Well Panthers, it has been a great (and full 180-day) year. So, while you are saying tearful goodbyes to seniors, making summer plans, and lamenting that we still have exams next week, check out the final KICs for the 2021-2022 school year. This week we have, Ukrainian soldiers retreating into Russian territory, Hispanics with chest pain waiting longer in Atlanta emergency rooms, three hospitalized and one dead after an accident at a Georgia park, investigators looking into the Buffalo shooter’s internet history, and 10,000 troops staying in Russia. 

May 16 – Ukrainian forces retreat into Russian held territory

During the ongoing war in Ukraine, hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers previously barricaded in a steel plant to avoid Russian shells have now been evacuated to Russian held territory in eastern Ukraine.

Extraction from the site was organized by Ukrainian officials and the United Nations, as well as several other agencies. Over 260 soldiers were evacuated to the Russian controlled parts of Ukraine, although it is unclear whether or not they were taken prisoner but were returned home after an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.

While soldiers have been removed, hundreds still remain inside the steel plant, and have been there for more than 80 days. Extraction attempts will continue.

May 17 – Hispanics with chest pain waited longer than others in Atlanta ER 

In a recent study, the American Heart Association found out that Hispanic people went to the emergency room with chest pains and had to wait longer to be treated compared to other people. The study’s goal was to examine the issue as chest pain identifies barriers to cardiovascular disease treatment or prevention. 

Analysts looked at over 11,000 medical records of people going to the ER. The data revealed that Hispanics had to wait 99 minutes compared to others only having to wait 71 minutes. 

It was also discovered that Hispanics were admitted from the ER to the hospital more than non-Hispanics. Other discoveries found that less than 5% of people who arrived in the ER are complaining of chest pain. 

May 18 – Incident at Georgia Park leaves one dead, three hospitalized

At a Georgia park three family members went into the water for a swim, and a 17-year-old died. Two additional family members were hospitalized and are still recovering. According to the sheriff’s office Alex Mendoza, 28, Laura Yesseria, 23, and Betty Gisselle Rivera, 17, all got swapped under the water. 

People visiting the public park heard calls for help and people jumped in the water to help. Helpful citizens pulled Alex Mendoza and Laura Yesseria out of the water, and found Betty Gisselle further down in the river. Macon-Bibb County firefighters helped pull Betty Gisselle out and started performing CPR, but were not successful. 

Soon after the tragedy Alex Mendoza and Laura Yesseria were taken to the hospital where they were stable, along with one man who was helping the family. The incident is still under investigation. Police are reminding everyone who goes in the river to wear life jackets for their safety.

May 19 – Investigators dive into Buffalo shooter’s social media

Shortly before killing 13 people in the fatal Buffalo shooting, the suspected shooter sent out an invitation to a small group of people to view his chat logs. His posts were accessible by members who accepted the invite. However, discord removed the server and its content after immediate news of the shooting. 

Payton Gedron, the suspected shooter, was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday. The Erie County grand jury voted for an indictment, but the grand jury has not yet completed the investigation. In the discord chat logs, authorities learned that Gedron had visited the site of the shooting multiple times prior to the May 14 shooting, learned its layout, and took note of how many black and white people shopped there during his visits.  

Gedron pleaded not guilty to a charge of first degree murder, which covers two or more murders in Buffalo, and more charges are expected. Gedron is accused of driving 200 miles away to kill 10 people, and wound 13. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a hate crime, given 11 of the 13 people shot were black.

May 20 – U.S. officials say 10,000 troops will stay in Russia

For the foreseeable future, 10,000 U.S. troops will remain stationed in Europe unless Russia escalates their threats to Sweden, Finland, or other NATO members. The numbers may already increase due to higher NATO involvement and the U.S. could add more bases if needed.

The U.S. increased its force in Europe from about 60,000 troops before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to about 100,000, all to support NATO and deter Russia. The U.S. added thousands of troops in Europe on temporary rotations, and also sent billions of dollars in military assistance to Ukraine, alongside NATO allies.

However, the Pentagon recently announced replacement troops for those temporary rotations, signaling the increased U.S. presence across seas will maintain. They also announced that approximately 10,500 U.S. Army personnel would be deployed to Europe in the next few weeks. As Sweden and Finland are poised to join NATO, U.S. officials do not believe any more additional forces will be needed unless Russia poses a threat to the two countries.