Biden admin rolls out proposal to protect workers from excessive heat
As tens of millions of people across the country are under heat advisories, the Biden administration proposed a new rule Tuesday, July 2, that would require workplaces to address excessive heat. If finalized, it would become the first major safety rule of its kind and protect more than 30 million Americans from injuries related to heat exposure while on the job.
Despite increased awareness of the health risks associated with heat, extreme heat protections are not in place for many workers.
Under the Biden administration’s new plan, employers would have to develop emergency response plans related to heat illness and provide training to employees and supervisors on the signs and symptoms. They would also have to establish rest breaks, provide shade and water to employees and develop a plan to help new workers build tolerance to higher temperatures.
Penalties for heat-related violations would also increase significantly to be in line with the penalties workplaces receive for OSHA violations.
Currently, only five states have workplace standards for heat exposure in place. Over the past year, both Florida and Texas passed legislation preventing local governments from requiring heat protections for outdoor workers.
An estimated 2,300 people died in the U.S. from heat-related illness just last year.
Biden, Trump campaigns mark 2nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned
The Biden and Trump campaigns are marking the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. And more than one thousand people are dead while making the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia amid dangerous high temperatures. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, June 24, 2024.
Biden, Trump campaigns mark 2nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned
Monday, June 24, marks the second anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning the Roe v. Wade decision, ending the constitutional legal right to an abortion. Since that ruling, many states have taken a stance on the issue.
More than 20 states have restricted abortions while over 20 others have expanded access to abortion.
Now, just days away from the first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, both campaigns are making clear where they stand on the matter.
The Biden campaign is hosting more than 50 events to mark the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision, where the president and his supporters will speak out against the court’s ruling.
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to participate in two campaign events Monday — one in Arizona and one in Maryland — while second gentleman Doug Emhoff will be part of a rally in Michigan.
Harris has been on the road since January on her “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour in response to the high court’s ruling.
The campaign said the vice president on Monday, June 24, will “remind voters that Donald Trump is responsible for overturning Roe and the chaos that has followed.”
In an interview that on MSNBC, Harris spoke about freedom.
“Every person of whatever gender should understand that, if such a fundamental freedom such as the right to make decisions about your own body can be taken, be aware of what other freedoms may be at stake,” the vice president said.
Former President Trump, meanwhile, spoke on the topic during his keynote address at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s conference in Washington on June 22. He thanked his nominees to the Supreme Court for showing “wisdom” and “courage” on their decision two years ago.
Trump reiterated his stance that the issue should be left for the states to decide.
“And we did something that was amazing,” Trump said. “The big problem was it was caught up in the federal government. But the people will decide and that’s the way it should be. The people are now deciding, and some states are a little bit more conservative, and some states are much more liberal.”
Also Monday, a three-day hearing continues in Florida as the federal judge presiding over Trump’s classified documents case will hear arguments on whether the former president should be barred from making public comments that prosecutors say pose a threat to FBI agents working the investigation.
Netanyahu says “intense fighting” in Gaza will soon end
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says “intense fighting” in Gaza could soon come to an end, but the war is far from over. In his first interview with Israeli media since the war with Hamas started on Oct. 7, Netanyahu said Sunday, June 23, he’s ready to make “a partial deal” with Hamas to return some hostages still being held captive in Gaza, but the war will not be over until Hamas is eliminated.
He also said that once the intense fighting in Gaza winds down, Israel will be able to focus more on its northern border with Lebanon, where fighting with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah is escalating.
Netanyahu’s interview came just as eight people were killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a “training college” in Gaza City being used to distribute aid. It was formerly the headquarters for a United Nations agency.
The Israeli military said the site has been used by Hamas and Islamic jihad militants and precautionary measures were taken before the strike to reduce the risk of harming civilians.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant arrived in Washington Sunday, June 23, for meetings with officials as Netanyahu appeared to double down on recent claims the U.S. is withholding weapons meant to be delivered to Israel.
