East Coast ports prep for strike that could cost the US economy billions
A possible port strike in the U.S. could have a major impact on the global supply chain and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars. The strike could impact a total of 36 ports along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico if a deal isn’t reached by Oct. 1.
Up to 45,000 dock workers represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association demanded a 77% raise over six years. They’re also asking for protections against automation. Union workers currently earn a base pay of $39 an hour, or just over $81,000 a year.
The workers and port bosses involved in the dispute have not met to negotiate since June and they have not scheduled further contract talks.
Experts say the U.S. economy could take a $3.7 billion hit per day. Between 43% and 49% of all U.S. imports are also at stake.
President Joe Biden has said he will not invoke a national law to prevent the workers from going on strike.
Some retailers are already planning in advance to redirect freight through the West Coast.
Biden to speak in first TV interview since debate amid calls to drop out
President Joe Biden prepares for his first TV interview following the June 27 debate. And history was made at Coney Island on July 4 with this year’s hot dog eating champions! These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, July 5, 2024.
Biden to sit down for first TV interview since debate amid calls to step aside
Amid pressure from members of his own party to step aside, President Joe Biden will sit down today for his first TV interview since last week’s debate. Biden will speak to ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos in an interview that will air as a primetime special on the network Friday, July 5.
BIG change to ABC's Biden interview rollout plan: It "will air in its entirety as a primetime special, Friday, July 5, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC." Additionally, "a transcript of the unedited interview will be made available the same day."
The interview is part of the White House’s plans to reassure the Democratic Party that Biden should remain in the race despite a poor debate performance against the Republicans’ presumptive nominee, former President Donald Trump. The plans included a meeting with Democratic governors where, according to multiple reports, the president told the governors that he needs more sleep and will stop scheduling events after 8 p.m.
Biden said he is in good health and had a medical checkup following the debate, reportedly adding that he’s fine but “I don’t know about my brain, though.” A Biden campaign spokeswoman said Biden was clearly joking, adding the president said “all kidding aside” after making that comment.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, who was in the meeting, defended the president while speaking to reporters on Thursday, July 4, saying Biden was just acknowledging that he’s human.
Meanwhile, wealthy Democratic donors have joined the calls for Biden to drop out, including Disney heiress Abigail Disney, who told CNBC she plans to withhold donations to the party until “Biden is replaced at the top of the ticket.”
While reports say Biden has told key allies that the next several days are crucial to save his campaign, the White House is denying those reports. Biden, however, is making his intentions to remain in the race clear.
During a White House barbecue for military families on July 4, someone in the crowd shouted “Keep up the fight.” The president responded: “You got me, man. I’m not going anywhere.”
Along with his interview, Biden is headed to Wisconsin Friday, July 5, and Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 6, where he will be holding campaign events.
“To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry,” Sunak stated. “I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the U.K. must change, and yours is the only judgment that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”
Sunak also announced he would step down as leader of the Conservative Party.
With nearly all election results in, the Labour Party won 410 of the 650 available seats in the House of Commons, with the incumbent Conservative Party holding on to 131.
Analysts attribute the shift to voters seeking change following the Conservative Party’s handling of recent events including Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
A person with a gun who authorities say was making threats in Yellowstone National Park died after a shootout with park rangers, officials said in a statement. https://t.co/y60KB369EW
When park rangers approached the suspect, there was an “exchange of gunfire” between the individual and law enforcement, park officials stated. The suspect died during the incident. The identity of the person has not been released by authorities.
A ranger involved was injured and is in stable condition at a regional hospital. The area around Canyon Lodge has been sealed off as the FBI, in collaboration with National Park Service special agents, leads the investigation. Park officials confirm there are no ongoing threats to the public.
Hurricane Beryl intensifies to Category 3, approaches Yucatan Peninsula
The storm has been blamed for nine deaths in Venezuela, Jamaica and the Windward Islands as it nears landfall. Forecasters warn of hurricane-force winds with up to 10 inches of rain expected, raising concerns of flash flooding.
Despite weakening to a Category 2 earlier on Thursday, July 4, Beryl regained strength, reaching Category 3 by 10 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. Hurricane warnings are in effect from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancún, including Cozumel.
