Good Morning, RVA: Smokin!

It’s looking spontaneous-combustion hot out there today.

June 17, 2014; 7:02 AM • by Ross Catrow

Good morning, RVA! It’s 72 °F already, and, gang, it’s gonna be a hot one. The forecast calls for highs in the mid-90s, and there’s an air quality alert in place for the entire day. That means “ground-level ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.” Kids (and the eldery, asthmatic, or other “sensitives”) should limit their activity outside.

Water cooler

Richmonders! You crowdfunded a Foofighters concert in RVA, that’s pretty awesome!

Something to keep an eye on: the Richmond Police Department has decided to enforce their fee policy on small FOIA requests–which they’re legally allowed to do. WRIC reports with this zinger: “Paul Fletcher, publisher and editor in chief of Virginia Lawyers Weekly, is very familiar with FOIA law. We shared with him the Richmond Police Department’s FOIA policy, which 8News had to pay $7.20 to get a copy of.” The RPD has long charged for complex FOIA requests.

The shady and secretive consortium that manages emojis released a new spec that would add over 250 to our current set. Important additions: chipmunk, man in business suit levitating, and raised hand with part between middle and ring fingers. Missing: racially diverse emojis and a taco. Don’t get too excited though, iOS and Android will need to update for you to get access to these new emojis (which also include reversed hand with middle finger extended!).

Sports!

• Squirrels open their series at Binghamton tonight.
• Nats take on the Astros at 7:05 PM.

World Cup

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! Yesterday, after a quick score in under a minute, the Americans held the lead and held Ghana scoreless for 82 minutes. Ghana would equalize with a crazy no-look pass to tie things up. But not to worry, compatriots, John Brooks was there when we needed him–specifically his head was there. Brooks would score off of a corner kick, and the Americans would win over Ghana for the first time in forever.

Elsewhere today:

• Belgium vs. Algeria, 12:00 PM, ESPN
• Brazil vs. Mexico, 3:00 PM, ESPN
• Russia vs. South Korea, 6:00 PM, ESPN

This morning’s longread

Why Americans Call Soccer ‘Soccer’

I could give you the tl;dr, but that would spoil it.

On a Monday evening in October 1863, the leaders of a dozen clubs met at the Freemasons’ Tavern in London to establish “a definite code of rules for the regulation of the game.” They did just that, forming the Football Association. The most divisive issue was whether to permit “hacking,” or kicking an opponent in the leg (the answer, ultimately, was ‘no’).

Photo by: thefixer

This morning’s Instagram

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June 17, 2014 7:02 AM 0