(16 Jul 2025)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 16 July 2025

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Briney, actor:

Briney: "Yeah, I heard that there was something that was pushed out, which is great, because there's no room for that. We're making a TV show, we're all actors, at the end of the day, it's not that deep. And if people have mean things to say, don't say it. That's ridiculous."

Reporter: "Were you ever directly affected."

Briney: "Yeah, of course, yeah."

AP VIDEO SHOT BY GUIDO NEIRA

PRODUCTION: JOHN CARUCCI

STORYLINE:

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/

You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/a6c03a210b6c491e918bed5ad98feb93

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ozZoTbrC4

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall River, Massachusetts - 15 July 2025

1. Gabriel House sign

2. Various of the aftermath of the fire

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall River, Massachusetts - 16 July 2025

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Coogan, Fall River mayor:

“This was a very important issue that’s been in the spotlight for the last few days. In constant communication with our chief, members of the union, we’ve been going back and forth over how we can increase the count on some of our trucks. And today we came to the realization that we can go up by four. So instead of having two trucks at the minimum standard by the Fire Safety Commission, we’re going to go to six."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall River, Massachusetts - 15 July 2025

4. Various of the aftermath of the fire

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall River, Massachusetts - 16 July 2025

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Coogan, Fall River mayor:

“I want to commend the fire, police, EMS and EMA for the work they did with this horrific tragedy, and I also want to acknowledge the residents that we’ve been working with so closely. And yesterday I was on the phone with the families that lost someone in this fire. It’s a tough phone call to make, but they understood the gravity of what situation had dropped in their lap, and they understand how much it hurt the city and all of its residents."

6. Various of flowers at a makeshift memorial

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Coogan, Fall River mayor:

“I would never let any of you into any of the meetings as the language was spicy and it went back and forth, but it was only spicy going in the same direction. We wanted to make sure we got to a point where we could move the needle on staffing for the fire department of the city of Fall River.”

8. Owner of the nursing home closing a gate

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Edward Kelly, president, International Association of Fire Fighters

“The lesson here is we don’t want to have the conversation after the tragedy. And city managers, people that are running, making decision-makers at budget time have to prioritize public safety, have to prioritize firefighter staffing in order to protect their population. And that’s a lesson, a tough lesson coming out of this."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall River, Massachusetts - 15 July 2025

10. Various of investigators at the scene of the fire

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall River, Massachusetts - 16 July 2025

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Coogan, Fall River mayor:

“Fall River’s a $500 million budget, and I have wants and needs coming from all directions. These guys are extremely important to me. We wanted to make sure we did it. When it’s slammed in your face like this crisis, it brings it to the forefront, which is why Ed and the crew came down. How do we fix this? Not a month from now. Not a week from now. Now. That was the message today.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fall River, Massachusetts - 15 July 2025

12. Various of investigators at the scene of the fire

STORYLINE:

City officials in Fall River, Massachu... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqVx8CbBOMY

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - 16 July 2025

1. Various of people praying over dead on ground

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jerusalem - 16 July 2025

++ PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOTS 1 & 3++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Federman, The Associated Press:

"The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says that 20 people have been killed at one of its food distribution sites in the southern Gaza Strip. The GHF is a new initiative backed by Israel and the United States that hands out food packages to people in Gaza. They say this effort is needed to prevent humanitarian aid from slipping into the hands of Hamas. Since the GHF launched its operations in late May, it says it has handed out millions of meals to people in Gaza."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gaza City, Gaza Strip - 15 July 2025

3. Various of displaced people carrying pots receiving food from charity kitchen

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - 16 July 2025

4. Various of people praying over dead on ground

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jerusalem - 16 July 2025

++ PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOT 4 ++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Federman, The Associated Press:

"But this operation also has been beset by trouble. Witnesses and health workers in Gaza say that hundreds of Palestinians have been fatally shot while trying to reach these distribution sites. They say the gunfire is coming from nearby Israeli soldiers who protect these hubs. Israel says these numbers are inflated and that its soldiers only fire warning shots when they feel threatened if the crowds move too closely to the forces. However, this latest violence marks the first time that deaths have been reported at a GHF hub. Now, GHF is blaming Hamas for the violence. It says the group sends people in to provoke, to cause panic and provoked a stampede that led to most of these deaths. However, witnesses tell us that GHF's own contractors fired pepper spray and stun grenades, and that's what caused the crowd to panic."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - 16 July 2025

6. Various of people praying over dead on ground

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jerusalem - 16 July 2025

++ COVERED BY SHOT 6 ++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Federman, The Associated Press:

"This is just the latest violence in a war that is now over 21 months old. Palestinian health officials say that over 58,000 people have been killed in this conflict. Ceasefire efforts are continuing in Qatar between Israel and Hamas, but so far there signs of a breakthrough."

