Blackout was avoidable
The week's news at a glance.
Cleveland
An electric company in Ohio could have prevented the blackout that enveloped the Northeast last year by shutting off power around Cleveland, a panel of investigators reported this week. For an hour before the blackout, a series of northern Ohio transmission lines became overburdened and shut down, causing the area to suck power from nearby utilities. FirstEnergy Corp., which serves Cleveland, could have contained the problem by cutting the city’s lights, investigators said. Instead, the crisis spread to Michigan, Ontario, and New York. A FirstEnergy spokesman questioned the findings, saying that blacking out Cleveland “may or may not” have worked.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Why Gen Z in Nepal is dying over a state social media ban
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A crackdown on digital platforms has pushed younger Nepalis into increasingly violent clashes with government forces
-
Fly like you know what you're doing with these 5 tips for healthy air travel
The Week Recommends Yes to stretching. Even more yesses to hydration.
-
September 9 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Tuesday’s political cartoons include the shadow of Jeffrey Epstein, Russia's answer to peace talks, and tougher citizenship questions