Q: I recently read (probably online), or heard somewhere, that there are venomous snakes in 49 of the 50 states. Is this true, and if so, which state has no venomous snakes.
—Sally Segur, Douglasville
A: Alaska is the only state that "historically, nor currently," doesn't have venomous snakes, biologist John Jensen of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources told Q&A on the News in an email. He said venomous snakes aren't native to Hawaii, but an "exotic" non-native venomous snake called the brown tree snake has probably established itself there. It's mildly venomous, but not lethal to humans. "Maine used to have timber rattlesnakes, and may still have a relict population somewhere, but they are functionally extirpated from the state," Jensen said.
Q: Herman Cain has taken over the morning radio show hosted for years by Neal Boortz. The broadcast was widely syndicated and popular, and I suspect that it had good ratings. How has “The Herman Cain Show” fared?
—Garry Siegel, Marietta
A: "The Herman Cain Show" is "doing very well" in Atlanta and in syndication, Condace Pressley, the assistant program director for WSB Radio, told Q&A on the News in an email. Cain, who was a presidential candidate in 2012, took over Boortz's show in January, after Boortz retired. Cain "inherited not only the radio show on WSB, but also the syndicated national show," Pressley wrote. "While we miss Neal terribly, we are so lucky that he's agreed to be Herman Cain's guest host whenever Herman is away." Boortz was the longest running talk show host on Atlanta radio, retiring after 42 years on the air. (WSB Radio and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are both owned by Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises.)
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
About the Author
