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Tapping Fiorina Early, Cruz Echoes Reagan's Gamble

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Ted Cruz's unconventional decision to tap Carly Fiorina on Wednesday as his running mate echoes Ronald Reagan's gambit heading into the 1976 convention, a history that offers cautionary notes for Cruz.

Reagan finished the primaries as both a beloved conservative and party underdog, trailing incumbent President Gerald Ford by 100 delegates.

On July 27, 1976, a few weeks before the GOP convention, Reagan held a press conference to announce he was picking Richard Schweiker, a liberal Republican from Pennsylvania, to be his running mate.

"The people and the delegates have a right to know, in advance of the convention, who a nominee's vice presidential choice would be," Reagan said, explaining his logic for "departing from tradition" to announce the pick early.



Photo Credit: AP

Chyna Cause of Death Still Unknown

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The cause of death for WWE star Chyna has not been determined as toxicology tests are pending, coroner's officials said.

Toxicology tests are scheduled within the next few weeks as the office is dealing with a backlog of cases, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Chyna's manager, Anthony Anzaldo, told NBC News the wrestling star "accidentally and unintentionally misused her legally prescribed medication over the course of 2-3 weeks."

"There was no alcohol on the scene and no other legal or illegal drugs found," he said in a statement. "She fell asleep on Sunday night and peacefully took her last breath."

Chyna, born Joan Marie Laurer, was found dead Wednesday in her Redondo Beach apartment. Police were responding to a 911 call from a friend who said the former 46-year-old WWE performer failed to answer her phone for a few days.

Her brain will be donated for research involving the effects of concussions, her manager said Tuesday.

The WWE — then known as the World Wrestling Federation — hired Chyna in 1997.

After leaving the WWE in 2001, Laurer was determined to stay active in the entertainment industry. She wrote a memoir, became a semi-regular on Howard Stern's radio show and appeared in TV sitcoms like "3rd Rock From the Sun" and reality shows including "The Surreal Life." She was in Playboy twice and appeared in a string of adult films.

Chyna joins a long list of WWE professional wrestlers who have died relatively young, including Rick Rude, Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig, the Ultimate Warrior and Owen Hart.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Mauled Baby's Family Waited for 911

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The family of an infant mauled to death by the family dog waited 3 minutes and 10 seconds for a 911 dispatcher to receive one of its calls, San Diego police confirmed exclusively to NBC 7 San Diego. 

"There’s no question that there were delays during that time period," SDPD Lt. Scott Wahl said. "In the half hour in which they were calling, we received 73 911 calls and 50 non-emergency calls."

The family dialed 911 twice, according to police. The couple waited 28 seconds before hanging up and calling back, then waited another 31 seconds before hanging up again.

Dispatch received a call placed by the family after a 3 minute and 10 second wait time, according to an incident report confirmed exclusively to NBC7. Wahl, however, said the notes in the report are unclear.

Wahl said it may have taken 3 minutes for dispatch to return the couple's first 911 call after they hung up, or another call may have come in through a different dispatch center, like California Highway Patrol, while the family was on the road or at the hospital.

The 3-day-old baby died after being bitten in the head April 21 by the family dog, Polo. According to an autopsy report, Polo was in bed with his owners and the newborn when the baby's mother suddenly coughed.

Polo bit the baby in the head in what the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has called an accident. The family decided to euthanize the dog Wednesday morning.

The baby's death has highlighted severe staffing shortages in dispatch.

Photos from dispatch show 10-minute and 5-minute waits for 911 calls to be answered.

"It does happen," Wahl said. "There are unfortunate times when we’ve got extremely high call volume when we’re going to have those outlets and we’re doing everything we can to eliminate them."

Wall said hang-up calls compound 911 wait times, and accidental calls make up nearly an approximate third of the total call volume.

"Every police officer, firefighter, paramedic, lifeguard, we all want to get to emergency situations as quickly as we possibly can," Wall said. "When you call 911, the best thing you can do is stay on the line and resist that natural tendency that we all have — to hang up when you don’t get through right away."

