February 14 top stories
It is February 14. Here are today’s top stories.
Mass shooting at Michigan State University
On Monday night there was a mass shooting at Michigan State University in Lansing. Three students were killed and five students were seriously wounded.
Police said the gunman is a 43-year-old man named Anthony McRae. He shot up a classroom during an evening class, killing two students. He then went to a student union building and opened fire, killing the third student.
Students who survived the shooting said in interviews that the gunman opened a back classroom door and shot at students in their backsides and then left. Students then escaped by breaking a window and jumping out.
Campus police quickly released an image of the gunman and received a tip that helped them to find him. Police said when they confronted him, he shot himself. McRae has no affiliation with MSU — he is neither a student nor a staffer. He lived in a home in Lansing. Police said he had a two-page note in his backpack referencing other shootings and that he may have wanted to go to New Jersey to carry out shootings at two schools.
As of this afternoon, police identified two of the victims as Alexandria Verner, a junior, and Brian Fraser, a sophomore. The third victim’s identity is withheld at the request of their family’s wishes.
Five of the injured students are still in a hospital in critical condition. Doctors at a hospital in Lansing said four of them required surgery when they arrived last night.
MSU’s president said classes will be canceled for the rest of the week.
The Detroit News reported that McRae was convicted of multiple gun-related crimes in 2019 and was under probation for a time. His father said he became bitter, isolated, and “evil angry” after his mother died two years ago and would stay isolated in his room often. His father said he doesn’t know what happened to make him turn like this.
Ohio residents worried about toxic train spill
A freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio on February 3 and authorities decided to release the chemicals from the trains and burn them to avoid a potential explosion.
Local residents were evacuated. Authorities said it is safe to return after doing tests of air quality samples. But residents said they are very concerned about their safety.
NBC News reported that authorities said an estimated 3,500 small fish that lived in several miles of streams died due to the chemical spill. A person that lives near the train derailment site said her five hens and a rooster died suddenly. Another person said they are having a persistent cough and refusing to drink tap water, preferring to only drink bottled water.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has tested the indoor air in 210 homes near the derailment site and has not detected toxic chemicals.
An expert told NBC News that a major concern is the potential for new and unknown chemicals in the air because the toxic materials were burned up. Other concerns are the impact on the water table (underwater water) in the area.
There will be an emergency council meeting in East Palestine on Wednesday to listen to community members’ concerns.
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Sen. Dianne Feinstein not running for reelection
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein from California announced she will not run for reelection after she finishes her term in 2025. She is 89 years old and has been in the Senate since 1992.
There are two people that have already announced they would run to fill her seat — Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.
Air India orders 470 new aircraft
Air India, a major airliner in India, is ordering 470 new aircraft, which is a record in the aviation industry. The orders are for Europe’s Airbus to deliver 250 planes and for the US’ Boeing to deliver 220 jets.
BBC said the first aircraft will go into service at the end of the year. Air India has a goal of becoming a world-class airline. BBC said air travel in India is strong because of an expanding middle class and a fast-growing economy.
President Biden said the orders would support over a million jobs in the US.
Inflation up 6.4% in January
Data from the federal government shows that inflation is still rising with prices in January up 6.4% compared with a year earlier. The New York Times said inflation is slowing from a painful 2022 peak but it is still “uncomfortably rapid” and stubbornly pushing prices higher.
Normally, prices increase by about 2 percent every year. Analysts said it could take some time to go back to that normal 2 percent rate.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/michigan-state-university-shooting-updates-2-14-23/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64639663
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/14/business/economy/january-cpi-inflation-report.html