Category Archives: news

California Builds Wildlife Overpass

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A newly built wildlife crossing bridge stretches over a highway, with three mule deer walking across the top. Cars travel beneath the structure, and forested hills rise in the background. Construction equipment is still visible on the bridge, highlighting how quickly wildlife began using it.

Wildlife Overpass comes to California

 

Good Morning, Readers

I love good‑news stories, and there never seem to be enough of them. Recently I’ve shared updates about Colorado’s new wildlife overpass and the incredible success they’re seeing — fewer crashes, less carnage on the roads, and migratory animals like pronghorn returning to their historical routes.

Then I learned about Arizona. They already have more than twenty wildlife overpasses and tunnels. I had no idea they were so conservation‑forward, but apparently they’re planning another one because the existing crossings work so well.

And now California has joined in. Up in Siskiyou County, their new wildlife overpass isn’t even officially open yet, but it’s already proving its worth. Just 15 hours after construction wrapped, three mule deer crossed. They were followed by a bobcat… and then a black bear.

I guess it really is a case of: If you build it, they will come.

A forested highway runs beneath a wide wildlife overpass covered in soil and vegetation. Dense pine trees surround the scene, and a snow‑capped mountain rises in the background under a bright blue sky.

 

WMEO News Commentary- Daylight Savings Time

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Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk for a “DST Debate” segment. The orange cat on the left wears a black bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a toy mouse and small teddy bear. A microphone is centered between them. Behind the desk is a festive fall backdrop featuring pumpkins, leaves, coffee cups, and a large clock reading 2:00 with a wooden “FALL BACK” sign above it.

Live from Taunton, this is a WMEO 9 news update – Daylight Savings Time bill stalled in Senate

WMEO News Commentary – Daylight Savings Time

Banner (serious, calm): “Only weeks to go before the clocks fall back and Daylight Saving Time ends for another year. And despite years of debate, nothing has changed.”

Banner continues: “The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time permanent year‑round. However, the proposal stalled in the Senate, with no vote scheduled. Nineteen states have already approved measures supporting permanent DST, but federal law prevents any of them from taking effect until Congress acts.”

Balboa (outraged): “So basically… nobody can agree on what time it is?”

Banner (deadpan): “That is correct. As a result, it appears we have another year of changing our clocks.”

Balboa (panicking): “FALLING BACK MEANS BREAKFAST WILL BE LATE.”

Pumpkin Spice, an orange tabby cat dressed as a WMEO field reporter, stands in a cranberry bog surrounded by floating red cranberries. He wears a white “Boogie in the Bog” T‑shirt and a black WMEO press hat decorated with an orange leaf. He holds a WMEO‑branded microphone in one paw and looks directly at the camera with a serious expression. Behind him are water, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.Pumpkin Spice (remote, exhausted): “I’ve survived storms, bogs, and bears. Now I have to survive a government‑mandated time shift? This job is hazardous.”

Balboa (dramatic): “I CAN’T LIVE LIKE THIS.”

Banner (closing, dry): “With only weeks to go, it’s not looking good for the Sunshine Protection Act. Viewers are advised to prepare for the annual confusion. You may also need to look up how to adjust the time on your stove, microwave, and other appliances. Those are notoriously difficult to change, and we expect widespread frustration.”

Banner (final reminder):Cartoon illustration of a large clock showing 12:00, with a cartoon person hanging onto the minute hand as it lifts them off the ground. The clock face is light blue, and the scene humorously suggests someone trying to hold onto time.

So remember folks, on November 1 at 2 am you’ll once again be turning your clocks back 1 Hour. Forewarned is forarmed. 

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

This Has Been A WMEO  9 Public Service announcement. We Meow- You Listen

 

 

 

 

WMEO News Update — October Declared Massachusetts Cranberry Month

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Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. On the left, an orange long‑haired cat wearing a black bow tie sits upright with a serious expression. On the right, a black short‑haired cat looks toward the camera with bright green eyes. A microphone stands between them on the desk, along with papers featuring paw prints and two small plush toys — a gray mouse and a brown teddy bear. Behind them, a large studio screen displays a photo of a cranberry bog filled with floating red cranberries under a blue sky, along with the headline “WMEO 9 October Is Cranberry Month.”

Live from the Nature Desk at WMEO 9, We bring you the latest Cranberry update

WMEO 9- We Meow-You Listen

Banner: Governor Maura Healey has officially proclaimed October as “Massachusetts Cranberry Month,” honoring the state’s official berry and the many multi‑generational farming families that grow them. Moreover, it’s a nod to the deep agricultural roots that keep the Commonwealth colorful every fall.

Balboa: Cranberries? Those are tart little red berries that float. Naturally, they make me think of Thanksgiving — cranberry sauce, muffins, maybe pie.

Banner: Massachusetts is home to the nation’s oldest continuous cranberry cultivation. Therefore, even without the Governor’s declaration, October is a big month for cranberries. The harvest is in full swing.

Meanwhile, we go now to our roving reporter, Pumpkin Spice, who is currently enjoying a cranberry bog.

Pumpkin Spice, an orange tabby cat dressed as a WMEO field reporter, stands in a cranberry bog surrounded by floating red cranberries. He wears a white “Boogie in the Bog” T‑shirt and a black WMEO press hat decorated with an orange leaf. He holds a WMEO‑branded microphone in one paw and looks directly at the camera with a serious expression. Behind him are water, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.Pumpkin Spice: “Pumpkin Spice reporting live from the cranberry bogs of Massachusetts — where apparently the entire state is just… fruit water. Lots and lots of fruit. And lots and lots of cold water.”

