Topic: Stink Bugs

A news report features the director of Georgia's Lugar Laboratory denying Russian claims that the facility is used to develop biological weapons. Pro-Kremlin media had alleged the lab was experimenting with the Zika virus, killer mosquitoes, and marmorated stink bugs. The director maintains the lab's high-level status is strictly for diagnosing infectious diseases like Ebola and Zika.

A discussion on the prevalence of marmorated stink bugs leads to a warning about the "kissing bug," which features an orange rim on its shell. These bugs are carriers of Chagas disease, which can be fatal to humans and dogs if left untreated. Reports of these insects have surfaced in Tennessee and Georgia, prompting advice to avoid direct contact.

A listener report from Western Maryland describes a massive infestation of brown marmorated stink bugs, which first arrived in the US via Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1998. The report also notes strange weather patterns, including 30-degree temperature swings within hours and high winds. The hosts speculate on whether these anomalies are related to regional weather modification experiments.

The brown marmorated stink bug has invaded 21 counties in Washington State, causing concern for homeowners and the agricultural sector. Experts advise against squishing the insects due to their pungent odor and suggest vacuuming them instead. The hosts compare the coverage to previous "bugageddon" stories like the bed bug scare.

Al Jazeera reported on Russian claims that the U.S.-funded Lugar Laboratory in Georgia is developing biological weapons, including the propagation of "killer mosquitoes" and "marmorated stink bugs." While the lab director denied these allegations, the report highlighted the ongoing information war between the Kremlin and the West regarding public health research in former Soviet territories.

Geneticist Betty Korber is preparing for human trials of a new HIV vaccine. The hosts then list several news items featuring the number 33, including a 33% renewable mandate in California, a 33% drop in spam, and a stink bug epidemic affecting 33 states. They also note Obama's goal to cut oil imports by 33% by 2025.