Three Things for April 6
1. Man arrested in connection to mass shooting in Sacramento
On Tuesday, April 5, police arrested a man connected to the mass shooting that killed six people on Sunday.
The shooting, which occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday in California’s capitol, resulted in six fatalities and 12 injuries.
“The Sacramento County coroner identified the women killed as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21. The three men were Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and De’vazia Turner, 29,” reports AP News.
Of the 12 wounded, at least four suffered critical injuries, the Sacramento Fire Department said. At least seven of the victims had been released from hospitals by Monday, reports AP News.
The day after the shooting, a vigil was held for the victims’ families and loved ones as they mourned the lives lost on Sunday.
“So we gather here to remember the victims and to commit ourselves to doing all we can to ending the stain of violence, not only in our community but throughout the state, throughout the country, and throughout the world,” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said during the vigil.
2. Amazon signs biggest rocket deal in commercial space industry’s history
On Tuesday, April 5, Amazon signed with three companies to facilitate up to 83 launches of its Project Kuiper internet satellites. According to CNBC, the agreement is believed to be the biggest rocket deal in the history of the commercial space industry.
“The technology giant signed contracts for 38 launches with United Launch Alliance (ULA) – a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin; 18 launches with European company Arianespace; and 12 launches with Blue Origin, with an option for as many as 15 additional launches with the private venture that’s owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos,” reports CNBC.
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s effort to provide a network of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit, which will result in high-speed internet across the globe.
Amazon Senior Vice President of Devices and Services Dave Limp issued a statement on Tuesday, but the terms were not disclosed.
In the statement, Limp said, “We still have lots of work ahead, but the team has continued to hit milestone after milestone across every aspect of our satellite system. These launch agreements reflect our incredible commitment and belief in Project Kuiper.”
Amazon will begin testing Kuiper prototypes later this year with ABL Space’s RS1 rocket launch.
3. Oklahoma passes bill to make performing an abortion a felony
On Tuesday, April 5, the Oklahoma House approved a bill which will make performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison.
“With little discussion and no debate, the Republican-controlled House voted 70-14 to send the bill to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has previously said he'd sign any anti-abortion bill that comes to his desk,” reports NPR.
The Oklahoma bill claims the only legal abortion is one preserving the mother's life.
“Under the bill, a person convicted of performing an abortion would face up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine,” reports NPR.
According to GOP state Rep. Jim Olsen, the bill is in place to penalize physicians, not pregnant women.
Emily Wales, interim president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, said, “Planned Parenthood's abortion clinic in Oklahoma has seen an 800% increase in the number of women from Texas after that state passed the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the U.S. in decades.”
The law mimics the Texas Law, which was passed last year and prohibits abortion after cardiac activity is detected, making no exception for cases of incest or rape.
“Also Tuesday, the Oklahoma House adopted a resolution to recognize lives lost due to abortion and urge citizens to fly flags at half-staff on Jan. 22, the day the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in its landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade,” reports NPR.
