One of the last living northern white rhinos is recovering from a surgical procedure that her keepers hope will cure a chronic infection threatening the animal’s health.

Nola is a 41-year-old rhinoceros at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Her species is critically endangered with just three others living in a preserve in Kenya.

On Friday, Nola underwent a surgical procedure to remove an abscess discovered during a recent ultrasound.

The 4,500-pound rhino has undergone multiple procedures and diagnostic tests over the past few months to find the source of an infection near her right hip.

"We hope this procedure will resolve the infection Nola has had for many months now, and she certainly should feel better in the days to come,” said Dr. Nadine Lamberski, Associate Director of Veterinary Services.

Lamberski said only a local anesthesia and a mild sedative were used so Nola was awake and standing during the procedure.

She will stay in the boma for the next few weeks where she’ll be monitored closely. Her keepers say she is eating and walking normally.

Northern white rhinos are at the brink of extinction due to poaching for their horn, zoo officials said.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park recently received six southern white rhinos between four and seven years old from private reserves in South Africa. These rhinos will become surrogate mothers for northern white rhino embryos developed by researchers.

Researchers are optimistic within the next 10 to 15 years a northern white rhino could be born from these efforts.

San Diego Zoo Global has one of the most successful rhino breeding programs in the world. To date, a total of 94 southern white rhinos, 68 greater one-horned rhinos and 14 black rhinos have been born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

A boy in South Carolina, 3, shot and killed himself in his mother's bedroom over the weekend, police said on Monday.

Savion Barrow fired the semi-automatic handgun at himself, Rock Hill Police Department told NBC News.

Barrow's mother told police she was in the bedroom watching television when she heard the gunshot.

"She turned around, and there he was on the bed with the gun," police said.

People who took a daily pill to protect against HIV were protected aganist the virus but caught other sexually transmitted diseases through unprotected sex, researchers reported on Monday. 

Over a four-year study, only two out of about 500 participants, all at high risk for getting the virus, got infected with HIV, the team reported to the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

Each volunteer was given a free supply of Truvada, the pill that's been shown in other studies to protect uninfected people from the virus. It's called pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP. 

Out of the 437 participants who stuck with the study over four years, most did not stop their high-risk behaviors like anal sex without condoms.

A man is on life support after he was allegedly shot, witnesses say while handcuffed, by Minneapolis police early Sunday morning. Police said their preliminary investigation shows the man was not handcuffed, but the investigation is ongoing.

After a large, agitated crowd gathered at the scene and demonstrations endured throughout the day, Minneapolis Mayor Besty Hodges announced Monday that she had asked the Justice Department to "review" the shooting and open a civil rights investigation.

During the protests, witnesses claimed that police used a chemical irritant to subdue them, and about 10 protesters spent a rainy and windy Sunday night outside a police precinct station not far from the scene of the shooting. They vowed to stay until the officer was arrested or indicted.

Jason Sole, chair of the Minneapolis NAACP's criminal justice committee, said Sunday that many black residents of north Minneapolis are upset. 

A normally busy stretch of Iron Horse Boulevard in Simsbury is closed as part of the investigation into the death of an insurance executive stabbed and killed there last November, according to police.

Police and FBI agents have returned to the area where Melissa Millan, a 54-year-old Simsbury mother and senior vice president at Mass Mutual Insurance, was killed on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 and they are raking leaves and using metal detectors to look for evidence.  

She had been jogging along Iron Horse Boulevard, between Phelps Lane and Pent Road, when she was stabbed, according to police.

Someone found Millan lying on the street around 8 p.m. that night. An ambulance rushed Millan to Saint Francis Hospital, where she died a short time later, according to police.

Police originally thought Millan was the victim of a hit-and-run, but the medical examiner determined her death was a homicide.

The FBI has been involved in the investigation since it began, and officials said an FBI evidence response team is assisting Monday.

In June, police said a $40,000 reward would be offered for information leading to an arrest in the case, but police said on Monday that have not received any calls with information and the reward is still active. 

Authorities have not said who offered the reward money. The source is anonymous.

Officials said on Monday the investigation on Iron Horse Boulevard is connected to Millan's death, but have not said what led the investigation to return to the site nearly a year later.

"The investigation, as well as the support and assistance from other law enforcement agencies has been continuous. The investigation has led us back to Iron Horse Boulevard. Today and through upcoming days, we'll have the assistance of the FBI evidence response team for an extended search of the area," Chief Peter Ingvertsen said. "Simsbury is a very safe community I emphasize this again."  

The road will be closed all of Monday, and possibly on Tuesday as well. 

Police ask anyone with information to call Simsbury detectives as 860-658-3145.

