The James Logan Courier

By Misti Crane
The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio (MCT)

Honeybees continue to struggle for survival throughout the nation, putting in peril the well-being of everything from California almonds to backyard cucumbers.

As the weather has warmed, Ohio beekeepers checking into their hives have been finding significant numbers of dead bees, sometimes in the 70 percent range, said Barry Conrad, a Canal Winchester, Ohio, beekeeper.

"It might be the worst in history," said Conrad, who like other beekeepers has come to expect a 30-percent loss over the winter, up from the 10 percent he used to expect.

By Julie Wernau
Chicago Tribune (MCT)

CHICAGO — A coalition of health professionals, parents and corporate accountability advocates is calling for Ronald McDonald to retire as a spokesman for the nation's largest restaurant chain, saying he has too much influence on kids.

Corporate Accountability International, which has waged campaigns against bottled water companies and tobacco companies, said it plans to present the results of a survey Wednesday showing that most Americans agree.