“Since the beginning of the war, the U.S. has supplied us with very important support both in spirit and materially, with defensive and offensive means,” Netanyahu said. “But since about four months ago, there has been a dramatic decline in arms supplies from the U.S. to Israel. Over long weeks we have turned to our American friends with a request to speed up deliveries. We did it time and again, we did it with higher officials and other ranking officials and I would like to emphasize — we did it behind closed doors. We got various explanations but one thing we did not get: the basic state of affairs did not change. Some items came dripping in, but the great mass of arms was left behind.”
The Biden administration has denied Netanyahu’s claims.
In May, the administration did pause a shipment of bombs over concerns about their impact if used in densely populated areas of Gaza, but Israel was still due to get billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. weaponry.
At least 19 killed in attacks on places of worship in Russia
A synagogue, an Orthodox church and police checkpoints were targeted by gunmen in a coordinated series of attacks in Russia’s southernmost Dagestan province on Sunday night. At least 15 police officers were killed, as well as four civilians, including an Orthodox priest.
Local officials said at least six “militants” were also killed following the attacks.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet, but they come three months after an ISIS affiliate said it carried out an attack at a music hall in Moscow that left more than 140 people dead.
Meanwhile, Russia is blaming the U.S. for a deadly Ukrainian strike on a strategic port in occupied Crimea on Sunday. The strike left at least four people dead and more than 150 injured in one of the biggest attacks on the Russian-annexed peninsula in recent months.
Russian officials say Ukraine used weapons provided by the U.S. to carry out the strike.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and considers it part of the country, though it remains internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory.
1,300 people die during Hajj pilgrimage amid high temps
People are experiencing extreme weather across the globe — including dangerous heat, which is taking a major toll in the Middle East at a time millions are visiting for a sacred religious journey for Muslims known as “Hajj pilgrimage.” More than 1,000 people have died during this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia as temperatures reached 120 degrees.
Saudi officials said 83% of those who died were “unauthorized pilgrims” who walked long distances without adequate shelter. Egypt revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies accused of helping the unauthorized visitors.
Among the 1.8 million people who were authorized was a couple from Maryland, who reportedly died on the journey from heat stroke. Their daughter told CNN her parents had saved up their life savings to make the pilgrimage.
In the U.S., a heat dome is impacting 100 million people across 27 states — with high temperature alerts from Los Angeles to New York City.
Washington D.C. and Baltimore hit the 100-degree mark this past weekend for the first time in over a decade.
Meanwhile, severe flooding from heavy rainfall is the concern in the upper Midwest, with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, R, declaring a disaster emergency for over 20 counties. More than 300 water rescues have been reported and nearly 2,000 properties damaged. Reynolds said “the devastation is severe and widespread.”
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, R, also declared a statewide emergency and confirmed one person was killed in the floods. Noem said the worst of the flooding is expected to come Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25.
Apple first company accused of breaking new European tech law
European Union regulators are accusing Apple of breaking new rules on digital competition by preventing app developers from pointing users to cheaper options than Apple’s app store. The European Commission said preliminary findings of its investigation show Apple breached the Digital Markets Act (DMA) — a law passed in 2022 that took effect in March.
Apple is the first company to be charged for violating the DMA.
Apple now has a chance to respond to the findings, which the commission will assess. It must make a final decision on Apple’s compliance by March 2025.
Apple could face fines worth up to 10% of its global revenue.
Climate activists spray smoke, powder at PGA tournament
Climate activists previously spray painted Taylor Swift’s private jets and Stonehenge to protest the use of fossil fuels. Now, another group of protesters set out to get their message heard by disrupting a golf tournament.
Climate activists stormed the 18th green at the PGA Tour’s Traveler Championship in Connecticut on Sunday.
