Memphis police 'permanently deactivate' unit involved in Tyre Nichols' death
The Memphis Police Department on Saturday announced it will "permanently deactivate" its specialized SCORPION unit after officers in the unit were fired and face charges in the death of Tyre Nichols, according to a statement from Police Director Cerelyn "CJ" Davis. Video footage was released Friday showing the brutal beating of Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man. Police struck Tyre Nichols at least 13 times, kicking his face, side and head, punching his head and chest, and striking him with a baton. The five officers charged in Nichols' death are members of SCORPION, or Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods, the department confirmed.
'We need a national conversation': Nichols case reignites debate on federal police legislation
Justice for Tyre Nichols: The nation is watching what Memphis does next
When the officers are Black: Tyre Nichols' death raises tough questions about race in policing
Three dead, four injured in latest mass shooting in California
Three people were killed and four others wounded in a shooting at a short-term rental home in an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood early Saturday morning, police said. The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. in the Beverly Crest neighborhood. This is at least the sixth mass shooting in California this month. Sgt. Frank Preciado of the Los Angeles Police Department said earlier Saturday that the three people killed were inside a vehicle.
Also in California: Families remember those slain in Monterey Park mass shooting
More: These are the 7 people who were killed in the Half Moon Bay shootings
NFL playoffs: Super Bowl matchup to be set Sunday
Two NFL teams on Sunday will claim conference championships and a berth in the Super Bowl. In the NFC, Jalen Hurts and the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles must defend home turf against the San Francisco 49ers in a battle of two of the league's most complete teams. The AFC championship game will be a rematch of last season's as Joe Burrow's Cincinnati Bengals travel to Kansas City for a matchup against Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs. Kansas City hosts the conference title game for an NFL record fifth consecutive season, but the Chief have also lost to the Bengals in their last three meetings. Attention will also be on Mahomes' health, after the star QB suffered a high ankle sprain in last week's win. Live updates from the NFL conference championship games.
ESPN's 'Sunday NFL Countdown': Camaraderie, host Samantha Ponder steer show to best viewership in years
Real Quick:
Tom Verlaine, guitarist and co-founder of influential band Television, dies at 73
Palestinian gunman kills 7 near Jerusalem synagogue, officials say, day after deadly Israeli raid
Bills' Damar Hamlin offers up thanks in video: 'I can't tell you how appreciative I am'
DC AG declines to charge mother of Ashli Babbitt, Jan. 6 protester killed by police
'SNL' roasts Southwest Airlines for mass holiday flight cancellations
Winter storm warnings work their way across the country
Another winter storm is working its way across the United States, forecast to bring snow and freezing temperatures across the Midwest in the coming days, with snowflakes even reaching the East Coast. The storm initially brought snow to western and central Montana and parts of Wyoming before extending into the Northern Plains. Some areas are expecting up to 2 feet of snow, and parts of Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota are under a wind chill advisory this weekend. Wind chills could drop to 39 degrees below zero, the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota said. More weather updates here.
'Highly unusual': What's behind the snowless winter in NYC, Washington and Philadelphia
Driving in the snow? What to do if you're stuck in your car during a winter storm
Djokovic wins Australian Open, ties men's record with 22nd Grand Slam
Novak Djokovic was simply too good at the most crucial moments and claimed his 10th Australian Open championship and 22nd Grand Slam title overall by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in the final at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Sunday night. His 22 major championships - which include seven from Wimbledon, three from the U.S. Open and two from the French Open - are tied with Rafael Nadal for the most by a man in the history of tennis. The 35-year-old from Serbia did not compete in the Australian Open a year ago after being deported from the country because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. Government restrictions have eased since, and he was able to get a visa this time despite still not having gotten the shots.
'We're here': Donald Trump hits the campaign trail again
Donald Trump resumed public campaigning Saturday with renewed attacks on long-standing targets: President Joe Biden, the 2020 election, federal and state prosecutors, and a lengthening list of Republican opponents. "We will do it again," Trump told supporters while introducing his "South Carolina Leadership Team" during an event at the statehouse in downtown Columbia, capping a day-long trip that also took him to New Hampshire; both states hold early primaries in the 2024 presidential election. The trip comes after more than two months of political turmoil for Trump following his mid-November announcement of a 2024 campaign. A rising number of Republicans say the former president cannot win next year and the party should look for another standard-bearer.
2024 elections: Trump trails DeSantis in possible matchup in New Hampshire, which holds first primary
Online presence?: Meta to restore Trump Facebook and Instagram accounts, reversing Jan. 6 Capitol attack ban
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Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyre Nichols video, winter weather, NFL playoffs: This weekend's news
