
Where wildfire smoke will lower air quality across the Midwest and Northeast
Surges of wildfire smoke are expected across central and eastern states through the end of the week as winds blow from Canada.
Early Wednesday, air quality levels were unhealthy to very unhealthy across eastern Montana and North Dakota — ranking as some of the worst air quality on the planet. This area of smoke and reduced air quality, largely stemming from new fires in British Columbia, will spread to Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan later in the day.
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Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Dyslexia Canada Announces Winners of the 2025 Educational Excellence Awards
TORONTO, CANADA, June 12, 2025 / / -- Each year, Dyslexia Canada's Educational Excellence Awards recognize exceptional educators who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of students with dyslexia. These prestigious awards celebrate educators who are dedicated to embracing evidence-based practices, prioritizing early identification, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn to read and succeed. We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Educational Excellence Awards: - Megan Norris, Literacy Coach, First Nation School Board - Whitehorse, Yukon - Pamela Guilbault, Superintendent, Catholic Independent Schools of the Nelson Diocese - Kelowna, British Columbia - Heather Kierstead, Principal, Florence MacDougall Community School, Fort Vermilion School Division - High Level, Alberta - Carrie Wood, Learning Support Teacher, Winnipeg School Division - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Sheila Piggott, Lindsay Bowen and the Literacy Team, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board - Peterborough, Ontario - Kingsdale Academy Literacy Team, led by Kathryn Byrne & Lia Ciarallo, Lester B. Pearson School Board - Montreal, Quebec - K-5 Literacy Team, Anglophone West School District - Fredericton, New Brunswick - Kimberly Phillips, School-Based Reading Specialist, Cowan Heights Elementary - St. John's, Newfoundland These educators and teams have shown exceptional leadership, creativity, and heart in transforming their classrooms, schools, districts and communities. Their efforts have not only improved literacy outcomes for students with dyslexia but have also uplifted countless others who might have otherwise struggled to learn. By setting high expectations and ensuring that all students receive the support they need to meet and exceed them, these leaders are building a culture of possibility and belonging. Dyslexia Canada proudly celebrates their impact and thanks the outstanding educators who are reshaping education through their unwavering belief in every student's potential. For more information, visit Dyslexia Canada's website. Alicia Smith Dyslexia Canada +1 705-427-9544 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.


Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: Here's Where Aurora Borealis May Appear Thursday
A group of states across the northern U.S. will have a chance to see the northern lights Thursday, with more areas likely to see the phenomenon as some geomagnetic storms are expected later this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Some 'minor' to 'moderate' geomagnetic storms are likely later this week, forecasters said. Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Thursday night, suggesting the northern lights will be 'quite pleasing to look at' for stargazers in the right areas, as the displays will likely be more active farther from the poles. Thursday's aurora forecast follows some 'minor' geomagnetic storms late Wednesday, which brought a likelihood for northern lights displays to nearly 15 states, NOAA's three-day forecast indicates. Some 'minor' to 'moderate' geomagnetic storms are expected Saturday night because of sustained solar winds, NOAA said, which could increase the Kp index forecast to nearly six, though a Kp index of four is projected for Friday. Most of Canada and Alaska will have a higher chance of seeing the northern lights, with a lesser opportunity forecast for parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.) Thursday's view line. About 10 states will have an opportunity to view the northern lights Friday, with a lower chance forecast for Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine, with the highest likelihood forecast for Alaska. NOAA suggests traveling to a high, north-facing and unobstructed vantage point away from light pollution between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. If using a smartphone, NASA recommends using a tripod to stabilize the image, enabling night mode and disabling flash. With a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting. Geomagnetic storms disrupt Earth's magnetic fields around the north and south poles, where electrons accelerate and 'bombard' the upper atmosphere while creating aurora borealis. More aurora borealis displays are expected through early 2026, according to projections from NASA and NOAA, after a 'solar maximum' was reached on the sun's surface last year. This peak, achieved periodically over the sun's 11-year cycle, represents an increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These events are also responsible for the northern lights, as electrons from these events collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of swirling lights.


CNN
3 hours ago
- CNN
Out-of-control Oregon wildfire forces evacuations and highway closures as gusty winds challenge firefighters
A wildfire burning out of control in Oregon, near the state's border with Washington, has forced hundreds of evacuations and closures of major roadways as gusty winds threaten further spread and challenge firefighting crews. The Rowena Fire has burned 2,500 acres since it ignited on Wednesday afternoon in Wasco County, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. It's 0% contained as of early Thursday morning. More than 800 homes were under evacuation orders in part of northern Wasco County Wednesday night, CNN affiliate KATU reported. An additional 2,500 homes were under evacuation warnings or advisories urging residents to be ready to evacuate soon – including parts of The Dalles, the county's largest city and home to about 15,000 people. Interstate 84 was shut down in both directions for nearly 20 miles on Wednesday evening but reopened early Thursday morning, with travelers urged to use caution, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Nearby US-30 remained closed in both directions for about 10 miles Thursday morning. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Wednesday afternoon, allowing the state's fire marshal to mobilize resources to help combat the fire, according to a news release. 'This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in the release. 'The predictions for this summer are extremely concerning. I am asking everyone to take that extra minute to mindful of the conditions and remember it takes a single spark to ignite a disaster.' Oregon and the Pacific Northwest baked under intense heat this week that dried out soil and left vegetation vulnerable to fire start and spread. The high temperature hit triple digits in The Dalles on both Sunday and Monday – Monday's high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit broke a record for the date that had stood since 1955. Windy conditions on Wednesday, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, fanned the flames once the Rowena Fire sparked in the afternoon. Wind will pose a continued challenge for fire crews Thursday. Gusts of 10 to 15 mph in the morning will increase to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon, and a few gusts past 30 mph are possible. Winds will remain gusty at times through Friday and no rain is expected into at least early next week. CNN's David Williams contributed to this report.