The leader of the House Republicans in Connecticut is questioning how the state would go about setting protocols for accepting Syrian refugees after Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, announced that the state will continue to accept people fleeing from war-torn Syria.

“We cannot rely solely on people at the federal level to tell us who should be allowed in and where they would be housed - we need to hear from Connecticut’s own experts to come up with a safe, secure plan,’’ House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said in a statement.

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, criticism from American politicians has mounted to end the flow of refugees coming from Syria and close to a dozen governors in other states announced they would not accept refugees the United States has agreed to resettle, but Malloy told NBC Connecticut on Monday that Connecticut will continue to accept more than 1,600 refugees from Syria.

“Obviously in light of the tragedy in Paris, we have questions about the Department of Homeland Security’s screening measures for refugees entering our country. We are continuing to work with and await guidance from the appropriate federal agencies on screening measures that will be taken. With that said, if refugees – many who are children fleeing a horrific, war-torn country – seek and are granted asylum after a rigorous security process, we should and will welcome them in Connecticut,” Devon Puglia, the communications director for Malloy, said in a statement.

Klarides said the federal government approached the governor’s administration last year about housing 2,000 Mexican immigrants at the Southbury Training School but the approach was rejected.

“I am curious as to whether Governor Malloy’s position has changed with respect to Connecticut’s ability to accommodate a relatively large group of these people,’ for a variety of reasons,’’ Klarides said in her statement.

She also added that the security of Connecticut’s people must be the biggest concern.

The state of Connecticut will continue to accept refugees from Syria, Gov. Dannel Malloy told NBC Connecticut on Monday morning. This comes as governors in several other states announced they would stop accepting them.

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, criticism from American politicians has mounted to end the flow of refugees coming from war-torn Syria.

Several news outlets reported over the weekend that one Paris attacker had moved through Greece on his way to France as a refugee.

Malloy downplayed any security threat from incoming refugees, describing them as "a small number" and added they were, "a number over which you could do a lot of security background checks and that sort of thing.”

Malloy said he is monitoring the state's transit hubs, like train stations and Bradley Airport, and said travelers could expect to see heightened presences in some places.

"We should be safe," Malloy said. "On the other hand, America has always had a big heart."

The governor said he was confident that security steps have been taken to ensure Connecticut and American safety.

"The security work is being done … and I think the people who are coming here are political refugees as opposed to the folks who kind of, have gotten to Europe,” he said.

Devon Puglia, the communications director for Malloy, issued a statement.  

“Obviously in light of the tragedy in Paris, we have questions about the Department of Homeland Security’s screening measures for refugees entering our country. We are continuing to work with and await guidance from the appropriate federal agencies on screening measures that will be taken. With that said, if refugees – many who are children fleeing a horrific, war-torn country – seek and are granted asylum after a rigorous security process, we should and will welcome them in Connecticut,” he said in an emailed statement.

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides released a statement, calling for any plan to allow refugees to come to Connecticut to be fully vetted publicly before it’s put into effect. 

"We cannot rely solely on people at the federal level to tell us who should be allowed in and where they would be housed - we need to hear from Connecticut’s own experts to come up with a safe, secure plan," Klarides said in a statement. 

“One year ago the federal government approached the Malloy administration about housing 2,000 Mexican immigrants at the Southbury Training School but that approach was rejected for a variety of reasons,’’ Klarides said in the statement. "I am curious as to whether Governor Malloy’s position has changed with respect to Connecticut’s ability to accommodate a relatively large group of these people."

The Obama administration expects to take in about 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year. It's unclear how many could end up in Connecticut.

A South Windsor middle school is canceling its trip to Washington D.C. in response to the deadly Paris terror attacks.

Eighth-graders at Timothy Edwards Middle School in South Windsor were slated to go on a class trip to Washington D.C., but school officials announced to parents on Monday that they are canceling the trip as a safety measure.

"CNN is now reporting threats directed specifically to Washington, D.C. In light of the threat falling on the heels of Friday’s attacks in Paris, we must take every precaution possible,"  Principal Nancy Larson wrote to parents in an email Monday afternoon. "Therefore we are cancelling our eighth grade trip to D.C."

Officials are considering rescheduling the trip, but Larson said there's no more information on that option at this time.

"I will let you know, as I find out. We recognize that a significant financial commitment has been made for this trip and we are working with Destination Unlimited to determine rescheduling opportunities," Larson said.

She said she plans to meet with the eighth grade students to update them.

"As always the safety of your child is our number one concern and I appreciate your support and thank you for your patience while we gather information with regards to rescheduling the trip," Larson said.

