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360-Degree Camera Accidentally Films Proposal in NYC Park

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A New York City real estate technology company was filming b-roll at a Brooklyn park when a feature-worthy event got in the shot.

VirtualApt said its 360-degree video-shooting robot was stationed in Bushwick Inlet Park in Williamsburg on Monday afternoon when it accidentally filmed a man getting down on one knee in an apparent proposal. The company said it didn't know the camera had caught the touching moment until afterward and is now trying to find the couple so they can have the footage.

"We saw the proposal and thought it would be nice to share it with the couple so they could have that moment forever on video," a company representative said.

The footage shows the pair sitting on a bench at the East River waterfront, looking curiously in the unattended robot’s direction in the otherwise unoccupied portion of the park. 


They both then stand up and embrace for a few seconds before the man reaches into his pocket -- presumably for a ring -- and gets down on one knee.

It wasn’t clear what the man said to the woman, or if she replied with a “yes” because whipping winds drowned out other sounds on the robot’s microphones.

But the woman can be seen putting her hands over her mouth in surprise before leaning down to kiss the man. They then stand there for a few more seconds before the video ends.

The company said the robot's operator, who had left the area to avoid getting in the camera's shot, didn't realize he had captured the apparent proposal until he started going through the footage on Tuesday morning.

That is when the company said it posted the footage on its website, VirtualApt.com, and several social media networks in hopes of finding the couple.

If you recognize the couple, email VirtualApt at info@virtualapt.com.




Photo Credit: Provided by VirtualApt.com
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Dick’s Sporting Goods to Discontinue Sales of Assault-Style Rifles

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Saying that “thoughts and prayers are not enough” following the Parkland shooting, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced the company will discontinue sales of all assault-style rifles and will raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21. The company will also end sales of high-capacity magazines.

Teacher in Custody After Report of Shots Fired at Ga. School

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A teacher was taken into custody at a north Georgia high school Wednesday after a person barricaded themselves in a classroom, according to tweets from the local police department.

No children were hurt or in danger at Dalton High School, according to tweets from the Dalton Police Department. Police had received a report of shots fired.

The school was evacuated and locked down, police said separately on Facebook.

The teacher had a gun, a spokesperson for police told NBC affiliate WRCB.

Police didn't immediately provide further details on what occurred in the incident, which comes two weeks after a deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Students were being taken to a trade and convention center, where police asked parents to meet them.



Photo Credit: Google Maps

Royal Family Photos: Royal Couples Appear for 1st Function

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Look at events and milestones celebrated by the royal family.

Photo Credit: Chris Jackson/AP

4-Year-Old Donating Bone Marrow to Save Brothers' Lives

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A 4-year-old from South Philadelphia is proving that heroism and courage know no age. 

Michael Demasi Jr. volunteered to save the lives of his twin baby brothers, Santino "Sonny" and Giovani "Gio," who suffer from a rare immune disease called chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). 

The condition weakens patients' immune systems and make them more susceptible to deadly germs and infections.

How, exactly, can a 4-year-old save the lives of his 4-month-old brothers?

The answer is in the bone marrow.

"The doctors said 'We have some good news finally. Your 4-year-old son is the perfect match for both the twins,'" Robin Pownall, the boys' mother, said.

On March 8, Michael will undergo a procedure in which doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will extract bone marrow and then transplant it the very same day.

"I'm really scared, exhausted, overwhelmed, in shock still," Pownall said. "It's a lot of emotions all at once."

But Michael has an important goal in mind.

"I want to save their lives," Michael said.

This wasn't the family's first brush with CGD. Their oldest son, Dominick, was cured of the disease when he was young. Pownall wasn't surprised when the twins tested positive because it primarily affects boys.

"That's not good because we have all boys," Dominick said.

Pownall and the boys' father, Michael Demasi Sr., have been taking turns staying with the twins.

Once it was discovered that Michael was a perfect match for the babies, the parents had to weigh the potential risks that the 4-year-old could face while saving his brothers. 

