NTSB looks into deadly Minn. blast
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were sent to a Minneapolis school Thursday to look into an apparent natural gas explosion and partial building collapse that killed two people and injured at least nine, including one critically.
The explosion at Minnehaha Academy reduced part of a building on its upper school campus to rubble. City fire officials said Wednesday’s collapse was caused by a natural gas explosion. Contractors were working in the school at the time, and some witnesses said they were warned of a gas leak moments before the blast.
Some first responders also reported smelling natural gas as they pulled people to safety.
The blast occurred in a utility area as students were playing soccer and basketball at school, according to fire and school officials.
The natural gas explosion killed receptionist Ruth Berg, 47, and part-time custodian John F. Carlson, 82.
3 hurt in SF shooting
At least one gunman opened fire Thursday at a popular San Francisco park packed with families and tourists, leaving three people wounded and sending dozens of panicked people running for cover, witnesses and police said.
Police are looking for at least one gunman who fled the scene at Dolores Park, San Francisco police Officer Grace Gatpandan said.
A man who witnessed the shooting said it happened after about half-a-dozen men who covered all but their eyes started shouting and acting threateningly on a park’s bridge.
As he approached them to make sure everything was OK, one of the men reportedly pulled out a handgun and fired at least six rounds.
Two people directly behind him were struck by bullets. He escaped with only an injury to his leg, he said.
Quakes prompt new study
Utility regulators and geologists said Thursday they suspect a series of earthquakes in the Oklahoma City metro area were caused by nearby disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production.
The quakes started Tuesday and continued into Thursday, with at least seven of magnitude 3.0 or stronger being recorded in an area about 15 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. The largest was a magnitude 4.2 temblor. No injuries or significant damage have been reported.
N.C. islands reopening
North Carolina’s governor says both islands affected by a power outage will reopen to tourists on Friday.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement Thursday saying Hatteras and Ocracoke islands will welcome visitors back by noon.
Pacific Northwest heat
People in the Pacific Northwest were enduring another scorching day Thursday as temperatures pushed toward triple digits. The heat affected everything from transit to sporting events.
Also in the nation …
Executives of several major U.S. companies, including Uber, PayPal and Neiman Marcus, are joining local business leaders in publicly condemning the Texas transgender bathroom bill in two letters sent to Gov. Greg Abbott. ... Some 3,700 Nissan Motor Co. factory workers are voting in Mississippi on whether to join the United Auto Workers union. ... Investigators have released an updated sketch they hope will help them catch the person who abducted Cal Ripken Jr.’s mother, Vi, five years ago.