Wednesday, September 16th, 2020
Slow-Moving Sally, Breonna Taylor Settlement & Apple’s Reveal
All the news you need in 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by www.FunctionofBeauty.com/newsworthy
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want reading about the latest happenings…
Hurricane Sally Update
Hurricane Sally is moving slowly, but it’s still a powerful Category 2 storm. It’s moving at only two miles-an-hour. That is a problem because forecasters say strong winds and flooding rain could end up battering some areas for 30 hours straight. Forecasters say people may end up seeing 20-30 inches of rain. Hurricane warnings are in effect for the cities of Biloxi, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, and all the towns in between. Thousands of people have evacuated.
Read More: AP, WaPo, CNN, Weather Channel, NHC, Red Cross Donations
Western U.S. Air Quality Concerns
With wildfires still burning out of control in the western United States, thick, dangerous smoke is expected to stick around for a while. Scientists and forecasters say the yellowish smog may linger for days or weeks. Some hospitals in Oregon are seeing more emergency room visits because the air quality is affecting people’s lungs and hearts. Parks and beaches are closed and places like the Oregon Convention Center in downtown Portland are being used as clean air shelters.
Read More: AP, WaPo, NPR
Western Wildfires Updates
In Los Angeles County firefighters are trying to control flames burning within 500 feet of the famous Mt. Wilson Observatory. Thankfully, there were no new deaths reported from the fires yesterday. Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris toured some of the wildfire damage in her home state of California yesterday, one day after President Trump visited the state.
Bobcat Fire Threatens Observatory: LA Times, Cal Fire, Angeles National Forest
Sen. Harris Tours Wildfire Damage: SF Chronicle, AP, CNN, FOX News
Breonna Taylor Family Settlement
Breonna Taylor’s family is getting $12 million from the city of Louisville, Kentucky. Police fatally shot Taylor as they executed a no-knock warrant on her house. The attorney representing her family says the wrongful death settlement announced yesterday is one of the largest settlements ever paid for the killing of a Black woman by police. Police reforms are also part of the package. For example, Louisville police supervisors will have to sign off on search warrants before they go to a judge for approval.
Read More: AJC, Louisville Courier-Journal, NY Times, WaPo, Reuters, WSJ
American Young People Virus Death Toll
New CDC analysis shows at least 121 young Americans, younger than 21 years old, died from the new coronavirus between February and July. About three-quarters of those young people who died were either Hispanic, Black, or Native American. Researchers say that’s because, people from minority communities are more likely to have trouble getting medical care, either because they don’t have health insurance, paid sick leave, or access to child care. Overall, about 196,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S.
Read More: CNBC, AP, WaPo, Johns Hopkins, CDC
Coronavirus Aid Package Latest
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNBC the House will remain in-session until lawmakers deliver the next round of COVID-19 relief. That means if there’s no compromise, there will be no October recess. There’s reportedly a new deal on the table though. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told Reuters there’s a $1.5 trillion proposal up for consideration. It was drafted by a group of bipartisan, moderate lawmakers. The White House called it “certainly worth discussion and worth consideration.”
Read More: Reuters, AP, USA Today, WaPo
Apple Event Roundup
Apple unveiled its newest lineup of iPads, watches, and subscription services. A new version of the Apple watch is probably getting the most attention because it caters to the pandemic era. It has a key new health feature that can specifically monitor blood oxygen levels. Apple also unveiled a cheaper version of its smartwatch. The discount model will sell for $279 starting Friday. The higher-end model is $399.
Read More: Reuters, Axios, AP, Apple
Celebrities Facebook Boycott
Some of the world’s most well-known celebrities are boycotting Facebook and Instagram today. About a dozen stars, like Kim Kardashian West, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, and Katy Perry, will freeze their accounts for 24 hours. Many encouraged their followers to do the same. This is to protest how Facebook and Instagram handle hate, propaganda, and misinformation. Facebook hasn’t responded yet.
Read More: CNN, The Verge, Variety, NY Times, Instagram, Stop Hate for Profit
World Series Location Announced
Arlington, Texas will host the World Series this October. It will be the first time since 1944 the World Series will be played all at one site. This year, the MLB wanted to cut down on the need to travel and allow players to stay in a so-called bubble to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak. This will most likely be a neutral site because the Texas Rangers have one of the worst records in the league. They aren’t expected to be playing in the World Series.
Read More: The Athletic, AP, Dallas Morning News
ACM Awards
The 55th annual Academy of Country Music Awards are tonight. The show will open with a performance by all the nominees for Entertainer of the Year: Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, and Thomas Rhett. Later, Taylor Swift will perform at the ACMs for the first time in seven years. The show will be hosted by Keith Urban and will be broadcast from Nashville, Tennessee without a live audience. It airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Read More: ACM, Rolling Stone, CNN
Work Wednesday: Airbnb, Resorts Promote Remote Working
Americans are booking more Airbnbs for remote work lately. People are booking long-term stays, 28 nights or more, in places like Whitefish, Montana, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and Windsor County in Vermont. Also, Barbados and Bermuda are offering telework visas. Resorts in places from South Carolina to the Dominican Republic are creating remote work and remote learning packages for families.
Read More: Axios, The Guardian, Airbnb