STORYLINE:

Twenty Palestinians were killed at a food distribution center run by an Israeli-backed American organization in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, mostly from being trampled, the group said.

They were the first deaths reported at one of the group's sites, though hundreds have been killed by Israeli forces on the roads leading to them, according to witnesses and health officials.

Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 54 others, including 11 children, according to hospital officials.

The Gaza Huma... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hze-OaoMBjQ

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jerusalem - 16 July 2025

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Federman, The Associated Press:

"The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says that 20 people have been killed at one of its food distribution sites in the southern Gaza Strip. The GHF is a new initiative backed by Israel and the United States that hands out food packages to people in Gaza. They say this effort is needed to prevent humanitarian aid from slipping into the hands of Hamas. Since the GHF launched its operations in late May, it says it has handed out millions of meals to people in Gaza."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gaza City, Gaza Strip - 15 July 2025

2. Close of pots held by people trying to get food

3. Various of displaced people carrying pots receiving food from charity kitchen

4. Wide of people during food distribution point

5. Woman carrying a pot of lentil soup heading to her tent

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jerusalem - 16 July 2025

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Federman, The Associated Press:

"But this operation also has been beset by trouble. Witnesses and health workers in Gaza say that hundreds of Palestinians have been fatally shot while trying to reach these distribution sites. They say the gunfire is coming from nearby Israeli soldiers who protect these hubs. Israel says these numbers are inflated and that its soldiers only fire warning shots when they feel threatened if the crowds move too closely to the forces. However, this latest violence marks the first time that deaths have been reported at a GHF hub. Now, GHF is blaming Hamas for the violence. It says the group sends people in to provoke, to cause panic and provoked a stampede that led to most of these deaths. However, witnesses tell us that GHF's own contractors fired pepper spray and stun grenades, and that's what caused the crowd to panic."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - 16 July 2025

7. Various of dead on the ground

8. Woman mourning over body of man

9. Various of men praying over wrapped bodies

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jerusalem - 16 July 2025

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Federman, The Associated Press:

"This is just the latest violence in a war that is now over 21 months old. Palestinian health officials say that over 58,000 people have been killed in this conflict. Ceasefire efforts are continuing in Qatar between Israel and Hamas, but so far there signs of a breakthrough."

STORYLINE:

Twenty Palestinians were killed at a food distribution center run by an Israeli-backed American organization in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, mostly from being trampled, the group said.

They were the first deaths reported at one of the group's sites, though hundreds have been killed by Israeli forces on the roads leading to them, according to witnesses and health officials.

Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 54 others, including 11 children, according to hospital officials.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation accused the Hamas militant group of fomenting unrest at the fo... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfsR3qcefBA

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kyiv region, Ukraine - 16 July 2025

1. Various of recruits training for an assault on a trench UPSOUND: shots and shouting

2. Wide of 22-year-old recruit 'Goth' training for tactical moves

++ PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOTS 1, 2, & 4 ++

3. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) 'Goth', recruit of 3rd Separate Assault Brigade:

"I believe that there can be only two ways out here: either Ukraine becomes a truly strong, independent and united state, which will dictate in its own language in the political arena, or it will simply disappear as a nation, and we will all become enslaved citizens of the Russian Federation. In my opinion, this is the most terrible option that can happen to us."

4. Wide of recruits of 3rd Separate Assault Brigade lined up

5. Close of 20 year old recruit 'Mala', nickname translated as 'Small', standing in the line

6. Various close of 'Mala' putting on protective mask and helmet

7. Mid of 'Mala' handling gun

++ PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOTS 5-7 & 9 ++

8. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) 'Mala', recruit of 3rd Separate Assault Brigade:

"I believe that we need the support of the whole world, because how else can we cope with this when we are quarreling with each other? We need both the support of Western partners and the reunification of Ukrainians themselves, because without this, as long as we quarrel, nothing will work out."