Wall said issues like graffiti, stolen items and reports of theft should be reported on the non-emergency lines.

"By no means do we want to discourage people from calling 911 if there’s an emergency," Wall said. "What we want people to understand is that if they don’t need a police officer, a firefighter or a paramedic there immediately, to provide life saving measures, then we want them to call 531-2000."



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Police ID Drivers Killed in Waterbury Crash

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Two drivers were pronounced dead at the scene after their cars collided in Waterbury on Wednesday. 

Police were dispatched to the 2100 block of Thomaston Avenue and said the vehicles collided at the curve, just short of the Waterbury-Thomaston town line. 

Police identified the drivers as Brian K. Green, 28, of Waterbury, and Mary Gabriele, 59, of Terryville. No other people were in the vehicles, police said. 

Green was travelling south on Thomaston Avenue, toward the Department of Motor Vehicles and apparently crossed the double yellow line, hit Gabrielle’s car and was thrown from his car, police said. 

Deputy Chief Fernando Spagnolo said on Wednesday that the scene was "catastrophic" and was "definitely" a result of someone driving too fast. 

“Speed is definitely going to be a contributing factor but what else is going to come into play the investigation will reveal later on,” he said. 

The two cars were towed from the scene for mechanical inspection.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Maine Gov. Calls Students 'Idiots'

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Maine Gov. Paul LePage is apologizing and vowing to cut back on public appearances after clashing with two student protesters Tuesday at the University of Maine's Farmington campus and them "idiots."

LePage spoke at a building dedication for former President Theo Kalikow on campus, but abruptly stormed out of the ceremony just a few sentences into his speech when two student protesters held up posters in the back of the audience.

"We did try to stay in the back because our goal was not to disrespect the event," said Ally Hammond, who held up a sign that read "LePage, Maine's Shame."

Video from the event shows LePage pause, then say, "I'm done," and walk away from the podium. He can be heard saying he's "not in the mood" as he walks out, and yell to the protesters, "Thank you, you idiots — in the back with the signs."

The students said they were shocked by LePage's response, but not sorry.

"He's faced severe criticism in the past, and all we did was hold up two signs," said Nick Bray. "He had an obnoxious reaction to it."

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon by his press secretary, LePage apologized to school officials and Kalikow but not to the students.

"First and foremost, I apologize to President Foster and especially to Theodora Kalikow for the sequence of events on Tuesday," LePage said in the statement. "I am accustomed to daily attacks and ridicule from protestors [sic], but most people are not. Neither Theo, nor the people who were gathered to honor her, deserved for this heartfelt occasion to be disrespected by smug and self-serving protestors [sic]. If they wish to protest me, that's fine: we all have the right to express our freedom of speech. But this event was not about me. I was sickened by the lack of respect displayed by two protestors [sic] holding up demeaning signs — including one with Theo's name on it."

The sign the governor called "demeaning" actually praised Kalikow for her record on the environment. Bray's sign was an "Environmental Report Card," giving Kalikow an A+ and LePage an F.

"I wanted to remind him that he's on a campus that supports the environment," said Bray, who said he actually feels "honored" to have been called an idiot by the governor.

LePage said he would not be making as many public speeches in the future.

"For more than five years, the media has flocked to events where I have been asked to speak, not to cover any good news about the events, but to disparage me over issues totally unrelated to the events," LePage said. "Since I am such a distraction to the media, I will no longer attend some of these public events."

This is LePage's second abrupt exit this week. He was criticized Monday for holding a Blue Ribbon Commission meeting in private, when it should have been open to the public.

The attorney general called it illegal, and the next day, LePage told a radio station he was quitting the commission, blaming the controversy on the media.

"The press takes seven seconds of what I say, and make a s---show out of it," said LePage. "I'm tired of it."



Photo Credit: Jim Corcoran/26 North Productions

Gun Shipped to Wrong Address

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UPS is investigating after a semi-automatic rifle was delivered to the wrong address in North Texas — and discovered by a 14-year-old boy.

