Coast Guard saves man and dog 25 miles out to sea during Hurricane Helene
The Coast Guard saved a man and his dog after their sailboat became disabled and blew out to sea during Hurricane Helene. The rescue was captured on video from the point of view of the rescue swimmer. Everyone appears to be okay.
It all happened Thursday, Sept. 26, when the 36-foot vessel became disabled and started taking on water 25 miles off Sanibel Island. The Coast Guard arrived by helicopter and lowered the rescue swimmer into the water with a winch.
The swimmer approached the boat, helped the dog and man into the water, loaded them into the basket and hoisted them up. Once inside the helicopter, the group celebrated and shook hands.
The Coast Guard took them back to Southwest Florida International Airport to meet with EMS. They were reportedly in good medical condition.
The vessel was left behind, adrift and disabled. Hurricane Helene has reportedly killed 30 people in four states since making landfall.
At least 3 dead as Helene barrels through southeastern US
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida overnight as a major Category 4 storm, leaving at least 3 people dead and leading to massive power outages. And the Oakland A’s have played their final home game after 57 years. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
At least 3 dead as Helene barrels through southeastern U.S.
The storm brought the anticipated life-threatening storm surge, strong winds and heavy rains. Meteorologists say just because the storm has weakened significantly, does not make it less dangerous.
Authorities in Pasco County, Florida rescued people trapped by heavy flooding. One person was killed on Interstate 4 near Tampa when a sign fell on their car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Authorities in Wheeler County, Georgia said two people were killed when an apparent tornado overturned a mobile home. Two others died in Laurens County, according to emergency officials.
As of early Friday morning, more than one million people in Florida were without power, as were hundreds of thousands more in Georgia. Power outages linked to Helene have also been reported in South Carolina and North Carolina.
The National Hurricane Center said tropical storm conditions will be felt throughout the southeast throughout Friday, with strong, damaging winds likely to “penetrate as far inland as the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians.”
Trump says he will meet with Zelenskyy to hear ‘victory plan’
The decision comes after there was some doubt whether the meeting between the two would occur — after both Trump and Zelenskyy have been critical of each other.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian president met with both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris separately to discuss his plan to defeat Russia. Biden pledged to send billions of dollars more in missiles, drones, weapons, and supplies.
Meanwhile, Harris told Zelenskyy recent calls for Ukraine to give over some of its land to Russia are “dangerous and unacceptable,” referring to recent suggestions by Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Both have suggested Ukraine should cut a deal quickly to end the war that’s been going on for almost three years now.
Trump has stated that if he wins the November election, he will end the Russia-Ukraine war even before he takes office.
Zelenskyy also met with members of Congress Thursday in an effort to shore up American support for the ongoing war.
DOJ expected to announce charges in alleged Iranian hack of Trump campaign
Investigators said Iran gained access to Trump campaign emails and sent files to various media outlets and the Biden-Harris campaign this summer, before President Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Harris took over as the Democratic nominee.
Reports said multiple Iranian hackers will be charged. Sources told ABC News the Trump campaign has been informed of the charges.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams to appear in federal court
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to make an appearance in federal court Friday. He will be arraigned on charges including bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national.
It marked the second time this year the state has employed this controversial method.
Miller was sentenced to death in 2000 for a 1999 shooting that killed three men he had worked with, after he accused them of spreading rumors about him.
The Alabama Department of Corrections said the procedure involved Miller being fitted with a mask and nitrogen gas flowing into his system for about 15 minutes.
According to the Associated Press, Miller’s final words were, “I didn’t do anything to be here.”
The game had plenty of emotion as well as some interruptions. Somebody threw a smoke bomb onto the field at one point, and a fan ran onto the field and made a dash for it, as well.
In the end, A’s fans soaked up all the memories, staying well past the final out.
The team will now relocate to Sacramento for the next three seasons before moving to their new permanent home in Las Vegas in 2028.
Hurricane Helene forecast to make landfall in Florida as Category 4 storm
All eyes are on Hurricane Helene as the storm is strengthening on its way to Florida — now projected to become a Category 4 storm. And we have a preview of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “victory plan” ahead of his visit to the White House. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
Hurricane Helene to rapidly intensify before making landfall in Florida
Hurricane Helene is barreling toward Florida. The Category 1 storm is expected to rapidly intensify before making landfall in state’s Big Bend area Thursday evening, Sept. 26.