From chants to signs both the student body and faculty members flooded around the steps of the Wilbur Cross building, hoping to spread unity over hate.

“I don’t know why we are doing that at UConn!” said professor Rida Ammar.

“I love America I come to live here so don’t treat me like a terrorist. Because I don’t deserve that. Thank you so much," said Hashem.

UConn President Susan Herbst said in a statement: "The true character of the university is thoughtful, welcoming, and caring – and has no patience for bigotry."

A vigil scheduled at the university at 6pm on Wednesday in memory of those affected in the Paris attacks.
 

The Capitol Region Development Authority is floating a plan for the renovation of the XL Center that would include $250 million in improvements that would lead to a new facade, interior concourses, and more premium seating options.

The CRDA would look for funding from the Connecticut Bond Commission to pay for the project.

Hartford Mayor-Elect Luke Bronin described the XL Center as "critical to Downtown Hartford."

He said he doesn't envision the city being able to provide any financial support for the project.

Bronin said, "I’m glad that the state is taking a look at it and I’m glad that the state is seriously making the investment that’s necessary to have a facility that’s able to survive and thrive for years to come.”

Hartford Whalers fans hold out hope for the possibility of a return for professional hockey.

Michael Glasson is in the team's booster club and says the fact that the company the CRDA is looking at to renovate the XL Center also worked on Madison Square Garden in New York could provide a sort of legitimate boost.

“If you wanted an NHL team, you need the venue and you need an owner so having this venue takes off one of the two things that would be necessary if there was ever a chance to bring the NHL back," he said.

Mayor Pedro Segarra, who helped to broker a partnership between UConn and the City of Hartford with the opening of a new downtown campus in the coming years, said team partnerships could pay huge dividends for the cash-strapped arena.

"We have foregone the rent for the stadium and we do supply services and goods to the XL Center," Segarra said. “We need to build more rooting for the home team, rooting for Hartford, rooting for our state.”

Glasson says the city and state have an opportunity to build something special in Hartford.

“It needs to be modernized. It should be the best venue between Boston and New York and this plan is the plan that will do that.”
 

The Coginchaug High School football team is returning to the field Monday with new coaches to see them through the remainder of the season after the entire coaching staff resigned amid allegations against the head coach.

Upon hearing about Coach Nick D'Angelo's resignation and Coginchaug's situation, area coaches reached out to the school's athletic director to help.

"Several offers were made to the Athletic Director and school administration from area coaches who were aware of the situation and wanted the athletes to be able to finish their season given the unforeseen events," Region 13 Superintendent Kathryn Y. Veronesi said. "This gracious show of support has been a welcome event in a difficult time."

D'Angelo resigned after learning of "allegations" coaches and players made against him regarding an incident that happened during a night game in Stafford on Nov. 6 that launched an investigation, Veronesi said. His assistant coaches also resigned.

The district didn't get into specifics about what the allegations are, but D'Angelo previously said that he suspended a senior offensive lineman for leaving the field and cursing at a fan in the stands during the third quarter of the Nov. 6 night game.

“We talked and decided two weeks was merited, which meant his season was over, his high school career was over,” D’Angelo said.

D’Angelo resigned last Tuesday after he says parents of seniors upset by the suspension approached school administrators calling for an investigation into the first-year coach. His entire coaching staff has also stepped down and the team forfeited last Friday’s game against Granby High School.

“I did not leave because I was afraid of the allegations. I left because power was shifted over to the parents,” D'Angelo said, adding, “How could I preach accountability to my players, to be held accountable for your actions when now the parents just set a precedent anything I do or say as a coach they can question me."

He said he was blindsided by the allegations.

“One hundred percent blindsided, one hundred percent,” D’Angelo said of the allegations. “They stacked the box on me. They came in with false accusations and lies”

Veronesi said school administrators met Thursday with parents and players and that an investigation is ongoing into the allegations against D'Angelo despite his departure.

D’Angelo told NBC Connecticut he asked the rest of the coaching staff to stay with the team.

“And when they heard the allegations they were like no way, we’re with him, there’s no way this happened and I think it speaks merit my entire staff left,” D’Angelo said, adding two of the coaches who quit played for Coginchaug.

Veronesi said that all coaches "are given a copy of the Connecticut Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers for which they are expected to adhere."

"This code covers the expected responsibility to the student, the profession, and the community," she said. "Regional School District 13 maintains an expectation of these responsibilities for all staff employed. Additionally, for over a decade the District has operated on a foundation of Core Ethical Values at every level of the organization from students to staff; these values include respect, responsibility, kindness, honesty and courage."

