Local
Local community leader found shot to death
70-year-old Atlanta city executive, neighborhood president, and civic leader, Barney Simms was found shot to death in his yard, in southwest Atlanta, on Saturday. Police reported he has a single gunshot wound on his head, his door was unlocked, and his Lexus was missing, according to AJC. There have been no suspects arrested, but the car was found in East Point after midnight. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots at 4 p.m. As chairman of Atlanta Victim Assistance, president of his neighborhood, former professor at Perimeter, his sudden departure has left the community he has touched in turmoil.
National
Violent teacher caught on cam
After a violent video went viral on the Internet, a Texas teacher is now facing misdemeanor assault charges. The twelve-second video shows Ozen High School teacher Mary Hastings, mocking and hitting a student. As soon as the video was released, Hastings was escorted out of campus grounds and later arrested. While the video is being investigated, Hastings is on paid administrative leave. According to KFDM.com, employees and students that have worked with Hastings were shocked and said the depicted actions were very “unlike her”.
International
Firework display leads to 100 dead
A firework display in Kerala, India took a turn for the worse, killing 100 and injuring over 300 people. City officials had denied access to a firework display near the temple, but a fire was allegedly started when a spark struck the firework storage. According to the AJC, there were multiple people, including officials from the temple which was holding the festival. Many of the people were killed from a nearby building that collapsed due to the fire, and others were trampled or suffocated as people were fleeing the scene. The chief minister of Kerala assured there will be an investigation and a judicial inquiry.
