Book of the week: "The Ghost Had an Early Checkout" by Josh Lanyon, Great LGBTQ Mystery

 I recently enjoyed the second book in a series by Josh Lanyon called "The Ghost Had an Early Checkout." It's the followup to "The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks," which I reviewed back in January 2025.  It features the same characters, an artist named Perry, who is partnered Nick, with an ex-Navy SEAL turned private investigator. Today's blog is my review of the "Early Checkout."

The characters, Nick and Perry are very likeable, and I could relate to both. I love the way the author portrays their relationship, with the anxieties, ups and downs. Since it's an MM book, there's a scene with romance, but the story mostly focuses on the interesting mystery. The author is masterful in presenting the various characters/suspects and it will keep you guessing. Another 5 star book by Josh Lanyon. Josh is truly one of my favorite authors. She knows how to write an MM mystery with great characters. 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Now living in Los Angeles with former Navy SEAL Nick Reno, artist Perry Foster comes to the rescue of elderly and eccentric Horace Daly, the legendary film star of such horror classics as Why Won’t You Die, My Darling?

Horace owns the famous, but now run-down, Hollywood hotel Angel’s Rest, rumored to be haunted. But as far as Perry can tell, the scariest thing about Angel’s Rest is the cast of crazy tenants—one of whom seems determined to bring down the final curtain on Horace—and anyone else who gets in the way.

VIDEO INTERVIEW: The Spotlight Network on Haunting of Emery Estate

I recently paid a service for a television-style professional TV interview and here is the 15 minute result. 

VIDEO INTERVIEW: The Spotlight Network's Logan Crawford talks about the Haunting of Emery Estate by Rob Gutro and Monique Toosoon 👻 

What secrets linger in the walls when the living leave—and the dead refuse to go? In this spine-tingling episode of The Spotlight Network, Rob Gutro takes us deep into the chilling true account of a five-hour paranormal investigation in Haunting of Emery Estate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14k7yucb36E

THIS IS THE WEEKEND!! Rob at the Pennhurst Paracon 2025 in Pennsylvania!

 THIS IS THE WEEKEND!! "We are thrilled to welcome 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐑𝐨𝐛 𝐆𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨 to the lineup of paranormal guests!"

I will be a speaker at the 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 (Pennsylvania) 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 & 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡! It will be my first time at this amazing Paracon, that features the Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, Johsn Gates, Project Fear, Adam Berry and Amui Bruni and Patti Negri among others!! - Its being held about 40 mins. west of Philadelphia!) WEBSITE: https://pennhurstasylum.com/

Science: Shingles vaccine may directly guard against dementia, study hints

 This is encouraging news from our scientists! I've been getting the Shingles vaccine now since 2012, and now it appears there's a side benefit. Here's the story.

Shingles vaccine may directly guard against dementia, study hints

By Clarissa Brincat, Live Science, May 5, 2025

The lower incidence of dementia seen in adults who received the shingles vaccine is likely not just a correlation, scientists say, based on new results of an observational study.

The shingles vaccine may prevent or delay dementia, compelling new data suggest.

In a study published April 23 in the journal JAMA, researchers analyzed electronic health records from across Australia. They found that older adults who were eligible for a free shingles vaccine were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over the following 7.4 years than those who were slightly too old to qualify for the vaccination program.

These findings support the "viral hypothesis" of Alzheimer's disease, which posits that viral infections contribute to the development of the condition, which is the most common form of dementia. Specifically, the hypothesis points to herpesviruses, a family of viruses that includes varicella-zoster virus, the germ behind chickenpox and shingles.

If confirmed by additional research, the results of the new study suggest that an effective and low-cost tool for reducing dementia risk may already exist.

"It is very hard to see how anything other than the vaccine could explain the strong protective effect" observed in the study, Dr. Sten Vermund, dean of the University of South Florida College of Public Health, who was not involved in the work, told Live Science in an email.

A pseudo-clinical trial If a person contracts chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus can remain dormant in the nervous system for decades before reactivating later to cause shingles, a condition marked by a painful rash. The ability to fall latent and then "reawaken" in the body is a core characteristic of herpesviruses.

Karma: 'I'm in ruins,' said teary My Pillow Guy Mike Lindell

If you do something good, Karma will return the favor. If you do something bad, bad will happen to you. In Buddhism and Hinduism, karma is the principle of cause and effect, where an individual's actions (thoughts, words, and deeds) determine their future experiences in this life and their next life. Since Mike Lindell, the "My Pillow Guy" propogated the "big lie" as an outspoken supporter of Trump's discredited claim that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against him, he has several lawsuits against him. Today's blog is an example of the Bad Karma catching up.

