An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: When East Coast air quality will improve; a big move for U.S. soccer; an earthquake mystery in Los Angeles; and more

2023/06/08

The 7: When East Coast air quality will improve; a big move for U.S. soccer; an earthquake mystery in Los Angeles; and more

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By Jamie Ross and Tess Homan

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Good morning. It's Thursday, June 8, and if you didn't catch the chaotic reunion finale of "Vanderpump Rules" last night, here's what you missed. Now let's get to the news.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires turned New York City an eerie orange.

Yesterday: New York City experienced its worst air quality on record, delaying flights and sporting events. Millions of others along the East Coast were also under Code Red alerts.
Why this matters: Smoke particles can be inhaled and enter your bloodstream, causing a variety of health issues. This is also a warning about the growing risks of climate change.
How long will this last? Conditions should start to improve after tomorrow morning. Check these apps to monitor your air quality. Experts recommend high-quality masks or staying indoors.

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A vast stretch of southern Ukraine is underwater after a dam collapse.

The latest: Rescue crews worked all day yesterday to save flood victims after the Kakhovka dam was destroyed Tuesday. Some entire towns and villages have been submerged or washed away.
Who was responsible? It's still not clear. Ukraine and Russia blame each other for the attack, which has reshaped the battlefield ahead of Ukraine's expected counteroffensive.

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Supreme Court justices filed their annual financial disclosures yesterday.

Why we're talking about this: Revelations about Justice Clarence Thomas's finances have put the court under pressure to improve transparency and adopt new ethics rules.
And speaking of Thomas: He, along with Samuel Alito, asked for an extension to file his disclosure. Thomas has failed over the years to report luxury travel and real estate deals.

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President Biden vetoed an effort to block his student loan forgiveness plan.

What plan? Biden wants to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loans for tens of millions of Americans. But the proposal has faced legal challenges and Republican opposition.
Where it stands: Yesterday's veto brought an end to a Republican-led bill to strike down the program. The Supreme Court is set to rule this month on the plan's legality.

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Lionel Messi, soccer's biggest star, plans to play for a U.S. team.

The details: Messi is headed for Miami's Major League Soccer club, he said yesterday, though the deal isn't finalized.
This is huge news: The 35-year-old is one of the greatest soccer players of all time and led Argentina to the World Cup title last year.

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Companies are making a more aggressive return-to-office push.

Two examples: Google issued an ultimatum yesterday about staff coming in at least three times a week. Tech giant Salesforce said it will donate to charity for each day workers show up.
Is it working? Not so far — office occupancy remains stuck below 50% of pre-pandemic levels. Many workers aren't willing to give up the flexibility they have gained since 2020.

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Researchers found out why a huge earthquake hasn't hit Los Angeles yet.

The mystery: The southern section of the San Andreas fault has gone three centuries without a major earthquake, much longer than normal.
The answer: The drying of the nearby Salton Sea has postponed a quake, a new study found. Refilling it, which some people want to do, could trigger seismic activity.

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Before you go … is your kitchen chaotic? Here's how to declutter eight tricky spots in your cupboards and drawers. Plus, tips to organize cords around your home.

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post's new daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play.

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow.