A new proposal seeks a statewide election on removing the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi flag. But it could be years before the issue gets on the ballot, and there's no guarantee voters would accept it.

JACKSON, Miss. -- A new proposal seeks a statewide election on removing the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi flag. But it could be years before the issue gets on the ballot, and there's no guarantee voters would accept it.

State officials said Friday that a resident of the capital city of Jackson filed paperwork for a ballot initiative that would erase all references to the Confederacy from the flag. The emblem -- a blue X with 13 white stars, over a red field -- has been on Mississippi's flag since 1894, and voters chose to keep it in 2001. But the massacre of nine black worshippers in June at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, has renewed debate about the public display of Confederate symbols.

"It is exciting to know that we are one step closer to addressing this issue once and for all," said initiative sponsor Sharon Brown, who described herself as a civil rights advocate in a statement.

Brown did not immediately return calls for comment Friday. It could be days or weeks before she could begin gathering signatures. Even if enough people sign petitions, the earliest her proposal could be on the ballot is 2018 because the state's initiative process is complicated.

Critics say the Mississippi flag is a divisive reminder of slavery and segregation and doesn't represent a state where 38 percent of the 2.9 million population is black. Supporters say they see the Confederate emblem as a symbol of history and heritage. South Carolina lawmakers voted in July to take down the Confederate battle flag from a monument in front of their Statehouse after the mass shooting in Charleston. The suspect, who is white, had posed with a rebel flag in photos posted online before the attack.

A woman who works in Biloxi, Mississippi, at Beauvoir, the final home of Confederate president Jefferson Davis, filed an initiative proposal several weeks ago to keep the Confederate emblem on the Mississippi flag, but she abandoned it after she said the attorney general had written a confusing ballot title. Beauvoir administrator Greg Stewart said another initiative to keep the flag will be filed.

Any initiative approved by Mississippi voters would be an amendment to the state constitution.

Days after the South Carolina church shooting, Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn became the first high-profile Republican elected official to say Mississippi should remove the Confederate battle emblem from its flag. Several Mississippi cities and some counties have stopped displaying the state flag on public property, saying the symbol is divisive. There's no guarantee that legislators will address the sensitive issue when they next convene in January.

Gov. Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, both Republicans, have said voters should have the final say in a flag design.

Although the Confederate emblem has been on the Mississippi flag since the late 19th century, the state Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that flag had lacked official status since 1906, when Mississippi laws were updated and the flag design was not described in statute.

Legislators decided in 2001 to put the flag up for a statewide vote. By a nearly 2-to-1 margin, voters chose to keep the design rather than replace the Confederate symbol with an alternative proposal with circles of 20 stars to represent Mississippi's status as the 20th state. That vote put the flag design into state law, but not into the constitution.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added a total of at least $500,000 to her presidential war chest during Thursday fundraising events in Holyoke, Boston and Belmont, according to figures her campaign released Friday.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added a total of at least $500,000 to her presidential war chest during Thursday fundraising events in Holyoke, Boston and Belmont, according to figures her campaign released Friday.

While campaign officials did not release a total fundraising amount, it confirmed that the 2016 Democratic candidate collected a minimum of $27,000 in host contributions from each of the three events.

The former first lady kicked off her fundraising sweep through the state with an 11:30 a.m. fundraiser, hosted by Massachusetts Democratic Party Treasurer Nicole LaChapelle and Northampton attorney Tom Lesser, at the Delaney House in Holyoke.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, who discussed his support for Clinton during a recent event at the Student Prince, called her "one of the most accomplished women in the world," as he introduced the Democrat at the closed-door fundraiser, the congressman's office said.

Lesser said it was "an extraordinary event," adding that Clinton spoke for more than 40 minutes to a room full of organizers and supporters she did not know.

"Many people were supportive when they walked in door, but based on what she said and how she said it, were totally committed when she walked out the door," he said.

Lesser added that he was impressed Clinton stuck around to shake hands and take cell phone pictures with every single person in the audience who approached her.

According to Clinton's presidential campaign, 150 people attended the Holyoke event, for which tickets ranged from $500 to $2,700. The event co-hosts raised $10,000, and the hosts raised more than $27,000 for the Democrat's White House bid.

Clinton then traveled to Boston for a discussion on substance abuse, which drew more than 400 people, before attending a 5:30 p.m. fundraiser at Kings Boston.

Around 350 people attended the event, contributing between $250 and $2,700 per person, Clinton's campaign said. Co-hosts for the event raised more than $10,000 and hosts raised $27,000-plus.

The presidential hopeful rounded out her stop in the Bay State with a 7:30 p.m. fundraiser at the home of Linda Mason and Roger Brown in Belmont. In 2012, Mason and Brown hosted two fundraisers for President Barack Obama which featured performances by Carole King and Paul Simon.

Around 120 people contributed $2,700 a piece to attend that event, Clinton's campaign said. Co-hosts raised more than $27,000 for the Democrat.

According to federal campaign finance records, Hillary for America reported having nearly $29 million cash on hand in its July 2015 quarterly filing. The campaign reported more than $47.5 million in total receipts and nearly $18.7 million in total disbursements for the period that ended June 30.

Campaign spokesman Josh Schwerin said in a Thursday tweet that Clinton had more than $32 million on hand, as of Sept. 30.

The Democrat's Massachusetts fundraising stops came just two days before fellow 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, scheduled campaign rallies in Springfield and Boston.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, meanwhile, stopped in Boston for a Friday afternoon fundraiser.

The dead included seven patients from the intensive care unit, among them three children, the group said.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- The international charity Doctors Without Borders said at least 16 people including nine local staffers were killed when its clinic came under "sustained bombing" Saturday in the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, where Afghan officials said helicopter gunships had returned fire from Taliban fighters sheltering in the facility.

The group said the facility, which was treating more than 100 patients, came under attack at 2:10 a.m. (2140 GMT). The charity did not say whether insurgents were present, and it was not immediately clear whether the staffers were killed by the Taliban, government or U.S. forces. The group said another 30 people were still missing after the incident.

The dead included seven patients from the intensive care unit, among them three children, it said. A total of 37 people were injured, including 19 staff, and 18 patients and caretakers. Five of the injured staff were in critical condition, the statement said.

Afghan forces backed by U.S. airstrikes have been battling the Taliban street-by-street in Kunduz since Thursday, to dislodge insurgents who seized the strategic city three days earlier in their biggest foray into a major urban area since the U.S.-led invasion of 2001.

The Ministry of Defense said "terrorists" armed with light and heavy weapons had entered the hospital compound and used "the buildings and the people inside as a shield" while firing on security forces.

Brig. Gen. Dawlat Waziri, the ministry's deputy spokesman, told The Associated Press that helicopter gunships fired on the militants, causing damage to the buildings.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said 10 to 15 "terrorists" had been hiding in the hospital at the time of the strike. "All of the terrorists were killed but we also lost doctors," he said. He said 80 staff members at the hospital, including 15 foreigners, had been taken to safety. He did not say what sort of strike had damaged the compound.

Army Col. Brian Tribus, a spokesman for American forces in Afghanistan, said a U.S. airstrike on Kunduz at 2:15 a.m. "may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility" and that the incident was under investigation. He said it was the 12th U.S. airstrike "in the Kunduz vicinity" since Tuesday.

Doctors Without Borders, also known by the French acronym MSF, said its trauma center "was hit several times during sustained bombing and was very badly damaged." At the time, the hospital had 105 patients and their caretakers, and more than 80 international and Afghan staff, it said.

The U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said that if an investigation found that the hospital was purposefully targeted, the incident could constitute a war crime.

Calling the incident "tragic, inexcusable and possibly even criminal," he said in a statement, "if established as deliberate in a court of law, an airstrike on a hospital may amount to a war crime."

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said an investigation is underway. "The area has been the scene of intense fighting the last few days. U.S. forces in support of Afghan security forces were operating nearby, as were Taliban fighters," he said in a statement. "While we are still trying to determine exactly what happened, I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to everyone affected. A full investigation into the tragic incident is underway in coordination with the Afghan government."

AP video of the compound showed burning buildings with firearms -- automatic rifles and at least one Russian-made machine gun -- on the windowsills pointed outward.

Doctors Without Borders did not comment on the identities of the 30 missing people, but said all of its international staffers were alive and accounted for. It said it regularly updated its GPS coordinates with all parties to the conflict.

Fighting raged throughout the day, and at around 2 p.m., the Taliban seized the medical compound, according to Sarwar Hussaini, the spokesman for the provincial police chief. "Fighting is continuing between Afghan security forces and the Taliban," he said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had earlier issued a statement saying there were no Taliban fighters in the hospital at the time of the bombing. He also accused Afghanistan's intelligence service of deliberately directing airstrikes on the hospital.

Adil Akbar, a doctor at the trauma center who was on duty at the time, told AP that the operating theater, emergency room and other parts of the hospital complex had been hit in the bombing.

"I managed to escape after the attack but I know that most of the staff and even some of the patients are missing," he said.

Zabihullah Pashtoonyar, a former local radio reporter who was working as a security guard at the compound, was one of those killed in the incident, said his relative Gul Rahim.

Wahidullah Mayar, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, tweeted that 37 people were wounded, among them 24 medical and non-medical staff.

Nicholas Haysom, the U.N. special representative in Afghanistan, condemned the "tragic and devastating airstrike" on the hospital. "Hospitals accommodating patients and medical personnel may never be the object of attack, and international humanitarian law also prohibits the use of medical facilities for military purposes."

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which also has facilities in Kunduz, said it was "deeply shocked." Amnesty International called for an investigation.

Doctors Without Borders, which operates in conflict zones across the globe, said it had treated 394 people wounded in fighting since the Taliban attacked the city. Afghan forces went in on Thursday, and the fighting has been underway since then.

Sediqqi said Afghan forces were still sweeping the city for militants, conducting "meter to meter, house to house operations" that would continue until "all those bad elements" had been eliminated.

The clinic in Kunduz is a sprawling facility with numerous buildings situated in the east of the city, in a residential area close to the local office of the NDS intelligence service.

Another Kunduz resident, Dawood Khan, said a cousin who works at the clinic as a doctor was lightly wounded in the bombing.

"I heard the sound of the bomb and rushed to the hospital to get news. The operating theater was on fire, people were terrified, running everywhere," he said.

Electricity and water have been cut off since the Taliban's seizure of the city on Monday, officials and residents said. Food and medical supplies cannot get through because the Afghan military is still working to clear mines planted by the Taliban. Sporadic gunfights continued in various pockets of the city as troops advance.

Most of the Taliban appear to have fled the city after the troops moved in on Thursday, taking looted vehicles, weapons and ammunition with them.

Officials have reported that they have moved east, into Takhar and Badakhshan provinces, where a number of districts fell to the Taliban on Friday. The Defense Ministry said troops had retaken the Baharak district after retreating under fire Friday.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued an emergency notice to Americans in Badakhshan, saying they should "consider departing the area immediately."

Democratic presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, blasted income inequality in America and called for a political revolution to address the issue during a fiery speech at the city's Massmutual Center Saturday. Watch video

Related: US Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential supporters tout him as a genuine candidate, praise campaign platform

SPRINGFIELD ‒ Democratic presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., blasted income inequality in America and called for a political revolution to rebuild the middle class during a fiery speech at the city's MassMutual Center Saturday.

Sanders, who visited the Springfield arena as part of a Massachusetts campaign swing, touched on issues like income and wealth inequality, campaign finance overhauls,high prescription drug costs and college affordability in his wide-ranging, hour-long speech.

Speaking to a crowd of 6,000 supporters, the Vermont senator stressed that his campaign is different from others as it's "designed not only to elect someone president of the United States, but to build a political movement."

Sanders stressed that no presidential candidate, not even himself, can rebuild America's middle class "unless we have a political revolution."

"Sadly and tragically corporate America, the corporate media have so much power that no president can do what has to be done unless millions of Americans come together and say loudly and clearly enough is enough," he stressed.

Taking aim at what he called the "grotesque level of wealth and income inequality in America," Sanders argued that the economy is rigged and needs to be changed.

His campaign, he said, is sending a message to the wealthiest Americans that "your greed is destroying this country and you're not going to get away with it."

"You are not going to continue getting huge tax breaks when children in America go hungry," he said. "You are not going to continue sending millions of jobs to China and other low wage countries when people here desperately need decent-paying jobs."

Sanders also called for the federal minimum wage to be raised to $15 an hour and for pay equity for female workers.

The Vermont senator took aim at Republicans' focus on so-called "family values," offering support for women's reproductive and gay rights, as well as paid family medical leave. He also called for a "massive federal jobs program" to help put more Americans back to work.

The Democratic presidential hopeful touted legislation he has introduced to make tuition free at all public higher education institutions, saying the debt many students face is absurd.

Blasting the Supreme Court's ruling on campaign finance, Sanders told supporters that as president he will not nominate anyone to the high court unless they pledge to overturn the Citizen's United decision.

"I want you to be able to run for office without having to beg wealthy people for campaign contributions," he said. "That's why I strongly believe in public funding of elections."

Sanders further painted himself as a candidate who believes "health care is a right and not a privilege" and that America should lead internationally in addressing climate change. He called for additional gun control regulations and said he believes the country should exhaust all other options to solve international disputes before going to war.

The Democratic candidate urged supporters to "think big" and not get caught up in smaller policy debates on issues.

"We are the wealthiest country in the history of the world and if we don't allow our opponents to divide us up...If we stand together there is nothing we cannot accomplish," he said.

National Nurses United Co-President Karen Higgins, who previously stumped for Sanders at the 2015 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, said while her organization, which is primarily comprised of women, wants to break the "glass ceiling," for now it wants to break "the class ceiling."

"This is a ceiling that has been crushing women, people of color, as well as the working men in this country and we believe Bernie Sanders serves our values of...compassion to heal America," she said as part of the pre-program remarks.

Lexi Ouellette, a Brandeis Student, meanwhile, lauded Sanders' focus on addressing student debt.

Bill McKibben, an organizer against climate change, said while Sanders won't end issues like income equality in a flash, he will eventually do it because he's building a movement - not just a campaign.

Support for the Vermont senator's 2016 presidential bid has gained support in recent weeks, with some polls placing Sanders ahead of fellow Democratic candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

More than 20,000 supporters attended Sanders' Saturday evening campaign rally at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the campaign reported.

Earlier this week Clinton attended fundraisers throughout the Bay State. GOP presidential hopeful and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, meanwhile, spoke at a Boston fundraiser on Friday.

Sheriff says Oregon campus shooter killed himself as officers arrived.

The Douglas County sheriff said the gunman responsible for the deadliest shooting in Oregon history died by suicide.

Sheriff John Hanlin made the announcement at a news briefing just after noon Saturday. The sheriff, without using his name or elaboration, said autopsy results showed the gunman died by his own hand. 

On Thursday, Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer, 26, entered a writing class at Umpqua Community College, killed nine people and injured nine others. He ran off and exchanged gunfire with officers, then shot himself, the medical examiner confirmed Saturday. He died on the way to the hospital.

Shortly after the news conference, the gunman's family released a statement: 

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific events that unfolded on Thursday, October 1. Our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers go out to all of the families of those who died and were injured.

Tweets by @maxoregonian

Oregon State Police released a transcript after the end of Saturday's news conference. After greeting the audience, Hanlin touched on several topics, starting with the investigation:

Tips: We are still in need of any tips, photos or videos that are relevant to the investigation. If you are unsure as to whether what you have is relevant, please go ahead and call and let us decide. The tip line is 1-800-CALL FBI. Again, that is 1-800-CALL-FBI. Choose option 7.

Timeline: We have put together a basic timeline as to the events as they unfolded in the first hour of the incident. As you can see, officers responded immediately. The Roseburg Police Officers and an Oregon State Police trooper, were first on-scene arriving within five minutes. 

Two minutes later the officers tell dispatch that they have engaged the shooter. Two minutes after that, dispatch reports "shooter down". You can see how things progressed beyond that. 

Investigation process: This is a complex investigation with many different facets: 

• The shooting event at Umpqua Community College
• The shooter's background, including how he obtained his weapons
• The use of force by the initial responding officers- 

To date, we have: 

• Run down hundreds of leads and Interviewed hundreds of people, including victims, witnesses, neighbors and others
• Conducted searches at the school and residence as well as of the shooter's vehicle
• Seized evidence from multiple locations including the weapons and ammunition; documents; and digital media. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab as well as the ATF and FBI Laboratories are all engaged in the effort to move forward with processing this evidence. 

I want to let you know that investigators located one additional handgun during the search of the shooter's residence, bringing the total number of guns seized to 14. 

Officer-involved shooting investigation:  I have been asked to release the following information by Oregon State Police on behalf of the Oregon State Medical Examiner. 

The Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death of the shooter to be suicide. 

The Oregon State Police is conducting the investigation on the officer involved shooting. 

Sheriff Hanlin was then followed to the podium by several officials:

Douglas County District Attorney Rick Wesenberg: As District Attorney for Douglas County, it is my responsibility to review all deadly force incidents to determine if the force used is justified under Oregon law. It is my understanding that the officer-involved shooting investigation being conducted by the Oregon State Police is nearing conclusion. I expect to be presented with the case early next week. Once I receive the case, I will do a thorough review and make a determination on whether the use of force was justified. 

Roseburg Police Chief Jim Burge:  Beyond this initial incident, we want to be very clear about the fact that there are NO current threats against any school or facility in our area. Saying that, I know that parents and students have concerns. In fact, we've had our own police officers and fire fighters answering questions from their spouses and children as to whether they are "safe". I am sure that other parents and students in the general community have the same concerns. 

As we move into next week, I want to reassure you that Roseburg Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff's Office will continue to work to ensure your school is, indeed, safe. 

Fire District 2 Chief Greg Marlar: Good Afternoon, my name is Greg Marlar and I am honored to say that I am the Fire Chief for Douglas County Fire District 2. Our community has been rocked by this horrendous act, and I am proud of my community and the resiliency we have shown in the face of such tragedy. 

Our fire district is comprised of more than120 personnel. I knew we had some incredible people within our organization but the professionalism and strength of character I have witnessed in the last couple days has absolutely confirmed that fact. 

Prior to this incident we have had several trainings specific to mass casualty incidents. I saw that work come to bear on the campus that day. Our crews response was immediate and robust. There is no doubt that the exceptional patient care and proficient use of lifesaving skills by first responders -- saved lives that day. 

At the scene we had over 45 fire and ems responders, 5 chief officers, 4 engines companies and 10 paramedic ambulances. Our crews worked quickly to establish a triage system to identify critical patients. Crews provided advanced life support including airway protection, bleeding control and gun shot wound care. We then worked to arrange transport and quickly get patients to the appropriate care facility. 

It was all hands on deck for our organization and their focus and dedication has made for an effective operation. We also are greatly appreciative of the law enforcement officers whose partnership allowed our crews to safely access and treat victims. 

However, it was with great sadness that we learned that Firefighter Justin Anspach lost his son Treven Taylor Anspach and EMS Paramedic Brian McFadden lost his niece Becca Ann Carnes. I have been moved by how quickly our entire firefighting family has rallied, as it always does, to support these families. 

