Welcome to the Daily Bugle, New York's most reliable source for global headlines, and the latest news, events and other happenings around the Big Apple.
Good afternoon, New York. I’m Shaun Cleary here with the evening news.
Tensions have arisen around New York--particularly in Manhattan once more, in response to the upcoming election. Much of the protesting and returned rioting continues to stem from the controversial Proposition One-A, or ‘Prop One’. If passed, this referendum would require all powered New York citizens to register themselves as such with the government.
The proposition is said to have resulted from years of deadly threats, attacks and casualties traced back to those with genetic or enhanced abilities. Supporters of the proposition say that knowledge of other’s powers will better assist the government in apprehending criminals. It is also believed that if it is put into law, the proposition is designed to help hold powered people--be it individuals or teams--be held accountable regardless of their intent to act in situations that arise around the state.
Those in opposition of Prop One claim that the passing of this bill will only increase prejudices and fears, especially for those with abilities who have not acted with criminal intent, heroics or otherwise. Many with mutations or enhanced abilities have already experienced discrimination, ridicule and or hateful attitudes in the work place, in academic settings, and in some cases, in their homes. Some have also put forth the argument that the proposition infringes on individual privacy rights. The counter argument to this has been that the registration would change nothing for those who have not, or do not use their powers to inflict harm--be it bodily, mental or financial--onto others.
A few New York citizens are casting early votes by mail, while others will be casting their votes for this and other propositions and elected positions on the ballot, November eighth. Whatever side of the issues you may fall on, we here at the Bugle encourage everyone to vote.
Elsewhere in the country, a series of unusual bank burglaries have taken place. A pattern has not yet been determined, outside of various banks being targeted after hours. Several banks are increasing security and asking for more surveillance from law enforcement in the evening hours. Local authorities of the burgled banks have no definitive leads at this time but are asking citizens to report any suspicious activity they may witness.
In lighter news, the second annual Hell’s Kitchen Block Party has been pushed back from its initial September date, to November twelfth. An official statement from Stark Industries CEO Tony Stark cites a preference not to run into conflict with other early Fall functions as it did last year. Similar to last year, however, the Hell’s Kitchen Block Party will include food and other merchandise vendors, music, games and other entertainment for adults and families. Tickets can be purchased in advanced on hkny.com. Groupon deals can also be found online.
When we return, I will be discussing the upcoming Hell’s Kitchen Block Party further with Mr. Stark via satellite, and asking for his thoughts on Prop One and other propositions being voted on in just a few short weeks.
Good afternoon and Happy Fourth of July from everyone here at The Bugle. I’m Todd McDaniel here to bring you the latest around the city, the state and the nation. In local news, following a bittersweet weekend of the tenth annual Hero’s Day event, millions of New Yorkers commemorated the heroic accomplishments of one Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America. Today would have technically been his one hundred-sixth birthday. Sadly, the former Avengers leader was gunned down last year by a man who was later identified as a member of Hydra. The murderer, whose name we at the Bugle we refuse to bolster on any of our outlets, was recently convicted and has begun serving their sentence at Ryker’s.
To the late, great Captain America, we remember you and we salute you.
At the Hero’s Day event this year, it was announced that a new, official leader of The Avengers has been named. As many have suspected, the team is now led Captain Marvel. The change in regime, while embraced by some, has led to some controversy. Some feel the the change in name from Ms. Marvel to Captain Marvel is insensitive, not commemorative. Others have debated that the title of ‘Captain’ is not only befitting of an Avengers leader, but sensible considering the Air Force pilot’s prior service to the country. Supportive of the name or not, we wish all the Avengers the best and thank them for their years of aid to us and others around the globe.
Everyone is reminded that DUI checkpoints will be made throughout New York City. Pet owners are encouraged to keep your pets safe as this is holiday is a day where many dogs and cats tend to go missing. And finally, anyone lighting fireworks should be sure to properly dispose of them, keeping a bucket of water nearby.
When we come back, anchor Jan Parsec brings us highlights of the festivities from around the City.
