Texas' abortion law, Louisiana's recovery, Caldor Fire's path: 5 things to know Wednesday
Ida continues on its path, bringing heavy floods
Ida, now a tropical depression, is expected to bring heavy rain and possible flooding from the Tennessee and Ohio valleys up through the Mid-Atlantic states and Southern New England Wednesday. The death toll from Hurricane Ida's direct hit into the Gulf Coast rose to at least four Tuesday after a highway collapsed in Mississippi and flooding remained a threat as remnants of the monster storm swept across the Southeast. Power remained out Tuesday to more than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and the lack of electricity combined with steamy late-summer weather to make for miserable conditions for the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans trying to recover. In addition, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport canceled all commercial flights for a third day Tuesday, and over 200 cancellations have already been reported for Wednesday, according to FlightAware.com.
- 'A hurricane ain't gonna drive me away': Louisiana residents check for damage after Ida
- 'A pandemic tinderbox': In Hurricane Ida's aftermath, experts worry COVID-19 outbreak in Louisiana will worsen
- How to help: Want to donate or volunteer to assist those affected by Hurricane Ida? Here's how.
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Texas law banning most abortions has gone into effect
A controversial Texas abortion law took effect at midnight local time Wednesday, but the Supreme Court has yet to act on an emergency appeal from abortion providers and abortion rights advocates to put the law on hold. The Texas law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May, bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur at six weeks – often before many women know they are pregnant. What makes the Texas law different is its unusual enforcement scheme. Rather than have officials responsible for enforcing the law, private citizens are authorized to sue abortion providers and anyone involved in facilitating abortions. Under the law, anyone who successfully sues another person would be entitled to at least $10,000.
- 'This bill will be upheld': Why anti-abortion advocates think the Texas bill can survive a court challenge
- What's to come: 'Huge numbers' of abortion cases heading to Supreme Court to test limits of Roe v. Wade
- From the Paste BN Editorial Board: Texas abortion law is an un-American infringement of rights
Caldor Fire spreads, jumps highway in California
Firefighters scrambled Wednesday to keep a growing California wildfire from reaching a resort city at the southern tip of Lake Tahoe after evacuation orders were expanded to neighboring Nevada. Thick smoke from the Caldor Fire enveloped the city of South Lake Tahoe, California, which was all but deserted during a summer week usually bustling with tourists. The National Weather Service warned that critical weather conditions through Wednesday could include extremely low humidity and gusts up to 30 mph. The blaze jumped Highway 89 in California and moved north on a ridge into Meyers in South Lake Tahoe Monday, according to a Paste BN Network reporter. As of Wednesday morning, the Caldor Fire has grown to over 310 square miles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Caldor Fire is one of 83 large fires and complexes burning across the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
- US Forest Service is closing California's national forests as wildfires spread
- Before and after photos reveal the horror of California's Caldor Fire near Lake Tahoe
Post-Trump, Ukraine leader Zelensky to push Biden for US support
The Ukrainian leader who found himself ensnarled in former President Donald Trump's first impeachment will meet a new U.S. president Wednesday, seeking increased military aid and backing for his country's bid for NATO membership. The White House says the meeting between President Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelensky is aimed at showing support for Ukraine's sovereignty in the face of Russia's seizure of Crimea and backing of armed separatists. Biden also intends to encourage Zelensky's efforts to tackle corruption and reassure him that the U.S will help protect Ukraine's energy security. In advance of the sit-down, the Biden administration said Tuesday it was committing up to $60 million in new military aid to Ukraine. The administration said in a notification to Congress that the aid package was necessary because of a "major increase in Russian military activity along its border" and other provocations.
- Telling his story: Alexander Vindman, the White House staffer who sparked Trump's first impeachment, speaks to Paste BN
- How to handle a firestorm: Vindman offered advice to Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn
- In 2020, Zelensky responded to Trump's claims: 'It's not true that Ukraine is a corrupt country'
Star-studded Venice Film Festival opens with caution during pandemic
Venice's central place in the history of battling pandemics provides a relevant backdrop to this year's Venice Film Festival, which opens Wednesday. Pablo Larrain's "Spencer," starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, and Ridley Scott’s medieval drama "The Last Duel," featuring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Adam Driver, are among the major movies that will be unveiled during the event. Precautions at the festival include a huge barricade once again sealing off public access to the red carpet and limited chances for fans to catch VIP water taxi arrivals on the Lido. More than 10 testing stations have been set up for staff and festival-goers, who must show proof of a negative test, vaccination or having recently recovered from COVID-19 to enter screenings. Masks are also required indoors.
- What to expect: Venice unveiled a starry lineup earlier this summer
- An honor for a star: Jamie Lee Curtis to receive lifetime achievement award at Venice
- Photos from the 2020 festival: Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton hit the red carpet
Contributing: The Associated Press