Current Events

Shrimp Radioactivity Test

Bill1 Comment

There was recent news item about radioactive material contaminating frozen shrimp that was being shipped to Walmart stores.

The FDA recalled the shrimp after finding elevated levels of Cesium-137 in shipping containers at 4 U.S. ports. At least one shrimp sample contained a higher-than-expected level of Cs-137. It is likely that radiation was due to contaminated containers, not because of contaminated food products. The origin of the shrimp was Indonesia.

Cs-137 as a flexible, soft, and silvery-white metal that liquifies near room temperature. The radioisotope is a byproduct of nuclear reactions. Trace amounts of Cs-137 are detectable around the world in our food, soil, and air,

I decided to test a package of frozen shrimp I bought at a local Wegmans store. First, I checked the background reading: 0.07 microSieverts per hour, or 0.007 millirems per hour.

I then checked the shrimp package. I detected no significant change from the background reading.

The results are anecdotal, indeed, but interesting.

Texas Flash Flood Tragedy

Bill1 Comment

In spite of what some irresponsible newscasters are reporting, along with some political figures, the tragedy of the flash floods in Texas was not due to budget cuts, nor was it due to lack of staffing at The Weather Forecast Office (WFO) for Austin/San Antonio. The cuts were not in place and there were more people on duty than normal at the WFO during the event.

The first notification from the WFO was issued 12 hours in advance of the first warnings. Timely notifications also followed. The flood watch that was issued at 1:18 PM CDT on July 3, 2025, appears below:

038 
WGUS64 KEWX 031818
FFAEWX

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
118 PM CDT Thu Jul 3 2025

TXZ183>187-202>204-041200-
/O.NEW.KEWX.FA.A.0003.250703T1818Z-250704T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-Kinney-Uvalde-Medina-
Including the cities of Del Rio, Leakey, Brackettville,
Kerrville, Bandera, Hondo, Uvalde, and Rocksprings
118 PM CDT Thu Jul 3 2025

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Locally heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding across portions of South Central Texas. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches with isolated amounts of 5 to 7 inches are possible.

* WHERE...A portion of south central Texas, including the following counties, Bandera, Edwards, Kerr, Kinney, Medina, Real, Uvalde and Val Verde.

* WHEN...Through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
  - A moist tropical airmass combined with a slow moving storm system will bring rounds of scattered to widespread showers and storms with heavy rain rates possible.
  - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

TRAN

Canada Wildfire Smoke Reaches Stormstown

Bill1 Comment
Afternoon at Stormstown, PA on Wednesday, June 7, 2023

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, smoke from several major wildfires in Canada drifted into the central Pennsylvania region. The air quality in the area became unhealthy as a result.

This is a graph of air quality parameters collected during the week of June 7. A Davis AirLink sensor at my home collected the data. The wood smoke adjustment was enabled.

The graph shows that the general air quality index (AQI), the index for particulates that are 10 micrometers and smaller (PMI 10) was quite high, and particulates of 2.5 micrometers and smaller (PMI 2.5). In fact, the overall AQI was in the red or unhealthy range, nearly at the purple or very unhealthy level. Particulates of 1 micrometer or smaller (PMI 1) were in the moderate range.

More information can be found in the EPA AQI guide.

“Betsy Ross” Flag

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The following story caught my attention this morning:

Major League Soccer club bans Utah couple from waving ‘Betsy Ross flag’ at games

Since when has our country’s first flag become controversial?! I had no idea it had been appropriated by some hate groups until Nike recalled Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July shoes, which featured the flag, over concerns that the design glorifies slavery and racism.

1200px-Flag_of_the_United_States_(1777-1795).svg

In recent years, hate groups, such as the KKK, have attempted to adopt the Betsy Ross flag. Nike’s decision to recall the shoes seems to be not a result of excessive political correctness but motivated by making money.

Despite the flag’s name, Betsy Ross’ role in designing and creating the revolution-era flag “is largely fictitious,” according to the U.S. National Archives.

Nevertheless, I will fly my own “Betsy Ross” flag, as I see fit, to reappropriate the flag as what it actually is: a symbol of liberty, equality, and justice.

IMG_0981