CBS4Indy Morning News, 7 AM

Partial Transcript: February 2, 2036

Dana Whellis: Well it looks like another six weeks of winter, Melanie!

Melanie Foreman: Maybe in Pennsylvania!

[laughter]

Dana: And now we turn to Eleanor with a selection of great plants to add color to your garden.

Eleanor Sadiq: Thanks Dana. It sure is a scorcher out there today! I had a chance to visit with a gardener at Grounded Plants in downtown and they had an exciting group of plants for us to use in the garden to bring some beautiful color to your yard. A lot of people have been talking about how this has been the warmest winter on record, but look on the bright side!

Unnamed Gardener: Here we have bougainvillea, a beautiful flower that grows really fast. But watch out for its thorns, y’see?

Sadiq: [Pantomiming pricking her finger] Ouch! Ha ha ha

Gardener: And here we have passion flower, isn’t that just lovely? It grows great on fences.

Sadiq: Beautiful! Oh my god!

Gardener: And over here, y’see? Isn’t that cool? Yeah! Like a cactus! And it grows these amazing fruits, here’s a ripe one. Dragonfruit, have you ever seen anything so crazy? Wow, it’s beautiful, and it takes almost no maintenance, just needs sandy soil, you can grow ‘em in your garden!

Sadiq: And why haven’t I heard of these beautiful plants before?

Gardener: Well, some see the climate change as a bad thing but it gives us the opportunity to grow plants that would’ve been at home in Mexico or Florida right here in Indy.

Sadiq: That’s so amazing! And our hearts go out to everyone in South Florida who is suffering after the recent flooding and hurricanes.

Gardener: Of course.

*

Report to Cincinnati City Council, March 29, 2037

Updates to Cincinnati Station have taken this Gauge offline. Recent levels of the Ohio River have to be inferred by gauge stations over thirty miles away. Inferred water levels include no new records.

(1) 6.30 ft on 03/09/2037

(2) 4.90 ft on 03/10/2037

(3) 3.70 ft on 03/11/2037

(4) 3.50 ft on 03/12/2037

(5) 4.10 ft on 03/13/2037

            Travel on the Ohio River between Markland L&D and Greenup L&D has been suspended since January, following the closure of Bellville, Pike Island and New Cumberland locks last year, with freight converted to overland rail and truck routes between Pittsburg, Cincinnati and Louisville. Millions of dollars of business has been lost by the city due to the river freight closure.

 Efforts to supplant water levels by reducing reliance on the Miller Treatment Plant has brought the Great Miami Aquifer to dangerously low levels, with 300 million gallons per day being drawn down.

            The Dayton lawsuit now before the Ohio Supreme Court to void our city’s contract with the GMBVA is an effort to protect the MillerCoors plant in Dayton, threatening to leave the city over increasing costs to outside sources of water. We are confident that our contract will be honored thanks to the efforts of our local congressmen and the continued efforts of City Attorneys.

            [See appendix C]

*

Seen on WHIO, August 12, 2039

            “Has your home been damaged by dust? Have you suffered health problems caused by your home? Call Markel McDaniel, attorney at law today!”

            “My ceiling collapsed ‘cause there was so much sand up in there and my mom got hurt. The landlord said it wasn’t their fault. I called Markel McDaniel and he got me my money.”

            “I got COPD and I never smoked a day in my life. It was the dust in my air conditioning, I knew it. The doctor bills were getting so high. I couldn’t work. Then I called Markel McDaniel.”

            “There were bugs everywhere. No matter what I did they were there. My kids got ant bites. My leg swelled up when I got bit by a centipede. You ever seen a centipede? It was so big, it was scary. My landlord wouldn’t fix the house up. Then I called Markel McDaniel.”

            “Call me! Markel McDaniel. I can help you get the money you deserve! Call now, 937 HELP YOU. That’s 937 HELP YOU. Help me help you.”

*

NBC NEWS WORLDWIDE 23/6/2040

MEGDA- Good evening, and welcome to NBC Evening News. Dust storms are pummeling Ohio again today, as the temperature soared to a record 115 degrees in Columbus. Emergency crews are racing to secure hospitals and nursing homes from power outages and irritating dust damaging sensitive equipment and putting the lives of the elderly and immune-compromised at risk. Our Pamela Francesca has more.