The National Hurricane Center said Helene is expected to be a “major hurricane” when it hits Florida, possibly even a Category 4 storm. Colleges and airports have been closed in parts of the state.
Hurricane Helene Causes Massive Flooding and Damage in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Severe flooding and material damage have been reported in Quintana Roo, with the Cancun hotel area heavily impacted. Thankfully, no loss of life has been reported. Recovery efforts are currently… pic.twitter.com/7Rq0YRTrPo
Evacuation orders have been in place in multiple counties since Wednesday, Sept. 25, and the National Weather Service is warning “a catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely.” Storm surges are expected to get up to 20 feet or more in some places — that’s like a two-story building.
While the storm is expected to weaken after making landfall, meteorologists say its damaging winds will likely be felt well inland.
New York City mayor to face at least one federal charge
However, we do not yet know the exact charges Adams will be facing.
Once the indictment is unsealed, Adams will become the first mayor of New York City to face a federal charge while in office. Previously, Adams has denied any wrongdoing saying it’s political payback for his complaining about the migrant crisis in New York City.
On Wednesday night, he vowed to stay in office and fight the charges.
“Enough, I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit,” Adams said. “If I’m charged — I know I’m innocent — I will request an immediate trial so the New Yorkers can hear the truth. New Yorkers know my story. They know where I come from. I have been fighting injustice my entire life. That fight has continued as your mayor.”
Once charged, it’s not clear when he would surrender to authorities.
Congress passes stopgap bill to avoid government shutdown
It also sets aside an extra $231 million to bolster the Secret Service in the wake of two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed, in many senses, his hands were tied when it came to the bill.
“While continuing resolution’s never ideal — none of us like them, it’s not a way to run a railroad — it allows Congress to continue serving the American people through the election,” Johnson said. “This is not the House’s fault. It’s the Senate’s fault. They passed not a single appropriations bill, so there was nothing for the two chambers to negotiate in the end, and there was no agreement on the top line spending number. So, we had, we had no choice.”
Tonight, we have voted to avoid an unnecessary government shutdown at the end of the month.
Over in the Senate, the bill passed by a 78-18 margin. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Americans can breathe easy, because both sides have chosen bipartisanship. Congress is getting the job done.”
The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
Zelenskyy to meet with Biden at White House to discuss ‘victory plan’
A day after delivering a speech before the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with President Biden in Washington D.C. at the White House. They’re set to discuss what Zelenskyy is calling his “victory plan” for Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia.
While the specifics of the plan are still unknown, the Associated Press has reported it includes the guarantee of NATO membership for Ukraine and permission to use long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory. The plan also will seek to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and increase sanctions against Russia.
On Wednesday, President Biden met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the U.N., where the White House said Biden informed Zelenskkyy he will be directing “a surge of security assistance to Ukraine.”
I met with President Biden @POTUS on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and expressed my gratitude for the unwavering U.S. support, which is saving lives and helping Ukraine defend its independence.
I told President Biden about the situation on the frontlines and raised…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 25, 2024
In a statement, the White House said the cease-fire would “provide space for diplomacy.” It added the situation between Hezbollah and Israel is “intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation.”
The deal is supported by U.S. allies including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Qatar.
Lebanon’s prime minister told Reuters he has hopes a cease-fire can be reached soon.
⭕️Approx. 75 Hezbollah terrorist targets in the area of Beqaa and in southern Lebanon were precisely struck by the IDF overnight.
These targets included weapons storage facilities, ready-to-fire launchers, terrorists, and terrorist infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the fighting continues, as the Israeli army says it struck 75 Hezbollah targets including storage facilities for weapons Wednesday night into Thursday morning. This followed strikes on Wednesday that killed at least 72 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
OpenAI, one of the biggest companies in the world of artificial intelligence, is undergoing some “real” change. This comes after its Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, who helped develop the company’s chatbot ChatGPT, resigned on Wednesday, followed by word that its chief research officer and a research vice president were also leaving.
The departures come amid reports that the company is planning to switch from being a non-profit organization to a for-profit one, making it more appealing to investors. There would still be a non-profit segment that would pursue charitable goals and own a stake in the company. This transition, however, would take years to complete.
CEO Sam Altman would also own a chunk of the company.
