Temperatures soared on Sunday to an all-time high of 112 degrees Fahrenheit in Oregon's largest city as a record heat wave blistered the Pacific Northwest, sparking a run on ice and air-conditioners, while forcing many restaurants and bars to close.
An unprecedented heatwave has hit the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
It's causing some bars and restaurants to close and sent many flocking to the nearest pool on Sunday.
In the usually-temperate states of Washington and Oregon, homes and businesses have long gone without air conditioning.
But the National Weather Service forecasted high temperatures, climbing to more than 30 degrees above normal in parts of those states.
Seattle, Washington on Sunday saw temperatures reach an all-time high of 104 degrees Fahrenheit, or 40 degrees Celsius.
In Portland, Oregon, temperatures also soared to an eye-watering 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the NWS that's the hottest temperature since records began in 1940.
The extreme heat was said to be caused by a dome of atmospheric high pressure over the upper U.S. northwest and Canada.
That's similar to conditions that punished California and southwestern states a week earlier.
"When we travelled from Oakland, California there was supposed to be a heat wave (there).
The four of us, we thought because Portland is in the North West it would be nice and cool, and we get here and it is so hot, and the weather back at home is nice and cool." Oregon Governor Kate Brown eased restrictions for swimming pools, theatres and shopping malls ahead of the heatwave.
Meanwhile stores there quickly sold out of air conditioning units, fans - even ice.
Multnomah County - which contains the city of Portland - opened emergency 'cooling shelters', most of them in public libraries for residents without AC units to escape the searing heat.
The NWS says the heat wave is expected to ease somewhat by Tuesday.
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Supreme Court Considers Letting Cities , Punish Homeless for Sleeping Outside.
On April 22, the Supreme Court will hear a case out of Grants Pass, Oregon, which has a population of less than 40,000, NPR reports. .
'Grants Pass v. Johnson' seeks to challenge two
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rulings which found fining or jailing the unhoused to be cruel and unusual punishment when they have no other alternative.
'Grants Pass v. Johnson' seeks to challenge two
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rulings which found fining or jailing the unhoused to be cruel and unusual punishment when they have no other alternative.
But Grants Pass argues that public health and safety are dependent on camping restrictions that are commonly found across America. .
The city contends that homeless encampments pose a danger to those living
in them, as well as to families and children.
This is because the encampments
are often filled with people who need
mental health and drug addiction resources.
Advocates for the unhoused say that criminalizing sleeping outside is counterproductive. .
Punishing someone for doing
something they have no control
over, no ability to not do, is not
going to end that status. In fact,
not only does criminalization not
work, it makes matters worse. , Ed Johnson of the Oregon Law Center, via NPR.
A criminal record and debt from fines would make it even more difficult for a homeless person to find housing, says Ed Johnson of the Oregon Law Center.
But many cities don't have
enough permanent housing to offer.
Grants pass could use about 4,000 more housing units, while the national
"deficit is in the millions," NPR reports.
The shortage has caused rents to skyrocket, which is a main driver of homelessness
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This Day in History:, The Great San Francisco Earthquake.
April 18, 1906.
At 5:13 a.m., an earthquake
struck offshore of San Fransisco,
a city with a population of 400,000 at the time.
The quake was felt from
southern Oregon to Los Angeles,
and ruptured 296 miles of the San Andreas fault.
Destroying San Francisco's water mains,
the quake ignited massive, devastating
fires all over the city that could not be combated.
The fires burned for days,
resulting in the deaths of more than
3,000 people and destroying more than 28,000 buildings.
More than half of the city was
left homeless by the disaster.
Damages were estimated to close to $15 billion in
today's dollars. The recovery and rebuild allowed city
planners to make great improvements to San Francisco
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:57Published
Biden Administration to Invest $8.5 Billion , in Intel’s Computer Chip Plants.
Biden Administration to Invest $8.5 Billion , in Intel’s Computer Chip Plants.
