What you need to know: Monday
It’s Monday, April 27 and here is your day ahead:
In local news…
WEATHER: Quiet weather is expected this week. Today will be mostly sunny and pleasant. Highs will reach the lower 60s. Full forecast
1. TONY ROBINSON
Youth and Unity: The family of Tony Robinson urged for peace during the Youth and Unity Summit last night. The Dane County Boys and Girls Club organized the event following the officer-involved shooting death of Robinson. Robinson’s mom, Andrea, told the thousands of young people in attendance that seeing their faces brought hope. Organizers, including Dane County Boys and Girls Club CEO Michael Johnson, say it is important for young people to hear a unifying message as the community waits to hear if officer Matt Kenny will be criminally charged. DA Ismael Ozanne continues to review all the reports in the shooting, and has said he will give the community 48 hours advanced notice before the decision is announced. More on this story
2. NEPAL EARTHQUAKE
Wis. climbers trapped: Two Wisconsin men are now trapped on Mount Everest after surviving an avalanche set off by a powerful earthquake in Nepal. Benjamin Breckheimer, who grew up in Menomonee Falls, was trying to become the first wounded warrior to climb Mount Everest. Andy Land, a hospice nurse from Fond du Lac, and the rest of his climbing team led by International Mountain Guides in Ashford, Washington, all survived the earthquake. Land’s mother said while she’s relieved he survived, she still has concerns about how they will get off the mountain. More on this story
3. CHRISTOPHER RUTHERFORD
Trial begins: Jury selection is set to begin today for the man accused of hitting and killing a woman in Beloit as he was running away from police. Christopher Rutherford is charged with first-degree reckless homicide for the death of 47-year-old Sheila Rosenbaum. Authorities say they were trying to arrest Rutherford when he drove away, hitting Rosenbaum. She later died at a hospital. The trial is expected to last until Wednesday. More on this story
4. INTERSTATE CONSTRUCTION
Starts today: Construction work is scheduled to start Monday on Interstate 39/90 at the Highway 73/51 interchange near Edgerton. The project will improve safety, upgrade the road to meet current design standards, modify the ramps and lengthen the bridge of the interstate, Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials said. Periodic lane and ramp closures are expected near the interchange, but they are dependent on weather and subject to change. More on this story
In national news…
1. NEPAL EARTHQUAKE
Survival mode: Nepal is still in shock after this weekend’s series of earthquakes and powerful aftershocks. Stunned residents wander through the streets of Kathmandu, the capital city of 3 million people, digging through what’s left of their homes seeking what they can find of their former lives and missing loved ones. Many of the injured are being treated outside hospitals that are now overflowing. People are sleeping outside, shivering in the cold Himalayan Mountain air. Many of the city’s centuries-old buildings now lay in ruin. As of early this morning more than 3,700 are dead, but that number will surely rise. More on this story
2. MOUNT EVEREST
Americans killed: Saturday’s earthquake and avalanche killed at least 17 people on Mount Everest, including at least three Americans. Dan Fredinburg, a Google executive from the Bay Area, had been posting updates about his adventures in Nepal. Then his sister took over his account and told the world the bad news. Eve Girawong, a mountaineer and base camp medic from New Jersey, also died on the mountain. Her family said she was doing what she loved most — “helping others.” Tom Taplin, a filmmaker from Santa Monica, California, was making a documentary on Everest climbers, when wind stirred by the avalanche caused him to take a fall, CNN affiliate KABC reported. More on this story
3. FREDDIE GRAY
A call for peace: Freddie Gray’s wake was yesterday, the day after protestors and police mixed it up on the streets of Baltimore. Most of the protesters were peaceful, but a small handful smashed store windows, vandalized police cars, threw objects at officers, cursed at them and scuffled with them. About 35 people were arrested and six officers suffered minor injuries. Last night Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake appeared with faith leaders, saying the violence was “unacceptable” to her and renewing the call for a return to peaceful protests. Gray is scheduled to be laid to rest today. More on this story
4. AURORA MOVIE SHOOTING
Trial begins: It’s been almost three years since a gunman barged into a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” at a theater in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people and injuring 70 in a wave of gunfire. Shooting suspect James Holmes goes on trial today on 165 counts, including murder and attempted murder charges. He’s pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. For the survivors and families of the dead, the trial is a big, painful step toward healing that will undoubtedly bring back a flood of agonizing memories. More on this story
Boating mishap: Two dead, five missing. That’s what the boating community in Mobile Bay, Alabama, is facing this morning after severe weather capsized boats in a regatta Saturday evening. Two bodies have been found. Authorities pulled 40 survivors out of the water but were still looking for five more people yesterday. Two aircraft and numerous boats searched more than 2,500 miles. More than 100 sailboats were taking part in the Dauphin Island Race Saturday when the boats were rocked by bad weather. More on this story
