A shooting at a shopping mall in Texas left eight people dead and seven others wounded. The gunman, who was clad in black body armor and carrying an AR-15-style firearm, was killed by an officer from the Allen Police Department who happened to be at the mall on an unrelated call. At least two of the injured have since died, according to Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd. The victims, some as young as five years old, were rushed to local hospitals, with three in critical condition and undergoing surgery, and four in stable condition. Witnesses recounted scenes of chaos, with people running and others sheltering in place for up to two hours until police cleared the area.

The attack may have been even more devastating if not for the quick response by law enforcement, said Rep. Keith Self, whose congressional district includes Allen. However, some are calling on Governor Abbott to take action on gun violence. The shooting has left Texans fearful to go to public spaces, leading to a public outcry for change in the state's gun laws.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner group, appears to have changed his mind about withdrawing his forces from Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, after being promised additional arms and ammunition by Moscow. Prigozhin had previously announced his fighters would leave Bakhmut due to a lack of supplies and losses sustained in the months-long fighting, but issued an audio message on Sunday stating that he had received a combat order and a promise of necessary supplies. He claimed officials in Moscow were conspiring against him, and heaped scorn on Russia's defense minister. Wagner's fighters have spearheaded the assault on Bakhmut, and Russia sees the city as a potential gateway to other cities. The battle for Bakhmut has been the most prolonged and deadly of the conflict, resulting in thousands of casualties for both sides. Ukrainian troops are preparing for a counteroffensive, backed by Western-donated armored vehicles and troops.

Police are investigating a car crash in Brownsville, Texas that left seven people dead and 11 injured. The crash occurred at a bus stop in front of the Ozanam Center, a homeless shelter for migrants, and was allegedly caused by a driver in a gray Land Rover who ran a red light. According to the shelter's director, surveillance footage reviewed after the incident showed the car running the red light and then running into people waiting on the sidewalk. Police initially said the crash was looking more and more like an intentional act but did not offer further details on any potential motives. A male suspect is in custody and currently being treated in the hospital, with tests being performed to check for alcohol and drug use. The Ozanam Center is the only overnight shelter in Brownsville and manages the release of thousands of migrants from federal custody.

As Texas reels from yet another mass shooting, there are concerns that proposed legislation to change gun laws in the state will not be discussed in the community safety committee. The House Select Committee on Community Safety was created back in February and has heard 139 bills relating to firearms, of which only 29 have passed through the committee. Last May marked the deadline for House committees to report their bills to be placed on the House calendar for discussion, leaving the remaining 110 bills in jeopardy. Much-needed reform could be at risk, including measures like background checks, the use of silencers and armor-piercing ammunition. Berlinda Arreola, secretary for Lives Robbed, a nonprofit created after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, told reporters that she is "angry and hurt that more movement hasn't been made by the Texas House Select Committee on Community Safety to get through bills relating to guns." With tensions in Texas high following the recent shooting, some lawmakers are likely to face criticism for such inaction.

On Saturday night, St. Croix County Sheriff's Deputy Kaitie Leising, 29, was shot and killed while investigating a potential drunk driver in a ditch near Glenwood City. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, when Leising asked the driver to take a field sobriety test, he became evasive and eventually pulled out a handgun and shot the deputy. Leising fired her weapon three times but did not hit the suspect who fled the scene and was later found in a wooded area with a gunshot wound. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons during the search for the suspect, and a handgun was found near his body.

