Train derailment in Ohio, Americans kidnapped in Mexico: March 6 rundown

A second Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio – A Norfolk Southern train went off its tracks on Saturday in Western Ohio. 28 cars from the 212 car train derailed. Officials said there were no hazardous chemicals aboard the train cars involved. The cause of the derailment is under investigation, according to Norfolk Southern representative Kraig Barner. It was about one month earlier when a Norfolk Southern train derailment involving 38 train cars, some of which carried hazardous chemicals, displaced residents and disrupted the small town of East Palestine, Ohio. The latest incident adds to the mounting pressure Norfolk Southern and the transportation sector as a whole are facing over recent derailments.

Four U.S. citizens kidnapped in Mexico –  Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped after crossing from the U.S. into Mexico in the border city of Matamoros on Saturday. According to the FBI, gunmen opened fire on their vehicle before taking the Americans. A van belonging to the Americans had North Carolina license plates. The area is known for heavy conflict with the Gulf drug cartel.

Shootouts over the weekend were so bad the U.S. Consulate issued an alert about the danger on Friday, one day before the Americans were taken. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for their return.

Atlanta police, training facility targeted by protestors – The construction site for a new Atlanta Police Department training facility was attacked by agitators covering as protesters, according to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. Chief Schierbaum said there have been more than 30 arrests made with most of them coming from out of the state.

Pieces of construction equipment were set on fire, large rocks, bricks and fireworks were thrown at police officers at the training facility, according to police. Reports indicate 35 people were detained following the outbreak.

Police protests have been a major narrative in Atlanta in recent weeks. Protests related to the proposed police training facility last erupted in Atlanta on Jan. 21. At the time, a police car was set on fire and windows were shattered in downtown buildings.

“This was not a protest,” Schierbaum said. “This is criminal activity and the criminal charges will show that.”

Snowfall mounts in Northern California – Snowfall in California over the weekend has stranded residents in Northern California communities. Blizzard conditions shut down roads and highways. More than 30 inches of snow fell in a day in some regions triggering an avalanche warning.

Roughly 10 feet of snow has already fallen in last week’s snow storm. Search crews have rescued several people stranded in mountain communities. Meanwhile in Southern California, residents could remain trapped in their homes for several more days after unprecedented snowfall in the region.

Iran’s supreme leader condemns poisonings of schoolgirls – Nearly 1,000 schoolgirls in Iran have reportedly been poisoned across as many as 50 different schools in the region since November. The reports have created concern among residents and parents. State Media announced last week Iran’s government opened an investigation into the alleged purposeful poisonings.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has responded to the investigation. Khamenei said if anyone is found responsible for deliberately poisoning female students, they would be sentenced to death. It’s the first time Iran’s top official has commented on the investigation. Khamenei called the act of purposefully poisoning school children an “unforgivable crime.”

Some politicians have speculated the poisonings are meant to deter females from going to school. Iran’s leader has told authorities to seriously pursue the issue and any perpetrators will face capital punishment.

Solo cheerleader wins team competition – Showing up for a big cheer competition is nerve-racking enough but having to compete for the trophy alone when your cheer team is a no-show makes it even more challenging.

It was a challenge 8-year-old Peyton Thorsby of Florida was up for. Thorsby took to the mat solo after her cheer-mates couldn’t make it. The judges apparently liked her routine, and bravery, giving Thorsby the first place trophy.

“I didn’t really want my team to be disappointed of me of not going out there and not showing up for them,” Thorsby said. “So I made my decision, I wanted to go out there and I wanted to make my family proud and all my friends proud.”