The Seattle Police Department is under investigation after a body-worn camera captured one of its union leaders making light of the death of a woman who was struck and killed by a police cruiser earlier this year. The city watchdog agency is now investigating the incident and the comments made by the officer, while the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Police Officers Guild have released statements condemning the officer's comments and committing to holding officers to the highest standards of professionalism.
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The CDC has approved an updated booster for COVID-19, urging everyone aged 6 months and older to get the vaccine this fall. The updated vaccine is expected to more closely match the currently circulating variants and the CDC's advisory committee voted 13-1 in favor of the recommendation. The shots are expected to be available soon and the CDC is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated and continue to follow safety protocols.
Five former Memphis police officers have been indicted on federal civil rights violations in the death of Tyre Nichols, nine months after his violent beating in police custody. The officers have been charged with deprivation of rights, conspiracy to witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. The family of Tyre Nichols is seeking justice and the officers could face up to life in prison if convicted.
Owen Shroyer, a host on the conspiracy platform Infowars, was recently sentenced to 60 days in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was charged with several misdemeanors for violating a deferred prosecution agreement from 2019. More than 1,100 defendants have been charged in connection with the attack, and more are expected to be charged in the coming weeks.
A group of Minnesota voters have filed a lawsuit with the assistance of the liberal organization Free Speech for People, arguing that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to run for office due to his violation of his oath of office following the 2020 election. The suit is part of a larger effort by Free Speech for People and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) to disqualify Trump from ballots across the country, and the organizations plan to file similar lawsuits by the end of 2021. The Minnesota Supreme Court has yet to rule on the suit, but the suit is part of a larger effort to hold Trump accountable and prevent him from running for office again.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has announced an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, citing the need to gather facts and answers for the American public. The inquiry will seek bank records and other documents from the president and his son Hunter Biden, though the scope of the inquiry is yet to be determined. The move comes as a surprise to many, as the allegations against President Biden have been largely unsubstantiated.
On Monday night, a homeowner in southeast Pennsylvania opened fire at an intruder who was later identified as escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante. Cavalcante, 34, had escaped from the Chester County Prison two weeks prior and is now believed to be armed with a .22-caliber rifle. Pennsylvania State Police are urging anyone who sees Cavalcante to call 911 and not to approach him, as he is considered dangerous.
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio has set a new U.S. single-flight endurance record of 371 days in space aboard the International Space Station, surpassing the previous record of 355 days. His stay in space is the first flight longer than a full year by an American astronaut, and he is now scheduled to return to Earth aboard a replacement Soyuz ferry ship on September 27. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine congratulated Rubio on his record-breaking flight, praising his dedication to exploration and discovery.