On the Radar: Japan typhoon, SeaWorld hearing, Listeria deaths
Rescue workers transport evacuees through floodwaters in Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday.
September 20th, 2011
06:24 AM ET

On the Radar: Japan typhoon, SeaWorld hearing, Listeria deaths

Three things you need to know today.

Japan typhoon: About 80,000 residents have been ordered to flee and more than 1 million people were urged to evacuate Nagoya, a city in central Japan, Tuesday as a typhoon was expected to hit the area.

Despite the evacuation warnings, a little more than 60 people had evacuated the city by Tuesday afternoon, the city government said. More were expected to leave in the evening as the storm came closer.

Typhoon Roke was packing winds of 185 kph (115 mph) and was predicted to make landfall with heavy rain some time Wednesday, said CNN meteorologist Jennifer Delgado.

The storm was expected to hit south of Osaka and could drench some areas with about 250 mm (10 inches) of rain, Delgado said.

Two areas in the Nagoya were ordered to evacuate because of the threat of flooding from the Shonai River, officials said.

SeaWorld hearing: A federal hearing continues Tuesday to determine whether SeaWorld Orlando should be charged with a willful violation in the 2010 death of killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau.

Monday was the first day of the hearing at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford, Florida.

In February 2010, as park guests watched in horror, Brancheau, 40, was pulled into a SeaWorld pool and drowned by a 12,000-pound killer whale named Tilikum. Brancheau had been sitting on the Shamu Stadium's pool edge during a private show.

After a lengthy investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration - the federal agency that works to prevent workplace injuries - cited SeaWorld of Florida in August 2010 for willfully endangering employees by not taking proper safety precautions.

Listeria deaths: Up to seven deaths in four states may be linked to a Listeriosis outbreak that the Centers for Disease Control believes originated at a cantaloupe farm in Colorado, the Denver Post reports.

The deaths have been reported in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Missouri, according to the Denver Post report. Overall, 35 cases are reported in 10 states, the Post said.

Jensen Farms recalled its cantaloupe harvest on September 14, the Post reported.

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Filed under: Animals • Colorado • Consumer safety • Florida • Food • Japan • On the Radar • Tropical weather • Weather • Whales
September 20th, 2011
06:03 AM ET

Hikers' release delayed again, lawyer says

The attorney for two American hikers who have been detained for more than two years said their release has been delayed again.

Bail has been paid for Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, lawyer Masoud Shafiee said, but Shafiee needs the signatures of two judges to prove it.

"I went to the court earlier this morning to get the second judge's signature needed to begin my clients' release procedure, but was told by the court that the judge had not returned," Shafiee said Tuesday.

He said the court did not indicate when the judge will be back and did not give any more explanation.

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Filed under: Iran
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