I have been a part of emergency response for 32 years and I know that nothing can completely prepare you for the physical and mental toll an incident can have on any responder. Debriefings and support has been made available to all of our personnel and those that responded are now with their families and recovering. Please respect their privacy so they can spend time with their family and friends. If you have question regarding our organization I will be making myself available for interviews later today. 

I haven't stopped thinking about the many other families that have experienced an unthinkable loss. The entire firefighting and ems community is praying for you during this difficult time. 

We are also thinking of the nine injured, those are our patients and their full and speedy recovery is our utmost hope. 

The direct support from agencies throughout the state has been incredible. We specifically appreciate the help and support of City of Roseburg Fire, Bay City Ambulance, Douglas County Sheriff's and City of Roseburg Police. 

I want to end by saying that while we deal with this tragedy on two fronts, both as a community and within our Fire District, our stations are open and our crews are ready to serve our community. We are proud to serve and nothing or no one will deter us from that mission. 

Vanessa Becker, chairwoman of UCC's board of trustees: Umpqua Community College is helping the healing process for the UCC community -- coordinating supports for students, staff and faculty and planning to reopen campus. Community partners have come together to provide mental health services to UCC students, faculty and staff. 

• Mental health professionals are offering no-cost grief sharing: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. through Sunday at the Ford Foundation, 1600 NW Stewart Parkway; and the Community Health Alliance, 201 Medical Loop, suite 180.
• Beginning Monday, Oct. 5, grief sharing will be available on campus, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the campus cafeteria.
• The Community Health Alliance is staffing a 24-hour hotline at 541-440-3532 or 800-866-9780. 

Campus will reopen for students and staff at 7:30 a.m. on Monday Oct. 5, although classes and events will be cancelled. Classes and events will resume Oct. 12. 

Donations 
* The Greater Douglas United Way is accepting donations via text and online:http://www.gduway.org/UCCgive
* The Umpqua Community College Foundation is accepting donations online and by mail: https://www.umpqua.edu/scholarships-donations

We strongly recommend that donors cast a careful eye when considering other funds, as some are not based at charitable organizations and might apply high administrative fees. Also, unfortunately, at times like these, there are unscrupulous people who will set up false accounts. 

Community support: Community organizations are creating I am UCC, and UCC Strong, decals. As soon as they are available, details will be provided on the UCC website. 
Starting Sunday, the school will issue a news advisory each day at 3 p.m. with pertinent information. 

Sheriff John Hanlin 

Mental Health Resources 
We have the Health and Human Services National Disaster Mental Health team - 16 people in total - who have flown in to help our community recover. They are providing immediate assistance and developing a strategy for a long-term support for our community. The executive director of the Community Health Alliance, Janet Holland is with us today and will be available after this press conference for one-on-one interviews. 
Looking Ahead 

* We are still collecting investigative information from various sources. Those details will continue to come in over the next few days and weeks. 
* We continue to have law enforcement and victim service teams working with the families to provide any help they may need. This includes counseling resources, helping to make any arrangements related to funerals and more. 
* The FBI's Behavioral Analyst team has arrived on-scene and will assist with helping to understand "the why" of this event. 

This is our last planned press conference. As the need arises, we will continue to provide information through the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and our local partner agencies. 

I can't understate the support we have received from our local, state and federal partners. If I were to read the list of agencies now, we would be here quite a bit longer. We are putting out a complete list of partner agencies on the press release site. 

I can't say thank you enough to each and every first responder, investigator, victim specialist, analyst, and the rest. Your help has been invaluable in getting us through this event and helping move Douglas County down the path to recovery. 

And finally - I want to express my most sincere appreciation to those most directly touched by this incident. 

* The two Roseburg Police Officers who responded and stopped the shooter from killing dozens of other people who were in that classroom and in the immediate vicinity. 
* The student who - by all reports - charged the shooter and suffered multiple gunshot wounds. 
* To the families of the victims - our hearts are with you now and forever. Please know that we consider your loved ones to be heroes. They will not ever be forgotten. 

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive

An area of high pressure will slowly build in from Canada starting tomorrow. It will be another breezy day but morning clouds should give way to some afternoon brightening or sunshine. The final day of The Big E will be decent, at least you wont need your rain gear.  Tomorrow will start a nice, dry October stretch as Joaquin passes...

An area of high pressure will slowly build in from Canada starting tomorrow. It will be another breezy day but morning clouds should give way to some afternoon brightening or sunshine. The final day of The Big E will be decent, at least you wont need your rain gear.

Tomorrow will start a nice, dry October stretch as Joaquin passes well out-to-sea. Much of next week is looking seasonable with a fair amount of sunshine. The next chance of rain after today wont be until perhaps Friday.

Hurricane Joaquin: As of this afternoon Joaquin remains a Category 3 hurricane near with top winds of 125 mph. He is moving away from the Bahamas to the NE as he slowly picks up speed. He will track well way out-to-sea. He will have NO impact on our weather here in western Mass!

Coastal areas will still have to deal with high seas, dangerous rip currents and gusty winds. 20-40 mph over the open waters into the beginning of the week.

Chris Mintz is a 30-year-old Army veteran and a student at Umpqua Community College who was shot seven times Thursday during a mass shooting at the Roseburg school. Watch video

ROSEBURG -- Chris Mintz offered a brief message for his well-wishers Saturday morning.

"Hello, everyone," he said in a video posted from a hospital bed. "I'm doing well, and I'm overwhelmed by the support that I've gotten from everybody. I just want to wish all the other families a safe and speedy recovery, and I will be talking to you guys soon. Bye bye."

Mintz is a 30-year-old Army veteran and a student at Umpqua Community College who was shot seven times Thursday during a mass shooting at the Roseburg community college. His family said that he ran toward the gunman and suffered wounds to the chest.

While lying wounded on the ground, Mintz yelled that it was his son's birthday, according to multiple media reports. Loved ones have told The Oregonian/OregonLive that Mintz is a dedicated father to his 6-year-old son, Tyrik. His actions have been widely hailed as heroic.

"He got shot all those times but they missed the vital organs," his aunt, Wanda Mintz, previously told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The video was posted to the Facebook page of Kivonna Coccia.

As of late Saturday morning, more than 19,000 people had donated more than $623,000 to a GoFundMe account intended to "assist with his recovery," according to the fundraising page. The page had been shared more than 82,000 times.

