Latest news with #RockyMountain
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jasper mayor stands by contentious wildfire report
The mayor of Jasper, Alta., says he stands by a report that criticizes Premier Danielle Smith's government response to a wildfire that destroyed a third of the Rocky Mountain community. Mayor Richard Ireland says the report, which led to Smith demanding an apology from the town following its release, has been misrepresented and was never intended to be a "political document." (July 21, 2025)
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Want to win an Emmy? It helps if you're already famous
It's always nice to say hello to an old friend, even one who leads you to believe you're almost at the summit, only to serve up another dozen switchbacks before you're at the top. I'm Glenn Whipp, columnist for the Los Angeles Times and host of The Envelope newsletter. Still on a (Rocky Mountain) high after the Emmy nominations? You probably were a cast member on 'The White Lotus' or a guest actor on 'The Studio.' Let's talk about all the love for those shows' ensembles. When you have Nicole Kidman raising her hand, saying she'd be happy to sign up for your show, you can rest assured that you will never have an issue with casting. And that was before Mike White's 'The White Lotus' picked up a sweet 23 Emmy nominations last week, the same number it earned for Season 2 and, coincidentally, the same number that the hit Apple TV+ comedy series 'The Studio' just pulled in for its freshman outing. But is that number a coincidence? Not really. If this year's nominations taught us anything, it's that if you want your Emmy ticket stamped, you get your agent to call White or Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the creators and directing team behind 'The Studio.' Of course, it also helps if you're famous in the first place, which creates a bit of a problem if you're a journeyman actor looking for an Emmy boost. (And no, 'The Bear's' nominated guest star Olivia Colman, who has won three Golden Globes, two Emmys, an Oscar and the Volpi Cup since she was overlooked for 'Broadchurch,' no longer counts.) How can you hope to secure a nomination if voters keep flocking to the familiar? Seven actors from 'The White Lotus' ensemble — Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Sam Rockwell, Natasha Rothwell and Aimee Lou Wood — picked up supporting nominations this year, with Scott Glenn turning up in the guest actor category. The haul could have been better (or worse, depending on your perspective), as Patrick Schwarzenegger had also been expected to join the party for his turn as Saxon, the series' wonderfully named finance bro. 'The Studio' had several members of its main team nominated — Rogen, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O'Hara. But it was in the guest acting categories that the show really cleaned up, with five of the six guest actor spots going to 'Studio' men and Zoë Kravitz making the cut for guest actress. Kravitz, like nominated castmates Dave Franco, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard and Anthony Mackie, was honored for playing a heightened version of herself. Bryan Cranston, a six-time Emmy winner, was the exception, nominated for his hilarious, 'Weekend at Bernie's'-inspired work as the drug-addled studio CEO. (He should probably make room for a seventh Emmy.) In that respect, the nods for 'The Studio's' self-playing actors are reminiscent of what used to be a tried-and-true way to earn an Emmy nomination for guest acting: hosting 'Saturday Night Live.' All you needed to do was deliver the opening monologue as yourself and then appear in sketches created to play off your persona. (This one, featuring Sydney Sweeney as a Hooters waitress, illustrates why voters have rightfully soured on 'SNL' of late.) The recognition for 'The Studio' represents progress of a sort, in that the series is actually funny. But it doesn't address the larger issue, which is the way that Emmy voters tend to zero in on shiny, famous faces at the expense of comparative newcomers who are more deserving. Case in point: 'The Pitt' boasted the best ensemble on television this year, but voters rewarded only lead actor Noah Wyle (his sixth nomination, no wins as yet), supporting actress Katherine LaNasa (so good as the emergency room's resilient charge nurse) and Shawn Hatosy, a terrific veteran actor who made a huge impression in his four episodes, including those two unforgettable rooftop scenes. For 'The Pitt,' the problem was partly one of quantity, not quality. There were a lot of interns and residents and nurses coming and going in that hospital during the show's 15-episode season. And they were played by actors largely unknown to voters — a savvy casting move, as the unfamiliar faces bolstered 'The Pitt's' realistic feel. But ignoring Taylor Dearden's beautifully