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Showing posts from January, 2023

South Dakota tribe: Storm deaths 'could have been prevented'

A Native American tribe in South Dakota says several of its members died when December storms buried their reservation in snow and left them stranded Honor Beauvais’ every breath was a battle as a snowstorm battered the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. The asthmatic 12-year-old's worried aunt and uncle begged for help clearing a path to their cattle ranch near the community of Two Strike as his condition worsened, his fragile lungs fighting a massive infection. But when an ambulance finally managed to get through, Honor's uncle already was performing CPR, said his grandmother, Rose Cordier-Beauvais. Honor, whose Lakota name is Yuonihan Ihanble, was pronounced dead last month at the Indian Health Service’s hospital on the reservation, one of six deaths that tribal leaders say "could have been prevented" if not for a series of systemic failures. Targets of the frustration include Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, the U.S. Congress, the Indian Health Service and eve

There have been more mass shootings than days in 2023, database shows

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The Gun Violence Archive shows that there have been more mass shootings than days in 2023 so far. Less than one month into 2023, the United States has totaled 36 mass shootings , according to the Gun Violence Archive. Mass shootings are defined as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed, according to the archive. The vast majority of shootings this year have occurred in the South, in states like Texas, Florida and Louisiana. Though mass shootings don’t make up the majority of gun violence incidents in America, their impact on communities and victims is evident. Incidents like the mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, continue to send cities into mourning and have sparked repeated calls for gun reform. The Gun Violence Archive tracked more than 647 mass shootings in 2022 and 690 in 2021. At this time last year, the country had experienced 27 mass shootings. Two police vehicles are seen near a building where a shooting occurred in Monterey Park, Ca

Uvalde educator falsely accused of leaving door open shares her journey to healing

Marin was the employee initially blamed for propping open the door at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that allowed the killer to enter. The accusation was wrong. Seven months after she was working at a Texas elementary school the day a shooter killed 19 students and two teachers, Emilia "Amy" Marin sat down one Tuesday afternoon to read dozens of letters that had arrived from all over the country. "I saw your story," one said, "and knew immediately I needed to reach out." "You are an inspiration to me for finding your voice, speaking out with the truth," read another. "I know you will recover." Marin was the school employee initially blamed for propping open the door at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that allowed the killer to enter. The accusation was wrong. ABC News' recent interview with Marin airs Monday on "Good Morning America," which starts at 7 a.m. ET. In October, Marin told her story to ABC New

Searchers seek 2nd hiker in area where Julian Sands missing

Rescue personnel in California say they have launched a search for a second hiker on the same snow-covered mountain where actor Julian Sands is missing SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Rescue personnel in California have launched a search for a second hiker on the same snow-covered mountain where actor Julian Sands is missing . The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that its search and rescue team received a request Sunday to search for a 75-year-old Los Angeles man on 10,064-foot (3,068-meter) Mt. Baldy. Jin Chung, of North Hollywood, was last seen around 6 a.m. on Sunday, the sheriff's department said. Chung carpooled to the mountain with two others and made plans to meet them at the vehicle at 2 p.m., but Chung did not return, authorities said. Ground crews searched unsuccessfully for Chung after he was reported missing . The sheriff's department said rescuers unsuccessfully continued searching for Sands on Mt. Baldy over the weekend. "Helicopters and dro

Howard University becomes first HBCU to partner with the Pentagon

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Howard University becomes the first Historically Black University to partner with the Pentagon for military technology research featuring a 5-year, $90 million contract. Howard University becomes the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to partner with the Pentagon for military technology research featuring a five-year, $90 million contract. The research center is the first Department of Defense university research center sponsored by the Air Force and will focus on tactical autonomy, according to president of Howard University Wayne A.I. Frederick. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is joined on stage by United States Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III and Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick during an event to announce that Howard University has been awarded $90 million in funding for a University Affiliated Research Center Consortium at Founders Library at Howard University, Jan. 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Matt McClain/The Washington Pos

4.2 magnitude earthquake strikes near Malibu, California

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Malibu, California, at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, officials said. A 4.2 magnitude earth quake struck off the coast of Malibu, California, at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, U.S. Geological Survey officials said. The quake was "too small" to trigger alerts to local cellphones, the USGS said on Twitter. The quake 's center was about 10 miles south of Malibu Beach, according to preliminary USGS data. "We know some of you felt shaking and we hope you took a protective action like Drop, Cover, and Hold On," officials said. The Los Angeles Fire Department said in an alert that it had entered into "Earthquake Mode," adding that all 106 stations across the city would begin surveying for damage. "This survey will be conducted from the ground, air and sea," the alert said. "Once this process is complete and reports are consolidated, assuming there is no significant damage, Earth quake mode will be

