In neighborhood, Black residents fear police
MEMPHIS >> In a terrible way, the death of Tyre Nichols brings vindication to members of the Black community in Memphis who live in constant fear of the police.
Often, before, people didn't believe them when told how bad it is.
The fatal beating of Nichols, 29, by five police officers tells the story many residents know by heart: that any encounter, including traffic stops, can be deadly if you're a Black person.
Examples abound of Black residents, primarily young men, targeted by police. Some are in official reports. Anyone you talk to has a story. Even casual discussions in a coffee shop net multiple examples. A homeowner who called the police because a young man who had been shot was on his front porch. The responding officers ignored the gunshot victim and entered the caller's home. The caller was slammed to the ground and a chemical agent used on him as he was subdued. The officers then lied about the circumstances, but there was video.
Man given 16 years for shooting at kids
MILWAUKEE, WIS. >>A Wisconsin man convicted of shooting at a group of children who threw snowballs at his car in 2020 received a 16-year prison sentence on Friday.
Media reports that prosecutors had asked for a 25year prison sentence after jurors found William Carson guilty of two counts of first-degree reckless injury and five counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety in November.
According to court records, seven children were throwing snowballs at passing cars on Milwaukee's north side in January 2020. A driver later identified as Carson turned his car around, got out and fired a gun at the group.
Prosecutors have said two of the children were hurt after being shot in the thigh and arm. A third child's jacket was grazed by a bullet.
Judge Michael Hanrahan also included 10 years of extended supervision in Carson's sentence.
Flying time to be half for prospective pilots
NEW YORK >> Southwest Airlines Co. will reduce by half the amount of experience prospective pilots must have flying jet or turboprop aircraft as it accelerates hiring this year.
Applicants will need to have 500 hours of “turbine time” starting Feb. 7, down from the 1,000 hours previously required, the airline confirmed Saturday. The change, outlined in a Feb. 2 memo to pilots, “will allow more highly-skilled aviators the opportunity to pursue a career at Southwest Airlines,” a spokeswoman said Saturday.
The U.S. airline industry has been hobbled by a pilot shortage that intensified during and coming out of the pandemic. Most major carriers continue to hire aviators even after securing enough to fly current schedules, leaving a shortfall at regional airlines that has kept some aircraft grounded. Southwest is adding a net 1,700 pilots this year, after hiring about 1,000 in 2022.