In brief: Pilot missing after fighter jet crash
DEERFIELD, Va. – An experienced pilot was missing Wednesday after the flier’s F-15 fighter jet crashed in the mountains of western Virginia, shaking residents but causing no injuries on the ground, military and law enforcement officials said.
The pilot of the single-seat jet was headed to New Orleans for radar installation as part of routine maintenance and reported an in-flight emergency, then lost radio contact, authorities said. The pilot and jet are with the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, officials there said.
It was unclear whether the pilot had ejected and the plane had no munitions onboard, Col. James Keefe said at a news conference in Westfield, Massachusetts, home of the fighter wing.
Abandoned baby in critical condition
KEARNS, Utah – A newborn girl was fighting for her life a day after Utah police say her mother dumped her in a neighbor’s trash can, an act the woman’s parents said Wednesday that she didn’t fully comprehend.
The 2-day-old girl was on a ventilator and in critical condition, Unified Police Detective Jared Richardson said. The girl’s mother, 23-year-old Alicia Marie Englert, was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of attempted murder.
Her father, Robert Englert, told Utah media outlets that his daughter had a learning disability and didn’t understand her actions.
Coral listed as threatened species
WASHINGTON – The federal government is protecting 20 types of colorful coral by putting them on the list of threatened species, partly because of climate change.
Five species can be found off the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The other 15 are in the Pacific Ocean area near Guam and American Samoa.
Dog breaks world speed records
LOS ANGELES – Jiff was already cute, lovable and talented. Now he’s proven he’s speedy too.
The 4-year-old, 5-pound Pomeranian blazed into the 60th edition of the Guinness World Records book that comes out Sept. 10.
He can run 10 meters (9.1 yards) on his hind legs in 6.56 seconds and 5 meters on his front paws in 7.76 seconds. Both times are faster than any other dog on the planet has clocked.