She survived 24 days in the Sierra Nevada wilderness | May 19, 2025

Summary

In this CNN 10 episode, Koi Wire takes us on a journey through Paluma, California, highlighting the town's rich history, unique features, and its connection to Star Wars memorabilia. The episode covers a range of topics, including a hiker's miraculous survival after being lost for weeks, the growing problem of seaweed blooms in Florida, and a school project focused on restoring steelhead trout populations. Additionally, inspiring stories feature a young shark attack survivor who found solace in golf and advocates for beach safety. The episode also includes memorable graduation advice and shoutouts to schools across the country.

Takeaways

• 😀 Koi Wire introduces the show from Paluma, California, highlighting the region's historical significance as the world's egg basket and its connection to Rancho Obi-Wan, home to a large Star Wars memorabilia collection.
• 😀 A hiker, Tiffany Slayton, was found after being missing in the California wilderness for nearly three weeks. Her rescue came after heavy snow and tough conditions, and she survived by seeking shelter in an unlocked resort cabin.
• 😀 The 27-year-old was found dehydrated and hungry but otherwise in good condition, thanks to a chance encounter with the resort's staff who unknowingly helped her survive.
• 😀 A large seaweed bloom, Saragassum, is predicted to affect Florida's beaches this year. The seaweed produces a strong odor and can release toxic gases, and it thrives due to climate change and human pollution.
• 😀 Saragassum blooms are so large they can be seen from space, and experts warn that this could be the worst season for the phenomenon in Florida.
• 😀 A pop quiz revealed that fish have a sensory organ called a lateral line, which helps them detect prey, avoid predators, and navigate through water.
• 😀 Students from Casa Grande High School in Paluma are conducting a project to restore steelhead trout populations in nearby creeks as part of an environmental research initiative.
• 😀 The students, who have been involved in the program for years, are tagging trout and releasing them back into the watershed to monitor migration patterns and promote population growth.
• 😀 Derek Jeter, in his commencement address to the University of Michigan's Class of 2025, advised students to fall in love with something and work relentlessly to achieve it, acknowledging the sacrifices and challenges that come with pursuing dreams.
• 😀 Lulu Gribbons, a shark attack survivor, has turned her life around by focusing on golf. She now works to raise awareness about shark safety and has become an inspiration to others through her resilience and determination.

Q & A

What is the significance of Paluma in California?

Paluma, California, is known for its historical significance as the 'world's egg basket,' producing more eggs than anywhere else. It's also a culinary destination, an architectural gem, and home to Rancho Obi-Wan, one of the world's largest Star Wars memorabilia collections.

What led to Tiffany Slayton's rescue after being missing for nearly three weeks?

Tiffany Slayton, who went missing while on a solo hiking trip, survived for nearly three weeks in the California wilderness. After the search efforts were scaled back, she found a closed resort, where the unlocked cabin doors allowed her to shelter. The resort owner discovered her and contacted authorities, who rescued her.

What is Sarassum seaweed, and why is it problematic?

Sarassum seaweed is a photosynthetic organism that, when it washes ashore, produces a foul, rotten egg-like smell and releases toxic gases, which can cause respiratory issues. Its blooms are increasing due to warmer water temperatures, changes in ocean currents, and human pollution like agricultural runoff.

Why are Sarassum seaweed blooms increasing in the Atlantic Ocean?

The increase in Sarassum seaweed blooms is due to a combination of warmer ocean temperatures, changes in ocean currents caused by climate change, and pollution from agricultural runoff, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers.

What is the purpose of the lateral line in fish?

The lateral line is a sensory organ found in fish that helps them detect prey, avoid predators, and navigate underwater. It runs along the sides of their body from gills to tail and enables them to sense vibrations and movements in the water.

What is the environmental project being led by students at Casa Grande High School?

Students at Casa Grande High School are working on a project to revitalize local creeks and streams in the Petaluma watershed. Their focus is on restoring the population of steelhead trout by tagging fish and raising specimens in a fully operational hatchery, contributing to ecological research and conservation efforts.

How are students at Casa Grande High School involved in the steelhead trout restoration project?

Students at Casa Grande High School play a key role in the restoration project by monitoring steelhead trout populations in local watersheds, tagging fish with tracking devices, running a fish hatchery, and releasing trout back into the wild to help boost native populations.

What advice did Derek Jeter give to graduates during his commencement speech?

Derek Jeter advised graduates to fall in love with something and dedicate themselves to it. He emphasized that pursuing dreams requires hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, and that one should be prepared for challenges, doubts, and criticism.

How did Lulu Gribbons turn her shark attack tragedy into a triumph?

After surviving a shark attack that cost her a leg and an arm, Lulu Gribbons found a new passion in golf. She has become an inspiration, showing resilience in overcoming her injuries and is now advocating for shark safety by working with lawmakers to create an alert system for beachgoers.

What initiative is Lulu Gribbons working on to improve beach safety?

Lulu Gribbons is working with Alabama lawmakers to establish a shark alert system that would notify beachgoers of nearby shark activity. She believes that if such a system had been in place before her attack, her life could have been different.