National

Data: ISAF, Nature and U.S. Census; Graphic: Tory Lysik and Maura Losch/Axios

Shark attacks appear to be on a steady rise in recent years, according to data from the International Shark Attack File.

What's happening: People are interacting with sharks more frequently than ever before. More people are living near oceans, and improvements to transportation systems have made it easier to access coastlines, according to Danielle Haulsee, the Chief Science Officer at Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute.

Alert systems have become more accessible too. Drones are being used to alert beachgoers when a shark is close to shore.

Why it matters: Although human and shark interactions are on the rise, shark populations are still very much suppressed. 

"Many shark species have been overfished, in fact on average we are killing 11,000 sharks per hour," Haulsee said. And that's a bad thing—"Healthy ocean ecosystems depend on healthy shark populations."

The bottom line: Humans will always share the ocean with sharks. "We should respect them for the role they play in maintaining ecosystem balance and for their incredible adaptations to live in all oceans and many different environmental conditions! They were here first after all."

Charted: Humans vs. sharks

People and sharks are interacting more than ever before.

Data graphics

Energy & Environment

Denver

Denver is the birthplace of a prominent grassroots organization, American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT), that uses civil disobedience and mass arrests in the fight for disability rights.

Why it matters: 40 years after its official creation in 1983, ADAPT's nonviolent, direct action tactics have inspired a nationwide movement, with 36 active chapters in 25 states.

Go deeper: See iconic photos from the last four decades of ADAPT's struggle for disability rights in Denver and nationwide.

1978, Denver: Members of the "Gang of 19," which would become ADAPT, blockade Denver city buses for two days to protest the lack of wheelchair lifts. Photo: Dick Davis/Rocky Mountain News via Denver Public Library's Western History Collection

A group of people in wheelchairs bludgeon a sidewalk curb with sledgehammers.

1980, Denver: George Roberts, left, and Les Hubbard strike a sidewalk curb as other members of the Atlantis Community look on. Members of Atlantis, an independent community living center, formed the "Gang of 19" and would later start ADAPT. Photo: John Sunderland/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Why representation matters, according to movement photographer Tom Olin:

Most "look at people with disabilities like 'poor thing'; it's real important for groups to say, Hey we're strong! We need photos [that show that]," Olin tells Axios.

"I was at an action and there were three photographers taking the same shot. When I saw the newspaper and I saw their shots, [for] one photographer, the chair was the most important thing, [as] the symbol of disability. I was more focused on that person's face, how he exuded that power that came from being oppressed for so long."

People in wheelchairs protest outside of a McDonald's restaurant.

1984, Denver: ADAPT members Mike Auberger, Bob Conrad, David Sheckles and other demonstrators call on McDonald's to make current and future restaurants wheelchair accessible. Photos: Bill Wunsch/The Denver Post via Getty Images; Brian Moss/Rocky Mountain News via Denver Public Library's Western History Collection

A group of people in wheelchairs holding protest signs in front of the American Airlines airport terminal.

1986, Denver: At Stapleton International Airport, a picket line protests the Supreme Court’s ruling that only airlines receiving direct federal funding must follow a disability nondiscrimination statute. Photo: David Cornwell/Rocky Mountain News via Denver Public Library's Western History Collection

Tom Malone and Shaila Jackson (below, left photo) and 8-year-old Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins (right), were among the protestors who crawled up the U.S. Capitol steps to persuade Congress to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Years later as an adult, Keelan-Chaffins mused "it was the image of me climbing those steps that was the final decision to get the ADA passed." 

1990, Washington D.C.: The Capitol Crawl. Photos: Tom Olin

A diptych: on the left, a crowd of people in wheelchairs riding down the street. On the right: a person uses braces to walk down the street.

2003, Yeadon, Pennsylvania.: Over 200 ADAPT members, including Adam Nielson (right), trekked 144 miles in the "Free Our People" march and ride from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., to push for legislation that would help fund long-term home care. Photos: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

In 2017, the group made headlines when their actions across the country helped defeat the GOP's attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid's budget by over $800 billion.

