George Floyd service, jobless claims, Arbery suspects in court: 5 things to know Thursday
George Floyd to be remembered at Minneapolis service
As protests continue around the country over the death of George Floyd, the first of several memorial services will be held Thursday in Minneapolis. Floyd died Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and saying he couldn’t breathe. On Thursday, a memorial service will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at North Central University. Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver a eulogy; Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump and Floyd's family members will also participate. Memorial and funeral services will also be held in North Carolina on Saturday and in Texas next week.
- New charges in Floyd's death: Chauvin faces second-degree murder; 3 other officers charged
- What we know: Details about Floyd's death and alleged counterfeit money in Minneapolis
- Floyd Mayweather to help: Retired boxing champ to pay for funeral
- Resources, ways to help: 100 ways you can take action
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Another 1.9 million workers seek jobless benefits as layoffs persist
About 1.9 million Americans filed initial unemployment benefit claims last week, underscoring that even as all 50 states begin reopening their economies, the damage from the coronavirus pandemic continues to mount. Over the past 11 weeks, more than 41 million workers have sought jobless benefits as states shut down nonessential businesses to curtail the spread of the virus, Labor Department data released Thursday shows. The figure provides the best measure of layoffs across the U.S. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg estimated that 1.8 million unemployment claims were filed last week. Jobless claims provide the best measure of layoffs across the U.S. but they don’t reflect just payroll cuts. Some Americans seeking benefits have been furloughed while others have seen their hours reduced.
- 'Life-changing event': COVID-19 could alter how we work, spend and retire
- Help for the unemployed: Debate over $600 a week in jobless aid to intensify as claims rise
Men charged in Ahmaud Arbery's murder to appear Georgia court
The three men accused in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery were scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning, according to the Glynn County Magistrate Court. Arbery, a black man, was shot three times on Feb. 23 after a white father and son – Gregory and Travis McMichael – chased him down while he was jogging through a neighborhood two miles from his home in Brunswick. A third white man, William "Roddie" Bryan Jr., captured the killing on video. The Thursday hearing was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET. The hearing was not a bond hearing, and a bond hearing had not been scheduled, the court said.
- Third arrest: Man who took video of the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery arrested on felony murder charge
- 'A good kid': Ahmaud Arbery remembered as 'humble guy' with plans to become an electrician
- Many questions: George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children?
NBA owners on verge of approving plan to resume 2019-20 season
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver plans to propose a finish to the 2019-20 season at Thursday's NBA's Board of Governors video conference, a person with knowledge of the details told Paste BN Sports. Though there is hope owners will approve the plan, — it requires a three-fourths vote, a chance remains that discussion evolves and a vote does not take place. Silver's proposal includes the participation of nine teams from the Eastern Conference and 13 and from the Western Conference for a total of 22, a play-in tournament for the final seeds in each conference and a 16-team playoff at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. If owners vote in favor of this plan, the National Basketball Players Association must ratify it to resume play.
- 'Cannot be ignored': Silver addresses racial inequality, police brutality protests in league memo
- Column: Knicks owner Dolan reaches new low by refusing to speak out on George Floyd
- 'We have had enough': Michael Jordan speaks out on Floyd's death
J.C. Penney to reveal more than 200 store closings
Lawyers for retailer J.C. Penney on Thursday are expected to reveal in a court filing which of its store locations will close permanently as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring plan. According to a document filed with the Securities and Exchanges Commission, the chain is poised to close 242 stores permanently, leaving it with about 600 remaining locations. A bankruptcy judge is expected to hold a hearing about the proposed closures June 11. J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy protection on May 15, citing excessive debt, years of declining sales and the pandemic closures.
- Company's launch: J.C. Penney announces new home brand while planning for store closings in bankruptcy
- Post-bankruptcy plans: J.C. Penney says it will close nearly 29% of its stores
- Coronavirus aftermath: Bankruptcy cases, store closings pile up as virus wreaks havoc for J.C. Penney, Hertz, others