These changes come as OpenAI is reportedly pursuing a funding round that would value the company at more than $150 billion.
Tropical Storm Helene is fast approaching Florida with the potential to form into the biggest hurricane to hit the U.S. in over a year. And Donald Trump’s campaign says he’s been briefed by U.S. intelligence officials on threats from Iran to assassinate him. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
The National Hurricane Center’s latest updates have Helene on track to make landfall in the Sunshine State late Thursday, Sept. 26, as a Category 3 hurricane.
This system is expected to impact the near Big Bend area. Everyone is discussing how Ian had the same cone, turning last second and catching many off guard. As this storm strengthens, the track can shift. It’s normal during rapid intensification. Pay attention!#PTC9#Helenepic.twitter.com/5Dk7hriyB1
The last Category 3 hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. was Idalia last year, which also made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region and brought record-breaking storm surge to most of the state’s western coast.
Congress set to pass stopgap government funding bill
The U.S. House and Senate are both on track to pass a stopgap funding bill Wednesday, Sept. 25, that will avert a government shutdown early next week. The measure would keep federal agencies funded at their current levels through Dec. 20.
It also sets aside an additional $231 million to bolster the budget for the Secret Service. That comes as concerns over the agency’s efficacy continue to mount in the wake of two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump.
While the stopgap bill is the brainchild of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, many in his party still say they will not vote in favor of it, forcing House GOP leadership to rely on Democratic votes for it to pass.
Trump campaign says former president briefed on Iranian assassination threats
In a statement Tuesday, Sept. 23, a Trump campaign spokesperson said, “President Trump was briefed earlier today by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence regarding real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate him in an effort to destabilize and sow chaos in the United States.”
Trump later posted on Truth Social that there have been “big threats” on his life by Iran — saying while they didn’t work out, Iran will try again.
Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York has not responded to media requests for a statement.
This news comes after two assassination attempts on the former president, one in Butler, Pennsylvania and another at his Florida golf course. There has been no indication of Iranian involvement in either case.
Congress passes bill to boost presidential candidate security
The bill would require an equal standard of protection be applied to presidents and all major party candidates.
The bill is not expected to make a difference in the level of protection former President Trump receives, as the Secret Service says he was already under the highest level of protection at the time of both assassination attempts.
Caroline Ellison sentenced to two years over cryptocurrency fraud
The judge and prosecutors agreed to give Ellison a lighter sentence after she pleaded guilty and testified against FTX founder and her former boyfriend Sam Bankman-Fried during his trial last November. He was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Coca-Cola pulling new flavor off the shelves after 7 months
Soda drinkers may be having flashbacks to the New Coke miss of the 1980s as Coca-Cola is pulling another version of its signature beverage off store shelves just seven months after its debut. Coca-Cola Spiced went on sale in February as the newest entry in Coke’s permanent line-up.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday, “We’re always looking at what our customers like and adjusting our range of products. As part of this strategy, we’re planning to phase out Coca-Cola Spiced to introduce an exciting new flavor in 2025.”
The company said earlier this year the spiced soda was part of its strategy to innovate and respond to industry trends. It added the flavor was developed in just seven weeks — as opposed to the 12 months plus it typically takes the company to develop a new product.
Biden to address UN assembly for last time as president
Joe Biden is set to address the United Nations General Assembly for the final time as U.S. president. And with a heavy focus on Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump is reportedly returning to the town of his first assassination attempt. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.
Biden to address UN assembly for last time as president
The Pentagon announced Monday, Sept. 23, it’s sending additional U.S. troops to the Middle East to supplement the roughly 40,000 already in the region as tensions continue to rise there — especially between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Associated Press has reported Biden administration officials will also be speaking to their counterparts on the sidelines of the U.N. about ways to prevent the fighting there from escalating further.
Zelenskyy is also expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump while he’s visiting the U.S.
Trump, Harris focus on crucial swing state Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has long been considered a swing state when it comes to presidential elections and this year, the candidates know the importance of winning there. During a rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania Monday, former President Trump told supporters, “If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing. It’s very simple.”
His visit was just the latest in a handful of visits to the crucial state in recent weeks as he looks to secure a second presidential term.
Also on Monday, sources close to the Trump campaign told media outlets he will return to Butler, Pennsylvania on Oct. 5. Butler is where a sniper fired and grazed his ear with a bullet, in the first assassination attempt on his life in July.
