THE KAKHOVLA Dam in Ukraine (Wikipedia).

Russians and Ukrainians are blaming each other for the collapse of a dam in southern Ukraine, leading to widespread flooding and evacuations.

The Kakhovka dam is located on the Dnieper River which happens to be the dividing line between the opposing forces.

According to the Associated Press, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky termed the collapse “the largest man-made environmental disaster in Europe in decades.” But Moscow blames Ukrainian artillery for the breakage in the dam. So far, responsibility for the incident has not been fixed.

In addition to flood damage and danger, the collapse affects hydroelectric power which provides utilities for the area. Water has traveled 40 miles downstream.

The New York Times noted that the dam collapse took place one day after Ukraine’s long-awaited counter-offensive.

Christie to run for president

CHRIS CHRISTIE (Wikipedia/Gage Skidmore).

Chris Christie, the quirky and sometimes controversial former governor of New Jersey launched his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

United Press International reports that Christie made his announcement in New Hampshire, one of the early primary states.

He served as governor of the Garden State from 2010 to 2018. Christie has been a supporter of former president, but been recently remarked he would not support Trump for president again, citing the the screening at a Donald Trump rally in which footage of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S Capitol was shown.

And the heat goes on …

CLIMATE CHANGE (Shutterstock).

Carbon dioxide levels in the planet’s atmosphere have hit another record high.

USA Today reports that the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography both made that announcement on Monday.

“Sadly, we’re setting a new record,” said geoscientist Ralph Keeling. The May average is estimated to be 51 percent higher than in pre-industrial times.

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide are connected to changes  in the climate resulting in severe heat waves, droughts, flooding, wild fires, etc.

The burning of fossil fuels are is blamed for the bulk of the increase in carbon dioxide.

Two killed in Richmond shooting

Gunfire outside a theater Tuesday in downtown Richmond, Virginia struck seven people, two people who died from their wounds

The Associated Press reports that at least 12 people were injured in the panic that followed. The incident took place outside the theater where a high school graduation ceremony had just concluded.

Weather: Send in the clouds

You’ll miss the “June Gloom” when it’s time for “July Fry.” The weather forecast for our West Orange County is for partly cloudy conditions for three days turning to cloudy on the fourth. Wednesday’s daytime high should be 72, with an overnight low of 58. Thursday should be 73 (59) and Friday is 71 (61). Cloudy skies move in on Saturday 68 (61).