Three things for March 3
1. Semi-truck hits SUV carrying 25 passengers, killing 13
On Tuesday, March 2, a semi-truck crashed into an SUV carrying 25 people on a southern California highway. The accident resulted in the deaths of 13 people, with many others injured. According to California Highway Patrol Chief Omar Watson, 12 people were pronounced dead at the scene, and one died after arriving at the hospital.
The truck struck the left side of the SUV, pushing the vehicle off the road. According to AP News, the SUV pulled in front of the oncoming tractor-trailer on a two-lane highway.
According to Watson, it is unclear if the SUV stopped at the stop sign before crossing into the tractor-trailer’s path around 6:15 a.m. The SUV was a Ford Exposition that only safely seats eight to nine people. During the wreck, many people were ejected from the car. Multiple people from the accident were sent to hospitals for head trauma and fractures. The truck driver sustained moderate injuries.
“It was an unusual number of people in an SUV, but we don’t know who they were,” Macario Mora, a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection in Yuma and El Centro, said.
2. Six of Dr. Suess’ books removed from publishing line up
Six of Dr. Suess’ books will no longer be published due to racist and insensitive imagery. The books that will no longer be published include “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “If I Ran the Zoo,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.”
Dr. Seuss Enterprises decided to cease publication and sale of the books last year after months of discussion, the company told AP News. On Tuesday, March 2, the company founded by Seuss’ family announced the change.
According to the National Education Association, Suess’ books are being deemphasized in schools and replaced with a more diverse reading collection.
Dr. Suess’ books are not the only children’s books being criticized for containing racist material. Books such as “Little House on the Prairie,” “Curious George” and “Should we burn Babar” have all recently been cited for racist content.
3. CMA Festival canceled for second year in a row due to COVID-19
On Tuesday, March 2, the country music association announced the Country Music Festival CMA Awards held in Nashville, Tennessee, will be canceled for the second year in a row due to COVID-19.
This event is one of the oldest country music festivals, beginning in 1972.
“While we are optimistic with the pace at which COVID-19 vaccines are becoming more widely available, we still face several challenges that prevent us from bringing our many artists, crew members and fans together safely for the full CMA Fest experience we know everyone has come to expect,” CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a statement.
According to Trahern, the festival takes place at several venues in Nashville. The venues have capacity restrictions, and the event could not be rescheduled for later in the year. The country music also draws many out-of-state visitors, which would be impacted by travel restrictions.
Those who purchased passes for last year and held onto them for this year’s festival will be allowed to keep them for the 2022 festival or opt for a refund at cmafest.com.