(Photo: Karma catches up with idiot Mike Lindell. Credit: ABC News) 

His own stupidity brought his once famous and prosperous company into ruins. (Oh, and Lindell is teary that he lives off $1,000 per week... The median weekly earnings for the nation's full-time wage and salary workers was $1,194 in the first quarter of 2025, so boo-freaking-hoo). 

Although "My Pillow" hasn't as yet (April 2025) filed for bankruptcy it seems like it may happen. The My Pillow company has faced several challenges, including: ***note #3 is the kicker** 

1) Loss of Retail Partners: Several major retailers, including Walmart, Kohls, and Bed Bath & Beyond, stopped carrying MyPillow products.

 2) Negative BBB Rating: The Better Business Bureau revoked MyPillow's accreditation and lowered its rating to F due to numerous consumer complaints, particularly about the "buy one, get one free" offer. 

3) Controversy over Pricing: MyPillow's sale of a classic pillow for $14.88 was met with criticism due to its association with a Nazi dog whistle.

'I'm in ruins,' teary Mike Lindell tells judge in Smartmatic sanctions hearing

The MyPillow CEO and Trump ally says he has no money after legal battles.

Soo Rin Kim, ABC Network News, April 16, 2025

National headlines from ABC NewsCatch up on the developing stories making headlines. Election denier and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell continues to refuse to pay more than $50,000 in sanctions he has been ordered to pay to voting software company Smartmatic over "frivolous" election claims -- alleging he's left with no money after numerous legal battles.

"I'm in ruins," a teary Lindell said through a Zoom screen during a motion hearing in the U.S. District Court in Washington on Wednesday, pleading to Judge Carl Nichols to allow him to wait until after the final judgement comes out to make any payment in the case, which he has already lost.

Last month, Smartmatic filed a motion to hold Lindell in contempt, alleging the MyPillow CEO has been dodging his court-ordered payment of $56,369 to Smartmatic for months.

Lindell, however, insisted that he does not have the means to pay the amount due to various financial difficulties he has suffered over the last few years due to what he again claimed was "lawfare" waged against him for trying to "secure the election."

"I borrowed everything I can. Nobody will lend me any money anymore," Lindell claimed. "I can't turn back time ... but I will tell you, I don't have any money."

Lindell claimed he was recently forced to lay off hundreds of MyPillow employees, lost multiple MyPillow warehouse units over the past two years and even owes millions of dollars to the IRS for what he described as a COVID-era employee retention credit.

He claimed he has "nothing" except for two houses, which he claimed are in the process of being liquidated, and a truck.

He even claimed he can no longer adhere to a previously proposed plan of making monthly installments of $5,000.

After listening through Lindell's plight, Nichols acknowledged that these claims are "non-verifiable representation" at the moment and gave Lindell until Friday to file under seal financial statements and other documents to prove his claims.

"I have nothing to hide," Lindell said as he agreed to do so and added he wants Smartmatic to see the financial situation he's in as well.

Smartmatic's attorney said his client would prefer to see the payment made in a lump sum as soon as possible but acknowledged he would respect the judge's ruling.

Tonight, LIVE at 9pm ET You Tube: Paranormal Zone TV Talks w/Rob and Monique about Emery Estate!

 Tonight, LIVE at 9pm ET

Please tune in if you're awake For this awesome TONIGHT AT 9pm ET - TUNE IN for a Live interview with my friends Norene, host of Paranormal Zone TV and Monique Toosoon, my friend, co-author and paranormal drag queen. WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRISF2oL0bohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRISF2oL0bo

Canvas Rebel Article: Meet Rob Gutro

Back in April I was contacted by a website called Canvas Rebel, who spotlights small business owners for interviews. Today's Blog brings you that interview. Check out the CanvasRebel site, too, because there are a lot of inspirational people profiled!

ABOUT CANVAS REBEL: Our mission is to create a space for artists, creatives and entrepreneurs to be able to learn from their peers through the magic and power of storytelling.  Our love of the storytelling format comes from our founding of VoyageLA almost a decade ago, where we ask folks to share the story of their lives and how they got to where they are today. We’ve been fortunate to expand across dozens of cities nationwide.