nuanced work as the neurodivergent Dr. Mel King feels more symptomatic of a pattern than an issue of numbers. Dearden's performance was a revelation, showing a woman aware of her own limitations and using that understanding to convey empathy, love and understanding toward others. The look of joy on her face when she held the just-delivered baby should be a meme for happiness. I can't fathom how she wasn't nominated. The issue in the guest acting categories is more glaring. What used to be a space populated by character actors dropping into shows for small story arcs has now become, at least for comedy, a showcase for famous people parodying themselves. Yes, Scorsese was deserving. He's shown himself to be a fine actor over the years, and his shock and anger over having his Jonestown movie killed was priceless. I'll also sign off on Kravitz, who was utterly convincing in her mushroom-induced mania. Added bonus: If she wins, she can thank Sal Saperstein. But if 'The Studio' runs for three, four, five seasons, it's easy to imagine a future where the show establishes a blockade on the guest acting categories. And no matter how delightful it is to watch Ron Howard remember the time when some dolt tried to give him a 'note' on 'A Beautiful Mind,' we shouldn't get carried away — even if we are kind of hoping that all this attention could prompt a studio to green-light a real version of Howard's fictional action movie 'Alphabet City.' And, obviously, there continue to be exceptions to the fixation on the famous. Hatosy, mentioned earlier, is the definition of what a guest Emmy spot should be, as is Joe Pantoliano's beautiful, brief turn on 'The Last of Us,' playing an infected man pleading for a final moment with his wife. It all comes back to the usual appeals to voters: Watch more shows. Cast a wider net. Honor the work, not the names. Though if White wants to write Kidman into the next season of 'The White Lotus,' I'd be willing to make an exception and look the other way.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
18 Plants That Keep Ticks Out Of The Yard
A pleasant day spent outside can quickly turn into a nightmare if you are bitten by a tick. If you want to keep ticks out of the yard, planting certain species may do the trick. While no plant is a sure-fire deterrent against ticks, there are multiple plants that have the ability to repel them from your yard. Many feature strong aromas that affect the ticks' ability to detect hosts, such as humans and pets, using their sense of smell. You may recognize some of these plants for their ability to keep away insects, such as mosquitoes. Ticks are not insects (they're arachnids) but researchers commonly find the same efficacy as insect repellents for many of these species. Ticks live throughout the United States. Many can transmit serious illnesses such as Rocky Mountain fever and Lyme disease. Creating a tick-repellent garden is one crucial step to ensuring you have a healthy, safe backyard for your family and pets. Doing it alongside other mitigation steps to stop ticks from taking over your lawn is best for active prevention. As you add any of these plants, also make other changes to reduce chances of a tick encounter. Adding a mulch barrier around the perimeter of your yard, trimming your grass, and pruning overhanging branches to introduce more sun can all make a big difference. As a bonus, many of these plants can attract pollinators to your yard and fill it with a glorious scent. They can also add a bright dash of color, all the while helping you mount a defense against the bothersome tick. Most require full sun and well-drained soil, unless otherwise noted. If ticks are driving you up the wall, these plants can help. Read more: 12 Reasons You Should Put A Bar Of Soap In Your Garden Catnip Drives Cats Wild And Ticks Away If you want a plant that will make your cat happy while deterring ticks, try adding catnip (Nepeta cataria) to your garden. Rich in an active chemical called nepetalactone, the weedy herb is a promising tick repellent. Studies are still underway ongoing, but researchers find that nepetalactone can offer similar performance for tick repelling as DEET. Adding catnip to your yard might bring in a few neighborhood cats for a grazing session, but it can also welcome bees when it flowers while sending ticks running the other way. Ticks Sour On Lemongrass Lemongrass' (Cymbopogon spp) lemony scent may thrill cooks, but ticks are among the pests repelled by lemongrass. Acadia University researchers discovered using lemongrass oil may repel ticks and interfere with their ability for detecting potential hosts' chemicals. Ticks navigate heavily by scent, so introducing anything confusing their navigation system can be helpful in keeping them away. You can grow lemongrass as an annual in cooler areas, and as a perennial in warm, humid spots like Florida. Keep in mind this is an aggressive grower, and can quickly take over without proper management. Rosemary Is Nothing Sweet To Ticks Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) serves your yard as an ornamental, pollinator attractor, and fragrant floral. Lyme disease experts recommend planting it to repel ticks thanks to its slight mint-pine scent. Promising studies show that rosemary features three molecules that can drive ticks away as efficiently as DEET. The plant's essential oils of cineole, camphor, and borneol also do the trick. Rosemary grows quickly with a minimum of six hours in full sun. It doesn't require much water and doesn't like frequent watering, whether used as a ground cover or container plant. Oregano Makes Ticks Say Oh No The culinary herb, oregano (Origanum), is a must-have in your tick repellent garden. In addition to the savory flavor it packs, this herbaceous perennial features scents the pests hate. One experiment found significantly fewer ticks on a blanket treated with oregano oil, letting scientists conclude 5% oregano oil may be as effective as 20% DEET. Like other fragrant herbs, oregano's scent likely overwhelms the tick's scent receptors so they avoid it. Growing leafy oregano requires full sun, with well-drained soil or dry soil. Expect growth of 6 inches to 3 feet in size. Wormwood May Cause Ticks To Worm Their Way Out A plant that sounds like it's from a fantasy novel, wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L) does double duty. First, it's often avoided by popular tick hosts like deer and wild mice because it features the compound absinthin. As for the ticks themselves, they also dislike the compound and may steer clear of anywhere it grows. You can grow it in full to part sun, but you may want to avoid planting in the Midwest, where it's considered a noxious weed. Take caution around wormwood with pets, because it can be toxic when ingested. Lavender's Sweet Scent Is Terrible To Ticks Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), also known as true lavender, not only helps your garden or yard smell amazing, but it also repels ticks. Studies show lavender's essential oils may repel them as effectively as DEET. Lavender's power is that it contains linalool, a compound commonly used in insect repellent. Upon exposure, linalool affects ticks' nervous system so they stay away. You can showcase lavender's fragrant flowers in a container or as a border to get the great effects. Be careful planting lavender as it's toxic to pets. Ticks Don't Consider Basil Basic The next time you feel the need to whip up some pesto, you might deter ticks in the process when growing basil (Ocimum ssp.) Basil contains linalool as well as eugenol, a common compound used in natural tick remedies to repel ticks, both adults and larvae. The most commonly-grown basil is sweet basil and it's very easy to grow, requiring soil with good drainage and bright light for six to eight hours a day. This herb thrives both in the garden and in containers. Peppermint Isn't Minty Fresh To Ticks A cross between watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata), the oil of strongly-scented peppermint (Mentha x piperita) has a notable effect on ticks. Try growing it in the yard to deter ticks as the potent aroma may keep them away. Peppermint contains menthol, the same compound as another popular way to repel ticks naturally with an item from your medicine cabinet, Vicks VapoRub. It grows aggressively, however, so plant in a pot that's 12 to 16 inches or keep regularly trimmed, using the leaves for fresh peppermint tea. Rue Will Make Ticks Rue The Day They Entered The Lawn Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a pretty, small shrub with multiple benefits. Sometimes called herb of grace, it's considered deer resistant, so the mammals may steer clear of your yard, reducing chances of visiting ticks. As an ornamental, it's prized for its yellow blooms, while also repelling pests, such as ticks, and attracting pollinators. Use caution and wear gloves when handling, however, to avoid skin irritation. Rue has a medium poisonous factor, so be careful planting it around pets as it's toxic and may be fatal when consumed in large amounts. Thyme Tells Ticks Think It's Time To Move On Thyme is another mint family member worth planting to keep ticks out of the yard. You can grow it as a "carpet," so the leaves release their scent when walked on to make ticks avoid it. Thymol, a key compound in thyme, has been used as a natural agricultural pest repellent. Low-maintenance and easy to grow, thyme can tolerate periods of little to no moisture, provided its soil is well-drained. Once it's established, you'll also have a savory plant you can use in culinary creations. Garlic Can Ward Off The Vampires Of The Yard Ticks are sort of like vampires with their blood-sucking capabilities, so logically, you