He ‘Knows Something’: Man Killed Brother Over Vaccine, Police Say

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Friday, Oct. 8, which marks the end of another workweek. Before you flee your desk for the weekend, take a peek at some of the stories we’re following today:

• Congress has narrowly avoided an economic catastrophe — for now.
• Minneapolis police “hunted” people amid the street chaos after George Floyd’s death.
• Brian Laundrie’s father reportedly joined the search for his missing son.
• A man killed his brother for doing his job: administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

Texas Abortion Law Suspended

A federal judge this week ordered Texas to suspend the most restrictive abortion law in the United States, calling it an "offensive deprivation" of a constitutional right by banning most abortions in the nation's second-most populous state.

The order is the first legal blow to the Texas law known as Senate Bill 8. Texas officials swiftly told the court they intend to seek a reversal from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which previously allowed the restrictions to take effect. » 'Offensive Deprivation' Of Rights: Judge Suspends TX Abortion Law, via Austin Patch

Default Crisis Dodged

Senate leaders on Thursday announced an agreement to extend the government's borrowing authority into December, temporarily averting an unprecedented federal default that experts say would devastate the economy. » Default Crisis Dodged — For Now — As Dems, GOP Reach Agreement, via Across America Patch

Zodiac Killer Identified

A cold case team made up of more than 40 former law enforcement investigators, military intelligence officers and journalists said it has identified the "Zodiac Killer," a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s.

In a series of cryptic messages mailed by the killer, who labeled himself Zodiac, the cold-blooded killer taunted law enforcement officers and created a persona that has endured for more than a half-century. » Zodiac Killer ID'd By Cold Case Team; FBI Memo IDs 6th Victim, via San Francisco Patch

Police ‘Hunted’ Protesters

Newly released body camera footage shows that Minneapolis police officers discussed "hunting" people during the chaos and street violence that ensued in the days after George Floyd was killed. » Minneapolis Police Discussed 'Hunting' Amid 2020 Street Violence, via Southwest Minneapolis Patch

Brother Kills Brother: Police

A Maryland man reportedly believed his brother, a pharmacist, was poisoning people by giving them the COVID-19 vaccine. He killed him in response, according to court documents released this week.

Court documents show Jeffrey Burnham reportedly told his mother he had to "confront his brother." He told his mother, "Brian knows something,"

Authorities said Burnham stabbed to death a family friend before taking her car to Ellicott City, where the following day he killed his brother, Brian Robinette, and his wife, Kelly Sue Robinette, in their home. » Brother Kills Brother, A Pharmacist, For Giving COVID Vaccine, via Ellicott City, Maryland Patch

Priest Guilty Of Sex Abuse

A tip from a Walgreens employee led to the arrest of a former Maryland priest, who pleaded guilty this week to coercing and enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. Fernando Cristancho, 65, of Bel Air, admitted to having sex with and photographing children from infancy to 13 years old, prosecutors said. He faces 10 to 25 years in prison. » Former Bel Air Priest Admits To Sex Abuse, Coercion Of Minor, via Bel Air Patch

Brian Laundrie’s Father Joins Search

Authorities searching the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County for signs of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of his fiancee, Gabby Petito, reportedly found remnants of a recently used campsite Wednesday.

The attorney for the Laundrie family also confirmed Brian's father was asked to help with the search in the alligator-infested swamp Thursday. » Brian Laundrie: Father Helps Search Thursday; Campsite Found, via Sarasota Patch

RELATED: 'Sadly, Gabby Petito's Story Is A Common One': Experts Speak, via North Fork, New York, Patch

Follow all Gabby Petito coverage via Patch

House Porn

Music star Pink is selling her Malibu home — which also happens to be Barry Manilow's old crib — just months after buying it. The 4,320-square-foot oceanfront home is elegant and bright, with five bedrooms and an unobstructed 180-degree ocean view.

This Day In History

On this day in 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began in Patrick and Catherine O'Leary’s barn. Once the fire died out two days later, a large portion of the city was destroyed and an estimated 300 people were dead.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Pfizer Asks U.S. To Allow COVID-19 Shots For Kids Ages 5 To 11, via Across America Patch
• 16 Photos That Show The Devastation Of CA's Massive Oil Spill, via Across California Patch
• Woman Charged In Father's Murder Was Cut From Will, via Barnegat, New Jersey, Patch
• LeVar Burton Named Grand Marshal Of 2022 Rose Parade, via Pasadena Patch
• 'Xena' Co-Stars Lucy Lawless, Renee O' Connor Spotted In Austin, via Austin Patch
• Protesters Bash Amazon’s Plan To Bring Mega-Hub To Newark Airport, via Newark, New Jersey, Patch
• Chicago Named Best Big City In U.S. For 5th Year In A Row, via Chicago Patch
• 5 Former Boston Celtics Charged In Fraud Scheme, via Boston Patch

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