In 1843, Mexico granted 22,000 acres in California’s Cuyama Valley; 183 years later, the largest surviving 5,650-acre piece was permanently protected after a $1 million conservation campaign

In 1843, Mexico granted 22,000 acres in California's Cuyama Valley; 183 years later, the largest surviving 5,650-acre piece was permanently protected after a $1 million conservation campaign

The largest remaining intact part of an 1843 Mexican land grant in California’s Cuyama Valley has been permanently protected from future commercial development after a successful grassroots conservation campaign. The 5,650-acre Spanish Ranch, managed by the Doiron family, is now protected by a permanent agricultural conservation easement through a partnership with the California Rangeland Trust. … Read more

Alabama has cleared a $2.52 billion federal loan for its largest infrastructure project ever; the new Mobile River bridge aims to end a decades-old bottleneck and reroute hazmat trucks

Alabama has cleared a $2.52 billion federal loan for its largest infrastructure project ever; the new Mobile River bridge aims to end a decades-old bottleneck and reroute hazmat trucks

A $2.52 billion federal loan has been approved to build the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, clearing the way for the largest infrastructure project in Alabama’s history. US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the approval of the low-interest loan, which provides key funding for the $4.15 billion project aimed at fixing … Read more

In 1998, Alaska miner Barry Clay was pushing dirt with a bulldozer near Ruby when he uncovered a 294.1-ounce gold nugget; 23 years later, the state’s largest recorded nugget sold for $750,000

In 1998, Alaska miner Barry Clay was pushing dirt with a bulldozer near Ruby when he uncovered a 294.1-ounce gold nugget; 23 years later, the state's largest recorded nugget sold for $750,000

Alaska miner Barry Clay was pushing dirt with a bulldozer near Ruby when he uncovered a 294.1-ounce gold nugget (Image Credit: Heritage Auctions) One push of a bulldozer turned an ordinary day of placer mining into a discovery that would enter Alaska’s mining history. In 1998, miner Barry Clay was moving dirt near Ruby when … Read more

In 1976, Buffalo turned a 264-acre industrial dump into a nature preserve; 50 years later, its 75-acre marsh is Erie County’s largest remnant wetland and 260+ bird species have been observed

In 1976, Buffalo turned a 264-acre industrial dump into a nature preserve; 50 years later, its 75-acre marsh is Erie County’s largest remnant wetland and 260+ bird species have been observed

Buffalo turned a 264-acre industrial dump into a nature preserve; 50 years later, its 75-acre marsh is Erie County’s largest remnant wetland (Image Credit: Tifft Nature Preserve) A former industrial site and municipal landfill on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor has spent the past five decades becoming something very different: a 264-acre urban nature preserve supporting wetlands, … Read more

What is Operation Meridian? 79 missing children recovered by US Marshals in Ohio’s ‘largest missing child operation’

The U.S. Marshals Service recovered 79 children reported missing or endangered during Operation Meridian, a monthlong operation across Ohio, officials said on Tuesday, September 8. The U.S. Marshals Service described the operation as the “largest missing child operation” in Ohio history. What is Operation Meridian? 79 missing children recovered by US Marshals in Ohio’s ‘largest … Read more

A self-made billionaire couple gave San Francisco State University $25 million in XRP, one of the largest crypto donations to US higher education

A self-made billionaire couple gave San Francisco State University $25 million in XRP, one of the largest crypto donations to US higher education

PC: San Francisco State University A self-made billionaire couple gave San Francisco State University a $25 million gift, with a large portion of the donation made in XRP, making it one of the biggest cryptocurrency contributions to US higher education at the time. Chris Larsen, an SF State alumnus, and his wife Lyna Lam donated … Read more

A US war veteran named her Memphis home ‘Serenity’ after 11 quiet years; Elon Musk’s largest US AI data centre moved next door and she says her power bill doubled

A US war veteran named her Memphis home ‘Serenity’ after 11 quiet years; Elon Musk’s largest US AI data centre moved next door and she says her power bill doubled

Loretta Thornton says noise and fumes have affected her quality of life, while her power bill has doubled. (ABC News: Bradley McLennan) After serving in the US military during the Gulf War, veteran Loretta Thornton settled in a wooded home in Memphis, Tennessee. Living with post-traumatic stress disorder, she named her house ‘Serenity’ and spent … Read more

52 Singaporeans detained in China over alleged pyramid scheme in largest crackdown on Singaporeans overseas

52 Singaporeans detained in China over alleged pyramid scheme in largest crackdown on Singaporeans overseas

Singapore minister briefs about the detention of 52 Singaporeans in China for a pyramid scheme. This is believed to be the largest incident of detention of Singaporeans overseas. What began as what appeared to be an attractive investment opportunity in China has ended with 52 Singaporeans arrested and detained there in a major crackdown on … Read more

In 1964, a couple bought 535 acres in North Carolina and built a summer home there; decades later, they donated the entire property to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in its largest land gift since the park was created

In 1964, a couple bought 535 acres in North Carolina and built a summer home there; decades later, they donated the entire property to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in its largest land gift since the park was created

The Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center A high-altitude property first bought as a private family retreat in the mid-1960s now serves as an important centre for environmental research in North America. The 535-acre property in Haywood County, North Carolina, historically known as “The Purchase”, was officially transferred to the National Park Service around the turn … Read more

At 15, Jim Bishop bought 2.5 Colorado acres with $450 he earned mowing lawns and delivering papers; 10 years later, he began a stone castle that he spent 50 years turning into the world’s largest one-man project

At 15, Jim Bishop bought 2.5 Colorado acres with $450 he earned mowing lawns and delivering papers; 10 years later, he began a stone castle that he spent 50 years turning into the world’s largest one-man project

Nestled in the Wet Mountains of Colorado, at an elevation of 9000, is the world’s largest one-man project, The Bishop Castle. From 1969 to 2019, the monument was constructed by one man, all by himself, James Roland Bishop, also known as Jim Bishop, the Castle Builder, according to the website. Laying the foundation Jim Bishop … Read more