Meet Rob Gutro

 CANVAS REBEL Stories & Insights APRIL 10, 2025

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rob Gutro a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rob, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is to educate people on what happens after we die and the choices we make that determine where we go in the afterlife. We have a choice of either being Earthbound as a ghost or crossing over as a spirit. I define them and explain how they exist and how they use energy to communicate. I am a Scientist by trade so the science of energy plays a main role in my explanations. I also teach people how to recognize signs from either loved ones in spirit or EarthBound ghosts. All of these things are based on my experiences and my ultimate mission is to bring understanding and comfort to those who lost loved ones.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Rob Gutro. I am a meteorologist by trade and I’m also a medium and a paranormal investigator.
My journey into the Paranormal began at 13 years old when my grandfather who passed away, appeared to me in full color 7 months later. I later learned that my mother and her father the one that appeared to me both had the gift to communicate with people who passed.
In 2005 when my puppy was tragically killed by a car, he reawakened the abilities and help me understand how pets communicate from the afterlife.
As someone who journals I wrote everything down and that became the impetus for my first book. My father passed a couple of years after that and I help prove to my own family that my dad was at his own wake in his own funeral.

I further developed my abilities by going into historic homes sensing anyone who lingered as a ghost and then proving their identity with house historians. I later joined a paranormal investigation team and help solve many hauntings, crossing ghosts over.
Meanwhile for 10 years I provided free pet Spirit readings to people while I honed my skills communicating with pets who passed. Now I offer readings for a small fee and they are all done by email.
I also offer fundraising lectures to animal rescues who would like me to teach people how their pets communicate from the afterlife. I’ve been doing that for over 7 years and I’ve raised thousands of dollars. So if any of your readers know any rescue that would like me to do a fundraiser they can contact me. The rescue charges and admission and I do not ask for anything for the rescue as it goes all to supporting the shelter animals.
I also teach adult education courses in the Paranormal in Northern New England. I also give lectures in libraries about all kinds of paranormal experiences and topics, based on the books that I have published.
I have done countless pet readings for people around the world in many countries on every continent. I have brought people peace with the messages from their pets who have passed on. Bringing people comfort and Publishing my books. All of which attained best seller status and the last 5 reached #1 in various categories on Amazon. My book pets in the afterlife 3, messages from Spirit dogs won an international book award for one of the best books on Grief and loss for three straight years.
These are the things that I am most proud of.
The main things that I would like people to know about my work is that I use science to explain how the Paranormal works. I also try to teach people how to look for signs from their loved ones and Empower them so they do not have to rely on a medium. Everybody has the ability, they only need to understand how it all works.
I have three series of books that will explain the paranormal. One is the ghost in spirits series which explains the difference between the two entities and how energy explains their existence and how they communicate.
The second series is the pets and the afterlife series which teaches readers how their pets communicate from the afterlife and what signs to look for.
The third series is called ghosts on a mediums vacation. In that series wherever I have traveled I write about the ghost I have encountered and provide some history of each location.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Interviews, social media, and public appearances have helped me build my audience. I find that my audience also increases especially by word of mouth. Whenever I do a pet reading for someone they usually tell others.
Having worked in a Communications science position I understand how to put together press packages so that made it very easy to send out to potential podcasts, YouTube shows that cater to the Paranormal, and also paranormal conferences. I’ve learned that it’s really all about marketing after your book publishes.
I’ve also created promotional postcards for each book or each series that I use in public appearances.
In addition I always sell books at public appearances and ensure that I have a way to accept cash, check, charge, or pay apps like venmo.
When you’re starting out I learned that the most important thing to do is to do things that will widen your audiences. I have found that Book Fairs do not work well. I found paranormal conferences work better, but focusing on the aspect of pets allowed me to open doors to that audience for the other series of books I have.
Podcasts, particularly the Unsolved Mysteries podcast I was featured on really open the door for people to know who I am. I’ve also measured Outreach by different social media apps and learned that tiktok reaches the most people, which forced me to do more videos. I also hired someone to make professional book trailers which has helped with the exposure. So there are a lot of aspects of marketing that an author has to take into account and be proactive in to attain a wider audience.
Happily, my 15 years of self-promotion has paid off with my last five books going to the number one spot on Amazon and winning an international book award for 3 years! My point here is that authors will be their best promoters.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media is a slow process. I started out with a Blog, and then I would write something once a week about a paranormal topic. I started sharing those on Facebook and Twitter. When Twitter became hostile and I was not getting responses I left the platform. You have to go on whatever platform you will get the most positive reception.
As social media platforms developed, I joined them and began posting a social post on the business Facebook page, an Instagram page, linkedin, threads, and blue sky. I also create some videos and put them on my YouTube channel and tiktok.. So it’s constantly coming up with new material every single day.
My advice is to find the platforms that would most support your business, and create an account. Then be prepared to populate them every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.robgutro.com
• Instagram: Robgutro_author
• Facebook: RobGutroAuthorMedium
• Linkedin: Rob-gutro-531a311b5
• Youtube: RobGutro
• Other: Tiktok: @robgutro
  Bluesky: robgutroauthor.bsky.social

Image Credits

Rob Gutro

Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

An Idiot Menagerie of the Week: Alligators, ATM Thieves, Stabbing over Food, Exposure

Since there are so many idiots, and this time, none of them are political or religious. But there a lot of those waiting in the wings. These happen to all be from Maryland, not that the state has the corner on Idiots. I've batched these idiots up for your entertainment.