Person appears to faint from heat during White House press briefing
The record-breaking heatwave hitting the U.S right now is more than just sweltering — it’s downright dangerous. A scare at the White House in the middle of a daily press briefing is highlighting just how dangerous heat can be, even indoors.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stepped off the podium Tuesday, June 18, after someone can be heard saying, “We have an emergency.” Jean-Pierre then went to check the person who appeared to have overheated, before she returned to the briefing. “Does anybody need water?” she asked the reporters in attendance, agreeing that it was hot in the briefing room.
AccuWeather is reporting the high temperature reached 94 degrees in Washington Tuesday, June 18. It’s also expected to get hotter as the week goes on, with the National Weather Service predicting a potential high of 99 degrees by Saturday, June 22.
The heat in D.C. is part of a bigger heatwave sweeping over the eastern U.S. right now. Meteorologists say around 270 million people will experience temperatures at or above 90 degrees this week.
The heat is not the only big severe weather event facing the U.S. right now. At least one person has been confirmed dead in New Mexico as two wildfires continue to burn.
The fires forced thousands to quickly flee their homes and fire officials say more than 500 structures have been destroyed by those fires so far.
However, forecasters said incoming cooler weather and the chance of rain could bring some relief this week to firefighters battling the blazes.
The Texas coast is under a tropical storm watch as what could soon become the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season approaches. The National Hurricane Center said heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected, with as much as 15 inches possible.
Putin, Kim sign comprehensive partnership agreement in North Korea
Russian President Vladimir Putin receives a grand welcome from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the two leaders strengthen their partnership. And tense moments during the White House briefing as someone appeared to faint as dangerous temperatures grip the nation’s capital. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Putin, Kim sign comprehensive partnership agreement in North Korea
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive partnership agreement on Wednesday, June 19, strengthening the ties between the two countries as Putin visits the north for the first time in 24 years. Putin was welcomed by Kim with a lavish ceremony filled with music and cheering crowds around midday local time.
The two then headed off for a summit where Putin thanked Kim for the North’s support in Russia’s war with Ukraine, adding Moscow is fighting the “imperialist policy” of the United States and its allies. In reply, Kim promised “full support and solidarity” to Russia in what he calls Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.
The two leaders sat down for a two-hour meeting before signing the partnership agreement. Putin said the agreement includes a pledge that the nations help each other if either one is attacked.
The two countries are strengthening their relationship as both face multiple global sanctions — North Korea over its weapons program and Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.
U.S. officials believe North Korea is providing weapons to Russia in the war. Both Russia and North Korea deny those allegations.
U.S. soldier sentenced to nearly 4 years in Russian penal colony
A U.S. soldier has been sentenced to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty by a Russian court of stealing money from his girlfriend and threatening to kill her. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was sentenced to three years and nine months Wednesday.
The judge also ordered black to pay 10,000 rubles (about $115) in damages.
According to Russian media, Black partially admitted guilt to theft charges but not to the threats.
Black’s case is just the latest to go to sentencing in a string of Russian arrests of Americans, including two the U.S. has declared as wrongfully detained: former Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Person appears to faint from heat during White House press briefing
The record-breaking heatwave hitting the U.S right now is more than just sweltering — it’s downright dangerous. A scare at the White House in the middle of a daily press briefing is highlighting just how dangerous heat can be, even indoors.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stepped off the podium Tuesday, June 18, to check on someone who appears to have overheated, before returning to the briefing.
AccuWeather is reporting the high temperature reached 94 degrees in Washington Tuesday. It’s also expected to get hotter as the week goes on, with the National Weather Service predicting a potential high of 99 degrees by Saturday, June 22.
The heat in D.C. is part of a bigger heatwave sweeping over the eastern U.S. right now. Meteorologists say around 270 million people will experience temperatures at or above 90 degrees this week.
The heat is not the only big severe weather event facing the U.S. right now. At least one person has been confirmed dead in New Mexico as two wildfires continue to burn.
The fires forced thousands to quickly flee their homes and fire officials say more than 500 structures have been destroyed by those fires so far.
However, forecasters said incoming cooler weather and the chance of rain could bring some relief this week to firefighters battling the blazes.
