A jury found Colin Gray guilty of murder and other charges related to a school shooting in Georgia, where his teenage son allegedly killed four people. Prosecutors argued that Gray ignored warnings about his son's violent intentions and could have stopped the attack. This case is one of the few in the US where a parent has been held legally responsible for a mass shooting carried out by their child.
Key Facts
Colin Gray has been found guilty in connection to a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of four people: two students and two teachers.
Gray's 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, is accused of carrying out the shooting.
Prosecutors said Gray ignored warnings and gave his son a rifle, despite knowing his son's violent tendencies.
This is the third case in the US where a parent has been criminally prosecuted for a child's mass shooting.
A similar case occurred in Michigan, where parents were sentenced for their role in a school shooting.
The FBI had previously investigated Colt Gray due to online threats but found no grounds for arrest at the time.
An Ohio Republican senator, Louis Blessing, proposed a plan to tax only land value instead of the structures on it. This proposal comes amid high property taxes in Ohio, which have been rising significantly. The plan suggests a constitutional amendment and seeks to simplify how taxes are imposed, potentially relieving homeowners' financial burden.
Key Facts
Ohio Senator Louis Blessing proposed taxing land value, not property structures.
The proposal is called Senate Joint Resolution 7.
Property taxes in Ohio increased by 23% from 2019 to 2023.
The resolution aims to amend Article XII of the Ohio Constitution.
Ohio is the eighth highest in the U.S. for property tax burden.
Governor Mike DeWine rejected previous similar proposals from other Republican lawmakers.
There is a volunteer effort, AxOHTax, aiming to abolish property taxes.
A supermajority in both legislative chambers is needed for the proposal to proceed to voters.
The Florida House passed a bill to eliminate most homestead property taxes. The proposal needs approval from the Florida Senate and voters to become law. The bill could reduce homeowners' costs but may affect local government funding.
Key Facts
The Florida House passed House Joint Resolution 203 (HJR 203), aiming to cut most homestead property taxes.
The Senate received the bill but may propose a different measure.
The proposal would eliminate non-school taxes for properties with a homestead exemption.
The bill prevents cutting funds for public safety services like police and fire departments.
If passed, tax exemptions start January 1, 2027, increasing by $100,000 annually until fully phased in.
Critics say the proposal could reduce local government funding by over $13.3 billion annually.
Supporters believe it could save homeowners thousands of dollars.
To appear on the ballot, the Senate must approve by March 13 and three-fifths must vote in favor.
Colin Gray, the father of a student accused of a high school shooting in Georgia, has been found guilty of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors argued that he gave his son access to a gun despite warnings about his son's behavior.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in September 2024 at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
Colin Gray was found guilty of second-degree murder of two students and involuntary manslaughter of two teachers.
His son, Colt Gray, is accused of planning and carrying out the shooting.
Prosecutors stated Colin Gray gave his son access to a gun and ammunition, knowing he showed signs of being dangerous.
Colt Gray was 14 years old at the time of the shooting and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The incident involved a semiautomatic, assault-style rifle that Colt Gray took to the school.
Colin Gray was aware of his son's fascination with school shooters and mental health issues.
A status hearing for Colt Gray is scheduled for mid-March.
During a Senate testimony, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was questioned by Senator John Kennedy. Kennedy criticized her for spending over $200 million on TV ads, which he suggested could put President Donald Trump in a difficult situation.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem is the Homeland Security Secretary.
Senator John Kennedy questioned her during a Senate testimony.
Kennedy is concerned about the $200 million spent on TV ads by Noem's department.
Kennedy mentioned this spending might cause issues for President Trump.
This was Noem's first Capitol Hill appearance since protests in Minneapolis led to increased attention on deportation efforts.
The concern is that budget-focused officials might push back against such spending.
Social Security is making a big change this month by moving from local offices to a national system to handle appointments and questions. This affects over 70 million Americans who rely on Social Security for their basic needs. The change aims to improve service with technology but may lead to delays.
Key Facts
Social Security will now use a national system for customer service, no longer relying on local field offices.
The change starts on March 7 and intends to improve service using technology.
Concerns exist that the national system might not handle state-specific questions well.
Over 70 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits for essential needs.
The shift comes after job cuts at the SSA and aims to reduce the number of field office visits.
SSA plans to use AI and automation to support the new system.
Staffing shortages and long phone wait times are currently an issue.
In-person visits might still be quick, but appointments could be harder to get.
The article discusses the increase of gout, a form of arthritis, in the United States. Gout affects millions and is linked to factors like diet and chronic health conditions. Experts recommend lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and exercise to manage and prevent gout.
Key Facts
Gout is a type of arthritis that causes pain, often in the big toe, due to uric acid build-up.
Uric acid forms when the body breaks down purines found in certain foods and drinks.
