First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to more than 12,000 at UC Merced in the sweltering, 90-degree heat on Saturday, encouraging them to "dream big" and give back to their communities. Her speech is seen as a coming of age party for the small school, which just opened four years ago and is seeking funding to expand—but it also came with hassles. The school plunked down $700,000 for Jumbotrons and extra security, and attendees had to show up hours before her speech and wait in the shade-less amphitheater for security reasons. Eight people were hospitalized due to the heat and 80 others were treated on campus.
Read it at Los Angeles Times
