May 24th, 2022

 

What A Week   (5/24)

Intro: (Cue intro music) 

Hey everyone, welcome back to What a week! I’m your host, Olivia Lee, here to deliver your weekly dose of the news. Let’s get started!

In Local News: 

https://katu.com/news/local/permits-for-western-columbia-river-gorge-national-scenic-area-may-24-september-5-multnomah-falls-oregon-timed-use-pass-waterfallsThe summer permit system will be in effect starting this week for visits to the western Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. From May 24th through September 5th, timed-use permits will be required for cars in the quote, "Waterfall Corridor" between Vista House and Ainsworth State Park. The western Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area includes access to picnic areas, scenic viewpoints, trails, and many waterfalls, including the iconic Multnomah Falls viewpoint. Permits will also be required for the Multnomah Falls exit along I-84 (Exit 31)

In-state news:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/house-primary-win-oregon-latina-andrea-salinas-make-history-november-rcna29464Oregon state Rep. Andrea Salinas won a crowded Democratic congressional primary last week,, overcoming a better-financed opponent who was backed by the House leadership's campaign arm. If Salinas wins the election in November, she'll be the first Latina elected to Congress from Oregon. Her win would be a boost for Latino Democrats who had publicly clashed with the Democratic leadership's House Majority PAC over its endorsement in the race of political newcomer Carrick Flynn. Salinas said in a statement last Tuesday night quote,  "I am ready to win this seat in November and work hard to expand access to abortion care, tackle the climate crisis, and lower the cost of prescription drugs," end quote. NBC News has declared Salinas the winner in the race. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ political action committee, Bold PAC, threw its backing and $1 million in ad support behind Salinas, while the House Majority PAC’s put $1 million behind Flynn.

In National News:

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2022-05-20/pentagon-denies-ukrainian-claims-of-plan-to-destroy-russias-black-sea-fleetLast Friday, the Pentagon denied that it is forging plans to destroy one of Russia’s most consequential navy fleets, despite assertions to that effect from the Ukrainian government, but officials did leave open the possibility of new weapons shipments that would dramatically change the scope of naval warfare in the region. Anton Herashchenko, an official adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, tweeted last Thursday, quote “The US is preparing a plan to destroy the Black Sea Fleet,” end quote, according to a translation, in an attempt to force access to strategic ports that Russia has blockaded. Control of the seas off Ukraine’s coast has become among the most high-profile issues facing Western officials supporting the government in Kyiv against the Russian invaders. Despite some successes in recent weeks – notably the sinking of the Russian flagship Mosvka – warships loyal to Moscow have succeeded in exerting pressure on Ukraine. 

In International News: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61505842Last week it was reported that the country of Sri Lanka has defaulted on its debt for the first time in its history as the country struggles with its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years. A 30-day grace period to come up with $78m (£63m) of unpaid debt interest payments expired last Wednesday. The governor of the South Asian nation's central bank said the country was now in a quote "pre-emptive default". Last Thursday, two of the world's biggest credit rating agencies also said Sri Lanka had defaulted. Defaults happen when governments are unable to meet some or all of their debt payments to creditors. It can damage a country's reputation with investors, making it harder for it to borrow the money it needs on international markets, which can further harm confidence in its currency and economy.

Lastly here is the wildcard news for the week:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/22/world/rhino-population-population-growth-scn-trnd/index.htmlNepal's population of one-horned rhinos has increased to its highest number in more than 20 years, partly owing to a pause in tourism due to the Covid-19 pandemic that allowed the animals' habitats to regenerate, conservationists said. The population of rhinos across four national parks in Nepal increased to 752 in the latest count, up by more than 100 from 645 animals in 2015, according to an information officer at Nepal's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). Since 2000, no previous survey of rhino populations by the Nepali government has found more than 650 of the animals. 

 

Closing:  Well that wraps up What a Week! Stay safe and see you guys next week.