October 15, 2024 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26)
Local:
-Saratoga’s Putnam Market Plans to Replace its Wine Room with a Cafe: On October 11th, Putnam Market announced that their Director in its Wine Room would be retiring after 26 years working in this well-known downtown Saratoga market. With him will be leaving Putnam’s Wine Room, and in its place, a Café. This change will take place in June of 2025 to contribute to their 30-year anniversary, and will include barista service, a variety of baked goods, afternoon tea, sandwiches and soups. Saratoga will only have to wait and see how both locals and tourists like the replacement.
Saratoga’s Putnam Market changing wine room to café (news10.com)
National:
-The State of Idaho Faces a Loss of Over Half a Million Acres to Forest Fires: Over the past week, over 12 wildfires engulfed the state of Idaho, with some in the Boise National Forest, others in Red Rock, the Salmon-Challis National Forest, and Garden, decimating over half a million acres of trees and forest areas. Originally started from a lightning strike, the fires’ smoke and aftermath have led to a low air quality advisory and air pollution. Officials have told people affected in Idaho to limit their time outside. Donate to help the aid in these areas below:
Donate to Disaster Relief | American Red Cross
Idaho wildfires burn nearly half a million acres (usatoday.com)
-MLB Playoffs Continue: With October in full swing, the Baseball world is abuzz with the four teams of the Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, and Guardians playing to advance into the World Series. While the Mets and Dodgers play against each other in the NLCS and the Yankees and Guardians in the ALCS, New Yorkers are anxiously awaiting the turnout of these games, in the hopes of a “Subway Series” matching the New York Mets v. the NY Yankees in the World Series, set to begin October 25. The League Championship Series is scheduled to run from Sunday 10/13 to Thursday 10/22.
2024 MLB Playoff Bracket and World Series Schedule
-World Central Kitchen Contributes to Feed Hurricane Victims: Chef José Andrés and his nonprofit organization along with The Rapid Relief Field Kitchen have served thousands of meals and water a day to those affected by the hurricanes hitting the southern states, including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. World Central Kitchen “responds to natural disasters, man-made crises, and humanitarian emergencies around the world”, giving food to those affected and needing it most in these times of damage and struggle. They are currently not only providing food aid in hurricanes Helene and Milton’s damage, but also in Ukraine and Gaza too.
World Central Kitchen (wck.org)
Global:
-The Nihon Hidankyo organization receives 2024 Nobel Peace Prize: On Friday 10/11, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Nihon Hidankyo group for its efforts to create a nuclear weapon-free world. This group consists of survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and is praised and rewarded with the peace prize for their work in raising “awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of using nuclear weapons”. It has been nearly 80 years since the use of nuclear weapons, and Nihon Hidankyo has made the world know the damage and effect of the use of these bombs. The Norwegian Nobel Committee continues to honor Alfred Nobel’s wish to those who make a difference and contribute to the peace in our world by giving the Nihon Hidankyo group the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize in his memory.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2024 – Press release – NobelPrize.org
-Northern Lights on 10/10 Dazzle in the Night: On Thursday October 10th, the Northern Lights, also known as the Arora Borealis was seen by many in New York, as well as Maine, Scotland, and other Northern Countries across the globe. Colors of bright blues, light teals, deep purples and vibrant pinks were not only visible to some by the naked eye but were highlighted and found in the shutter of people’s iPhones. Started by energetic particles shot out into space by the sun and disrupting the earth’s magnetic field, these particles result in a geomagnetic storm and if strong enough, can be viewed to people on earth in what we call the Northern Lights, creating a lovely spectacle for nighttime viewers.
Northern Lights Animate Night Skies Around the Globe: Photos – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
-Elon Musk Shows off the First “Robovan” and “Cyber Taxi”: This past weekend, Tesla CEO Elon Musk reveals new models of self-driving robotaxis and cars with metallic and futuristic looks, introducing a new type of vehicle of the future. The Cybercab does not have a steering wheel, accelerator, brake pedals OR a driver, and is expected to be in production in 2026. Many are weary about the safety and expense of these vehicles, but we will only know their success once they are produced for the public.
Elon Musk unveils his ‘Cybercab’ robotaxi | CNN Business
-The US Sends 100 American troops and Missile Defense Systems to Israel: On Sunday, 10/13, the Pentagon announced this action to attempt to defend Israel and bring America closer to the war with the operation of their Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery. While after over a year of conflict between Israel and Iran, the Israeli military most recently attacked around 200 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. With America’s sent aid in the form of these troops, the US still shows its support of Israel in its conflicts in the middle east. It is the United States’ goal to “help Israel better defend itself against a future Iranian attack if Iran decides to respond to any Israeli strike”.
U.S. to Deploy Missile Defense System and About 100 Troops to Israel – The New York Times (nytimes.com) US to deploy about 100 troops to operate advanced anti-missile system in Israel amid heightened tensions | CNN Politics