Latest news with #federalofficials
CBC
19-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Dutch elm disease detected in north Edmonton as city battles deadly tree fungus
Social Sharing A devastating and highly contagious tree fungus has been detected in north Edmonton, the latest case of a deadly disease that puts Edmonton's vast canopy of urban elms under threat. In a statement this week, city officials confirmed that a new case of Dutch elm disease has been detected in Edmonton. The infected tree in the north Edmonton neighbourhood of Alberta Avenue, as well as any elms within a 20-metre radius, will be removed as part of ongoing efforts to contain the spread. The infected tree was recently spotted by city crews along the boulevard. A positive result was received from a provincial lab on Wednesday, marking the sixth confirmed case of the disease since it was first detected in Edmonton last August. The contagious fungal infection — spread by elm bark beetles and spores from infected wood — pose a major risk to other elm in the vicinity, the city said. Extensive additional testing in the area is underway. City officials have been monitoring the infection in partnership with federal officials since it was first detected in the city last summer with case numbers expected to rise. According to a statement Friday, a total of 369 elms have been removed in the city to date as part of ongoing containment efforts. The total includes two destroyed so far in Alberta Avenue. "This additional confirmed case does not change our approach as we continue assessments, removals and testing in co-ordination with the province and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency," said Mark Beare, Edmonton's director of infrastructure operations, in a statement. "While any positive test is disappointing, we remain confident that this collaborative approach is helping to limit the spread of the disease." Urban forests under threat Dutch elm disease poses a threat to all species of elm in Alberta. The fungus, caused by microfungi that infiltrate a tree and clogs its water-conducting systems, has killed millions of elms in North America over the past century and has begun to proliferate across Prairie cities. In Edmonton, the potential losses are particularly acute. The capital region is home to more than 90,000 city-owned elms, accounting for more than 22 per cent of Edmonton's urban forest canopy. The city has been bracing for years for the potential arrival of the destructive fungus as it crept west across the country, devastating urban forest canopies. An action plan, now being implemented to limit the damage, was first developed in 2020. In an effort to slow the spread, crews have been conducting routine inspections along Edmonton's tree-lined streets and boulevards, watching for signs of infection. More than 55,000 trees citywide have been assessed for signs of infection. Any elms that appear sickly – with telltale wilting yellow leaves – are tested, and trees believed to be infected are immediately destroyed. An ongoing program to remove deadwood in elms is also necessary to reduce the habitat of the beetles, which may spread the fungus, the city said. "City arborists, urban foresters and the pest management team remain vigilant as we continue implementing the established Dutch elm disease management plan, including intensified surveillance of elm trees," Beare said. The infection has to date been detected in northeast Edmonton in the Killarney and Yellowhead Corridor East neighbourhoods. Enhanced monitoring and assessments of trees within a one-kilometre radius of the infected trees remain in place, the city said. Edmontonians are encouraged to report any signs of infestation to 311. Infected trees may have dead branches or browning leaves. Their trunks may have holes or sawdust on the bark from burrowing beetles. The city is also reminding Edmontonians not to bring firewood from elsewhere, to properly prune elms during the colder seasons and properly dispose of any deadwood or clippings at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre.
Bloomberg
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Bitcoin Chases American Dream in Norm-Shattering Mortgage Push
What was once dismissed as a fringe fantasy by a niche band of crypto believers is now being tentatively examined by the government-sponsored entities at the core of the US housing market. In late June, federal officials directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to study whether digital assets held on US regulated exchanges might someday be factored into mortgage risk assessments — the process lenders use to determine whether a borrower has the financial clout to make good on their debt.
Globe and Mail
11-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
Protesters and federal agents clash during immigration raid at Southern California farm
A confrontation erupted Thursday between protesters and federal officials carrying out a raid on a Southern California farm, with authorities throwing canisters that sprayed what looked like smoke into the air to disperse the crowd. Vehicles from Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection blocked the road in a largely agricultural area of Camarillo lined with fields and greenhouses. There were military-style vehicles and a helicopter flying overhead. Television images showed dozens of demonstrators gathered on a road between fields where uniformed officers stood in a line across from them. In other images, white and green smoke can be seen as protesters retreat. Other images showed protesters shouting at agents wearing camouflage gear, helmets and gas masks. It wasn't clear why the authorities threw the canisters or if they released chemicals like tear gas. Another image from KTLA showed people sat against a wall with their hands bound in front of them; it wasn't clear if they were workers or protesters. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said they were executing a warrant at a marijuana facility. Glass House Farms said on social media that it was visited Thursday by officials for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and 'fully complied with agent search warrants.' It's legal to grow and sell cannabis in California with proper licensing. State records show the company has multiple active licenses to cultivate cannabis. The company also has a permit to grow in Ventura County, and as of last year used half of the space for cannabis while half was dedicated to tomatoes and cucumbers, the Ventura County Star reported. Judith Ramos said she received a call Thursday morning from her father, who worked in the tomato fields. A Canadian man died in ICE custody. Now, his family is searching for answers 'He said immigration was outside his job, and if anything happened to take care of everything,' Ramos said, her voice cracking. The 22-year-old certified nurse assistant said she has two young siblings. Ramos went to the farm and saw a busload of people being taken out. She was protesting alongside others when agents sprayed the deterrent. 'They didn't want us to get any closer, and they started firing,' Ramos said. 'I got some in my eyes. I had to put milk on my face.' Ramos said she does not know where her father is and had not had contact with him for more than an hour. His truck is still at the worksite, she said. It was not immediately known which agencies participated in the raid. The incident comes as federal immigration enforcement agents have ramped up arrests in Southern California, heading to car washes, farms and Home Depot parking lots to take people into custody while stoking widespread fear among immigrant communities. The Trump administration has had the National Guard providing protection to federal immigration agents carrying out the raids, and this week it sent a large caravan with guns and horses to a park in Los Angeles. Andrew Dowd, spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, said they were dispatched around 12:15 p.m. Thursday to the area to provide emergency medical aid. Crews took three people to nearby hospitals, he said, and the incident is ongoing. Dowd said he had no information on the types of injuries or medical emergencies sustained, and he did not have any details of the people sent to hospitals. He said he had no information on what law enforcement was doing there.
Associated Press
11-07-2025
- Associated Press
Photos of a confrontation between protesters and federal officials outside California farm
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — A confrontation erupted Thursday between protesters and federal officials carrying out a raid on a Southern California farm, with authorities throwing canisters that sprayed what looked like smoke into the air to disperse the crowd. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protesters and federal agents clash during raid at Southern California farm
A confrontation erupted Thursday between protesters and federal officials carrying out a raid on a Southern California farm, with authorities throwing canisters that sprayed what looked like smoke into the air to disperse the crowd.
