NATIONAL
2012 Hottest Year on Record for the United States
The past eight months of this year have been the warmest recorded of any in the US. Since record-keeping began in 1895, this year rated as the third-hottest summer, according to the U.S. National Climate Data Center’s report Monday.
While the average temperature in August was 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which is only the 16th hottest on record, the nation is averaging four degrees Fahrenheit above average for the year.
Ohio has the greatest record high to record low ratio, with 49 record high temperatures to every record low. These record high temperatures have also been accompanied by severe drought.
Sources: cnn.com, cleantecnica.com.
INTERNATIONAL
132 Inmates escape from Mexican prison on the border
Mexican authorities reported that 132 inmates escaped from a jail in northern Mexico. The escape has spurred a search near the border by federal police and soldiers. The prisoners fled one by one from a social rehabilitation center. The facility is minimum-security and the inmates were able to escape through a seven-foot-long tunnel. 86 of the inmates were federal prisoners and 46 were in jail on local charges.
In December of 2010, 153 prisoners escaped from a nearby prison located in Nuevo Laredo, TX. In this case, 41 guards were charged with aiding the inmates in the escape. Gangs often try to break members out of prison.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection have taken action, placing officers and agents on alert in the area, according to an official of Homeland Security.
Sources: cnn.com, cbsnews.com.
STATE
Third Ohioan dies from West Nile virus complications
Tuesday morning an 80-year-old man in southwest Ohio died from complications of the West Nile virus. This is the third statewide death resulting from West Nile this year. Earlier in 2012, a 76-year-old man in Hamilton County and a 87-year-old man in Cuyahoga County also died from complications of the West Nile virus. 79 human cases of the virus have been reported this year in the state. Officials are calling this summer one of the worst for the West Nile infection in the state and across the nation. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, a total of 2,636 cases have been reported in the nation this year, with 118 deaths.
Source: ohio.com/news
STATE
Obama emphasizes fair trade during stop at Columbus
During his two campaign stops in Ohio on Monday, President Barack Obama discussed efforts to combat unfair trade policies in China that hurt U.S. manufacturers. These policies specifically harm automakers and suppliers, including the 54,200 Ohioans who work directly with the automotive industry. Obama spoke to thousands in Cincinnati and Columbus explaining that his administration has taken steps toward enforcing the World Trade Organization’s ruling. The organization alleged that illegal subsidies were placed on automobiles and parts. Obama pointed out that this is the second action aimed at protecting manufacturing jobs within recent months. He said, “We’re going to export more product and we’re going to outsource fewer jobs.
Source: the-daily-record.com
STATE
Killer slashes bartender’s throat, prosecutor says
Bartender Ann McSween was beaten and choked before her throat was slashed by her alleged killer, Joseph Thomas, according to prosecutors this morning at the man’s capital murder trial.
He is also accused of raping McSween multiple times. Thomas, 26, faces the death penalty in the Thanksgiving 2010 slaughter of the popular bartender at the former Mario’s Lakeway Lounge in Mentor-on-the-Lake. Thomas is charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape, aggravated robbery and tampering with evidence.
Source: cleveland.com