Leising worked in law enforcement for three years, and she had been with the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office since 2022, having previously served two years at the Pennington County Sheriff's Office in South Dakota. Governor Tony Evers and Sheriff's offices around the state expressed their condolences and announced that a coordinated escort would take place to transport Leising's remains, with law enforcement standing vigil until the services were complete. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

According to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, voters are not pleased with President Biden's job performance and are reluctant to re-elect him. Although he announced his re-election campaign last month, Mr. Biden falls behind former President Donald J. Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida in hypothetical general-election matchups. Nonetheless, neither competitor surpassed 45 percent in the poll, indicating a considerable number of undecided voters and citizens leaning towards a different candidate. Moreover, most Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters (58 percent) prefer the party to nominate "someone other than" Mr. Biden in 2024. However, this preference does not translate to an actual candidate in practice. While Mr. Trump leads the Republican primary, he does not have a majority; he is at 43 percent, and Mr. DeSantis is at 20 percent. As time progresses, Republicans who are trying to bring down President Biden may be viewed as having "Biden Derangement Syndrome" and wasting efforts that could be better allocated elsewhere.

The National Weather Service has announced a severe thunderstorm watch for several counties across Chicago, Illinois, Newton, and Jasper counties in Indiana until midnight. Central Iowa is another area where Severe Thunderstorm watch is in effect. The threat of severe storms is present across Central Iowa with many areas expected to be impacted throughout the day and even overnight. Large hail, winds capable of producing damage, straight-line gusts, and even some tornadoes are possibilities. According to the forecast, the tornado threat isn't the highest, but one or two are still possible, and most of the storms will be hail producers owing to all the heat and moisture during the day. Additionally, there is an enhanced risk of severe weather in parts of eastern Nebraska, with a main window of severe weather activity likely to fall between 5 PM and midnight. The main threat for eastern Nebraska includes large to very large hail and damaging wind gusts. Everyone is advised to have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts and warnings and have a weather safety plan in place.

Ukraine's National Resistance Center has reported that the Russian government may use the evacuation of populations from the occupied territories of Ukraine as a way to conscript men to military service. The occupiers desire to filter the population in evacuated territories, with men being transferred to separate military enlistment offices. Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian-appointed "head" of occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, ordered the partial evacuation of local residents from 18 frontline settlements. The evacuation had begun on Sunday, with over 1,600 people, including 660 children, having been evacuated from areas near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Officials began evacuating people in the area, as the UN warned that the situation around the plant had become "potentially dangerous." The evacuation's pace, combined with the queues formed at the Chonhar checkpoint, are already causing problems. Ukrainian mayor Ivan Fedorov noted that evacuated areas had run out of goods and medicine, with hospitals discharging patients into the street for fear of losing water and electricity if Ukraine strikes.

Following the horrific mass shooting in Allen, Texas on Saturday, in which a suspected neo-Nazi opened fire on innocent shoppers and killed eight people, President Biden weighed in, calling for Republicans to take action. In a White House statement, Biden criticized GOP lawmakers for their responses to America's "plague of gun violence". He urged Congress to enact universal background checks, enact bills that ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and hold gun manufacturers accountable, ending immunity. However, with mass shootings continuing to occur across the US, some are left wondering if gun control measures would actually be effective. This year has already seen 116 confirmed mass shootings that have resulted in 150 fatalities. While the numbers are startling, studies show that countries with stricter gun control laws have fewer deaths caused by firearms. Currently, Texas allows for the open carry of handguns and residents can carry a concealed weapon with a permit. Without a federal law to regulate guns, it appears that individual states' interpretations of the Second Amendment will remain the rule of the land.

