In our news wrap Friday, health concerns are growing as wildfire smoke is blanketing large parts of the U.S., Taylor Farms is recalling lettuce after it was linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak and Democrats are demanding answers about the vetting of immigration officers following an Associated Press report that the ICE agent who shot a man has a history of violence and mental health issues.
Geoff Bennett:
In the day’s other headlines: Health concerns are growing as wildfire smoke from Canada is blanketing large parts of the U.S.
That’s led to unsafe air quality conditions for tens of millions of Americans from the Upper Midwest to the mid-Atlantic and New England. The deeper purple here indicates air that’s considered hazardous. Detroit was among the most polluted cities in the world today as thick smoke blotted out the skyline and obscured the sun.
The haze also settled over Washington, D.C., carrying fine particles that can be more toxic than typical air pollution. Across a wide stretch of the country, from Chicago to Manhattan, people wore masks and limited their time outdoors.
Larrion Harmon, Chicago Tourist:
Come out the subway, chest started to get me some issues, nose was burning. I can taste it. So I’m just sitting here like, wow, I really need a mask.
(Laughter)
Barbara Glickstein, Nurse:
I follow the air quality and heat announcements, and I’m only out because I have to run a quick errand. Otherwise, I’d be inside.
Geoff Bennett:
The wildfire smoke will linger across the Northeast for much of the weekend, but forecasters expect the skies to clear by Sunday afternoon in New Jersey in time for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Food supplier Taylor Farms is recalling all of its iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico after it was linked to an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak. The company says the move is voluntary and that no branded salads or kits are associated with the outbreak.
Earlier, the CDC confirmed that lettuce supplied to some Taco Bell locations was linked to the outbreak. The agency warned consumers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia to avoid eating shredded lettuce at the fast-food chain. Officials have confirmed more than 1,600 cases across at least 34 states, with thousands of more suspected cases.
Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers about the vetting of federal immigration officers following an Associated Press report about the ICE agent who shot and killed a Colombian man in Maine earlier this week. Close relatives and his ex-wife told the AP that David Brouillette is an Army veteran with a history of violence and serious mental health issues.
They say he never should have been given a badge and a gun. DHS says the officer — quote — “feared for the public safety” after the motorist, Johan Sebastian Guerrero, attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle. DHS has not provided evidence to support that account.
Yesterday, Guerrero’s widow remembered him as a loving partner and a devoted father.
Karolina Rojas, Partner of Johan Sebastian Guerrero (through interpreter): Now my daughter asks about her dad, and I don’t have the strength to tell her that dad won’t come back., that she will no longer be able to hug him and tell him: “Dad, I love you.”
Every night, she asks about him. She always slept next to him, and now she can’t.
Geoff Bennett:
The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Bennie Thompson, is calling for an investigation into what he calls a senseless tragedy.
The U.S. military says it launched a round of strikes on Iran for a seventh straight night. Earlier, the U.S. escalated its air campaign by attacking bridges, including a span that links Iran’s main port with roads leading to Tehran. Iranian officials say recent U.S. strikes have killed dozens of people, and for the first time acknowledged damage to power infrastructure.
Iran responded by hitting power and water desalination plants in nearby Kuwait, among other targets.
In the U.K., Andy Burnham officially took over as head of the governing Labor Party today, a final step on his path to being the next British prime minister.
(Cheering)
Geoff Bennett:
The former mayor of Greater Manchester was the only contender in today’s leadership contest after winning wide support among labor lawmakers in Parliament. He will replace outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faced growing anger over his handling of the economy and a number of leadership missteps.
In his first speech in the new role, Burnham pledged to, in his words, fix the big things that politics has neglected.
Andy Burnham, British Labor Party Leader:
We are united, and we put the power that comes from that unity at the service of people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again.
Geoff Bennett:
Burnham faces a daunting task ahead amid sluggish economic growth and deep political divisions. He’s set to officially become the country’s 59th prime minister on Monday.
The White House and defense officials are defending the practice of low-altitude military flyovers after the latest incident raised safety concerns. This pass by the Blue Angels over a crowded beach in Florida sent chairs, sand and umbrellas flying. After a flight debrief, the acting secretary of the Navy said there would be no reprimands or firings, adding — quote — “That’s the sound of freedom.”
And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on social media that — quote — “The flyovers will continue until morale improves.”
But the commanding officer of the Blue Angels has acknowledged that the maneuver was unsafe.
On Wall Street today, stocks tumbled to close out the week amid ongoing weakness in A.I. shares. By the close, the Dow Jones industrial average had fallen more than 400 points. The Nasdaq sank around 360 points. The S&P 500 also finished the week in negative territory.