Gout was historically seen as a disease of wealth but is now common due to various health factors.
The prevalence of gout in the U.S. has risen 20% since 1990, with around 12.1 million affected.
Risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
Men are more likely to develop gout than women, but the risk for women increases after menopause.
Lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, staying active, and hydration can help reduce gout risk.
Gout cases are expected to rise as the population ages and chronic diseases are more common.
Recently, Democrats have been mostly united against President Donald Trump's approach to immigration and other policies. This unity is important as they aim to win more seats in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Democrats have been largely unified in opposing President Trump's immigration policies.
Two U.S. citizens were recently killed in Minneapolis, which has intensified criticism of Trump's policies.
Democrats are trying to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the next elections.
Criticism also targets Trump's economic policies and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
The focus on uniting against Trump's policies is crucial for Democrats looking to gain political power.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has reduced its backlog of disability claims by 30% since June 2024. Processing times for initial claims have improved, and the agency has implemented structural changes to enhance efficiency.
Key Facts
The SSA has decreased the backlog of initial disability claims from 1.27 million to 830,000.
The agency processed 2.3 million claims in the 2025 fiscal year, an increase of 10% from the previous year.
Average processing times for initial claims have reduced by about 45 days.
Hearing-level processing times have dropped to 265 days, the lowest in 20 years.
The SSA reorganized its disability adjudication process to streamline operations.
Medical files have been digitized to be searchable on computers for easier processing.
The SSA laid off about 7,000 employees last year, affecting workload distribution.
The Social Security trust funds report predicts that retirement funds might run out by 2034.
Koikoi Trading Inc. recalled frozen fish balls due to undeclared wheat and sesame, which could cause serious allergic reactions. The FDA rated this recall as "Class I," indicating high risk. These fish balls were sold across various states, but no illnesses have been reported.
Key Facts
Koikoi Trading Inc. recalled Fu Zhou frozen fish balls due to undeclared allergens: wheat and sesame.
The FDA rated this as a "Class I" recall, its highest risk category.
The recalled fish balls come in three sizes: 200 grams, 400 grams, and 5 pounds.
These products were distributed to multiple states, including California, Texas, and New York.
As of January 28, no illnesses have been reported.
Customers are advised to stop using the products and contact the company for returns.
Many schools across the eastern United States have either closed or are starting late because of winter weather. The National Weather Service has issued warnings in several states as the weather could disrupt travel.
Key Facts
Schools in the eastern United States face closures or delays due to winter weather.
The affected states include Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather warnings in these states.
Some schools are switching to virtual learning to avoid disruption.
Winter weather warnings indicate conditions that can significantly disrupt daily activities and travel.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review President Donald Trump's petition related to the sexual abuse and defamation case involving E. Jean Carroll. In previous trials, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll a total of $88.3 million. The Supreme Court's decision could influence future legal cases involving public figures.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court will discuss President Trump's request to review the verdict of his sexual abuse case with E. Jean Carroll.
A jury found Trump liable for abusing and defaming Carroll in May 2023, ordering him to pay $5 million.
In January 2024, a second trial awarded Carroll an additional $83.3 million for Trump's defamatory comments.
Trump denies the allegations and seeks the Supreme Court's review after lower courts upheld the verdict.
The legal dispute involves a 1996 incident where Carroll accused Trump of assaulting her in a department store.
Trump's legal team argues that improper evidence was allowed in the trial, affecting the jury's decision.
The Supreme Court's response could impact legal standards for cases involving prominent individuals.
Trump's lawyers claim there is no physical or eyewitness evidence supporting Carroll's accusations.
Minnesota is suing President Donald Trump's administration to stop it from withholding $243 million in Medicaid funds. The state is concerned that cutting this funding could impact healthcare for low-income families. The administration claims that the funding is halted due to concerns about fraud.
Key Facts
Minnesota filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday.
The lawsuit aims to block the withholding of $243 million in Medicaid funds.
Medicaid provides health care for low-income individuals in the U.S.
The administration decided to halt some Medicaid funds to Minnesota over allegations of fraud.
Vice President JD Vance announced the temporary halt as part of efforts to stop misuse of public funds.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison stated his office has a record of addressing Medicaid fraud.
Ellison mentioned they have secured over 300 convictions and $80 million in restitutions related to fraud.
Ellison opposes the funding halt, stating it harms those needing affordable healthcare.
A nationwide recall of Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits was announced because pieces of soft plastic or paper might be mixed in the biscuits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified this as a Class II risk, meaning it could cause temporary health issues. Gerber is no longer using the supplier that provided the tainted flour.
Key Facts
Gerber Products Company recalled certain batches of Arrowroot Biscuits for possible contamination.
The contamination involves soft plastic or paper found in some biscuits.
The flour from a supplier caused this contamination.
The FDA gave the recall a Class II risk status.