Luke Tanner, an eighth grader, said he noticed something unusual as he arrived home in Coppell on Tuesday.

"Well, I walked home and there's this package at the front door," he said. "So I brought it in."

His father was already inside but didn't know about the delivery.

"He asked me if he could open it," Michael Tanner recalled. "I said, 'Go ahead.'"

Luke said he was surprised by what he found.

"I opened it up, and I pulled it out and I'm like, 'This is a gun here!'" he said. "I was astonished. I was, like, really confused. I didn't know what to think."

It was a semi-automatic rifle, with a 17-inch barrel, shipped from someone in Louisiana and delivered by UPS to the wrong address.

"I do get deliveries from time to time because of some similar addresses," Michael Tanner said. "There's about three similar addresses to us."

In a statement to NBC 5, UPS said it "takes this very seriously and is investigating the incident."

The company said it would contact the shipper to find out how the mix-up happened and also make sure the gun is delivered to the intended recipient.

UPS routinely ships firearms, which is legal.

But the Tanners said they still have concerns about such a delivery.

"There's people in this neighborhood — there's toddlers," Luke said. "They could do just as well what I did and end up with a gun."



Photo Credit: NBC 5 News

Mostly Dry Tomorrow, A Shower Possible

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The brief stint of sunny weather won't last much longer in Connecticut.

Today will be dry, with early sunshine fading behind increasing afternoon clouds. Temperatures will again rise to near 60 degrees.

A disturbance will provide an opportunity for a shower on Friday, especially in southern Connecticut. It won't be a washout, and some breaks of sun are possible. Highs will be in the upper 50s.

A good amount of low-level moisture will provide for clouds and an increasing chance of showers this weekend.

Saturday looks like the pick of the weekend, as it will be predominately dry with a mix of sunshine and clouds. Highs will be near 60.

Clouds will take over by Sunday, with an increasing chance for showers by the afternoon. It will be cool as temperatures only rise into the middle 50s.

The showers will last into the day Monday, when it will be chilly again with temperatures stuck in the 50s.

A good amount of disagreement exists in whether or not skies clear heading into Tuesday.

For now, the forecast calls for an abundance of clouds Tuesday improving to a blend of clouds and sunshine by Wednesday. Temperatures should rebound back to 60 degrees, which will still be below average.

Biden in Iraq to Try to Help Settle Political Crisis

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Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad on Thursday on a visit intended to help Iraqi leaders resolve a political crisis that has hindered efforts to defeat the Islamic State group.

Biden landed at midday after an overnight flight from Washington. He was expected to meet with government officials and stress the need for unity, although the White House did not disclose his itinerary.

Protests and demands for political reforms have paralyzed an Iraqi government already struggling with a troubled economy and violent extremists. The Obama administration has stepped up the U.S. military role with more troops and equipment, but the U.S. worries that infighting in Baghdad is jeopardizing hard-fought gains with President Barack Obama set to leave office in January. 

Due to concern for Biden's security, his trip was not announced in advance. Journalists traveling with Biden had to agree to keep it secret until he arrived. 

The political turmoil in Iraq grew out of weeks of rallies by followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanding an end to corruption and mismanagement. Thousands have protested just outside Baghdad's heavily guarded Green Zone, calling for politicians to be replaced by independent technocrats and for Iraq's powerful Shiite militias to be brought into vital ministries.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is a Shiite whom the U.S. considers a welcome improvement over his predecessor, Nouri al-Maliki. Yet al-Abadi's failures to deliver on long-promised reforms and manage sectarian tensions have threatened his ability to lead. 

Al-Abadi is caught between Iraqis who are pleading for government accountability and entrenched political groups that are reluctant to give up a patronage system that's widely blamed for squandering Iraq's oil fortunes. 

On Tuesday, Iraq's parliament approved half a dozen new Cabinet ministers whom al-Abadi nominated in a gesture to protesters. 

