Uloop Morning Scoop: ACA, Wildfires, Fear at the University of Florida and Where to Get A Degree in Weed
Alexis Gravely and Natalia Kolenko
Bipartisan senators reach deal on health care
Two senators reached a deal on Tuesday to fund subsidies to insurers that President Trump moved to cut off just days ago.
The New York Times reports:
“The plan by the senators, Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, and Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, would fund the subsidies for two year, a step that would provide at least short-term certainty to insurers. The subsidies, known as cost-sharing reduction payments, reimburse insurance companies for lowering deductibles, co-payments and other out-of-pocket costs for low-income customers.”
Trump has appeared to back the deal despite having berated insurance companies, declared the Affordable Care Act “virtually dead” and promised to eventually end the ACA.
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California Wildfires slowly coming under control
Over 245,000 acres of #California were burned in 9 days @CAL_FIRE reported, see the #wildfires from space: https://t.co/wgYwkb8tTQ pic.twitter.com/JccZWXlhQb
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) October 18, 2017
Firefighters in California are beginning to gain control of a series of wildfires that are causing devastation across the northern part of the state. The two biggest fires are now about 60% contained, and rain expected later this week will help assist in firefighting efforts, according to the Associated Press.
At least 41 people have been killed with dozens others still missing.
At the peak of the wildfires, about 100,000 people were evacuated. Now, many of those Californians are returning home to destruction, as approximately 217,000 acres of land and 6,000 were consumed by the blaze.
“This is truly one of the greatest, if not greatest tragedy that California has ever faced,” Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown said. “The devastation is just unbelievable, is a horror that no one could have imagined.”
TODAY IN A TWEET
#truth:
#IfItWerentForDogs pumpkins might take over the world. pic.twitter.com/BQaP4JW5B9
— MeltLikeButta (@jwbutta) October 18, 2017
University of Florida braces ahead of speech by white nationalist
The University of Florida is divided over the definition of free speech, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in the county where the school is located, Richard Spencer is scheduled to speak tomorrow afternoon.
According to the New York Times, “The university denied Mr. Spencer’s original request to speak on Sept. 12, citing the violent clashes in August between far-right demonstrators and counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Va., as well as threats on social media of a “blood bath” if the speech were allowed. But the university has since relented.”
The Independent Florida Alligator, UF’s student newspaper, reports on one student’s preparation:
“Liam McGuire, a resident at Lakeside Residential Complex, is worried about the residence hall being in close proximity to Spencer’s event, but said he is not concerned for his safety. However, his mom is asking him to stay inside his room, he said. McGuire, a UF management freshman, said UF should cancel afternoon classes to keep students on campus safe.”
A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE in weed?
The business of marijuana farming and sales continues to boom in the United States as more states make it legal to posses for personal use. Higher Education (no pun intended) is responding the increasing economic impact of the trend.
Higher Education, right?
OK, you’ve read up, now go get after hump day, alright?
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