Canadian groundhog Fred la Marmotte found dead before planned prediction

Status of spring undetermined in northern Quebec after rodent prognosticator discovered dead in burrow during festivities

A Canadian woodchuck has cast a different type of shadow over Groundhog Day: just hours before he was due to predict spring’s arrival, Fred la Marmotte was found dead.

The groundhog showed “no vital signs” when the organizer of the annual 2 February tradition in Val-d’Espoir, Quebec, tried to wake him from hibernation, local media reported.

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Shutdown Part 2?

Groundhog Day may have been last week - Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter - but it will be celebrated in spirit again this week as Congress deals with what seems to now be the monthly threat of a government shutdown. Republicans and Democrats continue their dance of despair as they pontificate over important issues and propagate one short-term solution after another regarding their basic duty to fund the government.

The Latest: California at heaviest snowpack in 22 years

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California at heaviest snowpack in 22 years

Roaring storms that brought California almost a year's worth of snow and rain in a single month should make state water manager's Sierra snowpack survey Thursday a celebration, marking this winter's dramatic... California water managers say Sierra Nevada snow drifts are at a drought-busting 173 percent of average, with the most snow recorded since 1995 A group of Yemeni business owners plan to shut down their delis, grocery stores and bodegas around New York City in protest of President Donald Trump's travel ban on people hailing from seven Muslim-majority... Many Yemeni business owners have shut down their delis, grocery stores and bodegas around New York City in protest of President Donald Trump's travel ban Some Maine sixth-graders are pushing state lawmakers to pass a bill that would make it easier for residents to keep hedgehogs as pets Some Maine sixth-graders are pushing state ... (more)