'The Hill' reports that over 12 million people
in the Pacific Northwest are facing an
approaching heat advisory in the coming days.
According to a National Weather Service (NWS) report, , âabove-normal temperatures are forecast to persist along the
West Coast through the period while extending across the
Intermountain West and into the Rockies early this week.".
The NWS Weather Prediction Center said that
daytime temperatures are expected to reach
10 to 20 degrees above normal on May 15 and 16.
While a weak area of low pressure in
the upper levels of the atmosphere may
provide some relief and an increasing chance
for showers and thunderstorms, , NWS forecasters, via 'The Hill'.
High temperatures may once again exceed
their daily records for parts of the
Pacific Northwest, including the Seattle
and Portland metro regions, on Monday, NWS forecasters, via 'The Hill'.
Over the weekend, four locations in
the Seattle region hit record temperatures.
In response to the heat advisory, Portland officials
have urged residents to seek cooler areas.
'The Hill' reports that city officials have also advised people to , "stock up on fans/air conditioners and sun-blocking
curtains, sunscreen and other summer essentials.â .
'The Hill' reports that city officials have also advised people to , "stock up on fans/air conditioners and sun-blocking
curtains, sunscreen and other summer essentials.â .
Officials in King County, which includes Seattle, said that
several cooling centers would be opened throughout
the area to combat dangerously high temperatures.
On May 13, Portland reached a record-high temperature of 93 degrees, breaking
the previous record set in 1973.
Similarly, a number of other cities in the area,
including Olympia and Hoquiam, broke
record-high temperatures set in 1973.
Title IX Regulations Add Protections , for Transgender Students.
Title IX prohibits "sex-based discrimination at government-funded schools," 'The Hill' reports. .
On April 19, the Biden administration revealed the last of its changes to the federal civil rights law. .
The new regulations expand how sex discrimination is defined, now including
sexual orientation and gender identity. .
These final regulations build on the
legacy of Title IX by clarifying that
all our nationâs students can access
schools that are safe, welcoming,
and respect their rights. , Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, via statement.
The update also reinstates "protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment" which were changed under President Trump, 'The Hill' reports.
Catherine Lhamon, the Education Departmentâs assistant secretary for civil rights, .
says the new rules will help schools
respond to "all sex discrimination,
not limited to sexual harassment.".
Biden's final changes to Title IX
are sure to be condemned by Republicans
who view transgender protections as failing
to protect cisgender women and girls.
The new changes will take effect Aug. 1.
The Biden administration has not yet finalized an additional rule pertaining to sports eligibility. .
Since 2021, 24 states have passed laws prohibiting transgender student-athletes from playing on
sports teams that align with their gender identity
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
March Retail Sales , Exceeded Expectations.
New Commerce Department data surprised
some analysts on April 15, 'The Hill' reports. .
The agency's latest estimates indicate
that March retail sales increased by 0.7%.
They were only expected
to rise 0.3% last month.
While sales exceeded estimates for March, the jump
was still below the 0.9% increase in February.
Compared to the same time last year, total sales
for the first three months of 2024 were up 2.1%.
On April 10, the Labor Department released data showing that inflation rose last month. .
The consumer price index (CPI)
increased 0.4% in March and 3.5% annually.
In February, consumer prices
increased 3.2% year-over-year. .
Still, the newest Commerce Department data suggests that Americans continue to spend despite prolonged inflation, 'The Hill' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Cancels Over $7 Billion in Student Debt , for More Than 277,000 Borrowers.
On April 12, President Joe Biden said that over 277,000 borrowers in more than
40 states will have $7.4 billion in student
loan debt wiped out, 'The Hill' reports. .
To date, the Biden administration has canceled $153 billion in student loan debt. .
From day one of my administration,
I promised to fight to ensure higher
education is a ticket to the middle class,
not a barrier to opportunity. , President Joe Biden, via statement.
I will never stop working to cancel
student debt â no matter how
many times Republican elected
officials try to stop us, President Joe Biden, via statement.
'The Hill' reports that Biden's loan forgiveness has largely been aimed at helping
"public service workers, those on IDR plans," .
people who've been defrauded by educational institutions and those with disabilities. .
Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, issued a statement in response to Biden's actions. .
The administration is tone deaf.
Thereâs no other way to put it, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
We know that instead of doing its
job the administration focused
time, energy, and resources on
its illegal student loan scheme. , Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
And that has been frustrating, especially
since it has jeopardized the academic
journey of millions of students, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
But what is absolutely maddening is
that the administration is STILL not
doing its job and instead focusing on
its student loan shenanigans. , Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, , âWe know what Republicans are going to do; we canât
stop them from that. But itâs also not going to stop the president from acting and taking action, like he is today.â
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Announces Deal With Taiwanâs TSMC , to Ramp Up US Chip Production.
On April 8, the White House said that it has reached an agreement with TSMC to help build new semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Arizona, 'The Hill' reports. .
The Biden administration will
provide up to $6.6 billion in funding
via the CHIPS and Science Act.
The president said that the money
will âsupport the construction of
leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing facilities right here in the United States.â .
Funding would also go toward
training local workforces at the new facilities.
A year and a half ago, I toured
the site of TSMCâs first new
fab in Phoenix, Arizona, President Joe Biden, via statement.
TSMCâs renewed commitment
to the United States, and its
investment in Arizona.., President Joe Biden, via statement.
... represent a broader story for
semiconductor manufacturing thatâs
made in America and with the strong
support of Americaâs leading technology firms
to build the products we rely on every day, President Joe Biden, via statement.
America's ability to produce its own microchips remains a key area of concern for Biden.
The CHIPS and Science Act, which was passed
with bipartisan support in 2022, is intended to
make the U.S. less dependent on foreign suppliers.
The White House has also made
agreements with Intel, GlobalFoundries
and Bae Systems, 'The Hill' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Warnock Calls GOPâs Criticism , of Trans Visibility Day , âOpposite of Christian Faithâ.
This year, Trans Day of Visibility
coincidentally fell on Easter Sunday.
President Joe Biden was attacked by Conservatives for making a declaration about the day, as he does every year, because it fell on the Christian holiday.
One of Biden's critics, Speaker Mike Johnson, called Biden's declaration an "outrageous
and abhorrent" attack on the religion. .
One of Biden's critics, Speaker Mike Johnson, called Biden's declaration an "outrageous
and abhorrent" attack on the religion. .
Senator Raphael Warnock, a reverend,
has denounced GOP criticism, calling it the
"opposite of the Christian faith," 'The Hill' reports. .
Apparently, the Speaker finds trans
people abhorrent, and I think he
ought to think about that, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash.
This is just one more instance
of folks who do not know how
to lead us trying to divide us, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash.
This is the opposite of the
Christian faith. Jesus centered the
marginalized. He centered the poor, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash.
And in a moment like this, we need
voices, particularly voices of faith,
who would use our faith not as a
weapon to beat other people down but
as a bridge to bring all of us together, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash.
The White House also issued a statement.
As a Christian who celebrates
Easter with Family, President
Biden stands for bringing people
together and upholding the dignity
and freedoms of every American, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, via statement.
Sadly, itâs unsurprising politicians
are seeking to divide and weaken
our country with cruel, hateful,
and dishonest rhetoric. President
Biden will never abuse his faith for
political purposes or for profit, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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 employeesâ
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 â no matter which
government theyâre 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
âbetter to burn out than to fade away.â.
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
Political Differences Driving, US Migration Habits.
'Newsweek' reports that widespread political
tension has driven some Americans to relocate
to places with more compatible points of view.
The political divide in the United States
has become one of the major drivers for
people to pick and move across the country. .
According to the latest Redfin report, one-third of real
estate agents said they had clients who said they
were moving solely because of political reasons in 2023.
Some of the most common migration
routes for homebuyers last year were
from blue states to red or purple
states: San Francisco to Austin;
Seattle to Phoenix; New York to
Orlando and other parts of Florida. , Redfin report, via 'Newsweek'.
That's due largely to housing
affordability, but some homebuyers
moved because they wanted to live
in a more conservative place, Redfin report, via 'Newsweek'.
'Newsweek' points out that the Redfin survey found
that 40% of Texas and Florida residents said they
would rather live in a state where abortion is legal.
'Newsweek' points out that the Redfin survey found
that 40% of Texas and Florida residents said they
would rather live in a state where abortion is legal.
Meanwhile, other U.S. residents are returning to states like
New York in favor of stricter gun laws, fewer restrictions
on abortions and greater acceptance of LGBTQ rights.
Many Americans are moving
because of political differences
and gun control issues, among
other reasons. As opinions get
more divided and laws change,
some folks want to live in
places that match their beliefs, Ron Resha, Real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'.
Many Americans are moving
because of political differences
and gun control issues, among
other reasons. As opinions get
more divided and laws change,
some folks want to live in
places that match their beliefs, Ron Resha, Real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'.
Ron Resha, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker
Realty, points out that politically motivated
migration could impact the 2024 presidential election. .
People are looking for places
that make them feel secure
and comfortable, and this
could affect the upcoming
political election depending
on party preferences, Ron Resha, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'.
People are looking for places
that make them feel secure
and comfortable, and this
could affect the upcoming
political election depending
on party preferences, Ron Resha, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, via 'Newsweek'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Hundreds of Thousands Lose Power , Amid Deadly Norâeaster.
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 todayâs 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