Both of Mintz's legs were broken in the shooting, and he will undergo immense physical therapy, according to the fundraising page. He was attending classes with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Ten people died in the shooting, including the gunman, and Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said Friday nine people were injured.

Read more about Mintz in this profile by Andrew Theen of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff.

Andrew Theen and Luke Hammill of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report.

-- Jim Ryan | jryan@oregonian.com | @Jimryan015

 

A pedestrian bridge over the Manhan River will link conservation land in Southampton and Easthampton.

SOUTHAMPTON -- A $50,000 state grant will help build a hiking trail connecting conservation land in Southampton and Easthampton, complete with a fiberglass pedestrian bridge across the Manhan River.

The collaboration between the two towns and the Passcommuck Land Trust is one of 30 recreational trail projects statewide to benefit from $821,000 in grants announced this week by the Baker-Polito administration.

Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Carol Sanchez announced the grants at the Whittemore Conservation Area trailhead in Southampton on Thursday.

Other projects in Western Massachusetts to win funding from the program include:

*Athol: Town of Athol: $26,379

A removable floating accessible dock/kayak launch on the Millers River in Athol will be located adjacent to the current trail access and car-top boat launch.Re-grading and installation of stone dust will make the trail to the river more accessible.

* Belchertown: Mill Valley Snowmobile Club: $12,532

New grooming drags will update an aging fleet to maintain snowmobile trails through the winter in Belchertown and the surrounding area.

* Chesterfield: Chesterfield 4-Seasons Club: $20,745

A new storage building for the club's snowmobile equipment and local emergency equipment. Two historical sites in the Chesterfield Gorge will be restored with interpretive signage.

* Conway: Conway Snowmobile Club: $23,893

Equipment for snowmobile trail maintenance and grooming in the greater Conway area.

* Hadley: Hadley Snowmobile Club: $9,375

Equipment for snow grooming and trail maintenance in the Hadley area.

* Montague: Montague Planning and Conservation Department: $6,400

Public access to the Dry Hill Cemetery, Montague's first known cemetery and resting place of at least one Revolutionary War Soldier. The cemetery is currently unmaintained and unmarked.

* Northampton: Broad Brook Coalition: $40,000

Replace a bridge that serves as the gateway to the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, and rehabilitate and extend a boardwalk and dock that provides access to freshwater marsh and the lake.

* Northampton: Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board (MARTAB): $35,058.80

Funds for educational programs.

*North Adams: Appalachian Mountain Club: $36,847

Reconstruct a trail along a steep section of the Appalachian Trail at Mt. Prospect. The work by the AMC Berkshire Teen Crew involves the construction of switchbacks at sustainable grades and re-routing the existing trail.

* Pittsfield: Department of Conservation and Recreation: $50,038

Construction and maintenance of off-highway vehicle trails at DCR's Western Region lands, where most trails open to motorized use are located.

Savoy: Savoy Kanary Kats Snowmobile Club: $33,869

New snowmobile trail grooming equipment to service Savoy, Hawley, Plainfield, and Windsor.

* Southampton, Easthampton and the Pascommuck Conservation Trust: $50,000

A new bridge over the Manhan River will connect the trail systems of Easthampton and Southampton, and create a parking area for trail users at the Whittemore Property in Southampton.

Wheelwright (Harwick): East Quabbin Land Trust: $12,000

Completing trail bed improvements to the Mass Central Rail Trail and creating a loop trail on conservation land in Wheelwright.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

Ryan Gay, 33, of Greenfield, died in an early morning motorcycle accident on Friday in that town, according to a spokeswoman for the Northwestern District Attorney's office.

GREENFIELD — A 33-year old Greenfield man has been identified as the person killed in an early morning motorcycle crash Friday on Plain Road in Greenfield.

Ryan Gay, of Greenfield, died from injuries he sustained in the single-vehicle accident.

Mary Carey with the Northwestern District Attorney's Office confirmed his identity on Saturday.

Greenfield Police shut down a portion of Plain Road near Martins Farm while crews investigated the scene.

The circumstances surrounding this crash have not been made available yet.

State troopers assigned to the Northwestern District Attorney's office are leading the investigation.

A 20-year-old Buckland man has been arrested and charged in connection with Friday's fatal three-car crash on Route 2 in Shelburne, the Northwestern District Attorney's office announced Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ A 20-year-old Buckland man has been arrested and charged in connection with Friday's fatal three-car crash on Route 2 in Shelburne, the Northwestern District Attorney's office announced Saturday.

Wyatt Pease was taken into custody and booked at the Massachusetts State Police Shelburne Barracks after allegedly leaving the scene of the crash, which killed one. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Greenfield District Court on charges of felony motor vehicle homicide by virtue of negligent operation and alcohol intoxication, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and related charges, the DA's office said.

The 3:40 p.m crash reportedly occurred when Pease allegedly struck the rear of a vehicle driven by 51-year-old Sarah Sessions, of Heath, causing her car to travel into the opposite lane where it was struck by an oncoming minivan, law enforcement officials said.

Sessions was transported to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield where she was pronounced dead. The minivan driver, who was also transported to FMC, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the DA's office reported.

The Shelburne Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Shelburne Barracks, the Massachusetts State Police detectives unit assigned to the Northwestern DA's office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section are investigating the crash.

Supporters attending U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders', I-Vt., rally in Springfield Saturday, praised the 2016 Democraticpresidential candidate's campaign message and what they called his"authentic" approach.

This expands upon a story published at 3:43 p.m. Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD ‒ Supporters attending U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders', I-Vt., rally in Springfield Saturday, praised the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate's campaign message and what they called his"authentic" approach.

Around 6,000 people filled the MassMutual Center for the Vermont senator's rally and speech - twice the amount event organizers estimated. Attendees, who met his hour-long remarks with deafening applause, painted Sanders as a candidate who will fight for Americans of all backgrounds and not corporate interests.

Ray Bazydlo, 56, who traveled more than three hours from New York's Adirondack region to see Sanders, said he came out to support the Democratic candidate's "grassroots revolution against corporate greed in politics and in general."

Bazydlo lauded Sanders' support of policies like paid family medical leave and what he called "a woman's right to choose," among other things.

Susan Miller, 55, who traveled from Windsor, Conn. for the rally, also praised Sanders for not taking corporate money for his campaign.

"I think it's really important to get the message out that people want their democracy back and I feel like it's really just been bought," she said. "I think that Bernie represents the individual people of the world, so that's why I'm here."

