This morning Aphrodite released the first air quality readings to the general public. The report is based on the AQI (Air Quality Index), a universal index for reporting daily air quality.
Today’s AQI is 55.
The report is rather shocking as the baseline AQI at the beginning of last week was a mere 15. It seems that the event is already having a strong environmental impact after only a couple of days.
Understanding the AQI
EPA has assigned a specific value to each AQI category to make it easier for people to understand quickly whether air pollution is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities.
Good
0 to 50
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk
Moderate
51 to 100
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
101 to 150
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Unhealthy
151 to 200
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy
201 to 300
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Hazardous
301 to 500
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects
The Region I/II competition kicked off today with an interesting surprise. During the opening ceremonies of the weeks events PGNN correspondent, Beverly Beltmeyer caught two UND representatives among the clamoring teams and fans as they shared greetings and welcomes.
The two men, seen pictured here together, with what appears to be a video recording device, were trying to blend into the crowd under the disguise of a camouflage hat and a blue Nike polo shirt. While they did their best to look just like any other NIFA judge here at competition, Bev was convinced one of the men looked awfully familiar. In what may turn out to be the years most defining moment in journalism, Beltmeyer dug up this photo from the PGNN archives.
In this security camera photo from an incident in 2013, involving a jacket, we see the same perpetrator fleeing the scene of the crime.
As it seems, UND appears to be trying to gain an upper hand in competition. As Beverly tried to approach the two men they swiftly left the facility and she was unable to procure a statement. As the event continues to be investigated, it may turn out to be the greatest scandal of the modern era.
The rule violation that is in question here today comes from the NIFA Constitution & Bylaws (article 9): “Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any competition, practice, or organized team activity, in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during a competition.”
It will be interesting to see what the investigation reveals in the upcoming days.
NOAA today released brand new climate models for the northern Arizona region, prompting some forecasters to issue warnings of wintery conditions, extreme cold, and possible tornadic activity. Sources close to PGNN indicate that the models may have been delayed in their release, possibly due to NOAA’s fear of public backlash in response to the bad news.
Prof. Dr. Gary Peters, head of NOAA’s Atlanta office, noted that the impending collision of two cold fronts over the southwestern US had severe implications for much of the country, especially those areas located at higher elevations. “What we have here is a storm system the likes of which haven’t been seen in 20 or maybe 30 years. This NIFA Vortex, as I’ve dubbed it, will likely deposit upwards of 3-4 inches of snow throughout Arizona and into New Mexico. This is a red flag warning if I’ve ever seen one.”
Local authorities have advised residents to stock up on supplies and prepare for the harsh weather, warning them to stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Peters warned that travel during the coming storm would be “certain doom” and “utterly impossible.” He continued, “if you’re currently in northern Arizona, you aren’t going anywhere.”
Stay tuned for more updates and weather tips from PGNN.
PGNN 