'Active shooter' incidents on the rise

The number of incidents in which a shooter opens fire on a crowd of people more than doubled over the past seven years compared with the previous seven, the FBI found in a study made public Wednesday.The Federal Bureau of Investigation analyzed 160 "active shooter" incidents from 2000 through 2013 to look for common elements that might guide law enforcement officers in preventing the shootings or responding more effectively.

The study found an average of six incidents per year from 2000 through 2006. The number rose to 16 incidents annually in the past seven years. The 160 incidents studied began with the Dec. 26, 2000, shooting at Edgewater Technology in Wakefield, Mass., when Michael McDermott, 42, armed with several weapons, shot seven of his co-workers to death. Police found him sitting in a conference room. Researchers also examined the shootings at Case Western Reserve University, ConAgra, Red Lake High School, Fort Hood, Virginia Tech, the U.S. Holocaust Museum and Sandy Hook Elementary School, among others.

The FBI study defined "active shooters" as a person or people "actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people" in a "populated area." That is different from mass shooting incidents, which include any shooting in which more than three people are killed. It also excluded domestic violence and drug and gang-related violence. Of the 160 incidents studied, 64 fit the federal definition of mass killing.


Active shooter story from USA Today

7-year-old takes mom's SUV on a joyride

Winona, Minnesota, police say a 7-year-old boy took a joyride in his mom's SUV.  Police were called Monday morning on a report of an erratic driver in a Chevrolet Traverse. The driver was going slowly and weaving.  Officers arrived to see the SUV slowly moving in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Police found the boy in the backseat of the locked vehicle after he apparently moved from the driver's seat.  Officers persuaded the boy to unlock the doors. He led officers to his apartment, where his mother said she had fallen asleep and her son had discovered the car keys.

The Winona Daily News (http://bit.ly/1sWHELH ) reports the boy was not hurt and the SUV was not damaged. No charges are planned, but the case was referred to community services.

Star Tribune story

Spanking isn't child abuse; it's common sense--Ruben Navarrette

In Navarrette's blog, he suggests that parents use spanking as an acceptable form of punishment.  In order to gain respect, he says, children need to fear some kind of consequences for bad behavior.  He says that American parents have lost control of their children because they don't have any consequences that they fear for breaking the rules.  He suggests that this practice is harming children because parents are neglecting their responsibility to raise responsible, respectful adults.  He also says there must be rules to spanking: no foreign objects, just the palm of your hand; one swat, through clothes, not bare skin; and never hit a child in anger.

Spanking story, CNN.com

Installing security checkpoints around White House under discussion

After a security breach on Friday, experts are suggesting that the White House and Secret Service agents need more vigilance about intruders.  On Friday, a 42-year-old military veteran jumped the White House fence and made it to the front door of the White House before Secret Service agents apprehended him.  The White House has heavy surveillance at all times, so authorities are questioning how someone was able to break through and enter restricted areas.  The intruder was armed with a knife, but agents reported that he did not appear to be a threat and that he also appeared mentally unstable.  Less than 24 hours after this incident, another person refused to leave the White House gate area and had to be detained for questioning.  The two incidents did not appear to be related. 

CBS News story

Scotland votes NO to independence

In a historic vote yesterday, Scottish citizens voted no in a 55%-45% margin to leave the United Kingdom.  After weeks of buildup the country decided to reject ending their 307 year union with England. Glasgow citizens voted mostly in favor of independence, while the remainder of the country favored remaining in an alliance with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The ballot referendum had a record 85% voter turnout, and the results of the voting calmed investors and stock markets around the world.

Solar flare headed for Earth

 A Solar flare is headed for Earth.  The huge eruption of electromagnetic particles occurred Wednesday, and scientists predicted it could have serious impacts on satellites that provide cellphone service, for example.  The ejection of energy is not unusual, but the flare that happened on Wednesday was on the large end of the energy scale.  One positive effect of the activity is a more pronounced view of the shimmering Aurora Borealis, or  Northern Lights.