Lawmakers have thrown water bottles and punched each other, with some calling for al-Abadi to resign along with the Sunni parliament speaker and Kurdish president. Last month, al-Abadi pulled troops fighting IS on the front lines to protect Baghdad amid the protests. An economic crisis spurred by collapsing oil prices has worsened the problems. 

When Obama was in Saudi Arabia last week, he said al-Abadi had been a "good partner." But Obama added that he was concerned about the prime minister's hold on power. Obama said it was critical that Iraq's government stabilize and unite competing factions so it can fight terrorism and revive its economy. 

"They've got a lot on their plate," Obama said. "Now is not the time for government gridlock or bickering." 

It was precisely because of that bickering that Obama emerged from his meeting with Gulf leaders without the promises of financial support for Iraq's reconstruction that he had sought. Gulf countries preferred to wait and see whether Iraq could get its political act together before agreeing to help. 

Aiming to build on recent progress in retaking territory from IS, the U.S. this month agreed to deploy more than 200 additional troops to Iraq, bringing the authorized total to just over 4,000, and to send Apache helicopters into the fight. Although the White House has ruled out a ground combat role, Obama's decision puts American forces closer to the front lines to train and support Iraqi forces preparing to try to take back the key northern city of Mosul. 

U.S. officials would not put a timeline on reclaiming Mosul but said they expect progress to slow during the summer.

For Biden and Obama, the next nine months represent their final opportunity to position Iraq for a peaceful future before their terms end. Though they came into office pledging to end the war and did so in 2011, U.S. troops returned to Iraq in 2014 amid the rise of IS. Obama now acknowledges that his goal of defeating the militants won't be realized during his presidency.

The slow but consistent ramp-up of U.S. military involvement in Iraq, and more recently in Syria, has raised concerns about the extent of the mission, and the risks of another Mideast entanglement. On the other hand, many Obama critics deem his efforts too little, too late. Nearly all of this year's presidential candidates are pledging a more aggressive campaign against IS.



Photo Credit: NBC News

Porch Fire Extends to House in Hartford

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The fire marshal is investigating a fire that extended from a porch to a house in Hartford early Thursday morning. 

The fire was reported at 328 Fairfield Ave. and firefighters knocked it down quickly, officials said. 

The residents are able to stay in the house.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

House Might Make Quick Budget Vote Today: Sources

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Multiple sources in the Connecticut House of Representatives told NBC Connecticut on Wednesday that early budget plans included cobbling a budget plan together by Wednesday night to have ready for members to vote on today.

It's unclear what the budget would look like, or whether it would fully close a $932 million budget shortfall projected for the 2017 fiscal year.

When reached just before entering the House chamber, Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey said, “(We're) discussing the package that we’ve put together as Democrats with our members and we expect to have some information out for you all after we’ve shared that with our members.”

It's been made clear by Sharkey and other Democratic leaders that the governor's budget, which slashed spending across the board but in balance, was not acceptable to rank-and-file Democrats in the House.

Sharkey said priorities, like reinstating education funds to some towns, restoring funds for hospitals, and keeping cities and towns whole, are elements they want to include in their own spending proposal.

“We’ve done what we said we were going to do, which is to put together a package that reflects the budget, reflects the realities that we are faced with and establishes what we as Democrats believe in in contrast to the governor and the Republican package.”

Gov. Dannel Malloy has said he will not accept, and therefore veto, any budget that raises taxes, borrows money even from the state's rainy day savings fund, or didn't go through any kind of negotiation with his administration.

Sen. Len Fasano, the top Senate Republican, said he expects a budget as the result of a backroom deal, because that's been the norm in the General Assembly recently.

“They’re going to run it tomorrow in the House. I haven’t seen one word of it. You haven’t seen one word of it. I would suggest their members haven’t seen one word of it," Fasano said.

Republicans released their budget proposal on Monday which was in balance, and Sharkey said it included ideas he liked.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ship Leaves With Kids, Not Parents

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A mom and dad who were late boarding a cruise in the Bahamas flailed their arms and sobbed on a pier as the ship bound for New York City left port with their kids on board, according to reports.

