George Floyd's brother testifies before Congress, Mall of America reopens, Federal Reserve meeting: 5 things to know Wednesday
George Floyd's brother to testify before Congress on police violence
George Floyd's brother will testify before a key House committee on Wednesday, as lawmakers scramble to respond to nationwide protests demanding an end to police violence against black Americans. Philonise Floyd will talk about his brother's death during a hearing on police brutality and racial profiling. George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes. The incident was caught on a video that triggered outrage and waves of protests — and could ultimately result in sweeping changes in the nation's justice system. Amid the national outrage, the officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged with second-degree murder and three other officers at the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting.
- Americans' perceptions of police drop significantly in one week as protests continue, survey finds.
- Joe Biden among speakers demanding justice at funeral service for George Floyd, whose death rocked the world
- George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children?
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Remnants of Cristobal to become powerhouse storm
The remnants of what was Tropical Storm Cristobal, now downgraded to a tropical depression, will merge with another weather system to become a powerhouse storm over the Great Lakes on Wednesday, forecasters said. Tornadoes could also spin up in the Great Lakes region, the Storm Prediction Center said, especially in portions of Ohio and Michigan. The Weather Channel said that Cristobal is expected to be only the fourth Atlantic tropical cyclone remnant to move over Wisconsin in more than a century of records. If Cristobal remains a tropical depression when it crosses into Wisconsin, it would be the first tropical depression on record in the state, the weather service said.
- Hurricanes amid a pandemic: 'A cataclysmic scenario'
- Hurricane season is off to historically fast start: What does that mean for the rest of the year?
Despite breakout jobs report, Fed likely to downgrade outlook
Despite a stunningly strong May jobs report, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to maintain its dour economic outlook amid the coronavirus pandemic and signal that it’s likely to keep its key interest rate near zero at least through 2022. The Fed’s cautious approach would serve as a counterpoint to Senate Republicans, who indicated they’re in no rush to pass another massive stimulus after the blockbuster employment news revealed an economy that may be rebounding sooner than anticipated from the depths of the health crisis. In mid-March, states issued stay-at-home orders and told nonessential businesses to shut down to contain the spread of the virus. The Fed has responded aggressively to the steepest recession in U.S. history, which is expected to leave lasting damage
- Worst-kept secret revealed: The US is in a recession, ending longest expansion in history
Mall of America to reopen with limited hours, increased cleaning
The Mall of America is set to reopen Wednesday after closing in mid-March to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The mall will operate under reduced hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some other changes include an increase in cleaning frequency, additional touchless hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass dividers have been installed. In Chicago, Navy Pier plans to begin reopening outdoor restaurant spaces, tour boats, parking garages and outdoor parks and piers. And in Charleston, West Virginia, private and state park campgrounds, cabins and lodges are set to reopen to out-of-state guests Wednesday.
- JCPenney, Tuesday Morning, Pier 1 going-out-of-business liquidation sales different because of COVID-19
Shortened MLB draft to begin as negotiations occur in the background
Major League Baseball's 2020 first-year player draft begins Wednesday (MLB Network and ESPN, 7 p.m. ET) with the first 37 selections. Unlike years past, there will be just 160 players drafted, the fewest since the annual event started in 1965, as it has been cut from 40 rounds to five. The draft was reduced as part of an agreement between the players' association and MLB in order to cut expenses due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Detroit Tigers have the first overall selection and are expected to draft Spencer Torkelson — a slugging first baseman from Arizona State. The draft will go on as MLB and the players' union have engaged in contentious negotiations to salvage a shortened 2020 season.
- Time running out: MLB commissioner could implement shortened season without players' approval
- Want your team to have the No. 1 pick in the draft? You may want to rethink that
- Labor fights, new competition, invisible players: Why MLB may be sports' biggest loser during the pandemic
