Police reform bill, NBA season restart, Roger Stone case: 5 things to know Wednesday

Senate Dems plan to oppose GOP police reform bill

Senate Democrats are expected to block a Republican police bill Wednesday, leaving the parties to decide whether to take on the hard job of negotiating a compromise or walk away despite public outcry over the killings of Black Americans. The Republican’s bill, led by Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina — the chamber’s lone Black Republican — includes measures aimed at increasing transparency at police agencies and around use-of-force incidents while incentivizing departments to use body cameras and discouraging chokeholds by withholding federal grant money. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and top Democrats signaled they would oppose the bill, as they demand negotiations on a new, bipartisan package with more extensive changes to law enforcement tactics and accountability. 

• GOP police bill would incentivize cities to stop using chokeholds but wouldn’t ban them
• Trump signs order addressing police misconduct, but some experts say it’s not enough

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Attorney to testify DOJ gave Roger Stone favorable treatment

The Justice Department gave Roger Stone “unprecedentedly favorable treatment” because he is an ally of President Donald Trump, a former prosecutor on the case is expected to tell Congress Wednesday. Aaron Zelinsky, an attorney on former special counsel Robert Mueller’s team and one of the career Justice Department lawyers who prosecuted Stone, said the agency’s leadership pressured them to recommend a lenient sentence for political reasons. Zelinsky is set to testify before the committee, which is investigating allegations of political interference within the Justice Department. Zelinsky’s attorney, Robert Litt, said the prosecutor “will truthfully describe what happened with the Stone sentencing.” 

• DOJ signals it will release a less-redacted version of Mueller report concerning Roger Stone
• Geoffrey Berman firing: AG Barr’s glowing account of NY prosecutor’s work further clouds dismissal

Coronavirus: NBA players must decide if they will play in Orlando series

NBA players have until Wednesday to inform their union if they choose not to play in next month’s 22-team format in Florida. NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league put together thorough return-to-play health and safety guidelines for the remainder of the season at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. But the Sunshine State’s growing number of COVID-19 cases complicates matters.Another factor in players’ minds? Worries on whether they should channel their focus strictly on protesting racial inequality after the killing of George Floyd and other police abuses — especially against African Americans. 

• Opinion: Florida’s rising coronavirus cases complicating NBA’s plans to resume season in Orlando
• Some NBA players skeptical of wearable devices to be used inside Disney World bubble

Chicago weighs removing police officers from schools

Chicago’s school board on Wednesday will consider whether to terminate its $33 million contract with the Chicago Police Department to provide resource officers in schools. The death of George Floyd, who died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, prompted Minneapolis to end its contract, and other cities are considering the move as well. Police in schools contribute to the marginalization of students of color, critics say, and funding would be better spent on other peacekeeping strategies. A vote to end the contract could set up a standoff between the school board and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who opposes removing police from schools.

• After George Floyd, students sick of ‘lip service,’want action from colleges over racism
• ‘I live in constant fear’: Top school superintendent opens up about George Floyd’s death

‘Athlete A’ documentary arrives on Netflix

“Athlete A,” the documentarythat depicts what it took to stop Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor who sexually abused athletes for decades, arrives Wednesday at Netflix. The list of crucial participants in Nassar’s downfall includes four prominently featured IndyStar journalists, part of the USA TODAY Network. IndyStar reporters Marisa Kwiatkowski, Mark Alesia and Tim Evans worked with investigations editor Steve Berta on coverage that led to more than 500 women coming forward to accuse Nassar of sexual abuse.  Filmmakers Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk began work on “Athlete A” before Nassar was convicted and given a prison sentence of at least 125 years. 

• ‘Athlete A’ tells part of the Larry Nassar investigation.This is the story you didn’t see

• Larry Nassar abused gymnasts for decades.‘Athlete A’ film shows what it took to stop him

Contributing: Associated Press

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