Good morning! Here are the trending news stories everyone will be talking about today:
1. #BlackLivesMatter
A University of Cincinnati police officer has been indicted on murder charges after shooting an unarmed black man during a minor traffic stop. The victim, Samuel DuBose, was pulled over for an alleged missing license plate. Body-cam footage shows the officer trying to open DuBose’s car door before shooting him in the head. The Hamilton County prosecutor Joseph T. Deters said, “This office has probably reviewed a hundred police shootings, and this is the first time we’ve thought, ‘This is without question a murder.'” So heartbreaking. – The New York Times
More: #BlackLivesMatter cofounders on why the movement is more vital now than ever
2. How scary.
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City has officials concerned. So far, two people have died and 29 others are sick, prompting health workers to encourage anyone with a fever, cough, chills and muscle aches to seek medical attention immediately. Legionnaires’ is a severe form of pneumonia, but is not spread through person-to-person contact. The health department is currently testing water from the city’s cooling towers to determine if they could be the source of the illness. – Huffington Post
3. Well, this is a mess.
Yesterday, three members of the Phi Kappa Si fraternity at the University of Virginia sued Rolling Stone for defamation. Earlier this year the magazine ran — and ultimately was forced to retract — an unverified story detailing an alleged gang rape that took place at the Phi Kappa Si fraternity house. The frat brothers are suing the magazine for $75,000 for emotional distress caused by the accusations. Rolling Stone also announced yesterday that managing editor Will Dana is stepping down amid the fallout. – New York Post/The Hollywood Reporter
More:Campus rape, and what officials are not doing about it
4. That’s just ridiculous.
Wheaton College announced it will no longer offer health coverage to students to avoid complying with the Affordable Care Act’s birth control mandate. University officials at the Christian liberal arts school say they not only object to birth control being included in health coverage, but also think it violates their religious freedom to even have to notify the government that they’re seeking a religious exemption. Their solution? Drop health coverage for everyone. That means a quarter of their 3,000 students will be without insurance as of Friday. Something tells me that is not what Jesus would do. – USA Today
5. Today in weird news.
Since the early ’80s, the Warner Music Group has claimed to have copyright over the “Happy Birthday” song, but a group of attorneys say they’ve uncovered proof that any exclusive rights to the song would’ve expired about 100 years ago. Currently, anyone who sings the ditty must pay royalties. This includes use of the song in movies and shows, ringtones and even when restaurants sing it to their patrons. The discovery by the lawyers could change all that, and Warner is not happy about it. The whole thing will be hashed out in court. – Los Angeles Times
6. Could it be?
Plane debris was found on an island near Madagascar that officials say matches parts used on MH370, the Malaysia Airlines Flight that went missing over a year ago. The wreckage appears to be a wing flap from a Boeing 777 and experts are being brought in to investigate. MH370 was carrying 239 people when it disappeared from the radar in March 2014, and its whereabouts remain unknown. This find could end up being a big break in the search. – NBC News
More: Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: The full story explained
7. Move over, Grumpy Cat.
Earl, a 5-month-old puggle with a scowl only the Internet could love, has become a viral sensation after a number of comparisons to Grumpy Cat. His owner shared a photo of him on Reddit, which quickly gained over two million views. Grumpy Cat’s owner has reportedly made millions of dollars, so Earl’s dad might have just hit the jackpot. Either way, we can be sure of one thing: Grumpy Cat is not going to like this. – MSN
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