October 10, 2020 News Summary
US Politics and Economics
As the US continues its economic struggle alongside a slowing COVID-19 recovery, the current debated stimulus bill in Washington with the goal to quell unemployment has caused the issue of the national debt to take a back seat. However, CNN reports that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the US took in roughly $3.1 trillion worth of debt in the fiscal year 2020, which ended in September. If this estimate is accurate, the US national debt has hit $27 trillion, implying that, by 2021, the US national debt will amount to 104% of the US’ gross domestic product (DGP), 107% by 2023, and nearly double the GDP by 2050. The federal debt hasn’t been as high since 1946, the year after World War 2. As federal debt rises, many question whether the US can reliably provide relief and stimulus packages without piling on astronomical amounts of debt, and how the US will handle future disruptions.
Although the struggling steel industry had hoped for a better future, the largest steel plant has halted steel production and has laid-off 1250 workers.
Texas Politics
Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation concerning the decision to set December 19, 2020, as the date of the runoff election to fill the seat being vacated by Senator Pat Fallon. The election is between Representative Drew Springer and Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther. The two politicians were closely tied on the Sept. 29th election, where Luther pulled ahead of Springer 32.17% to 31.93%.
Health
According to CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, as of October 10, 2020, 12:21 PM, there are 7.64 million cases and 213k deaths nationwide. California leads with the most infections at a total of 838.6k, and Texas follows with 785.8k cases.
(NBC) Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia are all experiencing record increases of COVID-19 cases in a single day. The governor of Ohio stated to reporters that the root of the increase includes uncautious citizens.
(CNN) In Utah, ranchers have lost over 8,000 minks to COVID-19. Minks are used for the cosmetic industry and as silky pets. Other cases have been detected in the Netherlands, Spain, and Denmark, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Minks seem to experience the same symptoms as humans.
Science and Technology
On the next mission to the Moon, a goal will include exploring extremely cold places at the Moon’s south pole. “The analysis of these ultra-cold lunar samples will enable a new generation of scientists and curators to refine their techniques and help us prepare for future missions to the Moon and beyond, while unlocking scientific secrets about the evolution of the Earth, Moon and Solar System. We rely on the global community of innovators to provide valuable ideas to address the challenge of keeping those samples cold and transporting them back to Earth,” said Chad Hammons, manager for the Lunar Deep Freeze Challenge out of Gateway Operations Integration and Utilization office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Southeast US Weather
(Atlantic) Tropical cyclone Delta is currently passing through the eastern parts of the United States, and its winds still cause some damage and a few flash floodings in the region. Despite being weak right now, a disturbance located at the tip of South America is beginning to follow Delta’s path.
(Pacific) Although both are low-chance-forming disturbances, one is on Mexico’s coast and the other is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with slow speeds and moving west.
(Local: Hoston) For the next 10 days, the temperature will begin to drop, reaching the low of 54 degrees Fahrenheit next Friday and a high of 93 degrees Fahrenheit tomorrow. Chances of rain will remain below 20%.
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Writers:
US Politics and Economics: Dylan, Miranda, Caleb, Annabelle, and Amelia
Texas Politics: Stephanie and Vicki
Health: Matthew, David, and Owen
Science and Technology: Bryan
Southeast US Weather: Jade, Aiden, and Simon
Editor: VIA
(All writers and editors are in middle to high school)
HYNC-October-10-2020
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