Relaxing Cuba & Banning Fireworks

Relaxing Cuba & Banning Fireworks

Relaxing Cuba & Banning Fireworks. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

The President announced that the U.S. and Cuba have reached an agreement to open embassies in Havana and Washington. It's a major step to ending decades of hostilities and to opening regular trade but there is still a lot to be done before relations between the two nations become normalized. Opening Cuba to U.S. exports would be a big boost for agriculture.

OBAMA: The progress that we mark today is yet another demonstration that we don't have to be imprisoned by the past. When something isn't working, we can and will change. Last December I announced that the United States and Cuba had decided to take steps to normalize our relationship. As part of that effort, President Raul Castro director our teams to negotiate the reestablishment of embassies and later this summer Secretary Kerry will travel to Havana, formally to proudly raise the American flag over our embassy once more.

With the recent emergency drought declarations in the northwest a lot of people are wondering if celebrating this weekends Independence Day with fireworks is such a good idea. In Washington State where Governor Inslee declared a statewide drought there is concern that fireworks would only exacerbate the wildfire problem. Firefighters are working to contain a number of blazes. The Washington State Attorney General's office has said that under the current law the governor does not have the authority to issue a statewide ban on fireworks. If you think you must use fireworks this weekend please use extreme caution.

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.

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