Hundreds of abuse claims, mostly against priests
Hundreds of sex abuse claims flooded New York while an Iowa congressman credited rape for the world's population. Plus: The Dayton shooter's family described him as "funny" and "intelligent" — then regretted it. It's Wednesday. Here's what to know.
But first, breaking: At least six Philadelphia police officers were injured in an active shooter frenzy Wednesday, authorities said. Follow the developing story.
New York gives child sex abuse victims a year to file suit
Thousands who were molested or sexually abused as children have waited for years – in many cases, for decades – for their day in court. That day has arrived in New York. A one-year, one-time-only period opened Wednesday in which victims can file claims against their abusers as part of the Child Victims Act, regardless of how long ago the abuse took place. The day began with a stunning barrage of lawsuits – 385 were filed by noon. The allegations span decades:
The majority of filings name Catholic priests as the abusers and seek damages from the dioceses and parishes in which the offenses allegedly occurred.
The Boy Scouts of America was named in at least four suits.
Rockefeller University, where Reginald Archibald is accused of abusing hundreds of boys, was named in two.
Another suit was filed against the estate of financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail last weekend, and his onetime girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
If not for rape and incest, 'would there be any population left?'
Iowa Rep. Steve King said Wednesday that humanity might not exist if not for rape and incest throughout history. "What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled out anyone who was a product of rape or incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?" King, a Republican, told a crowd in his home state. The congressman was discussing his defense of not allowing exceptions for rape and incest in the anti-abortion legislation he tried to pass in Congress.
A glowing obituary for a shooter gets pulled
The family of the young gunman in Dayton, Ohio, who killed nine people including his sister, removed an obituary that described him warmly from a funeral home website and apologized Wednesday for being insensitive. "In their grief, they presented the son that they knew which in no way reduces the horror of his last act," the gunman’s parents, who wrote the obituary, said in a statement. "We are deeply sorry." The obituary described the 24-year-old as a "funny” and “intelligent man” with “a kind smile," according to reports. The gunman was shot to death by police after killing nine people and injuring 17 in Dayton's Oregon District on Aug. 4.
What everyone’s talking about
The black hole at the center of our galaxy just lit up twice as bright as ever (watch it!). Astronomers aren't sure why.
Imagine a penguin, but human-sized. Scientists say this "monster" penguin once swam the oceans.
Mike Tyson says he smokes around $40K of weed a month at his ranch. That's a lot of weed.
Also: Pregnant women smoking weed is far more common and concerning than many realize
Tracking your health on an Apple Watch or Fitbit? Your doctor doesn't care.
More than 7,000 Americans have gender X IDs, a victory for transgender rights. Is it a safety risk, too?
A Florida woman sued American Airlines, claiming she and her emotional support dog were mistreated.
A$AP Rocky was found guilty of assault
Rapper A$AP Rocky was found guilty of assault Wednesday over a street brawl in Stockholm, but he will not serve jail time. The courts said that Rocky and his two bodyguards “were not in a situation” in which they were entitled to self-defense in the altercation June 30 and that they “assaulted the victim by hitting and kicking him.” The three face no prison sentence in Sweden unless they commit a similar offense in the country. Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, pleaded self-defense and said he tried to avoid a confrontation. The case sparked national attention and efforts from Kanye West, who enlisted President Donald Trump to free the rapper from Swedish custody.
Real quick
"Something out of a horror movie": A man saved a family of four during a wolf attack.
"Political rhetoric and misinformation" was blamed after shots were fired at a San Antonio ICE office.
The Dominican resort where a U.S. woman said she was beaten unconscious is temporarily closing.
More than 90,000 signed a petition to rename the street before Trump Tower after former President Barack Obama.
The Southwest is sizzling: Here's where it is expected to hit 115 or more.
"Life is about to get even better": Model Ashley Graham is pregnant with her first child.
A bad day for stocks and hints of a recession
Stocks plunged big-time Wednesday after the bond market signaled that a recession may be coming. Bad economic news abroad added to rising fears of a global slowdown. Millions of Americans still haven't recovered from the Great Recession (2008-09). Many never will. Whether a financial crisis is coming in hot or not, here’s what you can do – starting today – to make sure you're as prepared as possible for the next recession.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A$AP Rocky, recession alarms, Child Victims Act: Wednesday’s news