Live Alligators Confiscated From MD Apartment

Two live alligators were confiscated from a Hyattsville, Maryland apartment after the MD Natural Resources received tips about the animals. A 28-year-old Washington, D.C., man was charged with illegal importation and possession of two live American alligators. Both creatures were seized by natural resources police officers and relocated to wildlife education centers. The man faces up to $2,000 in fines if convicted.

Man Exposing Himself At Intersection Charged with Indecent Exposure

A man who reportedly exposed himself at an intersection has been charged with indecent exposure, police reported. A 67-year-old Columbia man was arrested and charged after police said he exposed himself to multiple victims.   **NOTE: The article didn't say anything about dementia, so perhaps that was the issue. If that's the case, it's not about an idiot, but it would instead be sad. **

Man Who Stabbed Roommate While Arguing About Food, Chores Sentenced

An Elkridge, Maryland man who stabbed his roommate during an argument about food and chores has been sentenced. Andre Maxwell Cooper admitted that on July 14, 2024, he and one of his roommates got into an argument over food and chores. He told the roommate he was going to "mess her up." He then forced his way into the victim's room and began punching and stabbing her. She was taken by their other roommate to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. Cooper has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

ATM Robbery Suspects Who Used Jaws Of Life Face 95 Charges

Three robbery suspects who used jaws of life to break into ATMs across Prince George's County, Maryland, now face a combined 95 charges, police say. The investigation revealed the suspects targeted ATMs at businesses across the county. In five robberies, the suspects used hydraulic rescue tools, commonly called the “jaws of life,” to break into the machines and steal tens of thousands of dollars in cash. Detectives estimate that approximately $200,000 was stolen during these robberies.

Heroes of the Week: Kangala Wildlife Rescue finds Dachshund safe after 529 days in Australian wilderness!

This week's heroes are the folks in the Kangala Wildlife Rescue, Australia who helped find a miniature Dachshund who was lost in the Australian wilderness for 529 days! The mini-Dachshund disappeared from her playpen while the parents were camping... a true nightmare. It's amazing that little dog managed to survive over 1 1/2 years in the wilderness. That's one smart little dog, and she's obviously fierce to scare away predators. Here's the amazing story. 

(photo: Valerie the miniature dachshund Facebook/Kangala Wildlife Rescue) 

Dog found using owner's t-shirt after 529 days in Australian wilderness

Brandon Drenon, BBC News, April 27, 2025

A miniature dachshund has been found alive and well after spending more than 500 days in the Australian wilderness.

Kangala Wildlife Rescue said it had been working "around the clock" to find the dog, Valerie, on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of Australia. She was last seen by her owners on a camping trip in November 2023.

Georgia Gardner and her boyfriend, Joshua Fishlock, had momentarily left Valerie in a playpen at their campsite while the couple went fishing. When they returned, she was gone.

Valerie's 529 days in the wilderness - surviving intense heat and avoiding venomous snakes - was brought to an end in part through using Ms Gardner's t-shirt to create a "scent trail" to a trap.

"After weeks of tireless efforts [...] Valerie has been safely rescued and is fit and well," Kangala said in a social media post.

The charity said volunteers spent more than 1,000 hours searching for Valerie, covering more than 5,000km (3,109 miles).

The rescue effort included surveillance cameras and a trap cage with a remote door system filled with food, Ms Gardner's clothes and some of Valerie's toys from home.

Lisa Karran, a director of Kangala, said she wore the remnants of Ms Gardner's clothes as she approached Valerie after the dog had been trapped, and sat with her until the dog was "completely calm".

*************VIDEO REPORT:

Video Link: https://youtu.be/HkJORj-mkdM?si=ScIUdkU6UIAGr_TV

In the initial days after Valerie went missing, other campers spotted her underneath a parked car which startled the dog and sent her fleeing into bushland, the Washington Post reported.

Months later, island locals reported seeing a pink collar that matched Valerie's, much to the surprise of Jared Karran, another Kangala director.

"Of all dogs, that would be the last one I would say would survive out there, but they do have a good sense of smell," Mr Karran said.

In a 15-minute video on social media, Mr and Ms Karran explained how the "rollercoaster" rescue had transpired.