can plant garlic (Allium sativum) to keep away ticks! They hate the scent, and studies of Swedish marines saw promising use in humans, with a noted reduction in bites among participants who ate garlic versus those who had a placebo. Often grown as an annual, it likes full sun and organic, rich soil with good drainage. Tansy Isn't Tantalizing To Ticks A popular medicinal herb, common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) grows like a fern and produces yellow flowers, quickly brightening your lawn. Tansy features a series of compounds, including lpha-pinene, beta-pinene, pinocamphone, 1,3,3-trimethylcyclohex-1-ene-4-carboxaldehyde, and 1, 8-cineole, in its flowerheads. All of these compounds have shown promising results against ticks. Give it well-drained, ideally dry, soil, and full sun to partial shade. It's highly toxic and must be kept away from any pets and children. In addition, it can disturb native plants and self-seeds, so plant carefully. Geranium Makes Ticks Journey Away The classic garden favorite, geraniums (Pelargonium) are rich with the compound (-)-10-epi-γ-eudesmol, which researchers found has high capabilities for repelling ticks. Plus, while you may love the smell of geraniums, ticks don't, so they should steer clear. You can enjoy these repellent properties when you ensure the geraniums have six hours of sun daily. Whether planted in a garden bed or decorating a container, geraniums will add a sunny burst of color to your home. Keep them away from pets, as the flowers are toxic to cats and dogs. Citronella Isn't Just For Mosquitoes You may know citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) for mosquito-repelling properties, but ticks will deter from it as well. Citronella oil is prevalent in pesticides, because it masks the smell of targeted hosts, making it harder for the pests to locate them. Thanks to its compound β-citronellol, citronella may be an effective tick repellent. Upon the brushing of its leaves, citronella releases its lemony scent and aromatic compounds, sending these pests packing. You can grow this low-maintenance plant as a perennial in USDA Zones 9-11 and an annual elsewhere. It's drought-tolerant and loves full sun. Pennyroyal Offers Ticks A Royal Goodbye Long used as an ancient medicine, pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a creeping plant in the mint family commonly used for repelling ticks. A compound called pulegone is thought to be the key, which pennyroyal emits with its scent. Pulegone is a neurological toxin to insects and likely to ticks, causing them to stay away from your yard. It's easy to grow, needing only full sun and moist soil. Use caution planting pennyroyal if you live within a wetland area. It's an aggressive grower with the potential for displacing native species. Ticks Scurry From Sage A member of the mint family, Sage (Salvia officinalis) boasts a powerful smell when crushed that may keep away ticks, thanks to the plant's aromatic compounds of camphor, thujone, and cineole. Camphor, in particular, is the same ingredient in some natural tick repellent sprays to ward them off. Hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8, sage grows best in full sun. When it's not steering away ticks, it can add some delicious flavor to poultry dishes. Chrysanthemum Don't Having Ticks Staying Mum Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a fall mainstay. But did you know they do more than just decorate your home's exterior with brilliant vibrant color? Mums feature pyrethrin, a natural pesticide commonly used in insect repellents. The pyrethrin has a strong neurological effect on pests, paralyzing them until they eventually die. They're easy to grow, quickly flourishing in the garden or container. The diverse range of chrysanthemums lets you add a rainbow of colors to your landscape, and you may grow them as an annual or perennial, depending on your location. Pampas Grass Doesn't Make Ticks Feel Pampered Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is an ornamental grass from South America with a fluffy appearance. Because of its native region, it features very low water needs and is a popular plant in xeriscaping. Adding pampas grass to your yard lets you have a flourishing grass plant without the need for constant watering. The dry conditions don't give ticks the moist, shaded environment they like, however, so some homeowners plant it as a deterrent. However, since it's considered invasive in some areas, such as California, check your local guidelines before planting. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest. Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Pet owners warned of ticks transmitting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
