Tuesday News Rundown (11-18-14)

By Emily Parma
Assistant Web Content Manager

A terrorist attack in Jerusalem has left three Americans dead. CNN reports that this attack took place in the synagogue in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood earlier this morning. The two alleged Palestinian attackers stormed into the synagogue with knives attacking and killing four worshipers, three of which were dual Israeli-American citizens. Six others, including two police officers, were also wounded during the attack. A U.S. law enforcement official has stated that the FBI will also investigate the murders of the three American citizens as well.

The food drive that was scheduled to be hosted today in The Quad by Texas State mass communication students has been postponed due to bad weather. The event has been rescheduled for Dec. 4, but food bins have been placed throughout Old Main for those who are still interested in donating. All donations will be given to the Wimberley Crisis Bread Basket Foundation to feed underprivileged families.

A strain of bird flu found on a duck farm in Europe has been identified as the same type as those in recent outbreaks. According to BBC News, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the risk to the public is very low, but about 6,000 ducks are being culled, or selectively slaughtered, to prevent the spread of the disease. Precautions are being taken to ensure that this outbreak, the first since 2008, is handled in a humane and safe way.

San Marcos may acquire more land along the San Marcos River, as well as some land along Prospect Street after tonight’s city council meeting. Council members, including newly sworn in Mayor Daniel Guerrero, John Thomaides and Jane Hughson, will deliberate the land during an executive session. The council will also be hearing a staff presentation on the Sessom Bike Lane improvement project and hold two public hearings on a new Sac-N-Pac store and municipal utility district.

Two weeks after the Democratic party lost at least a dozen seats in the chamber, House Democrats unanimously re-elected Rep. Nancy Pelosi as House minority leader this morning. According to the Washington Post, Pelosi was victorious by voice vote in which she faced no challenger. With the additional two years, Pelosi’s next step in politics is winning back control of the House and only then will she think about leaving.

As San Marcos continues to be named one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, another statistic is increasing too. Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children leaders kicked off a capital campaign to raise money for a new, permanent office in San Marcos. With an increasing average of five-to-10 percent of children entering state protective custody each year, the current CASA location serving Hays County doesn’t have the resources to keep up with the growing rate. The campaign aims to raise $1.2 million to build a new 6,000-square-foot office and training facility by 2016.

President Barack Obama is urging Congress to quickly approve his request for billions of dollars in emergency spending to fight the spread of Ebola. Obama said earlier today that West Africa is not in the clear in its battle against Ebola. According to the Associated Press, Obama said the deadly virus remains a threat to the world, including the U.S.

Through this month, the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is inviting the community to give a cat a home during its pet adoption program.

The University Bookstore is hosting its annual open house and gingerbread house contest. There are a few rules in entering the contest, but the winner of each adult category will be given a $75 gift card. You may drop off your house between Dec. 1-3. Houses will be judged during the open house on Dec. 3. House categories include: Texas State Student, Texas State Faculty/Staff and Texas State Department/Organization.

There are freeze reports in all 50 states right now. Every state in the union within its border reportedly registered temperatures below freezing. This morning was the coldest November morning since 1976. This type of weather is not likely until January or February. Currently it’s 55 degrees in San Marcos and it’s expected to get down to 39 degrees in the evening.