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A renowned shark research center in California is in danger of shutting down after the state pulled funding for a program that provides safeguards against attacks.
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Chris Lowe, the director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, told Fox News Digital that the program monitors great white sharks along Southern California’s coastline.
“In 2018, we received funding from the state of California to start the California Shark Beach Safety Program. And that was because there were more and more white sharks being seen along the California coastline, particularly along public beaches,” Lowe said.
“And this raised a concern for lifeguards who are responsible for keeping people safe. So they asked us, why are the sharks here? And are they a risk to people?” Lowe said. “And at the time, we didn’t really know.”
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BEACHGOERS WARNED OF SPIKE IN SHARK ATTACKS THIS SUMMER AMID CUT OF RESEARCH FUNDING
The Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach is in danger of running nearly out of funds by the summer and may have to shut down programs that monitor sharks.(iStock)
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Lowe said that after the program launched they have been able to use the funds to tag over 300 juvenile white sharks, with 235 of the sharks with active transmitters.
He said that they chose to tag great white sharks since 97% of bites in California in the last century are from these large predators.
The shark expert explained that the program also has 120 acoustic receivers along the sunny California coastline to “listen” for tagged sharks, as well as drone equipment.
“This enables us to provide lifeguards with data about what sharks are off their beaches. How long are they going to be there, what are they doing, and when are they going to leave,” Lowe said.
A great white shark swimming in the ocean.(iStock)
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Lowe said that their research has found that sharks are “around people all the time” and that they “largely ignore people.”
“We also use drones, and that’s been an important part of our monitoring as well, because then we could see where sharks were in proximity to people and then address questions about what the risk is,” Lowe said. “And some of our data have indicated that sharks are around people all the time in Southern California. And the sharks largely ignore people.”
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Without the program, Lowe said, lifeguards would not be able to properly manage Southern California beaches from sharks.
“We don’t think that if the program gets shut down, we’re not going to see a spike in shark bites. What we think is the monitoring is helping lifeguards better manage beaches,” Lowe said.
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“For example, let’s say a nine-foot shark, which is still a juvenile, is off a public beach, and it’s been there for days or weeks, and lifeguards know that from our acoustic telemetry monitoring data or even our drone data, but no surfers are reported seeing that shark,” he said. “Normally they would close a beach, but why close the beach if the shark is there all the time and nobody’s seeing it, and it’s not bothering anyone?”
On Friday, July 14, 2023, at about 12:15 p.m. PT, San Diego Fire-Rescue lifeguards patrolling about 100 yards from shore at Blacks Beach spotted three juvenile great white sharks. (San Diego Fire-Rescue Department)
The shark expert explained that the lifeguards have a wealth of information available to help determine if the beach needs to be shut down.
“If a tagged shark is detected off the beach, lifeguards get that data right away from our real-time buoys, and then they can click on a link that will tell them about where that shark is, how big that shark is, where it’s been, and what they’ll see is that quite often these sharks have visited other beaches, or they’ve been at their beach for weeks or months at a time.”
He explained that lifeguards no longer need to shut down the beach, they can just post a public warning about a shark’s presence.
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“In the past, anytime a white shark was seen off a beach, they would close the beach, or they pulled people out of the water,” Lowe said. “And now, they don’t have to close a beach. They’ll post signs warning the public that this is white shark habitat, but because of all the data we’ve accumulated over the last five years, they don’t have to shut the beach down.”
Lowe said that the local economy is negatively impacted if a beach is closed.
“Every time they close the Southern California beach, that results in an economic impact on that community,” Lowe said. “Just by learning more about the sharks, we’ve reduced the number of beach closures which have economic impacts on the California community.”
“What it’s done is it saved our coastal communities a lot of money from unnecessary beach closures,” he said.
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A large white shark looks straight into the camera. Captured in the clear blue waters of South Australia. Three great whites were pinged this week off the coast of the southeast United States, researchers said. (iStock)
Lowe said that California has seen a rise in great white sharks in recent years, in part, because of continued conservation efforts.
“Our white shark numbers have been going up steadily, and that’s because white sharks have been protected in California since 1994,” Lowe said.
He said that an increased number of sharks in California’s oceans has “raised a big concern.”
“With increasing numbers of sharks, we just didn’t know if that was going to increase the probability of people being bitten,” Lowe said. “And with young sharks using beaches as their nursery habitat, that raised a big concern because we have a lot of people in the water off Southern California year round and among the sharks.”
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CALIFORNIA BUDGET CRISIS WORSE THAN NEWSOM PROJECTED, AS STATE WATCHDOG WARNS DEFICIT COULD REACH $73B
Lowe said that if they do not raise funding from local supporters, they will be forced to shut down.
An aerial view of the California State Capitol on February 01, 2023, in Sacramento, California.(Justin Sullivan/Justin Sullivan)
He said that funding was cut because of California’s “very poor” state budget this year.
“Our program was funded for five years and we received funding in 2018. We stretched that $3.75 million state funding to six years,” Lowe said. “We were been very frugal with our funds and getting a lot of good information.”