In Denver, local ADAPT members held a sit-in at U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner's office for 58 hours before being arrested.

A group of people in wheelchairs, with one person lying on the ground, sits in a room surrounded by police.

2017, Denver: ADAPT members, including local longtime disability rights advocate Carrie Ann Lucas, who died in 2019, hold a sit-in at Sen. Cory Gardner's office to pressure him to vote against the health care bill that would shrink Medicaid. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

A group of protestors wearing the same outfit shout and hold protest signs outside.

2017, Denver: ADAPT activist Jose Torres-Vega leads protesters in a chant at the Save Medicaid Rally near Sen. Cory Gardner's office. The week before, 10 ADAPT protesters were arrested after refusing to leave his office during a sit-in. Photo: Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images

A crowd of people in front of the U.S. Capitol at night hold up an illuminated sign that reads "Care Can't Wait".

2021, Washington, D.C.: Disability rights activists and caregiving advocates hold a vigil in front of the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to include full federal funding for home- and community-based care services in the Build Back Better Plan. Photo: Larry French/Getty Images for The Arc of the United States

40 years of Denver's disability rights movement inspire nationwide action

Denver is the birthplace of a grassroots group that uses civil disobedience and mass arrests to fight for disability rights.

A woman looking down with ADAPT's flag hanging above her.

Dawn Russell, a member of ADAPT's Denver chapter, in front of ADAPT's flag in 2005. Photo: Glenn Asakawa/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Disability

Denver is the birthplace of a prominent grassroots organization, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today" data-vars-click-url="https://adapt.org/" data-vars-content-id="7a0cbeac-ca90-45af-82db-73c3944466a2" data-vars-headline="40 years of Denver&#x27;s disability rights movement inspire nationwide action" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adapt.org/" target="_blank">American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today</a> (ADAPT), that uses civil disobedience and mass arrests in the fight for disability rights.Why it matters: 40 years after its official creation in 1983, ADAPT&#x27;s nonviolent, direct action tactics have inspired a nationwide movement, with 36 active chapters in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="25 states" data-vars-click-url="https://adapt.org/adapt-groups/" data-vars-content-id="7a0cbeac-ca90-45af-82db-73c3944466a2" data-vars-headline="40 years of Denver&#x27;s disability rights movement inspire nationwide action" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adapt.org/adapt-groups/" target="_blank">25 states</a>.

Politics

News

Axios Denver, anchored by John Frank and Alayna Alvarez, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

Axios Denver

Data: USDA, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Graphic and illustrations: Maura Losch and Lindsey Bailey/Axios

The eggs of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest native to China, will begin hatching in several states over the next few weeks.

Why it matters: The insects are not known to bite, sting or attack people or animals, but they can be devastating to the United States' grape, orchard and logging industries.

The big picture: The lanternflies can lay egg sacks, which sometimes look like dried mud, on any smooth surface — like a car, patio furniture or dead plants.

The spotted lanternfly causes damage when it feeds on the sap of branches and stems, weakening the plant.

Sap oozing from a damaged plant and a sticky residue excreted by the bugs while they feed can also encourage the growth of a black mold, which may contribute to a plant's death.

What's next: Officials urge people to help stop the spread by scraping egg masses into a plastic zippered bag filled with hand sanitizer, closing the bag firmly and disposing of it properly. 

Nymphs and adults should be crushed, and all sightings should be reported to your state agricultural office.

Go deeper: Spotted lanternflies could spread nationwide — if enough survive

Spotted lanternflies could spread nationwide — if enough survive

Charted: The spotted lanternfly returns

They can be devastating to the United States' grape, orchard and logging industries.

