Midwest
Ohio bill would force rioters to pay for property damages: 'You break it, you fix it'
An Ohio state lawmaker proposed legislation that would require rioters to pay for damages they caused while breaking the law.
This comes amid protests on college campuses and in front of government buildings in Ohio, and across the country, as anti-Israel demonstrators demand ties be cut with Israel in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
Senate Bill 267, which is awaiting a committee assignment, was introduced last month by Republican state Sen. Tim Schaffer.
“This legislation is pretty cut and dry. You break it, you fix it,” Schaffer said in a statement.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATOR IN HAMAS HEADBAND HOLDS UP BLOODIED BIDEN FACE MASK STEPS FROM WHITE HOUSE
Pro-Palestinian students lock arms, sing and chant as they braced for officers to raid campus after Columbia University President Minouche Shafik called on the NYPD to dismantle encampments and remove individuals from Hamilton Hall, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. (Seyma Bayram via AP)
“Over the past several years, we have seen how violence has taken a toll on communities and the damage riots and violent protests have caused,” he continued. “We need to hold accountable those who act to harm or damage property and ensure that they are the ones paying for these actions – not the local taxpayers and businesses.”
The proposal would also prevent government officials from interfering with law enforcement officers during a riot. It would prohibit any government official from limiting or restricting the authority of officers to take action to quell, arrest or detain people involved in a riot or vandalism.
JEWISH STUDENTS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST UCLA OVER ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT ON CAMPUS
State troopers in riot gear try to break up a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Jay Janner/American-Statesman)
“Effective law enforcement is a hallmark of a modern and civilized society,” Schaffer said. “We need to do all we can to empower our law enforcement officers so that they can fulfill their sworn duty, and we are fortunate that they want to serve.”
Police have been called to the anti-Israel protests across the U.S. to clear encampments set up by demonstrators on college campuses and elsewhere, leading to clashes between officers and demonstrators as well as many arrests.
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Temperatures have gotten chilly over the past couple of days as we say goodbye to those 60s, 70s, and even 80s. Southeast Michigan is settling into a cold stretch of temps in the 50s.
While we typically should be in the mid-60s for this time of year, Southeast Michigan will round out this week with temperatures staying firmly in the low to mid 50s.
Chilly high temperatures usually mean chilly low temperatures, too. This stretch of cooler highs will also result in near-freezing lows. Expect morning lows to fall into the 30s for the rest of this week, triggering a Freeze Watch for all of Southeast Michigan Saturday morning from midnight to 9 a.m. If you have any sensitive plants or vegetation, try to bring them inside, or at least cover them to protect them.
Unfortunately, before we get there, we still have cold air on Thursday night to watch for.
Temperatures in the mid 30s to near freezing tonight have brought a risk of frost in Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer, and Sanilac counties.
A frost advisory is in effect from 10 p.m. Thursday through 8 a.m. Friday.
Fortunately, temperatures will rebound back into the 60s next week, but the 8-14 day temperature outlooks show we have a fair chance of below-average temperatures as we enter May.
For your latest NEXT Weather forecast, watch on air, online, or streaming on PlutoTV.
Southwest US faces destructive tornadoes, hail with severe storms
Severe storms tear through the Southwest U.S. with tornadoes, hail and damaging winds as the NWS warns of a very active spring pattern.
Extreme weather with hail as large as softballs hit a zoo in Missouri on Tuesday, April 28, killing a female emu and injuring a male rhea. The storm, which rolled quickly through the area, also damaged vehicles and roofs.
Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield said in an April 28 Facebook post that its 21-year-old female emu, Adam, died during the storm, while a male rhea was injured and is under veterinary care. The zoo also sustained significant damage and remained closed on Wednesday, April 29.
In a follow-up post on April 29, the zoo said the male rhea, Oscar, was “doing well” and thanked everyone for the “well wishes.” The zoo also said it plans to open on Thursday, April 30, though some “small birds will be off exhibit until skylights are repaired.”
“Thank you to all staff and volunteers who are working right now to be ready for tomorrow,” the zoo said. “There is still much to be done, but please come visit.”
Emus, native to Australia, are tall, flightless birds, according to the San Diego Wildlife Alliance. The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world after the ostrich, with adult females being larger and heavier than their male counterparts. Emus live up to 35 years in zoos and between 10 and 20 years in the wild.
Storm caused significant damage in Missouri
An intense storm rolled through parts of Springfield, Missouri, and Greene County on April 28. Justin Titus with the National Weather Service office in Springfield said meteorologists measured 4-inch hail after the first wave of the storm in the early afternoon.
Cars across the region suffered significant damage, the Springfield News-Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Power outages and damage to gas meters were also reported.
Springfield-Branson National Airport said passengers who parked cars at the airport should expect to see hail damage.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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