SKIP STORY

New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, announced a new strategy of providing shelter for asylum seekers outside of the five boroughs as a way to ease the burden of housing the growing number of immigrants seeking refuge. However, officials in one suburb have declared a state of emergency to block the relocation of migrants to local hotels. The mayor intends to provide food, accommodations, and medical services for around 300 men at the Armoni Inn and Suites in Orangeburg and the Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh for up to four months. Despite consulting with the state and local officials, the move, dubbed the “decompression strategy,” triggered an immediate backlash. Teresa Kenny, Orangetown's town supervisor, said Adams only contacted her a few hours before the announcement and sounded like he was trying to tick a box. Meanwhile, Rockland County Executive Ed Day vowed to fight the program and even imposed a state of emergency, where no municipality could transport or house migrants in the county without his permission. He further threatened to issue fines of up to $2,000 per day, per asylum seeker, to any hotel that accepts migrants, and claimed that including unvetted criminals and sex offenders within the men, putting residents at risk. The situation has highlighted the challenge of managing the increasing number of people seeking asylum.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia's Wagner Group, claimed that Moscow has agreed to provide more ammunition to his troops fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Days earlier, he had threatened to withdraw his fighters citing insufficient supplies. However, on Sunday, Prigozhin stated his forces had been given permission to "act in Bakhmut as we see fit," appearing to suggest they would remain. Prigozhin regularly criticises Russian officials for a lack of front-line support and has previously made empty threats. Russian soldiers and Wagner fighters have been trying to capture Bakhmut, established by pro-Russian rebels as Luhansk Oblast's administrative centre, for several months, although western officials say it has questionable strategic importance. Wagner and Russian troops are uneasy allies, with Prigozhin regularly making anguished statements about the lack of government support. In his latest statement, Prigozhin referred to ex-Ukrainian Airborne Troops General Sergei Surovikin, who oversaw Russia's military operations in Ukraine from October to January, as the only army general who knows how to fight.

Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, was choked to death on the subway in New York City last week, bringing to light Mayor Adams' policies regarding public safety and mental illness. While the Mayor's approach of involuntarily hospitalizing individuals in psychiatric crisis has been praised by some, others feel that it goes too far and violates the rights of homeless individuals. With Neely's death highlighting the issue, Adams has defended his policies and called for better mental health care for people in need. However, progressive Democrats and some city officials feel that his approach is too extreme, with some calling for changes in public safety and investment in housing, food, and health instead of the "carceral system." Meanwhile, mental health workers and advocates stress the importance of compassion and treating people in crisis with the same care and concern as a loved one. With no clear answer on how subway riders should respond, and even city officials lacking concrete guidelines, the tragic death of Jordan Neely brings us back to a larger question: What is the best way to handle public safety and mental illness in a city that is home to thousands of homeless individuals?

Zakhar Prilepin, a Russian writer who is a strong supporter of Russia's campaign in Ukraine, was severely injured in a car bombing on Saturday. The bomb was allegedly planted on the road and detonated remotely, killing his driver. A suspect, Alexander Permyakov, was caught in a neighbouring village and has admitted doing an assignment for the Ukrainian secret services, according to the Russian Investigative Committee. Prilepin's condition was initially unknown, but his spokesperson has now said he is out of a medically induced coma and "feeling well." He is stable but suffered concussion and fractures. Prilepin is one of Russia's most celebrated writers, having previously been a critic of President Vladimir Putin. However, since 2014 he has reconciled with Putin and become a strident supporter of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He has previously admitted fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and has called for the "return of Kyiv to Russia."

Will students in Marlboro and Westboro make it to school on time tomorrow? It remains unclear as the bus driver strike is still on in those two communities. However, Framingham Public Schools will operate as usual as a deal was reached with the bus drivers' union late Sunday evening. The union representing drivers of bus company NRT had been fighting for better wages and benefits. Marlboro and Westboro were also negotiating with NRT through the week but seem to have not reached an agreement yet. Members of Teamsters Local 170 later confirmed that although there is a resolution in Framingham, they are "not on strike at this time" in Westboro with pay and benefits remaining in contention. The situation is different in Marlboro as drivers are set to go on strike beginning Monday morning. According to School Superintendent Robert Tremblay, potentially thousands of students may not have come to school for the entire duration of the possible strike. It is unclear when it will conclude.

A mass shooting occurred at a party in Chico, California, on January 23rd. One person was killed, and five others were injured. The deceased victim has been identified as Justina Stubbe, who was seventeen years old. The police responded to two calls about the firearm discharge, and both incidents were likely related. The Chico Police Department is still searching for the outstanding suspect related to this shooting, and anyone with information regarding the case can call their tip line.

