The
chiming of bells reverberated throughout Newtown on Friday,
commemorating one week since the crackle of gunfire in a schoolhouse
killed 20 children and six adults in a massacre that has shaken the
community - and the nation - to its core.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy gathered with other officials
on the steps of the town hall as the bell rang 26 times in memory of
each life lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The gunman also killed
his mother before the massacre, and himself afterward.
Officials didn't plan any formal remarks Friday morning, when similar commemorations were planned throughout the country.
Though the massacre does not rank as the deadliest
school shooting in U.S. history - that record belongs to Virginia Tech -
the tender age of the victims and the absence of any apparent motive
has struck at Americans' hearts and minds like no other. The gunman used
a military-style assault rifle loaded with ammunition intended to
inflict maximum damage, officials have said.
Just a week later, gun control has taken a front
burner in Congress, where previous mass shootings produced only minimal
legislative reaction. Vice President Joe Biden had said Thursday that
the Obama administration would push to tighten gun laws.
The White House has said President Barack Obama would privately observe the moment of silence.
The National Rifle Association will take the
spotlight later Friday in its first public event since last week's
shooting at a morning news conference. The nation's largest gun-rights
lobby with 4.3 million members has said it will offer "meaningful
contributions to help make sure this never happens again."
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:27:11 GMT
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:10:26 GMT
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:43 GMT
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again. When Joseph Blaisse was looking for his final Eagle Scout project he thought of
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:49:28 GMT
Your Friday will feature steadier showers and thunderstorms early giving way to scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. We reach an early High of 64, followed by falling temperatures. Winds pick up out of the NW 10 to 15 mph. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks cool with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:03:32 GMT
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
