Scientist Charged with Poisoning Coworker at UW-Madison Laboratory
- A University of Wisconsin-Madison research scientist faces felony charges after allegedly attempting to poison a colleague’s personal belongings.
- Court documents state the suspect applied toxic chemicals to the victim’s water bottle and laboratory equipment over several weeks.
- Campus police launched a criminal investigation after the coworker reported recurring illness and discovered suspicious residues.
- The university has placed the employee on administrative leave.
Work Zone Crash Hospitalizes ALDOT Employee and Two Others
- An Alabama Department of Transportation worker was injured Monday after a vehicle struck a dump truck in an active work zone.
- The crew was performing shoulder maintenance on State Route 5 northwest of Jasper when the impact occurred.
- All three individuals involved were transported to a hospital for treatment as National Work Zone Awareness Week began.
- The accident happened as National Work Zone Awareness Week got underway.
Magnesium Fire and Explosion at Chemical Plant Hospitalize Two Workers
- Two employees were injured Tuesday following a magnesium fire and explosion at the Coogee Chemical plant in Ottawa, Illinois.
- The blast reportedly stemmed from a sensor malfunction that allowed oxygen to mix with magnesium, triggering a violent reaction.
- Emergency crews used dry chemical agents to extinguish the blaze because magnesium reacts dangerously with water.
- Illinois OSHA is involved in a formal investigation to determine if equipment failures or safety protocol violations occurred.