Today in History for August 17th
Nation
6th person dies in Pennsylvania house explosion; victims named, blast under investigation
A sixth person has died after a house exploded in Plum, Pennsylvania, as fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the explosion.
Intense fighting continues along northeast frontline in Ukraine
Intense fighting continued along the northeast frontline in Ukraine on Wednesday as Kyiv’s forces used drone intelligence to strike Russian positions.
Inmates at Northern California women’s prison sue federal government over sexual abuse
The lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons alleges that staff at the Dublin facility didn’t do enough to prevent sexual abuse going back to the 1990s.
Blind veterans beat challenges at Ukraine rehab camp
On a bustling street in Rivne, a western Ukrainian city, former Ukrainian soldier Denys Abdulin took his first steps independently since he was severely wounded and blinded while fighting Russian troops. (AP video by Vasilisa Stepanenko)
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California town hit by deadliest wildfire in state history testing new warning sirens
A devastating 2018 California wildfire killed 85 people and destroyed nearly 19,000 buildings. Now, as the town of Paradise rebuilds, it is installing and testing new wildfire warning sirens. (Aug. 17) (AP Video: Haven Daley)
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Oklahoma Supreme Court will consider Tulsa Race Massacre reparations case
The Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed to consider a reparations case regarding the Tulsa Race Massacre after a district judge dismissed it last month.
Maui authorities defend not using sirens for wildfire
The head of the Maui’s emergency agency said on Wednesday he had “no regret” that sirens weren’t sounded to warn people about encroaching wildfires. (Aug 16) (AP video/Mike Householder)
As death toll in Maui fire rises, here’s how it compares to the deadliest fires in the US
At least 110 people died in the Maui wildfire, now one of at least 18 wildfires that have claimed 10 or more lives in the US
Kansas prosecutor says police should return materials seized in raid on newspaper
A Kansas prosecutor says that he found insufficient evidence to support the police raid of a newspaper and that all seized material should be returned. (Aug. 16)