Mayor Andrew Coolidge and Councilman Tom Van Overbeek expressed their condolences to the victims of the incident and assured the Chico community that they are doing all they can to investigate the matter. As the investigation is still underway, the police have not released the names of the victims. According to Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge, the investigation is in its early stages. He confirmed that the surviving victims are in stable condition after suffering non-life-threatening injuries. The police officials have also said that this shooting appears to be an isolated incident and does not pose any ongoing threat to the community. Friends and families of the victims have expressed their grief and set up a GoFundMe page to pay for Justina Stubbe's funeral costs.

Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray has spoken out about the hard foul he received from Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul during Game One of their series. After the match, Murray went on record to suggest that people should examine Paul's history when it comes to hard fouls. His comments have raised the question of whether referee officials should be monitoring Paul's actions more closely. The Suns' point guard has been known to push players hard in the past, including Giannis Antetokounmpo during Game 5 of the NBA Finals. However, Paul did not have the best of games himself, scoring just 11 points on 5-11 shooting and one steal.

At present, the series stands at 2-0, with Denver having won both games. During Game Two, Paul left the match after suffering a groin injury and did not return. The Suns are hoping he can return in time for Game Three but are bracing themselves for the possibility that he may not. Phoenix will need to make a comeback if they are to stand a chance of sending Denver home and progressing in the playoffs, with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker needing strong performances.

As the NBA playoffs continue to deliver standout performances, fans are left wondering if these postseason games count towards the season's Most Valuable Player award. The answer is no, as the NBA MVP award is presented annually to the player who made the biggest impact on their team's success throughout the regular season. This highly respected individual award is decided by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA in the US and Canada, with each expert selecting their top five candidates. The player with the highest point total is awarded the MVP, an award in which each first-place vote is worth 10 points. Since 2010, fans have been given the opportunity to cast their ballot and have a say in the MVP with online voting. While standout performances continue to make headlines in the postseason, only the regular season is considered for the MVP award. On Tuesday, the NBA is expected to name the season's MVP among finalists Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Jamal Murray is known for performing exceptionally well in high-pressure situations during the playoffs. However, in the recent game against the Phoenix Suns, Murray couldn't seem to sink a basket, finishing 0-for-9 from 3-point range. Although he is clearly critical of himself and his performance, Murray has not lost his passion for basketball, nor is he too concerned about this one missed opportunity. He joked that he tried to pretend that he was sinking those same attempts during practice, even if that was not the case. Murray has always been diligent in his training, as evidenced by his consistent practice on difficult, almost impossible shots, including those behind the backboard.

Murray's perseverance has paid off during this postseason, in which his professional skills have been on full display. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he achieved an impressive five-game series sweep. In the current second-round series against the Phoenix Suns, Murray scored 34 points in Game 1, enough to give the Nuggets a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference second-round series. Although Murray's recent performance was not at its best, it is not surprising that he may still make an even stronger comeback in future games.

During the 1989-90 NBA season, Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson had an intense battle for the MVP award. While Barkley received more first-place votes, Johnson ultimately won the award due to receiving more second and third-place votes. Barkley had led his Philadelphia 76ers to a 53-29 record, while Johnson had led his Los Angeles Lakers to the top of the league with a 63-win season. However, the race was close, with Johnson winning by just 22 points. Some critics argued that Barkley had been robbed of the award. Barkley later changed his jersey number from 34 to 32 in honor of Magic after he retired due to HIV. Interestingly, Barkley would win the MVP award the following season after being traded to the Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan, who had also had a great season in 1990, finished third in the MVP voting. Ultimately, the 1990 MVP race remains a point of contention for basketball fans, with some arguing that Barkley deserved the award over Johnson.