Since then, the Secret Service put in place tighter security protocols for candidates at rallies.
Vice President Kamala Harris is also pushing to win the Pennsylvania vote. She’ll be there again Wednesday, Sept. 25, for a campaign event in Pittsburgh. She’s also made many stops in the swing state since taking up the Democratic nomination.
In the 2020 election, Pennsylvania went to Joe Biden, a key state in helping him win the presidency. There are 19 votes at stake in the Keystone State.
Israeli strike kills nearly 500 in Lebanon in deadliest day since 2006
Nearly 500 people were killed Monday in Lebanon in the deadliest strike by Israel in nearly two decades. Lebanese authorities said Israeli warplanes struck civilian areas in the southern part of the country.
Earlier in the day, Israel had told civilians to move away from the areas, which it says are commonly used by Hezbollah for military purposes.
This comes after almost a year of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza along Israel’s southern border. Israel is now shifting its focus to the north, where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.
Tuesday morning, Israel’s military said it struck “dozens” of additional targets in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired rockets into northern Israel late Monday night.
The fighting has heightened fears of a widening war in the region.
Missouri set to execute man convicted of 1998 murder
An execution of a man found guilty of a 1998 murder is set to proceed Tuesday evening in Missouri, after the state’s supreme court and governor rejected requests to cancel the scheduled lethal injection.
A jury convicted Marcellus Williams of the stabbing death of Lisha Gayle, a social worker and former newspaper reporter, inside her suburban St. Louis home. Williams has asserted his innocence.
His lawyers argued the state supreme court should halt the proceedings due to alleged procedural errors in jury selection and alleged mishandling of the murder weapon by the prosecution. The court rejected those arguments.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson also rejected a clemency request to switch the sentence to life in prison. Williams’ lawyers still have an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
As of now, though, the execution — which would be the third in the state this year — is set for 6 p.m. CST Tuesday.
Hurricane John makes landfall in Mexico as Category 3 storm
Hurricane John made landfall in Mexico late Monday as a Category 3 storm. It brought 120 miles per hour winds to Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Levi’s teases a potential partnership with Beyoncé
It appears music superstar Beyoncé has a new collaboration coming out. This one would not be with another singer, but with a jeans company.
Levi’s teased what appears to be a partnership with Beyoncé in an Instagram post on Monday. The company shared an image of a woman wearing a cowboy hat and riding a horse with the caption reading “Introducing a new chapter,” seemingly referencing Beyoncé’s latest album “Cowboy Carter,” which features a song called “Levi’s Jeans.” Levi’s also tagged her Instagram account in the post.
You could say denim is having a moment lately, with fashion brands like American Eagle and Abercrombie saying the trend is growing in popularity and revitalizing sales.
EU using funds from seized Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s energy sector
As the conflict in Ukraine stretches on, about half of the nation’s energy infrastructure is estimated to have been destroyed as a result of Russia’s invasion. In response, the European Union (EU) is stepping up efforts to help ensure that Ukrainians have access to electricity and heating during the upcoming harsh winter months, when temperatures can plummet to an average of 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen is visiting Ukraine on Friday, Sept. 20, to pledge $180 million to aid in the restoration of the country’s decimated energy sector.
The EU announced that the funds would be sourced from the proceeds of seized Russian assets, with von der Leyen saying “It is only right that Russia pays for the destruction it caused.”
“As temperatures are dropping down, the European Union is ready to step up its support to Ukraine,” von der Leyen said. “We are preparing for the winter together.”
Since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022, the EU estimates that it has provided over $2 billion in energy-related support to Ukraine. A report earlier this year by the Ukrainian government, World Bank Group, European Commission and United Nations estimated it would require a total of $11 billion to completely rebuild the nation’s power sector.
Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’ at his golf club: FBI
For the second time in just over two months, authorities say former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent “attempted assassination.” We have the latest on the investigation. And the red carpet was rolled out for TV’s biggest stars Sunday night. We recap who won at the 76th Emmy Awards. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
FBI: Trump was target of apparent ‘attempted assassination’
The FBI is investigating what it said “appears to be an attempted assassination” of former President Donald Trump near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida Sunday, Sept. 15. Authorities said Trump was playing a round of golf when Secret Service agents spotted the gunman a few hundred yards away pointing a weapon through the bushes.
