Virginia Weapons Ban Shelved

Virginia's Democratic-controlled Senate voted 23-17 against an assault weapons ban proposed by Governor Ralph Northam, shelving the issue for a year while a study is conducted by the State Crime Commission. Four Democrats voted with Republicans against the measure.

Plymouth Rock Vandalized

Residents of Plymouth, MA, awoke Monday morning to find Plymouth Rock and two other local monuments vandalized with red graffiti. Authorities are unclear on who committed the crime, or whether it is tied to an upcoming April celebration of the 400-year anniversary of the Pilgrims reaching America.

History class reminder: Plymouth Rock is a monument highlighting the traditional site of disembarkation of the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in December 1620.

Historic Flooding In Jackson, MS

The Pearl River outside Jackson, MS, reached its highest levels in nearly four decades, flooding hundreds of roads and yards in the area. Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency on Saturday, saying the water is expected to flood 2,500 structures, including 1,000 homes.

More: The river is projected to reach its highest point sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Scouts On the Outs

The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection early Tuesday morning, automatically halting the hundreds of lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct by persons affiliated with the Boy Scouts. The organization is looking to use the bankruptcy process as a way to compensate victims while protecting the remaining 261 scout groups along with billions of dollars in assets.

Rocket Science

SpaceX successfully launched another 60 Starlink satellites into orbit using its Falcon 9 booster rocket, bumping its total number of satellites in space to 300. The company failed to land the booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic, but the rocket reportedly survived impact with the ocean and can be recovered.

Context: SpaceX’s ultimate goal for Starlink is to offer high-speed, affordable internet access via a network of 12,000 satellites orbiting the globe.

Got Milk?

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has agreed to buy Dean Foods, America’s largest milk producer, for $425 million. Under the terms of the deal, DFA would acquire Dean’s 44 facilities, along with liabilities and other assets, after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last November.

Last month, federal investigators launched an ongoing probe into the ramifications of a potential DFA acquisition.

It Takes A Village

2-year-old Samantha Savitz was born deaf and, until recently, the chatty young toddler didn’t have a lot of people in her Newton, CT community with whom she could converse.

Recognizing her struggle, 40 of Samantha’s adult neighbors decided to learn sign language to help her feel, grow, and learn.

Cool Under Pressure

When an electrical fire broke out in 5-year-old Noah Woods’ room, he and his 2-year-old sister were trapped, with flames blocking their exit through the doorway.

The resourceful young hero leaped into action, raising the alarm and guiding his sister and the family dog out the window.

Life Savings

IRS scammers are rampant this time of year, preying on the elderly and others who are misled to believe their fraudulent demands over the phone.

California cab driver Rabjir Singh recently saved a 92-year-old woman from one such dishonest scheme, literally as she was on her way to the bank to withdraw more than $25,000.