Latest news with #UpperMidwest
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
More hot weather forecast as Canada battles fires and smoke billows south
Canadian officials are warning of tough days ahead for fighting growing wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba with hot and dry weather in the weekend forecast. The wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate in the two prairie provinces, with both this week declaring states of from the fires has triggered air quality alerts in Canada and as far as Chicago, where forecasters say the smell of smoke will be noticeable by Friday evening. There are also air quality advisories in place in parts of the US Upper Midwest, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. "Conditions maybe unhealthy for sensitive groups and there is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the unhealthy range for a short period of time," the state of Michigan said on Friday. The advisories in Michigan and Wisconsin are currently in place through Saturday morning. Residents in northern Minnesota have been warned smoke could reach levels "unhealthy for everyone", with the rest of the state facing air quality that could effect those in sensitive groups. That alert runs through Monday evening. There are 15 wildfires burning in Saskatchewan as of Friday, with the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) classifying conditions in the province as extreme. Seven of those fires are not contained, according to data from the Manitoba, there is a total of 22 fires burning, according to the province's fire situation report, with four classified as out of control. Thousands of people from 16 communities had been forced to evacuate in Saskatchewan this week as a result of the fires. Similar evacuations took place in Manitoba, affecting 17,000 residents of Flin Flon, Manitoba, a community of about 5,000, have been told to leave by midday on Friday due to a large blaze threatening the town. Danielle Desjardins, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada based in Winnipeg, told the BBC that the forecast for both provinces does not spell relief any time soon, with hot and dry conditions expected to continue into the weekend. A cold front is expected to hit some parts of Saskatchewan, bringing with it some rain, but its current forecasted path narrowly misses the regions where the fires are burning."The bad news about this cold front is it's going to be windy," said Ms Desjardins, adding that the wind, coupled with the heat and lack of rain, are prime conditions for wildfire said Saskatchewan has been "extremely dry" since March, and is experiencing abnormally warm weather for May that has pushed temperatures to above 30C (86F). She added that anecdotally, "it's one of the worst (wildfire seasons) in recent years for Saskatchewan".How climate change worsens heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floodsCanada experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2023, when over 42 million acres (17.3m hectares) burned - an area larger than all of England - and more than double the previous record. Smoke from those wildfires blanketed cities south of Canada's border into the US, including New York the 2023 fires were more acutely felt in Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. This year, it is Saskatchewan and Manitoba that are seeing the largest fires to happen naturally in many parts of the world. It is difficult to know if climate change has caused or worsened a specific wildfire because other factors are also relevant, such as changes to the way land is climate change is making the weather conditions needed for wildfires to spread more likely, the IPCC, the UN's climate body, says.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Smoke From Wildfires in Canada Wafts Into the Upper Midwest
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has begun drifting across the border into the United States, raising concerns on Friday about possible health hazards in the Upper Midwest, the authorities said. Warnings about poor air quality were issued in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota along with advisories for people in certain groups to curtail outdoor activity. In Michigan, meteorologists at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said on Friday that the levels of fine particulate in the air would be elevated in the state through Saturday morning. People in sensitive groups, defined as those with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, pregnant people and outdoor workers, who may be more susceptible to the smoke, were advised to take precautions, such as adjusting outdoor activity. Particulates are small specks of soot, ash and dust that are picked up by winds and flow hundreds of miles across borders and state lines. In Canada, wildfire season typically runs from March until October. In Western Canada, fire activity normally sees an uptick in May. The season got off to a grim start earlier this month when two people were killed in the province of Manitoba as a wildfire raged, forcing the evacuation of an entire town. This week in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, neighboring provinces in Canada's prairies, dozens of wildfires spread out-of-control, displacing thousands of residents. A cold front was dragging smoke from the large wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan across the border into Minnesota's northern region and tribal nations. The smoke was generating a reading of red on the air quality index, a standard measurement used by states to track particulate pollution, meaning it is unhealthy for many members of the general public. Air quality in the rest of the state was expected to be orange, or unhealthy especially for sensitive groups, Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency said. 'This will be a long-duration event with multiple rounds of smoke expected,' the agency said. The highest concentration of smoke is expected through Saturday afternoon, before a second round of smoke billows in on Sunday and a third wave arrives on Monday. In Wisconsin, state officials said hazy skies and elevated levels of fine particle pollution from the wildfires were forecast to drift into the northwestern region of the state before thickening and moving south on Friday. The advisory in Wisconsin is set to expire at 6 a.m. on Saturday, the Department of Natural Resources said, but there was a chance that the impacts from the smoke could continue in other areas. It said that there was also the possibility that the alert level on the air quality index could reach orange, or unhealthy for sensitive groups, and possibly red, meaning many more would be affected.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Gateway Fiber Bringing New High-Speed Fiber Internet Service to Residents and Businesses in Fargo, ND
