New Research Reveals a Natural and Innovative Approach to Remove Microplastics from Water

The Organic Indian posted on Facebook that "Okra and Fenugreek extracts remove up to 90% of microplastics from water," announcing an innovation that is more economical and safer method for treating water.

Credit: The Organic Indian on Facebook

The Organic Indian on Facebook posted about new research from Tarleton State University revealed that combined natural extracts from okra and fenugreek demonstrate an efficient ability to "remove up to 90% of microplastics from water." 

This research provides a more economical natural solution for developing countries as opposed to existing chemical-based water treatments widely used in industrialized countries, and also safer for the environment.

The Organic Indian Post on Facebook

On Facebook, The Organic Indian posted the following:

"Okra and fenugreek extracts have emerged as powerful allies in the battle against microplastic pollution. Recent research from Tarleton State University reveals that polysaccharides derived from these plants can effectively remove up to 90% of microplastics from various water sources, including ocean, freshwater, and groundwater. When combined, okra and fenugreek extracts form a natural flocculant that outperforms traditional synthetic agents like polyacrylamide in both efficiency and safety.

This innovative approach not only offers a sustainable solution to a pressing environmental issue but also integrates seamlessly into existing water treatment infrastructures without the need for costly modifications. As researchers continue to optimize these plant-based treatments, the potential for large-scale application grows, paving the way for cleaner water and a healthier planet." -The Organic Indian

China has Developed a New Method to Extract Uranium from Seawater Cheaper and More Efficiently

New Scientist reported that China has developed a new way to extract uranium from seawater efficiently and more economically, possibly paving the way for a large-scale industrialization of uranium extraction.

China has developed a new method for uranium extraction

China Leads the World in Nuclear Power Plant Expansion

According to New Scientist, China is leading the world in building new nuclear power plants, which will only be aided as they have developed a new method for efficient extraction of uranium from seawater. New Scientist reported that "half of the nuclear reactor projects currently under construction are in China," with their installed nuclear capacity to surpass both the US and European Union by 2030.

China has developed this as New Scientist reports that "the world's oceans hold an estimated 4.5 billion tonnes of uranium, which is more than 1000 times the amount that is available through mining."

China Develops New Method for Trapping Uranium with Electric Fields

Previous experiments have harvested uranium from seawater using artificial sponges made of a polymer material. Then there was a method that trapped uranium using an electric field.

According to New Scientist, researcher Shuangyin Wang at Hunan University along with colleagues have developed a new electrochemical method that is both cheaper and more efficient to extract uranium from seawater.

When they tested the method, they were able to extract 100% of the uranium from East China Sea and 85% of the uranium from the South China Sea. 

The Cost Savings of New Uranium Extraction Method

They did this by running 1 liter of seawater through the system using two copper electrodes - one positive and one negative, and both collect uranium. This highly efficient method allows both electrodes to gather uranium with incredible cost savings.

Previous electrochemical methods cost $360 per kilogram of uranium extracted, while this new method claims that it cost $83 per kilogram of uranium extracted.

Arby's Coupon Deals for May 2025 & Social Media Post About Steak Nuggets

Who doesn't like Arby's? It is a high-quality fast food chain known for its meat sandwich offerings. The deal is even sweeter when Arby's has coupon options. This post shows you what several of the Arby's coupons look like.

Arby's coupons May 2025

Arby's Coupons offer Great Deal Options

The Arby's coupons above are an example of the great deals offered by Arby's.

The "2 for $7" coupon is good for gyros and you can redeem it 3 times at once, so you could buy 6 gyros for $21.00 before tax is applied, if you wanted to.

This Arby's coupon has an expiration date of 5/31/2025.

The $7.49 Meal & Snack coupon includes a choice of a classic roast beef sandwich or a classic beef 'n cheddar sandwich, medium fries, medium soft drink, and 4 pc. mozzarella sticks.

This Arby's coupon has an expiration date of 5/31/2025.