Veronesi didn't say who will be coaching the team for the rest of the season, but she did say the team will close the season with a game at The Gilbert School in Winsted on Thanksgiving Day at 10 a.m.

"The school and community are looking forward to resuming the football schedule," Veronesi said.

Quinnipiac University students got their gloved hands on some mummies this afternoon, the remains of an infant and an arm preserved probably for more than 150 years.

Leaning in to examine the specimen and measure the mummy, Amel Langston, a health science studies major, said, "It still has fingernails and toenails so the preservation is very good especially given the method."

Students sized up how a mixture of sugar and salt then storage in molasses could preserve the specimens.

Matthew Capece, a senior biology major, figured, "For an individual with that small of an arm that would mean they're about four feet tall but a nearly full adult, and it's just amazing to me to be able to picture that."

He said X-rays show teeth were forming in the lower jaw of the infant. The diagnostic imagery professor, Jerry Conlogue, said It's one thing to X-ray live patients but imaging the mummified infant requires the students to do some thinking.

"And I think they understand how the equipment operates much better now," he said.

The specimens went from doctor to doctor over time for the study of anatomy. The last doctor in the line died last spring and Quinnipiac's Bioanthropological Research Institute has the specimens before they go to the Mutter medical museum in Philadelphia.

Anthropology Assistant Professor Jaime Ullinger said, "To have something that is kind of a real specimen, where we don't know much about it - we have to determine as much as we can - is great practical experience."

Stamford police are looking for two suspects in a shooting that happened in the city Monday afternoon.

Officers responded to the area of West Main Street and Rose Park Avenue at 12:30 p.m. Monday  to investigate reports of shots fired.

Police found seven shell casings at the intersection and discovered four apartments and a vehicle had been hit with bullets, police said.

Witnesses told police that a dark Audi A-4 dropped off two men at the intersection minutes before gunfire erupted. The Audi headed west on West Main Street. The men ran in that direction on the road and then south onto Ann Street.

Police believe two men fired at someone in a driveway in the 200 block of West Main Street. Police didn't find victims at the scene or in area hospitals.

Everyone was accounted for in the apartments struck by gunfire. Bullets flew into the bedrooms of two elderly women in two of the four apartments, police said. Neither woman was hurt, but the incident "traumatized" them, police said.

Surveillance video captured images of the men on Ann Street. One of the men is described as thin build with medium length dreads and wearing a longsleeve white shirt with a black T-shirt over it, and white high-top basketball sneakers. He was holding a black winter coat and possibly had a soft cast on his right arm, police said. The second suspect is of stocky build and was wearing a grey hoodie, black jacket and dark cargo pants.

The suspects may have had a handgun on them and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

The motive for the shooting and the intended target are unknown at this time.

Police ask anyone with information to call 203-977-4417.

A 15-year-old is facing charges after pulling a fire alarm at Bethel High School Nov. 9, causing the school to be evacuated.

A fire alarm was activated at the high school at 11:40 a.m. that day and police identified the juvenile responsible after reviewing video footage, police said.

"The alarm disrupted school and caused an evacuation of students and faculty until the cause was determined," police said.

Police arrested the juvenile the next day at 9:30 a.m., charging the person with first-degree falsely reporting an incident and second-degree breach of peace.

In a visit to Los Angeles Monday, Vice President Joe Biden made his first public comments about Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.

He expressed confidence in an ultimate outcome and concern over the reaction here and abroad.

"We will prevail," Biden said. “It will take a while to root this out in the Middle East, but we own the finish line."

Biden’s visit to LA was intended as a roundtable on clean technology with Mayor Eric Garcetti, but the terror attacks in Paris were on everyone’s minds.

"Not only because Nohemi Gonzalez was from Los Angeles and Cal State Long Beach, but that an attack on that city is an attack on all of us," Garcetti said.

Biden attempted to assure a nervous public, claiming the U.S. and its allies would ultimately be victorious against jihadist terrorists, such as the Islamic state.

"The moment we give in and change anything about the openness of our society is the moment they win," Biden said.

Biden did not speak directly to criticism coming from congressional Republicans, as well as a few high-ranking Democrats, who believe the Obama administration hasn't done enough to address the threat posed by ISIS.

He did however defend the administration's policy going forward.

"There has been progress," Biden said. “They have 25 percent of the geography than they earlier had and that will continue to dwindle."

Mayor Garcetti said he also visited with the French Consul General Monday to formally extend the city's condolences over what took place Friday.

A candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the attack was scheduled for Tuesday night outside LA City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 

While the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees crew cut down and transported the 60-foot holiday tree a little later on the calendar than usual, the mild November weather has allowed tree decorators to stay right on schedule.