The dramatic scene was captured on camera and posted to YouTube by a passenger.

"Apparently, she has her kids on the boat and she’s not on there. There’s a guy there, too," passenger Scott Thomas, who shot the video, says as the mom breaks down in the distance. "That right there is not cool."

The 4,090-passenger Norwegian Breakaway stopped in the Bahamas capital of Nassau on April 21 as part of a week-long cruise that began in New York City, The New York Post reported.

Passengers who decided to spend the day in Nassau were told they had to be back on board by 5:30 p.m., but the unidentified woman didn’t make it in time and her husband went to look for her.

They both ended up stuck on the pier as the massive ship pulled away. The captain of the ship apparently waited an extra half hour for the mom to show up.

"That is someone that has missed the boat," Thomas is heard saying in the YouTube video.

Footage shows the dad sobbing as the mom flails her arms and falls to her knees.

"How come her kids are on and not her?" another passenger is heard saying in the background.

According to the Post, the parents had a boy around 9 years old and a girl around 12 years old on the ship. The kids stayed with other family members on board after departing without their parents.

The family was ultimately reunited in New York City three days later, on April 24.



Photo Credit: Scott Thomas

Univ. of Washington Cheerleader Tryout Tips Sparks Backlash

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The University of Washington removed an infographic that gave prospective cheerleaders tips on how to do their hair and makeup for tryouts after it ignited a social media backlash, NBC News reported.

The flyer posted on the university's Facebook page advised women to wear their hair "straight or curled" along with "false eyelashes" and "flattering eye shadow." It discouraged women from wearing "distracting fingernail polish" or "tops that cover the midriff."

Some said the skimpily clad young blond woman portrayed in the infographic reinforced sexual and racial stereotypes.

In a statement, the university said it withdrew the flyer "in response to a high volume of student questions," and that some of the descriptions "were inconsistent with the values of the UW spirit program."



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Syria Hospital Caring for Kids 'Destroyed' by Deadly Strike

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A direct airstrike destroyed a hospital specializing in pediatrics in Syria, killing at least 14 doctors and patients, Doctors Without Borders, which supports the facility said Thursday, NBC News reported. 

According to the medical charity, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), at least three of the eight doctors working at the Al Quds hospital in a rebel-held area of Aleppo were killed in the attack Wednesday night.

"This devastating attack has destroyed a vital hospital in Aleppo," Muskilda Zancada, MSF head of mission for Syria, said in a statement. "Where is the outrage among those with the power and obligation to stop this carnage?"

Syria's Civil Defense rescue service in Aleppo told NBC News 30 people had been killed in the attack, including a nurse and her whole family. It was not clear who launched the strike.



Photo Credit: AP
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Hartford Police Seize 'Sizzurp' During Bust

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Police arrested several people during a drug investigation in Hartford on Wednesday night and seized the drug concoction “Sizzurp.” They also seized guns, crack cocaine, PCP and marijuana. 

Detectives from the Hartford Police Department's Vice and Narcotics Unit were conducting an undercover drug investigation in the area of Main, Nelson, Westland and Sanford streets after reports of drug deals and gunshots when they made the arrests. 

Police initially arrested eight people and learned they were using 10 Stanford St. as a stash house for illegal guns and narcotics, so authorities searched an apartment on the first floor and found a loaded 9-milimeter handgun, 5 grams of crack cocaine, more than an ounce of liquid PCP, several bags of packaged PCP, $3,362 in U.S. currency and a bottle of syrup, or “Sizzurp.” The concoction is also sold as “purple drank,” according to the DEA.  

Seven people were arrested during the investigation. 

During the initial arrests, police found $1,998 in cash, more than an ounce of crack cocaine, two ounces of marijuana and heroin. 

Police charged Jeri Collins, 35, with criminal possession of a firearm, possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of a hallucinogenic, possession with intent to sell a hallucinogenic and interfering with search warrant. 

James Williams, 26, of Hartford, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of a hallucinogenic, possession with intent to sell a hallucinogenic and interfering with search warrant. 

