Daily Skimm: Tyre Nichols, Israel, and The Australian Open

Tyre Nichols

The Story

Many are still grappling with the death of Tyre Nichols.

Let’s talk about it.

Over the weekend, protests erupted nationwide after the disturbing video of police assaulting Nichols was released. The 29-year-old died earlier this month, three days after being hit, punched, kicked, tased, and pepper-sprayed by five officers — who've since been fired and charged with second-degree murder. But the outrage was palpable, with protesters demanding justice and accountability. The Memphis PD disbanded the special “violent crime” unit the officers belonged to and said it will “discuss the path forward” for the department. But Nichols’ death is raising another element in the conversation around policing and race.

And that is?

The culture around policing. Nichols and the five officers are Black. The case has experts warning that the US’s “historically biased culture of policing” puts Black Americans at risk — regardless of an officer's race. And that Black officers could still harbor racial bias that has been factored into law enforcement for years. In the end, experts say the victim’s race plays a larger part than the officer’s race when looking at altercations with police. But the city’s police chief says the incident “takes race off the table” in regard to issues and problems involving law enforcement.

theSkimm

Nichols isn't the first Black man to die after interactions with police officers who are also Black. This latest attack has people turning their attention to the systemic biases that can be found within policing. And has — once again — renewed calls for Congress to address police reform.

And Also...This

Where tensions are rising…

Israel and the West Bank. Violence between Israelis and Palestinians has been escalating. Last week, Israel carried out what’s believed to be the deadliest raid in the West Bank in 20 years, killing seven militants and two civilians in an operation it says was designed to prevent “major attacks.” Over the weekend, a Palestinian gunman killed seven people outside a synagogue in East Jerusalem — the deadliest attack in the city in 15 years. Now, the Israeli government is considering expediting gun application forms for Israeli citizens because “heroic, armed, and trained civilians save lives.” But could crack down on residency rights for relatives of Palestinian assailants. The tensions come as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the region today.

Where kids’ rights are caught in limbo…

Utah. Over the weekend, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed a bill into law banning gender-affirming care for kids under 18. Utah is now the fifth state that’s made it illegal for children to receive gender-affirming surgery or hormone treatments. It comes after legislators in more than two dozen states last year reportedly worked on similar efforts — with Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, and Tennessee enacting similar bills. Now, more than a dozen others are considering similar action. Cox says the measure will put “permanent and life-altering treatments” on pause until there’s more research on the “long-term consequences.” Meanwhile, the American Medical Association, which endorses gender-affirming care, has pointed out that delaying kids’ access to treatment could be harmful, whereas receiving care has been linked to "dramatically reduced" rates of suicide attempts. 

What people are watching…

Pakistan. Today, an explosion at a mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar killed at least 28 people and wounded 150 more. No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Now, officials say there are still some people stuck under rubble. And the possibility of a suicide bombing has not been ruled out.

Why the local sports bars went hard yesterday…

Football. Yesterday, four teams faced off in the NFC and AFC championships for a chance to play in Super Bowl LVII. The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the San Francisco 49ers 31-7. Then, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 thanks to a 45-yard field goal with three seconds on the clock. Next up: The Chiefs will face the Eagles for the Super Bowl title on Feb 12 in Arizona. 

While Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka made a racket at the Australian Open… 

Roger Federer and Blackpink made us blink.

Who waved goodbye to "GMA3"...

Amy Robach and TJ Holmes.