Latest news with #Null
The Hill
16-07-2025
- Science
- The Hill
Removing aging dams could help strengthen communities facing extreme weather: Report
Eliminating obsolete or unsafe dams could help bolster community safety amid climate-induced weather extremes, watershed experts are recommending. Storms and floods have intensified in both frequency and severity, since the construction of the dams — many of which are now in a state of disrepair, according to a new white paper, published by Utah State University. 'Removing dangerous and obsolete dams and barriers improves resilience to flooding, drought, increasing temperatures, sea level rise, and changing rivers,' said lead author Sarah Null, a professor of watershed sciences at Utah State University, in a statement. 'Many dams provide useful services and should not be removed,' Null acknowledged. 'But for those structures that are outdated or unsafe, removal can be a smart decision for communities.' Crossing the nation's rivers today are more than 550,000 dams and 298,000 transportation-related barriers, such as culverts, structures that enable water to flow underneath a road or railway. About 70 percent of U.S. dams have exceeded their designed lifespan, with 16,700 deemed high-hazard and a risk to people downstream, the authors explained, citing data from the National Inventory of Dams. The average age of American dams is 64, and the number of structures that are jeopardizing communities is surging, the researchers warned. 'Many of the dams we built decades ago are not equipped to handle today's extreme weather,' said co-author Ann Willis, regional California director of American Rivers, in a statement. 'In a lot of cases, aging dams and dams that are not adequately designed or maintained are ticking time bombs, putting people at risk,' Willis added. Removing obsolete dams rather than renovating them requires just a fraction of the expense associated with the latter — typically amounting to just 30 percent to 40 percent of the cost of a retrofit, according to the report. Dam and barrier elimination also provides a means for preserving cultural practices, by facilitating fish harvests in areas where the natural flow of native species has long been impaired, the authors noted. Restored river health and improvements in water quality can thereby help bring fish and wildlife back to their former habitats, while establishing cooler, free-flowing waters that are more capable of withstanding drought, per the report. The researchers acknowledge that dams can provide climate resilience benefits when they are well-maintained and offer cost-effective services. In places where removal would not be practical, the authors suggested creating additional storage and coordinating surface and groundwater management as promising strategies for reducing flood risk. But in so many cases over the past several years, communities have endured extreme weather conditions that have compromised dams — often when storm flow has surpassed dam design specifications, according to the report. 'Removing unsafe, outdated dams is a proven approach to restoring rivers and strengthening communities,' said co-author Shara Sparks, senior program officer for the Open Rivers Fund, in a statement. 'For communities challenged by extreme weather, restoring their rivers via dam and barrier removal can deliver a host of benefits,' Sparks added.
Axios
11-07-2025
- Axios
Washington state law to shield rescuers saving kids, pets in cars
A new Washington state law will shield people from lawsuits if they break into a car to rescue a child or animal in danger. Why it matters: Good Samaritans who act to save someone from a hot or freezing vehicle in Washington generally won't be liable for property damage, such as broken windows, once the law takes effect July 27. The big picture: Temperatures inside cars quickly reach unsafe levels, rising an average of 32 degrees in 25 minutes — even when the outside temperature is only 72°F, according to research by meteorologist Jan Null. More than 1,000 children nationally have died from heatstroke in cars since 1998, including 15 so far this year, per Null's tally. What they're saying: "Far too often, people pause out of fear they'll get in trouble — even when a life is on the line," wrote state Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-University Place), the sponsor of the new law, in a recent Facebook post. "This new law removes that fear and empowers people to do the right thing." How it works: To avoid civil liability for breaking into someone's car, Good Samaritans first need to call 911. They must then stay on the scene until authorities arrive. The fine print: The law also applies to rescues of vulnerable adults, such as those who can't care for themselves because of developmental disability or dementia. Flashback: Not all lawmakers backed the change. State Sen. Leonard Christian (R-Spokane Valley) argued the bill didn't account for technology like Tesla's "dog mode," which keeps cars climate-controlled even when the owner is away. During a Senate floor debate in April, Christian said the state doesn't want to "have people breaking out windows of Teslas" because they think a dog is overheating in a car when it isn't.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lake Travis school district names Conroe's Curtis Null as lone finalist for superintendent
