A shooting at Florida State University resulted in at least six injuries, with one victim in critical condition and five others seriously injured. A suspect is in custody following the incident, which prompted a campus-wide lockdown and evacuation of students. Law enforcement responded swiftly, clearing buildings and escorting students to safety. The shooting occurred near the student union, and multiple agencies are investigating.
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), owner of Toby Carvery, apologized for felling a 500-year-old oak tree, stating that “protocols need tightening” following the incident. The tree, a nationally significant pedunculate oak, was cut down despite a planning document identifying it as a “fine specimen” and council assertions of its longevity. M&B’s CEO attributed the felling to “good faith” action based on expert advice, though he acknowledged this was an exceptional circumstance requiring a thorough review of the company’s procedures. Following the incident, Enfield Council reported the matter to the Met Police, which deemed it a civil matter.
Following an unauthorized disclosure investigation, two Pentagon officials, senior advisor Dan Caldwell and Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick, were placed on administrative leave. The investigation, prompted by a March memo from Hegseth’s chief of staff, involves potential leaks of classified information. Caldwell is reportedly accused of sharing classified documents with journalists, and the probe follows reports of Hegseth’s involvement in communications regarding military actions. Further personnel actions are under consideration.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is surging in Louisiana and across the US, with cases reaching a decade-high. Two infant deaths in Louisiana highlight the severity of the illness, particularly for unvaccinated infants. Experts attribute the increase to waning vaccine immunity and declining vaccination rates, coupled with reduced access to healthcare in some areas. Urgent calls for vaccination, including prenatal vaccination and “cocooning” of infants’ households, aim to mitigate the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.
Cristina Balan, a former Tesla engineer, has won a significant legal victory in her long-running defamation case against the company and Elon Musk. A California appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that dismissed her claim, finding the lower court lacked jurisdiction. This decision effectively reopens Balan’s case, allowing her to pursue her claims in open court against Musk and Tesla. Balan intends to proceed with a new lawsuit, seeking to clear her name after being accused of embezzlement following her reporting of a safety concern.
During a press conference, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made inaccurate and insensitive claims about autistic individuals’ inability to contribute to society. This follows a CDC report showing an increase in autism diagnoses, which the CDC attributes to improved diagnostic methods, not a rise in prevalence. Kennedy Jr. plans to investigate what he terms an “epidemic,” despite existing medical consensus. His remarks disregard the wide spectrum of autism and the capabilities of many autistic individuals.
Thirty-nine-year-old actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* and *Gossip Girl*, passed away in February in her New York City apartment. The New York City medical examiner’s office determined her death was a natural result of complications from diabetes. No autopsy was conducted, but toxicology reports confirmed the cause of death. Trachtenberg was found unresponsive in her home.
Congestion pricing in Manhattan has successfully reduced daily vehicle entries by an average of 82,000, a 13% decrease. This reduction, increasing monthly, is attributed to the $9 toll implemented to fund $15 billion in transit improvements. Despite this success, the program faces threats from the federal government, which seeks its termination by April 20 and threatens to withhold crucial federal funding. The MTA is contesting this order in court, with a decision expected no sooner than October.
Facing a significant funding freeze, Harvard University researchers are exploring drastic cost-cutting measures. These measures may include staff layoffs and, regrettably, the euthanasia of research animals. The severity of the funding shortfall necessitates these difficult decisions to maintain essential operations. The university is actively seeking alternative funding sources to mitigate the need for such actions.
Following disputes with Playa Del Carmen officials who denied involvement, Fyre Festival 2, organized by Billy McFarland, has been postponed and relocated. Organizers cited the Mexican government’s actions as dishonest and stated the festival will proceed at an unspecified new location. Ticket holders will receive full refunds due to the venue change. This follows the highly publicized failure of the original Fyre Festival in 2017, which resulted in McFarland’s conviction for fraud.
John Q. Hosedrinker