9. Various of recruits training assault on a trench

10. Various of recruits training assault on a trench amid smoke

11. Wide of smoke rising above trench

12. Wide of 'Goth' lying on the ground during the training UPSOUND shot

++ PARTIALLY COVERED BY SHOTS 9-12 & 14-15 ++

13. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) 'Goth', recruit of 3rd Separate Assault Brigade:

"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. If this aid comes to us, it will be very wonderful. But how many times have we been told this and how many times has it not been done? Ukrainians must understand that we can only count on ourselves, not on the West, not on the East, not on any other part of our planet, but only on ourselves. Because only when we consolidate around the issue of our unity and readiness to wage war to victory, only then will we be able to push the enemy away from our land."

14. Various of a recruit holding machine gun

15. Various of 'Goth' training to tactical move

STORYLINE:

Instructors trained groups of recruits in Ukraine's Kyiv region on Wednesday, as the country awaits promised U.S. military aid to help in its fight against Russia.

As intense battle continues and Russian forces advance on Ukraine's frontline, young recruits continue to join the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.

The brigade has a constant number of recruits all the time, according to one of the instructors.  

20-year-old recruit, 'Mala', who gave only her nickname due to security reasons, wanted to join the army at the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, but at that time she was 17. 

"We need both the support of Weste... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM4IRVJbQx8

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

++BEGINS AND ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington – 17 July 2024

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Troy Nehls, (R) Texas:

“Remember Vinnie Barbarino, John Travolta and Horshack? You guys remember that? It was Welcome Back, Kotter. It’s in the late 70s. And that's the only Epstein I'm thinking about today. Juan Epstein (Reporter: You don't have any personal questions?) No, I don't have any personal questions.”

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep Eric Burlison, (R) Missouri:

“If there's information about - that all the content was created kind of like the Russian hoax and that kind of stuff. Okay, then show us.”

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Ralph Norman, (R) South Carolina:

“I'm for transparency, in that and in everything. So we'll see. I hear some good things where Bondi it puts it off.”

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, (R) Florida:

“What I will tell you is the president's statement was pretty clear that he supported releasing credible evidence. What I think is very likely and I've held this position is, look, I've always advocated for transparency, but I do think it's also probable, which is why we'd like to see that information, why I think the American people deserve to see the information, is that there was some tampering of evidence under previous deputy directors' authorities.”

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep Eric Burlison, (R) Missouri:

“And the fact that you have all these victims, you know, hundreds of victims, they deserve to have their voice heard. And justice needs to be done."

++ ENDS ON SOUNDBITE ++

STORYLINE:

President Donald Trump is lashing out at his own supporters as he attempts to silence criticism over his administration’s handling of the much-hyped records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation.

The Justice Department and the FBI maintain that Epstein did not keep a “client list” and that no additional files related to the investigation will be made public — despite earlier promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi that had raised expectations among conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists.

House representatives are reacting to the FBI and DOJ's decision not to release more information about the Epstein investigation.

“If there’s information showing that all the content was fabricated—like the so-called Russian hoax and that kind of stuff—then show us. Release that content,” said Rep. Eric Burlison.

President Trump told reporters Wednesday that “it’s all been a big hoax,” which, in his words, has been “perpetrated by the Democrats.” He added that “some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans” have also “fallen into the net.”

Rep. Troy Nehls commented, “We are winning. We are winning on every front. And everybody wants to talk about Epstein. Forget about it. When I think about Epstein, I think about Welcome Back, Kotter and Juan.”

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to ... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35HIENULTMo

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington – 17 July 2024

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Troy Nehls, (R) Texas:

“Remember Vinnie Barbarino, John Travolta and Horshack? You guys remember that? It was Welcome Back, Kotter. It’s in the late 70s. And that's the only Epstein I'm thinking about today. (Reporter: You don't have any personal questions?) No, I don't have any personal questions. (Reporter: Nothing in this case confuses you?) We are winning. We are winning on every front. And everybody wants to talk about Epstein. Forget about it. I think about Epstein, I think about Welcome Back, Kotter and Juan Epstein."

++BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep Eric Burlison, (R) Missouri:

“If there's information about - that all the content was created kind of like the Russian hoax and that kind of stuff. Okay, then show us. Release that content. Then the American people can get mad, you know, at the people that were creating the false narratives. Right? But at the end of the day, I work for the I work for the district, I work for my constituents and the American people, and I think we owe it to the American people to remind to stand up and let them, you know, make clear that they own this government, not the other way around.”