The agents fired five to six shots at the gunman. The suspect dropped his weapon, described as an AK-47-style rifle, and fled in his vehicle. It was not clear if the suspect had fired any shots.
The suspect was soon taken into custody during a traffic stop in a nearby county.
Authorities said the rifle with a scope was found in the shrubbery along with two backpacks, ceramic plates, and a GoPro camera.
Shortly after the incident, a spokesperson for the Republican presidential nominee said Trump was safe. Trump later sent out a letter to supporters saying, “Nothing will slow me down! I will never surrender.”
Law enforcement sources have told multiple news outlets the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh of Hawaii. Authorities are said to be looking into Routh’s possible motives, including his reported grievances about the war in Ukraine. The New York Times reported the paper interviewed Routh last year about recruiting Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine.
During a Sunday afternoon press conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw spoke about the Secret Service’s presence protecting Trump at the time of the assassination attempt.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have this entire golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw said. “Well, because he’s not, the security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible. So, I would imagine the next time he comes to the golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
Biden said he has directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource” necessary for Trump’s “continued safety.” Harris said, “We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.”
Late Sunday night, Trump posted a message on Truth Social thanking law enforcement for “an incredible job done” and saying, “It was certainly an interesting day.”
I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible… pic.twitter.com/mV15rJygOR
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 16, 2024
Israel says Houthis will pay ‘heavy price’ after attack on Tel Aviv
Israel’s Prime Minister has vowed retaliation after a missile fired by Houthi rebels reached central Israel for the first time. A Houthi spokesman said the hypersonic ballistic missile, fired from Yemen, traveled more than 1,200 miles in just over 10 minutes Sunday.
Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, a surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from Yemen and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces said there were repeated attempts to shoot down the missile mid-air, but it most likely fragmented as it approached Tel Aviv. Israel said there were no direct casualties from the missile, but at least nine people suffered minor injuries.
This is just the latest attack by the Houthis, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, in support of Hamas.
At least 8 dead as torrential rain triggers flooding in central Europe
At least eight people are confirmed dead as torrential rain continues to pound central Europe, causing widespread flooding. Thousands of people evacuated their homes in the Czech Republic Sunday as rivers overflowed their banks in various parts of the country.
A storm system named Boris has caused heavy downpours from Austria to Romania, leading to the worst flooding the Czech Republic and Poland have seen in nearly 30 years.
The relentless rain is expected to last at least through Monday.
US Coast Guard hearing into deadly Titan submersible implosion begins
Former employees of OceanGate are expected to testify. The company was behind the experimental submersible that imploded while on its way to the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023, killing all five people on board.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Coast Guard released a statement saying the hearing “aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The hearing will take place in Charleston County, South Carolina and is expected to last about two weeks. Witnesses scheduled to appear include one of OceanGate’s co-founders and the company’s former engineering, operations, and scientific directors.
Apple’s AI-powered operating system to launch Monday
Apple’s latest operating system, featuring the company’s artificial intelligence capabilities, is set to go live Monday. iOS 18 will come with changes for all compatible iPhone models, but Apple Intelligence will be the highlight of the update for iPhone 15 Pro and later models.
Some tech experts say this is Apple’s biggest update since it originally launched the iPhone.
Apple usually releases its updates at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.
‘Shogun,’ ‘Hacks,’ ‘The Bear’ win at the 76th Emmy Awards
History was made at the 76th Emmy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. The big winner was the historical drama Shogun.
“Shogun” became the first non-English language series to win best drama. It claimed a total of 18 wins, including lead actor, actress, and directing.
The more affordable coffee beans aren’t so affordable anymore
A cup of coffee is part of many morning routines, but at night farmers are working overtime to keep coffee safe from crime. Coffee prices are abnormally high with robusta bean futures surging 65% this year and the lucrative trade is attracting unwanted attention.
A coffee farmers association in Uganda is reportedly urging farmers to hire security guards and dogs, and host bee hives to thwart thieves.
Around the world, adverse weather conditions are simultaneously hitting coffee crops, and the cheaper coffee bean is now reaching price records of more than double what some importers say it should be worth.
For more on how expensive coffee could get and what it will take to bring down prices, Straight Arrow News interviewed Steve Wateridge, head of research for Tropical Research Services.