The $5 Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich coupon allows you to purchase up to 3 chicken cordon bleu sandwiches in one visit at $5 each before tax.

This Arby's coupon has an expiration date of 5/31/2025.

The "$15 3-course Meal Deal for 2" includes a choice of 2 classic roast beef sandwiches or a classic beef 'n cheddar sandwiches, 2 medium fries, 2 medium soft drinks, and 2 Turnovers.

This Arby's coupon has an expiration date of 5/31/2025.

Arby's coupons

The $6.99 Classic Beef 'N Cheddar Meal coupon allows you to get a classic beef 'n cheddar combo with fries and a fountain drink, and this coupon allows you to buy up to 3 combos during your visit.

This Arby's coupon has an expiration date of 5/31/2025.

Arby's Classic Beef 'N Cheddar Meal coupon

Why Arby's is Better than its Competitors

Arby's is known in its commercials for the deep-voiced tagline, "We have the meats!" and it does have the meats.

One of Arby's greatest strengths is its diverse menu, that often includes brisket, corned beef Reubens, and deli-style turkey and ham sandwiches. They often provide better cuts of meat than their competitors, but that doesn't mean you won't get some sandwiches that have fat in them. Not every sandwich is perfect.

A Post Circulating on Social Media About 'Steak Nuggets'

However, there has been a post circulating on social media stating that Arby's is now serving steak nuggets that resemble burnt ends. Many people are commenting that these are not available at their local Arby's fast food restaurant, which may mean that if these are being served, it is at a select few locations.

This was shared by Suzie the Foodie on May 2, 2025.

She wrote: 

"Arby's now has steak nuggets, these are perfectly seasoned and tender! These taste just like the tips of a brisket." 

The post can be seen below.

Post on Facebook by Suzie the Foodie

If your local Arby's served "steak nuggets," would you order them? 

(Share your thoughts in the comments below.)

How Does Joel Die in The Last of Us, Season 2, Episode 2?

Not everyone was happy with what happened in the second episode of Season 2 of The Last of Us, titled "Through the Valley." The fan favorite character, Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) has a run-in with the Fireflies and doesn't survive. Find out what happens to Joel in this heart-wrenching episode. (Caution: There are spoilers ahead about what happens to Joel.)

Joel played by Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us

Fans of Joel in The Last of Us were probably saddened by what happened in episode two of Season 2,  titled "Through the Valley."

Those familiar with the video games know that Joel dies in the game, and could probably surmise that the same would happen to him in the show, but fans of the game know that Joel was a fighter, and would not go down without a fight. That is why some fans are not happy with his ending in the Season 2 episode 2.

Spoilers about what happens in the episode are ahead.

The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2: Through the Valley

Why does Joel die in The Last of Us, Season 2, episode 2?

This episode had a group of outsiders known as "the fireflies" watching the Jackson Hole community, plotting a way to find Joel. The leader of this group is Abby, who has a reason why she wants to find Joel -- he murdered her father, and she wants revenge. 

Joel and Dina are on horseback on patrol, while Ellie and Jesse are inside a former 7 Eleven gas station that contains dried-up marijuana plants.

Joel helps save Abby as she is being chased down by infected, and she brings Joel back to her camp, where he is tortured. Abby reveals to Joel that the fireflies have a code not to kill those who are not able to defend themselves, but she reveals to Joel that he killed her father in cold blood. Her rage takes over, and she shoots Joel in the leg. One of the fireflies applies a tourniquet to Joe's leg, and Abby continues to torture Joel.

Joel does not attempt to fight back as he has nowhere to go, surrounded by the fireflies.

Ellie watches the final moments when Abby stabs Joel with a golf club, and he dies. Ellie is devastated and promises to kill her.

Jesse, Dina and Ellie Return back to Jackson Hole

Afterwards, Jesse, Dina, and Ellie ride back on horseback to their community, with the body of Joel being dragged behind them. 