Beryl made landfall Friday morning, though damaging winds and powerful waves are expected to impact the peninsula beforehand. After making landfall, the hurricane is forecast to move into the Gulf of Mexico and potentially regain strength as it approaches northeastern Mexico or southern Texas.
Hasta ahora la trayectoria del huracán Beryl categoría 3 indica que entrará por Tulum, que es una zona poblada y cercana al mar. Por eso es recomendable trasladarse a partes altas, a refugios o casas de familiares y amigos en otros sitios. No titubeemos, lo material se recupera.…
“Let’s not hesitate, material things can be recovered,” he stated on the night of Thursday, July 4. “The most important thing is life.”
The National Hurricane Center predicts Beryl will weaken after making landfall but may regain strength as it moves toward northeastern Mexico or southern Texas.
Meanwhile, tourists in Mexico are bracing for the storm, with some resorts halting alcohol sales as guests prepare for the worst.
Saks Fifth Avenue to acquire Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion
New hot dog eating champion crowned in Joey Chestnut’s absence; women’s record broken
With Joey Chestnut out of the competition this year, a new champion emerged at Nathan’s annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Patrick Bertoletti, a 39-year-old man from Chicago, devoured 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes to win the men’s title on July 4 in Coney Island.
On the women’s side, Miki Sudo, a 38-year-old dental hygienist student from Tampa, continued her dominance by winning her tenth contest and setting a women’s record with 51 hot dogs.
Meanwhile, Chestnut, who was banned from Nathan’s contest after signing a deal with Impossible Foods, competed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, eating 57 hot dogs in five minutes. Chestnut is set to face longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a separate hot dog eating contest streaming live on Netflix on Labor Day.
Louisiana law requires public classrooms to display Ten Commandments
Louisiana becomes the first state to require the Ten Commandments be displayed in public classrooms. And the prehistoric landmark Stonehenge was defaced by climate activists. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, June 20, 2024.
Louisiana law requires public classrooms to display Ten Commandments
Louisiana’s governor has signed a law that makes the state the first in the nation to require all public classrooms to display a copy of the Ten Commandments. That legislation is already getting pushback from several civil rights groups.
The law says all public classrooms from kindergarten to college must display the Ten Commandments on a poster or framed document by the start of 2025. The displays must also feature a statement on how the Ten Commandments have been a “prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries.”
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said the law is aimed to bring “drastic reform” to the education system and “common sense back” to the classroom.
“This bill mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom in public, elementary, secondary, and post education schools in the state of Louisiana,” Landry said. “Because if you want to respect the rule of law, you got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses.”
Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, have vowed to sue, calling the law “unconstitutional.”
In its criticism of the law, the ACLU cited a 1980 Supreme Court decision where the justices ruled a similar law in Kansas violated the First Amendment’s “establishment clause.” That clause is intended to prevent government from preferring one religion over others.
3 dead in Mexico; Texas issues disaster declaration due to tropical storm
The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season has already turned deadly. Mexican authorities reported three deaths from Tropical Storm Alberto’s rains.
Alberto — which is bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall and some flooding along the coasts of Texas and Mexico — is expected to make landfall in northern Mexico early Thursday. Once it does, forecasters expect it to weaken rapidly before moving inland.
Parts of Mexico are expected to see up to 20 inches of rain with this storm and Texas’ coast could see up to 15 inches. Flooding has already become a problem for coastal areas like Corpus Christi.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, has issued a disaster declaration in 51 counties to ensure “at-risk regions have the resources and personnel needed to respond to this storm.”
95% of power restored in Ecuador after nationwide blackout
Power has been almost fully restored in Ecuador after a nationwide blackout left millions in the dark Wednesday, June 19. The blackout affected hospitals, homes and a major subway system.
The country’s public infrastructure minister said in a post on X Wednesday, June 19, the outage was caused by maintenance and transmission issues in the country’s electrical system. The minister stressed the outage could have been avoided if the country had invested more in its infrastructure.
