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One dead, more than 100 injured in NJ train crash

NJ Train Crash
HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) — At least one person is dead after a commuter train plowed into the rail station in Hoboken, New Jersey, during the morning rush hour. More than 100 others were hurt, some critically.

The New Jersey Transit train smashed through a barrier at the end of the track, coming to a halt in a covered waiting area. The wreck brought down a section of the roof onto the first car.

A passenger says the train was crowded, especially in the front cars, and plowed through the platform at the end of the line.

Radio station WFAN anchor John Minko told New York radio station WINS that the train “went right through the barriers and into the reception area.”

Bhagyesh Shah told NBC New York he saw a lot of people bleeding and a woman pinned under concrete Thursday morning at New Jersey Transit’s Hoboken station. Shah says he was in the back of the train but that many people use the front cars, since it makes for an easier exit. He says the train plowed into the platform. He says it lasted only a couple seconds, “but it felt like an eternity.”

He tells the TV station that passengers in the second car broke the emergency windows to get out.

Hospitals in New Jersey say they have received 74 patients from the Hoboken train crash.

A spokesman for Jersey City Medical Center says it got 51 injured. Three are trauma patients in serious condition, while eight others are in less serious condition. Forty others were brought in by bus, were triaged and were being treated in its cafeteria.

Officials at Hoboken University Medical Center say they received 22 patients. Three of them had broken bones, while the rest had bumps, cuts and other minor injuries.

The two hospitals are the primary places taking those injured in the crash, which killed one person. Another patient was taken to Christ Hospital in Jersey City.

Report: Kansas government has 2 days’ worth of cash reserves

Pew Charitable TrustsTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A recent study says the Kansas government could run on its cash reserves for only two days.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Pew Charitable Trusts analyzed cash reserves for all states at the end of the most recent fiscal years and estimated how long state government could continue to function if it relied on those reserves.

Kansas ended the 2016 fiscal year in June with a $35 million balance. The study says the average state has about 29.2 days of reserve funds.

Gov. Sam Brownback’s spokeswoman, Eileen Hawley, says the study reflects a steep drop off in the oil and agriculture economies. Hawley says other states with similar economies have also experiences declines in their state reserve funds.

12-year-old driver hits, injures convenience store worker

Harvey County sheriff patchWALTON, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a 12-year-old driver has struck a convenience store worker with a pickup truck, knocking the 71-year-old employee through a plate glass window.

The Hutchinson News reports that the employee was sent to a Wichita hospital with a possible leg fracture after being hit Tuesday while picking up trash outside the store in the small town of Walton.

The young driver reported hitting the gas instead of the brakes. She was taken to a different hospital to be assessed for possible injuries.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Melissa Flavin said in an email that authorities aren’t sure whether she’ll face charges.

A licensed 16-year-old and unlicensed 17-year-old also were in the truck with the 12-year-old when the collision happened. The 16-year-old was ticketed for contributing to a child’s misconduct.

Discrimination suit against Gov. Nixon delayed as more cases surface

Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon (file photo)
Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon
(file photo)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A lawsuit accusing Gov. Jay Nixon of age and gender discrimination has been delayed as more cases surface.

The Kansas City Star reports that jury selection had been scheduled to begin Friday in Gracia Backer’s lawsuit. She alleges that she was fired from the Missouri Department of Labor because she complained to Nixon’s office that her boss was creating a hostile work environment and discriminating against older female employees.

But a judge decided this week to postpone the trial until late February, after Nixon leaves office.

The Star says an open records request also has turned up two additional discrimination lawsuits against executive branch agencies, including one naming Nixon specifically as a defendant.

A Nixon spokesman declined comment Wednesday.

Mizzou suspends fraternity over racial slur reports

Mizzou suspends fraternity over racial slurs

Delta Upsilon logoCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri has temporarily suspended the Delta Upsilon fraternity after some black students said members used racial slurs.

The university announced the suspension Wednesday evening, joining the national DU organization in sanctioning the fraternity.

A statement says the fraternity had been cited for other violations of campus policy, including alcohol violations.

A suspended fraternity cannot use university facilities or participate in campus activities such as Homecoming and social events.

Nebraska anthem protesters draw ire of 2 regents, governor

Nebraska logoLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two university regents and the governor are voicing their opposition to three Nebraska football players protesting racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.

Nebraska coach Mike Riley says he expects Michael Rose-Ivey to represent himself well when he meets with Gov. Pete Ricketts, who criticized Rose-Ivey and two other players for kneeling during the national anthem at last weekend’s game.

Exactly what Rose-Ivey and Ricketts will discuss is unclear. Gov. Ricketts called the protest “disgraceful” and “disrespectful.”

Rose-Ivey, Mohamed Barry and DaiShon Neal each took a knee as the anthem played before Saturday’s game at Northwestern.

Regents Hal Daub of Omaha and Jim Pillen of Columbus said Tuesday the three used poor judgment. Daub said it wasn’t the place for a “Colin Kaepernick cloning situation.”

Rose-Ivey said Monday that he, Barry and Neal joined San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Kaepernick and other athletes who have protested unfair treatment of blacks in the United States.

Cedar River in Iowa forecast to return to below flood stage

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the Cedar River in Iowa is slowly receding from its crest in Cedar Rapids, and a new forecast says the water level will drop below flood stage sooner than expected.

City spokeswoman Sara Baughman said Wednesday that the city’s temporary flood protection system is still doing its job holding back the swollen river. She says pumps have been handling the storm sewer backup and water that has seeped through barriers.

National Weather Service data show the river has dropped to 21.19 feet as of 7 a.m. Wednesday from Tuesday morning’s crest of just under 22 feet. The service also says the river is expected to be back under flood stage of 12 feet on Sunday, a day earlier than previously forecast.

Senators vote to override Obama’s veto of 9/11 bill

no vetoWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has rejected President Barack Obama’s veto of legislation that would allow the families of Sept. 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for the kingdom’s alleged backing of the attackers.

Senators voted 97-1 Wednesday to override Obama’s decision to scuttle the bill. The override vote came even as the president and top military officials warned the measure could put U.S. troops and interests at risk.

A House vote was expected later Wednesday. If the House also overrides, the bill becomes law.

During his nearly two terms in office, Obama has never had a veto overridden by Congress.

Families of the victims disputed Obama’s reasons for vetoing the bill and pushed lawmakers to overturn his decision.

Body recovered from farm pond in southwest Iowa

fremont county iowa sheriff patchANDERSON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a body has been recovered from a farm pond in southwest Iowa’s Fremont County.

A dive team and first responders were dispatched to the pond less than a mile north of Anderson on Tuesday night after someone reported spotting an upside-down pickup there.

The pickup and the body were pulled out of the water, and the body was sent to state authorities for an autopsy.

Authorities identified the body as that of 55-year-old James Vrbsky, who was last seen by neighbors on Thursday, loading fishing gear into the truck.

Kobach ordered to tell voters their fall ballots will count

Kris KobachWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has ordered Secretary of State Kris Kobach to notify thousands of people who hadn’t provided documents proving their citizenship that they will be allowed to vote for all offices in the November election.

Shawnee County District Judge Larry Hendricks’ order affects more than 19,545 voters who registered at motor vehicle offices or with a federal form without providing documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.

The judge stopped short of issuing the permanent injunction sought by the American Civil Liberties Union. Kobach’s office says it is reviewing the ruling.

Dale Ho, director of the ACLU’s voting rights project, says all the litigation has freed about half of voter registrants in Kansas from unnecessary bureaucratic hoops.

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