The Texas coast is under a tropical storm watch as what could soon become the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season approaches. The National Hurricane Center said heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected, with as much as 15 inches possible.
Los Angeles school district moves to ban cell phones during school day
People saying, “Back in my day, we weren’t using cell phones in school” may soon see that as a reality because of a case in the second-largest school district in America.
The Los Angeles Unified School District board moved forward with a plan Tuesday, June 18, to ban cell phones all day on campus. They said the devices distract students from learning, lead to anxiety and allowed cyberbullying.
“I’ve been struck in prior years just how our students are glued to their cellphones, not unlike adults,” school board member Nick Melvoin said. “They’re surreptitiously scrolling in school, in class time, or have their head in their hands, walking down the hallways. They’re not talking to each other or playing at lunch or recess because they have their AirPods in.”
The ban could soon spread even further. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, vowed Tuesday to severely restrict the use of phones during the school day statewide.
The move comes on the heels of the U.S. Surgeon General’s op-ed in the New York Times Monday, June 17, calling on Congress to approve “tobacco style” warnings on social media.
Nvidia becomes most valuable company in the world
Move aside Microsoft and Apple — Nvidia is now the most valuable company in the world. Propelled by its role in artificial intelligence, the computer chipmaker jumped to the top on Tuesday.
The company’s share price rose more than 3%, giving the company an overall market valuation of $3.34 trillion.
Nvidia controls approximately 80% of the market for chips used to power AI systems.
In the first quarter of the year, the company saw its revenue rise to $26 billion — up from $7 billion from 2023.
Baseball great Willie Mays passes away at 93
The baseball world is mourning the loss of one of the most legendary players of all time: Willie Mays. Mays passed away Tuesday in the Bay Area at 93 years old.
Nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays spent 22 seasons in the big leagues, the majority with the Giants — both in New York and San Francisco.
He was part of the 1954 World Series championship team, highlighted by his over-the-shoulder catch during Game 1. That catch is considered to be the greatest in baseball history.
Among those remembering Mays is baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, who called Mays “one of the best ever to play the game and even a better person.”
One of the best to ever play the game and even a better person. Thoughts and prayers are with Willie’s family and loved ones. https://t.co/kiyCbfBqOi
Biden administration announces protection for undocumented spouses of US citizens
President Joe Biden takes executive action to protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. And from wildfires to tropical storms to extreme heat, much of the country is under alert for severe weather. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Biden administration announces protection for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens
The Biden administration has announced a new immigration policy that will shield undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from being deported. The executive action will cover approximately 500,000 immigrants living in America for at least 10 years.
Under the program, known as “Parole in Place,” those whose applications are approved by the Department of Homeland Security will be given three years to apply for permanent residency in the U.S. The undocumented spouses would be given work permits, help to gain access to a green card and provided a path to citizenship.
“These actions will promote family unity and strengthen our economy, providing a significant benefit to the country and helping U.S. citizens and their noncitizen family members stay together,” the White House said in a statement.
President Joe Biden is expected to make an announcement on the policy at the White House Tuesday, June 18, as he marks the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which protects undocumented immigrants who came to America as children from deportation.
The new policy announcement is already being met with criticism from some Republicans. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, wrote on X that it is “incentivizing more illegal immigration.”
The Biden administration also announced plans to make it easier for those immigrants, commonly known as Dreamers, who have earned a college degree and been offered a job to receive work visas.
These are the latest moves by President Biden on immigration as he seeks reelection. Earlier in June, the president issued an executive order limiting access to asylum seekers who cross the border illegally when the number of encounters reaches a certain point. That policy has already been challenged, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) suing the administration.
Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea for summit with Kim Jong Un
For the first time in 24 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be visiting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he looks to strengthen ties with the country. Putin will be spending two days in North Korea, where he will meet with Kim for a summit following their talks in Russia in September.
