Georgia killings, stimulus checks could arrive, St. Patrick’s Day: 5 things to know Wednesday

Motive for killings at Georgia massage parlors not yet known

The killings of eight people at three Georgia massage parlors Tuesday evening by at least one gunman has left many Americans shocked Wednesday morning. Police are trying to determine a motive for the brazen attacks. Atlanta Police Department responded to two calls at two spas Tuesday evening and found three women dead when they arrived at the first. Another woman had been fatally shot at the second. Earlier, five people were shot in Acworth, about 30 miles north of Atlanta, a Cherokee County sheriff’s spokesman said. The Acworth shooting victims were two Asian women, a white woman and a white man, according to a local news report. The Cherokee County sheriff’s spokesman said Robert Aaron Long, 21, of Woodstock, Georgia, was taken into custody Tuesday night about 150 miles south of Atlanta. The Atlanta Police Department will hold a press conference Wednesday morning, but there is no word on the time or place yet.  

• Photo gallery: Images from the scene in Georgia

Eight people were shot and killed late Tuesday evening at 3 different massage parlor's near Atlanta, GA.

Wochit

Green day: Your stimulus money may arrive today, St. Patrick’s Day

The green from the latest stimulus package will flow into many savings and checking accounts this St. Patrick’s Day. Eligible consumers will have access to their money by 9 a.m. local time, according to Nacha, the trade group that handles the processing of direct deposits. That means the “pending” status that many people saw on their bank accounts over the weekend could officially clear — as the IRS intended. There had been some confusion recently as to when people will have access to their cash via direct deposit after seeing “pending” action. So you may want to hold off pulling out your debit card for another few days, just to be on the safe side. As for St. Patrick’s Day, the coronavirus pandemic will likely lead to another year of muted celebrations, but thanks to craft beer, live-streamed concerts and seasonal delights, plenty of the excitement can still be enjoyed at home!  

• St. Patrick’s Day 2021:Stimulus checks, green beer, free doughnuts and more deals on tap Wednesday
• Fun buys: 17 items that make St. Patrick’s Day even more enjoyable 
• Where is my third stimulus check? IRS updates ‘Get My Payment’ tool with information on new COVID payments

Your stimulus check could hit your account this week.

USA TODAY

Fed aims for tricky balance between wounded economy, booming outlook

With the economy now in the midst of a turnaround, Federal Reserve policymakers must walk a fine line as they conclude their two-day meeting Wednesday, economists say. Following the meeting, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will discuss the board’s revised forecasts for economic growth and inflation, which Goldman Sachs expects to be higher than its December estimates. If officials signal earlier and faster hikes in short-term interest rates to cut inflation, it could douse the recent stock market rally and crimp a recovery, economists say. On the other hand, if the Fed is too lackadaisical about inflation, that also could worry investors and inadvertently accelerate rising long-term rates, such as for home mortgages.

• Looking beneath at the market rally:In the year of COVID-19, who has really benefited from the stock market boom?
• ‘Remarkable outcome’:Big gains are likely for economy this year even as COVID-19 damage lingers

Federal Reserve Chairmain Jerome Powell says he expects U.S. job growth to begin to rebound in the coming months as more Americans get vaccinated. (March 4)

AP Domestic

Drive to recall California Gov. Newsom faces milestone

Organizers of an effort to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday must submit nearly 1.5 million signatures needed to place the proposal before voters. If the signature drive is successful, the secretary of state’s office will conduct a review lasting several months. Newsom’s popularity has plummeted over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, an unemployment benefits scandal and his decision to attend an opulent party while telling residents to stay home. Newsom and his Democratic allies have cast the recall attempt as a “partisan” power grab. He tweeted Monday that he won’t be distracted by the recall attempt, “but I will fight it.”

• Why recall supporters can’t stand Newsom. And L.A. may reopen soon.
• Newsom: California reopening plan to get a new, green tier

California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his annual State of the State address Tuesday evening from an empty Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, surrounded by 56,000 seats representing roughly the number of people who have died during the pandemic. (March 10)

AP Domestic

Dangerous storms expected to hit the South, with tornadoes possible

Tens of millions of people across the South are in the path of severe weather on Wednesday and into Thursday, forecasters warned. The threat of tornadoes, hail and strong winds will start during the day and continue into the nighttime hours. Big cities at the highest risk include Memphis, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; and Little Rock, Arkansas. “It’s going to be one of the higher-end severe-weather events we’ve seen so far this year,” said Logan Poole, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson.

• Forecast: The 2021 tornado season may be more destructive because of La Niña.
• Record cold, intense storms and tornadoes amid global warming: Could there be a connection?

Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer caught a tornado on camera as it touched down and passed through an area not far from Goodnight, Texas, on March 13.

Accuweather

Source: Read Full Article