Telecom slapped with large fine

UK regulators have fined a British multinational telecommunications company 800,000 pounds for not getting a new texting service up and running for the deaf by last year's deadline. British Telecommunications (BT) claimed technical difficulties prevented it from making the deadline. Read more here.

Program for deaf students in Michigan is closing

A Michigan school district is closing its program for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, reports the Press and Guide. Students will be mainstreamed, and one parent complains, "It's horrible. (My son) potentially could be the only deaf child in the school.” An online petition has been started, asking the Michigan Office of Special Education to intervene and reinstate the program. The petition has more than 2,000 signatures. Read the full story here.

Finding Beauty in Images from the Bayou

Tate Tullier calls Louisiana his home. "Known for its scenic rural areas and ghostly swamps" it's "the perfect place for an aspiring photographer to grow up" reports the Daily Reveille. LSU's student media profiles the deaf photographer and Gallaudet University graduate here.

Was Deaf woman's death part of a Suicide Pact?

The Hollywood gossip site TMZ is reporting that LA police believe the death of Wendy Blackstone, who is deaf, might have been part of a suicide pact with her sister--who is a well-known producer for TV shows like Jerry Springer and Sally Jessy Raphael. Read the full story here.

Zoombie Walk Driver pleads 'not guilty'

The deaf man accused of plowing through a crowd during San Diego's "zombie walk" last year is pleading not guilty. Matthew Pocci faces a felony reckless driving charge that could put him behind bars for as much as three years. He says he feared for his safety because people surrounded his car and some sat on the hood. Pocci's nephew, sister and girlfriend were in the car when Pocci panicked, knocking one woman to the ground, breaking her arm. He'll be officially be booked tomorrow and due back in court in May. Here's a video report from KSWB‑TV (no captions but you can read the story here).



Here's cell phone video of the accident.

TV producer gave 'inconsistent statements' about deaf sister's death

A TV producer gave "inconsistent statements" to police after her sister was found dead, investigators have told KABC-TV. We first shared the story with you on Wednesday here. Now, more details care coming to light about what happened in the Los Angeles-area home share by a Jerry Springer producer and her deaf sister. Here's KABC's video report.

Why ISIS is pitching its cause to the deaf?

Members of the terror group ISIS put out a video recently, calling on the deaf in the West to join their cause. We first told you about the video nearly two weeks ago in a post here. KERO‑TV in Bakersfield, California spoke with a deaf advocacy group and a psychiatrist to find out why the believe this is happening. (The captions don't seen to be working, but you can read the story here).