Downtown Seattle Shooting Kills 1, Injures 7

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, a shooting took place in downtown Seattle. One woman was killed and seven people were injured at 3rd Street and Pine after several people got into a fight. One suspect, Jamel Jackson, was wounded in the shootout, and was arrested at the scene. The other two suspects are still wanted by police. At a press conference, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said the two suspects have extensive criminal histories and gang connections and were known to the Seattle Police Department (SPD). SPD increased their presence downtown after this shooting and two others occurred over just 24 hours and within blocks of each other. SPD tweeted the names and mugshots of the two remaining suspects Marquise Latrelle Tolbert (age 24, 6’1” 200 lbs) and William Ray Tolliver age 24, 6’0” 145 lbs) and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.

Southern Puerto Rico Hit by 5.0 Earthquake

A 5.0 magnitude earthquake hit southern Puerto Rico on Saturday, Jan. 25, and although it hit at a shallow depth, concern is growing for the region and their infrastructure. Everyday for the last month, the area has been hit by small tremors. The quake occurred at a depth of eight miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, around the town of Guayanilla, near the epicenters of most of the recent earthquakes. This most recent quake came just a day after people evacuated the earthquake shelters that have been flooding due to heavy rains in the area, leaving them uninhabitable. With repeating storms in recent years, Puerto Rico’s infrastructure has taken a toll repeatedly.

Bill to Allow Religious-based Adoption Agencies to Deny services to LGBTQ Families Signed by Tennessee Governor

Governor Bill Lee signed a bill concerning the rights of adoption agencies to deny services to anyone, including LGBTQ families. This bill was signed into law on Friday, Jan. 24, and passed the Tennessee state Senate with a 20 to 6 majority. Five members were present but abstained from voting and Lee promised to sign the bill once it hit his desk. “This bill is centered around protecting the religious liberty of Tennesseans and that’s why he signed it,” a spokesman for Governor Lee said. This law also protects these adoption agencies from being sued or facing retaliation in the event that they do deny an application.

Deadly Coronavirus Outbreak

In China, a newly identified coronavirus has been spreading, and has now been found in several other countries. The total number of deaths in China has now reached more than 100. Only three of the deaths have been outside of Wuhan where the outbreak originated. 1,400 people in China have been infected. Infections have also been reported in Australia, France and the U.S, along with seven Asian countries. Coronavirus can cause respiratory issues and can present as the common cold, making this outbreak even more worrisome this cold season as its symptoms appear similar to pneumonia. On Jan. 21, the first infection in the U.S was found outside of Seattle, WA. The infected man had recently traveled from Wuhan. The Center for Disease Control is investigating more than 60 people in 22 states for a possible infection. The Chinese government has stopped most of the travel from Wuhan as well as 12 neighboring cities in an attempt to “lockdown” the virus. However, the damage may already be done as the virus has already been found internationally and millions left Wuhan before it was locked down.

Trump’s Defense Lawyers Seek Acquittal on all Charges of Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress

President Donald Trump is now being tried in the Senate after being impeached last month by the House on charges of abuse of office and obstruction of congress. President Trump’s lawyers now have the floor of the U.S Senate, and they are trying to push the Republican-led chamber to an acquittal of all charges. They began their arguments on Saturday, Jan. 25 and finished on Jan. 28. The Washington Post reported that they expect the arguments to insist Trump did nothing wrong when he asked for the investigation of political rival Joe Biden on behalf of Ukraine. It is rumored and expected that they will try to paint Trump as a victim, one tormented and afflicted by his political rivals and prosecutors, those who are apparently determined to reverse the last election and make sure he loses the next. Acquittal will occur if all vote in accordance with their party lines as the Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the senate.

Kobe Bryant and Daughter Gianna Among Those Killed in Helicopter Crash

Kobe Bryant and his daughter were two out of nine individuals who were tragically killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, Jan. 26. Bryant and his daughter were headed to a travel basketball game according to sources. The other victims include; baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; mother and daughter Sarah and Payton Chester; Mamba Academy basketball coach Christina Mauser; and pilot Ara Zobayan. The helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the hills above Calbasas, and the crash was reported by mountain bikers in the area around ten o’clock. Officials have reported that firefighters were able to extinguish the flames and are working on preserving evidence for investigators, and a team is being sent by The National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the crash of the Sikorsky S-76B.

Emma may be reached at [email protected]