Anniversary of George Floyd's death, NBA Playoffs, Texas gun bill: 5 things to know Tuesday
'A year that's ripped my heart out': George Floyd's family struggles with loss, a year since murder
One year ago, George Floyd was murdered at the hands of police, a day that sparked protests for social justice worldwide. Floyd, 46, died on May 25, 2020, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck for more than nine minutes. To millions around the world, the final minutes of Floyd’s life reflected decades of police brutality against Black and brown citizens and unleashed months of protests worldwide against systemic racism. But for those closest to Floyd, his death was a theft: the abrupt loss of a friend and confidant, of a man who helped troubled youth give up their guns, of a brother whose killing left a void stretching from Minneapolis to Houston’s Third Ward. The one-year mark of his murder will be observed with a block party in the Houston housing projects where he grew up.
- After Floyd, other American families whose loved ones were killed by police battle for justice
- Floyd's murder fueled the Black Lives Matter movement. A year later, activists and families are clashing over what comes next
- George Floyd. Trayvon Martin. Sandra Bland. For many Black Americans, these deaths and others have caused lasting trauma
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President Biden to meet with Floyd's family amid delay in police reform legislation
One year after the murder of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer sparked international protests for social justice, President Joe Biden hoped to have signed police reform legislation. But the anniversary of Floyd’s murder has come and will go without lawmakers on Capitol Hill coming to a deal to pass legislation that is named in Floyd’s honor. While lawmakers in Washington continue to negotiate a package on police reform, the White House has downplayed the delay of the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act being passed by the one-year mark of Floyd's death, a deadline that Biden himself set. Instead of focusing on the talks, the president will commemorate Floyd's death with his relatives, who will visit the White House Tuesday in a private meeting.
- Lawmakers in Congress 'optimistic'about police overhaul in aftermath of Chauvin conviction
- After George Floyd, police killings in 2020 and 2021 hurt many more.The families of the deceased said they want justice
Stars come out tonight in NBA playoffs
The NBA offers up a playoff tripleheader Tuesday, starting off with Game 2 of the series between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET). The Nets finally have their “big three” of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving all together – and they combined for 82 points in a win on Saturday. The second game pits the Phoenix Suns against the Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET). The Suns won Game 1, but lost point guard Chris Paul for part of the game to a shoulder injury. If Paul isn’t 100%, LeBron James and company stand a good chance at evening the series. The nightcap (10:30 p.m. ET) has the Los Angeles Clippers hosting the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs won the opener behind Luka Doncic, who on Sunday became just the ninth player in NBA history to record multiple 30-point triple-doubles in the playoffs.
- 'This is on me':Anthony Davis takes the blame for Lakers' Game 1 loss to Suns
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle on Luka Doncic’s Game 1 play vs. Clippers: 'This is his time of year'
- Chris Paul suffers shoulder injury as Devin Booker, Suns top Lakers in Game 1
Texas lawmakers pass bill that would allow handguns without a permit
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott could soon sign a bill that would allow the permitless carry of holstered handguns, after the state legislature approved the law on Monday. Abbott has said he would sign the bill that would make Texas the 19th state to allow handguns to be carried without a permit, according to gun control nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. House Bill 1927 would allow anyone over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm in Texas to carry a handgun in public without a permit. Current state law allows residents 21 or older to carry a handgun only after completing the required training and criminal background check to obtain a license to carry.
- Texas lawmakers approve bills targeting protesters who block roads, use fireworks or lasers
Package containing white powder sent to Sen. Rand Paul's home
An investigation is underway on Tuesday after a package containing white powder was sent to the Kentucky home of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. The FBI's Louisville office "is working with the Warren County Sheriff's Office by providing forensic and technical support for this investigation," agency spokesman Tim Beam told the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Capitol Hill police are also involved in the investigation, according to Politico, which first reported the news. "I take these threats immensely seriously," Paul wrote on Twitter on Monday.