Northeast
Rare great white shark encounter off Maine coast captured in heart-stopping National Geographic photo
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The year 2025 has been captured in stunning photography by many around the globe.
In its annual highlight reel of the year, National Geographic has released its Pictures of the Year, featuring 25 of the top shots of people, places, cultural moments and wildlife in action.
Five images were taken right here in the United States.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RELEASES ITS PICTURES OF THE YEAR: SEE SOME OF THE JAW-DROPPING SHOTS
Check out these standout photo moments below, all with a particular focus on animal life.
“From thousands of images made by our photographers all around the world, we present the ones that moved and inspired us most,” the editors write.
The details in the captions are all courtesy of National Geographic.
‘Chicken or Egg?’ — Berkeley, California
The cover of National Geographic’s December 2025 edition (at right) highlights its annual Pictures of the Year. For years, photographer Anand Varma has attempted to document when an egg yolk can still be seen but a bird form has clearly emerged. He experimented by incubating embryos in artificial shells before finally capturing the transformation at 12 days old. Varma separately raised some embryos to chicks, which he donated to people in the community. (Anand Varma; National Geographic)
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For years, photographer Anand Varma has attempted to document when an egg yolk can still be seen but a bird form has clearly emerged. He experimented by incubating embryos in artificial shells before finally capturing the transformation at 12 days old. Varma separately raised some embryos to chicks, which he donated to people in the community. (Anand Varma)
‘A Bee’s ZZZs’ — Davis, California
A sunflower chimney bee rests on a pillow of velvety ochers in the early evening, likely already snoozing after a long day’s work pollinating plants. This species of bee often nests at the base of sunflowers, moving with commercial farmers as they rotate their crops. (Karine Aigner)
‘A Great Sighting’ — The Gulf of Maine
Photographer Brian Skerry has been chronicling marine life for decades, but this image represents his first run-in with a great white shark in the Gulf of Maine, a place he did not expect to encounter one — especially from four feet away. Sightings of sharks like this 10-footer are increasing from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia, perhaps due in part to changing climate patterns. (Brian Skerry)
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‘The Unlikely Hero’ — Wisconsin
This two-day-old piglet was bred to save lives. Scientists modified its genes in an attempt to harvest kidneys for human transplantation. Pigs like this represent new hope for the tens of thousands of Americans in desperate need of kidneys, 66% of whom remain on the waiting list for more than a year. (Craig Cutler)
More of this year’s Pictures of the Year can be found on National Geographic’s website.
Read the full article from Here
WILKES-BARRE — When people think about transportation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, their first thoughts are likely cars and buses.
While those are the most common modes of transportation in the region, an important question is gaining attention among planners, community leaders, and residents alike:
How easy is it to get around NEPA on foot?
A recent report by The Institute examined accessibility and walkability across the region. The findings reveal a region with some highly walkable downtowns and neighborhoods, but also many communities where residents remain heavily dependent on vehicles.
“Walkability refers to how easily people can reach everyday destinations such as stores, restaurants, schools, parks, and health care facilities by walking,” said Jill Avery-Stoss, President and CEO of The Institute, “Factors that influence walkability include street connectivity, proximity to destinations, access to transit, and the strength of the infrastructure network. Walkability supports the resilience, environment, health, and economy of communities.”
Using the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index, The Institute confirmed that some of the region’s traditional downtown communities scored the highest.
• In Lackawanna County, communities including Scranton, Carbondale, Old Forge, Jessup, Blakely, Clarks Summit, and Moosic ranked among the county’s most walkable areas.
• In Luzerne County, strong scores were recorded in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton, Kingston, Forty Fort, Plymouth, Dallas, and Freeland.
• In Wayne County, the boroughs of Honesdale and Hawley emerged as the most walkable locations.
The broader regional picture, however, highlights a continuing dependence on automobiles.
“Most municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania are categorized as car-dependent, particularly in more rural areas where destinations are spread farther apart, and transportation options are limited,” notes Avery-Stoss.
Data from America Walks, which combines EPA and Census Bureau information to evaluate walkable land use, shows that a majority of residents in all three counties live in areas rated as below-average for walkability.
Approximately 66.4% of Lackawanna County residents, 59.5% of Luzerne County residents, and 53.1% of Wayne County residents live in neighborhoods classified as below-average walkable.
Despite these challenges, Avery-Stoss said there are opportunities for improvement.
She said Northeastern Pennsylvania already benefits from an extensive network of trails and greenways, including the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, the Luzerne County Levee Trail, and other rail-trail systems that support walking, biking, and recreation. Avery-Stoss said investments in sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, trail connections, traffic-calming measures, and transit-oriented development could further improve mobility and quality of life throughout the region.
