A railroad bridge crumbles in Downtown Syracuse, and EPA head Scott Pruitt finally decides to throw in the towel...
Here are "The Top 5 Things You Need To Know Today" for Friday July 6, 2018:
1)
LIKE A BRIDGE OVER POTHOLED PAVEMENT... (apologies to Simon & Garfunkel)
That railroad bridge downtown with the "Mission District" artwork? A portion of that elevated track collapsed around 1 pm yesterday. Nobody hurt (a few close calls), but traffic is going to be a mess, and elected officials are both looking for answers and using this as an example of how our national infrastructure is falling apart.
2)
THE TRADE WAR IS ON. FOR REAL.
We've hit Chinese imports with new tariffs, the Chinese have retliated with new tariffs on our stuff, and neither side is backing down. Economists from the big Wall Street firms agree: There are no winners here, and our economy could take a serious hit if this continues.
3)
THOSE THAI KIDS TRAPPED IN THE CAVE? THE SITUATION IS BECOMING DIRE.
A volunteer -- an experienced diver formerly with Thailand's navy -- died while supporting the rescue effort. If this poor fellow couldn't handle the situation, how could exhausted, inexperienced kids do it? And now we're told the oxygen in the trapped chamber is getting thin. Rescuers are considering all options.
4)
EPA HEAD SCOTT PRUITT RESIGNS (OR MAYBE HE WAS "ASKED" TO RESIGN?)
Facing multiple investigations and increasing political pressure, Scott Pruitt finally submitted his resignation yesterday. Deputy EPA head will step up, at least for the moment. No changes in White House or EPA policy expected.
5)
THANKFULLY, THE WEATHER WILL SOON STOP BEING MAJOR NEWS
Central New York's hottest July (so far) in 107 years, but the brutal heat will finally break this weekend. Other parts of the USA (and Canada) had it even worse than we did, and the wildfires out West haven't let up one bit.