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Eric Burlison, (R) Missouri:

“And the fact that you have all these victims, you know, hundreds of victims, they deserve to have their voice heard. And justice needs to be done. So I think that at the end of the day, this is a question of does this government belong to the people or do the people belong to this government.”

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Ralph Norman, (R) South Carolina:

“I'm for transparency, in that and in everything. So we'll see. I hear some good things where Bondi it puts it off, and another, another, someone else. We'll see. But from what I hear, some good things happen.”

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, (R) Florida:

“I have not seen any information pertaining to the Epstein whole files as a whole. What I will tell you is the president's statement was pretty clear that he supported releasing credible evidence. What I will tell you is the president's statement was pretty clear that he supported releasing credible evidence. What I think is very likely and I've held this position is, look, I've always advocated for transparency, but I do think it's also probable, which is why we'd like to see that information, why I think the American people deserve to see the information, is that there was some tampering of evidence under previous deputy directors authority.” So with that being said, I'm going to make sure that we are doing due diligence and following up on that and getting that information to the correct law enforcement officials. We had already passed it previously. What I will tell you is that, again, I don't speak for the DOJ and I don't speak for the white House, but ... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVoAwVWWdsA

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Minot, North Dakota – 14 July 2025

1. Richardson’s ground squirrel vocalizing in grass

2. Welcome to Minot sign

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Joshua Herman, Herman Pest Control Services:

“I don't know of a place in Minot you couldn't find a Richardson ground squirrel. I've had calls downtown, calls in the mall, along the highways, here at the airport.”

4. Herman filling ground squirrel tunnels with dirt and smoke

5. Overview of Minot

6. Grass field with ground squirrel tunnels

7. Ground squirrel tunnels with traps

8. Herman checking tunnel under driveway UPSOUND (English): “I can feel the underside of this concrete because they've washed away all the paver base.”

9. Various tunnels under building

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Pashone Grandson, Minot resident:

“They dig holes by the door. I found one in my home, just like underneath my stuff, just rummaging through the house.”

11. Traps in grass

12. Herman filling ground squirrel tunnels with dirt and smoke

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Joshua Herman, Herman Pest Control Services:

“Though they're adorable, they make a cute little squeak, they also harbor diseases and can be dangerous to us. And at that point, cute goes out the window and control comes in.”

14. Richardson’s ground squirrel vocalizing in grass

STORYLINE:

The Richardson's ground squirrel weighs less than a pound, is about a foot long and is native to the northern Plains.

The little creature also is a ferocious tunneler, and it’s driving the citizens of Minot, North Dakota, to exasperation, burrowing everywhere from vacant lots to the middle of town, and growing more plentiful year after year.

Now North Dakota’s fourth-largest city is fighting back, but even the pest control guy leading the charge acknowledges that turning the tide against the rodent will be difficult.

“I don't know of a place in Minot you couldn't find a Richardson ground squirrel. I've had calls downtown, calls in the mall, along the highways, here at the airport,” said exterminator Joshua Herman.

Ground squirrels have been an issue in Minot, a city of nearly 50,000 people, for at least 20 years, but the problem has dramatically worsened in the last few years, said Minot Street Department Superintendent Kevin Braaten. It's unclear how many of the squirrels live in Minot but it likely nears or even exceeds the city's population.

Officials in the city, a green spot along the winding Souris River surrounded by grassy prairie, know they can't get rid of the squirrels, but officials hope to simply get the rodent numbers down.

Greg Gullickson, a biologist with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, adds that squirrels now have fewer grassland areas available to them and like the mowed spots they find in town–where there are fewer predators.

Herman said he kills 3,500 to 5,000 of them a year, primarily through snares and carbon monoxide supplemented by an air rifle.

Some find the critters cute and fuzzy but no... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi93LsbGz0A

(16 Jul 2025)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 16 February 2025

1. Pete Davidson poses for selfies with fans at SNL 50th event

++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: VIDEO IN SHOT 2 FREEZES ON SOURCE++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

London - 18 February 2024

2. Elsie Hewitt at BAFTA Film Awards

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 5 June 2023

3. Various Pete Davidson at “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” premiere

POOL

Los Angeles -17 September 2017

4. Various of (L-R) Pete Davidson, Kyle Mooney, Aidy Bryant, Mikey Day and Beck Bennett at the Emmys

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Park City, Utah - 28 January 2019

5. Medium shot Pete Davidson with Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly) and other cast members

6. Medium shot Davidson and Baker on arrivals line

++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: MUSIC IN SHOT 7 IS NOT CLEARED. WE RECOMMEND YOU REPLACE IT WITH YOUR OWN CLEARED MUSIC.++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York -31 May 2019

7. Wide zoom in of Pete Davidson walking in runway show

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York -13 September 2021

8. Various of Pete Davidson at the Met Gala

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - 2 May 2022

9. Various of Kim Kardashian arriving at the Met Gala with Pete Davidson

10. Various of Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson posing for photos

STORYLINE:

Pete Davidson is going to be a dad. His girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, announced their baby news Wednesday on Instagram with an ultrasound preview.