Prior to his visit, Putin wrote a letter that was published in a North Korean state newspaper where he said he appreciates North Korea’s support in its war with Ukraine.
Both the U.S. and South Korea have accused North Korea of providing Russia with military equipment — an act that would violate sanctions by the United Nations Security Council. North Korea and Russia have denied the accusations.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, June 17, White House National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. is keeping an eye on the growing relationship between Putin and North Korea.
“No surprise that [Putin] went to North Korea after his so-called election, a real nailbiter that was,” Kirby quipped to a reporter. “He was going to go on a little bit of a charm offensive here and that’s what he appears to be doing. We’re not concerned about the trip. What we are concerned about is the deepening relationship between these two countries, not just because of the impacts it’s going to have on the Ukrainian people — because we know North Korean ballistic missiles are still being used to hit Ukrainian targets — but because there could be some reciprocity here that could affect security on the Korean Peninsula.”
Additionally, in the letter published in the North Korean paper, Putin said Russia and the North will work together on trade and payment systems that are “not controlled by the West.”
Heat, wildfires, tropical storm threaten U.S. coast to coast
From extreme heat to wildfires to drenching downpours, the U.S. is facing severe weather threats coast to coast. The sweltering heat that’s been scorching the west is now heading to the northeast, putting millions of Americans at risk as temperatures reach up to triple digits.
The National Weather Service warned a looming heat dome could bring temperatures to record-breaking highs well into the following week.
Meanwhile, two major wildfires are burning in the west. Thousands of residents in the southern New Mexico village of Ruidoso were ordered to evacuate their homes Monday, June 17, without taking time to pack anything as the flames quickly approached.
The fire had grown to at least two square miles and burned more than 5,000 acres since it started Monday.
Firefighters are also battling widespread flames in southern California. What’s been dubbed the “Post Fire” has now spread to more than 15,000 acres in Los Angeles County. That fire, which started Saturday, June 15, was 20% contained as of fire officials’ last report Monday night.
Authorities said more than 1,100 firefighters, including air tankers and helicopter crews, are battling the fire from the ground and sky.
In the nation’s southeast, the first tropical storm watch of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is in effect for the stretch of coast from southern Texas to northeastern Mexico as a broad area of thunderstorms develops in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s forecast to turn into the first named storm of the season.
Boeing CEO to testify before Senate committee
Boeing is back in the hot seat on Capitol Hill Tuesday, June 18, as the company’s CEO is set to testify before Congress. David Calhoun is scheduled to appear before the Senate Investigations Subcommittee about the company’s latest plan to fix its manufacturing problems.
This will mark the first appearance of a high-ranking Boeing official before Congress since a panel blew out of a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, raising new concerns about the company’s best-selling commercial aircraft.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are conducting separate investigations into that incident.
Just last week, the head of the FAA told a Senate committee the agency was “too hands off” in its oversight of Boeing before the January incident.
Tuesday’s hearing comes as the Justice Department is considering whether to prosecute Boeing for violating terms of a settlement in connection with two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.
McDonald’s ending its AI drive-thru test with IBM
You will no longer be able to use artificial intelligence to order your Big Mac — at least for now. McDonald’s announced it is ending its AI drive-through test run at more than 100 of its restaurants.
The fast food chain had partnered with IBM to create its so-called Automated Order Taker, which involves voice-activated ordering that uses AI to expedite the customer experience. However, reports said customers complained the chatbot got orders wrong and the tech had trouble interpreting accents.
McDonald’s said it will be looking to explore voice ordering solutions “more broadly” in the future.
The AI drive-thrus are set to be shut off by the end of July.
Boston Celtics win record 18th NBA Championship
For a record 18th time, the Boston Celtics are NBA champions. Powered by stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in game five Monday, June 17, to clinch the franchise’s 18th championship.
Netanyahu dissolves war cabinet as IDF announces ‘tactical pause’ in Rafah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disbanded his war cabinet as the Israeli army announces a ‘tactical pause’ in Rafah. And Maryland’s governor is set to pardon more than 175,000 marijuana convictions. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, June 17, 2024.