Good afternoon, New York. I’m Shaun Cleary here to deliver breaking news to you right here out of Manhattan.
In the wake of high tension and a series of riots, what now appears to have been triple homicide, rather than an impromptu occurrence has resulted in the death of three of our most beloved superheroes. News recently broke that members of The Fantastic Four were killed early this morning--the sole survivor of the quartet being Ben Grimm, better known as The Thing.
The now deceased three were siblings Johnny and Sue Storm famously known as The Human Torch and Invisible Woman, as well as group leader Dr. Reed Richards or Mr. Fantastic. The Fantastic Four--namely Dr. Richards--had gained unfavorable attention recently when an experiment gone wrong out of The Baxter Building resulted in region-wide repercussions. He did, however, remedy the situation, restoring a level of normalcy for New York City.
Details of the murders have yet to be determined. Given the series of attacks stemming from incidents, accidents and the Prop-One controversy, we can only guess at this time that that had been the reason for the four being targeted. As The Fantastic Four were superheroes who were accidentally gifted their powers, neither side of the Prop-One issue has necessarily tried to make sense of the four being targeted at this time. It had been widely known that Dr. Richards had been attempting to concoct a remedy to his and his colleague’s situation, but in the meantime, the quartet had been attempting to use their abilities to assist the government and on occasion, other superheroic groups.
Following news and confirmation of the deaths, we received a statement from The Friends of Humanity, calling for supporters of Prop-One to suspend their rallies for the time being. Hopefully, this may quell a response of protest in The City for the first time in nearly a month. For many, however, this is the first they may be learning of this news. I would like to take this moment to remind our viewers that regardless of the protests and riots that have been occurring, the November election season will determine whether or not this proposition becomes law. The most effective thing you can do going forward is to vote.
Mr. Grimm has been been relocated from The Baxter Building to an undisclosed location for the time being while the New York Police Department proceed with their investigation into the incident. The only statement we have from him is that he will not be continuing hero work in any capacity. The future of the Baxter Building’s top floors that were customized for The Fantastic Four, is currently unknown. Residents of The Baxter Building are said to be locked out from accessing those floors. We have been informed that a private ceremony is being held for all three heroes by SHIELD, with allies of The Fantastic Four already requesting to take part.
Mourning for the heroes has already begun on social media as well, from local citizens, celebrities around the country and fellow superheroes worldwide. The mayor is calling for flags to be lowered to half-mast around New York City and, in light of this somber situation, the push for a superhero-honoring holiday is said to be close to approval, pending a signature from District Attorney Ivy Walker’s desk. The mayor’s office has already given their support for a citywide heroes holiday to be on the calendar this summer, in light of recent events. If signed in, the holiday will be known as Heroes Day with plans for a parade and concert-festival to be held, celebrating heroes--from superhero teams such as The Avengers and The X-Men, to first responders like the NYPD and NYFD, to the fallen whom we wish to commemorate such as Peter Parker--better known as Spider-Man and now, The Fantastic Four.
Along with the new urgency for a superhero holiday, the same group who initiated the petition, The Superfanatics, is already said to be organizing a memorial for the public to celebrate and mourn the heroics of what once had been The Fantastic Four.
On behalf of The Bugle, we send our condolences to Mr. Grimm and those closest to The Fantastic Four.
Good after, New York, I’m Danielle Deveraux with the afternoon Bugle News:
Upper East Side’s Total Serenity Spa is believed to be the first local business to be dealt a casualty as a result of the series of protests around the state. The spa was set on fire--its primary clue of an arson being behind the fire being a witness who called nine-one-one. The witness claims he was walking around the area at the time and saw a female leaving the spa’s front doors as flames began engulfing the building. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the spa, but it is closed until further notice. Police support the fast-spreading theory that the act is linked to the protests but have no yet determined the reason the spa has been targeted. They continue to investigate and hope to catch the suspect soon. If anyone has information about the fire, please contact your local authorities as soon as possible.
