U.S.Associated PressSheriff: Girl shoots 3 at Idaho school; teacher disarms her
A sixth-grade girl brought a gun to her Idaho middle school, shot and wounded two students and a custodian and then was disarmed by a teacher Thursday, authorities said. Jefferson County Sheriff Steve Anderson says the girl pulled a handgun from her backpack and fired multiple rounds inside and outside Rigby Middle School in the small city of Rigby, about 95 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Yellowstone National Park. A female teacher disarmed the girl and held her until law enforcement arrived and took her into custody, authorities said, without giving other details.
- WorldReuters
Taliban capture northern Afghan district amid surge in violence
Taliban insurgents captured a district in northern Afghanistan, forcing government troops to retreat to the provincial capital amid a recent surge in violence, officials said on Wednesday. Fighting has escalated sharply in recent weeks, with Afghan officials saying the Taliban have stepped up their attacks since Washington announced plans last month to pull out all U.S. troops by Sept. 11. The militants seized the district of Barka in the northern province of Baghlan after hours of fighting with Afghan forces, who retreated to the main city, said Jawed Basharat, a spokesman for the provincial police.
U.S.Kansas City StarDad accused of fatally hitting son who ate his cheesecake pleads guilty in Wisconsin
A Wisconsin dad accused of fatally hitting his son for eating his cheesecake has pleaded guilty. Milwaukee resident Travis Stackhouse, 30, went to trial this week on charges of first-degree reckless homicide in the death, according to court records. Two days into the trial, he pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide, neglecting a child and child abuse.
PoliticsAxios"Greatest tool in the Democrats' arsenal": Pollster says Trump may cost GOP the House in 2022
Former Republican pollster Frank Luntz tells Kara Swisher on her New York Times podcast "Sway" that Donald Trump's lies about the 2020 election "could cost the Republicans the majority in the House in 2022." Why it matters: The former president is still the most popular figure in the Republican Party, but his baseless claims about the election have alienated moderates and key GOP leaders — including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). Luntz: "More than two-thirds of Republicans believe that the election was stolen."
WorldAssociated PressIraq pushes vaccine rollout amid widespread apathy, distrust
Iraq's vaccine roll-out had been faltering for weeks. Apathy, fear and rumors kept many from getting vaccinated despite a serious surge in coronavirus infections and calls by the government for people to register for shots. It took a populist Shiite cleric's public endorsement of vaccinations — and images of him getting the shot last week — to turn things around.
WorldBBCCovid: US backs waiver on vaccine patents to boost supply
The US has thrown its support behind a move at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily lift patent protections for coronavirus vaccines. Advocates of the move say it would increase global vaccine production, but drugs manufacturers argue it will not have the desired effect. The decision by US President Joe Biden comes amid pressure from Democrats in his party to remove patent protections.
U.S.NBC NewsSecret Service agents driving Trump around hospital during Covid stay needed full protective gear
Two Secret Service agents who rode with President Donald Trump as he drove around Walter Reed National Military Medical Center while he was hospitalized with Covid-19 last year needed to wear full medical protective gear, the agency's director said Thursday. Secret Service Director James Murray said in a budget hearing with the House Appropriations subcommittee on homeland security that Trump's desire to be seen outside the hospital in October where he could wave to supporters "was extensively discussed” with doctors beforehand.
U.S.TheGrioMaryland woman accused of setting house on fire, watching it burn from lawn chair
Gail J. Metwally has been charged with first and second degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, first-degree assault and more. A woman in Maryland has been charged with multiple crimes after allegedly setting her house on fire and watching it burn down. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's office, Gail J. Metwally has been charged with first and second degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, first-degree assault, two counts of malicious burning first degree, two counts of malicious destruction of property, and two counts of reckless endangerment.
- CelebrityFox News
Bill and Melinda Gates divorce is ‘not a friendly split,’ sources allege: 'A long time in the making'
Melinda, 56, allegedly rented Calivigny Island in Grenada for $132,000 a night to escape the media scrutiny. The outlet claimed that while there are still "outstanding issues that couldn't be resolved at the time of the trip," Melinda went anyway. The former couple announced they are divorcing but would keep working together at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundations in the world.
U.S.AccuWeatherPotent storm to bring big changes to Pacific Northwest
A big change in the weather will soon unfold across the Pacific Northwest thanks to the presence of an approaching storm system in the Pacific. For example, Portland, Oregon, recorded a high temperature of 82 degrees; normally, the city only reaches 67 degrees on May 5. The cold front and storm creating this wet weather will continue to sweep through the Northwest Thursday night and into the northern Rockies on Friday.
PoliticsThe GuardianI watched Arizona’s unprecedented election audit – here’s what’s happening
Maricopa county has already conducted multiple audits of the 2020 race and confirmed the results. The firm hired by the GOP-controlled Arizona senate has little experience in election audits, and experts are deeply concerned its methodology is unreliable and will only lead to more doubt about the results of the 2020 race in Arizona. The effort also appears to be receiving considerable outside funding from Trump allies who tried to assist in his efforts to overthrow the election results.
PoliticsBusiness InsiderThe guy who crowdfunded $25 million to build Trump's border wall just got indicted on tax-fraud charges
Brian Kolfage, who founded "We Build the Wall" with Steve Bannon, was indicted in a new tax case. Trump pardoned Bannon before he left office but didn't pardon Kolfage. Brian Kolfage - the cofounder of a failed crowdfunding effort to build a wall along the US-Mexico border with Steve Bannon - is facing a new tax case after being indicted on federal fraud charges last year.
