Florida residents braced for Tropical Storm Idalia as it develops into a potential hurricane, and paper straws may not be the better option over plastic after all. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Aug. 28.
Tropical Storm Idalia expected to hit Florida as hurricane
Florida residents have begun bracing for impact as Tropical Storm Idalia barrels its way toward the Gulf Coast. The storm is projected to make landfall as a hurricane anywhere between Tampa and Panama City Tuesday night, Aug. 29 into Wednesday morning, Aug. 30.
“The Gulf is very, very warm. And so that will provide some fuel for this thing to pick up some more speed,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said Sunday, Aug. 27. “In terms of resources, we have mobilized 1,100 National Guardsmen and they have at their disposal 2,400 high water vehicles, as well as 12 aircraft that can be used for rescue and recovery efforts.”
Forecasters projected that because of the record-warm Gulf of Mexico, the storm system has the potential to upgrade into a Category 2 hurricane. Gov. Desantis warned flooding and loss of electricity are two major threats to residents in the storm’s pathway.
Residents in Florida have begun tying down large objects in their yards, filling up sandbags, and stocking up water and food.
Storms given names that begin with the letter “I,” like Idalia, often coincide with the peak of hurricane season. Parts of Florida are still recovering from 2022’s Hurricane Ian.
Vigil held for Jacksonville mass shooting victims
A vigil was held Sunday, Aug. 27, to remember three victims who were killed at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville the day before.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said the shooting was racially motivated. All three victims were Black, and the shooter was a 21-year-old white male.
According to authorities, the suspect, Ryan Christopher Palmeter, shot himself when cornered by law enforcement. They say he left behind several manifestos detailing his hatred for Black people.
“One to his parents, one to the media, one to federal agents,” Waters said. “Portions of these manifestos detail the shooter’s disgusting ideology of hate. Plainly put, this shooting was racially motivated and he hated Black people.”
Officials said Palmeter had tried to enter nearby Edwards Waters University, a historically Black college, but was turned away by a security guard. The suspect had purchased his guns legally and had no criminal history.
According to authorities, Palmeter was involuntarily committed for a 72-hour mental health examination in 2017. The Justice Department said it is investigating the shooting as a hate crime.
Marines killed in helicopter crash during training exercise
Three U.S. Marines died in a military helicopter training exercise in Australia on Aug. 27. Five others remain in serious condition after the Osprey aircraft carrying 23 Marines went down.
According to officials on the ground, the pilot had radioed in an emergency just moments before the helicopter crashed on a remote island in northern Australia Sunday morning. The Osprey was one of two taking part in a 12-day international exercise involving troops from five countries.
Investigators say the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
In 2022, nine Marines died in two separate crashes involving the same style of Osprey aircraft. Another military aircraft crashed near San Diego last week, killing the pilot on board.
Commerce secretary begins 4-day trip to China
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is in China, where she is meeting with government and business leaders in Beijing and Shanghai over a 4-day trip. Speaking with the Chinese Commerce Minister on Aug. 28, Raimondo said it is important the two countries have a stable economic relationship.
Raimondo said her goals include boosting post-pandemic travel between the two countries and strengthening their commercial relations. Those relations have been strained recently by U.S. restrictions over Chinese technology, including export controls over Chinese semiconductors.
Raimondo told her Chinese counterpart she would not compromise or negotiate on any matters related to national security. This is the first time a U.S. commerce secretary has traveled to China in seven years. It’s also one of several recent high-profile visits between U.S. and Chinese leaders.
Study: Paper straws contain forever chemicals
Paper straws are often used in place of plastic ones in the name of being eco-friendly. But according to a new study, that may not be the case.
According to the authors of the European study, paper straws may contain what are called forever chemicals, or PFAS, that can be harmful to both humans and the environment. Ninety-percent of paper straws examined by researchers contained the dangerous chemicals.
That’s higher than the 75% of plastic straws tested which also came up contaminated. Straws made up of steel were the only type found without the chemicals present.
Animal rights group pays tribute to Bob Barker
Fans of the game show “The Price is Right” began the week remembering its longtime host Bob Barker, who passed away on Saturday, Aug. 26 at the age of 99. Animal rights advocates paid tribute, with Barker known for speaking up for the cause.
He famously told viewers at the end of each episode to “help control the pet population – have your pet spayed or neutered.” The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which Barker had donated $5 million to over a decade ago, sounded a ship’s horn over the weekend in his honor.
Sea Shepherd used Barker’s money to purchase a ship in 2009 as part of its anti-whaling campaign. They named the ship The Bob Barker.
