I hope the NYC rats are having safe sex! Editor’s Note: Mentions of death, natural disasters.

Happening in the World: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is on trial in Paris on charges of embezzlement of funds from the European Parliament between 2004 and 2016 and is facing up to 10 years in prison, a fine of one million euros, and could be barred from public office. The trial is expected to last two months and is a distraction for Le Pen, who will have to fight these charges at a time when her party holds considerable sway in France. These accusations of illegal use of several million euros have been known for a decade, but have not stopped her party’s rise as a nationalist party in France. (NY Times)

Happening in the US: Raging floods and mudslides caused by Hurricane Helene have killed 37 people and left Southern communities struggling to cope without basic amenities. Some of the worst devastation occurred in the forested mountains of western North Carolina, with vital infrastructure like roads, power lines, and water treatment facilities left heavily damaged. The road closures will complicate recovery efforts and restoring the full system could take weeks. (NY Times)

Happening in NYC: The New York City Council is launching a new form of rodent control via a specialized bait that makes them infertile. The rodent contraceptives are hopefully an alternative to the poison that sickens birds across the five boroughs, including Flaco, the Eurasian owl who escaped from the Central Park zoo and later died with rat poison in his system. A smaller pilot of the project was deemed a failure, but officials say this time it will be different because of a new, delicious formula. (The Gothamist)

Happening in Our Community: On September 30, Kathryn Buford will be presenting, “Protective Effect of Tree Canopy Cover On Pedestrian Falls” for the Environmental Health Sciences Department. After Kathryn’s presentation, the group will have an EHS Norms Discussion. Click here to learn more.

Rat via Bwog Archives