Russian school held hostageAn unknown militant group took a Russian school hostage Sept. 1. Russian troops stormed the school Sept. 3 and freed the hostages after an unexplained explosion in the gymnasium. Three hundred thirty people were killed during the siege, and over 400 were injured. A suspect stated that the members of the rebel group want to “start a war across the Caucasus” (a region encompassing Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan).
Charges dropped against NBA’s Bryant
Judge Terry Ruckriegle announced Sept. 1 that criminal charges of felony sexual assault against NBA player Kobe Bryant would be dropped. District Attorney Mark Hulbert brought the motion to dismiss, saying his now 20-year-old client is no longer able to proceed with the criminal trial. A civil lawsuit filed Aug. 10 against Bryant will continue. Bryant admits to having had sex with his accuser but claims it was consensual and now faces charges up to $733,000, but no prison time.
Medicare costs increase
The Department of Health and Human Services announced Sept. 3 that Medicare premiums will reach a record high in January. Monthly payments for the Part B portion of Medicare (non-hospital expenses, including visits to a physician) will increase 17 percent, from $66.60 to $78.20. Premiums are updated annually via a formula mandated by law. Deductibles are also on the rise: the deductible for Part B will rise $10 to $110, and the deductible for Part A (hospital costs, including nursing facilities) will increase $36 to $912. Ninety-three percent of the 41.8 million Medicare recipients receive Part B benefits.
Men arrested for murder at football party
Two brothers were charged with first-degree murder after two other men were shot and killed at a tailgate party before an N. C. State University football game Sept. 4. Neither victim was a student at the university; one of the accused is. According to one witness, the altercation began with a fistfight between one of the victims and one of the brothers, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time. The brothers’ hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7.
Frances batters Florida
Half a million FL. residents were displaced during the largest evacuation in the state’s history to escape Hurricane Frances. The storm, larger than the state itself, caused serious damage and major flooding. So far, 10 deaths have been attributed to Frances, which was downgraded to a tropical storm Sept. 5. Over three million residents are still without electricity.