Steve Wateridge: Robusta prices are as high as they’ve been since 1977, nearly at record highs. So there is an incentive [for theft] and I’m sure that farmers will do everything they can, not only to improve production, but also to make sure that the production they have gets sold by them and not by someone else.
Simone Del Rosario: What surprised me the most about what’s happening right now is specifically with instant coffee. You mentioned Robusta bean prices, and it’s surged 65% this year. Where’s the demand for this?
Steve Wateridge: Basically, we’ve had a problem with coffee supply for the last four years. The Brazil crop has massively underperformed. It started as an arabica problem, the higher-priced coffee. The arabica crop suffered from drought and frost for two consecutive years in ’22, ’23. Arabica prices went to a huge premium over robusta and that led to a very significant demand shift.
In 2023, we saw a 10% increase in demand for robusta coffee as people switched from higher-priced arabica to low-priced robusta. Unfortunately, we’ve still had another two years of supply problems.
We’ve had problems with robusta crop in Uganda, in Vietnam, in Brazil, and we’ve still got problems in Brazil and Central America with the arabica crop.
There’s basically a shortage of coffee and that’s why we’re seeing prices rise to such high levels. And at the moment, it’s robusta. There will come a point, if robusta continues to rally and arabica doesn’t, people will shift back towards Arabica. But then we just shift the problem from robusta to arabica. What we need is actually more coffee being grown around the world to increase supply.
Simone Del Rosario: So the price difference with what was happening with arabica was so significant that it did, in fact, switch consumer behavior?
Steve Wateridge: Exactly. There was a big shift in Brazil in the internal market but also internationally. We saw more robusta usage in North America, in Western Europe, and at the moment, robusta is still slightly cheaper than arabica, so there’s no incentive to shift back.
What happened is that we had an arabica problem. Initially, consumption shifted it into a robusta problem, but the way we solve it is by keeping prices high enough for long enough to incentivize higher production.
Simone Del Rosario: Robusta was an option consumers turned to because it was the cheaper option. Now, with prices going up in futures, has that price been passed on to consumers already?
Steve Wateridge: The most recent price rises probably haven’t, and they will eventually, and that’s a function of price. That’s what the market is telling us, that if we if we can’t increase supply because of continual weather issues, and this is one of the big problems we have in coffee.
Historically, we’ve had weather problems, but they’ve resolved themselves very quickly. This time we’re potentially facing the fifth consecutive poor Brazil crop in a row, which is unprecedented. Temperatures are higher in the last five years in Brazil than they were 10 years ago, and they were higher than they were 10 years before.
There’s less rainfall in the coffee-producing areas in the last five years than the previous 10 years, and that was lower than the previous 10 years before. So climate is changing in Brazil and in other places around the world, and that is basically making crop failures more frequent.
Simone Del Rosario: So will we continue to see these inflated prices when it comes to coffee until we get a good weather year, or is there another way to get supply to reach the demands that’s needed?
Steve Wateridge: No, basically that’s what we need. We need a good weather year to give a bumper crop to replenish stocks, then we can move prices down to more reasonable levels, near a cost of production, where farmers make a living, but at the moment, they’re making fantastic margins. We’re seeing a big expansion in production in Brazil, in area under production. The problem is that the output is not reaching its full potential because of these weather issues.
Simone Del Rosario: Last time we spoke, we were talking about high cocoa prices. Now we’re dealing with high coffee prices as well. Is it the same thing plaguing these two different crops?
Steve Wateridge: Yeah, I cover cocoa and coffee and cocoa prices have been even crazier than coffee. In cocoa, it has nothing to do with climate; it’s actually long-term structural issues that need to be resolved. But in coffee, most people, whenever a crop fails, they always talk about climate change and the impact, and sometimes they over exaggerate.
I think that’s been the case in cocoa, but in coffee, there is definitely an issue. We are potentially on the cusp of the fifth consecutive poor crop in Brazil, which is, as I say, unprecedented. And we’ve got the data to show that in the coffee-producing regions, the climate has changed over the last 25 years and it’s not changed for the better.
Francine weakens to tropical storm after making landfall as Category 2 hurricane
After making landfall as a Category 2 hurricane in Louisiana, Francine is on the move. We have the latest track. And the mother of the 14-year-old suspect in last week’s deadly school shooting in Georgia apologizes in an open letter to the victims’ families. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
Francine weakens to tropical storm after making landfall as Category 2 hurricane
Francine has weakened to a tropical storm, hours after it made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The storm is now trekking over Mississippi.