On Monday, American Idol contestants received news about a surprise guest judge coming in for the upcoming coronation of King Charles III. Weeks away from the Season 21 finale, Ed Sheeran will join Morissette to mentor the top eight finalists and judge live performances. In light of Lionel Richie and Katy Perry’s absence, another guest judge will be sitting in for the show alongside Luke Bryan. While audiences and aspiring superstars were ecstatic to see the British pop prince, reactions to news about Morissette have left many wondering, could she become a permanent Idol judge? Morissette was clear in interviews with Seacrest and social media platforms that this was not her intention, at least not yet, but continued to express her love for the show, contestants and the music genre. While ‘90s music reigns, fans are eager to see which music icon will be joining the Idol team next.

Due to the ongoing writers strike, the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards will proceed without a host for the first time in years. Actress Drew Barrymore stepped down as host out of respect for the striking writers. The awards show has already been impacted by the strike, with many awards in the writing categories being left blank due to the lack of eligible nominees. However, the show is still expected to be an exciting night for Hollywood and fans alike. In addition to the awards themselves, viewers can expect exciting performances from some of the biggest artists in the industry. The awards show will air live on MTV tonight and is sure to be a night to remember.

In Game 4 of the second-round series between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets, Landry Shamet was the unexpected hero. With Devin Booker in foul trouble, Shamet stepped up by draining three consecutive three-pointers to help the Suns win the game and even the series at 2-2. Shamet's offensive display was critical for a Suns team that has faced challenges with Chris Paul out with a strained groin muscle. Shamet, who has played a bigger role in Paul's absence, showed great resilience and contributed 19 points in the Suns' 129-124 victory. However, if the Suns hope to advance past the Nuggets and secure a spot in the Western Conference Finals, they will need more contributions from players like Deandre Ayton, who has struggled on the court. Despite Ayton's subpar production in the past two games, the Suns have been able to rely on the impressive performances of Booker and Kevin Durant. As the series returns to Denver for Game 5, the Suns will need Shamet and Ayton to step up and carry the team to victory.

Taylor Swift has announced the release of "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)," the third re-recorded album in her six-album endeavor. Swift made the announcement at Nashville's Nissan Stadium during a recent stop on her "Eras Tour," in her hometown. The album will be released on July 7, with pre-orders available in all formats. After revealing the album cover and release date, Swift surprised fans by performing the "Sparks Fly" track from the album. She also posted about the album's release on her social media accounts.

Swift previously announced her plans to re-record all six of her studio albums in 2019 after she was unable to purchase the master recordings of her back catalog due to a songwriting ownership battle with her previous label, Big Machine. "Speak Now" is the third re-recorded album, following "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" and "Red (Taylor's Version)," both of which were released in 2021. Swift's "Speak Now" album was released in 2010 and is known for its honest and confessional lyrics, which Swift hopes to celebrate with fans by including six additional songs in the re-recorded version.

Kevin Gates shocked his followers on Sunday by reposting a snippet from a live birth video on his Instagram Story. The clip showed a mother giving birth to her child at home, delivered right into the father's hands. It is unclear whether Gates's intention was to promote awareness around midwifery, but fans and followers were certainly caught off guard. Though many commented on the beauty of birth and new life, others expressed their discomfort with Gates's graphic posting without any warning. The 37-year-old Baton Rouge rapper is known for his outspokenness and unique perspective, often sharing unexpected thoughts on social media. While his fans and followers may never know his true intentions in reposting the live birth video, it is clear that Gates has no filter when it comes to posting content on his Instagram account.

As conference tournaments continue across the country, teams will be seeking conference championships as a way to secure an automatic bid to the women's lacrosse NCAA Tournament. However, teams on the bubble are anxiously awaiting the selection committee's decision. With 14 at-large bids to be awarded, potential bid stealers, and unusual RPI rankings this season, Selection Sunday may bring many surprises.

Some teams expected to make it based on their strength of schedule, significant wins, head-to-head matchups, and records against common opponents, could be left out if they fail to secure wins in their respective conference tournaments. Teams like Virginia and Duke, which have top RPI rankings, can secure at-large bids if they fail to claim conference championships.

The suspense continues as the final conference tournaments conclude today, and the NCAA selection committee unveils the field on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.