CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — Good morning and happy Friday, December 19th. Bryan and Michelle Hofmann here with you on KRIS 6 News Sunrise, helping you start your day informed and ready to go. This morning, we are following a major development in the Brown University mass shooting investigation, new U.S. military strikes at sea, an aviation tragedy involving former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, a high-profile name change for the Kennedy Center, a new deal involving TikTok’s U.S. assets, and an important nationwide recall parents will want to know about.
Brown shooter suspect
- The suspect in the Brown University shooting has been found dead
- Police say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Investigators say he acted alone but the motive is still unclear
Police say the suspect in the Brown University mass shooting has been found dead. Authorities identified him as 48-year-old Claudio Valente, a former Brown University student and Portuguese national. He was found at a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators say he was found with two firearms, a satchel, and evidence that matched the crime scene. Police believe he acted alone, but a motive has not yet been determined.
U.S. strikes more alleged drug trafficking boats
- The U.S. military carried out new strikes in the eastern Pacific
- Officials claim the boats were tied to designated terrorist organizations
- Five people were killed and over one hundred have died in recent strikes
U.S. Southern Command says the military conducted strikes against two alleged drug trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday. Officials say the strikes occurred in international waters and claim that the vessels were operated by designated terrorist organizations. Five people were killed in these latest operations. At least one hundred four people have been killed in U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats so far.
Greg Biffle's death
- Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was killed in a plane crash
- The jet crashed while attempting to land in North Carolina
- Six others were also on board including Biffle’s wife and children
The NTSB is investigating a jet crash that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle Thursday morning. According to the FAA, a Cessna Citation 550 crashed while trying to land at Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte. Six other people were on board the private jet, including Biffle’s wife and their two children.
Kennedy Center name change
- The Kennedy Center will potentially add Donald Trump’s name
- The board claims they voted unanimously for the change, others disagree
- Leaders say the new name reflects continued support for the center
The Kennedy Center will soon carry a new official title. The full name will become The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The board of trustees, put in place by Trump, voted "unanimously" Thursday to approve the change, however at least one trustee says she was intentionally muted. President Trump was elected chair of the board earlier this year. A spokesperson says the updated name reflects continued bipartisan support for what is considered America’s national cultural center. Several in Washington, both Democrat and Republican, are already challenging the legality of the potential name change.
TikTok deal
- TikTok has reached a deal to sell its U.S. assets
- American investors are expected to take control
- The move prevents a potential nationwide ban
TikTok has signed a deal to sell its U.S. assets to a group of American investors. The agreement appears to end a lengthy process that began during President Trump’s first term, after a law required TikTok’s U.S. platform to separate from its parent company ByteDance or face a ban in the United States. Specific details of the deal have not yet been released.
Blue Wave pool recall
- More than thirteen thousand Blue Wave pools are being recalled
- Safety officials say children can climb into the pools and drown
- Owners are being offered a free repair kit
More than 13,000 Blue Wave pools are being recalled due to a drowning risk. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says children can use the external compression straps as footholds to climb into the pools. The pools were sold nationwide at Home Depot and Lowe’s, and online at Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair. They were sold from January 2021 through July of this year. Blue Wave is offering a free repair kit to owners.
Thank you for waking up with the Hofmanns. As always, stay safe, stay curious and stay kind.
We will see you bright and early Monday morning.
-Bryan and Michelle Hofmann
