Remembering Pearl Harbor, NAS Pensacola shooting: 5 things to know this weekend

Editors, USA TODAY

Investigators work at NAS Pensacola after deadly shooting

Authorities will resume their investigation Saturday after Friday's shooting left four people dead and eight others injured at Florida's Naval Air Station Pensacola. According to three sources, the suspected shooter has been identified as a member of the Saudi military. The air station is the primary training base for all U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard officers pursuing designation as Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers. Training international students is a core part of the base's mission, and NITC has several partnerships with the Royal Saudi Air Forces. President Donald Trump, who spoke with King Salman of Saudi Arabia shortly after the shooting, said the monarch called the attack "barbaric."

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Remembering Pearl Harbor 78 years later

On Saturday, Americans will mark the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The surprise raid on the major U.S. Navy base near Honolulu killed more than 2,400 Americans and, in short, brought the United States into World War II. The main ceremony, which will take place at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, will begin at 7:50 a.m. local time and a moment of silence will occur at 7:55 a.m., the time the attack began. Earlier this week, a U.S. Navy sailor shot three people and killed himself at Pearl Harbor, prompting the Navy to evaluate whether security should be upgraded around the shipyard ahead of the ceremony.

Victims of Black Hawk helicopter crash to be identified

An official confirmed the Minnesota National Guard plans to release the names of the three crew members who died in a helicopter crash on Saturday. The crew members aboard died in the crash Thursday south of St. Cloud, Minnesota, after an UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter took off shortly before 2 p.m. local time for what the Guard described as a "maintenance test flight." Nine minutes later, its crew issued a mayday call. Gov. Tim Walz ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the state beginning at 2:05 p.m. Friday until 2:05 p.m. Monday. The timing reflects the moment the Guard lost contact with the Black Hawk.

It's a championship weekend in college football

After months of speculation and debate about which teams will be in the College Football Playoff, we will finally get answers as all the top contenders are in action on championship weekend. The pivotal matchup takes place in the SEC championship game with No. 1 LSU and No. 4 Georgia meeting in Atlanta. If Georgia wins, the SEC likely will get two teams into the CFP. A Bulldogs loss opens the door for the winner of the Big 12 championship game between No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 7 Baylor to likely get a spot. No. 5 Utah had the inside track for a playoff spot until the Utes got blown out, 37-15, by No. 13 Oregon in the Pac 12 title game Friday night. . In the other Power 5 conference title games, No. 2 Ohio State plays No. 10 Wisconsin for the Big Ten title and No. 3 Clemson is a huge favorite in the ACC championship game against No. 22 Virginia.

Holiday shopping alert: Target's gift card sale is coming back

With gift cards being the most popular holiday gift, Sunday brings an opportunity to stock up and save money. For one-day-only, Dec. 8 shoppers can save 10% on Target gift card purchases up to $300 in stores and online. The minimum gift card purchase is $10, and the maximum is $300 with a $30 maximum discount per household. (The cards will be redeemable starting at 10 a.m. CT on Monday.) Target has another "HoliDeal" promotion this weekend: On Saturday and Sunday, you can get a free $10 gift card when spending $30 on beauty products.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pearl Harbor, NAS Pensacola shooting: 5 things to know this weekend