The family remains optimistic about the outcome, and hopes to reunite sometime in April to celebrate the twins and the hero who saved them.

"I'm never gonna forget what he did," Dominick said about Michael. "Even though sometimes he's a pain, I still love him and I love my little brothers too."

The family has a GoFundMe page



Photo Credit: NBC10

March Roars in With 'Lion' Storm

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The expression “March comes in like a lion” may go back as far as 1732. It makes sense meteorologically, since early March is still winter, and huge temperature contrasts across the country can lead to some big storms.

By the end of March, the bitter cold of winter has usually retreated. Snow is much less likely in our part of the country. Average high temperatures go up from 48 on March 1 to 58 on March 31. We even have days that can get into the 80s late in the month.

Of course, weather doesn’t necessarily work on schedules. "Normal" is just the average of extremes, not what we expect for any given day. But this year, the "lion" part is coming just as we start March.

The Storm — What Do We Call It?

It’s sure not a classic "Nor’easter." As Benjamin Franklin figured out back in 1743, a storm was moving TOWARD the Northeast (up the East Coast), but the wind was blowing FROM the Northeast. So he concluded that storms have a circulation, which was a big deal back then. (Here’s a good explanation of how it happened.)

This week's storm is going to give us winds from the Northeast at times, but won’t be traveling to the Northeast. It’s going to track to the East, or even Southeast. This is rather unusual, but sometimes happens at this time of year. Let’s see how the storm evolves. First, the current map:

The storm isn’t much of a storm-just a weak area of low pressure on the left side of the map in Oklahoma. The lower the number with the low, the more intense the storm is. Same thing for the number of lines around the low, and how close together they are. Wednesday’s low is 1002 (for those interested, it’s in millibars).

Now, look at just 24 hours later. The storm has moved into Ohio, the pressure has dropped to 995 millibars, and there are many more lines around the low. The more lines, the stronger the wind:


And now look 24 hours later, into Friday night. The low has moved WAAAAY offshore, but the pressure is down to 974 millibars. This is evidence of rapid intensification. As with a previous storm this winter, it can be classified as “bombogenesis” because it has intensified so rapidly. There are lots of lines around that low, and they are bunched together tightly. At this time, our winds could be 30 mph with gusts over 50 mph if this computer model is right:


Storm Problems

1. Rain

By itself, the March Lion storm wouldn’t bring enough rain to cause flooding. But February has been one of the wettest months on record in much of the area, so even the expected 1 to 2 inches could lead to localized flooding. The heaviest rain should fall Thursday night into Friday morning

2. Wind

The wind around this storm could be the strongest of any storm we’ve seen this winter. Some computer models show gusts well over 50 mph late Friday and Friday night from the Philadelphia area to the shore. That could lead to some wind damage.

3. Coastal Flooding

A storm off the coast combined with a full moon leads to a coastal flood threat nearly every time. There are still some uncertainties related to how long onshore winds will last, which is a critical part of the threat. Heavy rain also adds to flooding at shore points in situations like this.

4. Snow

Temperatures near the ground are much too warm for snow, and there isn’t much cold air to our west. But in these springlike storms, the cold air comes down from aloft. Heavy rain can change to heavy, wet snow in a snap. This is most likely to happen in the Poconos, where accumulation is likely. But it’s also possible in higher elevations in the Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia suburbs. And, if the upper-air part of the low tracks just right, it could even snow for a while in other parts of our area. But, just like our last storm, it would likely melt on the roads as it falls.

The Bottom Line

This “March Lion” storm will surely bring rain, gusty winds, and some coastal flooding. Higher elevations will get wet snow as the storm passes. The storm should move out in time to give us a rare dry weekend. But it will still be windy Saturday. Stay tuned for updates on this multi-threat storm.



Photo Credit: Cameron Spencer/ Gerry Images
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Alaska Rep. Suggests Jews With Guns Could Have Stopped Nazis

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Jewish people might not have been killed in the Holocaust if they had weapons, a Republican congressman from Alaska implied during an event in Juneau last week, NBC News reported.