Alexsondra Williams, 42, of Hartford, was charged with criminal possession of firearm, possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of a hallucinogenic and possession with intent to sell hallucinogenic. 

James White, 52, of Hartford, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell narcotics, possession of hallucinogenic and possession with intent to sell hallucinogenic. 

Lishawn Williams, 34, of Manchester, was charged with interfering with a search warrant; Charles Jackson, 26, of Manchester, was charged with interfering with a search warrant; Jack Williams, 38, of Manchester, is charged with interfering with a search warrant; and Franchist Cofield, 32, of New Britain, has been charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell narcotics and possession of controlled substance.

Ciara Ortiz, 22, of Hartford, has been charged with possession of narcotics; David Fairley, 40, of Hartford, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell narcotics and operation under suspension; and Rose Gilhooly, 18, of Windsor Locks, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

John Kehoe, 33, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. It’s not clear where he is from. 

Todd Joiner, 27, was charged with possession of a controlled substance; Pedro Santiago, 28, of Hartford, was charged with possession of a controlled substance; and Hawan McCray, 35, of East Hartford, was charged with possession of a controlled substance. 



Photo Credit: Hartford Police

Mumps Outbreak Reported at Sacred Heart University

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There is an outbreak of mumps at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, according to the state Department of Public Health, and they are urging residents to check their vaccination records and to be aware of the symptoms of mumps.

There are eight confirmed cases at Sacred Heart University and the Department of Public Health and the Fairfield Health Department have been working with the Sacred Heart University Wellness Center to investigate the outbreak.

One other confirmed case has been identified at a separate Connecticut university after spending time with ill students from SHU.

“With the end of the school semester approaching, and students dispersing to other locations for the summer, it is important for Connecticut residents to take steps to protect themselves against this highly contagious respiratory disease,” Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino said in a statement.  “The best protection against mumps is to get vaccinated.  In a school setting, it is especially important to wash your hands often and avoid sharing items, such as cups and utensils.  If you develop symptoms of mumps, stay home and contact your medical provider for advice.”

A note on the Sacred Heart University website the cases were detected on March 22 and the students have recovered.  

Nine probable cases with symptoms consistent with mumps and close contact with laboratory-confirmed cases have also been identified.

 

Mumps is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is spread through indirect or direct contact with an infected person’s nose or throat droplets, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is best known for the puffy cheeks and swollen jaw that it causes because of inflammation of the salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides. Other common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite. Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. However, mumps can occasionally cause severe complications, especially in adults. Those can include encephalitis, meningitis, deafness, and inflammation of the testicles, ovaries or breasts. Rarely, inflammation of the testicles can lead to decreased fertility or sterility in males. 
People with mumps can spread the infection for up to two days before and five days after symptoms develop, so those infected can spread the disease before they feel sick. Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12 to 25 days after infection.  

 

Mumps is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is spread through indirect or direct contact, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms include puffy cheeks and swollen jaw because of inflammation of the salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides.

Other common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.

Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and often they do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks, but mumps can occasionally cause severe complications, especially in adults.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Charges in Pa. Church Shooting

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A Montgomery County man who opened fire on another worshipper in a packed church during Sunday service has been charged with manslaughter.

Mark T. Storms, 46, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, was charged Thursday with voluntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment in the death of 27-year-old Robert E. Braxton III.

Storms shot Braxton inside Keystone Fellowship Church, a non-denominational church on Stump Road in North Wales, on Sunday morning, prosecutors said. The shooting happened in the church's sanctuary, which was filled with hundreds of worshippers for an 11 a.m. service. Witnesses told NBC10 churchgoers hid under pews as the altercation played out.

Witnesses remember Braxton arriving at church irritated and cursing at an usher in the back of the church, court documents show. Church staff members tried to quiet Braxton, but he refused before heading to a pew that was reserved for two other church members, according to prosecutors.

A church member sitting behind Braxton tapped him on the shoulder to let him know the seats were reserved. Another couple put down two Bibles to save their spots before walking away. Braxton retorted the tap and starting yelling "Don't f------ touch me!" an affidavit reads.

