Shooting at Maryland Rite Aid, 4 dead including shooter
On the morning of Thursday, Sept. 20, three people were shot and killed, before the shooter turned the gun on herself, at a Rite Aid Center in Aberdeen, Maryland. The suspect was 26 year old Snochia Moseley, who was a temporary employee at that location. A couple of minutes after she arrived at work, the police were notified about the shooting. Two of the victims died at the scene and the third died at the hospital. Three other people were also shot by Moseley, but they are expected to survive. Moseley died at a nearby hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Hartford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler has confirmed that Moseley used a legally purchased 9mm Glock pistol and brought several magazines with her.
Judge Brett Kavanaugh accused of sexual assault, controversy stalls Supreme Court confirmation process
On Sunday, Sept. 16, psychology professor at Palo Alto University, Christine Blasey Ford, made public accusations against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Ford claims to have been sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh while a friend of his, Mark Judge, watched at a party 35 years ago when they were in high school. While the Supreme Court pick has denied the allegations, Senate Republicans have called for both Kavanaugh and Ford to testify at a hearing. On Thursday Sept. 20, Ford’s lawyers, Debra Katz and Lisa Banks presented the conditions under which she would be able to testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Meanwhile, on that same day, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll was released, revealing that 34 percent of registered voters support his confirmation, 38 percent oppose [his confirmation], and more than 25 percent do not know enough to make a judgement.
Amazon announces new series of Alexa devices
On Thursday, Sept. 20, Amazon unveiled new hardware and software at its Seattle headquarters. The hardware announced featured redesigns as well as brand new products centered around smart home technology. The redesigns include the Amazon Echo dot, Echo Plus and Echo Show. Presented for the first time were the Amazon Echo Input, Echo sub, Echo Link and Link Amp, Amazon Smart Plug, AmazonBasics Microwave, Amazon Echo Wall Clock, Ring Stick Up Cam, Amazon Fire TV Recast and the Amazon Echo Auto. As for software, Alexa will now have Whisper Mode, Routines, Hunches, stereo pairing, the Alexa Connect Kit, Amazon Wi-Fi Simple Setup, Alexa Guard, Alexa doorbell API and a Smart Screen SDK. All of the products are currently available for pre-order and most will be available in October 2018.
California limits use of plastic straws in restaurants
On Thursday, Sept. 20, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill to reduce ocean waste and limit the use of plastic straws in California. Formally known as Assembly Bill 1884, full service restaurants will be limited to giving out single-use plastic straws only upon request of customers; fast-food restaurants are exempted. Restaurants that violate the law could become liable to be fined $25 per day and up to $300 annually. In his signing message, Governor Brown mentioned how plastic waste endangers marine life and that “plastics in all forms— straws, bottles, packaging, bags, etc.— are choking our planet.” The new law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019.
