1. Even though the remnants of a powerful nor’easter forced most Maine schools to close on Wednesday, hundreds of Maine students held walkouts at open schools and some demonstrations continued even though it was a snow day. The protests – nearly 3,000 nationwide – were held one month after the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left 14 students and three staff members dead. At Yarmouth and York high schools, which were open, hundreds of students staged walkouts and rallied on school grounds. In Freeport, roughly 50 students holding signs commemorating the victims and calling for action gathered on Main Street even though schools were closed. (Press Herald)
2. Yesterday Milo Police took to Facebook to offer to share pizza with students who send a picture of themselves helping shovel for someone in need. (NewsCenterMaine)
3. The IHOP in Auburn will temporarily shut down for employee training today. A staff member is accused of asking a group of teens who are black to pay before eating. The pancake chain responded to the controversy by saying it has “zero tolerance” for discrimination. (WGME)
4. Toys “R” Us has announced plans to shut down or sell all of its almost 800 stores in the United States. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company’s CEO David Brandon notified employees of the closures early Wednesday. About 33,000 jobs in the U.S. are at risk. CNN Money reports that Toys “R” Us hasn’t made a full-year profit since 2012 and has lost $2.5 billion since then. (CNN)
5. Former President Barack Obama has picked the Michigan State Spartans to win the men’s basketball title and the UConn Huskies to win the women’s title in this year’s NCAA tournaments. Just because I have more time to watch games doesn’t mean my picks will be better. Last year, Obama picked the North Carolina men and UConn women to win. While the Tar Heels followed through, Mississippi State ended the Huskies’ 111-game winning streak in the Final Four. (ESPN)
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