1 More Officers "Relieved Of Duty" After Tyre Nichols Death
More cops are being “relieved of duty” following the Tyre Nichols incident in Memphis Tennessee. One of them has yet to be identified and the other Preston Hemphill, who The Memphis Police Department confirmed is currently under investigation. It's unclear what his role in the incident was or if he faces possible criminal charges in connection to Nichols' death. His attorney says he's cooperating with officials and wasn't present at the second scene where Nichols was beaten by five other officers. But the department said yesterday that “Hemphill’s actions and involvement has been under investigation as he participated in the initial traffic stop and the use of a TASER.” Beyond that, the Memphis Fire Department also announced yesterday that it fired two EMTs and a lieutenant who responded to the scene for failing to properly assess Nichols as he lay beaten on the ground.
2 More Flight Cancellations Due To Winter Storms
Three airports have been dealing with the brunt of flight cancelations thanks to another round of icy winter weather. The number of flights that have been canceled as of yesterday from within, into, or out of the U.S. passed 1,000 as of last night. Both Dallas airports have been dealing with the most problems, followed by Denver International. This comes as more than 40 million people are under winter weather alerts from Texas to West Virginia. Ice accumulation is projected in at least 15 different states and could be a problem in areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee. The accumulation of ice in the Midwest and Mid-South could produce more than a half inch through tomorrow, spelling even more problems for the airlines.
3 Utah Governor Signs Gender-Affirming Healthcare Ban
The governor of Utah has gone ahead with signing a bill that bans gender-affirming surgery on minors who have not been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Governor Spencer Cox signed it a day after the Legislature sent it to his desk, saying it is important to pause "these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences." However, groups like the ACLU of Utah are critical of Cox’s decision saying in a letter to the governor, saying this ban “ties the hands of doctors and parents by restricting access to the only evidence-based treatment available for this serious medical condition and impedes their ability to fulfill their professional obligations.”