3 Up
1. Five Memphis Officers Charged - It's a bittersweet "Up", but one of necessity. The five officers who brutally beat Tyre Nichols to death in what has been determined as a traffic stop filled with procedural violations and a hellacious video of their beating to go with it being charged is a step in the necessary direction.
2. City of Memphis - Kudos to the City of Memphis and their office for understanding the duty and responsibility of releasing the videos of the murder of Tyre Nichols. We've seen in various cases where these kinds of evidence are withheld - that office deserves credit.
3. Royal Rumble Event - On a much lighter note in the "Up" section - and in the world - is the Royal Rumble event this weekend. So much fun. Check out my thoughts and reviews here.
3 Down
1. Tyre Nichols Video - Just utter disbelief, and worthy of a shake my head. We need answers, justice, and of course, change. Some of my immediate thoughts on the video release this weekend.
2. Gun Violence - 40 Mass Shootings this year. 40. There haven't even been 40 days in the new year. SMH.
3. Jason Whitlock - I understand the recent trend of "hot takes" for attention we now live in - but man, Whitlock took such a bad take on the video of five police officers beating Tyre Nichols. So bad it deserves a "down" here.
Cover Photo
Nikki Charles of the activist groups Harriet's Wildest Dreams and the D.C. Safety Squad block part of K Street in Washington D.C. to protest the police killing of Tyre Nichols.
Tyrone Turner/WAMU For NPR