FRANCESCA- Good evening, David. I’m here at Riverside Methodist hospital, where nurses are racing against the clock to save their sensitive patients.

-PRERECORDED CLIP- NURSE PULLS LONG TEAR OF DUCT TAPE. RIPS IT WITH HER TEETH. PLACES TAPE ON WINDOWSILL. PAN TO BED WITH INTUBATED PATIENT. JUMP CUT, LATER. NURSE POKES AT CORNER OF WINDOWFRAME, PILE OF DUST. PAN BACK TO PATIENT, ROOM IS SWIRLING WITH DUST.

UNNAMED NURSE VOICEOVER- You see, we just can’t keep it out, I don’t know what we’re going to do.

FRANSCESCA VOICEOVER, SHOT OF HOSPITAL HALLWAY BUSY WITH NURSES AND BOTS- As we roll into summer in the Midwest, dust storms have become a real problem in Ohio and Indiana. It’s not just the heat; it’s not just the change in weather patterns. There are many factors that have contributed to the dire health situation here in Columbus, but the professionals here at Riverside Methodist are committed to finding solutions.

-PRERECORDED CLIP- DOCTOR CHECKS ON A PATIENT ON OXYGEN. JUMP CUT, DOCTOR LOOKING AT AN X-RAY ON A HOLOSCREEN. JUMP CUT, DOCTOR WITH AN INTUBATED PATIENT. JUMP CUT, DOCTOR WALKING NEXT TO A PATIENT IN A WHEELCHAIR.

DR. HEATH GUTIERREZ VOICEOVER- We’ve seen a tenfold increase in respiratory hospitalizations in the past eighteen months, an epidemic of pneumoconiosis. We need to provide them with a recovery space that isn’t contributing further to their problems.

FRANSCESCA- David, Dr. Gutierrez tells me that he has reached out to hospitals across the area, from Louisville to Chicago, and that politics are getting in the way of hospital transfers. Off the record, one Chicago official told me that they are concerned not about today’s requests, but that it will open up the floodgates to Ohio doctors committing patients and shipping them off to Chicago for minor ailments like asthma and high blood pressure when the hospital system there is already stressed.

DR. HEATH GUTIERREZ VOICEOVER, SHOT OF FRAIL PATIENT IN THE HALLWAY OF HOSPITAL IN A WHEELCHAIR ON OXYGEN- Other states won’t help us, so we’ve come up with temporary solutions [SIGH] We’ll do what we can to save lives.

FRANSCESCA- The governors of Ohio and Indiana have been pleading with neighboring states like Michigan, Kentucky and Illinois to take patients from their overburdened hospital systems, but fearing a repeat of the situation when Pennsylvania opened their state to refugees from floods and hurricanes in the Carolinas a few years back, the neighboring states have refused to even speak with their counterparts. From Riverside Methodist hospital in Columbus, Ohio, this is Pamela Francesca.

*

Posted on r/AmItheAsshole on November 23, 2040

AITA for abandoning my family on Thanksgiving?

I know this sounds bad but here me out. So a couple weeks ago I got an offer to stay with a friend in Texas. I told them I had to think about it but then they said they would find someone else if I didn’t make a commitment.

I haven’t had a job in over two years, there’s nothing to do in Columbus since so many places have shut down and I am constantly worried about getting sick from all the dust. Really, I’m paranoid about it. I have like 3 humidifiers in my apartment and I always change my clothes when I get back from going out and I wash all my groceries. I swear I can feel grit between my teeth sometimes and it drives me crazy. I brush my teeth like 7 times a day.

Anyway. I said yes to moving. I paid my friend some money to hold my room. WITHOUT A PLAN AT ALL. Ugh. So I got a rental van. It was really hard and really expensive but I did it. The ONLY time they had one available was on Thanksgiving though. And I didn’t tell my family they still expect me to show up at Mom and Dad’s house tomorrow at 2. I’m picking up the van at 10.

I’m going. I swear to fucking god. I can’t stand it here.

But my family is going to hate me. Especially my sister. She’s sick all the time, in and out of the hospital. Her husband is a jerk. She calls me every day and we talk while I play video games. We talk about our childhood, our futures, our family. It can get repetitive but I know she needs it, like really needs it. I can call her from Texas every day too though. And I hope I can get a job. I can’t stand just living on UBI in a shitty apartment with a city constantly covered in dust.