Ms Karran said they had to wait until Valerie was in the right part of the trap and calm enough to ensure she would not attempt another escape.

"She went right into the back corner, which is where we wanted her. I pressed the button and thankfully it all worked perfectly," Mr Karran said.

"I know people were a little bit frustrated, like 'why is it taking so long?' But these are the things that we were doing in the background," he said.

Ms Gardner said on social media after Valerie's long-awaited rescue: "For anyone who's ever lost a pet, your feelings are valid and never give up hope.

"Sometimes good things happen to good people."

Book of the week: "Idaho"- a Dell Comics 8 issue series - Great stories, characters!

I love reading and collecting comics and have since the 1970s. Recently, I was in a comics shop and bought an old western Dell comic called "Idaho" for $1.00 that didn't have a cover on it. It was from 1963. I loved the main character, a cowboy named Idaho, and his older sidekick named Frazzle. Together they would ride the west searching for adventure, and winding up helping people in need. I managed to find issues to the entire 8 issue run, and enjoyed them all. I was disappointed when I learned that no other comics company picked up the character, but it will always be one of my favorite western comics.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Dell Comics IDAHO: #1-8 FULL RUN (1963-1965)

Dive into the wild west with the Dell Comics IDAHO series, featuring the adventures of Frazzle and Idaho. This full run set includes issues #1-8 from the years 1963-1965, all featuring beautifully painted covers (except issue 8, which was hand drawn) that capture the essence of the western genre.

This is a rare out of print limited series and features the entire run! They contain one continuous story in each issue, broken into chapters. It's excellent storytelling, and they are great westerns! It's a shame that no comic company picked up the characters after this run.

Video Blog: The Ancient Roman City Underneath London

Today's blog includes a short 10 minute video about ancient Roman ruins discovered in London, and a related article about part of that find, an ancient Roman Basilica!

(Image: Rendering of the Roman forum in the early 3rd century. Photo: © Mike Codd / Leicester Museums and Galleries.) 

The VIDEO:  The Ancient Roman City Underneath London

by Architectural Digest | Staff.

An outpost of the Roman Empire, called Londinium, existed in what is now the heart of London. Though it was abandoned by 450 CE, remnants of the 2,000-year-old city still remain.

Today, AD joins architect Nick Potts in London to uncover the city’s ancient Roman origins. Before London, there was Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain, and although it was abandoned by AD 450, the influence and some remnants of the ancient city still remain. Join Pott’s as he explores how modern London rose up from Roman ruins.

Archaeologists Unearth London’s First Roman Basilica in ‘Amazing’ Discovery

The ruins of the structure were found beneath the basement of an office building.

ARTNET, April , 2025

Archaeologists in London found the remains of the city’s first basilica underneath the basement of an office building set to be demolished. Dubbed “the beating heart of Roman London,” it has been deemed one of the most important finds from the city’s Roman history.

The discovery of the 2,000-year-old building, at 85 Gracechurch Street, was revealed by researchers with the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) to the BBC.

 

 VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/j_-JnvuAeVI?si=q8-6NSXq4xbhImxD

“This building will tell us so much about the origins of London, why London grew and why it was chosen as the capital of Britain,” Sophie Jackson from the MOLA told the BBC. “It’s just amazing.”

Built around 70 C.E.–80 C.E., just a few decades after the Romans invaded and founded Londinium, the forum housing the basilica is believed to have been located on a high point in the city to emphasize the government’s power and authority. Spanning the size of a soccer field, it served as a venue for administration and commerce and housed a courtyard that hosted community activities, per MOLA. Earlier research had determined an approximate location for the ancient basilica, though archaeologists were unsure how much of the building had survived. They set to work digging test pits and got lucky on their third attempt after burrowing between a section of filing cabinets. So far, the team has excavated sections of limestone wall that formed the base of the two-story basilica.

DISCOVERY: A day at Uranus just got 28 seconds longer

Did you know it takes 84 Earth-years for Uranus to orbit the sun once? On top of that amazing fact, astronomers have just discovered that 1 day on Uranus is actually a little longer than previously thought! They figured it out by observing auroras! Today's blog explains that discovery.

(Credit: This is a composite image of Uranus by Voyager 2 and two different observations made by Hubble — one for the ring and one for the auroras.ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. Lamy / Observatoire de Paris)

BEFORE YOU READ THE STORY: Like Earth, Uranus experiences auroras, but due to its unique tilted magnetic field, they occur in unusual locations, including the equator and even the southern hemisphere, and are detected in infrared wavelengths.  

A day at Uranus just got 28 seconds longer 

By MARCIA DUNN, AP, April 7, 2025

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A day at Uranus just got a little longer.