Netanyahu dissolves war cabinet as IDF announces ‘tactical pause’ in Rafah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disbanded his war cabinet on Monday, June 17. The move comes just days after the departure of Benny Gantz, an opposition leader who had joined the coalition in the early days of Israel’s war with Hamas.
Over the weekend, Israel’s military said it will pause fighting in a certain section of southern Gaza during daytime hours so a backlog of humanitarian aid can be delivered. The “tactical pause” applies to a designated route only — along about 7.5 miles of road in the Rafah area.
The pause began Saturday, June 15, and will take place daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time until further notice. The Israeli military said the pause came after discussions with the United Nations and other aid agencies.
After the announcement, the Israeli Defense Forces clarified that its operations in Rafah will continue.
An Israeli official told the media on Sunday, June 16, Netanyahu is against the pause and told his military secretary it was “unacceptable.”
American tourist found dead on Greek island; 3 people remain missing
An American tourist was found dead near the Greek island of Corfu on Sunday, June 16. This is just the latest in a string of recent cases in which tourists in the Greek islands have died or gone missing.
The American tourist has not been identified by authorities, but police said he was last seen alive on Tuesday, June 11, and reported missing Thursday, June 13.
His death marks the third in recent days on the Greek islands.
A missing Dutch tourist was found dead Saturday, June 15, on the eastern island of Samos. On Sunday, June 9, British TV anchor and author Dr. Michael Mosley was found dead on the island of Symi, close to the Turkish coast.
Meanwhile, the search continues for two French tourists and another American, who’s been identified as a retired Los Angeles County deputy sheriff.
Some of those missing or found dead had set out on hikes in very hot temperatures. Greece is experiencing a heatwave and has even had to shut down famous tourist sites across the country as temperatures soar past 100 degrees.
Maryland’s governor to issue mass pardons on marijuana convictions
Maryland’s governor said he’ll be pardoning more than 175,000 people for marijuana convictions on Monday, June 17. Speaking to The Washington Post, Gov. Wes Moore, D, said he will be signing an executive order issuing the mass pardon for low-level marijuana possession charges.
The Democratic governor said criminal records have been used to deny housing, employment and education and have disproportionately impacted people of color.
Maryland is among 24 states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana; however, marijuana use and possession remains illegal under federal law — though in April, the Biden administration took steps to reclassify marijuana as a lower-risk substance.
‘Possible chemical agent’ released at Baltimore Pride event, several hurt
Several people were hurt during a Pride parade event in Baltimore, Maryland after a “possible chemical agent” was released and fireworks were set off in a crowd on Saturday, June 15. Police said the possible chemical agent — possibly mace, hair spray or something else — was not deployed by them.
Authorities did say fire officials treated people at the scene and the event was shut down. They did not clarify how many people were hurt, or if all the injuries were related to the possible chemical agent or a “mass exodus” when people began fleeing from the event.
Police said at this time they do not believe this was a targeted attack.
Heat wave spreads across America bringing temperatures near or above 100
The official first day of summer is later this week but already much of America is feeling the heat. Approximately 265 million people — more than 80% of the country — will be seeing temperatures of 90 degrees or more this week.
New England is already under an excessive heat watch, with temperatures expected to top 100 degrees in parts of New Hampshire.
A heat wave is anticipated to bring temperatures to around 99 degrees in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
And out west, those living in Arizona and New Mexico are looking at temperatures above 100.
In 2023, there were more than 2,300 heat-related deaths in the U.S., a 34% increase from the year before.
Hollywood stars win on Broadway’s biggest night
It was an evening of song, dance and trophies during Broadway’s biggest night. While Sunday, June 16, night’s Tony Awards celebrated the stars of the stage, there were several well-known names from TV and movies who walked away winners.
Jeremy Strong, known for the drama series “Succession,” won Best Lead Actor in a Play for his role in “Enemy of the People.”