Rep. Don Young, the longest-serving member of the House, had been asked about guns in the wake of the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, and his response was caught on video releaed by Dimitri Shein, a Democrat who hopes to defeat Young.

"How many millions were shot and killed because they were unarmed?" Young said. "Fifty million in Russia because their citizens were unarmed. How many Jews were put into the ovens because they were unarmed?"

The comment drew criticism from the Anti-Defamation League. NBC News has reached out to Young's office for comment.



Photo Credit: Pete Marovich/Getty Images, File

KFC Reports Gravy Shortage in UK, Following Chicken Crisis

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U.K. KFC restaurants ran short on chicken during a mix-up with a new delivery firm this month and now there is a gravy shortage, CNBC reported.

KFC, which has 900 restaurants in the U.K. and Ireland, switched its delivery contract to DHL on Feb. 14. KFC said they are serving a limited menu because of the gravy shortage. 

A spokesman from Yum! Brands, which owns KFC, said Wednesday that 97 percent of the region's KFC restaurants are open, CNBC reported.

"Due to the ongoing distribution challenges DHL is experiencing, some restaurants are continuing to serve a reduced menu," a spokesman told CNBC. "We're working as hard as we can to get this sorted out. We know that our gravy is a big favorite!"



Photo Credit: Getty Images/Matt Cardy, File

Wednesday’s Child: Ricky

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This week’s Wednesday’s Child is fun, loves basketball and enjoys cooking. NBC10’s Vai Sikahema introduces us to Ricky who is looking for a forever family.

California's Housing Crunch Pits Liberals Against Each Other

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The housing crunch in California, where rent can be extremely expensive from San Francisco down to San Diego, is driving an intense ideological struggle among liberals, NBC News reports.

Some don't want development bringing high-rises to their neighborhoods, while others see that as the best way to bring in housing, adding it will help the environment as well.

Advocates on either side call each other "dumb and venal" and "masters of hypocritical progressivisim" — both sides claim the other is entitled and doesn't really understand the needs of the poor — but there's no clear consensus about what should be done.

The high cost of housing in San Francisco has brought the median rent for a one bedroom to $3,300 per month. Recently, some state political leaders frustrated by the inaction of local officials have moved to fix it.



Photo Credit: Jim Seida / NBC News

Music Streaming Service Spotify Files to Go Public

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Streaming service Spotify announced Wednesday its plan to go public, CNBC reported.

The company will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker name SPOT. According to the company, shares have traded as high as $132.50 on private markets, which would give the company a valuation over $23 billion based on ordinary shares outstanding as of Feb. 22.

Spotify is the leader in streaming music services globally, with the company reporting 71 million paying subscribers and more than 159 million monthly active listeners (MAUs) as of December 2017. It is available in 61 countries and territories. Its closest competitor, Apple Music, is far behind at 36 million subscribers.

The company reported revenue of $2.37 billion in 2015, $3.6 billion in 2016 and $4.99 billion in 2017, according to its F1. (This is based on current euro to dollar conversion value.) It said paid subscribers are growing at a rate of 46 percent year-over-year, while MAUs are increasing at 29 percent year-over-year. The company posted a loss of $1.5 billion in 2017.



Photo Credit: Chesnot/Getty Images, File

1st Openly Transgender Recruit Signs Up for US Military

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A transgender recruit has signed a contract to join the U.S. military for the first time since a federal court ruled late last year that the military would have to accept openly transgender people, the Pentagon said on Monday.

Military officials do not know how many transgender people have begun to enlist since Jan. 1, when the Defense Department began accepting openly transgender recruits, but this is the first time one has officially signed a contract to join the military, NBC News reported.

"(The Pentagon) confirms that as of February 23, 2018, there is one transgender individual under contract for service in the US Military," Major David Eastburn, a Pentagon spokesman, said. The person has signed a contract but not yet started basic training.

