Nation Feb 24 Former Minneapolis police officers convicted of violating George Floyd’s civil rights Three former Minneapolis police officers have been convicted in federal court of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. They were on the scene assisting fellow officer Derek Chauvin when he pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes,…
Nation Feb 22 Analyzing the federal hate crimes trial for the men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery Three white men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 in Georgia were found guilty Tuesday of federal hate crimes. The jury concluded that Greg and Travis McMichael and their neighbor William Bryan targeted and shot Arbery because he was…
World Feb 22 Multiple cyclones, historic drought in Madagascar cause widespread food insecurity Extreme weather events are wreaking havoc on Madagascar, including multiple cyclones that have already hit the island nation this year. Sitting off the east coast of Africa, it is one of the poorest nations in the world. And as John…
Health Feb 16 Balancing risk and safety as states ease mask mandates The average number of daily new COVID cases in the U.S. from omicron has finally dropped below the peak of the delta wave. But the nation is still averaging more than 145,000 new cases and 2,400 deaths per day, leaving…
Science Feb 15 What the Sandy Hook settlement with a major gun manufacturer might mean for gun control The families of nine victims in the Sandy Hook School shooting agreed to settle with gun-maker Remington for $73 million. The company made the Bushmaster AR-15-style rifle used to kill 20 first-graders and six teachers in 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut…
World Feb 14 Canada’s Trudeau invokes emergency powers as demonstrations persist The government of Canada declared an emergency Monday, targeting demonstrators who have tied up the capital city of Ottawa and critical border crossings. After weeks of obstruction, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers to halt the anti-vaccine protests. John…
World Jan 31 Unpredictable weather impacts long-standing traditions on outdoor rinks With the start of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games just days away, there’s renewed attention around the relationship between climate change and winter sports. As the planet warms, beloved pastimes that rely on the snow and ice face a growing…
Politics Jan 26 A look at Justice Stephen Breyer’s career and opinions on the bench New reports Wednesday indicate Justice Stephen Breyer plans to retire, raising questions about his replacement. President Joe Biden said he will wait for Breyer's formal announcement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer cited the president's past words, indicating a desire to…
Nation Jan 20 What role did the 3 other cops play in George Floyd’s murder? Jury selection began Thursday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd. The charges and issues in this federal trial are different from those in the earlier state trial that ended…
Nation Jan 19 Analyzing the University of Michigan’s $490 million sexual abuse settlement The University of Michigan has reached a $490 million settlement with former athletes and students who say they were sexually abused over decades by long-time university physician, Dr. Robert Anderson. Anderson died in 2008. Last year, a university-commissioned investigation concluded…