5 Stories You May Have Missed This Weekend
Bob Woodruff interviews Ash Carter; possible Hepatitis C exposure in Utah.
— -- 1. More US Troops Possible in Syria, Defense Sec. Ash Carter Says
Just days after the White House announced that President Obama had authorized the deployment of a small contingent of special operations forces to the war-torn country of Syria, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said more American troops could "absolutely" be sent into the country if the United States can find more "capable" local forces to partner with in the fight against ISIS.
"If we find additional groups that are willing to fight ISIL and are capable and motivated, we'll do more. The president has indicated a willingness to do more, I certainly am prepared to recommend he do more, but you need to have capable local forces; that's the key to sustainable victory," Carter told ABC News’ Bob Woodruff this week during an interview aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the South China Sea.
The White House last month announced that approximately 50 special operations forces would deploy to Syria despite the president's statements going back to 2013 that he would not commit American boots on the ground there.
2. Ben Carson Blasts 'Political Hit Job' After West Point Story Questioned
After a series of reports questioning stories told by Ben Carson, the Republican presidential candidate has fired back, blaming the media for a "political hit job."
Carson found himself facing scrutiny for saying he had been offered a full scholarship to West Point Military Academy. His campaign later clarified that he never formally applied nor was admitted, but maintained that he was invited to apply by a local ROTC officer.
"People are clearly able to see what's going on," Carson said Sunday on ABC's "This Week."
"You look at the political hit job this week. I mean -- even some of you guys in the media called him out on that. It’s pretty bad," added Carson. His campaign communications director, Doug Watts, said he believed Carson was referring to Kyle Cheney, who filed the report on West Point for Politico, which later clarified its reporting.
3. Utah Hospital Warns 4,800 People of Possible Hepatitis C Exposure
A Utah hospital is warning 4,800 former patients that they may have been exposed to a rare type of hepatitis C virus and is urging them to get tested.
Officials from Utah Health Department said they believe a former employee of the McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah may have exposed patients when she was working in the Emergency Department.
A spokeswoman for the health department said the employee had been diverting drugs for her use and officials believe that by using drugs she may have exposed patients to the virus. She has since been fired from the hospital, according to hospital officials.
4. Mom Says Fight to Keep Daughter's Hair Curly Kept Her Off Cheer Team
One Texas mother is not jumping for joy after she said her daughter's curly hair kept her from staying on an elite cheerleading team.
Jenny Fallaw told ABC station KTRK-TV in Houston that she was surprised when she saw the requirement that her daughter, Makayla, straighten her hair for competition after joining the Woodlands Elite Cheer center.
"I felt like it might make my daughter feel like her hair is not good enough because she's not like other girls," Fallaw told KTRK-TV.
5. 12-Foot Alligator Captured at Houston-Area Shopping Center
A Texas shopping center had a surprise visitor Saturday morning.
A 12-foot alligator was discovered outside the First Colony Commons Shopping Center in Sugar Land, Texas, according to ABC station KTRK-TV. It weighed over 800 pounds.
Alligator trapper Christy Kroborth handled the creature, which put up a fight before being subdued. She said the animal was lost and ended up in the parking lot.