About 258,474 cases of the biscuits are affected.
The biscuits were sold across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
No health problems have been reported from eating these biscuits so far.
Gerber stopped using the problematic flour supplier.
U.S. immigration services have raised fees for fast-tracked processing of certain visa and green card applications. The new fees began on March 1 and primarily affect employment-based petitions and some other categories.
Key Facts
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started new premium processing fees on March 1.
The fee for faster processing of employment visas and green cards is now $2,965.
Only employment-based petitions, not family-based green cards, are affected by the new fees.
Premium processing allows faster review but does not guarantee approval.
The fee for Form I-140 petitions, used for foreign workers seeking permanent residency, increased from $2,805 to $2,965.
The same fee increase affects many employment visa petitions filed using Form I-129, like H-1B visas.
Applications with outdated fees will be rejected, potentially causing delays.
Additional fee adjustments apply to other types of visas and work authorization applications.
Social media is widely used by teens in the U.S., and studies show it has both positive and negative effects on their mental health. Excessive use can lead to issues such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, but parents can help guide teens in healthier social media use. A U.S. advisory warns of the risks due to brain development changes during adolescence.
Key Facts
95% of U.S. teens use at least one social media platform.
Social media use is linked to mental health issues such as depression and sleep problems.
The U.S. Office of the Surgeon General issued a warning about these risks in 2023.
Teens' brains undergo significant changes between ages 10 and 18, increasing their vulnerability.
Problematic social media use can cause changes in brain areas linked to emotions and impulse control.
Cyberbullying on social media affects up to 40% of teens.
Social media can contribute to issues like body dysmorphia and eating disorders.
Parents can support teens by discussing mental health and setting digital boundaries.
Virginia lawmakers are considering a proposal to raise their salaries by 178%, increasing from $18,000 to $50,000. This change would start in January 2028 but needs approval from both the House and Senate, and ultimately from Governor Abigail Spanberger.
Key Facts
Virginia lawmakers might get a pay raise from $18,000 to $50,000.
The proposal is part of a budget amendment that Democratic lawmakers support.
The pay raise would begin in January 2028, after the next General Assembly election.
The increase would require $2.13 million in the second year of the budget cycle.
Current legislator pay includes daily allowances and additional payments for certain duties.
Supporters say higher pay could allow more diverse people to take office, not just the wealthy.
Critics argue the raise contradicts efforts to keep costs affordable for families.
The Senate’s budget proposal also includes other financial changes like tax rebates, funding for Medicaid, and teacher pay raises.
Two federal judges criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for not following court orders related to the detention and transfer of immigration detainees. In New Jersey, ICE was accused of repeatedly violating court orders, and in Texas, a judge ruled that ICE must give a detained person a bond hearing or release them.
Key Facts
Federal judges in both New Jersey and Texas criticized ICE for not following court orders.
In New Jersey, Judge Michael Farbiarz found ICE and the Department of Justice violated court orders many times.
These violations involved transferring detainees against court rules.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moved a person, Baljinder Kumar, to Texas against a court injunction.
More than 50 court order violations occurred in about 10 weeks in New Jersey.
A federal judge in Texas ordered ICE to hold a bond hearing or release a detainee named Victor Zamudio Sanchez.
The judge in Texas stated detaining Sanchez for eight months without a hearing violated his legal rights.
Police identified Ndiaga Diagne as the suspect in a mass shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas. Diagne was shot by police, and the incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism. Three people died, and more than a dozen were injured in the shooting.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas.
Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old, was identified as the shooter and was killed by police.
Authorities are investigating the shooting as a potential terrorist act.
Three people were killed, and over a dozen were injured.
Diagne was a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal.
He previously held legal resident status in the U.S. since 2006.
Diagne legally acquired the guns used in the attack.
Investigators have not yet determined the motive for the shooting.
The betting markets suggest that James Talarico is more likely to win the Texas Democratic Senate primary against Jasmine Crockett. Participants in prediction markets are favoring Talarico with a high chance of victory as Texans vote. The primary outcome is important as it could affect the political balance in the U.S. Senate.
Key Facts
James Talarico is currently leading in betting markets against Jasmine Crockett in the Texas Democratic Senate primary.
On Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based platform, Talarico has an 85% chance of winning.
On Kalshi, another prediction market, Talarico has an 84% chance of winning.
The combined trading volume on these platforms is over $9 million, showing high interest.
Only Talarico and Crockett are seen as serious contenders, with other candidates having less than 1% chances.
Prediction markets are not polls but are used to gauge the likelihood of outcomes based on trading.
Texas voters are currently casting ballots, and a runoff will occur if no candidate gets over 50% of the vote.
The primary is significant because Republicans hold a slight majority in the Senate, and Democrats see Texas as a potential opportunity even though it leans Republican.
