Texas power utility may have started deadly wildfire – National & International News – THU 7Mar2024

Texas power utility may have started deadly wildfire.

Maine mass shooter had significant traumatic brain injuries.

NATIONAL NEWS

Texas power utility may have started deadly wildfire

Texas power company Xcel Energy says some of its equipment appears to be responsible for the Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest fire in the state’s history. The fire started on February 26 is still burning. To date, the fire has killed two people and burned over 1 million acres and approximately 500 structures. Last week, Texas agriculture commissioner Sid Miller estimated that around 10,000 cattle will also die or have to be euthanized as a result of the fire. The forestry service the Smokehouse Creek fire it is now 74% contained. Two other smaller fires are burning nearby but are more contained. 

Xcel denied any negligence in maintaining its equipment, but nevertheless encouraged those who have incurred losses due to the fire to file claims with the company. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

In recent years, power utilities in other states have been found civilly and criminally responsible for wildfires sparked by their poorly maintained equipment. In 2019, California’s Pacific Gas & Electric Co. agreed to pay $13.5 billion in damages to the victims of the 2015 Butte Fire, the 2016 Ghost Ship Fire, the 2017 Tubbs Fire and the 2018 Camp Fire. Each of these fires claimed lives but the 2018 Camp Fire was the nation’s deadliest in 100 years with 85 people killed. That death toll was only eclipsed last year by the Lahaina fire in Hawaii which killed over 100 people. Hawaii Electric has also been blamed for that fire. 

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Maine mass shooter had significant traumatic brain injuries

Researchers at Boston University analyzed the brain tissue of Robert Card, who last year carried out the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history. Card killed 18 people at two locations in Lewiston, ME, in October of last year before taking his own life. Boston University’s analysis found that Card’s brain tissue showed significant degeneration in nerve fibers that allow different parts of the brain to communicate. There were also signs of inflammation and small blood vessel injury.

It is possible that Card suffered these injuries cumulatively over time due to his work as an instructor at an Army hand grenade training range. There, Card may have been exposed to thousands of low-level blasts, each causing small concussive events. Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center said, “While I cannot say with certainty that these pathological findings underlie Mr. Card’s behavioral changes in the last 10 months of life, based on our previous work, brain injury likely played a role in his symptoms”.

Card had been exhibiting violent and erratic behavior in the months leading up to the shooting. In July 2023, Card was hospitalized after shoving a fellow reservist and locking himself in a motel room. Body camera footage from officers who interviewed Card’s colleagues at the time show his fellow soldiers expressing concern about his recent behavioral changes. Card’s relatives had also contacted police before the shooting, alarmed at his paranoia and concerned about his access to guns.

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