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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Six school shootings so far this year. And it's only February.

 
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The Short List
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Parents wait for news after a report of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

At least 14 victims in Florida school shooting

Numerous people are dead and injured after a mass shooting at a south Florida high school Wednesday, officials said. Here's what we know now about this breaking story . The Broward County Sheriff's Office said there are at least 14 victims at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland but did not say how many of those were hurt or killed. The suspect, a former student, was taken into custody, authorities said. Some lawmakers are already calling for gun control legislation (again). In just 45 days, there have already been at least six school shootings in 2018  that have hurt or killed students in the U.S., and Americans have been living with the reality of school shootings for 20 years

We're thrilled with Shaun White's gold medal. His dismissal of 'gossip,' nope.

Snowboarder Shaun White is an American institution. While he's being hailed for winning his third gold medal Wednesday, there are a few things to point out. 1. Sexual harassment claims brought against him in a 2016 lawsuit by the drummer in his band. 2. His use of the word "gossip" to describe those allegations when asked about the claims during a Wednesday news conference. (The case was ultimately settled out of court.) Also: Only male reporters were called on to ask questions in the 13-minute news conference. Multiple women had their hands raised, reported USA TODAY Sports columnist Christine Brennan. Later Wednesday, White apologized on the Today show. More Olympics news:

The Jamaican bobsled coach quit the team — and might take the sled with her.
Speedskater Shani Davis might be the grumpiest man at Winter Olympics.
Could same-sex couples ever compete in pairs figure skating?
Is President Trump boycotting the Olympics? His tweets tell the tale.

What's going on in Washington? So much. Let's start with these:

President Trump's personal lawyer says he used his own money "to facilitate" a six-figure payment to ex-porn star Stormy Daniels, who claimed an affair with Trump.
There is "ample evidence" that the Trump campaign colluded with Russians, said Rep. Adam Schiff, senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin apologized for accepting Wimbledon tickets and airfare for his wife during a trip that cost taxpayers more than $122,000. He said he has mailed a check to reimburse the government.
The House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the security clearance for former Trump aide Rob Porter, escalating a growing controversy into what the White House knew about domestic violence allegations against him.

Extreme weather: Get used to it

The landmark Paris climate agreement — the one President Trump wants the U.S. out of — aims to keep the world's temperature from rising 2 degrees Celsius to prevent dangerous levels of climate-shift. Yet, a new study finds that even a 1-degree rise could still be enough to trigger floods, droughts and heat waves across the globe . Even scarier: Several studies found that if every country meets its pledge to cut greenhouse-gas emissions — a big if — worldwide average temperatures would  likely rise closer to 3 degrees Celsius this century. But, hey, Scott Pruitt, Trump's high-flying head of the Environmental Protection Agency, says that might not be so bad (scientists disagree).

Dinner plans with your boo? Good for you (but not the restaurant)

Lingering lovers. Prix-fixe menus. Holiday decorations. Valentine's Day meals come with big expectations from diners and little profit for restaurant owners . Why? Less table turnover, increased labor costs for managing guests, jacked-up prices by suppliers, and decorations or giveaways for customers. Here's a heartbreaking thought: Valentine's Day is only the 107th-best restaurant sales day of the year, falling behind St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo. 

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