The Defense Department is reporting high levels of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water near several of its bases, according to new data released by the department.
Drinking water testing near bases in Washington state, Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan found levels of the chemicals well above a health threshold set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
PFAS is the name for a group of thousands of chemicals, some of which have been linked to health issues such as kidney and testicular cancer and liver damage.
The substances have been used in products such as firefighting foam, which is used by the military. For this reason, PFAS can be found near military bases and can contaminate nearby water.
They are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they build up in the human body and environment instead of breaking down over time.

China Denies Stoking Geopolitical Battle With US In Pacific

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Bloomberg:

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said his country has no desire to engage in “geopolitical competition” over influence of Pacific islands nations, during his marathon tour of the region.
“China has no intention of competing with anyone, let alone engaging in geopolitical competition, and has never established a so-called sphere of influence,” Wang said Tuesday after meeting Tongan Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa Utoikamanu, according to a Chinese government readout.

US To Seek New UN Sanctions If North Korea Holds Nuke Test

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

ABC News:

The United States said Tuesday it will push for additional sanctions on North Korea if it conducts a new nuclear test explosion.
U.S., South Korean and Japanese officials have said North Korea could soon conduct its first nuclear test in nearly five years.
On Thursday, China and Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea for a spate of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles that can be used to deliver nuclear warheads. The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 13-2 and marked a first serious division among the five veto-wielding permanent members over a North Korea sanctions resolution.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield was asked Tuesday whether the U.S. would seek new sanctions if the North conducted another nuclear test. “We absolutely will,” she said.

That’ll show ’em!

Iran Has Enough Uranium To Build An Atomic Bomb, U.N. Agency Says

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

NBC News:

Iran has accumulated enough enriched uranium to build a nuclear bomb, according to new findings from the United Nations atomic agency.
The International Atomic Energy Agency also said in a separate report that Iran has failed to provide credible explanations about nuclear material found at several sites in recent years, raising questions about the nature of its nuclear work.
The IAEA’s two reports could set the stage for a showdown at a meeting next week of its 35-nation board of governors, as Iran has demanded the watchdog wrap up its probe into uranium particles found at three undeclared locations in the country since 2019.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog said that Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent had grown to 43.3 kilograms (95 pounds), which represented an increase of nearly 10 kilograms (22 pounds)compared to three months ago.
Experts said that the stockpile would provide roughly enough material for an atomic bomb if Iran took the additional step of enrichingthe uranium to 90 percent purity. Moving from 60 to 90 percent would not pose a technical challenge for Iran, according to arms control experts.

As The World Watches Ukraine, Turkey Prepares A Military Move Into Syria

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

The Independent:

Turkey is preparing for yet another large-scale incursion into northern Syria, in what would be its fifth major military offensive into its southern neighbour in six years.

Tigray Reports Fresh Conflict With Eritrean Forces; Fed. Gov Accuses Tigrayan Forces Of Provoking

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Addis Standard:

Officials in Tigray state accused Eritrean forces of provoking fresh military attack over the weekend. Commenting on the statement, Ethiopia’s federal government first said it was not aware of the reports by authorities in Tigray, but accused Tigrayan forces of provoking the attack.

Legislation To Make Oklahoma More Attractive Place For Service Members, Veterans To Live

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KRMG:

The Department of Veterans Affairs says several new bills passed this legislative session will help military members and veterans while making Oklahoma a more attractive place for them to live.
The bills include exempting military retirement pay and benefits from state income tax as well as providing money to make sure honorable burials can take place in Oklahoma.
Department of Veterans Affairs officials said the bills speak volumes about Oklahomans’ support of service members.
“It really is evidence of Oklahoma’s commitment to take care of our service members and our veterans from the beginning of the service to the end of the service,” said Sarah Lane, with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.

Severe Storms Moving Across Oklahoma

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KOCO:

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for parts of northern and western Oklahoma until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Below is a running blog for storms across Oklahoma.

Juneteenth Celebration Events In Fort Smith

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KNWA:

Numerous events were announced Tuesday for downtown Fort Smith in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday.
According to a press release, 64.6 Downtown and the Fort Smith Round Table will be presenting free live music on Thursday, June 16th and Sunday, June 19th.
Thursday, June 16th will open with “Miss K’s Dance Bungalow” followed by headliner “New Breed Brass Band,” a youthful ensemble bringing their own flair of heritage brass band sonics from New Orleans. The show will be from 6:45-9 p.m. at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater.
On Sunday, June 19, host comedian Joe Torry will present the U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ensemble’s Songs of Freedom. The production will celebrate the contributions of individuals during the Civil Rights movement. It will be held from 5-10 p.m., also at the amphitheater.
Sunday evening will continue with two 2021 Levitt AMP Fort Smith Music Series performers, jazz artist Rodney Block and crowd favorite, Fort Smith native Genine Latrice Perez.
“64.6 Downtown is pleased to work in concert with the Round Table to expand free, live music downtown leading up to the Juneteenth holiday. We are elated the U.S. Army Band Jazz Ensemble selected Fort Smith to perform their tribute. They wanted to contribute to a communities Juneteenth celebration with their production of Songs of Freedom, and it came together.” stated Talicia Richardson, Executive Director of 64.6 Downtown.