WRIGHT CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2025-- High-speed internet provider Gateway Fiber is excited to announce its upcoming network expansion into Fargo, North Dakota, offering residents and businesses a fast and powerful new way to connect online. This expansion into Fargo marks the latest step in Gateway Fiber's mission to bridge the digital divide in the Upper Midwest, as it grows its service footprint from Minneapolis into eastern North Dakota. 'Having another excellent internet option available to our community is a big win for the future of our city,' said Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. 'We are proud to work with Gateway Fiber to bring 100% fiber connectivity to our neighborhoods and businesses. This investment in our digital future will support economic growth, education, and quality of life for years to come.' Construction is set to begin in June, with Gateway Fiber teams working closely alongside city officials to ensure a smooth rollout. Residents and business owners will receive regular updates on construction timelines with neighborhood door hangers and emails and will be notified as service becomes available in their areas. Gateway Fiber's 100% fiber network delivers symmetrical multi-gig speeds, superior reliability, and scalable capacity to meet the growing connectivity demands of modern life. 'We are thrilled to bring our high-speed, 100% fiber-optic network to Fargo,' said Gateway Fiber Chief Customer Officer John Meyer, whose family has deep connections to the area. 'Our mission is to provide fast, reliable internet with straightforward pricing and industry-leading support. Fargo residents and businesses will soon enjoy the benefits of fiber technology, including enhanced remote work, online learning, streaming, and gaming—all with the bandwidth to power future innovations.' The company's commitment extends beyond speed to empowering residents, businesses, and school districts with seamless connectivity, advanced security features, and innovative tools like cloud-optimized Wi-Fi management. Gateway Fiber is building a stronger digital infrastructure that transforms lives and strengthens communities nationwide. In addition to the new Fargo network, Gateway Fiber has expanded over the last two years into the greater Minneapolis area with high-speed service to the suburbs of Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, Plymouth, and Shoreview. Residents and businesses interested in Gateway Fiber services can visit to learn more, sign up, or receive construction updates. The company will hire salespeople, installation technicians, and customer support staff in the Fargo area. Are you looking for a career in fiber? Check out the Gateway Fiber career page: About Gateway Fiber Gateway Fiber is on a mission to positively impact communities through a better internet. As data requirements for residences and businesses continue to expand, Gateway is creating a leading, national fiber-to-the-home platform to serve this critical unmet need. Gateway provides faster, more reliable internet with a simple pricing model and industry-leading customer service. In February, Gateway Fiber announced a strategic merger with E-Rate leader WANRack and its residential subsidiary, KWIKOM Communications. The merger creates a more powerful, scalable organization with enhanced growth opportunities for its employees while expanding the combined organization's offerings to meet the diverse internet needs of commercial, small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), and enterprise clients. For more information, visit View source version on CONTACT: For more information, press only: David Workman PR & Communications Manager 314-265-8974 [email protected] KEYWORD: NORTH DAKOTA MISSOURI UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NETWORKS INTERNET HARDWARE TECHNOLOGY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOURCE: Gateway Fiber Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/28/2025 11:55 AM/DISC: 05/28/2025 11:53 AM
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Avera Joins Civica to Help Minimize Risk of Drug Shortages
Leading nonprofit healthcare provider joins unique, nonprofit pharmaceutical company created to prevent supply interruptions of essential, generic medicines LEHI, Utah, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Civica, a nonprofit pharmaceutical company created to prevent and mitigate drug shortages, announced today that Avera, a leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Upper Midwest United States, has joined the company in helping protect patients from the impact of drug shortages of essential generic sterile injectable medicines. Under the Civica model, hospitals enter market-stabilizing contracts directly with the company, avoiding middlemen players. Doctors and pharmacists at member hospitals choose the drugs that Civica provides. Civica offers all members the same cost-plus price for these products, regardless of hospital size, and strives to provide 6 months of buffer inventory. Further, the company prioritizes U.S.-based suppliers, helping to ensure high-quality products. Drug shortages are a persistent challenge to the U.S. healthcare industry. The American Society of Hospital Pharmacists reports hundreds of drugs on regular shortage, including many critical sterile injectables frequently used in urgent care settings. According to the American Hospital Association, more than 99% of hospital and health system pharmacists reported experiencing drug shortages in 2023, with 85% of respondents describing the severity of drug shortages as critically or moderately impactful. Shortages often force hospitals to expend additional resources, including staff time to find, procure, and administer alternative drugs. 