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Flash Flood Kills 9, Mostly Kids, at Arizona Swimming Hole
A flash flood swept through a swimming hole in an Arizona national park Saturday, leaving nine people dead, including six children as young as 2, NBC News reported. Four were rescued but officials were still searching for a missing 27-year-old man Sunday night, according to the Gila County Sherrif's Department. A group of 14 people were caught in the flood at the swimming hole at Cold Springs in Tonto National Forest Saturday afternoon, north of Phoenix, sheriff's officials said. "It's a tragedy," sheriff's Detective Sgt. David Hornung said. When nearly an inch of rain fell, it likely gathered a large amount of debris left by a series of recent forest fires down the creek that burst into the swimming hole, according to the fire department and weather station in nearby Payson.
Ann Coulter Slams Delta on Twitter Amid Seat Dispute
Conservative commentator Ann Coulter took to Twitter to express her displeasure with Delta Airlines about a seating dispute. Coulter posted a series of at least 32 tweets after she said the airline gave away an "extra room seat" she had purchased before a flight from New York to Florida had departed on Saturday. Coulter said she was upset about the seating change because she took the time to investigate the aircraft and choose her pre-booked seat. She tweeted she was moved "w/o explanation, compensation or apology." Delta's Anthony Black said in a statement Sunday morning that the airline had reached out to Coulter to address her complaints.
New Evidence to Be Released in Indiana Teens' Slayings
Authorities are reportedly expected to release new information Monday in the months-long investigation into the slayings of two northern Indiana girls. Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley confirmed to NBC affiliate WTHR that new evidence would be released in the deaths of 14-year-old Liberty German and 13-year-old Abigail Williams. German and Williams, of Delphi, vanished Feb. 13 along a trail near their hometown about 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis. Their bodies were found the next day in a wooded area. Authorities had previously urged people to study two grainy photographs of a man they considered to be the main suspect in the killings and an audio recording of a male voice saying "down the hill." The photos and audio came from Liberty's cellphone. Police have hailed her as a hero for recording potentially crucial evidence.
Local
Aaron Carter Releases Statement After Arrest on DUI, Marijuana Charges
Pop star Aaron Carter was arrested Saturday outside of Atlanta, Georgia, for driving under the influence and drug possession, police said. The 29-year-old singer was arrested with girlfriend Madison Parker, according to a statement from Floyd Canup, Captain of the Habersham County Sheriff's Office. In addition to the DUI charge, Carter was arrested for possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and drug-related objects, Canup said. Carter was released on bail Sunday. Carter is the younger brother of the Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter, and was a singer in his own right. "To my brother: I love u no matter what & if u feel the need to reach for help, I am here and willing to help you get better," Nick Carter tweeted Sunday afternoon. Following his brother's tweet, Aaron Carter released a statement on Twitter to explain his arrest and responding to his brother's outreach. "Aaron holds a medical license for medical marijuana for his long standing anxiety," the statement read. "He feels his 'celebrity' was targeted."
The GOP Health Plan Hinges on the Young, But They're a Tough Sell: Analysis
Julian Senn-Raemont isn't convinced he needs to buy health insurance when he loses coverage under his dad's plan in a couple of years — no matter what happens in the policy debate in Washington, or how cheap the plans are. The 24-year-old musician hasn't known a world without a health care safety net. But he hates being forced by law to get coverage, and doesn't think he needs it. "I'm playing the odds," said Senn-Raemont, who lives in Woodstock, Illinois. He will go without insurance, he said, until he starts a family or gets a job with benefits. "I feel comfortable I could get care if I needed it." Senn-Raemont's outlook could pose a major problem for Republicans building a replacement for the Affordable Care Act. Insurers need young and healthy enrollees like him to buy insurance because they keep premiums down for everyone. The current law attempts to do that by mandating that everyone get coverage. The Republican plan replaces that mandate with penalties for those who let coverage lapse, and aims to entice young adults by allowing insurance companies to sell bare-bones coverage that could be cheaper.