Ecuador has been struggling with an energy crisis for years. In April, the president declared an energy emergency, ordering eight-hour nationwide electricity cuts.
Deal reached to allow Dali crew members to go home
A deal has been reached with the City of Baltimore and the owner of the Dali cargo ship that would allow crew members who remain on the ship to leave the U.S. and go home, according to court documents. They’ve been stuck on the ship since March 26, when it lost power leaving Baltimore Harbor and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse and killing six people.
Eight of the crew members, all from India and Sri Lanka, had been cleared to go home as early as Thursday, June 20. But on Tuesday, June 18, attorneys for the City of Baltimore filed a lawsuit looking to keep them in the U.S. amid ongoing investigations into what led up to the deadly collapse.
Getty Images
A hearing on the matter had been scheduled for Thursday morning, but Wednesday night, June 19, the city’s attorneys sent a letter to the judge saying all sides reached a compromise and the Dali’s owner and managing company have agreed to make sure the crew members return for deposition if needed.
Climate activists target Taylor Swift’s private jets Stonehenge
Climate activists with the group “Just Stop Oil” targeted the private jets of Taylor Swift in a British airport Thursday, June 20, spraying them with orange paint as the pop superstar is set to perform in London this weekend. Swift has been criticized in the past for her use of private jets.
The two activists were arrested — just a day after a similar protest by the group at Britain’s iconic landmark Stonehenge, where visitors to the site jumped in to try to stop them.
The protesters in both instances are calling on the British government to take action on climate change. They’re demanding Britain’s next government phase out fossil fuels by 2030.
The group said the paint used was made of an “orange cornflour” and washes away in the rain.
English Heritage, the charity that manages Stonehenge, told The BBC the paint has been cleaned off and there appears to be no lasting damage.
The protest came as thousands were expected to visit the site to witness the sunrise on the first day of summer.
Snapchat Inc. agrees to pay $15M to settle discrimination lawsuit
The parent company of the popular social media app Snapchat has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a lawsuit claiming it discriminated against female employees. A three-year investigation by the California Civil Rights Department found Snapchat discouraged women from applying for promotions, failed to prevent sexual harassment in the office and retaliated against those who spoke out through negative performance reviews and termination.
The settlement covers employees who worked for the California company from 2014 to this year.
Snapchat said while it disagrees with the claims, it decided to settle to avoid costly and lengthy litigation.
Netflix to open brick-and-mortar entertainment venues
Netflix is moving away from the digital space for its next venture. The company has announced it is planning to open two brick-and-mortar entertainment destinations in the U.S.
Called Netflix House, the venues will feature various in-person experiences catered to fans of the streaming platform. Netflix says visitors will be able to walk through a replica of the “Bridgerton” set, compete in a challenge from “Squid Game,” and eat at a restaurant with food inspired by its shows.
The two Netflix houses will be located at shopping malls in Dallas, Texas and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.
Israeli military calls for people in parts of Rafah to ‘evacuate immediately’
The Israeli military sent a message to those living in parts of Rafah to “evacuate immediately.” Boeing looks to have a successful launch of its manned spacecraft after years of setbacks. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, May 6, 2024.
Israel tells people in parts of Rafah to ‘evacuate immediately’
The Israeli military has issued a call for people living in sections of the Gaza town of Rafah to “evacuate immediately,” as Israel prepares to strike the border city as part of its mission targeting Hamas.
A spokesperson with the Israeli Defense Forces said those in the eastern region of Rafah should evacuate to an “expanded humanitarian area.”
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A Hamas official told Reuters the evacuation order on Monday, May 6, is a “dangerous escalation that will have consequences.” Aid agencies as well as allies like the U.S. have spoken out against Israel carrying out an operation in Rafah where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians have relocated during the war. Israeli officials said the evacuation is temporary and impacts around 100,000 people.
The IDF said calls for civilians to move would be conveyed through flyers, texts, phone calls and media broadcasts. The evacuation alert is coming a day after the Israeli defense minister told troops inside Gaza to expect “intense action in Rafah in the near future.”
