Happy Friday, Panthers! It is officially the first day of spring, so hopefully warmer weather is right around the corner. While you are sunbathing and enjoying the warm weather this weekend, take a look at this week’s KICs. This week we have Japan’s cherry blossom season beginning with its first flowering, a lawsuit filing against Trump’s plan, Georgia’s government suspending taxes on gas prices, and Jon Ossoff questioning Tulsi Gabbard regarding election ballots in Georgia and Iran.
World – Japan’s cherry blossom season begins with first flowering confirmed in 3 cities
Spring has officially arrived in Japan as the government announced the first cherry blossom blooms of the year. This annual event marks the beginning of the country’s most beloved season, drawing crowds to witness the delicate pink flowers.
Weather officials confirmed the start after finding at least five open blossoms on benchmark trees in Kochi, Gifu, and Yamanashi. In Kochi, the trees bloomed first for the third year in a row, appearing nearly a week earlier than the historical average. Experts believe that a combination of a dry winter and unusually long hours of sunshine triggered this early arrival.
As the “cherry blossom front” moves across the nation, many people are preparing for traditional outdoor picnics and celebrations. While the early blooms are a beautiful sight, they also highlight a continuing trend of warmer spring temperatures across the region.
National – Lawsuit filed against Trump’s plan close largest climate research lab
Trump’s administration has been making a move to dismantle the country’s largest federal climate research center, the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The NCAR is suing in response.
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a non-profit research group made up of colleges and universities that operate the center, claim that the shutting down of the NCAR was a retaliation move. The lawsuit alleges that the administration is using federal agencies to punish personal tensions between President Trump and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. The tensions might have sprouted from Colorado’s misuse of mail-in ballots and various legal disputes in the 2020 election.
The lawsuit is also targeting several other institutes. Moving the US space command out of Colorado, cutting $109 million in transportation funding, and adding new restrictions on food stamps.
State – Georgia government suspending taxes on gas
On March 18, a temporary suspension of gas taxes was passed by the Georgia House. This is due to the rising conflict with Iran and other countries.
The suspension, if fully passed and approved, is set to last 60 days. If wished by governor Brian Kemp, he may extend the suspension. The average cost of a gallon of gas is $3.72.
The state senate is next to vote in this matter. Before the temporary suspension of taxes on gas, Governor Kemp’s signature would also still be needed.
Politics – Jon Ossoff questions Tulsi Gabbard on elections and Iran
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff questioned Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard during a hearing over her involvement with the FBI raid on Fulton County’s election office. He also confronted her regarding conflicting reports from the White House regarding Iranian nuclear threats.
The hearing was also focused on reports regarding security. While Gabbard stated that Iran’s nuclear program was “obliterated” by airstrikes, the White House previously described the campaign moving to destroy “imminent” threat.
It remains opaque specifically what tactic the president used to get Gabbard’s presence in Georgia, as she denied to hide how the message was arrived. Also, while Gabbard acquiesced to being in a FBI evidence truck during the raid, Ossoff tried to ask if she “looked at votes” as the president proposed, but his time expired before an answer was given.