While most protests have been peaceful, some have turned violent, leading to a rise in arrests, as well as a rise in vigilante activity. Some question whether or not the involvement of vigilantes is perpetuating the controversy or proving the point of those opposing Proposition One-A, commonly referred to as Prop-One. The Bugle Team wants to hear from you and your thoughts regarding Prop-One on our website. Click on the ‘Prop-One’ article and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Tagging: Shaun Cleary, Dr. Jean Grey & Grace Creed
Location: The Daily Bugle; Lower Manhattan, NY
Time Frame: Early evening, April 1, 2016
General Notes: Both sides of New York’s most prominent issue are voiced
SHAUN: Good evening, I’m Shaun Cleary, here with X-Men member, Dr. Jean Grey-Summers. Joining us via satellite is Friends of Humanity leader, Grace Creed. Thank you both for your time.
JEAN: It’s a pleasure to be here.
GRACE: Yes, thank you for inviting me back, Mr. Cleary.
SHAUN: In the wake of a local incident in which residents of the five boroughs were temporarily affected by an experimentation gone wrong out of The Baxter Building, people have become increasingly more vocal about laws being put in place to prevent, or at the very least, to reduce the probability of incidents like this occurring again. For those watching who may not be familiar about the proposition--which has been confirmed to be included on the November ballot--if voted into law, this will mean that teams such as The Avengers, The X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and possibly members of SHIELD will no longer be recognized as heroic teams or organizations. The assemblance for their commonly known acts, especially from the aforementioned three teams would be considered unlawful regardless of intent and they would be facing fines and jail time if they were to engage. Furthermore, the proposition would require that all residents of the state of New York register themselves, identifying their status as homosapien, a mutant or dissimilar homosapien, or an augmented homosapien or superhuman as the term we have more commonly used. Those identified as a mutant or a superhuman will be required to describe their mutation or mutations, or their augmented abilities as a superhuman. Falsifying information is punishable by law for jail time and/or the payment of a fine. Propositions such as this are not new here in America or in other parts of the world. Similar laws have been proposed around the nation and overseas in the UK, and a few third world countries have already enacted their own versions of this with more severe consequences against super-teams, as well as individual mutants and superhumans. Are you both aware of this, and were you aware of this proposition and the support and protests stirring right here in New York City?
JEAN: Yes, I am.
GRACE: Absolutely.
SHAUN: Dr. Grey, a recent poll of residents across the state shows a 52% and 46% split with the majority calling for government regulation on mutants and superhumans by way of a registration and the disbandment of heroic teams. As previously stated, there are mutant and superhuman teams and individuals already working for the government--SHIELD agents, members of The Avengers, and The Fantastic Four all have direct connections to the government and they have, at times, made mistakes. The Fantastic Four have are the most recent example of this and according to SHIELD, they're currently being held accountable for it. Should that accountability be enough for the public, or are people right to demand more from those who’ve been dubbed heroes? And what’s to be said of groups like the X-Men who aren’t as closely affiliated with the government?
JEAN: The X-men have always been here to be a part of the solution, not the problem. The same goes for The Avengers, who are friends of ours and were originated by the same government that would be disbanding them under this proposition were it put into law, never mind some of their members aren't mutants or superhumans at all. The Fantastic Four agreed to work with the government since their accident, and to my knowledge, they have continued to do so to this day. It’s why they’re in SHIELD’s custody and aren’t resisting. It’s why Dr. Richards was working to remedy his own mistake.
GRACE: Clearly the non-humans have been the problem and have caused the most damage. And SHIELD and whatever other branches of the government that they and the Avengers operate under are doing a poor job regulating these "heroes". It's vigilantism--a direct slap in the face of the men and women in uniform who took oaths to abide by the law, to operate within the law and to enforce it. We can no longer passively or actively allow people to decide if their own volition when is the time to play heroics.”
JEAN: Is that what you tell the families of the next one hundred thirty-three people who lose their lives the next time Loki plans an invasion, or the twenty-eight victims of the next Hydra bombings, or the hostages plucked from their homes and jobs by the same terrorist group? It doesn't take a mutant or a superhuman to set up a bomb or snatch a civilian off of the street, but it just might be a superhuman or a mutant who's the one to make sure that fewer people, if anyone at all would be out of harm's way.