Miller added that she sees Sanders as "the most authentic candidate out there - that he really is true to who he is and he shows that on the campaign trail."

Aaron Jensen, 30, of Easthampton, also said he sees Sanders as being genuine in his commitment to fixing things. He offered support for the Democratic candidate's focus on addressing income inequality and other economic issues.

"I really never thought I would care about a mainstream political candidate, but Bernie is actually pretty on the ball with things," Jensen said. "Typically I would vote independent or third party, but I am very likely going to be voting for Sanders."

Fellow rally attendee Mary Shea, of Indian Orchard, said she hasn't been as excited about a presidential candidate in decades. Shea, a retired teacher, praised Sanders' approach of speaking directly to the issues.

"I think we're all tired of listening to a speech we should be wearing our barn boots to listen to...I find him very refreshing, I like what he says," she said.

Following the 2 p.m. Springfield campaign rally, Sanders traveled to Boston for a 6 p.m. event at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Fellow 2016 presidential hopefuls U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also attended campaign-related events in Massachusetts this week.

Kennedy said he was once mistaken for Prince Harry by a confused Washington motorist.

HOLYOKE -- U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy praised Democrats, criticized Republicans, and delivered a ringing endorsement of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign while addressing the Easthampton Democratic City Committee annual breakfast on Saturday.

The large crowd gathered at the Log Cabin banquet hall included a "who's who" of Western Massachusetts Democrats, including former Congressman John Olver, state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, state legislators, mayors, city councilors, and more.

Kennedy, 34, now in his second term representing the state's 4th Congressional District, noted that faith in government is at an all-time low. "Eighty-three percent of the millennial generation say they have no faith in Congress," he said. "Fifty percent see our federal government as an immediate threat."

Democrats have the power and responsibility to restore faith in government, Kennedy said.

"We're the party that didn't blink when risking careers to deliver healthcare reform, and today, 16 million Americans are better off for it," said Kennedy.

Democrats "rolled up our sleeves at the moment of economic collapse and pushed through financial reform" and "will not back down on immigration, on equal pay, on climate change, on Social Security, on women's health care -- no matter the cheap political shots, the misinformation, or the vitriol," he said.

As for the current crop of Republican presidential candidates, Kennedy mentioned them one by one:

"Senator Marco Rubio has claimed that minimum wage laws have never worked. Senator Jeb Bush proudly defends Indiana's attempts to codify discrimination under the guise of religious freedom. Senator Rand Paul said that he would like to repeal 'all of Obamacare,' taking away health care coverage from 400,000 people in his own state.

"Senator Ted Cruz has now tried to shut down the government twice -- the government that he seeks to lead. Dr. Ben Carson believes that your religion should disqualify you from holding the presidency. And I've lost track of the number of countries Carly Fiorina wants to go to war with on her first day in office," said Kennedy. "To say nothing of Republican front-runner Donald Trump."

Kennedy said he is "standing tall for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton" and lauded her "faith and fearlessness" in the face of political discord.

Clinton, "as a young legal aide in Arkansas," as a former First Lady "fighting tooth and nail for health care for all," as a senator from New York advocating for rural and working-class areas, and as Secretary of State "leading foreign policy during the most challenging time since World War II" has proven her ability to lead the country, Kennedy said.

"She believes that the American system still can and should do great things... her record is testament to what a good, strong, fair and compassionate government can accomplish."

There's nothing like politics to keep you humble, said Kennedy, who told of having a woman pull up in her car next to him as he crossed the street in Washington, slam the brakes, roll down the window, and ask "Are you Prince Harry?" When told no, she went on her way, he said.

Kennedy was introduced by Rosenberg, who revealed that Kennedy's nickname while in law school was "The Milkman."

"You may not know it, but Joseph Kennedy is a teetotaler," said Rosenberg. He said Kennedy's peers at Harvard Law used to tease him by ordering him a large glass of milk when the group went out drinking.

On a more serious note, Rosenberg praised Kennedy for his work supporting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and his role on the influential House Energy & Commerce Committee. Rosenberg noted that Kennedy is a former Peace Corps volunteer.

Rosenberg in kind was introduced by state Rep. John Scibak (D-South Hadley) who recited a list of "ten things you probably don't know about Stan Rosenberg," including the fact that he played tuba in the UMass Marching Band. Rosenberg countered that he didn't actually "play" the tuba while marching, and quipped that if he had any real musical talent, he would have played the trombone.

Kennedy had words of praise for Easthampton Democratic City Committee Chairman Laurie Garcia, state Democratic Party Treasurer Nicole LaChapelle, and Olver, saying the retired congressman is "dearly missed" among members of the Massachusetts delegation in Washington.

Kennedy in 2012 easily won the seat formerly held by Democrat Barney Frank, defeating Republican candidate Sean Bielat. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law, Kennedy worked as an Assistant District Attorney before running for office.

As Kennedy wrapped up his talk in Holyoke, less than 20 miles away doors opened at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, where Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was preparing to deliver his fiery afternoon speech calling for a "political revolution" in America.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

As the 2015 season for The Big E nears an end, Maine Day brought visitors into the Maine Building and out of a cold rain.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Despite the cold rain outside, the atmosphere in the Maine Building was warm on Maine Day at The Big E, held on the second to the last day of the 2015 fair.

Visitors headed inside to the many buildings and exhibits for shelter, as well as entertainment.

The line for the stuffed baked potatoes was long, as usual, and the folks at Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. promoted their fresh lobster meat lobster rolls. A wide variety of maple products was in line with many Maine made products.

The Maine Wild Blueberry Queen, Rachel Pease, and Crown Princess Mallory Conary, greeted people at the end of the blueberry pie line. The end of the 99th Big E will signal preparations for the start of the Centennial celebration of the fair, culminating with the 2016 Big E.

Keep up with all of The Republican and MassLive's coverage of New England's Great State fair at masslive.com/the-big-e.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday channeled 1970s action star Charles Bronson in defending Second Amendment rights in the aftermath of the shooting at an Oregon community college that left nine dead.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday channeled 1970s action star Charles Bronson in defending Second Amendment rights in the aftermath of the shooting at an Oregon community college that left nine dead.

Trump said in a rally in suburban Nashville that he has a handgun carry permit in New York. He added that any attacker will be "shocked" if he tries to assault him, and that he would emulate Bronson in the vigilante film "Death Wish."

"Can you imagine with Trump, somebody says, 'Ohhh, all these big monsters aren't around, he's easy pickins, and then ... pu-ching!" Trump said to laughter and applause. "So this is about self-defense, plain and simple."