Insects

The eggs of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spotted lanternfly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/09/spotted-lanternfly-china-california-wine-grapes" data-vars-content-id="8ea116f9-1f38-443f-85f6-1721df043873" data-vars-headline="Charted: The spotted lanternfly returns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/09/spotted-lanternfly-china-california-wine-grapes" target="_self">spotted lanternfly</a>, an invasive pest native to China, will begin hatching in several states over the next few weeks.Why it matters: The insects are not known to bite, sting or attack people or animals, but they can be devastating to the United States&#x27; grape, orchard and logging industries.

A look at the scientific breakthroughs changing the world, explorations in space and in worlds beyond our own and the threats posed to us by our own planet, both out of our control and of our own making.

Science

If you see a tick, experts say not to crush it. But you might want to flush it.⁠ ⁠

Why it matters: Some ticks have hard shells that protect them from being crushed — such as the black-legged tick that can transmit Lyme disease — and touching a tick can increase your exposure to infectious material, says Dr. Paul Mead, CDC chief in the National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.⁠

What they're saying: If you find a tick on your skin, remove it ASAP. Mead says. "A plain set of fine-tipped tweezers works very well."⁠ 

Be smart: You can dispose a tick by wrapping it in tape, putting it in a small jar with alcohol (if you need to preserve it) or flushing it down the toilet. If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing the tick, see your doctor.

🔍 What to do if you find a tick

Experts say don't crush it — flush it.⁠

Visuals

If you see a tick, experts say not to crush it. But you might want to flush it.⁠ ⁠Why it matters: Some ticks have hard shells that protect them from being crushed — such as the black-legged tick that can transmit Lyme disease — and touching a tick can increase your exposure to infectious material, says Dr. Paul Mead, CDC chief in the National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.⁠

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

Despite being known as Turkey Day, food lovers know that it's the sides that can make or break a Thanksgiving dinner. With so many options to choose from, the Axios team wants to know — what are your top-tier side dishes?

What's happening: We want you to vote for your favorite side dishes! We've matched up 20 classic and regional sides to choose from. Axios readers' winning dishes will be announced on Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving.

The big picture: Traditions, location and personal tastes mean that no two holiday tables will look exactly alike. 

Cranberries: Americans are divided almost evenly on preferring fresh or canned sauce with their turkey.

Don't call it stuffing: Axios reporters from the South were quick to correct that "stuffing" and "dressing" are not interchangeable.

Regional influences: Depending on where you live, crabs, carrot souffles and tamales may be staples on the Thanksgiving table.

Consider your choices and vote for your favorite dishes. The poll will close at 9am ET on Nov. 20.

Poll: Your favorite Thanksgiving sides

Despite being known as Turkey Day, food lovers know that it's the sides that can make or break a Thanksgiving dinner.

A collage of Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, pecan pie, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole below text that says "Best Sides."

Illustrations: Sarah Grillo, Brendan Lynch and Maura Losch/Axios

Thanksgiving

Illustration of thanksgiving side dishes on a checkered background with the words "Best Sides" in the middle

Illustrations: Sarah Grillo, Brendan Lynch, and Maura Losch/Axios 

Retail

Despite being known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Turkey Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/11/06/turkey-cheap-price-wells-fargo-economist-thanksgiving" data-vars-content-id="f85d3790-8772-4db9-9816-0dc3a04afb38" data-vars-headline="Poll: Your favorite Thanksgiving sides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/11/06/turkey-cheap-price-wells-fargo-economist-thanksgiving" target="_self">Turkey Day</a>, food lovers know that it&#x27;s the sides that can make or break a Thanksgiving dinner. With so many options to choose from, the Axios team wants to know — what are your top-tier side dishes?What&#x27;s happening: We want you to vote for your favorite side dishes! We&#x27;ve matched up 20 classic and regional sides to choose from. Axios readers&#x27; winning dishes will be announced on Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving.

Top stories & latest news on the Federal Reserve, real-time data, plus the biggest shifts happening in the U.S. and global economy.

Maura Losch

Stories

Poll: Your favorite Thanksgiving sides

🔍 What to do if you find a tick

Charted: Humans vs. sharks

Charted: The spotted lanternfly returns

40 years of Denver's disability rights movement inspire nationwide action