Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw is appearing before a Senate panel to answer questions about the February 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and discuss the safety measures and financial assistance available for those affected. These measures include increasing the number of trackside detectors and committing $20 million to families and first responders. The hearing is part of an ongoing effort to ensure railroads are taking all necessary steps to prevent similar accidents.
News Mash
Norfolk Southern Railway CEO Alan Shaw is set to appear before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to address the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which caused a toxic chemical spill and evacuation of the area. Shaw has expressed regret for the incident and promised to make it right, but the hearing is sure to be tense as the company faces scrutiny for its safety record and donations to members of the committee.
JPMorgan Chase has filed a lawsuit against former executive Jes Staley, alleging that he aided in hiding Jeffrey Epstein's sex abuse and trafficking in order to keep him as a client, and is seeking to force Staley to repay his compensation and punitive damages for his "intentional and outrageous conduct". The lawsuit is the latest development in the ongoing investigation into Epstein's activities and the role of those who enabled him, and it is unclear if Staley will face criminal charges.
Chaim Topol, an iconic Israeli actor best known for his role as Tevye in the musical "Fiddler on the Roof," passed away in Tel Aviv on March 9, 2021 at the age of 88. He was praised by Israel's leaders for his impact on Israeli culture and his ability to connect Israelis to their roots. Topol's career spanned over five decades, and he was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the 1971 film adaptation of "Fiddler on the Roof." He is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.
An empty coal train derailed in West Virginia on Wednesday morning after hitting a rockslide, resulting in a fire and non-life threatening injuries to the three crewmembers. One of the locomotives ended up partially in the waterway, spilling an unknown amount of diesel fuel and oil into the river. CSX is working with local emergency responders to assess the situation and clean up the spill, and is taking steps to ensure the safety of the crew and the public.
Nine people have been killed and millions left without power in Ukraine due to a series of attacks on the country's power infrastructure, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest atomic energy facility. The plant has been disconnected from Ukraine's power grid due to Russian shelling and is now being powered by emergency diesel generators, with enough diesel on site for 15 days of operation. The IAEA is monitoring the situation closely and providing updates as they become available.
Tacoma Police Department has arrested 53-year-old Shawn Kemp, a six-time NBA All-Star and Seattle Supersonics legend, in connection with a drive-by shooting near the Tacoma Mall. Officers responded to reports of shots fired in the parking lot and located the suspect who had fired off the shots. The altercation between the occupants of two cars had led to shots being fired, and one car fled the scene. Kemp was booked into jail and the charge listed is "drive-by shooting".
Millions of people in California and Nevada are under flood watches due to heavy precipitation and rapid snow melt below 5,000 feet. Downtown Fresno is forecast to get 3 inches of rain from Thursday evening to Saturday morning, and Terri Mejorado, the Fresno County Emergency Services Director, warned of the warm water on top of the snow causing it to melt. Residents are advised to take precautions and be aware of their surroundings as the storm is expected to last through the weekend.