“In the last week I’ve been soaked in a storm, chased by bears, and now I’m wading through berries. Consequently, this job is a hazard.”

Balboa (from off‑camera): “PUMPKIN THEY’RE GONNA COME BACK FOR YOU YOU’RE SMALL AND SNACK‑SIZED!”

Pumpkin Spice : “Balboa, please. I’m a professional. At least, I got this cool shirt out of it.”

A white T‑shirt featuring a playful design of three cartoon red cranberries dancing on a musical staff with a treble clef and music notes. Below the illustration, the text reads “Boogie in the Bog.”

Banner: “Thank you, Pumpkin. Please return safely. Otherwise, we cannot afford another bear‑related incident.”

Pumpkin (muttering): “They were surprisingly fast.”

Finally, Banner closes: “And just a reminder, folks — Ocean Spray’s 15th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration will be held at Patriot Place in Foxboro on Saturday, October 24 from 10 AM to 4 PM. This free, family‑friendly autumn tradition features seasonal activities throughout Patriot Place and behind Bass Pro Shop.”

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

 

 

 

 

 

WMEO WEATHER UPDATE — PUMPKIN SPICE GOES FULL JIM CANTORE

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Two cats sit behind a blue WMEO 9 news desk, posed as TV news anchors. On the left, an orange long‑haired cat wearing a black bow tie looks toward the camera. On the right, a short‑haired black cat sits upright. A microphone is centered between them. On the desk are papers with paw prints, a small teddy bear, and a toy mouse. Behind them, a large screen displays the headline “STORM UPDATE” above a photo of a fallen tree blocking a residential street with emergency vehicles present.

Reporting Live from the WMEO 9 Weather desk. Storm Update.  We Meow- You Listen

 Banner: Good evening, Taunton  WMEO is tracking the aftermath of the nor’easter that tore through the region this past weekend. Streets are flooded, debris is scattered across neighborhoods, and reports of property damage are coming in in torrents. Cleanup crews are already out, but conditions remain hazardous — and one very determined field reporter insisted on “getting the real story.”

Balboa: We told him not to go outside. We all told him not to go outside.

Cut to Pumpkin Spice, live in the field: A drenched orange cat wearing a black hat with an orange band and a blue bow tie stands outdoors in heavy rain. The cat holds a WMEO NEWS microphone and wears a soaked press badge labeled “WMEO PRESS PUMPKIN SPICE.” Behind him, large storm waves crash near coastal buildings under a dark, stormy sky.

Pumpkin Spice: “This is WMEO field reporter Pumpkin Spice, live on location. Conditions are… damp. Very damp. Extremely damp. I have seen wetter days, but only from inside the bathtub.”

Banner (back in studio): Pumpkin, why are you out there? The storm has already passed.

Pumpkin Spice: “Jim Cantore would be out here. I am honoring the tradition.”

Balboa: He said that with the seriousness of a cat applying for a mortgage.

Pumpkin Spice: “I attempted to open my umbrella. It immediately surrendered. I am now using it as a morale prop.”

Banner: Pumpkin, please come back inside. You’re dripping on the microphone.

Pumpkin Spice: “I will return when the situation stabilizes. Or when my fur dries. Whichever comes first.”

Balboa: So… never.

Banner: WMEO will continue monitoring cleanup efforts across the region. Please stay safe, avoid flooded streets and downed wires, and do not — under any circumstances — imitate Pumpkin Spice.

Pumpkin Spice : “I regret nothing.”

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

WMEO Late Breaking News — New Cat Species Discovered

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Two cats sitting behind a WMEO 9 news desk, an orange cat in a black bow tie and a black cat with a toy mouse and teddy bear, with a studio screen behind them showing a spotted wild cat and the headline “NEW CAT SPECIES IDENTIFIED.”

🐾 Dateline: Taunton, MA — This is a late‑breaking bulletin from WMEO: We Meow, You Listen.

Reporting live from the Nature Desk, here’s Banner with the latest update.

Banner: “Big news today, folks. It’s not every day science discovers a new species of cat. In fact, it’s almost suspicious.”

Balboa: “That’s right. We don’t need new species. We were good enough for the Egyptians — we should be good enough now.”

Banner: “Balboa is referring to the fact that ancient Egyptians worshiped cats as gods. But that has absolutely nothing to do with this story. A small wildcat known as the Atacama Tiger Cat was identified in Bolivia in 2016. WMEO has confirmed it weighs three pounds. Three. Pounds. That’s smaller than Balboa’s ego.”

Balboa: “2016?! What took them so long to tell us? Why the big secret? Were they afraid we’d unionize?”

Banner: “Sources say the cat is about 18 inches long, stripy, extremely cute, and definitely a wild cat — not a housecat, not adoptable, and not interested in sharing your couch.”

Close-up of a small spotted wild cat sitting against a black background, showing its patterned coat, large eyes, and long banded tail.

Pumpkin Spice, WMEO’s roving reporter, lounging on a hay bale in full autumn colors.

Roving Reporter, Pumpkin Spice

Balboa: “Pumpkin Spice volunteered to cover the story. He claims he speaks fluent Tiger Cat. We doubt it. He barely speaks housecat.”

Banner: “WMEO will continue monitoring this developing situation. Stay tuned for updates as our field reporter attempts to make contact — or at least avoid getting hissed at.”

Two cats sitting behind a WMEO 9 news desk, an orange cat in a black bow tie and a black cat with a toy mouse, teddy bear, and playing cards, with a studio backdrop and “Thank you for watching” displayed on the desk.

 

This concludes our WMEO Special Report. We Meow — You Listen. Thanks for watching… Balboa insists you applaud.