WorldArchitectural Digest9 Sleeper Sofas That’ll Make You Want to Hit Snooze (in a Good Way)
From reclining futons to pull-out beds, these double-duty pieces often get a bad rep Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
ScienceReutersSpaceX Starship rocket prototype achieves first safe landing
SpaceX achieved the first successful touchdown of its prototype Starship rocket during the latest test flight of the next-generation launch vehicle in south Texas on Wednesday, after four previous landing attempts ended in explosions. The feat marked a key milestone for the private rocket company of billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk in its development of a resusable heavy-lift launch vehicle to eventually carry astronauts and large cargo payloads to the moon and Mars. The Starship SN15 blasted off from the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, along the Gulf Coast and reached its planned maximum altitude of 10 kilometers (6 miles), then hovered momentarily before flying nose-down under aerodynamic control back toward Earth.
U.S.INSIDERJosh Duggar's internet usage was sent to his wife to track his porn habit, feds say
Duggar's computer had "accountability software" that sent internet usage reports to his wife, Anna. According to a federal agent, the software, Covenant Eyes, was registered to both Duggar and Anna. Josh Duggar, who's been charged with receiving and possessing child pornography, had an "accountability software" installed on his computer that monitored his internet usage and sent it to his wife, a federal agent testified in a detention hearing on Wednesday.
WorldThe TelegraphWe made huge efforts to protect Meghan Markle’s privacy, says former press secretary
The Duchess of Sussex's former press secretary has insisted he led "extensive efforts" to protect her privacy and reputation during her time as a working member of the Royal Family. Jason Knauf appeared to question Meghan's claim that she was "unprotected" by Kensington Palace staff, stating that he "regularly" objected to coverage deemed "unfair or untrue". In a letter sent to the Mail on Sunday's solicitors in connection with her legal battle against the newspaper, Mr Knauf said he also "made significant efforts over many months" to advise and support her father, Thomas Markle, and protect him from media intrusion.
- PoliticsYahoo News Video
Psaki responds after McConnell' says '100% of focus' from GOP is on stopping Biden
At a White House press briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded to a question about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's claim that the Republican Party is united against President Biden's administration.
U.S.Business InsiderRudy Giuliani has reportedly shed his entourage and hired a part-time driver to cut costs as his legal fees mount
Rudy Giuliani has reportedly sacked most of his entourage to cut costs as his legal troubles - and fees - mount. Politico reported that Giuliani fired as many as five people since the FBI raided his properties. Rudy Giuliani has drastically reduced the size of his entourage and reportedly fired as many as five people since the FBI raided his properties last week, Politico reported.
BusinessCharlotte ObserverPublix to open another store in south Charlotte as grocers battle for market share
Publix has signed on for another store in south Charlotte, as the battle for the local grocery market share flares. The Florida-based grocer signed a lease at Publix at Arboretum, at the southeast corner of Providence and Pineville-Matthews Roads, company spokeswoman Kimberly Reynolds told the Observer on Thursday. The announcement comes as several other grocery stores are expanding their reach in Charlotte, from newcomer Farmstead to longtime regional grocer Food Lion.
U.S.Raleigh News and ObserverNC issues alert for tool containing radioactive material that was stolen in Durham
North Carolina officials are searching for a tool with radioactive materials that was stolen Thursday in Durham, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported. If mishandled or broken open, the gauge poses a potential health and safety risk, DHHS's Radiation Protection Section said in a news release. The tool was clearly marked as containing radioactive materials, which is uses to test conditions of materials during construction.
LifestyleArchitectural Digest27 College Graduation Gifts They'll Need (and Actually Want) This Year
Uncertain times call for gifts you know they'll love Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
LifestyleTODAYTikToker goes viral for showing mold under the icing on her Starbucks cake pop
A TikTok user's video of a moldy Starbucks cake pop is going viral and grossing out social media users everywhere. The video posted by Taylor Boullard, who goes by username @teabezel28 on TikTok, has been viewed more than eight million times in just four days and shows the inside of a cake pop from the coffee chain's bakery. Underneath the colorful frosting and sprinkles, you see the vanilla cake and what appears to be chocolate chips.
BusinessBBCLiberty steel owner in talks over £200m lifeline
The BBC understands that Sanjeev Gupta's beleaguered UK steel business may yet secure a £200m lifeline. The owner of Liberty Steel is in talks about a loan facility from California-based investment firm White Oak Global Advisors. Any loan would need the approval of Gupta Family Group's creditors which include Credit Suisse and Tata Steel.
U.S.The IndependentTwo Asian women attacked in broad daylight in San Francisco raises hate crime fears
Two Asian women were stabbed while waiting for a bus in downtown San Francisco in an attack which is suspected to be racially motivated. The attack took place in a busy street on Tuesday evening, the San Francisco Police Department said on Wednesday. Both women were senior citizens, with Chui Fong Eng aged 85 and the other woman, who has not been named, aged 63.
ScienceBusiness InsiderThe US is tracking an uncontrolled Chinese rocket traveling at 18,000 mph that is expected to crash down around May 8
US Space Command says it is watching fragments of a Chinese rocket expected to crash soon. The location of the debris will be known only "hours" before its reentry, Space Command said. The Pentagon has said it is tracking a chunk of a Chinese rocket that is expected to come back into the atmosphere in the coming days in an uncontrolled reentry.
“Every college has a public health responsibility to require its students to be vaccinated.”
“While the vast majority of students will likely get the vaccine, schools should honor the decisions of the few who object.”
“A vaccinated campus could be the step toward normality that college leaders are seeking.”
“College students are mobile and spread COVID-19 with them whenever they travel.”
“There almost certainly are going to be legal challenges because the anti-vaccine movement is already preparing for them.”