President Donald Trump announced in July that he would prohibit transgender people from serving in the military, reversing former President Barack Obama’s policy of accepting them. Trump had said the military “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” However, numerous federal judges blocked the ban, saying it would likely violate the Constitutional right to equal protection under the law.



Photo Credit: Bill Clark/ GettyImages, File

Immigration Enforcement Has Students Fearful: Survey

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Teachers and educators across the country say President Donald Trump’s strict stance on immigration has created palpable fear in the classroom, with students missing classes, letting grades slip and exhibiting emotional and behavioral problems amid fear of losing family to deportation.

The findings were contained in a report released Wednesday by the Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles, which surveyed more than 730 schools in 24 districts in 12 states about the impact of the administration's immigration enforcement measures on teaching and learning.

Researchers found that 64 percent of the 5,400 teachers, administrators and other school personnel who responded said they had observed students who were concerned about immigration issues that may affect them, their families or people they know.

“We have one student who had attempted to slit her wrists because her family has been separated and she wants to be with her mother,” one Maryland teacher told researchers, who promised anonymity to respondents. “She literally didn’t want to live without her mother.”



Photo Credit: Getty Images, File

20,000 Potholes Greet Philly Drivers

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Your shocks and struts have been taking a beating this season, especially in Philadelphia. The Streets Department confirmed with NBC10 that crews have filled over 20,000 potholes since January 1, 2018.

The city and region have been battling through an early and brutal pothole season due to drastic and quick changes in weather. Just last week, NBC10 reported that the city repaired over 500 potholes alone on a three-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive in Northwest Philadelphia.

Frustration with the roads has been so bad, even Mayor Jim Kenney is responding to citizens about the issue on social media. On Wednesday, he acknowledged that “it’s been a particularly tough year” adding that he is working with City Council to budget $170 million “to get streets up to national standards in the long-term.”

Despite the large numbers of repairs already logged this season, Keisha McCarty-Skelton, spokeswoman for the Streets Department, says that crews are continuing to address potholes as they are reported aggressively. Residents can request pothole repairs by calling the city’s 3-1-1 call center.

Driver hopes for a smoother ride ahead may have to wait for a while. McCarty-Skelton warns motorists to be aware since improving temperatures and thawing roads will continue to prompt repairs and additional potholes.

Mueller Asking What Trump Knew About Hacked Emails: Sources

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Special counsel Robert Mueller's team is asking witnesses pointed questions about whether Donald Trump was aware that Democratic emails had been stolen before that was publicly known, and whether he was involved in their strategic release, multiple people familiar with the probe told NBC News.

Mueller's investigators have asked witnesses whether Trump was aware of plans for WikiLeaks to publish the emails. They have also asked about the relationship between GOP operative Roger Stone and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and why Trump took policy positions favorable to Russia.

The line of questioning suggests the special counsel, who is tasked with examining whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election, is looking into possible coordination between WikiLeaks and Trump associates in disseminating the emails, which U.S. intelligence officials say were stolen by Russia. 

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion and has described the special counsel's investigation as "illegal" and a "witch hunt." John Dowd, the president’s outside attorney, told NBC News, "We do not discuss our knowledge of or communications with the Special Counsel."



Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images, File

Billy Graham’s Body to Lie in Capitol Rotunda for Two Days

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Known as “The Pastor to Presidents,” Rev. Billy Graham’s body will lie in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday and Thursday before being buried Friday on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. Graham is only the fourth private citizen to lie in the rotunda.

Bailed Out: 9 Defendants Who Can't Afford Bail Go Home

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Kevin Coleman was arrested in January for carrying a firearm without a license and resisting arrest. His family did not have $7,500 to bail him out while he awaited trial, so he sat in jail for almost two months.

On Wednesday, he and nine other pretrial defendants posted bail with the help of the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund.

“Today we joined organizers in cities across the country, from Memphis to Los Angeles, to post bail for some of our Black neighbors and community members,” Josh Glenn, organizer with Youth Self-Empowerment Project and the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, said.