Jesse, Dina & Ellie ride back with Joe's body

While they were away, Joel's brother Tommy was in charge of protecting the town. He had to go one-on-one with a large bloater (seen below) and his flamethrower pack almost overheated. 

Tommy is fighting a bloater in The Last of Us

As this episode ends, it is clear that the character dynamic is changing with the departure of Joel. That is not to say that there won't be flashbacks of Joel, but it will certainly be different as Joel was a father-type of figure for Ellie as she is going through her own rebellious phase.

Ellie and Joel on a car ride in The Last of Us

The Last of Us Season 2 airs new episodes on HBO or on the Max streaming app on Sunday nights.

An Alabama Woman Noticed a Teddy Bear in a Garbage Pile, so she Snagged it for her Dog. Inside a Secret Pouch, She Found Human Ashes

A woman from Lauderdale County was driving through Muscle Shoals with her daughter and happened to see a stuffed teddy bear in a garbage pile. She thought it might make a good chew toy for her dog, so she stopped to grab it from the trash. When she opens a secret pouch in the teddy bear, she finds what she believes are human ashes along with a note.

WHNT News 19 reported that Vicki Wise and her daughter were just driving through a random Muscle Shoals neighborhood when her daughter saw a teddy bear in someone's garbage pile. They decided to stop and grab it as a chew toy for their dog.

Inscription on Ashes Box in Secret Pocket of Teddy Bear

Vicki inspected the teddy bear closer and saw the embroidered words "Forever in My Heart" on the bear's left foot. She then found a secret pouch inside the teddy bear, which held a little heart-shaped box with the words "Forever in My Heart" on the front and "Barry Freed" on the back. A note attached to the back of the box read: "Barry Freed passed away on May 20, 2020."

Many people have wondered if Barry Freed was a human baby or even a pet.

Vicki Wise speaking to WHNT News 19

No Information Found Online on Barry Freed

WHNT News 19 reported that Vicki Wise tried to do an internet search on the name Barry Freed, she did not find any information about Barry Freed or the family.

She said:

"I don't know who he is. All I know is his name and the date he passed away," Wise said. "I don't know where he is from. I don't know anything about him, but I do know that he had to be loved, and I know that the person he belongs to is missing him." -Vicki Wise

If anyone has any information about Barry Freed, please contact WHNT News 19. 

Do you think the ashes of Barry Freed were from a baby, a child, or an adult?

Source

Willmon, Addison. "Alabama woman finds trashed teddy bear with human ashes inside." WHNT News 19. Published: 4 January 2023. Updated: 5 January 2023.

*The above article was first published on Newsbreak on January 15, 2023, and received over 1,000,000 views.

Goldin Auctions Sold 'Cheetozard' for Nearly $88K

An auction house in New Jersey auctioned off a Flamin' Hot Cheeto that resembles the Pokémon character Charizard. The final price of the auction reached $87,840 after fees on March 2, 2025.

Cheetozard sold for $87,840

According to ABC Action News, Goldin Auctions house in New Jersey discovered and preserved a Flamin' Hot Cheeto that resembled a Charizard in a clear box along with a Pokémon card. The cheeto was dubbed the "Cheetozard," and reached a final price of $87,840 after 60 bids. 

The Cheetozard was first discovered by 1st & Goal Collectibles between 2018 and 2022, and received a lot of attention on social media starting in 2024.

The auction ended on Sunday, March 2, 2025 after the Cheetozard was seen at the 2025 February Pop Culture Elite Auction, starting at only $250. The winning bid was actually $72,000 before Goldin Auctions' fees were added, bringing the final price to $87,840.00 USD.

Sources:

"Flamin hot Cheeto that resembles Pokemon character sells for nearly $90K at auction." ABC Action News

"Someone spent $88,000 to own 'Cheetozard,' a viral Cheeto shaped like Charizard from Pokemon." Entertainment Weekly.

In a previous blog post, I shared about a Cheeto that looked like Harambe the gorilla, and it sold on eBay for $99,900.

Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville Send Letter to Kash Patel to Request More FBI Employees at Redstone Arsenal

Two U.S. Senators representing Alabama sent a letter to newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel to convince him to send 1,000 more FBI employees to its Redstone Arsenal campus after Kash Patel already given orders for 500 FBI employees to transfer from Washington to Huntsville. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville are behind the new initiative to ultimately bring 4,000 more FBI jobs to the Huntsville area.

U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville

According to AL.com, shortly after being appointed to the new FBI Director, Kash Patel "reportedly ordered the transfer of 500 workers from Washington, D.C. to Redstone Arsenal." These orders also included moving 1,000 FBI employees from the D.C. headquarters "out into the field."

However, U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville want more FBI employees moved to the Redstone Arsenal.

Letter from Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville to FBI Director Kash Patel

In a letter to Kash Patel, Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville made a case urging Kash Patel to send even more FBI employees to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL.

Excerpts from the letter can be read below:

“Alabama is proud to host Redstone Arsenal, a hub for the FBI’s cutting-edge technology and advanced training,” the senators stated. “As national security threats grow more complex, the operations at FBI-Redstone Arsenal must expand to meet these challenges.”

“Given the strategic investments at Redstone Arsenal and its alignment with your mission to prioritize the safety and security of the American people, we urge you to assign an additional 1,000 employees to FBI-Redstone as a first step.”

Senator Britt invited Director Patel to visit the FBI’s Huntsville facilities during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. Patel affirmed his commitment to staffing the Redstone Arsenal campus, stating, “Senator, you have that commitment.” He also acknowledged the campus’s critical role in strengthening the FBI’s nationwide infrastructure.

The expansion of the FBI’s Redstone Arsenal campus is part of a larger effort to enhance national security operations, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, intelligence, and advanced training. With ongoing federal investment, the Huntsville FBI campus is poised to play a pivotal role in the FBI’s evolving mission.

Sources:

Angle, Alex. "Britt, Tuberville Push for Kash Patel to fill FBI jobs at Redstone Arsenal." Decatur Daily.

Koplowitz, Howard. "Kash Patel reportedly orders 500 FBI employees to transfer from Washington to Huntsville." AL.com.

A Full List of Celebrities Coming to Huntsville, AL for the Comic and Pop Culture Expo in April 2025

The 10th Annual Comic and Pop Culture Expo taking place at the South Hall of the Von Braun Center April 25-27, 2025 in Huntsville, AL will feature many special guest celebrities. The full list is below.

Comic & Pop Culture Expo (credit: https://www.hsvexpo.com/)

There are some amazing celebrity guests coming to Huntsville, Alabama for the 2025 Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo.

A Full List of Celebrity Guests at the Huntsville Comic and Pop Culture Expo

Here is the full list of confirmed guest celebrities coming to Huntsville on April 25-27, 2025:

• "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Adassa
• A.J. Beckles
• Alan Oppenheimer (Saturday only)
• Anairis Quinones
• Anna Zhuo
• B.J. Ward
• Brian Austin Green (Saturday and Sunday only) - Beverly Hills 90210
• Chris Claremont
• Debi Derryberry
• Denise Crosby
• Diane Guerrero
• Tori Spelling - Beverly Hills 90210
• Eddie Steeples
• Elizabeth Berkley (Saturday and Sunday only) - Saved by the Bell
• Emily Swallow
• Ernie Hudson (Saturday only) - Ghostbusters
• Ethan Suplee
• Flatline Comics
• George Newbern
• Jason Lee
• Jaime Pressly
• Jason Griffith
• Joey Lawrence
• Jodi Benson
• Joel Hodgson
• Karan Ashley
• Kayleigh McKee
• Kevin Eastman
• Kim Rhodes
• Landon McDonald
• Linda Larkin (Saturday and Sunday only)
• Lisa Ortiz
• Maria Canals-Barrera
• Mario Lopez - Saved by the Bell
• Melissa Joan Hart (Saturday and Sunday only) - Sabrina the Teenage Witch
• Michael Bell
• Neil Ross
• Nicholas Roye
• Nick Pauley - "Bye Bye Bye" dance sequence in Deadpool & Wolverine movie
• Pete Capella
• Phil LaMarr
• Priscilla Presley (Saturday and Sunday only)
• Ryan Bartley
• Sarah Natochenny
• Steve Cardenas
• Susan Eisenberg
• Timothy Zahn
• Vincent D'Onofrio
• Walter Jones
• Walter Koenig
• William Shatner (Saturday and Sunday only)
• Zachary Levi (Saturday only) - Shazam!