An assistant pastor and ushers came over to try and calm Braxton, but he continued to yell, records show.

In interviews with police, witnesses watched Storms walk over to Braxton, show him a badge and motion to a handgun under his shirt. The badge, police said, was for his concealed carry permit. Braxton exchanged words with Storms before punching him in the jaw. Storms then pulled out his gun and fired two shots, according to witnesses.

What church members remember between Storms showing the badge and the shooting varied.

A female witness told police Braxton said "F--- you and your fake badge, get the f--- out of here" to Storms when he showed off the gold marker.

Another church member, a man, told investigators Storms brandished his gun, to which, Braxton replied, "That's not a real gun."

One person said Braxton lunged at Storms before the shooting. Another recalled hearing Braxton ask Storms "What are you going to do, shoot me?" before punching him, court documents show.

Storms, in an interview with police, said he opened fire on Braxton because he felt his "person was in great danger" and that he was worried other people in the church, including the elderly and children, were going to be hurt.

Storms told police he showed off the concealed carry badge with hopes of defusing the situation. He said, according to court documents, he had done that in the past and that man "walked away."

Following the shooting, Braxton was taken to Abington-Lansdale Hospital where he died. An autopsy showed a bullet hit him in the right side of his chest and right arm.

Kevin Steele, Montgomery County district attorney, said his office decided to file charges after an intensive investigation and interviews with 50 witnesses.

Storms will be arraigned Thursday afternoon. It's not clear if he has retained an attorney.



Photo Credit: NBC10/Montogmery County District Attorney's Office

Univ. of Hartford Lockdown Lifted, Suspect Still at Large

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The University of Hartford were asking students to stay indoors or seek immediate shelter and lock doors on Thursday afternoon, according to a tweet put out by the school. 

The lockdown has been lifted. 

According to the school's website, Hartford Police and public safety are searching for an armed person who entered a room in the B complex, Stevens residence hall on campus.

The school said this was an armed robbery attempt and the victim was not injured. Police believe the suspect left campus in a gold or silver Chevy headed south on Bloomfield Avenue. 

The school said the man is wearing a black hoodie, black ski mask, black pants with black and red sneakers. The suspect showed a black handgun during the attempted robbery in the B complex.

Anyone with information is asked to call public safety at (860) 768-7985.



Photo Credit: University of Hartford

Severe Respiratory Infection Outbreak at Windsor Kennel: CVMA

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There has been a severe respiratory infection outbreak at a large kennel in Windsor, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association announced.

One dog that presenting fever, pneumonia and epistaxis has already died at the , the CVMA said. Tests for the dog came up negative for canine influenza and other tests are pending. 

It is not clear what kennel in Windsor was infected. 

To the association's knowledge, no other veterinary hospitals are treating cases and the incident seems to be isolated to the facility. 

Dogs from the Windsor kennel are currently being treated at Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown and New England Veterinary Center in Windsor, the association said. 

A vet told NBC Connecticut tells dog owners that if they board their pet or keep them at a daycare, to be on the look out for symptoms.

The warning is keeping Fideclo, a guide dog foundation, said it will be keeping its dogs out of public areas amid the infectious outbreak. 

Fidelco said symptoms of the infection include coughing, wheezing, running nose, weepy eye, blood in cough or stool. 

NBC Connecticut reached out to the state Department of Agriculture to find out which kennel was involved and told any information would not be available until Friday.

At this point NBC Connecticut does not know the total number of dogs which were infected but it appears to be an isolated outbreak contained to that one kennel.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

3 Arrested in San Bernardino Probe

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The brother of one of the San Bernardino terror attack shooters was among three people arrested Thursday morning after warrants were served in a Southern California marriage fraud investigation. 

All three of the individuals arrested Thursday in Ontario and Corona have family connections to gunman Syed Rizwan Farook, who died along with his wife in a shootout with police after the Dec. 2 mass shooting. The shooters killed 14 people at a holiday party earlier that day in San Bernardino. 

