In Other Brews…
Hurricane Beryl just became the first Atlantic hurricane to reach category 4 strength in June. The storm is expected to slam Caribbean nations with winds up to 156 mph and a storm surge up to 9 feet this morning. Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, Tobago, Martinique, Dominica, and Trinidad are under hurricane warnings and tropical storm watches. SJ
Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled the state’s contested “heartbeat” abortion ban was legal in a 4-3 ruling on Friday. The law reduces the gestational age restriction for abortion in the Hawkeye State from 22 weeks to 6 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest, lethal fetal anomalies, and to protect the life of the mother. It will likely take effect later this summer.
Anchors are away on the floating pier in Gaza. The U.S. removed its pier to protect it from weather, but it may not be re-installed unless aid begins reaching the population. The military successfully offloaded desperately needed food, but most of the aid is sitting undelivered in the adjacent, almost full storage yard because distributors have come under attack. SJ
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared gun violence a public health crisis, calling for a ban on “assault weapons and large capacity magazines” as well as universal background checks. Enforceable gun regulation would require action from Congress (currently unlikely) or state governments (a mixed bag). Florida Governor DeSantis called the declaration an “unconstitutional power grab.”
Swoosh! There goes 20%.Nike stock plummeted 20% on Friday – the biggest one-day drop in company history – after predicting a 10% decline in sales this quarter. The stock is down 30% so far this year. Critics say the company will keep tripping over its laces until CEO John Donahoe resigns, but Nike's founder Phil Knight says Donahue has "his full support."