Trump criticized "gun-free zones," saying that the Oregon shootings could have been limited if instructors or students had been armed. He said better mental health care would help curb future shootings.

"Many states and many cities are closing their mental health facilities and closing them down, and they're closing them because they don't have the funding," he said. "And we have to start looking much stronger into mental health."

While Trump warned that "no matter what you do, you will always have problems," he argued that it doesn't make sense to limit access to firearms.

"It's not the guns," Trump said during his hourlong speech. "It's the people, it's these sick people."

He also criticized President Barack Obama's comments in response to the shootings as "divisive."

Trump's positions on gun control have evolved significantly over the years. While he now touts the National Rifle Association line, he once backed the ban on assault weapons and longer waiting periods for gun purchases.

"I'm a very, very big Second Amendment person," Trump said on Saturday.

Trump reminisced about Bronson's "Death Wish" and got people in the crowd to shout out the title of the 1974 film in unison. In the movie, an affluent, liberal architect embarks on a vigilante mission after his life is shattered by thugs who kill his wife and rape his daughter.

"Today you can't make that movie because it's not politically correct," Trump said. 

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump signs autographs after speaking to campaign supporters, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Franklin, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) 

Saturday marked the second time Trump had spoken in the Nashville area in five weeks. Tennessee is among the states holding their primaries on March 1, also called Super Tuesday, and he noted that his comments brought a strong response from the overflow crowd in gun-friendly Tennessee.

"As soon as I mentioned it the place went absolutely wild," he said.

Officials suspect a recently disconnected stove may have caused an apparent gas explosion Saturday that killed a woman and injured three others in Brooklyn.

NEW YORK -- Officials suspect a recently disconnected stove may have caused an apparent gas explosion Saturday that killed a woman and injured three others in Brooklyn.

City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said firefighters received a call around 1 p.m. reporting an explosion at a building in the Borough Park neighborhood. When emergency crews arrived, they found the entire front of the three-story building blown into the street, he said at a news conference Saturday evening.

Officials suspect the explosion originated in an apartment on the second floor, where a tenant had recently disconnected a stove. The fire commissioner said no one had reported smelling gas in the area.

"We are told that the tenant purchased a high-end stove and they were moving out of the apartment and were going to take that stove with them," Nigro said.

Councilman Brad Lander said the tenant who lived in that apartment had moved out about a week ago.

Lander said the woman who died was a tenant in her 60s who was originally from the Dominican Republic. He said the woman lived in a third-floor apartment with her daughter, who was out of town at the time.

The victim's body was discovered in a stairwell near the second floor, close to the apartment where the explosion started, Nigro said. Her name was not immediately released.

A man and his son who were walking by the building when it exploded were injured. A 27-year-old passer-by also was injured. Officials said the three had been hit by flying debris; their injuries were considered not life-threatening.

Officials said at a news conference the man was 33 and the boy was 10, and police later gave the man's age as 34 and the boy's as 9. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.

Authorities are still trying to track down another person who lived in the building. Mayor Bill de Blasio said officials just wanted to confirm the person was not home at the time.

Neighbor Harry Roth said a sign sprang off the building's storefront before "the front of the building fell off and it started burning."

Shimon Fried was about five blocks away when he heard a boom.

"I just saw plumes of smoke coming out," he said. "It was scary."

The blast rocked the largely Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in the middle of a Sabbath afternoon.

De Blasio, speaking on cable news station NY1, said the Sabbath could have saved lives because there are less people walking in the neighborhood.

"Had it been the next day it would have been a much worse situation," he said.

A spokeswoman for National Grid declined to comment on the mayor's remarks, but said the utility was assisting in the ongoing investigation.

A message left at a possible phone number for the building's owner wasn't immediately returned.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement saying the explosion was "the latest in a disturbing trend of incidents." He said he ordered the state's Department of Public Service, the agency that regulates utility companies, to launch an investigation into the cause of the incident.

The building apparently was the latest in New York City to be rocked by a gas explosion in the last few years, though officials say the causes have all been different.

In 2014, eight people were killed and 70 injured when two apartment buildings in East Harlem were leveled by a gas explosion. In March, an apparently illegally tapped gas line caused an explosion that killed two people, injured 19 more and destroyed three buildings. And three construction workers were injured in August when someone lit a match while working on a gas line at a high school in the Bronx.

"The only common thread is natural gas and the dangers of natural gas," said James Leonard, the chief of department for the Fire Department of New York.

Junior's Auto Repair and body shop at 151 Pine St. was heavily damaged by fire, after a car parked close to the building started on fire, which spread to the structure.

SPRINGFIELD— A car fire that spread to a nearby auto repair shop caused heavy damage to the building Saturday night.

Dennis Leger, executive aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said the 10:06 p.m. blaze started in an Acura TXS parked very close to the exterior wall of Junior's Auto Body and Repair at 151 Pine St. Flames from the burning car shot up the side of the building and into the wood-framed roof structure on top of the concrete block building. Fire spread from that part of the building into an adjacent wood-framed office area.

At least five engines and more than a dozen firefighters were used to fire the blaze. Gasoline-powered cutting tools were used to cut away metal garage doors to let firefighters into the interior of the building, and chainsaws were used to cut away portions of the roof structure to gain access to flames hidden in the roof framing.

The fire was completely extinguished in just over an hour.

Leger said the business was closed at the time of the fire, and there were no firefighter injuries reported. He estimated damage to the buildings at approximately $35,000.

A male suffering a gunshot wound to the shoulder was found near 9 Hampden Street just as crowds were leaving downtown nightclubs and bars.

SPRINGFIELD— Police officers helping to clear a large Hampden Street parking lot just minutes before closing time for downtown bars and nightclubs said they heard a single gunshot nearby. Moments later they found a man with a gunshot wound to the shoulder in front of 9 Hampden St.

Springfield Police Lt. Richard LaBelle said the victim was closed mouth about what happened, so police are not sure what precipitated the shooting. A single spent shell casing was found about 30 feet from where the wounded individual discovered just before 2 a.m.

The victim was transported to the Baystate Medical Center for treatment of what LaBelle called, "non-life threatening wounds."

The incident remains under investigation.

The Rev. William Hamilton said behind every man and woman who wears the badge is a regular person, someone with a family of his or her own.

SPRINGFIELD — Cops place themselves "between us and the evil forces within our midst," the Rev. William Hamilton, public safety chaplain, said at Tuesday's ceremony for fallen Springfield police officers outside Pearl Street headquarters.

