Sigma Alpha Epsilon Hosts Paddy Murphy Philanthropy Week

The brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon are hosting their Paddy Murphy Philanthropy Week this week, March 16-20. Every year, SAE hosts a week that aims to raise money, awareness, and support for local or national philanthropies. This year, all of the week’s proceeds will benefit the UT Martin Reading Clinic and We Care Ministries, both… Continue reading Sigma Alpha Epsilon Hosts Paddy Murphy Philanthropy Week

Routh found guilty in Chris Kyle murder case

Eddie Ray Routh has been found guilty in the murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. On Feb. 24, Routh was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Texas jury made up of 10 women and two men, unanimously convicted Routh of capital murder. The jury was instructed to consider three possible verdicts: guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity. Routh admitted to shooting Kyle and Littlefield but was pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. His defense attorneys argued that he was suffering from mental disorders and was in the grips of psychosis when he fatally shot Kyle and Littlefield on Feb. 2, 2013. There was no clear motive found in the reasoning behind the killings. Routh shot Kyle and Littlefield each in the back multiple times. Prosecutor Jane Starnes said, “Ladies and gentlemen, that is not insanity. That is just cold, calculated capital murder. He is guilty of capital murder. He is not in any way insane.” The trial lasted a total of nine days. The jury took less than 3 hours to deliberate and render a verdict for Routh. The jury was presented with testimonies from mental experts, Routh’s family, as well as a crime specialist before making their final decision. One of the jurors spoke out and stated that the pattern that they saw of Routh’s actions was a major factor in their decision. “When I say there’s a pattern that we saw, he would get intoxicated, get in trouble and then the police would show up and he would say  ‘I’m a veteran, I have PTSD, I’m insane,’ you know, and every time something bad happened he pulled that card,” said the juror. Eddie Ray Routh showed no emotion or reaction when the verdict was read. Judy Littlefield, mother of Chad Littlefield, thanked the reporters and press for being so respectful and compassionate during this time. “We’re so thrilled that we have the verdict that we have tonight,” said Judy Littlefield. Taya Kyle, widow of Chris Kyle, spoke out through a lengthy Facebook post. “God Bless the jury and good people of Stephenville, Texas!!” she wrote.

“Smart” insulin could ease treatment of diabetes

A new form of synthetic insulin currently undergoing trials could revolutionize diabetes management and treatment. A group of researchers led by Dr. Danny Chou, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah, has developed a form of insulin currently known as “Ins-PBA-F.” This “smart” insulin is capable of activating itself in response to high blood sugar… Continue reading “Smart” insulin could ease treatment of diabetes

Twitter reports large number of government data requests

Social networking site Twitter revealed in its regular transparency report that it had received more than 2,800 data requests from various world governments since its previous report in July of 2014. The overall number of requests was a 40 percent increase from the previous reporting period. The requests concerned a total of approximately 7,100 accounts.… Continue reading Twitter reports large number of government data requests

President Obama proposes creation of new agency

President Barack Obama hopes to create a new agency to handle potential cyber threats. “We have to work together like never before,” the president said during a speech at a cybersecurity summit held in Silicon Valley. The summit consisted of key tech firms and CEOs and presidents of American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Walgreens meeting at… Continue reading President Obama proposes creation of new agency

Lift of same-sex marriage ban in Alabama faces setbacks

Alabama has effectively become the thirty-seventh U.S. state to allow gay marriage due to a Supreme Court ruling.“It’s a great day in Alabama for everyone who cherishes freedom,” said Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center. In January, a district court judge in Alabama helped remove the state’s gay marriage ban. The Supreme… Continue reading Lift of same-sex marriage ban in Alabama faces setbacks

Governor’s budget proposal includes $100 million in educator pay increases

Governor Bill Haslam unveiled his state budget proposal for the 2015-2016 fiscal year during his annual State of the State address on Feb. 9. The proposal includes provisions for several allotments of educational funding, most notably a total of approximately $100 million in pay increases for state educators. “We know that a big part of success… Continue reading Governor’s budget proposal includes $100 million in educator pay increases