Conroe Superintendent Curtis Null has been named the lone finalist to lead the Lake Travis school district. The district's Board of Trustees selected Null at a special meeting Thursday. By law, the district is required to observe a 21-day waiting period before Null can officially be hired. Null has served as superintendent of Conroe since June 2018, leading Texas' seventh-largest school district with about 73,000 students and over 10,000 employees. He began his career in Conroe in 2000 at The Woodlands High School and has served as principal, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent. Null serves on numerous local and regional boards and has been honored for his civic leadership, including being named Community Citizen of the Year in 2022. Lake Travis officials said in a news release that since 2018, the Conroe school district has opened 10 new schools, including a new high school. In November 2023, voters approved a $1.97 billion bond, the largest in Montgomery County history. They said the district also maintains the second-lowest tax rate in the greater Houston area and for two consecutive years was the highest-ranked public school district on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers. More: Lake Travis Superintendent Paul Norton resigns following result of investigation 'Dr. Null is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of success and a deep commitment to building strong relationships,' said Erin Archer, Lake Travis board president. 'He brings an impressive record of leadership outcomes, successful school programs and dynamic community involvement. We're confident he will guide our district through future challenges and help our students and staff thrive.' 'I am honored to be named the lone finalist in Lake Travis ISD,' Null said in the release. 'The opportunity to serve in one of the premier school districts in Texas is one to be cherished. I look forward to working with the students, parents, staff and community to honor the tradition of excellence in Lake Travis while we build an even brighter future together.' Null will succeed Steve Flores, who has been serving as the district's interim superintendent since late February following the resignation of Paul Norton. District officials said Norton voluntarily resigned as superintendent on Feb. 7 following the results of an investigation that stemmed from a complaint made in in December. They would not discuss the nature of the complaint but said it did not relate to students or district finances. Norton had led the 11,000-student district since August 2020 but was placed on paid administrative leave in December. More: Lake Travis school board names Steve Flores, former RRISD leader, interim superintendent Flores had served as superintendent for five years in Harlingen and seven years at Round Rock before resigning in 2020. Since then, he also has served as interim superintendent in the Taylor and Pflugerville school districts. Following Norton's resignation, the Lake Travis school board retained JG Consulting to assist in the superintendent search. District officials said the process involved gathering stakeholder input, conducting a nationwide search that drew 38 applicants. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lake Travis ISD names Curtis Null as lone finalist for superintendent
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's what it would take to privatize the National Weather Service
Recent cuts across the federal government have raised questions about whether President Donald Trump's administration will aim to dismantle and privatize the National Weather Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Project 2025, a 922-page blueprint of policy proposals published during the presidential campaign and intended to guide the Trump administration should it win a second term contained language suggesting that NOAA "should be broken up and downsized" and that the NWS "should fully commercialize its forecasting operations." Trump disavowed Project 2025 during his campaign, but Russell Vought, Trump's director of the Office of Management and Budget, was one of the architects of the plan. MORE: NOAA braces for mass layoffs, fueling concerns about lifesaving weather services A move to privatize the NWS could put Americans in danger and might force them to pay for life-threatening weather and climate information, according to experts. Critical information amid an extreme weather event -- such as storm surge levels and wind speeds during a hurricane or warnings for possible tornado activity -- may not be readily available to the public if NOAA and the NWS were no longer functioning as government entities, the experts said. The "overreaching" goal of government should be providing basic health and safety information to protect human lives and property, Jan Null, a professor of meteorology at San Jose State University, told ABC News. "That's in the core mission statement of the National Weather Service -- to save lives and property," Null said. The NWS provides basic, integral information with the aim to protect the public rather than make a profit, said ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent Ginger Zee. Currently, with a $1.3 billion annual operating budget, the NWS costs each American about $4 per year. MORE: How job cuts at NOAA could impact weather forecasting In comparison, the United States spends more than $800 billion on its annual defense budget. The weather service budget encompasses operations, facilities, research and "expensive yet essential" hardware -- such as a network of 159 weather radars and coast-to-coast surface observation sites, Zee said. "The return on investment is about 73 to 1," Null said. The agency collects and analyzes more than 6.3 billion observations per day and releases about 1.5 million forecasts and 50,000 warnings per year. "I don't see any way that the private industry could replicate that," Null said. The weather app built into smartphones relies on NWS data, as do local schools, police, fire houses, city planners and emergency service directors, Zee said. The weather service also works closely with the U.S. military. "It runs all weather, everywhere, because it's free," Zee said. MORE: Yes, NOAA adjusts its historical weather data: Here's why The NWS has been tracking and warning about weather for 150 years. But this isn't the first time the federal government has floated the idea of privatizing the weather service. In 1995, an act was introduced in Congress proposing to dismantle the entire Department of Commerce, which includes the National Weather Service. Twenty years later, in 2005, a bill referred to as the National Weather Services Duties Act of 2005 aimed to prevent the National Weather Service from providing information to the public that the private sector could supply. Neither bill was passed. "Time after time these proposals hit roadblocks because Congress realized how valuable the National Weather Service is," Zee said. With the emergence of technological advances in meteorology came the birth of private weather companies, many of which are beginning to acquire their own satellites, according