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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Group Finds Global Warming Evidence in Boundary Waters

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Monday, July 7, 2008   

Minneapolis, MN – A group of scientists and advocates just back from a trip to Minnesota's Boundary Waters does not like what it saw. Christopher Cox with the Pew Memorial Trust says evidence of climate change is everywhere.

"The first major thing that we noticed was areas where there were small growths of red maple, which are really not supposed to be present there. This a tree that mostly is migrating from the south."

The group also noted the impact of the past few fire seasons and how the forests are regenerating. Cox is concerned that the flames burned right down to the rock, which isn't normal. He also was shocked by the lack of wildlife.

"We saw one moose, at night, running across the road. We didn't see any bear. The entire time we were up there we saw two foxes. That was about it. Wildlife viewing is a major reason people even go to the Boundary Waters in the first place. If only one or two kinds of trees can survive there, it means not a lot of different kinds of animals will survive, either."

The group did spot European earth worms, however. This invasive species is attracted to warmer temperatures, which also are associated with different kinds of beetles. Some of these exotic beetle species can be deadly to native plants.

Cox reports global warming isn't just happening in the ice caps or sub-Saharan Africa –- it's happening in Minnesota and elsewhere.

"What we're saying here is nothing short of extinction of many different species of trees. You're going to see massive soil erosion. We're going to see more fires and more intense fires. And, all of this is going to have a really dramatic effect on Minnesota because we really depend on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for, well, frankly, for a major part of our economy."

According to Cox, the trip provided many examples of changes caused by continued reliance on fossil fuels to provide energy. Those who doubt global warming, however, say such changes are natural and take issue with scientists who report that climate change is human-caused.

More information is available at www.pewglobalwarming.org.




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