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“Our funding runs out in June and because of state budget, is very poor this year,” he said. “It doesn’t look like we’re going to be refunded.”
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He said that they are seeking private funding from individuals and foundations.
“We use a lot of technology in our shark research, and a lot of those tech companies are based here in California. So we’re kind of hoping that maybe some of our big tech companies might be willing to pitch in and help us out,” he said.
Restaurants across Dallas-Fort Worth are doubling down on their patriotism for the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday, firing up limited-time deals and celebratory menus that range from elevated, reservation-only experiences and skyline dinners to casual fast-food specials, family meal packs, and grab-and-go treats designed for star-spangled celebrations. Special props to those that have found a way to work in “1776” and “250.”
Here are the DFW spots offering patriotic specials and deals. (Note: This list will grow as more are announced closer to the holiday.) For a list of top 4th of July events and fireworks, go here.
Black Sheep Coffee is celebrating America’s birthday over Fourth of July weekend with $4 matcha drinks from July 3-5. The special is good for small Iced Vanilla Matcha, Iced Blueberry Matcha, and Iced Strawberry & Cream Matcha drinks, with a $1 upgrade to a 16-ounce medium. The offer is available in-store and through the app at all four DFW locations.
Cantina Laredo is bringing back its patriotic USA ‘Rita for the Fourth of July weekend. Available July 3-5 at the Addison and Frisco locations, the festive frozen cocktail puts a red, white, and blue spin on the restaurant’s signature Casa ‘Rita with layers of Blue Curaçao and strawberry purée.
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USA ‘Rita at Cantina LaredoPhoto courtesy of Cantina Laredo
El Chico is spicing up Independence Day weekend with Family Meal Packs available July 4-5 at its Rockwall location only (503 Interstate 30, Rockwall). Options include Family Fajitas ($73.99) with chicken, steak, or both; Family Tacos ($47.99) with 12 tacos and sides of rice and refried beans; and Family Enchiladas ($49.99) with a choice of beef, cheese, spinach, or chicken enchiladas, all serving six to eight people.
Ford’s Garage, the Plano burger and craft beer restaurant inspired by the heritage of the Ford Motor Company, is celebrating America’s 250th with a patriotic meal deal available July 1-4: an American Standard Burger, fries, and select draft beers or a soft drink for for $17.76, in tribute to the nation’s founding in 1776.
HTeaO tea shops are celebrating the Fourth of July with a pair of patriotic summer specials. Through Labor Day, the tea chain is serving a limited-time Blue Razzler Energy Refresher topped with vanilla cold foam and red, white, and blue sprinkles in a commemorative America’s 250th cup. From July 1-4, participating locations will also offer three gallons of freshly brewed tea for $17.76, a nod to the year the United States declared its independence.
JD’s Chippery is celebrating Independence Day with festive Fireworks Cookie Cakes, available in a variety of sizes and cookie flavors with hand-decorated patriotic designs. The bakery’s Preston Royal location is also hosting a daily Cookie Happy Hour through July 31 from 5-7 pm, featuring a buy-one, get-one-free cookie deal.
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JW Steakhouse at the JW Marriott Dallas is marking Independence Day with a four-course dinner for two on July 4. Priced at $195 per couple, the menu includes buffalo bison cigars and shrimp ceviche tostadas, a toasted farro salad with Fredericksburg peaches, a pepper-crusted tomahawk steak with charred cipollini onions and black garlic truffle purée, and chipotle chocolate cake with Garrison Brothers bourbon cherry sauce. Optional wine pairings are available for an additional charge.
Kessaku will offer a Fourth of July experience with limited window seating atop The National in downtown Dallas. Guests can reserve exclusive window tables with a $250 deposit, securing panoramic skyline and fireworks views from one of Dallas’ highest dining destinations.
Luckys Diner on Oak Lawn Avenue is celebrating Independence Day with a Stars, Strips & Sausage special available July 1-4. The $10.49 meal includes a grilled sausage plate with potato salad and pinto beans, with the option to add a slice of apple pie.
Monarch is marking Independence Day with Stars, Stripes & Skyline, a Fourth of July celebration atop The National on July 4. The experience features a prix-fixe dinner priced at $150 per person (with a $55 children’s menu), served from 5:30-10 pm, along with optional window seating for fireworks views. The menu will include dishes such as wagyu filet, wood-grilled branzino, hamachi crudo, hearth-grilled lamb ribs, and a shared s’mores dessert. Monarch is also offering a limited-time gift card promotion over the July 4 weekend: purchase a $250 gift card and receive a $50 bonus card for a future visit, available July 4-5.
Nothing Bundt Cakes is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a lineup of festive cakes and patriotic-themed desserts. Seasonal offerings include a patriotic decorated cake, Fireworks and Freedom Bundtini toppers, and the return of S’mores Made With Hershey’s through July 19, featuring chocolate cake with milk chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham streusel. From July 3-5, Bundtastic Rewards members can earn 250 bonus points on any purchase as part of the holiday promotion.
