Ripple effect
Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2008 5:11 PM by Ian Sager
By Lester Holt, NBC News Anchor
The Midwest flooding is a regional tragedy, but it is increasingly having a national impact. Millions of acres of farm land have been ruined, and barge traffic that moves all manner of products on the Mississippi River, has been brought to a standstill. On tonight’s broadcast we'll have the latest on the fight to hold back the waters, as well as the latest flood forecast. We will also focus on the disruption of commerce that Americans far outside the flood zone may be feeling in the weeks to come.
This being an election year, it is no surprise that the flooding has become an issue in the race for the White House. NBC's Lee Cowan will be reporting that Barack Obama has used the disaster as a point of attack on John McCain over a position he once took on a piece of flood control legislation.
Heat is the big story we're covering out west where triple-digit temperatures up and down the California coast are creating a serious health threat, and putting very heavy demand on the power grid.
We're watching a couple of items that could have a big impact on the price we're all paying for gasoline. First is the emergency energy summit in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, where oil producers will be discussing whether to increase oil production and by how much. Secondly, we got word today from Chevron that it has shut off its onshore oil production in Nigeria after an attack on a pipeline there. Tonight on the newscast I will speak with an oil analyst who can hopefully translate what all of this may.
With this being wedding season you might find it interesting to know that extravagance may have reached its peak when it comes to wedding plans. MSNBC's Tamron Hall will explain why the amount of money American couples are spending to tie the knot is dropping.
Finally, today is my first day back from vacation after twelve days off. Though I was out of the country for most of that time, quite far from New York, I was by no means removed from the shared sense of loss over the death of Tim Russert. It won't be the same without him, and yet at a time like this, it is especially good to be back to work with my NBC News family as we begin to press forward. I look forward to you joining us tonight for NBC Nightly News.
