Happening Today: United, ‘Cocaine Cowboy,’ Diabetes, Charlie Murphy – NBC New York

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United to Reimburse Passengers on Flight Man Was Dragged From

United Airlines sought to quell the uproar over a man being dragged off a plane by announcing it would no longer ask police to remove passengers from full flights and would compensate customers who were on the flight when the man was removed. In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" aired, United parent company CEO Oscar Munoz said he felt "ashamed" watching video of the man being forced off the jet. He has promised to review the airline's passenger-removal policy. Munoz, who leads United's parent company, apologized again to Kentucky physician David Dao, his family and the other passengers who witnessed him being taken off the flight. In an effort to calm the backlash, United also announced that passengers on United Express Flight 3411 would be compensated equal to the cost of their tickets.

'Cocaine Cowboy' Arrested After 26 Years on the Run, Officials Say

One of the original 'Cocaine Cowboys' was arrested after 26 years on the run. Gustavo Falcon, who also goes by several aliases, including Augusto Falcon and "Taby," was finally captured by a team of U.S. Marshals from Miami working with U.S. Marshals in the Orlando-Kissimme area. The team focused specifically on the address of a rental property in Kissimmee, and while conducting surveillance, they saw what they thought was Falcon and his wife exit the house to go on a bike ride. When agents stopped Falcon, he had fake driver's licenses dating back to 1997, using Miami addresses, federal officials said. The 55-year-old also had fake licenses for his wife, as well as his children, who are now in their 30s, according to U.S. Marshals. Falcon did not resist the arrest and even confessed to his real identity, officials said. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail and will make his first federal court appearance Thursday.

Officer Charged With Shooting Autistic Man's Caretaker, Authorities Say

A North Miami police officer who shot the unarmed caretaker of an autistic man has been charged with attempted manslaughter, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office announced. Officer Jonathan Aledda also was charged with misdemeanor culpable negligence in the shooting of behavioral therapist Charles Kinsey. Aledda, a four-year veteran of the department, was arrested and was later released from Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $6,000 bond. The criminal charges come after what officials said was a lengthy investigation by the State Attorney's Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the July 2016 shooting. Kinsey, a caretaker at a home for people with mental disabilities, was lying on the ground, with his hands up in the air, next to his adult patient when he was shot in the leg by Aledda on July 18. Cellphone video captured events leading up to the shooting.

Apple Has Secret Team Working on the Holy Grail for Treating Diabetes

Apple has hired a small team of biomedical engineers to work at a nondescript office in Palo Alto, miles from corporate headquarters, CNBC reported. They are part of a super secret initiative, initially envisioned by the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, to develop sensors that can non-invasively and continuously monitor blood sugar levels to better treat diabetes, according to three people familiar with the matter. Such a breakthrough would be a "holy grail" for life sciences. Many life sciences companies have tried and failed, as it's highly challenging to track glucose levels accurately without piercing the skin. The initiative is far enough along that Apple has been conducting feasibility trials at clinical sites across the Bay Area and has hired consultants to help it figure out the regulatory pathways, the people said.

Trans Fat Ban Linked With Fewer Heart Attacks & Strokes, Study Shows

Local bans on artery-clogging trans fats in restaurant foods led to fewer heart attacks and strokes in several New York counties, a new study suggests. The study hints at the potential for widespread health benefits from an upcoming nationwide ban, the authors and other experts say. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2015 gave the food industry until next year to eliminate artificial trans fats from American products. New York City enacted a restaurant ban on the fats in 2007 and several counties in the state did the same. Hospital admissions for heart attacks and strokes in those areas declined 6 percent starting three years after the bans, compared with counties without bans.

Comedian Charlie Murphy Dies at 57, His Publicist Says

Comedian and actor Charlie Murphy, who stepped out of his brother Eddie's shadow as a talent in his own right, has died at 57, according to his publicist. Murphy died of leukemia, publicist Domenick Nati told NBC Los Angeles. Fellow comedian Chris Rock posted a picture of Murphy on Twitter with a message of mourning: "We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time. Charlie Murphy RIP." Murphy was perhaps best known as an ensemble actor in the comedy "Chappelle's Show," where he told belief-defying stories about spending time with Rick James and Prince. In the recurring segment "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories," Murphy would recount how his brother's fame brought him into the orbit of the biggest stars. His versions of the experiences, played out by him, Chappelle and others, became enduring hits. He was born in New York City.

Josh Brolin Set to Play Cable in 'Deadpool 2,' Representatives Say

Josh Brolin is expanding his comic book movie repertoire. Representatives for the actor said Brolin has been set to play the part of Cable in 20th Century Fox's "Deadpool 2" opposite lead Ryan Reynolds. Brolin also plays the supervillain Thanos in various "Avengers" movies for competing studio Disney. Michael Shannon had been widely rumored to be the top pick for the Deadpool co-star. "Deadpool" became a breakout hit in 2016, grossing over $783 million worldwide. The irreverent and very R-rated comic book film even became an unlikely awards contender late in the game with two Golden Globe nominations and a Directors Guild of America Award nomination for Tim Miller.

Published at 6:52 AM EDT on Apr 13, 2017

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Happening Today: United, 'Cocaine Cowboy,' Diabetes, Charlie Murphy - NBC New York