Scientists reported Monday that observations by the Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed it takes Uranus 17 hours, 14 minutes and 52 seconds to complete a full rotation. That’s 28 seconds longer than estimates by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft in the 1980s.

A French-led team studied a decade’s worth of aurora observations at the ice giant to track its magnetic poles. That long-term tracking provided a more precise rotation period for Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun. From that distance, it takes about 84 Earth years for Uranus to orbit the sun.

“The continuous observations from Hubble were crucial,” lead author Laurent Lamy of the Paris Observatory said in a statement.

Lamy and his international team said this new approach can help pinpoint the rotation of any world with auroras and a magnetosphere.

VIDEO:Auroras on Uranus Captured Again By Hubble | Video

The Hubble Space Telescope captured the first clear images of the auroras in 2011. In 2012 and 2014, the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aboard Hubble captured the phenomena again. -- Full Story: https://goo.gl/4qayFb  

***********************************

Published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the findings come a few weeks before the 35th anniversary of Hubble’s launch. NASA’s space shuttle Discovery delivered the space telescope to orbit on April 24, 1990. ___

SCIENCE: Scientists genetically engineer wolves to Resemble the extinct dire wolf (It's still an Extinct Species)

Geneticists and scientists used genetic engineering to bring back (to a point) an extinct canine species of wolf that died out over 10,000 years ago. Currently, there are three "Dire Wolves." Here's the story and why it's important. 

(Photo: Genetically engineered Dire Wolf. Credit: TIME Magazine) 

Scientists genetically engineer wolves with white hair and muscular jaws like the extinct dire wolf

By CHRISTINA LARSON, AP April 7, 2025

Three genetically engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.

The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.

WHAT ARE DIRE WOLVES, WHEN DID THEY LIVE?

The dire wolf is an extinct canine. Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years old, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today. The dire wolf lived in the Americas during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene epochs. The species was named in 1858, four years after the first specimen had been found. Two subspecies are recognized: Aenocyon dirus guildayi and Aenocyon dirus dirus.

DOES THIS MEAN THE SPECIES IS COMING BACK?

Independent scientists said this latest effort doesn’t mean dire wolves are coming back to North American grasslands any time soon. “All you can do now is make something look superficially like something else"— not fully revive extinct species, said Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who was not involved in the research.

VIDEO: No Longer Extinct? Colossal Biosciences' Dire Wolf Project

CAPTION: Colossal Biosciences' project to revive the once-extinct dire wolf could also prevent existing but endangered animals from slipping into extinction themselves. Read more: https://ti.me/4i8Ffxf (Video Link: https://youtu.be/q6ta3TX2Zgw?si=xC1h1Agp55Y8n-Qj)

Three genetically engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

The wolf pups have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday. Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years ago, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today.

Though the pups may physically resemble young dire wolves, “what they will probably never learn is the finishing move of how to kill a giant elk or a big deer,” because they won’t have opportunities to watch and learn from wild dire wolf parents, said Colossal’s chief animal care expert, Matt James.

Colossal has previously announced similar projects to genetically alter cells from living species to create animals resembling extinct woolly mammoths, dodos and others.

Enjoyed Boston's "Wicked Comic-Con"

 Boston's Annual "Wicked Comic Con" was held in a hotel on the Boston Seaport on April 19th and I got to attend for the 2nd year in a row. I enjoyed the con with 2 good friends and found some awesome comics from the 1970s and 1980s that I needed for my collections, after a crazy parking misadventure.

(Pic: L to R: Michael, Rob, Dave) 

My friends Dave and Michael met me in the lobby. They each live in different areas of Massachusetts, so it was much faster for them to get there than it was for me coming from Maine. 

"FRAZZLED" PARKING ADVENTURE - Coming from north of Boston, I drove to the Wonderland MBTA (subway) station parking garage. Unfortunately, there are no operational pay-parking ticket machines anymore. Instead they use "phone apps" for parking. That means downloading ANOTHER ridiculous app, putting in your address, phone, email, and credit card info ( which I don't like doing ) just to park the vehicle for several hours. - My energy seems to frazzle any electronics, and that happened again. 

                                         (Pic: Blue Line MBTA Train from Wonderland Station)

It took 15 minutes to download the app, find the location number of the garage, input all the stuff, only to see the App say "credit card not accepted" - so I put in another card I had. Rejected. Debit card input- "rejected." ARRGH.  I called the "help" phone number on the inactive kiosk to get a recording that hangs up on you. I deleted the app, re-uploaded it.... re-input everything and it finally worked. I miss people working at parking garages.