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Nothing Bundt Cakes are getting patriotic for the 4th.Photo courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes
Sonic is celebrating America’s 250th with a limited-time America $2.50 Menu available through July 12. Participating locations are offering fan favorites for $2.50 each, including the returning Red, White & Blue Slush Float, Jr. Double Cheeseburger, All-American Hot Dog, and medium onion rings. The chain is also serving drinks in limited-edition commemorative cups.
The Statler in downtown Dallasis celebrating Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday on July 4 with all-day dining, drink specials, and rooftop festivities across its venues, including Overeasy, Scout, and Waterproof. Overeasy is offering breakfast specials like BBQ Brisket Benedict, Red, White & Blue Pancakes, and Firecracker Omelets from 7 am-2 pm. Later in the day, Scout and Waterproof will serve classic American fare such as burgers, ribs, and smoked sausage alongside themed cocktails like Uncle Sam’s Punch, Star Spangled Spritz, and The Patriot. The celebration culminates at Waterproof with a rooftop pool and fireworks watch party from 7 pm-1 am, featuring a $35 cover charge, live entertainment, and patriotic frozen treats and cocktails.
Residents search through the rubble two days after an earthquake struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
MIAMI — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue announced on Friday that the U.S. State Department “activated” the department’s search-and-rescue team to work in Venezuela after the two earthquakes.
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The fire rescue personnel with the Urban Search and Rescue, or USAR, and Florida Task Force 1, or FLTF1, which includes 80 specialists, will support search and rescue operations.
“We know that many people in our community have family, friends, and loved ones in Venezuela, which makes this mission especially meaningful to us,” a MDFR spokesperson wrote in a statement. “We deploy with a single purpose: to provide hope and assist those who have been affected during this difficult time.”
The FLTF1 “Type I” team also includes six canine teams and experts in 19 areas, including command and control, technical search, structural evaluation and stabilization, planning and technical information, advanced medical care, hazardous materials mitigation, tactical communications, logistics, safety, and technical rescue.
The State Department had already deployed two urban search and rescue teams from Los Angeles and Fairfax, Virginia, that had worked together in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa.
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Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Andrea Torres
The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.
Atlanta diners may recognize the name Adidsara “Vicky” Weerasin as co-owner of both Tum Pok Pok, the beloved Thai restaurant in Chamblee, and Yao in Buckhead. But they might not know she’s also the person behind Chef’s Tableware, the ceramics shop all over many Atlantans’ “for you” page on TikTok. From its New Peachtree Road warehouse, Chef’s Tableware offers handcrafted plates, cups, and bowls, sourced from Thailand, that look like they’re from Anthropologie but sell for a fraction of the price. And while it is a wholesale operation, it’s open to both restaurant-industry professionals and savvy Atlanta shoppers.
Weerasin’s pieces appear on tables at top Atlanta restaurants, from the soft-green platform bowls used to showcase Claudia Martinez’s confectionery creations at Bar Ana to the speckled black plates heaped with pasta at BoccaLupo. Another place you can expect to find Chef’s Tableware selections is at Georgia Boy, the tasting menu–only restaurant in the back of Southern Belle. “I picked up matte black dinner plates, an artsy pedestal bowl with a bubbled ceramic finish, and concave, high-gloss porcelain pieces,” says Georgia Boy and Southern Belle chef and owner Joey Ward. “Each one helps elevate the way we present a dish.”
Weerasin first discovered her love of ceramics when she took a pottery-making class at her high school in Thailand. She’s now lived in Atlanta 20 years, but she returns to her homeland every year to visit family. It was during one such trip in 2023that she visited a family member’s ceramics business and saw the type of stunning handmade pieces that now fill her store. She originally intended for her 4,500-square-foot, two-room space to be more of a friend-to-friend operation, but after several requests, she opened it to the public.
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Cups with a drip-style glass glaze
Photograph by Martha Williams
Matching bowls and plates
Photograph by Martha Williams
Glass pitchers
Photograph by Martha Williams
Weerasin says she sources pieces with chefs in mind, collaborating with them on the right textures and weights for their serving dishes and explaining how each aspect might factor into the guest and server experience. “Each restaurant has a different concept, [so] I try to consult and recommend different types of ceramic, stone, clay, and porcelain,” she says.
Her industrial shelves are filled with a wide range of items, from the expected (plates, bowls, cups) to the unusual (sushi boats, matcha bowls, coffee pour-overs). Other offbeat items include an elephant-shaped mug, a peapod cutlery rest, and animal-shaped chopstick rests, located by the register. Customers looking for well-priced gifts for weddings, birthdays, and housewarmings can find dish sets and colorful wine glasses for less than $15.
Popular picks include “donut bowls”—large, shallow pieces that allow for creative plating and are especially popular for serving tasting menus. These bowls, which retail for $39.95 each, also offer a way to pair texture and color with the dishes; for home entertaining, they make a table look grander.
Weerasin’s favorite pieces for first-time shoppers: beautiful drinkware with a drip-style glaze. The glass glaze, known as nagashi (Japanese for “flowing”), is fired at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which produces a natural crackle effect. “It’s very unique,” she says.
Nothing Bundt Cakes are getting patriotic for the 4th.Photo courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes
