Your cheat sheet to today’s news. #TheShortList
A newly released surveillance video shows former sheriff’s deputy Scot Peterson outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the Parkland, Fla., shooting that killed 17. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office released the video Thursday and identified Peterson in the footage, saying that it “speaks for itself.” A man is seen running towards a school building at 2:23 p.m., when the initial 911 calls came in, and then stands outside for several minutes. Following the shooting, Peterson was under investigation for his response but decided to resign. Sheriff Scott Israel made it clear that Peterson should have gone into the school, and President Trump had said Peterson was either a “coward” or froze under pressure.
A pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami collapsed Thursday, crushing at least eight vehicles, officials said. Miami-Dade Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp said there were a number of fatalities. The main part of the 950-ton, $14.2 million structure was installed Saturday and spanned 174 feet. The bridge was scheduled to open in early 2019 to provide access to the university over a highway.
This is a developing story: Check back for continuing coverage.
It’s the best time of year for college basketball fans, as the NCAA tournament kicked off with 16 games Thursday. And one of the top first-round matchups didn’t disappoint — No. 7 seed Rhode Island knocked off No. 10 Oklahoma and freshman star Trae Young in overtime, 83-78. It was a disappointing end to a thrilling start for Young, who was thrust into the spotlight for his Steph Curry moves and 40-point scoring performances early in the season. Young finished with 28 points for the Sooners, while the Rams’ E. C. Matthews had 16. A breakout star from the game was Fatts Russell, partially because of his 15 points off the bench and partly because of his incredible name.
More on the NCAA tournament:
The Trump administration on Thursday sanctioned a number of Russian entities for bad behavior — including attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. But a closer look at the list shows that the move is largely symbolic. Many targets were already on U. S. sanctions lists, including Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the Russian oligarch known as “Putin’s chef.” Also identified for repeat sanctions: his two companies. They join the Internet Research Agency and 12 others indicted by a grand jury last month as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia.
But wait, there’s more: Although the sanctions had been in the works for weeks, the timing comes just as the U. S. condemned Russia for its use of a nerve agent to poison a double agent in the United Kingdom, signing on to a joint statement as a show of solidarity with European allies.
It’s not all fun and games for Toys R Us, as the once superstore chain filed for liquidation Thursday. This move will likely lead to the closure of all its U. S. stores, including Babies R Us locations. If you’ve got a gift card for either, spend it soon. The company filed for bankruptcy reorganization late last year, but poor holiday sales, continued heavy debt and competition from online retailers have taken a toll. “I am devastated that we have reached this point,” CEO Dave Brandon said in a speech at company headquarters, according to a recording reviewed by USA TODAY Network’s The Record. Take a look at the rise and fall of the nation’s top toy chain.