In addition to $8.5 billion in direct funding, $11 billion will be provided in loans.
The money will come from
the CHIPS and Science Act.
The funds will go toward "computer chip
plants in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico
and Oregon," CBS News reports. .
According to Intel, the new funding and other investments will create a total of 30,000 jobs in manufacturing and construction.
According to Intel, the new funding and other investments will create a total of 30,000 jobs in manufacturing and construction.
The deal will help the U.S. to produce 20%
of the most advanced computer chips
in the world by 2030, according to
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Failure is not an option — leading-edge
chips are the core of our innovation
system, especially when it comes
to advances in artificial intelligence
and our military systems, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, on a call with reporters.
We can't just design chips.
We have to make them in America, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, on a call with reporters.
Biden's funding announcement comes
amid a heated presidential campaign.
Administration officials want to get chip technology funding
"out the door as quickly as possible so that the Biden campaign can point to concrete progress on one of the
White House's signature programs," analysts say.
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger called the
CHIPS Act "the most critical industrial
policy legislation since World War II.".
We think of this as a defining
moment for the United States, the
semiconductor industry and for Intel, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, via statement
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Hundreds of Thousands Lose Power , Amid Deadly Nor’easter.
As of April 5, hundreds of thousands of people
have lost power, and at least three people have died
as a result of heavy snow and powerful winds
slamming parts of the Northeast, CNN reports. .
40 mph wind gusts were encountered
in areas across the region.
Three people were killed in Pennsylvania and
New York when trees fell onto their cars. .
One of the victims was "the wife of a
New York Yankees executive," CNN reports. .
As of the morning of April 5, over 300,000 people
were without electricity in Maine and New Hampshire.
The heaviest snow is over, but danger still remains, according to the National Weather Service.
Winds will also remain gusty and may result
in additional downed branches and limbs due
to the weight of freshly fallen snow, National Weather Service, via statement.
Many roads, particularly in York County, Maine, have been left impassable due to debris and fallen power lines.
I encourage all residents to remain alert
during today’s storm. High winds and rains
can cause unexpected and often disastrous
weather, I urge everyone to stay safe, Ed Warren, East Kingston, New Hampshire, fire department chief, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, “including non-participating
bystanders during last week’s protests.”.
Google’s aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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How Did '4/20' Become
a Holiday for Weed?.
One common theory is that it stems
from a California criminal code for
those who distribute the drug.
According to CNN, California's 420 code is actually for obstructing entry on public land.
The state's medical marijuana
program was created from a bill
with the number 420.
Oaksterdam Cannabis Museum's Chris Conrad
says "4/20" started as a code in
Marin County, California, at San Rafael High School.
In the 1970s, a group called
"The Waldos" would get together at
4:20 PM to smoke pot.
The time of the day was convenient as it
was right after school ended with
no parental supervision just yet.
"4/20" became a code word that allowed
them to notify each other in front of
unsuspecting parents.
From there, the phrase likely
spread across the country
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:02Published
The world's first known combat between a human pilot and a fighter jet controlled by AI has been carried out in California, the US military has said. Sky News
Prince Harry Officially Considers America , to Be His Home Instead of Britain.
After stepping away from
royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry
and Meghan Markle moved to California.
At the time, Harry suggested
that the move was temporary. .
The U.K. is my home and a place
that I love, that will never change. , Prince Harry, via previous statement.
We both do everything we can to
fly the flag and carry out our roles
for this country with pride, Prince Harry, via previous statement.
But a Travalyst Ltd filing on April 17 shows that the U.S. is now the prince's primary residence, NBC News reports. .
The company is based in London
and is 75% owned by Harry.
The new listing shows Harry's full name,
Prince Henry Charles Albert David Duke Of Sussex.
and then reads, "New country/State
Usually Resident: United States.".
While the residency change was filed this week, it was actually made on June 29, 2023, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Frogmore Cottage. .
While the residency change was filed this week, it was actually made on June 29, 2023, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Frogmore Cottage. .
In February of this year, Harry told a journalist that he was thinking about becoming an American citizen, NBC News reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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Google Fires Employees , for Protesting Israel Contract.
28 Google workers have been fired for protesting
a $1.2 billion contract that the company has with
the Israeli government and military to provide
cloud and AI services, NBC News reports. .
The firings follow an April 16 sit-in at
Google's offices in California, New York and Seattle in which nine workers were arrested.
The group that coordinated the demonstration
is known as No Tech for Apartheid. .
Google issued a statement about the recent firings.
A small number of employee
protesters entered and disrupted
a few of our locations. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
Physically impeding other employees’
work and preventing them from
accessing our facilities is a clear
violation of our policies, and
completely unacceptable behavior. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
We have so far concluded
individual investigations that
resulted in the termination of
employment for 28 employees,
and will continue to investigate
and take action as needed, Google spokesperson, via statement.
No Tech for Apartheid claims that the
workers were fired "indiscriminately.".
This excuse to avoid confronting
us and our concerns directly,
and attempt to justify its illegal,
retaliatory firings, is a lie, No Tech for Apartheid, via statement.
Meanwhile, many of Google's workers have
reportedly quit after experiencing "mental health consequences of working at a company that is using their labor to enable a genocide," No Tech for Apartheid said.
On a personal level, I am opposed
to Google taking any military
contracts — no matter which
government they’re with or what
exactly the contract is about. , Cheyne Anderson, a Google Cloud software engineer based
in Washington who was arrested during a sit-in, to CNBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
This Day in History: , Kurt Cobain Dies By Suicide.
April 5, 1994.
The Nirvana frontman died by suicide
in his Seattle home after struggling with
drug addiction and depression for years.
The rock icon had checked himself out of
a Los Angeles rehab just a week earlier.
His body wasn't discovered until three days later when
an electrician visited the home to install a security system.
Police found a suicide note written by Cobain,
in which he quoted the Neil Young lyric that it's
“better to burn out than to fade away.”.
Despite being ruled a suicide by authorities,
Cobain's death has been widely blamed on his partner,
singer Courtney Love.
After the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" rocketed
Nirvana to worldwide fame, Cobain had been
referred to as "the spokesman of a generation.".
He was 27 years old
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:04Published
These US Cities, Have the Highest Populations of, Millionaires.
According to a report by Henley & Partners,
the United States remains the top country in the
world for private wealth creation and accumulation.
Quartz reports that the U.S. accounts
for about 32% of global liquid investable
wealth, valued at approximately $67 trillion.
Here are some of the cities
with the largest populations of
millionaires, according to the report.
Austin, This Texas city had the biggest explosion
in millionaire growth in the U.S. over the past
ten years, reaching 32,700 by the end of 2023. .
Miami, This Florida city is home to
35,300 millionaires and 15 billionaires,
including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Boston, While having just eight billionaires,
the fewest of any other city on the list,
this New England city is home to , 42,900 millionaires.
Seattle, This Washington State city is the home of
some of the largest corporations in the U.S.,
including Amazon and Microsoft. It's also
home to 54,200 millionaires and 11 billionaires. .
Chicago, Approximately 120,500 millionaires
live in this Midwestern metropolis. .
Los Angeles, The second-most populous city in the U.S. has about, 212,100 millionaires and 43 billionaires.
San Francisco, The tech hub of the U.S. boasts the most
billionaires with a whopping 68, as well as
the second-most millionaires with 305,700. .
New York, The city with the most high
net worth individuals has about , 349,500 millionaires
and 60 billionaires
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Health officials are warning the public of the dangers of consuming too much alcohol while out recreating in lakes and rivers during this extreme heat wave.
Credit: KPAX - Western Montana Duration: 01:11Published
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