The purpose of the gathering was twofold: to pay homage to officers who've died in the line of duty, and to acknowledge the people responsible for refurbishing the Springfield Police Memorial Monument in front of police headquarters.

Police Commissioner John Barbieri praised Lt. Brian Keenan for leading the charge to spruce up the almost 30-year-old memorial that honors "our fallen family members."

To that end, Wayne and Daphne Ottani, of Tree Corp. and Ottani Landscape Design, and Jim Brennan, of the Brennan Family Foundation, were formally recognized for their roles in refurbishing the memorial site.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said officers whose names appear on the monument are public servants who paid "the ultimate sacrifice" by dying in the line of duty. "We deeply appreciate what you do day in, day out," he said, directing his remarks to the large law enforcement contingent in attendance. "You play a vital role in the peace and security of our city," Sarno said.

Top dogs of the Springfield Police Department, past and present: From left, former Police Commissioner William Fitchet, former Police Chief Paula Meara, current Police Commissioner John Barbieri, former Police Chief Thomas Fitzgerald, and former civilian Commissioner Edward Keating. (Conor Berry/The Republican) 

Rev. Hamilton said behind every man and woman who wears the badge is a person – a son, daughter, wife or husband – and someone with a family of his or her own. "We salute you in all your efforts," the Catholic priest said, before blessing the monument with holy water.

Eighteen names are listed on the fallen officers memorial, beginning with that of Constable Thomas Miller, killed in an Indian attack in 1675. The last name on the memorial is that of Kevin Ambrose, the Springfield police officer shot to death while responding to a 2012 domestic dispute in Sixteen Acres.

On hand for the ceremony were city councilors; at least one candidate for mayor; former police Chief Paula Meara; former Chief Thomas Fitzgerald; former Commissioner William Fitchet; and former civilian Commissioner Edward Keating.

Also in attendance were members of the Ambrose family and Doris Beauregard-Shecrallah, the widow of slain Springfield Police Officer Alain Beauregard.

A Maine man who police say used a cane equipped with a shocking device to attack a female lawyer saw his bail increased to $250,000 while appearing in court by video link.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

Philip Chism, top
and Colleen Ritzer 

Connecticut aunt sues nephew for $127,000 for breaking her wrist when he was 8; quickly loses [Connecticut Post] Video below

Donald Trump 

Paxton accountant accused of stealing more than $1.4 million from Milford company [Telegram & Gazette]

Dianne Thacher 

The Dow Jones industrial average declined nearly 50 points while the Nasdaq composite dropped 42.

By STEVE ROTHWELL
and MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK -- U.S. stocks dropped on Tuesday for the first day in five as investors assessed company earnings and the latest corporate deal news. More evidence of weakness in China's economy also unsettled the market.

Ryder System led industrial stocks lower after the transportation and logistics company cut its profit forecast for the third quarter. Molson Coors surged on speculation that a tie-up between the world's two largest brewers would give it an opportunity to expand its own business.

The stock market started October with strong gains, rebounding from a big slump in the previous two months as investors worried about a slowing Chinese economy. This week investors are focusing on corporate earnings as they try and measure the impact that slowing global growth is having on profits.

Companies that are focused on the U.S. are likely to do well as consumer confidence improves, said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer of First American Trust.

"It's been a rally here and the question is: 'Is this just a bounce?' " Braakman said. "The earnings season will help us a little with that. Looking at the consumer numbers here in the U.S., they are still very strong."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 13.77 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,003.69. The Dow Jones industrial average declined 49.97 points, or 0.3 percent, to 17,081.89. The Nasdaq composite dropped 42.03 points, or 0.9 percent, to 4,796.61.

Stocks started the day lower after a report showed that China's imports fell in September by an unexpectedly wide margin.

Imports dropped 20.4 percent after a 5.5 percent decline in August. It was the latest sign of weakness in the country's economy and indicates anemic demand in the world's second biggest economy.

"We don't think that this is a hard landing (for China's economy) in the making," said Stephen Freedman, Senior Investment Strategist, UBS Wealth Management Americas. "But we do acknowledge that there has been some spillover into the U.S."

Among individual stocks, Ryder System was the biggest decliner in the S&P 500. The transportation and logistics company cut its earnings forecast for the third quarter, blaming lower-than-forecast growth at a unit that provides services to companies that own and operate truck fleets. Its stock dropped $7.02, or 9.3 percent, to $68.63.

Chemicals company FMC Corp. fell $1.18, or 3.1 percent, to $36.35. The company lowered its earnings outlook late Monday and will lay off up to 850 workers, citing the rapid devaluation of the Brazilian real. The falling real is hurting its agricultural solutions business and FMC said it can't raise prices fast enough to compensate. The company makes almost a quarter of its sales in Brazil.

Overall, earnings for companies in the S&P 500 are forecast to contract by 5.4 percent for the third quarter, according to S&P Capital IQ. Much of the slump is attributable to a collapse in earnings at energy and material companies, where profits are shrinking as oil and commodity prices have plunged.

Molson Coors was the biggest gainer in the S&P 500.

The brewing company surged after AB InBev announced that it had reached an agreement to buy SABMiller. If the deal goes ahead, Molson Coors may get the opportunity to buy full ownership of its MillerCoors joint venture, which sells beers including Miller Lite, Coors Light and Blue Moon in the U.S. Molson Coors' stock jumped $7.83, or 9.9 percent, to $86.58.

Government bond prices rose, pushing the yield on the 10-year Treasury note down to 2.04 percent. The euro strengthened to $1.1384, while the dollar weakened to 119.76 yen.

Stocks fell in Europe. Britain's FTSE 100 declined 0.4 percent and Germany's DAX slid 0.9 percent. France's CAC 40 dropped 1 percent.

The price of oil slipped Tuesday. Benchmark U.S. crude fell 44 cents to close at $46.66 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, used to price international oils, fell 62 cents to $49.24 a barrel in London.

In metals trading, gold edged up 90 cents to $1,165.40 an ounce. Silver climbed 4.3 cents to $15.91 an ounce and copper fell 2.8 cents to $2.39 per pound.

In other energy futures trading on the NYMEX:

1. Wholesale gasoline fell 2.7 cents to close at $1.314 a gallon.
2. Heating oil fell 3.2 cents to close at $1.471 a gallon.
3. Natural gas fell 3.7 cents to close at $2.498 per 1,000 cubic feet.