“We had years when we had sleet freezing rain and it’s taken six weeks because of the weather to get it done,” said Christy Hass, the deputy director of New Haven’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees.

Mother Nature has made the tall task of stringing 30 thousand lights on the tree easier than in years past.

“If it’s freezing cold out here your hands don’t work so well and it’s really difficult,” Hass said, “so these guys have loved it and I’ve only had them out in the rain one day which is pretty amazing.”

Some branches may be missing on the tree, but Hass said the plan is to attach limbs from other trees.

“We’re going to be tying in some branches to make it absolutely perfect,” Hass said, “so there’s a whole cosmetic piece that hasn’t been done yet.”

Crews plan to place the giant star atop the holiday tree on Tuesday. NBC Connecticut will broadcast the tree lighting live on Dec. 1 at 7pm.

Waterford police are looking for two of three suspects in an identity theft case.

Three suspects made purchases with stolen debit cards at several stores in Waterford and New London, police said.

Police have identified one suspect, but they are looking for two others, including one seen wearing a black shirt and another wearing a grey jacket.

The suspects at large might be in a 2002 tan Chevrolet Odyssey with a Connecticut license plate that says S21FYP or a green 2000 Honda Odyssey with a New Jersey license plate that reads L24FJG.

If you know anyone who has information on the incident, Waterford police ask you to message them on Facebook or contact Officer Fredricks at efredricks@waterfordct.org or at 860-442-9451 and reference case 2015-02222.

The first severe winter storm of the season is bringing heavy snow, with parts of Kansas, Nebraska and much of northeastern Colorado — including Denver — under a blizzard watch, NBC News reported.

Denver, Vail and Colorado Springs may have as much as 12 inches of new snow by Tuesday morning, according to The Weather Channel.

"Well into the day and evening on Tuesday, we'll have snowfall across eastern Colorado and western Kansas, as well as Nebraska," said Danielle Banks, a meteorologist for The Weather Channel. "Some spots could pick up more than 2 feet."

The storm is expected to move east, and could cause flooding later in the week along the Gulf Coast, as severe thunderstorms move across the South, NBC News reported.

Donald Trump laid out a new plan for Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks, NBC News reported.

The Republican presidential candidate addressed a crowd of nearly 10,000 people at the Knoxville Convention Center, saying he would build a safe zone for refugees who, he said, want to go home after the crisis is over anyway.

"In Syria, take a big swatch of land, which believe me, you get for the right price, okay? You take a big swatch and you don't destroy all of Europe."

Trump said the migrants would be happier because they won’t have to learn the languages where they would move and because they wouldn’t have to get used to new climates or weather patterns.

In light of the Friday's terror attacks in France, Connecticut residents can expect increased security on trains and the major airport in the state as places worldwide also implement enhanced security measures.

Bradley International Airport and train stations will have additional security.

"I'm always in favor of more security," said Phil Vaccaro, who was traveling to Boston on Monday. "Maybe it’s a little bit of an inconvenience or a reminder, but more than offset by the potential benefit."

The office of Gov. Dannel Malloy said that state and federal authorities are working together to step up patrols at train stations through the Metro-North and MTA rail systems.

"We are in regular contact with our federal authorities to make sure that we are getting the latest information and that we’re prepared," Malloy said on Monday.

At this point, state officials have not learned of any specific threats to the local mass transit systems.

"We have not received any warnings, but obviously we are in a state of readiness," Malloy added.

Passengers can expect to see additional security measures, including more armed officers and K9 teams on trains, on station platforms and anywhere near train station property, he said.

"On a practical level, keeping people safe is a good thing. I’m never going to complain against that," said Jamie Bogyo, who was traveling from Fairfield on Monday.

At Union Station in New Haven, rail passengers saw armed guards and at least one K9 standing watch in the waiting area. The extra protection was welcomed by most passengers.

"It's obviously a terrible tragedy what happened and anything that government and police can do to make us feel safer when we travel, I'm all for it," said passenger Phil Vaccaro.

"We absolutely need it," said passenger Nancy Medina, who was about to board a train from New Haven to New London. "So much craziness going on, who knows why, but sure we need extra security," she said.

It is unclear how long the extra security will be in place. State and federal officials said this has been a part of their training for quite some time; with the goal of keeping passengers and the public safe.

Jesalen Inzitari is a daily Metro-North commuter and said "I really like trains. I am very passionate about the railroad. I want to be a conductor." Inzitari supports the increased security.

"“I’m very comforted by it. I want added security. I want to know that in the event that something happens the police will be there right away," Inzitari said. "“....It’s something we’re going to have to deal with. Honestly, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”