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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina s congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Myorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

A Gift for Captive Bears: Your Voice

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Monday, December 16, 2013   

RALEIGH, N.C. - Hundreds of bears in captivity in North Carolina and around the country are held in small, concrete pits and cages without anything that is natural to them. Since they can't speak for themselves, one of the world's largest animal welfare groups wants humans to speak up for them.

Delcianna Winders, director of captive law, PETA Foundation. She said the USDA is taking public comment on stronger rules for humane treatment of bears, prompted by a lawsuit by her organization. Under the Animal Welfare Act, she said, bears used for exhibition are supposed to be treated humanely. "However, the regulations that are applied are exceedingly general," she said, "and the USDA has failed to protect bears under these standards."

PETA'S lawsuit asked for more space, proper nutrition and a place for bears to forage, climb and bathe, among other conditions.

While North Carolina has decent protections in place for black bears, in many cases they are not being properly enforced, Winders said, noting that the state is known for inhumane conditions at roadside zoos. Scientific research has surfaced over the years showing what bears need, she explained. Bears are intelligent and as complex as primates, and can suffer from stress and physiological dysfunction in captivity, she said.

"So, 30 years ago, there may have been an excuse for keeping a bear in a concrete pit, arguably. At this point, there's absolutely no excuse," Winders said.

PETA has been working for more than a year to get federal government attention on this issue, and is counting on the public to weigh in, she added.

The USDA is accepting public comments until Jan. 27 at www.regulations.gov.




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