National
Norfolk Southern agrees to $600M settlement in fiery Ohio derailment
(AP) — Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay $600 million in a class-action lawsuit settlement related to a fiery train derailment in February 2023 in Ohio. But residents worry that the money won’t go far enough to cover future health needs that could be tremendous but also won’t amount to much once divided up. The company said Tuesday that the agreement, if approved by the court, will resolve all class action claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment and, for those residents who choose to participate, personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius of the derailment.
More than 200 women and several men accuse doctor in lawsuit of sexual abuse
BOSTON (AP) — More than 200 women have accused a Massachusetts doctor in a lawsuit of sexual abusing them by performing unnecessary pelvic and breast exams. Former rheumatologist Dr. Derrick Todd is accused in the lawsuit of the abuse taking place over the course of 14 years. Todd resigned from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in July and reached an agreement with the state to stop practicing medicine. The lawsuit also accuses the hospital and several doctors of knowing about the abuse but failing to stop it. A lawyer for Todd says his client will not litigate the allegations in the media but will defend his care through the court system.
Man led police on a car chase, drove off a 100-foot cliff on Long Island and survived
SOUTHOLD, N.Y. (AP) — Police say a driver led police on a 45-minute chase on New York’s Long Island, drove off a 100-foot cliff into Long Island Sound and survived. Monday’s car chase started when police in Southold in far eastern Long Island responded to a domestic violence call. Police Chief Martin Flatley told Newsday that the man sped off and reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour as he drove back and forth across eastern Long Island. Flatley says the driver went over a bluff and into the water. Officers dived in, pulled the driver out and arrested him.
Mountain goat stuck under Kansas City bridge survives rocky rescue
(AP) — An escaped mountain goat that somehow got stuck under a Kansas City bridge has survived a rocky rescue effort and now may be reunited with the owners who suspect he was stolen from their farm two months ago. Firefighters were called Monday after people spotted the mountain goat stuck high up on a pillar that supports the bridge. A bystander got a rope around its neck in an effort to lead it to safety. But the goat fell, becoming suspended in the air. Eventually firefighters got it free. Tori Fugate is with KC Pet Project, a nonprofit that handles animal control for the city and operates shelters. She said an X-ray showed no broken bones.
New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies
(AP) — The federal program that helps pay for groceries for millions of low-income mothers, babies and young kids will soon emphasize more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as provide a wider choice of foods from different cultures. The final rule changes for the program known as WIC were announced Tuesday by the Food and Nutrition Service, and will take effect within two years with some exceptions. Last updated a decade ago, the new WIC rules make permanent a bump in monthly cash vouchers for fruits and vegetables — something first enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.