Shooting At Texas School ‘Not A Random Act Of Violence’

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Thursday, Oct. 7. Is it too early to start thinking about traveling by air this holiday season and whether your flight attendant is vaccinated? Possibly, but it’s certainly not too early to catch up on the stories we’re following today.

• Thousands of public servants might soon be finding it easier to seek student loan forgiveness.
• Speaking to Dr. Phil, Gabby Petito’s mother said she knew in her heart that her daughter was dead.
• Are you an outdoor enthusiast? We have the perfect home for you.
• Three Florida brothers are facing more than 300 charges following a burglary spree.

School Shooting In Arlington

An 18-year-old student opened fire at his Dallas-area high school Wednesday, injuring four people and then fleeing before being taken into custody hours later. The shooting at Timberview High School, which is in Arlington, stemmed from a fight that broke out in a classroom.

"This is not a random act of violence," Arlington Assistant Police Chief Kevin Kolbye said at a news conference. "This is not somebody attacking our school."

Following the shooting, one victim was in critical condition, another was in good condition, and a third person was treated for minor abrasions. The fourth victim refused treatment. » Arlington School Shooting Suspect Arrested; 4 People Injured, via Arlington Patch

Student Loan Forgiveness Gets Easier

Thousands of public servants could find it easier to plow through the labyrinth of a federal student loan forgiveness program after the Biden administration temporarily relaxed requirements Wednesday.

Only about 5,500 teachers, nurses, social workers, military workers and other public service workers have erased their loans since the 2007 launch of the program, designed to steer more college graduates to public service careers. » Erasing Student Debt Just Got Easier For Thousands Of Americans, via Across America Patch

Gabby Petito’s Mom: ‘I Knew She Was Gone’

Nichole Schmidt, the mother of slain Long Island native Gabby Petito, told Dr. Phil on his television show this week that she felt it in her heart — that she knew her daughter was dead — when she learned Gabby’s van had returned to Florida with her fiancee, Brian Laundrie, but Gabby had not.

Schmidt said it was the hardest thing that she ever had to listen to and it didn't hit her "right away in a second."

"But I knew she was gone, as a mom I knew she was gone," she added. » 'In Her Heart' Gabby Petito's Mom Felt She Was Gone, via Patchogue Patch

Follow all Gabby Petito coverage via Patch

Federal Agent Shot Serving Warrant

A federal agent was shot Wednesday morning while taking part in a multi-agency attempt to serve an arrest warrant in Racine, Wisconsin. The suspect opened fire on members of the task force, led by the U.S. Marshals Service, before killing himself, officials told Patch. » Federal Agent Shot, Subject Killed Self In Racine Shooting, via Racine Patch

Your Vaccine Guide To Flying

While some Americans remain hesitant to fly during the coronavirus pandemic, several major U.S. airlines are trying to ensure safer travels by implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for all employees. If you're planning to travel soon and prefer your flight crew be vaccinated, here's what you should know before you book that trip. » Your COVID-19 Vaccine Guide To Flying The Friendly Skies, via Across America Patch

House Porn

Bring the family and the horses to this spectacular log-sided home in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Perfect for an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll have 22 private acres to enjoy water, woods and wildlife.

This Day In History

Playwright, poet, novelist and essayist Amiri Baraka, who wrote of the experiences and anger of Black Americans, was born in 1934.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Mother, Son Arrested After Helping Steal Pelosi's Laptop On Jan. 6: Police, via Across New York Patch
• 3 Florida Brothers Face 304 Total Charges In Burglary Spree, via Lakeland, Florida, Patch
• Right-wing 'Terrorist' Convicted For Role In Portland Protests, via Portland, Oregon, Patch
• Worker Bulldozes Homeless Tent At Encampment With Man Still Inside, via Washington, D.C. Patch
• County Takes Next Steps To Return Bruce’s Beach To Descendants, via Manhattan Beach, California Patch
• Systemic Racism In NJ Added To Pandemic Deaths, Advocates Say, via Newark, New Jersey, Patch
• After Having Meth Mailed To His Home, FL Man Sentenced To 22 Years In Prison, via Fort Meyers, Florida, Patch

Find Your Patch

Patch is in more than 1,000 communities across America. Find your community and see what's happening outside your front door.