Daniel Radcliffe, who rose to fame as the star of the “Harry Potter” film series, took home the Tony for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for his performance in the revival of “Merrily We Roll Along.”
Sarah Paulson, known for her roles on TV, won Best Actress in a Play for her performance in “Appropriate.”
Other big winners included “The Outsiders” for Best Musical and “Stereophonic” winning Best Play.
Scientists rescue coral as rising ocean temperatures break records
Extreme weather rocked the United States in 2023. Summer brought a massive heat wave throughout the world, triggering storms, breaking records and generally making life miserable. Under the waves, the ocean was also heating up, causing a widespread coral bleaching event.
When temperature spikes strike, coral normally can’t just migrate to cooler waters — at least not without a lot of help. The Keys Marine Laboratory and several other organizations, like the Coral Restoration Foundation, jumped in to save the fragile coral nurseries off the Florida Keys. They hosted around 5,000 coral specimens in special containers on land during the ocean heat wave.
While housing the coral, the teams still had to combat the heat. They did so by placing the coral under large shades and pumping temperature-controlled seawater through the bright blue tubs.
The waters around Florida, and much of the world, stayed at coral bleaching alert level two for several months, which sparked upheaval in the fragile coral ecosystem and caused coral to expel their symbiotic algae and turn white from starvation. Level two is the highest point on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s alert scale, warning that severe mortality and bleaching are likely.
Dr. Cindy Lewis, director of the Keys Marine Laboratory, described the starving coral as looking like “giant snowflakes.” But the sight of bone-white coral is a warning flag for changing climates and struggling ecosystems. In some places, the surface ocean temperature reached critical levels, raising warning flags around the world.
Allison Crimmins directed the USA’s Fifth National Climate Assessment earlier this year. She delivered a statement alongside the report at the White House, taking the time to point out the struggles faced by coral reefs.
“Waters off the coast of Florida hit 101 degrees Fahrenheit, exposing our nation’s precious coral reefs to hot-tub-level temperatures. Climate impacts are costing lives, disrupting livelihoods, and threatening the people, places, and pastimes we care about,” Crimmins said.
Around mid-October to early November 2023, the ocean cooled down enough for the rescued coral to begin the return journey to the ocean, the conclusion of a significant operation with a laundry-list of requirements to be met. This includes a clean bill of health from a coral veterinarian, cool waters around the nurseries, and calm seas for the boats.
“There is just an undertone of amazing excitement with everybody that’s on-site,” Dr. Lewis said. “Everybody is just so excited that every coral returned is a success. Yes, we’ve lost some … but the ones that survived, it’s a huge success.”
Taylor Swift postpones Brazil concert amid record heat, fan death
In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a 23-year-old fan got on her first flight heading to Rio de Janeiro to live her dream and see Swift perform live. The young woman later died at a nearby hospital just hours after seeking medical attention while at the concert.
Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert amid complaints about excessive heat https://t.co/PGO8SRMgYr
“I’m writing this from my dressing room in the stadium.” Swift wrote. “The decision has been made to postpone tonight’s show due to the extreme temperatures in Rio. The safety and well-being of my fans, fellow performers, and crew has to and always will come first.”
While the young woman’s cause of death is still being determined, some people, including politicians, speculate that the extreme heat played a role in it. Now authorities say they have opened a criminal investigation into the death.
Last week, incident meteorologists declared a red alert on Brazil, warning of risks to health and even life. With temperatures soaring, concertgoers said they were not allowed to bring water into the stadium on Friday, Nov. 17. Attendees also said it was difficult to get water depending on where they were seated, according to The Associated Press.
At one point during the concert, Swift paused the show as fans needing water had caught her attention in the front. Swift posted on social media Saturday morning that she had a “shattered heart.”
Meteorologists say that this record heat is linked to climate change and El Niño, the weather phenomenon that warms surface waters in the region.
