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Puerto Rico's infrastructure still recovering from Hurricane Maria seven years after the Category 4 storm devastated the island
Puerto Rico is still recovering from Hurricane Maria -- nearly seven years after the powerful Category 4 storm caused extensive damage to the island's already delicate infrastructure. September marks National Preparedness Month and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month -- stark reminders of the work that remains to be done on the island, especially as climate change could lead to more rapidly intensifying hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin. Getting Puerto Rico to the necessary storm preparedness is about "justice and fairness" in protecting a unique culture and heritage that belongs to the United States, Jorge Gonzalez-Cruz, professor at the University of Albany's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center who has researched urban energy sustainability in Puerto Rico, told ABC News. "We are U.S. citizens and deserve the best possible opportunity to develop and grow and have a sense of well-being and prosperity," said Gonzalez-Cruz, who was born and raised on the island.
Instagram imposes new restrictions for teens. Will they work?
Instagram this week unveiled mandatory accounts for teens that bolster privacy protections, enable parental supervision, and restrict notifications during overnight hours. New and existing users under the age of 18 will be automatically enrolled in what Instagram is calling "Teen Accounts," the company said. The move comes 16 months after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned in an advisory that excessive social media could pose a “profound risk” to the mental health of children. Instagram also has faced pressure from some federal and state lawmakers seeking to regulate social media use among children and teens. Experts who spoke to ABC News differed about whether Meta's new restrictions for teen users would effectively mitigate the risks that young Instagram users face.
Body discovered near site of Kentucky interstate shooting believed to be suspect: Police
Kentucky State Police announced Wednesday night that the body discovered in the woods earlier in the day not far from where the I-75 shootings took place is believed to be suspect Joseph Couch. "There were articles associated with the body that at this time we feel is Joseph Couch," an official said at an evening news conference. The coroner's office will make a final determination, officials said. Troopers and two citizens found the body together in the vicinity of exit 49 in Laurel County, according to the authorities.
Ex-officer cross-examined in trial of Tyre Nichols' beating death
A former Memphis police officer who pleaded guilty to charges connected to the beating death of Tyre Nichols faced cross-examination from defense attorneys Wednesday. Emmitt Martin III testified at the trial of the three former officers -- Justin Smith, Tadarrius Bean and Demetrius Haley -- who were charged on Sept. 12, 2023, with violating Nichols' civil rights through excessive use of force, unlawful assault, failing to intervene in the assault and failing to render medical aid. These charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The officers have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Stephen Leffler, Haley's attorney, mentioned that the boots of the ex-officers involved in the encounter were taken into evidence after the incident, according to WATN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Memphis covering the case in the courtroom. Martin said that blood was found on his and Haley's shoes. Martin Zummach, Young's lawyer, claimed that the no-snitch rule the former officer's unit followed didn't apply to Smith or Bean because they had only worked 11 shifts with Martin. The ex-officer disagreed and said the rule was understood by Smith and Bean as well.
Sean Combs bail request denied, will stay in Brooklyn jail, not Miami mansion
Sean Combs has asked a judge to allow him to wait for his sex trafficking trial, not in the Brooklyn jail where he is currently being held. Instead, he wants to be allowed to stay at his Florida mansion near Miami Beach.
Dozens injured after wagon overturns at Wisconsin apple orchard: Authorities
More than two dozen people were injured, including three critically, after a wagon overturned at an apple orchard in Wisconsin, authorities said. The incident was reported Wednesday morning at Bushel and a Peck Apple Orchard in Chippewa Falls. Elementary school-age children, parents and other chaperones were on a field trip at the time and were on a wagon ride, according to Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes. A tractor was pulling two wagons at a "low speed" on a public road when the accident occurred, Hakes said.
Firefighters nearing victory in battle against 3 massive wildfires near Los Angeles
Firefighters are nearing victory in the battles against three major wildfires near Los Angeles that have burned more than 117,000 acres, destroyed nearly 200 structures and injured 23 people, officials said. More than 8,000 firefighters combating the Bridge, Line and Airport fires, all burning within 70 miles of each other, have significantly increased containment lines around the blazes while taking advantage of cooler weather in Southern California over the past week, officials said. The biggest fire, the Bridge Fire, had charred 54,795 acres as of Wednesday after igniting Sept. 8 in the Angeles National Forest, 31 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The blaze was 37% contained on Wednesday, Cal Fire said. "Conditions were calm last night as firefighters continued their diligent work in strengthening containment lines and validating their progress," Cal Fire said in an updated statement on the Bridge Fire Wednesday, adding that firefighting helicopters were not needed overnight.
Dozens injured in accident involving wagons at apple orchard: Authorities
More than two dozen people were injured in a tractor accident at an apple orchard in Wisconsin, authorities said. The incident was reported Wednesday morning at Bushel and a Peck Apple Orchard in Chippewa Falls. Emergency personnel were dispatched for a "tractor accident involving two hay wagons with kids and adults," Chippewa Fire District Deputy Chief Cory Jeffers told reporters. The fire department activated its mass casualty protocol so that outside agencies could help respond to the incident, Jeffers said. One helicopter from the Mayo Clinic was called in, he said.
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for 1st time since 2020
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate a half of a percentage point on Wednesday in a landmark decision that dials back its years-long fight against inflation and could deliver relief for borrowers saddled with high costs. The central bank’s first rate cut since 2020 came after a recent stretch of data had established the key conditions for a rate cut: falling inflation and slowing job gains. In theory, lower interest rates help stimulate economic activity and boost employment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 200 points in the immediate aftermath of the announcement on Wednesday afternoon. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also climbed following the news.
Family members found shot to death at their Vermont home in triple homicide: Police
A man, his wife and her 13-year-old son were found shot to death at their Vermont home, state police said, with authorities looking for a suspect. Officers responded to a report of a "suspicious person" early Sunday, Vermont State Police said. The investigation led them to a home in the town of Pawlet, where they found the three victims dead, police said. State police identified the victims on Tuesday as Brian Crossman Sr., 46, who was a Pawlet government official; his wife, Erica Crossman, 41; and her son and his stepson, Colin Taft, 13. All three died from gunshot wounds and their deaths have been ruled as homicides by the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, state police said. Brian Crossman was shot in the head and torso, Erica Crossman was shot in the head and her son had multiple gunshot wounds, state police said.
Kilauea volcano erupting in remote area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, one of the most active in the world, is erupting again, prompting a volcano watch alert in surrounding areas, according to officials. The eruption is occurring within a remote area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Lava began flowing from a new fissure vent that opened from east to west within the volcano's Nāpau Crater early Tuesday morning, the USGS said. Several lava fountains about 32 feet high and pools of lava on the floor of the crater were observed by helicopters flying over the eruption Tuesday morning.
Baltimore bridge collapse: DOJ sues owner, manager of cargo ship for $100M
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of the Dali, the cargo ship that crashed into a support column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, killing six members of a road work crew.
Fed cuts interest rates a half point in landmark policy shift
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate a half of a percentage point on Wednesday in a landmark decision that dials back its years-long fight against inflation and could deliver relief for borrowers saddled with high costs. The central bank’s first rate cut since 2020 came after a recent stretch of data had established the key conditions for a rate cut: falling inflation and slowing job gains. In theory, lower interest rates help stimulate economic activity and boost employment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 200 points in the immediate aftermath of the announcement on Wednesday afternoon. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also climbed following the news.
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