Monday morning news - August 9, 2021

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington.

Senate votes to end debate on infrastructure bill, sets up final vote » Lawmakers in the Senate appear set to pass a massive $1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill, possibly within the next 24 hours.

The Senate voted last night to cut off debate on the bill.

SOUND: On this vote, the yeas are 68, the nays are 29. That was the final hurdle to clear before the full Senate votes on the bipartisan package.

It does look likely that bill will pass, but it’s not a sure thing. Some Republican Senators still oppose the bill, largely because it will add to an already spiraling deficit. Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn …

BLACKBURN: This is something too expensive to afford. Supporters argue that the bill will pay for itself over time because of long term benefits of the package.

A final vote is expected sometime early in the day tomorrow.

Wildfires rage in Greece, California » In Greece, pillars of smoke and ash turned the sky orange and blocked out the sun above the country’s second-largest island Sunday.

That as a wildfire devoured pristine forests and threatened villages. That triggered more evacuations as helicopters dropped water and fire retardant.

SOUND: HELICOPTER

The fire on Evia island began Aug. 3rd and cut across the popular summer destination from coast to coast, burning out of control. Flames have destroyed scores of homes and businesses and thousands of residents and tourists have fled.

Meantime, in California, the Dixie Fire has grown to become the biggest single blaze in the state’s history.

The fire last week destroyed the historic Gold Rush-era town of Greenville. It has now engulfed well over 700 square miles, an area larger than the size of New York City.

And as of Sunday,it was just 21 percent contained, as it’s fueled by strong winds and bone-dry vegetation. Cal Fire spokesman Ryan Bain …

BAIN: Fuels are 99 percent receptive in the afternoon. That means out of a 100 embers that are cast up into the air, 99 of a 100 of them will likely start a fire.

The weather is expected to begin cooperating a bit more today.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the Dixie Fire.

Taliban takes key northern Afghan cities » The Taliban continues to gain ground in Afghanistan as U.S. and allied troops complete their withdrawal.

Taliban fighters seized most of the capital of northern Afghanistan's Kunduz province on Sunday.

Kunduz city was the fourth provincial capital to largely or entirely fall to extremist group in less than a week. That as it ramps up a push across Afghanistan.

The Taliban took control of the governor's office and police headquarters after a day of firefights. It also captured the main prison building, freeing 500 inmates, including Taliban fighters.

Biden pays tribute to American Olympic athletes » President Biden paid tribute to U.S. Olympic athletes over the weekend as the Summer Games came to a close.

BIDEN: I know you have a sense of it, but I don’t think you’ll appreciate till you get home how proud you made America. You really represented America. You represented the soul of the country.

The United States won the most gold medals, 39—one more than China—and was way ahead in the overall medal standings with 113 compared to China’s 88.

The Russian Olympic Committee had 71 overall medals followed by Britain with 65.

Japan came in fifth. The host country enjoyed its best Olympic production in both gold medals with 27 and total medals with 58.

Hall of Fame college football coach Bobby Bowden dies at 91 » Bobby Bowden has died. The Hall of Fame coach built Florida State into a college football dynasty that powered its way to a dozen conference titles and two national championships.

BOWDEN: That was probably the most exciting game we’ve had with Florida in years. I don’t know how we came back and won it.

Bowden heard there in 2003 after a Seminoles victory over the rival Florida Gators.

He piled up 377 wins during his 40 years as a major college coach. He spent 34 of those years with Florida State.

Bowden died early Sunday after a bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 91 years old.

I’m Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org.

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