Sights & Sounds Of The 2022 Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade In Fort Smith

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

40/29:

The Old Fort Days Rodeo Parade marched through the streets of Fort Smith on Memorial Day.
This year’s event is the 89th Old Fort Days Rodeo.
People young and old gathered from across the area to cheer on the parade.

New Tech To Capture Images Of Fort Smith Monastery Before The Demolition

May 31, 2022June 1, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KNWA:

Images of the 1924 St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith had geographical data and information taken with new high-tech technology. This provided a high-quality digital record of the nearly century-old structure that will be demolished June 1.
Lidar, the high-tech technology used by Halff Associates, creates a record to facilitate true-to-original repairs or restoration, according to Russell Luna, the senior communications specialist. Arkansas politicians congratulate Canoo on NASA deal
“We just knew that the building was going to be demolished soon,” said Aaron St. Amant project manager with Halff Associates. “We wanted the opportunity to scan the building before it was gone for good. And we offered our services gratis.”

War In Ukraine (5/27/22)

May 27, 2022May 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Ukraine And The Pentagon’s Potentially Deadly Garage Sales

US Army Signs Deal To Backfill Stingers Sent To Ukraine

Ukraine’s Moscow-Backed Orthodox Church Says Cuts Ties With Russia

Russia’s Ruble Is The Strongest Currency In The World This Year

Iran To Supply Russia With Car Parts, Fuel Turbines Amid Gas Crisis In Ukraine

Russia Is Strengthening Defensive Positions In Kherson Region -Governor

Russia Appears To Blitz Ukraine Positions With Devastating Thermobaric Warheads

Russia ‘Chewing Through Ground’ In Ukraine As It Encircles Severodonetsk

Russian Forces Advance In Eastern Ukraine, Capture Strategic Town Of Lyman

Ukrainians Say They’re Badly Outgunned By Russia In The Battle For The Donbas

Russia Tightens Grip On Ukraine’s Donbas Region

Quad Launches ‘Anti-China’ Maritime Surveillance Plan

May 27, 2022May 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Al Jazeera:

Pledging to provide “tangible benefits” for nations in the Indo-Pacific region, the leaders of the Quad have launched a maritime surveillance plan that analysts say is their most significant move to date to counter China.
The Quad – an informal alliance made up of Japan, the United States, India and Australia – said on Tuesday that the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) will help the Pacific Islands and countries in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean track illegal fishing and other illicit activities in their waters in real-time. And although the Quad did not mention China by name, analysts say the initiative is aimed at addressing long-held complaints from countries in the region about unauthorised fishing by Chinese boats in their exclusive economic zones as well as encroachment by Chinese maritime militia vessels in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

US Sanctions North Korea In Response To Latest Missile Launches

May 27, 2022May 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

The Hill:

The Treasury Department will freeze the assets of two North Korean banks, one individual and a trading company working with the country’s rocket ministry following the May 24 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile and two shorter-range missiles by North Korea.
The sanctions target supporters of the country’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, as well as foreign financial institutions that “have knowingly provided significant financial services” to the North Korean government, Brian Nelson, head of the Treasury Department’s terrorism and financial intelligence division, said in a statement.

Oklahoma Legislature Overrides Several Governor Vetoes, Will Return For Special Session In June

May 27, 2022May 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KOSU:

On Thursday, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed parts of the $9.8 billion state budget, and called for a special session of the legislature to address eliminating the state grocery tax and reducing the personal income tax.
Under Oklahoma’s constitution, the legislature must adjourn by 5 p.m. on the last Friday of May, which was the following day.
So, the state legislature moved quickly on Friday, expressing their displeasure with Stitt’s criticisms and overriding several vetoes.

Black Wall Street Legacy Festival Held This Weekend To Celebrate Tulsa, Inspire Hope

May 27, 2022May 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KRMG:

The Black Wall Street Legacy Fest is happening this weekend. As we approach the 101st remembrance of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, fest organizers said it’s important to keep building and learning about legacy and generational wealth.
On Greenwood and in north Tulsa, after 101 years, residents continue to try and rebuild. Not just physically, but within their families’ legacies.
The two-day event is filled with summits, luncheons, and other education and entertainment based events.
Chief Egunwale Amusan, who is one of the organizers said with the festival and the lawsuit against the city regarding reparations which recently got the green light to move forward will be a part of the reconciliation conversation.
“[It will] help provide momentum. It’s hard to get people to appreciate or empathize with people who lost this generational wealth. It’s hard to have empathy when you don’t know what was lost, what was taken, what was stolen, what was burned if you don’t know,” he said.

It would be great if these events were all about positivity and looking toward a bright future, but that talk of “legacy and generational wealth” presents a whole bag of problems, which are perfectly summed up by the last sentence.

Fort Smith’s Creekmore Express 2022 Schedule Released

May 27, 2022May 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

KFSM:

The City of Fort Smith Parks and Recreation has released the 2022 Creekmore Express schedule.
The Creekmore Express train will start running Saturday, May 28. There is no cost to ride the train but donations are welcomed.

It’s Rodeo Time In Fort Smith This Weekend

May 27, 2022May 29, 2022 ArklahomBoyLeave a comment

Southwest Times Record:

All rodeo events take place in Harper Stadium of Kay Rodgers Park at 4400 Midland Blvd.
“Each year cowboys from all over the world compete for one of the largest prize purses in Arkansas. You’ll see some of the rankest bulls and broncs in America.”
Check out their website for tickets and details.