The warrants were served Wednesday in connection with a five-count indictment that charges the three with making false statements to obtain immigration benefits for one of the defendants.

The marriage fraud case stemmed from the terror attack investigation and led to the arrests of Mariya Chernykh, 26, of Ontario; her sister, 31-year-old Tatiana Farook, of Corona; and Syed Raheel Farook, the 31-year-old husband of Tatiana Farook and brother to Syed Rizwan Farook.

All three pleaded not guilty in court Thursday afternoon.

Syed Raheel Farook was released on a $25,000 bond. His wife Tatiana was released on a $35,000 bond. A $50,000 bond was expected to be posted for Chernykh. 

An immigration hold has been placed on Chernykh, so her release will not be immediate.

Outside court, their attorneys, Ron Cordova and Dyke Huish, were vocal about about separating the case from the terror attack.

Chernyhk is married to Enrique Marquez Jr., who is awaiting trial on charges of conspiring with Rizwan Farook in 2011 and 2012 to provide material support to terrorists. He has pleaded not guilty.

When he was indicted on those charges last year, Marquez also was charged with entering into a sham marriage with Chernykh in November 2014. He falsely signed an immigration form and falsely declared he was living with her so she could obtain legal residence status in the United States, according to authorities.

In one exchange of messages, Marquez and Chernykh discussed their anxiety about their upcoming immigration interview because of their lack of contact with each other, according to the most recent indictment. Marquez said he was worried about being imprisoned for fraud, the indictment says.

Tatiana Farook and Syed Raheel Farook are accused of taking staged family photos of Marquez and Chernykh, establishing a joint checking account for them and creating a back-dated lease to give the illusion that they shared a home.

Rizwan Farook, 28, and wife Tashfeen Malik, 27, opened fire Dec. 2 at a social services center in San Bernardino, killing 14 people and wounding more than 20 others. They fled the scene but died hours later in a shootout with police.

U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker released a statement Thursday applauding the arrests.

"This is the latest step in the comprehensive investigation into the horrific attacks in San Bernardino last year that took the lives of 14 innocent Americans and deeply affected so many more," said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. "As I have said previously, we owe the victims, and the entire community of San Bernardino, a thorough investigation that uncovers all criminal activity surrounding these events.

"Today's arrests open a new phase in the process of bringing to justice all individuals who allegedly committed crimes that were uncovered during our exhaustive investigation. The charges also reflect the importance we place on statements made to law enforcement officials during a terrorism investigation. Those who lie to or conceal material information from law enforcement officers investigating terrorist acts will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The FBI conducted another search in February at a Corona home connected to Raheel Farook. Authorities did not confirm the property searched Thursday was the same location searched in February.

Late last month, federal authorities said they successfully used a mysterious technique without Apple Inc.'s help to hack into the iPhone used by a gunman in a mass shooting in California, effectively ending a pitched court battle between the Obama administration and one of the world's leading technology companies.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Man Falsely Accused of Terrorism Wants Accusers Charged

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A Sikh man who said he was racially profiled wants law enforcement agencies to file criminal charges against the people who allegedly falsely accused him of a terrorist bomb threat, NBC News reported.

Daljeet Singh, who wears a turban and beard as articles of his faith, was traveling on a Greyhound bus through Amarillo, Texas, on Feb. 21, 2016, according to The Sikh Coalition, which is representing him. He was speaking to another man in Punjabi, when a woman on the bus reported to police that the two men were “acting weird,” speaking Arabic and discussing a bomb. 

Two other passengers detained the two men in their seats until police came and arrested them at gunpoint. Police removed Singh’s turban and detained him for more than 30 hours. He was interviewed by the FBI through an interpreter. Both men were cleared of any wrongdoing. 

"Whether it's a Sikh man on a Greyhound bus, or an Arabic speaker on a Southwest airplane, the xenophobic fear and bigotry in our country is out of control," Gurjot Kaur, senior staff attorney at The Sikh Coalition, told NBC News.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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