On Sunday, May 5, the IDF said 10 rockets struck a border crossing used for humanitarian trucks in an attack claimed by Hamas. Three IDF soldiers were killed. Israel shut down the crossing after the attack and it remains closed.
Also on Sunday, Israel announced it was shutting down the Al Jazeera news network in its borders citing a threat to national security. Al Jazeera called the move a “criminal act.”
As talks concerning a cease-fire in Gaza continue, President Joe Biden will host Jordan’s King Abdullah II today for a private meeting at the White House.
Bodies found in Mexico identified as American tourist, Australian brothers
Three bodies found in Mexico have been identified as those of a missing American tourist and two Australian brothers. The FBI confirmed three bodies were found on Friday, May 3, in a well in the Mexican state of Baja California, about an hour and a half south of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Mexican authorities, releasing more information on Sunday night, May 5, said the bodies were identified by the families of American Jack Carter Rhoad and Australians Callum and Jake Robinson. The three friends, who were on a surfing trip, disappeared last week.
Officials said each was found with a gunshot wound to the head following an alleged carjacking incident. Mexican officials have arrested three suspects in connection with their deaths.
The U.S. State Department is monitoring the situation and has a current travel advisory for Baja California, urging tourists to reconsider travel to the region due to crime and kidnapping risks.
Child killed in Texas floods as heavy rains continue to impact the state
One child died in Texas over the weekend as floods swept through the state, including heavy rainfall in Houston and surrounding areas. The incident occurred in Johnson County, just south of Fort Worth, where a car carrying two adults and a child was overwhelmed by fast-moving waters early Sunday, May 5.
Jamie Moore, the Johnson County Emergency Management director, reported that a child and two adults were swept away while attempting to reach dry ground. Moore said that the two adults were rescued at about 5 a.m. and hospitalized, while the child was found deceased in the water around 7:20 a.m.
The severe flooding affecting over 100 square miles, however, no other deaths or injuries have been reported in Houston.
The National Weather Service has documented up to 23 inches of rain in some places, and while lighter rain is expected moving forward, the risk of flooding persists.
ABC News President Kim Godwin steps down after 3 years
Godwin, who joined ABC in 2021 from CBS News, was the first Black woman to lead a network news division. Her tenure was marked by criticism from employees over her management style.
Recently, Disney, ABC’s parent company, placed executive Debra O’Connell in a supervisory role over Godwin and the news division. O’Connell will assume Godwin’s responsibilities temporarily.
Boeing Starliner looks for successful launch after years of delay
The crewed flight test aims to validate Starliner’s capabilities for regular trips to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Boeing has encountered setbacks with Starliner, including a failed uncrewed test flight in 2019 due to software issues and challenges with the vehicle’s parachute system.
Despite these hurdles, NASA has expressed confidence in the spacecraft’s improvements and Boeing’s commitment to safety. The mission will feature two veteran astronauts on a week-long test flight.
Kentucky Derby, NASCAR race end in photo finishes
It was an exhilarating weekend in sports that featured two photo finishes.
The first occurred on Saturday, May 4, at the Kentucky Derby, where Mystik Dan narrowly defeated Sierra Leone and Forever Young by a nose. This photo finish at Churchill Downs marked the 26th time the Derby was decided by a neck or less.
Then, a little over 24 hours later, NASCAR witnessed its closest finish in Cup Series history at Kansas Speedway, with Kyle Larson edging out Chris Buescher by a thousandth of a second. Initially, Buescher was declared the winner, but after further review, Larson was announced the victor, claiming his second win of the 2024 season.
Both photo finishes utilized the same camera technology to determine the winner, according to The Athletic.
Anticipated offshore wind rebound faces first test after Biden admin’s proposal
A pair of recently proposed offshore wind sales by the Biden administration hope to revitalize an industry which took some major hits a year ago. The proposals come after a tumultuous period for offshore wind in 2023. It saw millions of dollars in canceled contracts, delayed projects and utility providers trying to hike rates. However, experts across the industry now predict a turnaround for offshore wind developments in 2024.
To jumpstart further offshore wind development, the Department of the Interior announced two potential lease auctions. One is off the coast of Oregon and the other is in the Gulf of Maine. These sales will encompass over 1 million acres of ocean. They have the combined potential to power over 6 million homes with clean energy.
