A single-engine plane crashed at the Wright Brothers National Memorial Airport in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, on Saturday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities. The plane caught fire after the crash, and the airport remains closed while authorities investigate the incident.
Gateway communities surrounding Yosemite National Park are urging the National Park Service (NPS) to adopt a more collaborative and creative approach to visitor management. They argue that the current access control system is harming local businesses and turning away visitors while failing to address the park’s true capacity. Instead, they propose a pilot program to enhance access to less-crowded areas and prioritize collaboration with gateway communities to develop sustainable solutions.
Senator Ted Cruz is demanding answers from the National Park Service (NPS) after a pro-Hamas protest in Washington D.C. turned violent, with protesters vandalizing monuments and burning an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Cruz criticizes NPS for failing to adequately deploy officers and coordinate with other agencies, leaving them vastly outnumbered by the protesters. He is seeking information about NPS’s intelligence gathering, preparations, and coordination efforts before the protest.
A hydrothermal eruption at Yellowstone National Park on July 23rd sent plumes of steam and debris skyward, prompting evacuations and temporary closure of the area. While the eruption was relatively small compared to past events, it serves as a stark reminder of the powerful forces at play beneath the park’s surface. Scientists believe a blockage in the park’s plumbing system may have triggered the event.
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C. will be hosting its annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival from July 19-21, 2024. This three-day event will feature stunning floral displays, cultural performances, educational tours, and family-friendly activities.
Officials at Denali National Park in Alaska are facing criticism after allegedly ordering construction crews to remove an American flag from their vehicle. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, sent a letter to National Park Service Director Charles Sams demanding an explanation for the actions, calling it an “outrage” and a violation of the spirit of Memorial Day.
The National Park Service has increased monitoring at Arizona Hot Springs in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area due to elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria, E. coli, and enterococci bacteria, indicating the presence of human waste. The bacteria buildup is attributed to sandbags restricting the flow of water, which deepens the water for swimming but creates a stagnant environment that fosters bacterial growth. While the trails leading to the hot springs are typically closed during hot summer months, restrictions may be implemented if bacteria levels continue to rise.
The National Park Service (NPS) has agreed to revise its rules for off-road vehicles (ORVs) in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to address environmental concerns raised by conservation groups. The new rule will restrict motorized use on Lake Powell’s shorelines and prohibit ORV use in a portion of the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit. The settlement does not impact recreation on Lake Powell.
A legal battle is brewing between the Glacier Range Riders minor league baseball team and the U.S. Department of Interior over the use of an arrowhead logo. The department has filed a protest against the team’s trademark application, arguing that the logo is too similar to the one used by the National Park Service (NPS). The Range Riders, however, maintain that the arrowhead is a generic shape and should not be subject to exclusive ownership. Representatives for the team have criticized the department’s actions, noting that other organizations also use the arrowhead symbol. The case is scheduled for a final hearing next year.
