This felt like kind of a long week, right?
Again, here are some interesting news stories and links I've come across. (And a turtle!)
Earlier this week, I read this article about how most of the food in grocery stores in the nation come from a handful of companies. From the article:
Less competition among agribusinesses means higher prices and fewer choices for consumers – including where they can shop for food.
Until the 1990s, most people shopped in local or regional grocery stores. Now, just four companies – Walmart, Costco, Kroger and Ahold Delhaize – control 65% of the retail market.
“Corporate consolidation can drive up food prices and reduce access to food,” said Starbuck. “Supermarket mergers drive out smaller, mom-and-pop grocers and regional chains. We have roughly one-third fewer grocery stores today than we did 25 years ago, according to the US census bureau.”
As countless mom-and-pop stores struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic lockdowns, revenue for Walmart US hit $341bn - almost 3% higher than the previous year.
Definitely worth the read, plus The Guardian inserts interactive graphics into the story which adds to the reader experience.
Some news from Micronesia…
FSM remained COVID-free throughout the pandemic and now is mandating adults get vaccinated.
Team Palau made us all proud in the Olympics and they've since returned home.
I stumbled upon this Facebook group that just shares scenic photos of Guam. Feels very hashtag wholesome. Also, randomly a special assistant to the governor of Guam accidentally went live and shared her accidental FB live stream to the same group. What's the equivalent of a pocket dial but live streaming? Pocket stream?
This year, Guam added a drone light show to the aerial entertainment itinerary and it was a hit. Now the same company that did the light show has a new service using drones for aerial advertising. I wrote about it for the Pacific Island Times. The CEO said they’ve already gotten requests for Happy Birthday messages and marriage proposals.
My favorite part of this story is that the press conference for the news organizations where we all got to see the drones in action was thanks to Nick Delgado, of the Guam Daily Post. Nick does it all!
Read Nick's more extensive piece on Bella Wings Aviation here.
From the air to the sea...
A notable spot for adventuring on Guam, Marbo Cave, was in a dismal state. Farron Taijeron did the dirty work and showed how things changed.
The Guam AG's office has sued over it.
It's Friday on Guam1 which means it's the end of the workweek. Here's your reminder to get outdoors if you can this weekend, you never know what you might find or what might find you. We saw this beauty this past weekend when we went snorkeling.🐢2
Thank you for reading. Write to you again soon.
Cheers,
Jasmine
Even though the price of gasoline is astronomical and our power bill will go up, forcing me to write this newsletter by candlelight to conserve energy, the views on Guam are still free.
I happy-cried about it.
I've also happy-cried about seeing a turtle. Biba Micronesia!