Horrific Nashville school shooting leaves nation reeling
Pray.
A shooter opened fire on students and staffers at a private Christian academy in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, killing six, including three children.
The perpetrator has been identified as a former student of the small school, which is housed in a Presbyterian church.
Police say Audrey Hale opened fire at random at administrators and students. Hale, who police say is a woman that appears to have identified as a man, might have had other targets in mind and was apparently motivated by “resentment” for having attended the school.
She died after engaging with police who responded to the scene.
“It could have been far, far worse,” Nashville Police Chief John Drake told NBC News on Wednesday, praising the responding officers for acting so quickly.
He explained that Hale had detailed maps of other intended targets and a “manifesto,” and also appeared to be prepared to engage with law enforcement as she was wielding a rifle and two pistols.
Please join us in prayer for those affected by this horrific attack, for our leaders and pundits, and for our country, that we might lean upon Christ in this time and that His peace would touch and heal our nation during this incredibly painful time.
Link: 6 Killed in Horrific Shooting at Christian Elementary School, Including 3 Children
Iowa has become the 10th state in the nation to ban so-called “gender affirming” treatments for minors, including hormones, puberty blockers, and surgeries.
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 538, "a bill for an act relating to prohibiting activities regarding gender transition procedures relative to minors,” into law on Wednesday, The Christian Post reported.
Reynolds was sympathetic to the unpopularity of such a legislation, but emphasized that she believes this is what is best for Iowa’s children.
"I'm a parent. I'm a grandmother. I know how difficult this is. This is an extremely uncomfortable position for me to be in. You know? I don't like it, but I have to do what I believe right now is in the best interest of the kids," she said in a statement.
Proponents of gender-affirming treatments argue that the relatively novel approach to treating the condition commonly diagnosed as gender dysphoria is necessary for the mental health of youth, often citing the statistically dubious belief that it can prevent self-harm and suicide.
Iowa’s chapter of the ACLU condemned the bill, claiming it will have "devastating consequences for many children and their families across our state” and accusing “the government” of having “abused its power at the expense of a small group of people.”
Reynolds, however, pointed out that such claims are based in “uncertain science" and that treatment involves "irreversible therapies and procedures." She noted that the controversial use of cross-sex hormones, which proponents claim are irreversible, "have not been approved by the [Food and Drug Administration]."
Iowa now joins Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Utah as the 10th state to prohibit such treatments for children.
Link: Iowa Bans So-Called “Gender Affirming” Treatments for Minors
Panera Bread is set to pilot Amazon One, a technology developed by the tech giant that identifies customers using scans of their palm.
Panera chain will launch the palm-scanning technology in select stores in its hometown of St. Louis, making it the first national restaurant to use Amazon One, USA Today reports.
According to a press release from the company, guests "will enjoy the convenience of fast payments, as well as tailored meal recommendations from Panera associates based on their preferences and previous orders."
“Our philosophy has been centered around leveraging best-in-class technology to create a better Panera experience and using that to deepen our relationship with our loyal guests,” Panera Bread CEO Niren Chaudhary said in a statement.
When customers scan their palms, employees will greet them by their name and offer them their favorite menu items, let them know about any rewards they might have, and tailor suggested orders to their preferences.
Guests can either pre-enroll or sign up when they visit a store that is using Amazon One, the release explained.
Unbelievably sad! God help these families!!