In conjunction with the proposed development sites for offshore wind, the federal government also unveiled updated regulations surrounding the leasing process. The goal is to enhance certainty and reduce costs associated with offshore wind projects. Therefore, future developers would be less likely to abandon projects.
The offshore lease offering in the Gulf of Maine marks the first of its kind in the region. This comes months after a similar auction took place in the Gulf of Mexico. The Biden administration expressed disappointment after low interest.
That offshore sale saw the purchase of just one of the three zones it offered up for development. The area is now expected to produce less than half the anticipated energy output than if all three sold. The one purchased zone went for the lowest successful bid for a federal offshore wind lease sale since the Obama administration.
SpaceX’s Starship, intended for lunar missions, launched from Boca Chica, Texas on Saturday, Nov. 18, but the launch was deemed a failure as the Super Heavy booster exploded over the Gulf of Mexico after detachment. Minutes later, the core Starship continued into space before exploding. SpaceX officials suggest that the ship’s self-destruct system was likely responsible for its destruction over the Gulf of Mexico.
Associated Press
SpaceX mission control lost contact with the craft after nearly eight minutes. This launch was the second attempt to fly Starship atop its Super Heavy rocket booster, following an April attempt that ended in failure about four minutes after takeoff with an explosion.
In contrast to the previous April attempt, all 33 booster engines functioned. The booster also separated smoothly from the spaceship before exploding, achieving an altitude of 92 miles.
The mission aimed to launch the 400-foot Starship from Texas, reaching space but falling short of orbit, and then re-entering Earth’s atmosphere for a splashdown off the coast of Hawaii. Originally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17, the launch was delayed by a day due to a last-minute exchange of flight-control hardware.
SpaceX was awarded a nearly $3 billion contract with NASA in 2021 to bring two astronauts to the moon’s surface. NASA’s first Artemis mission moon landing is scheduled for 2025.
SpaceX has a history of facing catastrophic failures with its rocket systems. The company’s first rocket, Falcon 1, experienced failures in three out of five launches. In the development of Falcon 9, SpaceX faced four flight failures before successfully achieving the separation of different rocket stages without destruction.
Falcon 9 is now SpaceX’s workhorse taking satellites and astronauts to orbit. It has successfully launched 247 times and relaunched 207 times. It is the world’s first reusable rocket.
New Orleans braces for saltwater intrusion impacting drinking supply
Saltwater intruding upstream from the Gulf of Mexico into a drought-affected Mississippi River is alarming leaders in New Orleans and across Louisiana. Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) requested a federal emergency declaration from President Joe Biden on Monday, just days after New Orleans’ Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) signed an emergency declaration of its own.
The saltwater is already impacting the drinking water in multiple sections in the southeastern portion of the state and could impact New Orleans’ supply within weeks. The saltwater wedge is expected to reach the city around Oct. 22. Officials say the river’s volume is forecast to fall to historic lows with minimal rainfall on the way.
This is not the time to buy large amounts of bottled water…there is not a shortage of bottled water around the state or around the country.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D)
In July, the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers built an underwater sill — or levee — to delay the saltwater’s arrival, but that has already been overtaken by the intruding water.
The Army Corps is working to extend the height of the sill over the next three weeks which should delay the saltwater’s intrusion by 10 to 15 days. The Corps is also planning to ship up to 15 million gallons of fresh water to dilute the salt at water treatment plants.
“There is no need for panic. We just need to make sure that we are aware of the situation, that we don’t do anything that would exacerbate it. And if we bring to bear anything that we reasonably can as soon as we can to help us get through this period of time,” Gov. Edwards said. “This is not the time to buy large amounts of bottled water…there is not a shortage of bottled water around the state or around the country.”
Saltwater can be dangerous to humans if too much is ingested, especially to certain populations — people with high blood pressure, those who are pregnant in their third trimester where there is a higher risk for hypertension, and infants.
“You will stop drinking the water because it doesn’t taste right well before it becomes a danger to your health,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, the state medical officer.
