Bush Blitz to Discover New Species Cryptomundo

There's big cryptozoology news from the Land Down Under, although the Australian government and BHP Billiton, a mining company, which are jointly funding an upcoming all-out-effort to comb the brush and billabongs of Australia haven't mentioned the animals cryptozoologists would no doubt most like to see corralled by the effort. Previously unknown "biological treasures" are the goal of the 10-12 scientists and volunteers which will undertake the 18 month search of the continents reserve areas for new species. Will the Yowie or the black panthers, both reported around the continent, be rounded up in this effort? Meanwhile Loren Coleman makes the claim No, Alexander the Great Did Not Fight Yetis. Elsewhere, Nick Redfern gives a shout out for a fellow countryman, Neil Arnold, in Cat-Blogging.

Skeptic's Million Dollar Challenge to be More Open Skeptiko

In a downloadable podcast interview that can also be read as a transcript, Alex Tsakiris talks with the president of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), D. J. Grothe, about changes in the structure of the famous challenge formed years ago by James Randi, the skeptical magician who performed as The Amazing Randi. Is the JREF relaxing its guidelines for those who believe they can qualify for the $1M prize? Meanwhile, planning for an annual event eagerly awaited among Forteanists has revealed a tentative order of march for presenters and topics. as seen in the Centre for Fortean Zoology revelation of the Weird Weekend 2010 Draft Lineup.