“Until today, they’d been held in jail pretrial solely because they couldn’t afford their release,” Glenn said.

Coleman was one of many defendants in Philadelphia languishing behind bars because they cannot afford to pay for their freedom.

In an attempt to alleviate the financial burden for low-income, non-violent defendants, Philadelphia’s new District Attorney Larry Krasner announced last week the end of cash bail requirements.

But this only applies to new cases and to people arrested for low-level offenses, such as possessing marijuana for personal use or driving under the influence.

Ultimately, the new policy rests at the hands of the presiding judge, who can decide that someone is enough of a threat to the public to warrant cash bail.

“Are there some judges who are still requiring bail despite the recommendations? Yes,” Philadelphia chief public defender Keir Bradford-Grey said.

Her office is compiling a list of prejail defendants currently in jail and filing bail motions on their behalf.

As of last week, more than 6,100 people are in Philadelphia's jail system, according to Julie Wertheimer, Mayor Jim Kenney’s chief of staff for criminal justice.

Approximately 21 percent of that population is being held on cash bail. Nationally, the average bail has skyrocketed to between $25,000 and $55,000 per defendant, according to a Princeton University study.

But in Philadelphia, which has the fourth largest jail population of the major U.S. cities, only about 50 percent of defendants were able to post bail when it was set at $5,000 or less.



Photo Credit: NBC1O

Brandywine Creek State Park Wants to Pave Over Trail

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Delaware wants to pave over a popular nature trail at the Brandywine Creek State Park. The state says it's about safety and accessibility but opponents of the plan want to leave nature alone.

Major Coastal Storm to Bring Heavy Rain, Wind and Flooding

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March will come roaring in like a lion with a major coastal storm. A First Alert will be in effect for our area from 5 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday due to a storm bringing in rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding. There may even be a rain-snow mix across the Lehigh Valley and upper Pennsylvania suburbs late Friday. While the First Alert begins early Friday morning, the rain and wind will move in Thursday night.

“The biggest threats are going to be the 50 to 60 mile an hour wind gusts across the entire area,” said NBC10 First Alert Weather chief meteorologist Tammie Souza. “Major coastal flooding is possible and periods of heavy rain.”

TIMING

Thursday Night – Friday Morning: Heaviest Rain, possible snow in western and central Pennsylvania, including the Poconos

Friday Afternoon – Friday Night: Highest Winds, downed trees and power lines, travel delays

Saturday Morning – Saturday Night: Flooding on roads in coastal Delaware and parts of the Jersey Shore

While the storm won’t bring enough rain to cause flooding by itself, since February was one of the wettest months on record in much of the area, the expected 1 to 2 inches of rain could lead to localized flooding.

The wind around the storm could be the strongest of any storm we’ve seen this winter. Some computer models show wind gusts well over 50 mph Friday night from the Philadelphia area to the shore. That could lead to some wind damage.

The storm coming off the coast combined with the full moon will lead to a coastal flood threat Saturday at parts of the Jersey Shore and Delaware beaches. At this point, there are still some uncertainties regarding how long offshore winds will last. Heavy rain will also add to flooding at shore points.

As for potential snow, temperatures near the ground are too warm and there isn’t much cold air to our west. During spring-like storms however, cold air comes from aloft which means heavy rain can change to heavy, wet snow quickly. This will most likely occur in the Poconos where a half of foot of snow or more is possible.

Snow is also possible in higher elevations in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia suburbs. If the upper air part of the low tracks just right, it could even snow for a while in other parts of our area. If it did snow however, just like our last storm, it would likely melt on roads as it falls.

The storm is expected to move out Saturday morning leading to a dry weekend but it will still be windy Saturday. Stay with NBC10 and the app for the latest weather updates.

Trump Holds Bipartisan Meeting on Gun Legislation

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President Trump held an hour-long bipartisan discussion to address gun control and other measures that lawmakers can take to prevent mass shootings.

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