Kids Can ‘Go Back To Something Better’ As FDA Authorizes Vaccine

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Saturday, Oct. 30. As you enjoy your weekend relaxing with family or friends, here’s a look at the stories we’re following today:

• Authorities believe Brian Laundrie may have been dead only two days after his fiancee, Gabby Petito, was reported missing.
• A Capitol Police officer charged with obstructing the Jan. 6 investigation has resigned.
• Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a vocal Donald Trump opponent who also voted to impeach the former president, will not run for re-election.
• A spider native to Asia is spinning its web across Georgia, again.

Pfizer Vaccine Authorized For Kids

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday paved the way for children ages 5 to 11 to get Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

The FDA cleared kid-size doses — just a third of the amount given to teens and adults — for emergency use, and up to 28 million more American children could be eligible for vaccinations as early as next week.

One more regulatory hurdle remains: On Tuesday, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make more-detailed recommendations on which youngsters should get vaccinated, with a final decision by the agency's director expected shortly afterward.

"With this vaccine, kids can go back to something that's better than being locked at home on remote schooling, not being able to see their friends," said Dr. Kawsar Talaat of Johns Hopkins University. "The vaccine will protect them and also protect our communities." » FDA Paves Way For Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines In Kids Ages 5-11, via Across America Patch

Mistake Did Not Affect Laundrie Investigation: Police

Despite North Port, Florida, police mistaking Brian Laundrie's mother for him while surveilling the family, a spokesperson for the city this week said he doesn't believe this "misidentification" impacted their investigation. "Other than confusion, it likely changed nothing. There is a very good possibility that Brian was already deceased," Josh Taylor told WFLA.

That means authorities believe Laundrie was already dead two days after his fiancée, Gabby Petito, was officially reported missing on Sept. 11. » Laundrie Likely Died 2 Days After Petito Reported Missing, via Sarasota, Florida, Patch

• RELATED: Gabby Petito's Dad Not Speculating On Laundrie Notebook: Report

Charged Capitol Officer Resigns

A U.S. Capitol Police officer facing charges of obstruction in connection with helping a Jan. 6 rioter evade the FBI has resigned, according to a report by Politico. Michael Riley, a 26-year veteran of the Capitol Police force, has been charged with two counts of obstruction. He is accused of encouraging a person who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 to delete incriminating social media posts. » Capitol Police Officer, Accused Of Aiding Jan. 6 Rioter, Resigns, via Washington, D.C. Patch

Crump Calls For Investigation Of Beverly Hills Police

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump this week called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and the state Department of Justice to investigate what he called racial profiling in the Beverly Hills Police Department. Crump is known for his involvement in the George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and city of Flint, Michigan, cases. » Crump Calls On DOJ, Governor To Investigate Beverly Hills Police, via Beverly Hills Patch

Adam Kinzinger Won’t Seek Re-election

Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a critic of Donald Trump who is one of two Republicans on the panel investigating the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol attack, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election next year.

The military veteran, who won a long-shot suburban congressional district a decade ago, became one of a handful of Republicans who voted to impeach Trump on the charge of inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. He joins a small but growing list of GOP Trump critics in Congress deciding to bow out. » Adam Kinzinger Won't Seek Reelection, via Channahon-Minooka, Illinois, Patch

Your Good News Fix

Need an extra-large helping of good news heading into the weekend? From a cancer survivor spreading a message of hope to police departments coming together to brighten a 7-year-old’s day, this week’s roundup of stories will leave you uplifted and smiling. » 9 Good News Stories: A Message Of Hope; Chicks Get Second Chance, via Across America Patch

Perfect Spooky Movie Marathon

If you're planning an ultimate fright night this Halloween weekend, indulging in a scary movie marathon might just do the trick. Luckily, we've rounded up a list of some of the best horror flicks to enjoy during the spookiest weekend of the year. » 16 Spooky Halloween Movies To Watch This Weekend, via Hollywood Patch

House Hunting

Built by George B. McClellan Jr., a former congressman and the 93rd mayor of New York City, this Princeton, New Jersey, home is as "elegant" as it is recognizable by those who call Princeton home. This house features marble tiles used in Grand Central Station and, despite its magnificence, is surprisingly livable and welcoming.

This Day In History

In 2003, basketball player LeBron James, who was drafted directly out of high school, made his NBA debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Here’s What To Know As Jury Selection Begins In The Kyle Rittenhouse’s Trial, via Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant, Wisconsin, Patch
• Letitia James Announces She Will Run For New York Governor, via New York City Patch
• Northwestern Students Stole 4,500 COVID-19 Tests, University Says, via Evanston, Illinois, Patch
• Halloween Weekend Threat Leads To Increased Northern Virginia Police Presence, via Reston Patch
• Jersey Rapper Fetty Wap Indicted For Cocaine, Heroin Conspiracy, via Wayne Patch
• The Joro Spider, Native To Asia, Spins Its Web Across Georgia, via Atlanta Patch
• Blackhawks Owner Request Aldrich's Name Be 'X'ed Off Stanley Cup, via Chicago Patch
• Gene Simmons Drops $10.5 Million On Beverly Hills Mansion, via Beverly Hills Patch
• Legendary Funk Band WAR Celebrates 50 Years With Show In Venice, via Venice-Mar Vista, California, Patch

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