Protests get emotional in Baltimore. Saudi Arabia restarts airstrikes in Yemen. And the NFL releases its schedule for next season.
The shooting at a congressional baseball practice reminds us of something we too often forget: We are one country, and we’re all in this together. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
GERMANY ASSAULTS
Protests grow: It was an emotional day yesterday in Baltimore, as the fallout from Freddie Gray’s death continued. Protesters rallied last night, marching to a local police station. Among the crowd were members of Gray’s family, including his mother, who cried and collapsed at the spot where her son was arrested. Earlier in the day, Baltimore police released the names of the six officers involved in Gray’s arrest. They have been suspended with pay. The Justice Department also joined the fray, announcing it would investigate to see if Gray’s civil rights were violated. Gray died Sunday, a week after his arrest and after suffering a severe spinal injury while in police custody.
BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING TRIAL
The finger: That’s what the jury – charged with deciding if Dzhokhar Tsarnaev lives or dies – saw yesterday when a photo, taken when he was in a holding cell in the same courthouse where his trial is being held, was shown in court. In the image, the now-convicted Boston Marathon bomber glares into the camera and defiantly raises his middle finger. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadine Pellegrini said Tsarnaev was “unrepentant” and saw the people he killed as “the enemy.” The victim impact part of the case also started yesterday, with often heartbreaking testimony from survivors and families of the dead.
CLINTON BOOK
‘Cash’ clash: Explosive exposé or conspiracy theory? That’s the range of reactions to an upcoming book on Hillary Clinton that serves as the first major test of her presidential campaign’s ability to fight off attacks from detractors. “Clinton Cash” by Peter Schweizer alleges that the former secretary of state used her position to benefit foreign donors to the Clinton Foundation who helped it accomplish its philanthropic mission. The book provides fresh fodder for Republicans – especially 2016 GOP hopefuls – looking to attack the Democratic frontrunner on foreign policy. Clinton, her team and other Democrats are already mounting a campaign to discredit the book – and Schweizer.
NFL
Schedules released: Are you ready for some football? If you are, you still have to wait five months before the pigskin starts flying, but at least now you know who’s playing whom. The season kicks off on (what else) a Thursday night in September with the defending champion New England Patriots taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Other notable games include the Philadelphia Eagles (and newly acquired running back DeMarco Murray) playing Murray’s former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on September 20. Pro football’s nastiest current rivalry – the Seattle Seahawks vs. the San Francisco 49ers – resumes on October 22. And the rematch to one of the greatest NFC championship games in history will be played on September 20 when the Green Bay Packers host the Seahawks.
DEFLATEGATE
Blowback: The New England Patriots’ pushback against Tom Brady’s four-game suspension reaches a critical juncture today. That’s because Brady has until 5 p.m. today to appeal his Deflategate suspension. His agent had all but promised an appeal when the penalties – including a $1 million fine and loss of Patriots’ draft picks – were announced this week. The NFL Players Association said it will represent Brady in his appeal. Any hearing will begin within 10 days of the league’s receipt of his appeal. Brady’s appeal would be heard by either NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or an officer of his choosing.
Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a few others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.
Arnold!: Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with late night host James Corden, acts out famous scenes from his movies.
Another cover: Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” sounds even cooler played backward.
Live view: Remember the bird’s eye view of “Grand Theft Auto II?” It’s recreated in this live action video.
It’s what they do: Dogs chase a toy monster truck at the park.