Free Republic

Battered by the worst drought on record in Texas, the world's only self-sustaining flock of migratory whooping cranes is showing vulnerabilities that raise the stakes for crane work in Wisconsin. Texas' dry conditions and booming development have heightened worries about the health of the cranes and have sparked a legal battle over whether the endangered birds are getting their fair share of fresh water. The specter of drought, hurricanes or other calamity is the reason why Wisconsin and a few other states - away from Texas - were identified as candidates for crane reintroduction. The 5-foot tall cranes that migrate...

JACKSON COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A man from Jackson County, Ohio who was arrested for A spanking that some family members say went to far is now out of jail. On Sept. 2, Charley Brown III was arrested in Jackson County, Ohio, for spanking his 6-year-old son with a belt. Click here to find out more! According to the incident report from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Brown was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence after his son admitted his father pulled his pants down and spanked him with a belt. Authorities say the spanking left bruising and welts on the...

Texas Children's inoculating parents in an effort to halt spread of illness With whooping cough at its highest levels since the 1950s, Texas Children's Hospital has launched a program to protect babies from the life-threatening infection by immunizing family members. Hospital officials announced Thursday they have begun administering the "cocoon strategy" — booster shots for parents who often unknowingly spread the infection — at Houston's Ben Taub General Hospital. "With this program, we can prevent whooping cough in our most vulnerable population — infants less than 6 months," said Dr. Carol Baker, executive director of Texas Children's Center for Vaccine...

Endangered Crane Survives Florida Storms Monday February 5, 2007 2:01 AM By CARRIE ANTLFINGER Associated Press Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) - A whooping crane was spotted alive on Sunday after it was believed killed with 17 others in severe Florida storms, according to an organizer of a migratory project. Organizers received a signal from a transmitter on the young male crane on Saturday night and again on Sunday near where the endangered birds were kept in Citrus County, Fla. Later Sunday, they saw the survivor with two sandhill cranes, said Rachel Levin, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service....

Whooping Cough Outbreak Communities throughout the U.S. are experiencing whooping cough (pertussis) outbreaks - the worst in 40 years. If the school nurse or the health department informs you that there is a pertussis outbreak in your school or community, you may need to call your pediatrician. The school or health department will tell you if your child was directly exposed and requires antibiotics. Health departments across the country are acting quickly to prevent the spread of pertussis, so your cooperation in contacting your pediatrician is crucial. Please follow the instruction of the health department. The care of children in...