Salt can also corrode and damage pipes leading to harmful chemicals like lead contaminating the water supply.
Smaller communities already affected by the intrusion are using reverse osmosis to remove the saltwater. Officials in New Orleans — with a population of nearly 370,000 — are looking at different methods, including having fresh water piped in from systems upriver.
The last time saltwater reached the New Orleans metro area was in 1988. Though that water emergency lasted two days, officials say this one could last months.
First-ever offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico attracts just 2 bids
The recent fist-ever auction of offshore wind farm leases in the Gulf of Mexico has been hailed by the Department of the Interior as a “significant stride” in the Biden administration’s “efforts to create a clean energy future.” However, the response from investors has been less enthusiastic, potentially signaling challenges ahead for the offshore wind industry’s expansion in the region.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) completed auctions on Tuesday, Aug. 29, for three lease areas: one off the coast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and two off the coast of Galveston, Texas. These combined leasing areas have the potential to generate electricity for nearly 1.3 million homes, presenting a substantial opportunity for clean energy production.
“By catalyzing the offshore wind energy potential of the Gulf of Mexico, we can tackle the climate crisis, lower energy costs for families and create good-paying jobs,” Interior Department Secretary Deb Haaland said.
“The Gulf of Mexico is poised to play a key role in our nation’s transition to a clean energy future,” BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein added.
However, the auction saw a lackluster investor turnout. The government received only two bids in total, both of which were directed towards the Lake Charles lease area. The remaining two areas failed to garner any bids.
Renewable energy experts are now suggesting that any anticipated offshore wind boom in the Gulf of Mexico may face delays, with only the Lake Charles sale moving forward.
“This first-ever Gulf offshore wind auction was viewed as a big deal, a potential game changer,” said Mona Dajanj, global head of renewables, energy and infrastructure at the law firm Shearman and Sterling. “Those of us hoping to see a real offshore wind boom in the Gulf may have to wait.”
The subdued interest from investors aligns with ongoing challenges within the offshore wind industry.
Rising costs of turbine building materials have become a hurdle for developers. Since 2020, the average price of the seven most crucial critical minerals required for offshore wind farms has increased by 93%. This surge in costs has prompted some energy companies to opt for paying out substantial sums of millions of dollars to exit their leasing agreements on the East Coast rather than proceed with projects that have become progressively more expensive.
“Two substantial headwinds threaten to make [offshore wind] projects uneconomical,” wrote James E. Hanley, a senior policy analyst at the nonpartisan think tank Empire Center for Public Policy. “One is the recent high inflation, which raised the costs of materials and labor across all industries, and the other is bottlenecked supply chains that are causing a bidding-up of the prices of materials and components needed for building wind turbines.”
In the Gulf of Mexico, the tepid response to the inaugural wind lease sale was not entirely unexpected among industry leaders. Besides financial pressures faced by developers, the Gulf region presents its own set of challenges. Those challenges include lower wind speeds, the persistent threat of hurricanes and a lack of firm commitment from states in the area to purchasing clean energy.
“The business case in the Gulf of Mexico for offshore wind is very vague, and very uncertain,” said Chelsea Jean-Michel, a wind analyst at BloombergNEF. “It doesn’t really make a lot of sense.”
“It is striking just how bad the economics clearly must be in order for two of the three sites to remain unsold,” said Alon Carmel, a partner at PA Consulting who advises offshore wind companies.
Nonetheless, the Interior Department, responsible for overseeing the lease auctions, has highlighted the sole successful sale as a “vital milestone” in the push by the White House for increased clean energy infrastructure.
The German-based energy company RWE secured the lease for the Lake Charles area following a $5.6 million bid, as the company aims to “deliver a new energy resource into the region.”
The department projects that this lease has the potential to generate sufficient electricity to power about 435,400 homes and could potentially lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs.
“It always looks dire in the short term but the long-term foundation of this industry is still very strong and moving forward,” said Sam Salustro, a spokesperson for the Business Network for Offshore Wind.
Tropical Storm Idalia heads for Florida: The Morning Rundown Aug. 28, 2023
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.
