States News
Federal and local law enforcement agencies have called the I-96 shootings a “top priority.” Only one motorist has been injured out of 24 incidents since mid-October. The shootings occurred along the I-96 corridor between Detroit and Lansing. The suspect is believed to be in his 30s, with close-shaven hair and a tattoo on the left side of his neck. He was reported to be driving a 10-year-old, dark-colored four-door sedan. While no one has been killed yet, Livingston county sheriff Bob Bezotte believes the shooter has an intention to kill. According to Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw, people should be alert, but also remain calm and carry on with business as usual. A multi-jurisdictional task force composed of local, state and federal agnencies, is investigating the shootings.The reward has been increased to $102,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individual.
National News
Hurricane Sandy has left more than 8.5 million homes and businesses without power and has caused at least 40 deaths in the U.S. so far. The effects of Sandy are affecting states as far inward as Wisconsin, causing a village along Lake Michigan to suggest evacuation of residents on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Michigan’s cargo shipping on the Great Lakes was brought to a halt due to waves up to 20 feet; power outages have numbered more than 150,000 throughout the state. The storm closed the New York Stock Exchange for two days, the first time it has happened since a blizzard in 1888. It also severely damaged the subway system, closing it down indefinitely. Atlantic City’s Boardwalk had several blocks destroyed from the storm. Sandy is weakening as it goes, but the total damage from the storm has yet to be determined.
International News
A little over a year since the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs, a yacht he commissioned was launched Tuesday, Oct. 30 in Aalsmeer, Netherlands. French product designer Philippe Starck helped on the design of the yacht, named Venus, featuring his minimalist style. Starck said the shape is derived from design ideas he and Jobs shared. It was created with aluminum, stretching 260 feet long and features 10 foot high windows. Starck said Apple had no involvement in the project. However, it has met some criticism, as some critics have been skeptical about its seafaring capability. Starck responded to the criticism, saying it was “stupid” and that the yacht is “one of the best boats ever made.”
Weird News
Hundreds of military, law enforcement and medical personnel will have a new spin on their emergency response training. A simulated zombie invasion will be used to help prepare them for real world crises. The scenario involves a VIP and his personal detail being trapped in a zombie-infested village when a bomb explodes. The team must help the wounded VIP move through the town while dodging attacks and firing at zombies. Some of the team members will also be bitten by the zombies and must be taken in for decontamination. “No one knows what the zombies will do in our scenario, but quite frankly no one knows what a terrorist will do,” Barker said, president of Halo Corp, the security firm hosting the event as part of a five-day counterterrorism summit.
