June 2019

Near-record ‘dead zone’ predicted in gulf

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Scientists are predicting a near-record Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” where the water holds too little oxygen to sustain marine life.

“A major factor contributing to the large dead zone this year is the abnormally high amount of spring rainfall in many parts of the Mississippi River watershed,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a news release Monday. That led to record amounts of water carrying large amounts of fertilizer and other nutrients downriver, it said.

Fight over district’s racial makeup back at appeals court

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments in a case involving boundaries for a Mississippi State Senate district with just weeks to go before an Aug. 6 primary.

A federal judge ruled in February that boundaries for Senate District 22 illegally dilute black voting strength. The Legislature redrew the lines in March.

But Mississippi’s governor and secretary of state want the old boundaries reinstated. They’re asking the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to immediately overturn the district judge and re-open qualifying for the old district.

Helicopter crashes on roof of NYC skyscraper, killing pilot

NEW YORK (AP) — A helicopter crashed on the roof of a rainshrouded midtown Manhattan skyscraper Monday, killing the pilot and briefly triggering memories of 9/11, after an erratic trip across some of the nation’s most restricted airspace. Authorities said they did not suspect terrorism.

The crash near Times Square and Trump Tower shook the 750-foot (229-meter) AXA Equitable building, sparked a fire, and forced office workers to flee on elevators and down stairs, witnesses and officials said.

Biden and Trump head to Iowa in a potential 2020 preview

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After months of jabbing each other from afar, President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden will overlap Tuesday in Iowa, a state that’s critical to their political futures.

For Biden, a convincing win in next year’s caucuses would cement him as the Democratic front-runner and reinforce his chief argument that he is the party’s best-positioned candidate to beat Trump. The Republican president, meanwhile, is seeking to shore up his Iowa support as part of a broader effort to ensure the Midwestern states he snagged in 2016 remain in his column next year.

Detained US resident freed by Iran, headed to Lebanon

BEIRUT (AP) — A U.S. permanent resident and Lebanese businessman who was imprisoned for years in Iran has been freed and is on his way back to his native Lebanon, an official in Beirut said Tuesday.

Nizar Zakka, held in Iran since 2015, was on a plane accompanied by the chief of Lebanon’s General Security Directorate, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Abbas, heading to the Lebanese capital, according to the official.

Prosecutors crack down on clergy abuse as bishops gather

DETROIT (AP) — Hundreds of boxes. Millions of records. From Michigan to New Mexico this month, attorneys general are sifting through files on clergy sex abuse, seized through search warrants and subpoenas at dozens of archdioceses.

ANOTHER HOUND MOVING ON

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WELSH – When a spectator gets the chance to see former Welsh High School baseball standout Macey Hicks take the field, his swagger, charisma and vocal leadership make it well known he’s a natural leader. However, Hicks doesn’t just lead with those tools, he has the talent to back it up as well. Whether it be from his defensive back position on the Greyhounds’ football team or on the diamond at shortstop, it doesn’t take long to realize the capabilities he possesses.

Following his stellar career at Welsh,

Happy Father’s Day

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On the first day of April, my father would have celebrated his 100th birthday. If, that is, he hadn’t died at the age of 61. At the time of his death, although I was consumed by grief, I trusted that perhaps 61 was an acceptable age to die. Obviously, I was young and stupid. Once I neared 61 myself (with fear and trepidation), I wondered why in this world anyone would die at such a young age? Cancer was the one-word answer, and it’s been the one-word answer for far too many people, but this column isn’t about cancer. It’s about the 61 years.

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Help children learn good sportsmanship

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Winning isn’t the most important part of team sports. Good sportsmanship is the primary goal.

Children and adults learn many valuable lessons while competing in sports. Participating in sports helps solidify lessons in following directions, and can teach athletes the value of dedicating themselves to goals. Sports also provide physical exercise and an opportunity to exhibit good sportsmanship.