Monday, June 1st, 2020
Six Days of Protests, Historic Launch Successful & Bike Sales Boom
All the news you need in less than 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by www.Blinkist.com/news
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want to review the latest happenings...
Nationwide Protests and Riots
For six days, protesters have been raging across America. Protesters have been calling for justice for George Floyd, the black man who died after a violent arrest in Minnesota. They’re also demonstrating against broader injustice. More than two dozen mayors put overnight curfews in place. About 5,000 National Guard troops were activated in 15 states and Washington, D.C. Even though tens of thousands of people marched peacefully, many protests escalated. Some demonstrators set fires, robbed stores, and left destruction behind. At least 5 people were killed in shootings in 4 U.S. cities.
Read More: AP, Axios, CNN, WaPo
Police Confrontations
At least 2,500 people were arrested at protests over the weekend. In many cities, law enforcement used tear gas to get protesters to scatter. Officers also used rubber bullets which hurt quite a few people. In New York City, two police vehicles drove into protesters, knocking several on the ground. In Atlanta, two police officers were fired for excessive force. They were seen on video pulling two college students out of a car and shooting them with stun guns. Still, there were also signs of unity. In some places, police officers joined protesters by kneeling, marching, and chanting for accountability.
Violence at Protests: NBC News, The Verge
NYPD SUV Drives Into Crowd: CBS News, USA Today
Atlanta Police Officers Fired: AJC, AP, FOX News
Some Police Officers Protest Too: ABC News, Forbes
White House Lockdown
Protests have been tense outside the White House. As of early this morning, fires are still burning in the streets nearby. On Friday, secret service agents reportedly rushed President Trump to an underground bunker for about an hour. However, the White House was already on lockdown, so no one got in who wasn’t supposed to be there.
Read More: NY Times, CNN
Extremism & Disinformation
Law enforcement and federal officials are investigating whether extremists are helping fuel violence at nationwide protests. President Trump blames the far-left. However, experts say there’s evidence of the far-right at work too. Either way, the FBI is working with local authorities to figure out exactly who crossed state lines to incite violence and steal from businesses. On Twitter, President Trump said he would classify Antifa as a terrorist organization. However, it’s not clear he has the authority to do that.
Extremists, Disinformation in Protests: AP, Minneapolis Star Tribune, NBC News, CNN
Trump Designates Antifa a Terror Group: NY Times, NBC News, Axios, Tweet
MN Former Officer Arrested
One week ago today, a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, held a knee to George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Eventually, an ambulance arrived and took Floyd to the hospital where he died. Chauvin was arrested Friday and charged with 3rd-degree murder and 2nd-degree manslaughter. He could eventually spend up to 35 years in prison. Three other officers who were there, but didn’t stop the violent arrest, were fired, but not charged. That could still change.
Derek Chauvin Arrested: Minneapolis Star Tribune, NY Times
Floyd’s Family Reacts: CNN, KHOU, FOX News
Protests Set off Virus Fears
There’s concern this weekend’s protests could amplify the new coronavirus. This weekend, there were almost no signs of social distancing. Many protesters were wearing face coverings, but the CDC points out that they don’t guarantee protection. They just minimize the risk. The Minnesota health commissioner warned protests are almost certain to fuel new COVID-19 infections.
Read More: NY Times, AP
Case Count, Death Toll: Johns Hopkins
U.S. Cuts Ties with WHO
President Trump made good on this threat to withdraw from the World Health Organization. Trump has criticized the UN health agency, saying it didn’t warn the world soon enough about COVID-19. However, health experts fear getting rid of that international cooperation will hurt America’s response to this pandemic and other emerging diseases.
Read More: Politico, CNN
SpaceX Launch Successful
Two NASA astronauts boarded the International Space Station after a historic launch. It was the first time Space X took humans to space and the first time in nearly a decade America has sent astronauts into orbit from U.S. soil. They will stay aboard the ISS for up to four months before returning to Earth.
Read More: CNN, The Verge, CBS News, WSJ
Companies Respond to Protests
Weekend protests inspired many companies to donate, or release statements saying they stand with the protesters. YouTube pledged $1 million to fight social injustice. Apple is promising to match staff donations 2-1 this month. Meanwhile, some nationwide chains like Target, Walmart, CVS, and Apple had to close stores, at least temporarily, in major cities. Also, Amazon had to reroute and suspend deliveries in some places to keep drivers safe.
Retailers Close During Protests: USA Today, ABC News, Barron’s, AP
Amazon Altering Deliveries: USA Today, Target
Major Brands Back Protests: Axios, YouTube
Bike Sales Soar During Pandemic
Bicycle sales are skyrocketing. The research firm NDP group found bike sales doubled in March, even tripled in some cases, from the same time last year. Now, some companies are selling out. In other cases, it’s taking up to six weeks to fulfill orders. Experts say they think this is because people are looking for outdoor ways to cope with stay-at-home recommendations.
Read More: CBS News, NY Times, NPD Group
NCAA Athletes Return Today
Starting today, the NCAA is letting student-athletes use school facilities again. It clears the way for voluntary workouts and some training to restart. Schools reportedly have plans to test athletes, coaches, and staff for COVID-19. They will be implementing social distancing measures as well.
Read More: SI, CNN, ESPN
MLB/Players Deal Deadline
Major League Baseball is also trying to make a slow crawl back to normal. After the start of the season was postponed in March, NBC Sports says some teams have begun training again. There is still no official date on when the season could start. It sounds like the league is hoping for July, but it hasn’t reached a deal with players yet.
Read More: Draft Kings, NBC Sports, NBC Sports Tweet
Monday Monday - Cheaper Student Loans
Students taking on federal student loans this year will be able to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in history. Undergrads can reportedly expect a 2.75% interest rate on a Federal Direct Stafford loan this academic year. That’s down 40% from last year.
Read More: CNN, FOX Business