The small town of Schoharie in upstate New York is in shock after 20 people were killed in a limousine accident on Saturday including the driver, all 17 passengers and two pedestrians. The New York Times has reported that this is the “deadliest U.S. accident in 9 years.” The limousine was seen speeding down a dangerous hill, failing to stop at an intersection. It then veered off the road and collided with an empty vehicle. The passengers were all family and friends on their way to a birthday celebration at a local brewery. The crash is still under investigation, but it has since been reported that the limo had previously failed a safety inspection. One of the passengers had texted that the limo was in “terrible condition” and the driver of the limo had previously been caught dealing drugs.
Hurricane Michael has made landfall on the Florida Panhandle as a powerful category four storm. Most weather reports this week were calling for it to reach a category three before making landfall, but due to warm temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, the storm strengthened quickly, beyond what was predicted. Florida’s Governor Rick Scott told CBS News that this will likely go down as “the most destructive storm to hit the Florida panhandle in decades.” Florida and Alabama have declared a state of emergency, and residents along the coast have been issued mandatory evacuations due to the storm surge expected to reach up to 14 feet.
Local News-
A man suspected of DWI is expected to be arraigned in court after reportedly causing a fatal accident in Providence on Monday. WPRI reported that Brian Pagan Torres was driving a landscaping truck when he T-boned a sedan at the intersection of Atwells Avenue and Valley Street at 12:30 a.m. The driver of the sedan was killed, and the passenger critically injured. The victims’ families claim they were friends and were heading home after the Columbus Day festival that took place on Sunday.
Nordstrom is closing its store in the Providence Place mall. The announcement first came Tuesday, and WJAR reports that the store will remain open until Jan. 4 before shutting down. President of Nordstrom stores, Jamie Nordstrom, explained in a press release that the reason for closing this location was a matter of efficiency and that the company was simply not profiting from staying there. Nordstrom is one of three “anchor” stores at Providence Place along with Macy’s and JC Penney.
National News-
U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has resigned. President Trump announced Tuesday that Haley will be leaving by the end of the year. CNN is reporting that the announcement has come as a surprise to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and many other cabinet members. It has also been reported that Haley has requested time off from President Trump before, but that was six months ago. As a result, some are questioning Haley’s timing. After his announcement, Trump seemed to have nothing else to say but praise for Haley. “She’s done a fantastic job,” he said. Many are now urging Haley to run for president in 2020, but she has already affirmed that she has no intentions of running.
Brett Kavanaugh has been approved by the Senate to become a Supreme Court justice despite the sexual assault allegations against him. The final confirmation vote was a close 50-48. Kavanaugh was sworn in by President Trump over the weekend.
International News-
Turkish investigators are searching for evidence in the case of a missing journalist feared dead from Saudi Arabia named Jamal Khashoggi. The Washington Post reported that he was last seen on Oct. 2 in Istanbul, Turkey after arriving at the consulate where he was ordered to give up his phone. Investigators currently believe that he was killed right after he entered the consulate by several Saudi operatives who flew into Turkey and left again only hours after Khashoggi’s disappearance. The New York Times claims that one is a chief of forensic evidence, another is in the Saudi special forces, and two more are members of the Saudi royal guard. Investigators believe they have enough evidence to prove that Khashoggi has been assassinated, but Saudi Arabia has still denied this. If Khashoggi is not found, BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins fears that this could lead to an even more strained relationship between Britain and Saudi Arabia.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis for a visit. This has come as a surprise to many, as North Korea is known to rule out any practice of religion, and is not known to have any working permanent priests in the country. ABC News reports that South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver the official invitation on his next trip to Europe. He is scheduled to arrive at the Vatican on Oct. 17.