News Roundup 12/7/19 Cont.
Shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station
Soon after President Donald Trump made the decision to look over policies regarding foreign military training, a deadly shooting took place at a Naval Air Station located in Pensacola. Twenty-three year old Joshua Watson, a victim of the shooting, was the first to notify first responders of the shooting. Joshua’s older brother, Adam Watson, named his little brother a hero for his acts of bravery. President Trump has not stated whether or not he believes this shooting was related to terrorism. U.S. officials are currently investigating the matter as a means to uncover the motivation behind the shooting.
Source: AP News
Remembering Pearl Harbor
Thirty Pearl Harbor survivors gathered together, along with 2,000 members of the public, to honor the attack that took place on December 7, 1941. Herb Elfring, the last remaining survivor of his regiment, said that returning to Pearl Harbor reminded him of all the lives lost that day. Elfring was assigned to a unit that was a part of the California National Guard which was meant to monitor airfields in the area. The U.S. South Korea Ambassador, Harry Harris, stated that World War II was a major factor in leading to the freedoms the U.S. has today. At 7:55 am, the time the attack began back in 1941, a moment of silence was held to honor and remember those who lost their lives.
Source: AP News
California Representative Resigning
Duncan Hunter, who served California’s 50th District for eleven years, has announced his resignation due to pleading guilty to misusing donations made to his campaign. Upon the new year, his position as a California Representative for Congress will be open. Last year, Hunter and his wife, Margaret, were indicted for using over $250,000 of campaign donations for their own personal use. Hunter’s wife plead guilty earlier than him, causing her to testify against him in which she alluded to many affairs Hunter had in the past. Hunter attempted to fight the indictment, but he has since pleaded guilty along with his wife.
Source: NPR
Measles Outbreak in Samoa
A measles outbreak has spread across Samoa resulting in the deaths of roughly 63 people, a majority of them children. Authorities have since arrested a well known anti-vaccination activist among this tragedy. Officials of the Samoan government have claimed that anti-vaccination have made clearing the disease even harder and have charged Edwin Tamasese, the activist, with incitement against a government order. The measles is extremely contagious causing 4,300 people across the island to fall ill. Government officials have stated that over 20,000 have been given vaccines as a means to end the rising epidemic.
Source: NPR
Virginia Governor Takes Action Against Strip Searching Children
Ralph Northam, the Virginia Governor, announced on Friday that he will no longer permit the policy that allows prisons to strip search children while they are visiting. An 8-year-old girl, who wanted to visit her father in prison, was strip searched by officers upon entering the correctional facility. The officers who initiated the strip search intimidated the young girl, making her believe she would not be allowed to see her father if she did not comply. The girlfriend of the girl’s father was also pulled away to be searched by canines for contraband. Northam took to Twitter to speak out against the act and has promised an immediate investigation into the matter.
Source: NPR