National

Coronavirus Pandemic Changes Detroit's Water Shut-Off Policy

7:34am January 12, 2021

by Eli Newman

The $900 billion coronavirus package includes funding for low-income households in need of water assistance. The issue is big in Detroit, where water had been turned off if a customer hadn't paid.

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Babe Ruth, a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, in 1918. That year, World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic slashed MLB game attendance by over half from what it was in the previous season.

What 1919 Teaches Us About Pent-Up Demand

6:31am January 12, 2021

by Greg Rosalsky

A hundred years ago, a world war and a pandemic wreaked havoc on baseball and other industries. But pent-up demand helped them come roaring back.

National

Should Capitol Rioters Be Charged With Seditious Conspiracy?

5:06am January 12, 2021

by Eric Westervelt

Legal scholars and prosecutors are debating whether federal charges of seditious conspiracy should be used against some of the pro-Trump rioters that stormed the U.S. Capitol building last week.

Members of the Capitol Police are under investigation for their actions as rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday. An unspecified number of officers have been suspended.

National

Capitol Police Officers Suspended For Actions During Rioters' Attack On Capitol

10:48pm January 11, 2021

by Barbara Campbell

One suspended officer took a selfie with a rioter. Another donned a MAGA hat and "started directing people around," Rep. Tim Ryan said. Other officers are under investigation.

Researchers have used crowdsourcing to scrutinize video and photos from the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and have identified some of those who took part. The researchers have shared their information with law enforcement.

How Online Sleuths Identified Rioters At The Capitol

9:47pm January 11, 2021

by Greg Myre

The riot appeared to be all chaos and anarchy. But as researchers gave the online video and photos closer scrutiny, they produced forensic evidence that has identified those involved.

The American flag superimposed over a pile of U.S. dollar bank notes.

Tech Giants Join Corporate Reckoning Over Political Spending

9:28pm January 11, 2021

by Alina Selyukh

Money-in-politics groups have welcomed this unusually widespread — and self-initiated — reckoning by corporations over their own role in contributing to the nation's current political state.

Armed protesters congregate at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on Oct. 17. On Monday, the Michigan State Capitol Commission voted to ban open carry in common areas of the building.

After Violent Mobs In D.C., Michigan Bans Open Carry In State Capitol

9:23pm January 11, 2021

by Rick Pluta

Democrats say it doesn't go far enough. Republicans say it goes too far. After armed protests in Lansing and a violent riot in D.C., Michigan's Capitol bans open carry, joining a majority of states.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is stepping down, citing ongoing litigation regarding his authority at the department.

Amid Domestic Terror Fears, Acting Homeland Security Chief Chad Wolf to Step Down

7:33pm January 11, 2021

by Alana Wise

Wolf's departure from the Trump administration, just days before the president's norm-shattering term is set to come to a close, is the latest Cabinet resignation.

Roy Austin Jr. has been named Facebook's vice president of civil rights, a new position within the company with the mandate to oversee its accountability on racial hatred and discrimination on its platform.

National

Facebook Taps Former Obama Official As Vice President Of Civil Rights

7:24pm January 11, 2021

by Brakkton Booker

Roy Austin Jr. will fill the new position, which was created by Facebook after a scathing audit released in July 2020 concluded the company's policies had caused "serious setbacks for civil rights."

National

Violent Acts Have Occurred In Western U.S.

6:33pm January 11, 2021

by Kirk Siegler

Violent acts such as the riot on Capitol Hill have been incubating in the Western U.S. for years. Some have stormed federal buildings and threatened agents, with little legal consequences.

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