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'Nellie' the Stuffed Swamp Rat Sells Congress on Wiping Out Nutria

Rep. Josh Harder brought a stuffed swamp rat nicknamed "Nellie" to the congressional floor Wednesday. And, the Turlock Democrat's show-and-tell presentation worked to perfection. The House, on a voice vote, passed Harder's legislation to make $12 million available each year until 2025 to battle an invasion of nutria. “Especially on...

Voracious Rodents in Central Valley Set Off Alarms

LOS BANOS — One of the most recent threats to California's environment has webbed feet, white whiskers, shaggy fur and orange buck teeth that could be mistaken for carrots. "Boy, they're an ugly-looking thing," said David Passadori, an almond and walnut grower. "And the way they multiply — jeez." The...

Valley Democrats Declare War on Invasive Swamp Rats

Rep. Josh Harder of Turlock put on waders and traipsed through the water in search of swamp rats recently. The goal: Publicizing a bill that he and three other California Democrats have introduced targeting nutria, an invasive species from South America creating havoc with irrigation canals and levees. What the...

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