to reports. But even AccuWeather, a private-sector forecasting media company, does not support a plan to fully privatize the NWS, according to a statement released last year, stating that a 'multi-sector approach to weather forecasting' is the practice to save lives and property from weather and climate-related events. MORE: Trump nominates 'Sharpiegate' scientist to lead NOAA Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said during his confirmation hearing in January that while he won't dismantle the agency, he thinks the NWS can 'deliver the project more efficiently and less expensively.' When asked whether he agreed with proposals outlined in Project 2025 to privatize some of NOAA's operations, Lutnick responded, 'No.' NOAA is preparing to lay off more than 1,000 workers as part of the Trump administration's mandate for "reductions in force," multiple sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. In addition, officials are exploring the early termination of leases on a portion of the 620 facilities run by NOAA across the country, Democrats and former NOAA leadership officials said in a news conference last month. Moreover, the NWS recently announced that it would eliminate or reduce weather balloon launches in eight northern locations. The cuts are fueling concerns that NOAA's ability to deliver lifesaving services, such as forecasting, will suffer as a result. Here's what it would take to privatize the National Weather Service originally appeared on
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mercer County's tourism industry seeing good numbers
bluefield – Tourism continues to play an important role in Mercer County's economy as thousands of visitors making it a destination or passing through enjoy local and state parks, take ATVs on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail and stop at historic landmarks. In 2024, Mercer County's tourism industry supported 1,569 jobs and saw $203.6 million in visitor spending, according to the 2024 Annual Report of the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau. The average occupancy rate at local lodging was 61.3% as of November 2024 with October having the highest occupancy rate. The average length of a visitor's stay was 3.2 days. The occupancy figure does not include small business owners that have ATV related business because they do not report it, said Jamie Null, executive director of the Mercer County CVB. 'We trended in occupancy pretty close to the previous year,' she said of 2024. A notable trend was the increase in vacation rental listings. In 2023, the county saw a 62% year-over-year increase with a 100.9% growth over two years showing the county's growing popularity in the vacation rental market, according to the annual report. Mercer County had 'a very good January' in terms of tourism, Null said. Winter weather did not have a negative impact on the travel season. It boosted travel so the state's skiing destinations such as Winterplace Ski Resort, which is located at the border of Raleigh and Mercer counties, had 'a really great year.' The county's CVB gets its state ski industry information from the STR (short-term rentals) recorded at the state's resorts. Overall, the state's ski industry had a better January this year than it did in 2024, Null said. Tropical Storm Helene, which hit the region in late September 2024, did impact some revenue at the county's ATV resorts, Null said. Tourists from North Carolina reduced their Mercer County visits due to the hurricane damage in their communities; however, this was balanced out at the county level. Service personnel such as contractors and Appalachian Power workers assigned to restore electrical service stayed at local hotels and motels helped balance this visitors reduction at the county level, she said. Money from Mercer County's hotel/motel tax helps funds the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau. 'The CVB has a very healthy budget,' Null said. Local tourism has grown despite challenges such as the recent pandemic. 'I think the growth of our tourism in Mercer County has been consistently growing for nearly a decade,' said County Commissioner Greg Puckett. 'If you look at how we increased ever since Covid, we are up to approximately $1.4 million in tourism revenue.' The way the county's budget is set up, the West Virginia Code specifically states that the CVB receives half the hotel/motel tax revenue, leaving the remainder for the county commission; and there are multiple ways the commission has the authority to spend those funds, Puckett said. Some of these revenues are spent at Glenwood Recreational Park. 'Part of that is by the requests we have from our constituents to build these fairs and festivals,' he said. 'And we have in the budget also to take care of the county park, but then the other major factor that comes out of our money is essentially beautification efforts. That includes the dilapidated structures program, litter control and recycling. In my opinion, we would like to move those to the general budget but as of right now the tax dollars do not fully support doing that; but each one of those is a major factor in building our tourism with our marketing efforts through the CVB.' Puckett said that in the past, and what he would like to do moving forward, is set up a fund that is specifically looking at the best ways to support opportunities that grow the county's tourism industry. Entities that could help grow the county's tourism industry and help bring in more visitors would apply for grants from the hotel/motel tax. 'Let's take for example the Chuck Mathena Center,' he said. 'It brings in a lot of people from outside the area and so we should support that because it has so many diverse options.' 'I'm hopeful that we can look at the application process because it will bring in needed data to find out what's most effective,' he said. 'I'll probably bring that back up in the next couple of months.' During the county commission's Feb. 25 meeting, a moratorium was placed on requests for hotel/motel funding until its reserve had built back up, Puckett said. The hope is to start looking at applications again in June and 'start planning for the future.' Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
