirming that park rangers were aware of the unauthorized display, adding that 'the NPS does not endorse such actions, and the flag was removed as soon as possible.' The trans pride was displayed on El Capitan on May 20, the same day the updated superintendent's compendium was approved. Nexstar's KSEE/KGPE has asked Yosemite National Park for a statement on the updated superintendent's compendium and whether or not it was changed in response to the display of the trans pride flag. Park officials did not respond to a request for information. In the updated compendium, it states that the restriction is needed to 'provide for an unimpaired visitor experience, protect natural and cultural resources in designated Wilderness and Potential Wilderness Addition portions of the park,' as well as public safety.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
First US case of H5N9 bird flu strain found in California
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The country's first case of H5N9 bird flu has been identified in Merced County, California, officials say. This H5N9 strain, which was identified earlier this month, is different from the H5N1 strain that had already been documented in multiple cases across the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 60 people who have been sickened and one person who was killed by H5N1. 2 cats die from suspected bird flu traced to raw milk in California In a notification, the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed that the strain detected in Merced County is a new strain in the country. The investigation began on Nov. 23, 2024, and it was confirmed on Jan. 13 that 'this is the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N9 in poultry in the United States.' The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Animal Health and Wildlife Officials, are conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and enhanced surveillance in response to the HPAI related events. World Organisation for Animal Health This strain of H5N9 was found in a commercial duck premises in Merced County. The specific location of the facility was not officially released. The announcement states that control measures have been undertaken in an attempt to contain the virus, including control of movement, surveillance and quarantine. The report from the World Organisation for Animal Health also stated that a total of 118,954 birds were killed in December after state officials quarantined the affected area. 'Bird flu symptoms': Online searches spike after first severe case in US Bird flu is primarily spread by wild birds such as ducks and geese as they migrate. While it is fatal to a variety of animals, those species can generally carry it without getting sick, which offers the virus a chance to mutate and thrive. The virus can be spread through droppings or any interaction between farm-raised poultry and wild birds. It's also easily tracked into a farm on someone's boots or by vehicle. Unlike previous outbreaks, the one that began in 2022 didn't die out in high summer temperatures. The virus found another new host when dairy cattle started getting sick last March. That creates more opportunities for the virus to linger and spread and unlike poultry, cattle aren't slaughtered when they get sick because they rarely die from bird flu. Nearly all of the people infected with bird flu worked around sick animals. Health officials haven't yet found evidence of the disease spreading from person to person. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New H5N9 bird flu strain found in California, first case in the US
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The country's first case of H5N9 bird flu has been identified in Merced County, California, officials say. This H5N9 strain, which was identified earlier this month, is different from the H5N1 strain that had already been documented in multiple cases across the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 60 people who have been sickened and one person who was killed by H5N1. Central Valley dairy farmers concerned with avian flu spread In a notification, the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed that the strain detected in Merced County is a new strain in the country. The investigation began on Nov. 23, 2024, and it was confirmed on Jan. 13 that 'this is the first confirmed case of HPAI H5N9 in poultry in the United States.' The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with State Animal Health and Wildlife Officials, are conducting comprehensive epidemiological investigations and enhanced surveillance in response to the HPAI related events. World Organisation for Animal Health This strain of H5N9 was found in a commercial duck premises in Merced County. The specific location of the facility was not officially released. The announcement states that control measures have been undertaken in an attempt to contain the virus, including control of movement, surveillance and quarantine. The report from the World Organisation for Animal Health also stated that a total of 118,954 birds were killed in December after state officials quarantined the affected area. Bird flu is primarily spread by wild birds such as ducks and geese as they migrate. While it is fatal to a variety of animals, those species can generally carry it without getting sick, which offers the virus a chance to mutate and thrive. The virus can be spread through droppings or any interaction between farm-raised poultry and wild birds. It's also easily tracked into a farm on someone's boots or by vehicle. Unlike previous outbreaks, the one that began in 2022 didn't die out in high summer temperatures. The virus found another new host when dairy cattle started getting sick last March. That creates more opportunities for the virus to linger and spread and unlike poultry, cattle aren't slaughtered when they get sick because they rarely die from bird flu. Nearly all of the people infected with bird flu worked around sick animals. Health officials haven't yet found evidence of the disease spreading from person to person. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
