Extreme weather, Father’s Day and a new federal holiday: 5 things to know this weekend
Americans celebrate Juneteenth
Saturday marks the first time Juneteenth will be celebrated as a federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed legislation on Thursday. Juneteenth commemorates the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas in 1865, 2 1/2 years after the order became effective. The first known Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866. Writing in an opinion piece for USA TODAY, Rep. Cori Bush said:
This Juneteenth, I invite you to reflect on the promise of freedom. Freedom doesn’t simply mean freedom from enslavement. Freedom is an affirmative goal, it is one that promises liberation, safety and peace of mind. It is the promise of a full and prosperous life.
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- Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom from slavery.But it didn’t mean freedom for all.
- Usher says making Juneteentha federal holiday was ‘long overdue’
- Our View: Juneteenth complements Independence Day
Biden just signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Here's why this once local celebration is significant to U.S. history.
USA TODAY
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Ultraconservative cleric wins Iran presidency
Ebrahim Raisi — who was sanctioned by the U.S. over his involvement in the mass execution of Iranian political prisoners in the 1980s — won Iran’s presidential election after his main rivals conceded defeat Saturday. He’ll be the first Iranian president sanctioned by the American government even before entering office. Many had called the election a “sham,” including Iranians in Southern California who protested for hours Friday outside a polling location. One large sign read: “Iran Regime’s Next President is a Mass Murderer.” The result of the election could impact a range of issues, including the nuclear deal, Iran’s economy and prisoner swaps.
- Joe Biden points to G-7 summit, NATO, Putin meetingas ‘defining’ moment for democracy
Iranians were on Friday voting in a presidential election that a hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seemed likely to win. (June 18)
AP Domestic
Summer officially starts with extreme weather in parts of the U.S.
Sunday at 11:32 p.m. E.T. marks the summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere, with much of the U.S. expected to experience possibly dangerous weather. Cities across the west are seeing record-breaking, scorching temperatures. Just how hot? Death Valley, California reached 128 degrees this week. Forecaster expect the heat to continue in the region through the weekend. Meanwhile, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle are bracing for heavy rain and flooding. Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, which was drenched last month, has already declared a state of emergency.
- Heat wave in the Western US:What’s behind the ‘dangerous’ triple-digit temperatures?
- Experts say disaster relief plans need tocenter on women as hurricane season approaches
- Biden doubles funding for states, local communities in preparation of hurricanes and wildfires
‘Tornado Alley’ is expanding,and millions across the South are at risk
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