Fueling home insurance crisis: Natural disasters rack up billions in damage
Ida. Ian. Idalia. Extreme storms are increasingly battering the U.S. at alarming rates and causing billions in damage.
“You want to live on the water, you got to put up with it, you know,” 77-year-old retiree John “Sparky” Abrandt said as he picked up debris around his Horseshoe Beach, Florida, home following Hurricane Idalia.
It’s not just on the water that homeowners are paying the price. The West is facing deadly heat waves and drought, wildfires are stretching far beyond their normal boundaries and tornadoes are leveling towns across the Midwest and South.
“Make sure that you’re assessing the risk of where you live,” Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) spokesperson Scott Holeman said. “The ocean views are great. The mountain views are great. But if there are risks in some of those areas, know that costs are probably going only up.”
Triple-I data shows natural catastrophes in the U.S. caused $100 billion in insured property loss in 2022. These costly natural disasters are becoming way more frequent.
Adjusted for inflation, there are more billion-dollar disaster events in the past 13 years than in the 30 years before it, according to NOAA.
“As we see conditions changing and more people living in those risky areas, there are more people exposed,” Holeman said. “You’re seeing some companies that are saying, ‘We’re not going to do any more of this kind of business in these areas.’”
The insurance pinch is squeezing out people around New Orleans, where nearly every home faces a high flood risk. According to real estate company Redfin, 15,000 more people moved out than in the past two years as insurance premiums price people out of what used to be an affordable place to live.
But migration out of New Orleans is a rare exception, as most population shifts are moving into harm’s way.
“There are people that continue to move to places where there are a lot of wildfires, or we’re certainly not seeing people really leave Florida,” Holeman said.
A Redfin analysis shows over the past four years, people are increasingly moving into the U.S. counties with the highest flood, fire and heat risks.
The pandemic prompted a lot of these moves to warmer areas with lower costs of living. Redfin’s chief economist says it’s human nature to focus on current benefits and discount risks that are tougher to measure, like climate.
It explains why Phoenix, Arizona, drew in 76,000 more people in the past two years amid scorching heat and a lack of water; while Lee County, Florida, welcomed 60,000 more people, though Hurricane Ian ravaged the coast last September.
“I guess all you do is put everything back together and try again,” Fort Myers, Florida, resident Luis Damone said while trudging through knee-deep water in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Illegal immigration surges in Arizona despite heat wave
Illegal border crossings in one of the hottest, most isolated and dangerous areas of Arizona have increased 134% in recent days. According to a CBS News report, Border Patrol agents in the Tucson sector have seen an average of 1,900 migrants arrive every day, compared to 812 arriving per day in June.
The Tucson sector covers most of Arizona, from the state line with New Mexico to Yuma County. It includes a large area of the Sonoran Desert, which extends into California.
According to the Straight Arrow News Media Landscape™ tool, CBS News leans left, while Fox leans right. Here’s how those outlets are covering this issue:
CBS reported, “Migrants, including families with young children, have been traversing the Arizona desert in large groups — generally an indication of the involvement of smugglers — amid extreme and dangerous temperatures that surpass 110 degrees each day in most areas of the region.”
The CBS report also said large family groups are arriving from around the world, including China, Senegal, Mauritania, Colombia and Venezuela. Those crossings are mainly taking place in the middle of the night when temperatures drop below 90 degrees.
Fox cited Tucson sector Chief John Modlin who said agents apprehended 10,000 people during the last week of July. That is a 1,000-person increase from the week before.
Fox also reported on drug apprehensions, a focus of Republican members of Congress when they debate immigration policy.
Fox said agents at the Nogales Border Patrol station confiscated fentanyl with an $83,000 value, six pounds of meth and three firearms. Fox also said more than 400 illegal migrants were reportedly rescued by Border Patrol agents.
Both outlets shared warnings from the Border Patrol and local immigrant support groups about how dangerous it is to cross the desert in the summer months. According to Customs and Border Protection, agents have performed more than 25,000 search and rescues along the southwest border since October 2022.
Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.
