Suspect in Washington family killing is nabbed. The Boy Scouts may soon let in gay leaders. And biker gangs in Texas issue new threats against cops.
It’s Friday, and here are the five things to know for your New Day:
D.C. QUADRUPLE HOMICIDE
Off the streets: Daron Dylon Wint, the suspect in last week’s quadruple homicide and arson, was arrested late last night in northeast Washington. Wint was leaving a Howard Johnson hotel in a car when 20 police vehicles and a helicopter cornered him on a road a few miles away. Police said they had just “barely missed him” Wednesday night when he reportedly fled to New York and spent the night with a girlfriend.
CALIFORNIA OIL SPILL
Drip, drip, drip: As bad as the oil spill in Santa Barbara was this week, it could have been worse. The pipeline that ruptured was carrying 1,300 barrels of oil an hour, below its max capacity of 2,000 barrels. The cleanup continued yesterday on the coast, with officials saying that untold numbers of lobsters, kelp bass and marine invertebrates have been killed by the leak. So how long will the cleanup last? It could take months to get Refugio State Beach back to normal.
BOY SCOUTS
The times, they are a-changing: Sounds like the Boy Scouts of America is prepping to get rid of its ban on gay scout leaders. Robert Gates, the organization’s president, said yesterday that the country is changing when it comes to views on gays and lesbians, and that the group’s current ban “cannot be sustained.” Gates said it was better to start making changes now than be forced by the courts to do it. Gates didn’t set a timetable, but urged changes happen sooner rather than later. And just this week, the Girl Scouts reiterated its stance that transgender girls are welcome to join.
WACO SHOOTOUT
Clear and present danger: Bandido bikers may bring out the heavy artillery — literally — against police. That’s what a bulletin from the Texas Department of Public Safety says. Bikers who are in the military are reportedly giving the gangs grenades and explosives, some of which could be used to car bomb law enforcement officials and their families. The gang has also ordered hits on Texas troopers and threatened to run over officers at traffic stops. This info is from an informant who says he got it from the Bandidos and Black Widows gangs.
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
Tick, tock, tick, tock: Congress wants to keep the NSA’s phone data collection program up and running, but is bumping up against a June 1 deadline. On that day, the program goes dark without a reauthorization or extension. So what does Congress do in such situations? Wait until the last minute to deal with the problem AND take a full, week-long Memorial Day recess. So Congress is scrambling to find a solution in the next couple of days before everyone flies out of D.C. for barbecue. Two bills — one would temporarily extend the program, the other would shift data collection to telecommunications companies — may get votes Friday or Saturday in the Senate, but who knows if either one will pass.
Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a few others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.
Safety talk: This nifty little video from Delta contains just about every Internet meme you can think of.
‘Isn’t that … ?’: No one likes surprises at a wedding — unless the surprise is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson!
Cuteness alert!: Adorable little penguins, frolicking in the water. That’s really all you need to know.
Hug me: This dog’s owner has to resort to tricks to get a hug.