THE COMIC CON- This year's comic con was half the size of last year's event. There were still a lot of comic book sellers, and a lot of artists, writers, toys, posters, jewelry, tee shirts, etc. on sale. 

(Photo: Dave and Michael checking out hot sauce products from a vendor at the comic con. I bought one for Tom...hopefully it will be good)

Dave was on a quest for old Spiderman comics for his son, Michael is into the Hanna-Barbera cartoon comics, and I was looking for comics that included: Ghosts, Rawhide Kid, Wonder Woman, Superman, Jimmy Olsen and others. I did manage to find about 15 comics at a decent, affordable price (since I'm retired)... and it was fun spending time with Dave and Michael. If you've never been to a comic con, check them out!

(Photo: Michael runs into some attendees in animal costumes) 

Idiot of the Week: Right-wing Influencer arrested- ‘track record’ of sexually abusing teen girls

This week's idiot is another right-wing Trump supporter arrested for sexually abusing teenage girls. This guy is also a right-wing media influencer. On top of this idiot, over the last month, you read about two other right-wing nuts arrested for sex with teens: Trump's previous "spiritual guide"/pastor and a Minnesota legislator who thought people who didn't vote for trump were deranged. (Ironic, isn't it, that these sickos blame LGBTQ people who don't do this, while these GOP guys are the ones molesting children). Today's blog is about the latest Idiot.

Right-wing Influencer has ‘track record’ of sexually abusing girls as young as 13

By Nate Gartrell | Bay Area News Group ,UPDATED: March 20, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO — If a court filing by federal prosecutors is any indication, the allegations against Ricci Wynne are even worse than previously believed.

Wynne, a 39-year-old right-wing social media influencer, is already facing state charges of pimping a woman in San Francisco, and a federal indictment on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material of two girls. But in a court filing, prosecutors revealed he is also suspected of sexually abusing girls, one who met him when she was 12, and was allegedly sexually abused by Wynne on camera at age 13.

“(Wynne’s) established track record of sexually abusing children demonstrates he should be detained,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Cheng wrote in the document. He added that after being released in a prior drug case Wynne “almost immediately” began “contacting children as young as 12 or 13 and then sexually abusing them.”

“Evidence recently identified by investigators shows (Wynne) not only sexually abused children, but further video recorded many of his sexual acts with them,” Cheng added.

The document, filed in December but not previously reported, gives the public its best glimpse into the allegations against a man who has made a career as an influencer and commentator by highlighting the worst aspects of life in San Francisco. He posted a widely-viewed “Mister Rogers” parody that went viral, depicting a trash-and-graffiti filled city alleyway, and has appeared as a Fox News guest, mocking safe consumption sites and other progressive policies.

But according to federal prosecutors, while Wynne was railing against the political status quo, he was harboring dark secrets. In 2018, authorities investigated a tip that he was involved in pimping and pandering, but found evidence he advertised a “cocaine buffet” online, resulting in a federal drug case based in San Francisco.

The case ended with a request from prosecutors for a 12-year prison term, highlighting their suspicions about “human trafficking” and arguing he sold cocaine while armed, and was with a teen girl when he was arrested. The defense, though, convinced U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer to forgo jail altogether, portraying Wynne as a lifelong victim of abuse who witnessed atrocities as a child, who suffers from a learning disability and who tried to harm himself multiple times during his jail stay.

But after getting out of jail, while still on supervised release, Wynne began grooming girls, prosecutors allege. He met one when she was 14, then allegedly sexually abused her when she turned 15. Police later found videos on Wynne’s electronic devices showing him “in multiple types of sex acts with a juvenile victim that appears to the officer to be in her early teens at the underdeveloped puberty stage.”

The girl, identified in court as Minor Victim 2, was later identified by a school resource officer who knows her. Police believe she was 12 when Wynne met her, and 13 when the alleged sexual abuse occurred.

All the while, Wynne was building his public persona as a reformed ex-drug dealer who was concerned about San Francisco’s descent into fentanyl-plagued chaos. He amassed more than 100,000 Instagram followers, mocked the city’s inability to curb homelessness and frequently posted impromptu video interviews, sometimes confrontational, with homeless people or suspected drug addicts.

The pimping charge, which involves allegations he pandered a woman, involves a police raid that turned up $79,900 in currency, prosecutors allege.

Wynne is behind bars at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and cannot be bailed out, records show. He is next due in court March 26, where he is set to appear in front of the same judge, Breyer, who declined to send him to prison in 2021.

Hero of the Week: Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen Finds Wrongfully Imprisoned Man Alive

This is what a hero looks like. Why did it take a Democractic Maryland Senator to travel to El Salvador to find out that the MD man illegally and wrongfully imprisoned is still alive? Where's the corrupt Trump admin? This man's wife worried he was dead. At least, thanks to the courage of a Democrat, she is somewhat relieved. But the Trump idiots refuse to bring him home. WTH?

