October 2018 Current Events: US News

Updated September 25, 2021 | Infoplease Staff

World News | Science & Technology News | Disaster News

The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the world news events you need to know so far for October 2018:

  1. 5 Officers Shot in South Carolina
  2. Listeria Outbreak
  3. Brett Kavanaugh Confirmed
  4. 20 People Die in Limo Crash
  5. Gender Neutral “X” Option on Birth Certificates
  6. Shooting at Toddler’s Birthday in Texas
  7. Sears Declares Bankruptcy
  8. Polio-Like Neurological Cases Confirmed by CDC
  9. Hazing Punishable as Felony in Pennsylvania
  10. Floor Collapses at Clemson University
  11. 72 Hours and 3 Hate Crimes
  12. Eight Child Dead in New Jersey

5 Officers Shot in South Carolina

South Carolina Officers Shot

On October 3, an active shooter in Florence, South Carolina shot five officers, one of whom died. The suspect is now in custody, but little details are known. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Sean Rayford

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Listeria Outbreak

Listeria Outbreak

On October 4, the CDC announced it was investigating multiple listeria outbreaks linked to ready-to-eat deli ham. So far, 4 people have been infected, and 1 has died. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Elizabeth White/CDC via AP

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Brett Kavanaugh Confirmed

Brett Kavanaugh Confirmed

On October 6. Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as President Trump’s nomination to the Supreme Court. His confirmation came after an FBI investigation was conducted regarding a claim of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh.

Photo Source: Fred Schilling/Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States via AP

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20 People Die in Limo Crash

Limo Crash

On October 7, a wedding limo carrying 18 people crashed into a parked car in upstate New York. All 18 passengers, including the driver, and 2 pedestrians died as a result of the crash. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Hans Pennink

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Gender Neutral “X” Option on Birth Certificates

Gender X

On October 9, New York City announced that people who do not identify as male or female may now opt to mark option “X” on their birth certificates. NYC is the fifth city to offer this option. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan File

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Shooting at Toddler’s Birthday in Texas

Texas Shooting

On October 14, four people were shot and killed at a toddler’s birthday party in Texas. The suspect is currently in custody, and witnesses said the shooting started as a small argument and escalated quickly. (CNN)

Photo Source:AP Photo/Ryan Tarinelli

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Sears Declares Bankruptcy

Sears

On October 15, Sears, a 132-year-old company, declared bankruptcy. The company plans to stay in business, as it will keep open its website and successful stores. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Matt Rourke

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Polio-Like Neurological Cases Confirmed by CDC

Polio CDC

On October 17, the CDC confirmed 62 cases of a rare polio-like neurological condition over 22 states. The disease causes weakness in arms and legs, and the CDC is continuing to investigate the 127 reported cases. (Reuters)

Photo Source: CDC via AP

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Hazing Punishable as Felony in Pennsylvania

Anti Hazing Law

On October 19, it is expected that new legislation will be signed into law in Pennsylvania, making hazing punishable as a felony. The law is named the “Timothy Plazza Anti-Hazing Law,” after the young college man who died during hazing activities at Penn State. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File

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Floor Collapses at Clemson University

Floor Collapse

On October 22, a floor at a Clemson University collapsed, injuring 30 people. Emergency responders were at the scene immediately. (BBC)

Photo Source: Jeremy Tester via AP

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72 Hours and 3 Hate Crimes

Pennsylvania Shooting

On October 24, a white man attempted to enter a predominantly black church with a gun. After he failed, he entered a Kroger store in Kentucky and shot and killed two African-Americans. Later in the week, on October 26, a suspect was arrested in the mail bomb case. The man targeted prominent Democrats, starting Monday. Some of the people targeted included Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. The suspect sent a total of 14 pipe bombs in the mail, none of which actually detonated. He is a self-proclaimed white supremacist. Finally, on October 27, a man in Pittsburgh entered a synagogue and opened fire. He killed 12 Jewish people and injured another 6. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

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Eight Child Dead in New Jersey

Viral Outbreak

On October 26, an eighth child died at a New Jersey rehabilitation center. So far, 23 people have been affected by a deadly viral outbreak. (Reuters)

Photo Source: CDC via AP

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