Power outages have left more than 350,000 Louisiana residents in the dark and flash flood warnings are still in effect in parts of the state, as the storm batters parts of Mississippi with 70mph winds.
In Louisiana’s Terrebonne Parish, the powerful storm brought down power lines, snapped trees, and caused flooding. Partial 911 outages were also reported in areas impacted by the storm. Wireless companies have said they’re working on the issue.
High winds and a potentially dangerous storm surge from a now weakened Francine are expected to also continue into Mississippi and Alabama Thursday, Sept. 12, with the potential for deadly tornadoes and flash flooding as well.
According to the National Weather Service, Francine is expected to continue to weaken over the next 24 hours, downgrading to a tropical cyclone by Friday, Sept. 13, as it moves across the south.
Mother of Georgia school shooting suspect apologizes to families in letter
One week after a school shooting in Georgia left two students and two teachers dead, the 14-year-old suspect’s mother has now come forward. She penned an open letter apologizing to victims’ families that was first obtained by CNN.
Marcee Gray is the mother of 14-year-old Colt Gray, who has been arrested and charged with murder in the Apalachee High School shooting. This week, we also learned she made a phone call to the school the morning of the shooting, just moments before the gunfire.
In her open letter, Marcee Gray said she is “sorry from the bottom of my heart” to the parents and families impacted. She also said if she could take the place of the two students who died she would “without a second thought.”
While offering her condolences, she also wrote that her son Colt is “not a monster. He is my oldest baby.” She asked the community for prayers while offering her own.
His mother’s letter comes after it was reported Colt sent her a text message the morning of the shooting, saying only three words: “I’m sorry, mom.”
Marcee Gray said she called the school to warn of “an extreme emergency” at 9:50 a.m. ET last Wednesday, Sept. 4, and asked school officials to go get her son. Thirty minutes later, police responded to reports of the school shooting.
Colt Gray’s father, Colin, has also been charged in connection with the deadly shooting. He faces two second-degree murder charges, four counts of involuntary manslaughter, and eight counts of child cruelty. The next court hearing for Colt and Colin Gray is set for Dec. 4.
Trump, Biden, Harris come together for 9/11 memorial event
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump all marked 23 years since 9/11 together. Trump and Harris could be seen shaking hands ahead of the annual memorial ceremony at Ground Zero in New York on Wednesday, just hours after their first debate.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, was also in attendance.
After the Ground Zero ceremony, the candidates went their separate ways. Trump and Vance visited a New York City firehouse, and Biden and Harris went to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Trump also visited the memorial later in the day.
Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, marked the somber anniversary at a 9/11 volunteer event in his home state.
Secret Service to increase security for Jan. 6 electoral vote counting
As Election Day nears, the Secret Service has announced there will be increased security during Congress’ counting and certification of electoral votes. The beefed-up security is a precaution after the riots at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
The designation unlocks federal, state and local resources. The Secret Service will be leading the planning of the event.
The counting and certification of electoral votes will take place on Jan. 6, 2025.
67 million Americans watched Tuesday’s debate
More than 67 million Americans tuned in for the first debate between former President Trump and Vice President Harris Tuesday. That was more viewers than the 51 million who watched the debate between Trump and President Biden in June.
However, it’s still far fewer people compared to modern general election debates, like the one in 2016 between Hillary Clinton and Trump that drew in 84 million viewers.
Tuesday’s debate marked the first time Americans got to see Harris and Trump go head-to-head. It’s still up in the air if there will be a second debate between the two.
Campbell Soup Company changing its name after 155 years
Campbell’s soup has been a staple in American kitchens for more than a hundred years. Now, after 155 years in business, the company is changing its name — slightly.
Its dropping “soup” from their official title and re-branding as The Campbell’s Company. That’s because instead of just soup, the company owns other iconic American eats like Goldfish, Cape Cod, and Pepperidge Farm.
Kamala Harris, Donald Trump go on the attack in presidential debate
We recap the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. And SpaceX launches four private citizens into space for one historic mission. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
Kamala Harris, Donald Trump go on the attack in presidential debate
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris met for their first — and potentially only — debate Tuesday night, Sept. 10. The two presidential candidates were asked questions about the economy, abortion, immigration, Jan. 6, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and more.