'The partnership with Civica helps us better serve our patients by providing them the medicines they need at point of care,' said Thomas Johnson, Vice President of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services at Avera. 'Civica offers us an additional tool to ensure stability of supply and predictability of cost for medications, allowing us to focus our time on our priority: our patients.' Since its founding, Civica has grown its membership and expanded its product offerings. Today, nearly sixty health systems are Civica members, which includes approximately 1400 hospitals. The company currently delivers more than seventy drugs, including antibiotics, cardiovascular and pain medications used in urgent care settings, chosen by their member hospitals because they are at risk of shortage. About Civica Civica is a non-profit generic pharmaceutical company established to address drug shortages. It was founded by a group of U.S. health systems and philanthropies who, after more than a decade of chronic shortages, recognized that the market was not self-correcting and that a different approach is required. Civica works to deliver a safe, stable, and affordable supply of essential medicines to U.S. patients. Media Contact Liz Power, Vice President, Communications [email protected] 860 501 3849 Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CivicaRx
Washington Post
25-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Asking Eric: Casket photo creates rift in family
Dear Eric: Several years ago, my mother-in-law died due to dementia. During the time of her illness, my husband and I took care of everything, including selling her house, auctioning off her estate, dealing with her boyfriend who could never admit she had dementia, and dealing with the covid restrictions for visiting her. Of note, my brother-in-law lives in the Upper Midwest; we, and his mother, live in Florida. The burden was put on us, not him. On the day of her viewing, it was only my husband and me. I took pictures of her lying peacefully in her casket and forwarded them on to my brother-in-law. I got a scathing email from my brother-in-law saying that he had specifically asked not to send pictures of her dead. He only wanted to remember her healthy (how convenient). To be honest with you, I didn't remember that conversation as I was too stressed out from the whole ordeal. I feel guilty for sending the pictures but not really sorry for doing it because they finally had to deal with her passing firsthand. They did not have to live the ordeal like we did. I felt like the pictures were something I needed to share. Should I feel guilty for sending them, because I still do? — Photo Regret Photo: Guilt is not a very useful emotion. It's good information, sometimes, but what matters is what we do about the guilt, internally and externally. I know that the complicated process of settling your mother-in-law's affairs, particularly during covid lockdown, was hard for you. But you've got to acknowledge that what your brother-in-law is dealing with, including his own denial about his mother's illness, is hard, too. There's no hierarchy of suffering. You can start to alleviate some of that suffering — yours and theirs — by reaching out, apologizing and trying to make amends. In the grand scheme, you owe each other apologies. They didn't show up for your mother-in-law in the ways that would have been helpful, and that's not fair. But you don't get to dictate how your brother-in-law remembers his mother or how he processes his grief. Your actions, as you've described them, weren't malicious, but it's important to acknowledge their impact. Dear Eric: I'm friends with a pair of sisters, but closer with one than the other. Recently I invited them to a weekend getaway, where we were to be treated to a private chef's dinner. Less Close Sister immediately announced that she's 'avoiding gluten,' which obviously complicated our menu. On the drive up, she recounted her 'cheat night' with plenty of gluten the evening before, and happily consumed a (gluten-containing) lunch. I know there's no right way to say, 'your dietary needs seem to only pop up when you can be an inconvenience/pain in the butt,' but I'm really soured on traveling with her again, although I like her. Suggestions? — Gluten-tolerant Gluten-tolerant: The easiest solution is just not to have a private chef's dinner, or, to let the chef figure out what to cook to meet everyone's dietary needs. Isn't that the chef's job anyway? It's quite a leap to go from putting together a private dinner to swearing off traveling with this person again. Sometimes, when our opinions about people change, any little thing they do can become a point of annoyance. I wonder if that might be happening here. Something to consider. Dear Eric: 'Carpooling' wants to be reimbursed for gas for a 30-mile round-trip journey to pick up a friend's disabled son from the bus stop. The request from the 'dear friend' doesn't happen very often. My two cents are this: Losing or even offending a 'dear friend' isn't worth any price, let alone the price of a few gallons of gas ($10 or less). True friends grant favor requests, when possible, and usually without expecting anything in return. If it becomes a regular request, then definitely broach the subject, but a rare request is truly a 'favor,' and granting favors has a way of coming back to you. Instead, 'Carpooling' could think of this favor as a meal she might take to her friend if she were sick (and would likely spend more than $10 in that case). — Dear Friends are Priceless Priceless: Ten dollars is not the same everywhere nor is it the same to every budget. The letter writer isn't just complaining; the letter states that the frequency of the requests, combined with the amount, created a financial hardship. It's important to remember that everyone's finances are different and one person's easy favor is another person's stretch. The pricelessness of dear friends goes both ways; if I had a dear friend whose load I could lighten by covering the price of gas, I'd leap at the opportunity to do so. (Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@ or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at 2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