GRACE: It's what I tell the millions of citizens watching right now who are sick of being caught in the middle of dissimilars and augmented people trying to do what they think is good for others by playing hero, and those who experiment for whatever selfish agenda they have. Enough is enough.
JEAN: You really feel you're the best representative of law abiding citizens? Your organization, Friends of Humanity has a track record of accusations, arrests and indictments for hate crimes yet you feel it's every mutant and superhuman who needs to be, "brought to heel" as you've previously stated?
GRACE: You're citing outdated incidents, Grey.
SHAUN: If I may--
JEAN: Pardon, Mr. Cleary, but a twenty-fourteen arrest is outdated, Ms. Creed?
GRACE: Nothing came of that arrest. It's a new day and I do feel I speak for those who want better accountability and more reliable safety from the city and country that should be protecting it. Today. Being a mutant or an experiment doesn't automatically qualify you to protect us all and furthermore, it might surprise you to learn that there are some like you who agree with me and others like me.
JEAN: It doesn't surprise me anymore than it might surprise you to know that there are people who aren't mutants or superhumans who don't share your position. People who value the skills of extraordinary individuals and teams and the risks they take because they want to assist in ways that everyday first responders might not be capable.
GRACE: But at what cost? Do you know how many people were hospitalized these past few weeks, thanks to the so-called Mr. Fantastic and his team? Do you know how many businesses have had to close because people were wielding powers that they had no control over? People in this very city have been traumatized, having been exposed against their free will to things they knew nothing about. And because Dr. Richards happened to finally managed to correct his devastating failure, we're all supposed to just move on with our lives as though we shouldn't expect another major epidemic? No! No, more Ms. Grey--
JEAN: Dr. Grey. And I never said we should act as though there isn’t discord that need addressing. I can only speak for myself and The X-Men at this time in saying that tactical measures could be improved upon when possible and the lines of communication should to be stronger between the government agencies and their agents. The local government and its people can decide where they stand with local vigilantes, but your position is blanketed and extreme to say the least.
GRACE: Perhaps it’s past time for more extreme measures to be taken to ensure better protection for the majority.
JEAN: What does this proposition do to protect people against The Brotherhood of Mutants? Or Hydra? Or The Morlocks? They’re gangs and organizations as well and teams like The X-Men, The Avengers and SHIELD were formed in direct response to the larger two groups. Will The Brotherhood, The Morlocks and Hydra then be allowed to initiate attacks whenever they please, forcing innocent people to hope that the everyday first responders would be enough? And what does this proposition do for mutants and superhumans out there who have remained neutral? They might not oppose your radical group’s blatant opposition to them, but they also might not have an interest to be an active hero, or criminal for that matter. You really believe it’s better to force them to make their abilities or their mutation known in order to supposedly make other people feel better protected?
GRACE: Yes I do. If they weren’t part of the problem before, there’s no reason for them to change that just because whatever it is they can do would be documented by the government.
JEAN: How do you think the government would be able to document a group like, say, The Brotherhood? If you honestly believe that they would willingly comply just because the law says so, you don’t understand them at all.
GRACE: That sounds like a threat, Ms. Grey--
SHAUN: I’m going to interrupt for just a moment. To be clear Ms. Creed, you don’t worry about legitimate threats from Hydra or The Brotherhood, or that ‘outing’ people for a lack of better terms might not provoke them to take arms or become part of a problem that you’re claiming this proposition would help prevent?
GRACE: Actions always lead to consequences, Mr. Cleary--good or bad. We would be able to take more preventative measures if we knew what was out there. Keeping secrets and letting certain individuals think they’re above the law is dangerous. We’ve been proven that time and time again right here in New York City, and elsewhere around the state and the country. Someone needs to set an example and New York has the opportunity to do so with this proposition.
SHAUN: Sorry to cut you both off but we have to take a commercial break. We’ll be back with the conclusion of this discussion and more, soon.