Anyway. I wanted to ask, AITA for leaving? On Thanksgiving?

*

July 22, 2041

Dear Journal,

We’re leaving, mom said. I have to pack my stuff. She said the house is for shit. I’m sad. But I hope there isn’t dust where we go. Can we go live with dad? He went to Georgia to work in the camps. Mom does not want to go there. She said so.

I’ll make sure to keep you with me, journal. I won’t lose you. Or Jingles. Or my WackyPacks. I have you in my pillow right now, so even if mom says we have to go RIGHT NOW I just hold onto my pillow and I’ll have you and Jingles and some WackyPacks. I can make friends. I have Series 4 I bet they will want to play.

It’s real late but I can’t sleep. Mom is loud downstairs. The dust on the window is loud too. I have five WackyPacks and Jingles and you in my pillowcase and I’ll put my clothes on now before I go to sleep. And my shoes.

Bye but not for long. Tomorrow.

Love you

*

WNET New York

July 8, 2043

Partial Transcript, PBS Newshour

Stephanie Sy: Good evening and welcome to PBS Newshour. Forest fires continue to rage across western Ohio at this hour as firefighters race to contain the blaze. Over ten thousand square miles have burned in the past week, destroying nearly seven hundred homes. The fires are sending ash and soot into the air as far away as New York City, which remains on high alert for air quality warning.

Automated firefighting crews have proven to be less effective than anticipated, as thousands of General Dynamics Model V robots have experienced communication or equipment failure, broken down or been consumed by the flames. Natalie Peters has more.

Natalie Peters: Thank you Stephanie. Here in Marysville, Ohio residents have been evacuating since this morning as the Raymond fire burns uncontrolled. Over seventeen fires are burning across the state and into Indiana, with only two partially contained. Due to budget cuts local firefighters are in short supply, as is water to fight the fires. Supplies and firefighters have been brought in from as far away as Quebec and California for to fight the fires, but with unfamiliar terrain, high winds and fast-moving blazes they have had little success.

Sy: And how is the General Dynamics Model V firefighter program going?

Peters: Over three hundred Model Vs were deployed to fight the Otter Creek fire yesterday, the front line of which is about fifty miles from here. I have heard from state officials that only thirty-five are still functioning, and lawmakers are demanding answers from General Dynamics after spending several million dollars on the project.

Sy: What seems to be the problem?

Peters: General Dynamics is not taking the blame for the Model V’s failure here Stephanie, and they have shifted blame to SpaceX’s satellite program—which controls the firefighting robots across the state. It seems that the thick smoke of the fires has blocked commands from orbital satellites, rendering the Model Vs inert and useless. More often than not they have stood still while encroaching fires have consumed them.

Sy: That’s terrible.

Peters: Yes it is, for the companies involved, for the politicians who bet on them, and for the citizens of Ohio who depended on this gambit to save their homes.

*

February 19, 2044

[Transcription of Body Cam footage from State Trooper 935]

--CLICK TO OPEN FILE--

Officer: Hello sir, will you please step out of the vehicle.

Driver: (inaudible) the problem, officer?

Officer: I asked if you would please step out of the vehicle, sir.

Driver: (inaudible) didn’t do (inaudible) know why (inaudible)

Officer: Now this is the third time I’m asking you sir, please step out of the vehicle.

Driver: (inaudible) [At this point Driver exits the vehicle] [DashCam photo recognition identifies the Driver as Arnold Wesley, resident of Dayton, Ohio (source HHS database, search executed in .47 sec)]

Officer: [steps back behind the vehicle, waves Mr. Wesley to follow. Officer does not turn his back on Mr. Wesley] Do you know why I stopped you, sir? [DashCam relays Driver identity to Officer] Mr. Wesley?

Driver: No, no (inaudible) why. I didn’t do anything; I’m just driving along and you—

Officer: Do you have a Michigan Access Permit for this vehicle, sir?

Driver: [Waves his hands excitedly, eyes widen (DashCam AI notes this as a potential sign of intoxication)] I don’t—I don’t need one, see, I’m just visiting my friend.

Officer: Put your hands at your sides sir. Keep ‘em where I can see them. [Officer takes a step back from Mr. Wesley] [Mr. Wesley stands still, arms akimbo. (DashCam notes potential for physical intervention has gone up to 32%, non-compliance)] So, you do need a Michigan Access Permit if you’re going to visit your friend. You know that, don’t you?