The model and actor posted photos of herself and the “Saturday Night Live” alum with the caption: "welp now everyone knows we had sex." She included a video of herself getting an ultrasound and an up-close sonogram image.

A rep for Davidson, 31, confirmed the news via email. It's the first baby for both.

Davidson and Hewitt, 29, were first spotted out together in March, romping in the waves and making out in Palm Beach, Florida. Their relationship comes after Davidson's 10-month stretch with actor Madelyn Cline ended last July.

Hewitt, who's appeared in “Industry,” “Dave” and a Benny Blanco music video, had previously been linked to celebrities like Jason Sudeikis and Blanco. Davidson, who has several comedy specials in addition to his acting credits, has been known for his dating life, including high-profile relationships with Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian.

Davidson, who has spoken of a rough childhood and lost his own father in the Sept. 11 attacks, has long wanted to be a dad, telling Kevin Hart on Hart's talk show three years ago: “It's gonna be so fun to dress up a little dude. I'm so excited for, like, that chapter."

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/

You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2c599bec6fe84f368deb9b62b273049a

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEjKXTDKkmU

(16 Jul 2025)

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Minot, North Dakota – 14 July 2025

1. Richardson’s ground squirrel vocalizing in grass

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Joshua Herman, Herman Pest Control Services: ++PARTIALLY COVERED++

“I don't know of a place in Minot you couldn't find a Richardson ground squirrel. I've had calls downtown, calls in the mall, along the highways, here at the airport.”

3. Welcome to Minot sign

4. Herman filling ground squirrel tunnels with dirt and smoke

5. Overview of Minot

6. Grass field with ground squirrel tunnels

7. Various ground squirrel tunnels with traps

8. Herman checking tunnel under driveway UPSOUND (English): “I can feel the underside of this concrete because they've washed away all the paver base.”

9. Tunnels under building

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Pashone Grandson, Minot resident: ++PARTIALLY COVERED++

“They dig holes by the door. I found one in my home, just like underneath my stuff, just rummaging through the house.”

11. Herman filling ground squirrel tunnels with dirt and smoke

12. Various traps in grass

13. Herman filling ground squirrel tunnels with dirt and smoke

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Joshua Herman, Herman Pest Control Services: ++PARTIALLY COVERED++

“Though they're adorable, they make a cute little squeak, they also harbor diseases and can be dangerous to us. And at that point, cute goes out the window and control comes in.”

15. Richardson’s ground squirrel vocalizing in grass

STORYLINE:

Minot, North Dakota is being overrun by miniature pest.

SOUNDBITE (English) Joshua Herman, Herman Pest Control Services:

“I don't know of a place in Minot you couldn't find a Richardson ground squirrel. I've had calls downtown, calls in the mall, along the highways, here at the airport.”

Herman, who’s leading the city’s fight against the small rodents, says the squirrels may now outnumber Minot’s 50,000 human residents.

Richardson’s ground squirrels are native to North Dakota’s prairie lands, but they’ve thrived in the urban environment where fewer predators can check their growing numbers.

The small rodents are ferocious tunnelers, which residents say puts homes and lawns at risk.

SOUNDBITE (English) Joshua Herman, Herman Pest Control Services:

“I can feel the underside of this concrete because they've washed away all the paver base.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Pashone Grandson, Minot resident:

“They dig holes by the door. I found one in my home, just like underneath my stuff, just rummaging through the house.”

Herman said he kills up to 5,000 squirrels a year, mostly with snares and carbon monoxide.

Though some residents have opposed the extermination efforts, Herman says that without human intervention the population will continue to grow to unsafe levels.

SOUNDBITE (English) Joshua Herman, Herman Pest Control Services:

“Though they're adorable, they make a cute little squeak, they also harbor diseases and can be dangerous to us. And at that point, cute goes out the window and control comes in... [truncated]

--

Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation

--

Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4myIFImoVkQ