500 Rounds Of Ammo Found On ‘Rust’ Movie Set, Police Say

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Thursday, Oct. 28. Have you finalized your family trick-or-treat or Halloween plans? If not, only a couple of days remain. Until then, catch up on the stories we’re following today:

• The United States issued its first passport with an "X" gender designation — a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don't identify as male or female.
• Actor Tom Hanks Actor crashed a wedding in Santa Monica in the best way this past weekend.
• Merriam-Webster added more than 450 words to the dictionary this week, and TBH, “fluffernutter” is our favorite.
• A group of boat club workers rescued a drowning manatee in a Florida river this week.

Projectile Entered ‘Rust’ Director's Shoulder

New Mexico authorities have recovered a lead projectile believed to have been fired from the gun used in the fatal shooting on the "Rust" movie set.

Investigators on Wednesday discussed their initial findings in the shooting in which actor Alec Baldwin fired a gun, killing a cinematographer and wounding the director. Testing is being done to determine whether the lead projectile recovered from director Joel Souza's shoulder was fired from the gun — a long Colt revolver — used by Baldwin.

Two other guns were seized from the set as well as 500 rounds of ammunition — a mix of blanks, dummy rounds and live rounds, investigators said. » 'Rust' Movie Shooting: Projectile Entered Director's Shoulder, via Across America Patch

Passport Reflects ‘Lived Reality’

The United States issued its first passport with an "X" gender designation — a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don't identify as male or female, the State Department said Wednesday. The agency said it expects to be able to offer the option to nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming people early next year.

The U.S.' special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights, Jessica Stern, called the moves historic and celebratory, saying they bring the government documents in line with "lived reality.” » 1st Gender 'X' Passport Reflects 'Lived Reality': Advocate, via Denver Patch

Laundrie Cause Of Death Weeks Away

With a forensic anthropologist analyzing Brian Laundrie's remains, autopsy results — including the cause and time of his death — aren't expected for another two to three weeks, Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said Wednesday.

Laundrie, a person of interest in the strangulation death of his fiancée, Gabby Petito, left his North Port home Sept. 13 — two days after she was officially reported missing — and wasn't seen since. » Laundrie's Cause Of Death Expected In 2 To 3 Weeks, Attorney Says, via Sarasota Patch

• RELATED: Gabby Petito Foundation Plan Memorial Scholarships On Long Island

Tom Hanks Crashes Wedding

Actor Tom Hanks Actor crashed a wedding in Santa Monica in the best way this past weekend.

"Could we get a photograph together?" Hanks asked a couple who was getting married on the sand. The award-winning actor was in Santa Monica, near Pacific Palisades, and told the newlyweds he watched their wedding ceremony and wanted to take a photo with them. The moment was captured on video. » Watch: Tom Hanks Crashes Couple's Santa Monica Beach Wedding, via Santa Monica Patch

"It's Literally Nazi God---- Germany"

Some Chicago cops don't want the city forcing a coronavirus vaccine in their arm, or even asking about vaccination status. Everybody's got an opinion — and the cops aren't alone, writes Patch columnist Mark Konkol. Firefighters and other union workers are suing the city to stop the jab mandate, too. Still, Fraternal Order of Police president John Catanzara just can't stop himself from comparing the actions of a Black lesbian mayor's administration to Nazi Germany. » Why Does FOP Boss John Catanzara Keep Talking About Nazi Germany? via Chicago Patch

‘Dad Bod’ Among New Words

What a time to be alive. Merriam-Webster said Wednesday that "dad bod" is among 455 words added to the dictionary that has served generations of Americans for 180 years."Bit rot" is in there, too. So is "fluffernutter," not because it is fun to say, though it is that. » 'Dad Bod,' 'Fluffernutter' Among Merriam-Webster's 455 New Words, via Across America Patch

Taking Trauma In Stride

Twelve-year-old Charlie Buhl of Philadelphia was on vacation with his mother and brother when a crocodile attacked his leg. After five months of recovery, Charlie is not only taking the attack in stride, he’s doing it with a sense of humor: He and friends plan to dress up as a 16-foot crocodile for Halloween. » PA Boy Who Survived Crocodile Attack Going As One For Halloween, via Philadelphia Patch

House Hunting

Affectionately referred to by its previous resident — renowned chef and television personality Julia Child — as her "little jewel," this butter yellow clapboard house in Georgetown has been masterfully restored by its current owner in a manner befitting the home where Child worked on her groundbreaking culinary tome "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."

This Day In History

In 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty — a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States — on Bedloe's (later Liberty) Island in Upper New York Bay.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Rare 'Miracle' Brain Surgery Gives Toddler Chance At Normal Life, via Tampa, Florida, Patch
• Boat Club Workers Rescue Drowning Manatee From Waters Near Bridge, via Brandenton, Florida, Patch
• Texas Man Meets Nurse Who Saved His Life, via Austin Patch
• Door-To-Door Candy Sale Leads To Battery, 3 Kids Arrested, via Greendale, Wisconsin, Patch
• Convicted Repeat Sex Predator Gets 50 To 100 Years In Prison, via Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewood Patch
• IL Senate Votes To Repeal Parental Notifications For Abortions, via Chicago Patch
• Roller Derby Teams Sues Cleveland Guardians, via Cleveland Patch
• Oregon Governor's Race: Nick Kristof Makes Campaign Official, via Portland Patch
• Poetry Amid Decay: NJ Photographer Explores Abandoned Railway, via Newark Patch
• Democrats Unveil Billionaires' Tax As Biden Plan Takes Shape, via Across America Patch

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