Following a handshake, the candidates went head-to-head for about 90 minutes in Philadelphia, trying to win over any voters who were left undecided less than two months away from Election Day.
On the economy, Harris said, “I believe in the ambition, the aspirations, the dreams of the American people. And that is why I imagine and have actually a plan to build what I call an opportunity economy. Because here’s the thing: We know that we have a shortage of homes and housing, and the cost of housing is too expensive for far too many people. We know that young families need support to raise their children. And I intend on extending a tax cut for those families of $6,000, which is the largest child tax credit that we have given in a long time.”
Trump said, “Look, we’ve had a terrible economy because inflation has, which is really known as a country buster. It breaks up countries. We have inflation like very few people have ever seen before, probably the worst in our nation’s history. We were at 21%. But that’s being generous because many things are 50, 60, 70 and 80% higher than they were just a few years ago.”
On abortion, Trump said, “For 52 years, they’ve been trying to get Roe v. Wade into the states. And through the genius and heart and strength of six Supreme Court justices, we were able to do that. Now, I believe in the exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. I believe strongly in it. Ronald Reagan did also.”
Harris responded, “The majority of Americans believe in a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. And that is why in every state where this issue has been on the ballot in red and blue states, both, the people of America have voted for freedom.”
But it wasn’t always policy that was the subject. Both candidates took jabs at one another throughout the debate, including on the attendance at rallies.
“And he’s going to talk about immigration a lot tonight, even when it’s not the subject that is being raised. And I’m going to actually do something really unusual and I’m going to invite you to attend one of Donald Trump’s rallies because it’s a really interesting thing to watch,” Harris said. “You will see during the course of his rallies, he talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter. He will talk about windmills cause cancer. And what you will also notice is that people start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom. And I will tell you, the one thing you will not hear him talk about is you. You will not hear him talk about your needs, your dreams and your- and your desires. And I’ll tell you, I believe you deserve a president who actually puts you first. And I pledge to you that I will.”
“First, let me respond as to the rallies,” Trump said. “She said people start leaving. People don’t go to her rallies. There’s no reason to go. And the people that do go, she’s busing them in and paying them to be there and then showing them in a different light. So she can’t talk about that. People don’t leave my rallies. We have the biggest rallies, the most incredible rallies in the history of politics. That’s because people want to take their country back. Our country is being lost. We’re a failing nation. And it happened three and a half years ago.”
After the back and forth throughout the debate, the candidates each continued to make their case and claimed victory.
The Harris campaign posted on X the debate was “fun” and to “do it again in October.” While Trump posted on Truth Social saying he thought it was “my best debate ever– especially because it was three on-one,” in a reference to the two ABC News moderators.
Swift has previously been vocal in her support for Democrats in elections at the local and presidential level. Swift encouraged her 280 million followers to do their research and that “the choice is theirs.”
Presidential candidates commemorate 9/11
It’s been 23 years since the 9/11 terror attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania killed nearly 3,000 people. Remembrance events are being held all across the country Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Vice President Harris and former President Trump are both scheduled to visit Ground Zero in New York Wednesday.
Harris, who will be paying her respects alongside President Joe Biden, will also visit the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon.
After Trump visits Ground Zero, he’s set to visit a fire station in New York City before also traveling to Shanksville.
FAA investigating after Delta plane clips another aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a Delta Air Lines plane clipped the tail of another aircraft at the world’s busiest airport Tuesday. Both plans were on the tarmac at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta taxiing for takeoff when it happened.
One of the planes had its wingtip severed from the aircraft in the incident. No one was hurt but both planes were damaged, and passengers had to get off.
Hurricane Francine expected to make landfall in Louisiana Wednesday
Meteorologists say the storm is still gaining strength and is likely to turn into a Category 2 before making landfall in Louisiana then moving north into Mississippi. However, they also expect Francine to weaken quickly as it moves inland.
SpaceX launches 4 astronauts to conduct first private spacewalk
SpaceX launched four astronauts into space on Tuesday for a historic mission. The Dragon capsule lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center carrying a billionaire entrepreneur — who financed the trip — along with a retired Air Force pilot, and two SpaceX engineers.
It took about nine and a half minutes for the capsule to reach orbit. A few minutes later, the capsule separated from its support trunk revealing a spectacular view of the Earth from the onboard cameras.
