This week has got to be one of the most winningest. The Panther track team claimed two individual state championships and more than a few runner-ups. Boys lacrosse competed in a semifinal matchup versus Lovett, and baseball is in the final four of state playoffs. And your very own online newspaper has been named a Distinguished Site by SNO for the fourth year in a row, which calls for a catered breakfast from Mike & C’s next week. GO PANTHERS! This week’s news includes flooding in Africa, an Atlanta shooting, a car break-in suspect attempting to Uber away, climbers gone missing in Alaska, and a Trump-era Covid-19 policy ending.

May 8 – Flooding in Africa causes hundreds of casualties 

In Congo last week, there was a devastating storm that caused a lot of flooding in low-drainage areas. One of the most impacted areas was the villages in Kalehe. 

Over 400 deaths caused by the flood have been reported in Kalehe. Buildings were completely destroyed, leaving debris and mud everywhere, and affecting drinkable water. The government is funding medical and funeral costs.  

Those who were affected by the flood, will be transferred to a safer location, until it is safe to return. There was a similar flood back in 2020 that caused hundreds of deaths in the capital of  Kinshasa, and due to climate change and global warming, floods could keep devastating low-drainage areas. 

May 9 – Midtown Atlanta shooting raises debate over planned police training site

A shooter entered the Northside Medical Midtown practice last week and shot people in a waiting room. Deputy Chief of the Atlanta Police Department Prenzinna Spann briefed the Atlanta City Council about the mass shooting on Monday. 

Spann stated that firefighters entered the 11th floor to get a handle on the situation of injured victims after being their designated sight of the 911 operators on duty. The building was quickly locked down by officers while the location of the shooter was tracked down. The Council members thanked the 911 operators for their quick response and bravery in the situation.  

The shooter, Deion Patterson, was arrested a few hours later in Cobb County. A resident had spotted a man with Patterson’s description and called 911.

May 10 – Car break in suspect attempts to “Uber away” from arrest

On May 5, the Fayette County Sheriff’s department received a call about a car break-in. The homeowner who called gave video evidence, and the suspect was clearly seen riding by the area on a bike. 

Police were able to track him down on Hwy 74 and Sandy Creek Road. After he was apprehended by authorities, he attempted to get into an Uber and escape. When questioned, he said that he had initially driven into the area, but then his car had broken down. 

The suspect, Tyler Brady, was taken to Fayette County Jail and was charged with auto breaking and entering and had also been wanted for violation of probation on a burglary charge. 

May 11 – Two climbers have gone missing at Denali National Park

In Alaska there is an ongoing search and rescue effort for the two people that went missing while climbing at Denali National park and Preserve last week. They came in from Seattle and went missing on the peak, Moose’s Tooth, on Friday. 

The federal agency identified the missing climbers as 34-year-old Eli Michel and 32-year-old Nafiun Awal. Investigators believe that the climbers triggered a small avalanche while climbing the 10,300 foot peak and fell to the bottom of the slide path.

Search efforts began on Sunday after a concerned friend alerted park officials when the pair did not return after their climb. A ground search of the heavily crevassed glacier was conducted.

May 12 – Joe Biden attacked on both sides as Title 42 ends

Title 42, a Trump era Covid-19 policy preventing some aspects of border crossing, ends today. Tens of thousands of immigrants are expected to arrive in the United States in the following days as a result.

On a CNN Town Hall earlier in the week, former President Donald Trump attacked President Joe Biden for allowing the policy to fall. Trump cited the fact that America has enough problems already and cannot afford to take in more people. While many criticized Trump’s appearance on CNN, members from both parties agree that migration laws need to be updated.

Democrats are worried that their lack of action on the border might cost them votes. Title 42 ending is a significant benchmark in the American political landscape and will be a topic for discussion in the 2024 election.