Challenger anniversary marked
NASA leaders, retired launch directors, families of fallen astronauts and space fans marked the 35th anniversary of the Challenger disaster Thursday, vowing never to forget the seven who died during liftoff.
The pandemic kept this year’s memorial muted. Barely 100 people — all masked and socially distanced — gathered at Kennedy Space Center.
The ceremony was held almost exactly the same time as the accident shortly after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986.
The widow of Challenger commander Dick Scobee observed the anniversary at home. June Scobee Rodgers helped establish the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, along with the other Challenger families, which she said helped all of them heal and “move forward.”
Scobee, Christa McAuliffe, Michael Smith, Judith Resnik — a 1970 Carnegie Mellon University graduate — Ellison Onizuka, Ronald McNair and Gregory Jarvis died in the accident.
Columbus, Ohio, mayor forces out police chief
The police chief of Ohio’s capital and largest city was forced out Thursday after the mayor who hired him said he’d lost confidence in the chief’s ability to make needed changes to the department, weeks after the police killing of Andre Hill, a Black man.
The removal of Chief Thomas Quinlan by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther comes amid a larger debate over the shootings of several Black people and heavyhanded police tactics during racial justice protests.
“It became clear to me that Chief Quinlan could not successfully implement the reform and change I expect and that the community demands,” the mayor said in a statement.
Jordan says he won’t run for Senate seat
Rep. Jim Jordan, ROhio, won’t run to succeed Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, who announced this week he isn’t going to seek a third term in 2022.
“Mr. Jordan believes at this time he is better suited to represent Ohioans in the House of Representatives,” said a spokesperson.
Mr. Jordan’s name surfaced soon after Mr. Portman’s announcement as a potential strong contender in what’s expected to be a crowded GOP field.