A Rocky Mountain wood tick (left) and American dog tick (right). (Source: Public Health Agency of Canada) Grand Erie Public Health is urging pet owners to be extra vigilant about tick removal after Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever was found in animals who had recently visited Long Point. 'RMSF can be life-threatening in both humans and animals if not treated early,' the health unit wrote in a social media post Sunday. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, like Lyme disease, is a bacterial illness spread through the bite of an infected tick. It is found in several species, including the American dog tick, the brown dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. The most common symptoms are fever, headache and rash. Medication can be prescribed once symptoms start but, if left untreated, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is potentially fatal. Preventing tick bites Tips to reduce the risk of tick bites: Avoid tick-infested areas Wear light-coloured long sleeves and pants outdoors, as well as closed-toe shoes Tuck pant legs into socks before walking through long grass Use insect repellents with DEET or Icaridin on skin and clothing Conduct tick checks after outdoor activities, feel for bumps or look for tiny dark spots (ticks can be as small as a sesame seed) Take a shower or bath within two hours of being outdoors Use tick prevention products on pets Removing and disposing of ticks Ticks need to be removed within 24 hours to prevent infection. Here's what to do if you find one: Use tweezers or a specialized tick remover to grab hold of its body as close to the skin as possible Pull it straight out Apply antiseptic ointment on the bite Write down where you found the tick on your body, as well as well as the time and place you may have picked it up Call your doctor if you feel unwell, are unable to remove the tick yourself or if it has buried itself too deeply into the skin Do not: Use petroleum jelly or other products Burn the tick Crush or damage the tick while trying to remove it Experts recommend killing the tick by drowning them in rubbing alcohol or putting them in the freezer for several hours. Once dead, they can be thrown into the garbage. Physical symptoms If you have been bitten by a tick, here are some of the symptoms to watch out for: Circular red rash around the bite Fever Chills Swollen glands Headache Diarrhea Weakness Dry cough Joint pain Muscle ache Stiff neck Reporting ticks If you find a tick, on yourself or your pet, take a photo and submit it to for expert identification within 24 hours. An email will be sent with the results. You can also check out the public tick map for other confirmed sightings.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Alberta government complicated Jasper fire response, report says
A report into a wildfire that devastated the Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper last summer says crews did their best but command and control was hampered by the Alberta government. The report was commissioned by the town and surveyed participants and firefighters who battled the wind-whipped blaze that destroyed a third of buildings in the community located in Jasper National Park. While the report says it wasn't meant to assign blame, it notes that town and Parks Canada officials trained together and had an integrated command structure, but things became challenging when the province got involved. It says the Alberta government, while not jurisdictionally responsible to lead the crisis, made things more difficult with regular requests for information and by seeking to exercise decision-making authority. The report says the interference disrupted the focus of incident commanders and forced them to spend precious time managing inquiries and issues instead of fighting the fire and leading the re-entry of residents. 'The response to the Jasper Wildfire Complex demonstrated the effectiveness of the strong Unified Command established by the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada,' said the report, issued Thursday. 'Provincial involvement added complexity to the response as the Province of Alberta, though not jurisdictionally responsible to lead the incident, regularly requested information and sought to exercise decision-making authority,' stated the report. 'While Alberta Wildfire actively supported firefighting operations and participated in the [incident management team], jurisdictional overlap with the province created political challenges that disrupted the focus of incident commanders, leading to time spent managing inquiries and issues instead of directing the wildfire response and re-entry.' A spokesman for Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said they were working on a response. Jasper officials said they were not able to comment on the report but could do so Friday. The fire entered the town last July 24, with 25,000 residents and visitors forced out days earlier. The residents were out for three weeks.