1 dead, 7 injured in Oakland shooting in California's 3rd mass shooting in 3 days

At least one person is dead and seven more people have been injured in a shooting in Oakland, California, on Monday night. At least one person is dead and seven more people have were injured in a shooting in Oakland, California, on Monday night. The shooting -- which comes only hours after the one in Half Moon Bay, California, where at least seven people were killed -- took place at approximately 6 p.m. local time in the 5900 block of Macarthur Blvd, according to a statement from the Oakland Police Department (OPD). MORE: Half Moon Bay mass shooting live updates: 7 people killed, suspect in custody “OPD officers were dispatched to the area to investigate a ShotSpotter activation,” the statement read. “During the course of the investigation, officers learned there was a shooting between several individuals. Officers arrived on scene and located several casings but did not locate any victims on scene.” It was shortly after that the OPD Communications Division began receiving notifica

What we know about the Georgia 2020 election investigation

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A judge will hear arguments Tuesday on whether to release the report submitted by the Georgia grand jury investigating interference in the 2020 presidential election. After months of testimony, a special grand jury seated in Atlanta last year as part of a probe into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election has submitted its final report detailing its findings, marking a significant milestone in one of several criminal investigations targeting the former president. Though the special grand jury does not have the ability to return an indictment, it can make recommendations concerning criminal prosecution -- which could then be brought by an additional grand jury. On Tuesday, the judge overseeing the case is scheduled to hear arguments over whether or not to make the report public, with the central question remaining: Did the grand jury recommend criminal charges for Donald Trump and his allies? MORE: Fulton County grand jury sub

Indigenous tribe's name to be restored to Connecticut river under proposed bill

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A Connecticut state representative wants to honor the Pequot tribe by restoring their name to the Thames River. A state representative wants to restore a piece of Connecticut's pre-colonial history to one of its major rivers. State Rep. Anthony Nolan introduced a bill this week in the state that would restore the Thames River to the Pequot River, named after the tribe that lived on the land for thousands of years. Nolan told ABC News that his bill came as a request from constituents who were seeking more ways to honor the history of the state's Indigenous population in a bold way. In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, French submarine FNS Amethyste (S605) transits the Thames River in preparation to arrive at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Sept. 1, 2021. Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy via AP, FILE "It think it's a big step forward. It's an opportunity to see a visual of what they had," Nolan told ABC News. &

Elizabeth Holmes bought one-way ticket to Mexico, prosecutors say

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Prosecutors have alleged that Elizabeth Holmes bought a one-way ticket to Mexico after her fraud conviction. A new court filing by the U.S. government opposing Elizabeth Holmes’ motion for release pending appeal shows that Holmes bought a one-way ticket to Mexico set to leave weeks after her fraud conviction. Holmes, founder of the shuttered blood testing company Theranos, was convicted on Jan. 3, 2022, on four counts of wire fraud for defrauding investors out of millions of dollars. She was acquitted on four other charges and a mistrial was declared in three other charges. Holmes was sentenced last November to over 11 years in prison and has appealed that decision. In response to her motion for release, prosecutors said in their filing Thursday that she purchased an airline ticket to Mexico scheduled to leave shortly after being convicted last January with no scheduled return. Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, Nov. 18, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images MOR

How amateur web sleuths helped solve the case of missing lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare

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In 2009, a web forum began digging for info on a missing lottery winner. A new show features the case and others solved with the help of amateur sleuths online. Florida resident Abraham Shakespeare went from rags to riches after winning $30 million in the lottery in 2006. The newfound fortune brought the 40-year-old from Lakeland out of poverty and allowed him to give back to his community, but he started to feel burdened by the number of people who came to him expecting a piece of the pie, according to Shakespeare's friend Greg Smith and others who knew Shakespeare. Greg Smith, a friend of Abraham Shakespeare who worked as an informant with police, is shown during an interview in the first episode of "Web of Death" airing on Hulu. Courtesy ABC News Studios "When Abraham first won that money, it wasn't only Abraham Shakespeare. It was the community won the lottery," Smith said. So when Shakespeare went missing three years later, it didn't take long for