Driver: Well… no, no I didn’t know that.

Officer: Okay, so I’m going to escort you back to the border. We’re going to turn around up here at Exit 17. I’m going to follow you, see?

Driver: [Agitated, shaking head, hands grip his arms (DashCam notes potential for physical intervention has gone up to 45%] No, no. I can’t go back. My family… we can’t go back. There’s nothing there. [Driver squeezes eyes tightly, starts rubbing with palms of his hands, minute visible shaking (DashCam notes potential for physical intervention has gone up to 57%, alerts Officer to reach for his taser)]

Officer: [Right hand placed on gun in holster, takes a step back from Driver (DashCam notes Officer response to alert, notes potential for physical intervention has gone up to 92%)] Put your hands on your head! Put your hands on your head! [(DashCam alerts Officer to reach for his taser) Officer draws his service weapon (DashCam red alert issued for backup, one unit responds, 7 miles away, ETA 6 minutes, not enough time to intervene)

Driver: [Eyes closed, hands in the air] My family’s in the car! Everything I own is in the car! Just let me go! [Driver cries out] (inaudible) do anything! Why? (inaudible) do this?

Officer: Lie down on the ground! [Driver leans forward, bending at the knees, hands down (DashCam notes potential for physical intervention has gone up to 96%)] Hands behind your head! [Driver hesitates, looks up at Officer] Don’t do that! Don’t do that!

--END FILE--

*

Cleveland Scene Online

Byline Blank (AI Written)

May 2, 2045

Protest Parade ends in Riot

            In a scene not seen in the streets of Cleveland in over a decade, riot police cleared a Solidarity May Day parade from marching through downtown. Dozens of hecklers and counter-protestors were spotted along the route. Stun gas and bola guns were used on protestors by Bronson Security officers as they were attacked with rocks and water bottles. Cleveland PD drones recorded the scene for later arrests. Over seven hundred marchers have been charged with Disturbing the Peace; they will be fined or apprehended as soon as CPD clears their AI backlog of Facial Recognition requests.

            Since “regional wealth” measures were introduced—including water rationing and the elimination of the Cuyahoga Social Services Department—dissent has been rising among the aging Millennial population. Complaints range from inadequate UBI provided by the state to the staggering rise in homelessness. Regardless of the criticisms of citizens, City Council passed the AusterityTwo package today; one of the final hurtles to gaining a federal bailout for the metro region.

            Among those charged today was Cardinal Akalumhe, head of the Diocese of Cleveland, Mark Valdez, president of the Service Employees International Union, Sophia Brzezinski and John Morris of the pop group AllOver, activist Esteban Hernandez and Leticia Ochoa of City Council—who walked out on the AusterityTwo vote to join the march as it approached City Hall.

*

Dayton Daily News

March 13, 2047

Epic Freeze Refuses to Relent

Matt Speely (AI Generated Name)

            Temperatures of negative thirty degrees continued across much of Indiana and central Ohio again today as persistent extreme cold has taken hold in the region. After last week’s Polar Vortex brought wind chills of negative sixty to the Midwest, weather from Minnesota to Michigan has normalized but the highly arid area from Bloomington to Zanesville has remained mired in extreme cold.

            Cities and towns struggle to check on elderly residents, and seventeen deaths have been reported so far. Vehicles have broken down across the region, unprepared for the turn in the weather after years of warm winters.

The city of Dayton has declared a state of emergency, but after last month’s declaration of bankruptcy, the measure has little effective action. Volunteers and relief organizations have begun to bring some semblance of calm to city services, but housing those evicted from their homes in the past month has been difficult and is now approaching a humanitarian crisis. Several fires have been reported in abandoned buildings this winter, as squatters burn what they can to stay warm.

            Extreme cold is expected to continue through next week. There is no precipitation on the horizon. The federal government has not issued a disaster declaration. Help is not coming.

*

CENSUS 2050

Ohio Population

Population base, April 1, 2010                                    11,536,751

Population base, April 1, 2020                                    11,889,104

Population base, April 1, 2030                                    12,682,927

Population base, April 1, 2040                                    13,230,712

Population base, April 1, 2050                                    4,234,790