Happy Saturday! Today’s edition is 907 words, a 3 minute read.

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Saturday’s Quick Hits

Smoke from Canadian wildfires sent more asthma sufferers to the emergency room

The smoke from Canadian wildfires that settled over the US led to a spike in people with asthma visiting emergency rooms. Nationally, asthma-associated ER visits were 17% higher than normal during the 19 days of wildfire smoke that occurred between April and August. New York and New Jersey felt the effects the most - hospital traffic rose by 46% during the same period. Wildfire smoke has tiny particles that can embed deep in the lungs and cause severe problems for asthmatics. (More)

Spain’s women’s soccer team refuse to play until Luis Rubiales resigns

The Spanish women’s soccer team will not play any matches until the country’s soccer chief Luis Rubiales resigns. Their standoff comes after Rubiales kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup. He now claims the kiss was consensual and refuses to be forced from his role while Hermoso said she did not consent in any way. (More)

Tornadoes confirmed in Michigan after storms leave at least 5 dead

At least two tornadoes touched down in Michigan downing trees, ripping up roofs, and killing five people. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power. Counties near Detroit were warned to avoid contact with several rivers after flooding caused the release of untreated wastewater into waterways. Floodwaters blocked streets in the Detroit area including tunnels that lead to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. (More)

Fed Chair Powell calls inflation ‘too high’ and warns that ‘we are prepared to raise rates further’

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned on Friday that additional interest rate increases could be in the future. While acknowledging that progress has been made, he said that inflation is still above the 2% mark where policymakers feel comfortable. Currently the rate is hovering just above 4%. (More)

The Kremlin denies causing the plane crash thought to have killed Prigozhin

The Russian government denied allegations that President Vladimir Putin was behind the apparent death of Wagner Mercenary Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, saying Putin’s involvement in the crash is an “absolute lie.” Reports suggest that several of the 10 victims were members of Wagner. (More)

‘Dune: Part Two’ release postponed to 2024 as actors strike lingers

Warner Bros. has postponed the release of Dune: Part Two from November until next year. It was one of the fall’s most anticipated films but the actors strike forced the studio to push the release so its cast can promote the movie. The new release date will be March 15. (More)

Madagascar: 12 killed in crush at Indian Ocean Island Games opening ceremony

Twelve people were killed and 80 have been injured in a crowd crush as people tried to enter Madagascar’s national stadium for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games. Officials aren’t sure what caused the stampede. Nonetheless, the ceremony continued after a short silence for the victims. (More)

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Weekly Dose of Positive

Utah police ‘fill in dads’ walk son of fallen officer to first day of kindergarten

A group of officers from the South Salt Lake Police Department escorted the son of a fallen Utah police officer to his first day of kindergarten on Monday. The group called themselves “fill in Dads” for Jackson Romrell whose father was killed in the line of duty in 2018. (More)

Loyola University's beloved good luck charm Sister Jean turns 104

Loyola University Chicago’s Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt turned 104 this week. Sister Jean is the chaplain for the men’s basketball team and has been the unofficial face of the Loyola Ramblers during their NCAA Tournament title runs in the past few years. She has been with the University since 1961 and planned to retire in 1994 but shows no signs of slowing down. (More)

Military veterans who lost limbs receive mortgage-free homes to honor their service 

Across the US, soldiers who have lost physical capacity in some form during wars in the Middle East are receiving mortgage-free homes as a measure of gratitude for their sacrifice. Some of the homes are designed in such a way that will allow full access for soldiers that are wheelchair-bound. The Gary Sinise Foundation has provided 80 mortgage-free homes through its program. (More)

USA's Katie Moon and Australia's Nina Kennedy decide to share women's pole vault gold medal

Two athletes are sharing gold at the World Athletics Championships for the first time. USA’s Katie Moon and Australia’s Nina Kennedy both cleared 4.90 meters but couldn’t clear 4.95 meters during the women’s pole vault finals. After two hours and 10 minutes of competition the two athletes agreed to share gold instead of going to a jump-off. (More)

Dog saves foster parents from fire–finds forever home 1 day later 

A Great Pyrenees named Moose saved his foster family from a fire that caught their houseboat on fire. Moose was only with the family for 48 hours before he helped them make it to safety. He was adopted a day later by a family that has a big yard for him to play in. (More)

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Bonus Material

This 3D-printed house takes 2 days to build and costs the same as a car.

Zoom CEO says Zoom meetings aren’t in the company’s best interest.

Watch: A rare fire tornado is caught on camera in Canada.

The CDC warns against cuddling or kissing your pet turtle.