‘Keep Shining Bright’: Micro-Preemie On Target After Turning 1

Good morning! It’s Thursday, Sept. 9. Here are a few things to catch up on:

• An Illinois police department is under investigation more than a year after a controversial death of a Black man while in police custody.
• Another judge ruled against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who wants to ban mask mandates across the state.
• A shrine set to replace a church that was destroyed on 9/11 is almost completed.
• The NFL season begins tonight, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys.
• New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, one of America’s most popular holiday traditions, will return to the streets this November.

Micro-Preemie Celebrated A Year Later

Nova Rae Schott captured the hearts of Long Island one summer ago. Born last Augut at 28 weeks, 12 weeks early, Nova was hospitalized at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for three months before she could return to her North Fork, New York, home with her parents.

Although only weighing 1 pound, 3 ounces at birth and qualifying as a micro preemie, Nova has caught up on many of her milestones and is on target with her development after her first birthday, her parents have said.

Nova’s parents — Jess Dunne and Christian Schott — said their baby’s first birthday is a beacon of hope for other parents spending long days and nights in the NICU.

“Keep shining bright, bay girl,” her mom said. Read the full story on North Fork, New York, Patch.

Unlawful Policing Investigation

An Illinois police department under public scrutiny for a Black man's in-custody death more than a year ago is now being investigated by the state’s attorney general.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul said Wednesday the investigation into the Joliet Police Department isn’t specifically in reference to the Eric Lurry incident, but will examine the department’s policies, training practices and supervision as they relate to traffic and pedestrian stops, searches, arrests and the use of force. Read more from Joliet, Illinois, Patch.

9/11 In Photos

The Associated Press has curated 20 of its photographers' frames from Sept. 11, 2001, when hijackers used commercial planes as missiles and crashed into New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. See the photos.

Confederate Statue Removed: Watch

A crowd erupted in cheers Wednesday morning as a 12-ton statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee came tumbling down in Virginia’s capital city of Richmond. The statue pieces will be taken to a temporary storage spot until a decision is made on a permanent home for the Confederate monument. Watch via Richmond, Virginia, Patch

Afghan Restaurateur’s Family Rescued

Mohammad Wali, a New York City kebab eatery owner, watched with horror as the Taliban closed in on the Kabul capital while his wife and three children were in the city taking care of his wife’s ailing father.

Late last week, Wali was finally reunited with his wife and children, two weeks after he first made his plea to U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi. Read more from Midtown-Hell’s Kitchen, New York, Patch

Mask Mandate Ban Overturned

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hit another roadblock in his quest to ban school mask mandates in the Sunshine State. A second circuit court judge rejected the governor’s appeal, meaning the state of Florida must immediately stop banning local mask mandates. Read more from St. Pete, Florida, Patch

Thanksgiving Day Parade Returns

New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is perhaps among the most anticipated holiday traditions across the country. It will be back in its true form in 2021, one year after the parade went on for a television-only audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more from New York City Patch

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NFL Season Begins

The 2021 National Football League season has its kickoff Thursday night, with the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. This season will mark Bucs’ star quarterback Tom Brady’s 22nd in the league. Read more from Tampa Patch

More On ‘The Patch’

• Heron Eats Rat Out Of Central Park Pond, via Upper West Side, New York, Patch
• Listen: Many Schools Are Buying High Tech Air Purifiers, via Across America Patch
• Ida-Damaged Town Slowly Recovers A Week Later, via Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania, Patch
• Young Boys Put Down Bikes To Pay Respects At Army Vet’s Funeral, via Indianapolis Patch
• 2 More 9/11 Victims Identified Days Before Anniversary, via New York City Patch
• Shrine To Replace Church Destroyed On 9/11 Nears Completion, via New York City Patch
• Gunman At Towson University Identified, Campus Officer Suspended, via Towson, Maryland, Patch
• Lightning Strike Kills Roofer, via Bradenton, Florida, Patch

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