“While walkability varies significantly from one community to another, many of the region’s most vibrant downtown areas demonstrate what is possible when homes, businesses, parks, and services are located within easy walking distance,” Avery-Stoss said. “As communities continue to invest in transportation and redevelopment projects, walkability is becoming an increasingly important part of how Northeastern Pennsylvania grows and connects its residents to their larger community.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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WARWICK, RI — RI State Police Warwick arrests in the area July 4 – 11 in the RI Trooper Log included charges for DUI and threatening public officials.
Here are the basics on those RI State Police RI Trooper Log Warwick arrests:
RI Trooper Warwick Arrests July 4 – 11
Erratic Driver Reports, DUI On Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 10:03 p.m., troopers arrested Adrian King, 58, 78 Potters Avenue, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs – B.A.C .15 or Greater – Second Offense (Phase I: 0.292, Phase II: 0.272). This arrest was the result of multiple calls to the Barracks reporting an erratic operator, and Troopers locating the vehicle on East Avenue in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a notice to appear in Third District Court.
Stolen Vehicle On July 5 members of the Auto Theft Task Force arrested David O’Donnell, age 37, of 112 Harrington Ave., Warwick, Rhode Island, for 1) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 2) Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; 3) Conspiracy to Possess a Stolen Motor Vehicle; 4) Conspiracy to Commit a Crime Out of State.
O’Donnell was transported to the Wickford Barracks where he was processed then turned over to the Adult Correctional Institution Intake Center pending arraignment at Second Division District Court.
Threatening Public Official On Wednesday, July 8, at 9:27 p.m., troopers arrested Christopher Brum, 27, of 43 Junction St., Warwick, Rhode Island, on an Affidavit and Arrest Warrant for 1.) Threats to Public Officials and 2.) Disorderly Conduct originating out of the Rhode Island State Police Scituate Barracks.
This arrest was the result of a barracks investigation by Trooper Downing and Troopers locating Brum at his residence. Brum was processed at Rhode Island State Police Headquarters and held overnight pending arraignment at the Third Division District Court.
Driving without license On Friday, July 10 at 1:30 a.m., troopers arrested Victor Perez Escobar, 37 of 83 Judith Road, Newton, Massachusetts for 1.) Driving after Denial/Revocation/ Suspension – Certain Violations – First Offense. One of several Warwick arrests, this arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Route 95 in the City of Warwick.
The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks where he was processed and held overnight pending morning arraignment at Third District Court where he will be presented as a bail violator.
DUI, Centerville Road stop At 2:16 a.m. July 11, troopers arrested Calvin Hebert, 23, of 211 John Potter Road, West Greenwich, Rhode Island, for 1.) Driving Under the Influence of Liquor – BAC Unknown – First Offense and 2.) Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test – First Offense.
The arrest was the result of a motor vehicle stop on Centerville Road, in the City of Warwick. The subject was transported to the State Police – Wickford Barracks, where he was processed, arraigned by a Justice of the Peace, and released with a future Third Division District Court date.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A new project from the state of Vermont is aimed at lowering home prices and increasing availability.
The 802 Homes Catalog will be released later this year, featuring home designs the state hopes will increase future development and give Vermonters access to affordable and accessible homes.
According to Realtor.com, the average price of a home in Vermont is over $400,000.
“The goal certainly is not a nice-looking catalog of homes. The goal is homes in the ground at prices that Vermonters can afford,” said Jeff Duby, 802 Homes Catalog project lead.
The 802 Homes Catalog is a project from the State Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The goal is to provide Vermonters with 10 complete construction plans for a variety of low-cost, accessible, and adaptable homes, spurring development by eliminating some design costs.
“We’ll have our catalog of ten home designs ready, freely available to the public, anyone that wants to build in Vermont, really,” Duby said.
An important goal of the project is to help Vermont’s senior community have the opportunity to age in place.
“Just recognizing that there’s a lot of folks that would like to age within their communities, within walkable areas, but their options for housing is rather limited,” Duby said.
The agency is seeking feedback on the project from Vermont seniors, hosting virtual feedback sessions to discuss the proposed designs. Agency officials said the homes are designed to be as versatile as possible and are not aimed at seniors only.
As for construction cost, officials said it is too early to estimate.
“Lord, I wish I had a clear answer right now. We’re still halfway through the design phase now. We’re trying to do everything we can to move that lever down to that more affordable price. So we’re trying, again, to look at the designs through this lens of affordability by design and how we can design the homes in a smart way to reduce some of those development costs,” Duby said.
By eliminating some design costs, the project could make home building more affordable, officials said.
The full catalog is set to be released by the end of the year. Vermont seniors who would like to give feedback on the designs can register for two virtual sessions later this month.
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