News Roundup 09/25/20
California Continues to Burn
After thousands of lightning bolts struck various parts of California and ignited numerous wildfires across the state, along with the dry conditions and temperatures expected to reach the triple digits, it seems as though the risk of more fires starting will continue to persist next week. Firefighters are currently battling a total of 26 major wildfires, and The Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for northern and central California. Heatwaves in April and warm Santa Ana winds in June that flowed up into the north from the Bay Area were what set the conditions for the fires to take place, and the threat of more fires may continue into the fall.
Source: USA Today
Enthusiasm for Voting Grows After RBG's Passing
According to Vote.org, 40,771 Americans registered to vote following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18. Known in her 80's as a legal, cultural, and civil rights icon, her passing has motivated many to vote in record numbers on National Voter Registration Day in an effort to change the country. The question of who will fill the empty seat she once occupied is up for debate as we near the Nov. 3rd election. Despite the recent increase in registrations, it has been in decline since 2016. There are many factors that could explain this, including the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Breonna Taylor's Family Demands Justice
The attorney general of Kentucky has been criticized for failing to charge all police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death. Ben Crump, one of the family's lawyers, urged the prosecutor to make the transcripts public so people can see who was there at the preceding in order for Taylor to have a voice. While Louisville has made some efforts to address protestor's concerns, recent protests that have lasted until Thursday have indicated frustrations that not enough has been done.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Low Fatality Rate for Children Amidst Pandemic in U.S.
Remarkably, only about 100 children and teens have died from COVID-19 and researchers are trying to figure out why. The virus has spread across the country and has resulted in more than 200,000 fatalities. However, out of all 50 states,18 of them haven't had a single fatality among people under 20 as of Sept. 10. It's unclear what role young people play in spreading the virus to others, even if they don't fall ill. It's important to understand this before schools and child-care centers can officially begin reopening nationwide.
Source: The Washington Post
Has Covid-19 Been a Positive for the Awards Season?
The film industry has been struggling recently. Autumn is usually when award ceremonies begin, but due to complications from coronavirus, the Oscars have been pushed back until April of 2021, and films premiering on streaming services are now eligible for nomination. While it's uncertain what a major rewards ceremony will look like, some good news is that indie films are now being taken into consideration that would've been previously overlooked by big blockbusters. This might just be what reignites interest in the awards again, especially since it's trying desperately to reinvent itself and maintain relevance again.
Source: The Guardian