(Photo:  Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen speaks to the press in La Libertad, El Salvador, where he arrived regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was living in Maryland and deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez)

Maryland Sen. Van Hollen meets with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador amid court fight over US return 

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and YOLANDA MAGAÑA, AP NEWS April 18, 2025

SAN SALVADOR (AP) — Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia on Thursday evening in El Salvador, coming face to face with the wrongly deported man after two days in the country pushing for his release.

The Democratic senator posted a photo of the meeting on X but did not provide an update on the status of Abrego Garcia, whose attorneys are fighting to force the Trump administration to facilitate his return to the U.S.

A Salvadoran citizen who was living in Maryland, Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration in March despite an immigration court order preventing his deportation. U.S. President Donald Trump and Bukele said this week that they have no basis to return him to the United States, even as the Trump administration has called his deportation a mistake and the U.S. Supreme Court has called on the administration to facilitate his return.

“I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar,” Van Hollen wrote on X, with a photo of the two men talking in what appeared to be a restaurant. “Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”

It’s not clear how the meeting was arranged, where they met or what will happen to Abrego Garcia. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele posted images of the meeting minutes before Van Hollen shared his post, saying, “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.” The tweet ended with emojis of the U.S. and El Salvador flags, with a handshake emoji between them.

Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, said in a statement released by an advocacy group that “we still have so many questions, hopes, and fears.”

Van Hollen’s trip has become a partisan flashpoint in the U.S. as Democrats have seized on Abrego Garcia’s deportation as what they say is a cruel consequence of Trump’s disregard for the courts. A federal appeals court said Thursday in a blistering order that the Trump administration’s claim that it can’t do anything to free Abrego Garcia from an El Salvador prison and return him to the U.S. “ should be shocking. "

Republicans have criticized Democrats for defending the prisoner and argued that his deportation is part of a larger effort to reduce crime. White House officials have said that Abrego Garcia has ties to the MS-13 gang, but his attorneys say the government has provided no evidence of that and Abrego Garcia has never been charged with any crime related to such activity.

More Democrats have said they will travel to El Salvador to argue for Abrego Garcia’s release, but it’s unclear if the trips, or Van Hollen’s meeting, will have any effect on his status. When asked by reporters Thursday afternoon if he believed Abrego Garcia was entitled to due process, President Donald Trump ducked the question.

“I have to refer, again, to the lawyers,” he said in the Oval Office. “I have to do what they ask me to do.”

A spokeswoman for El Salvador’s presidency said she had no further information on the meeting or Abrego Garcia,

Van Hollen’s meeting came hours after he said he was denied entry into the high-security Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, where Abrego Garcia is being held. The Democratic senator said at a news conference in San Salvador on Thursday afternoon, before his meeting, that his car was stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint about 3 kilometers (about 2 miles) from the prison even as they let other cars go on.

“They stopped us because they are under orders not to allow us to proceed,” Van Hollen said.

While Van Hollen was denied entry, several House Republicans have visited the notorious gang prison in support of the Trump administration’s efforts. Rep. Riley Moore, a West Virginia Republican, posted Tuesday evening that he’d visited the prison where Abrego Garcia is being held. He did not mention Abrego Garcia but said the facility “houses the country’s most brutal criminals.”

“I leave now even more determined to support President Trump’s efforts to secure our homeland,” Moore wrote on social media.

The fight has also played out in contentious court filings, with repeated refusals from the government to tell a judge what it plans to do, if anything, to repatriate him. The three-judge panel from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously refused Thursday to suspend the judge’s decision to order sworn testimony by Trump administration officials and said the judiciary will be hurt by the “constant intimations of its illegitimacy” while the executive branch “will lose much from a public perception of its lawlessness.”

Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, who was nominated by Republican President Ronald Reagan, wrote that he and his two colleagues “cling to the hope that it is not naïve to believe our good brethren in the Executive Branch perceive the rule of law as vital to the American ethos.”

Since March, El Salvador has accepted from the U.S. more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants — whom Trump administration officials have accused of gang activity and violent crimes — and placed them inside the country’s maximum-security gang prison just outside San Salvador. That prison is part of Bukele’s broader effort to crack down on the country’s powerful street gangs, which has put 84,000 people behind bars and made Bukele extremely popular at home.

Human rights groups have accused Bukele’s government of subjecting those jailed to “systematic use of torture and other mistreatment.” Officials there deny wrongdoing.

___ Jalonick reported from Washington.