Hurricane Irma downgraded as it moves toward mainland
MIAMI— Hurricane Irma fell to Category 2 Saturday morning but likely will regain some strength in the next two days as its intensity continues to fluctuate, forecasters said.
A National Hurricane Center advisory said that Irma’s sustained winds had continued to drop to 110 miles per hour with some higher gusts, but that the storm is expected to remain powerful throughout the weekend.
The storm was about 1,220 miles from the Leeward Islands and moving west at about 15 miles an hour.
The storm also is beginning to make an expected turn to the west-southwest in the next few days because of a high-pressure ridge, and be a major hurricane when it approaches the Lesser Antilles sometime next week, forecasters said.
Irma is likely to remain a “powerful hurricane” when that happens, though the hurricane should begin turning to the northwest when it reaches the end of that ridge.
Though models predicting the hurricane’s path agree on the overall scenario, forecasters noted that the best-performing models still have about a 200-mile north-south spread on the fifth day.
Controversy over arrest
The videotaped arrest of a Utah nurse who refused to allow blood to be drawn from an unconscious patient hasraised questions about howfar officers can go to collectevidence and has led to policychanges within the Salt LakeCity Police Department.
Police body-camera video released Thursday shows Salt Lake City Detective Jeff Payne handcuffing nurse Alex Wubbels on July 26 after she refused to allow blood to be drawn from an unconscious patient after a car crash.
In the video, Ms. Wubbels, who works in the burn unit at Utah University Hospital, explains she’s protecting the patient’s rights and she can’t take the man’s blood unless he is under arrest, police have a warrant or the patient consents.
None of that applied, and the patient was not a suspect. The detective’s written report says he wanted the sample to show the victim did nothing wrong.
The dispute ended with Detective Payne telling Ms. Wubbels: “We’re done, you’re under arrest.” He pulled Ms. Wubbels outside while she screams: “I’ve done nothing wrong!”
Ms. Wubbels is being praised for her actions to protect the patient, and Detective Payne and another officer are on paid leave. Criminal and internal affairs investigations are underway.
Trump to tap Bridenstine
Rep. Jim Bridenstine, ROkla., will be nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as NASA’s next administrator, the White House said.
Mr.Bridenstine, a strong advocate for drawing private companieslike SpaceX and BlueOrigin more deeply into NASA’sexploration of space, hadbeen rumored to be the leadingcandidate for the job, butmonths passed without an announcement.If confirmed bythe Senate, Mr. Bridenstine,42, would be the first electedofficial to hold that job.
The previous administrator, Charles F. Bolden Jr., stepped down on Jan. 20, the first day of Trump’s presidency. Since then, Robert M. Lightfoot Jr., the associate administrator, has served as acting administrator. Mr. Lightfoot’s 225 days as of Saturday have set a record for the longest time NASA has been without a permanent leader.
“I am pleased to have Representative Bridenstine nominated to lead our team,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “Of course, the nomination must go through the Senate confirmation process, but I look forward to ensuring a smooth transition and sharing the great work the NASA team is doing.”
Marijuana usage by youths
SEATTLE –– The use of marijuana by young people and admissions for cannabis-abuse treatment have not increased in Washington state since marijuana was legalized, according to a new analysis by the state Legislature’s think tank.
Under Initiative 502, the state’s legal-marijuana law, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy is required to conduct periodic cost-benefit analyses of legalization on issues ranging from drugged-driving to prenatal use of marijuana.
One of those reports was due Friday after three years of legal sales. But the report was limited in scope to just a few effects — including the degree of youth use and adult use, treatment admissions and criminal convictions.