The Axe Man of Austin

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On this episode of Expanded Perspectives the guys start the show off talking about how Amazon is partnering with the British government to expand its testing of delivery drones, paving the way for commercial air deliveries for UK residents. The expanded testing, announced today in a press release, involves Amazon working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to focus on operating drones outside of the line of sight of pilots, improving sensors for obstacle detection and avoidance, and having one pilot operate a team of multiple, semi-autonomous drones in unison. The project is the latest regulatory victory for Prime Air, the online retailer’s ambitious program designed to bring cheaper and more forward-thinking delivery logistics in-house. Then, could what happened in Fukushima happen 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of New York City? That’s what many activists and former nuclear regulators fear for the Indian Point Energy Center, a nuclear power plant that has operated in Westchester County for more than four decades. The plant provides a good chunk of the energy needs for the surrounding area, but it has come under fire in recent years for safety and environmental concerns, including its warming of the Hudson River and a recent case of bolts missing in one of its reactors. Two of the plant’s three reactor units are currently operating on expired licenses, with the state of New York having denied parent company Entergy’s extension requests due to suspected violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Then, a 36 year old man tells a terrifying encounter he had near Homers Gap, Pennsylvania with what appeared to be an upright walking wolf that resembled the werewolves in the movie “Underworld” in the summer of 1998. Then, a flame of American 90s childhood went out on Tuesday with the death of Miss Cleo, the famous infomercial tarot card clairvoyant with the turbans, faux Jamaican accent and over-the-top dramas she solved with her tarot cards. Miss Cleo, real name Youree Dell Cleomili Harris, died in Palm Beach, Florida on Tuesday, aged 53. She had been battling colon cancer. After the break, Cam brings up the disturbing tale of the Axe Man of Austin.  A serial killer, who became known as the Servant Girl Annihilator, preyed upon the city of Austin, Texas, during the years 1884 and 1885. The killer’s name originated with the writer O. Henry. The series of eight axe murders was referred to by contemporary sources as the “Servant Girl Murders.” According to Texas Monthly, seven women (five black, two white) and one black man were murdered. Additionally, six women and two men were seriously injured. All the victims were attacked indoors while asleep in their bed. Five of the women were dragged, unconscious but still alive, and killed outdoors. Three of the women were severely mutilated while outdoors. All the victims were posed in a similar manner. Six of the murdered women had a “sharp object” inserted into their ears. The series of murders ended with the killing of two white women, Eula Phillips, age 17, and Susan Hancock, who was attacked while sleeping in the bed of her 16-year-old daughter on the night of 24 December 1885. Thanks for listening to Expanded Perspectives. Have a great week!

Show Notes:

• Amazon is expanding drone delivery testing in the UK
• Fukushima in New York? This Nuclear Plant Has Regulators Nervous.
• Upright Wolf Creature seen in Homers Gap, Pennsylvania
• No more ‘call me now’: Miss Cleo was the MTV generation’s beloved psychic
• The Servant Girl Murders

Music:

All music for Expanded Perspectives is provided by Pretty Lights. Purchase, Download and Donate at www.prettylightsmusic.com.

Songs Used:

• Pretty Lights vs. Led Zeppelin
• Summer’s Thirst
• Samso
• Pink Floyd Time Remix