A Special $20K Donation was Given to Kids to Love in 2024

The Huntsville Expo website shared that they presented a $20,000 check to the Kids to Love Foundation from the 2024 Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo, which has helped hundreds of thousands of children living in foster care.

Madison Pizzeria Valentina's Does Another Political Pizza Box, This Time with Jesus Inside

Valentina's pizzeria is not backing down on its politically themed pizza boxes after unveiling a "sequel" to the Trump-themed pizza boxes first unveiled around the Presidential election that took place in November 2024.

Valentina's pizza box; credit: AL.com

The front of Valentina's latest pizza box (seen in the photo above) starting on the leftmost side is Elon Musk, then JD Vance with piercing eyes, Tulsi Gabbard, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Vivek Ramaswamy.

The inside of the pizza box (seen below) depicts an image of Donald Trump in the Oval Office with a depiction of Jesus standing next to the President.

The inside of the pizza box; credit: AL.com

Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar

Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar was named after owner Joe Carlucci's daughter and has won many awards. It is located at 25783 Huntsville Brownsferry Road in Madison, AL.

Joe Carlucci first decided in the fall that he wanted to run a special promotion with a spin on politics, which was covered in this article.

3 More Businesses Permanently Close at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville, AL in January 2025

Three more businesses are permanently closing their doors for good at the Bridge Street Town Centre outdoor shopping mall in Huntsville, AL. Read the details on the business closings.

credit: Huntsville.org

First, Pieology Pizza left around November 2024. 

An employee from Bridge Street Town Centre posted the following on Reddit.com/r/HuntsvilleAlabama:

"I work at Bridge Street and I was there the day before they closed. The guy working there said they were bought by a different company and the new owners wanted to keep the stores mostly in Florida. Not sure how true that is but just what the guy said." 

(Source: Birdman_v5) 

Then PBR Lockhart Smokehouse permanently closed its doors at Bridge Street at the end of 2024.

FOX54 reported that the cowboy-themed restaurant closed after a 'Countdown to 2025' celebration. The restaurant was a unique joint venture partnership between PBR Cowboy Bar and Lockhart Smokehouse and opened in October 2022. They described themselves as "an electric combination of PBR Cowboy Bar's 'cowboy cool' with Lockhart's iconic Texas barbeque."

(Source: FOX54's RocketCityNow.com)

3 Stores Closing in Bridge Street Town Centre in January 2025

FOX54 reported on 2 January 2025 that Chico's, Soma, and White House Black Market will all close their Bridge Street Town Centre Huntsville, AL stores permanently on 26 January 2025.

All of these stores are owned by Chico's FAS/Sycamore Partners, which is based out of Florida.

FOX54 reported that this news was shocking to employees, who reportedly learned of the store closures "just days after Christmas."

One employee said, "Our general manager was informed by our District Manager," which came after management told employees that "their locations would not be affected."

An employee told FOX54, "We have ladies who have been here eight years, 11 years, and then my management, my manager now has been here eight years. And there's no plan B for some people."

It was clear that employees "were kept in the dark about the store closings" until after the holiday shopping season.

Reader poll: What do you think about all of the stores closing at Bridge Street Town Centre?

(Share your thoughts in the comments)