Good afternoon, New York, I’m Danielle Deveraux with the afternoon Bugle News:
We bring you the latest update regarding the Baxter Building incident. A little over a week ago, it was confirmed that the latest problems plaguing New York City were a result of an experiment gone wrong conducted by none other than Doctor Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic. Following a brief apprehension of the super group, The Fantastic Four, and interrogation co-opted by the New York Police Department and SHIELD, Doctor Richards admitted that rather than discovering a means to reverse the effects that super-powered himself and his colleagues, a misstep in his work resulted in the City’s current state. Under the watchful eye of a few SHIELD agents and New York police officers, Doctor Richards is working to restore everyone to their former selves before the end of this week.
While some have been delighted and fascinated by their brush with superpowers, others are paying some of the worst costs as a result of the incident. Four people were sent to the hospital yesterday after a woman accidentally inflicted third degree burns to these victims. The woman in question has not been identified and although she was apprehended by police, no official arrests have been made. This latest incident brings the number of hospitalized individuals to just over sixty since the Baxter Building incident first occurred. Accident or not, these occurrences have drawn louder voices from anti-mutant and anti-superhuman group Friends of Humanity to come forth. Their sentiments against those with superpowers are now being echoed by those with no previous affiliations with the Friends of Humanity, but do feel that change needs to come to New York City when, quote, “dealing with those who aren’t like us”.
In other news, a blogger group known as The Superfanatics, or The Superfans have launched a petition over the weekend to have New York City declare a local holiday or event celebrating heroes around the region. Despite the potentially damning image of some superheroes recently, given the state of things, the petition has already garnered several thousand signatures as of eleven o’clock this morning. The group is also starting a hashtag to round up more support, using the hashtag: #YesToHeroesFest. If you would like to sign the petition, go to our website and click on the ‘HeroesFest’ link on our home page.
Senior News Anchor, Shaun Cleary will have more for you tomorrow on the evening news. Until then, we will keep you updated on the Baxter Building incident if more unfolds before then.
Good evening, New York. I’m Shaun Cleary. We begin tonight with the following news stories:
Two escapees from Ryker’s Island are being sought after, following a surprising escape from the maximum security prison. Daniel ‘Fancy Dan’ Brito and Ryamond Bloch, otherwise known as ‘Ox’ were believed to have received internal aid in their escape. Anyone with information on their whereabouts are asked to phone either of the phone numbers on the screen. Your assistance will remain confidential. If sighted, the prison guard say not to approach them as they are considered dangerous and possibly armed.
Midtown’s Talisman Inn was evacuated earlier today, following a bomb scare in the form of a strange, abandoned package. Although NYPD’s bomb squad seized and safely removed the package and have yet to release further information, a hotel guest gave police the description of a potential suspect. The description closely matched that of The Winter Soldier, a lone mercenary believed to been formerly linked to the terrorist group, Hydra. He had not been reportedly seen around the region since the sudden death of Spiderman--a murder that The Winter Soldier had previously been linked to until the allegations were proven false. If anyone has any information or confirmed sightings of The Winter Soldier, contact the police immediately.
On a lighter note, the stars have been spotted regularly during this past week thanks to the draw of New York Fashion Week. Industry greats and newcomers debuted their lines for the coming seasons.
And the presumed heroics of a masked youth were caught on a witnesses’ phone this afternoon in Central Park. A six year old girl, whose identity is being withheld due to their young age, climbed one of the park’s cherry trees and had fallen, only to be saved by the masked youth who seemed to appear out of nowhere. The video has been uploaded to our website, already going viral in a matter of hours. While many are praising the save, some speculate it to have been staged, given the masked youth--currently unidentified--and their convenient timing. Go to dailybugle-N-Y-dot-com to view the video and leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Viewers have requested thoughts in response to the persistent Friends of Humanity rallies calling for a diminished presence of mutant and powered individuals.That said, be sure to tune in tomorrow when I sit down with one of the members of The X-Men here to offer their point of view on the matter.
We’ll be right back with more of today’s top stories.
