Derek Chauvin openings clash over George Floyd's cause of death

CDC director feels "impending doom" over virus surge. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

By Liza Hearon

TOP STORIES ‌ Tuesday, March 30 ‌ DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL GETS UNDERWAY The prosecution and defense in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in George Floyd's death, centered on Floyd's cause of death in their opening statements. Attorney Jerry Blackwell, who is assisting with the prosecution, dismissed a claim by the defense that drugs played a major role in Floyd's death. See what the scenes outside the courthouse looked like here. [HuffPost] ‌ 'IMPENDING DOOM' OVER VIRUS SURGE President Joe Biden and Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned that too many Americans are declaring victory over the coronavirus too soon. Walensky said she had a feeling of "impending doom" if people keep easing off restrictions. [AP] ‌ ARKANSAS PASSES ANTI-TRANS BILL The Arkansas legislature became the latest state to pass harmful anti-transgender legislation, supporting a new bill that would prohibit doctors from providing minors with treatments, including puberty blockers, hormone therapies or any transition procedures. It's unclear whether Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) plans to sign it into law. The American Civil Liberties Union has vowed to take the issue to court if the governor signs. [HuffPost]

Fewer people are seeking help for severe asthma attacks. How to turn down a hug without being awkward. Biden extends moratorium on evictions. Do we need to throw out makeup from pre-pandemic? Weight shaming (not free doughnuts) is the real health threat.

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ANOTHER CUOMO ACCUSER New York resident Sherry Vill said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) kissed her on both cheeks "in a highly sexual manner" without her consent during a tour of her flood-damaged neighborhood. Vill is the ninth person to publicly accuse the governor of sexual misconduct. Several Democrats have called on Cuomo to resign and he has refused. [HuffPost] ‌ MORE CHARGES FOR EPSTEIN ASSOCIATE New sex trafficking charges and another alleged victim were added to an indictment in the criminal case against Ghislaine Maxwell, financier Jeffrey Epstein's ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors allege that a conspiracy to sexually abuse girls stretched over a decade. Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to charges. [HuffPost] ‌ BIDEN BOOSTS RENEWABLES The Biden administration is laying the policy groundwork to boost renewable energy production ahead of unveiling an anticipated $3 trillion package to prioritize green infrastructure. Goals include boosting wind energy and slashing solar energy costs. [HuffPost]

WHAT'S BREWING ‌ BOAT UNSTUCK! The Ever Given, the massive container ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal and caused billions of dollars of trade losses, because unstuck on Monday. Tugboats took it to a wider body of water for inspection and traffic resumed in one of the world's busiest trade routes. [AP]  ‌ TIME TO WAIT FOR AMAZON UNION RESULTS Amazon warehouse workers in Alabama are wrapping up the most closely watched union election in decades, writes HuffPost's Dave Jamieson. Counting begins Tuesday to determine whether the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union will represent the nearly 6,000 workers. But it could be days or weeks before we know the results. [HuffPost] ‌ NY ORDERED TO GIVE VACCINE TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE A judge ordered New York state to make all people incarcerated in its prisons and jails eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. People in prisons and jails are at particularly high risk of contracting the virus. [HuffPost] ‌ SCHUMER THINKS RECONCILIATION JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is exploring whether the budget reconciliation process Democrats used to pass their coronavirus relief bill can allow for more opportunities to advance their agenda. The technical maneuver has never been done before and is sure to draw heated Republican opposition. [HuffPost]   ‌ STUDENT DEBT CANCELED FOR SOME AMERICANS The U.S. Education Department has canceled student debt for more than 40,000 Americans who were previously granted loan forgiveness because of disabilities but later had their debt reinstated after they failed to submit certain paperwork. The measure was a disappointment to advocates, who think it doesn't go far enough. [HuffPost] ‌ CRITICS DON'T BUY BIRX'S EXCUSES Dr. Deborah Birx, former President Donald Trump's coronavirus response coordinator, has come under criticism for enabling Trump when he misled the public over the coronavirus, after her statement Sunday that the White House could have prevented deaths. Trump released his own statement Monday, calling her a "proven liar." [HuffPost]

It's been a long year of the coronavirus pandemic. Let us answer your mental health questions about uncertainty, PTSD, loneliness, grief and more. Leave a comment in the story.

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BEFORE YOU GO

You shouldn't have to be a father to know misogyny is wrong. U.S. Strategic Command reveals reason behind incoherent tweet. Beyoncé makes history winning most NAACP image awards. Ted Cruz complains he was taunted at border. You know what happens next. Four things parents do that inadvertently raise entitled kids. A guide to plant-based coffee creamers that actually taste good. I was ghosted by a best female friend and it's a terrible heartbreak. Watt a concept! Volkswagen poised to change name in U.S.  Jimmy Fallon slammed for snubbing original TikTok dancers. "Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi" series unveils cast. Olivia Jade speaks on "being publicly shamed." You thought the twos were terrible? Just you wait till they're "threenagers."

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