Good morning. It's Monday, March 8, and we're covering a trial in Minneapolis, an interview with Harry and Meghan, and more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Derek Chauvin Trial Begins (Maybe)

Jury selection in the trial of Derek Chauvin is expected to begin today. The former Minneapolis police officer has been freed on bond since October after being arrested for the May killing of George Floyd. 

Chauvin currently faces two counts: second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. The former count requires prosecutors to demonstrate Chauvin caused Floyd's death beyond a reasonable doubt, while the latter count requires demonstrating Chauvin was negligent and took an unreasonable risk while detaining Floyd. See a breakdown here.  

The trial may be delayed—a state appeals court ruled Friday a lower court must reconsider whether to add a third-degree murder charge. The lower count requires that prosecutors demonstrate Chauvin acted recklessly. 

The city has beefed up security ahead of the trial. 

Senate Passes Stimulus

The US Senate passed a modified version of the Biden administration's $1.9T economic stimulus package over the weekend. The bill was approved 50-49 along a party-line vote.

Among the changes, $1,400 direct payments will be distributed to individuals making $75K per year ($150K for couples) but drop to zero for those making $80K annually ($160K per couple), down from a phase-out at $100K for individuals in the House-passed bill. The threshold is raised to $120K for single parents. 

Reports suggest payments will be assessed based on 2019 tax returns, unless your 2020 returns are filed before the IRS processes the stimulus checks. Analysts say those who lost their jobs (or if your income decreased below the thresholds) during the pandemic should file as quickly as possible. 

The Senate version ($$, WashPo) also lowered weekly unemployment boosts from $400-per-week to $300-per-week, dropped a controversial rail project, and added a clause that exempts student loan forgiveness from being taxed through 2025. A raise to the federal minimum wage was left out.

The updated bill now heads back to the House for a final vote, expected tomorrow, and is likely to be signed into law by midweek. 

A Royal Sit Down

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle gave an extensive sit-down interview yesterday, their first since a high-profile split from the British royal family last year. The interview, led by Oprah Winfrey, contained a number of revelations, including Markle saying that the nature of palace life drove her to contemplate suicide.

The couple also alleged a number of racist incidents, both from tabloid coverage and within the palace—Markle said there were discussions about concerns over how dark their son Archie's skin might be. See highlights from the interview here.

Harry and Meghan, who still retain their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped back as senior members of the royal family in April. Under the agreement, the couple would become financially independent and end public appearances where they represented the crown. Before the break, the couple had been candid about the stress from public scrutiny—Harry's mother, Princess Diana, was killed in a 1997 car crash after being chased by paparazzi.

The interview comes as Harry's grandfather, 99-year-old Prince Philip, recovers from heart surgery. 

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by The GIST

> Team LeBron tops Team Durant 170-150 at 2021 NBA All-Star Game; Giannis Antetokounmpo wins game MVP (More) | Anfernee Simons wins Slam Dunk Contest, Stephen Curry takes home his second 3-Point Contest crown (More)

> The US weekend box office revenue of $25M is highest since pandemic forced theaters to close (More) | New York Times columnist David Brooks resigns from Aspen Institute think-tank over conflict of interest (More)

> "Nomadland" wins Best Picture at 2021 Critics Choice Awards (More) | Taylor Swift, South Korean pop group BTS among artists tapped to perform at this weekend’s Grammy Awards (Sunday, March 14, 8 pm ET, CBS) (More)

From our partners: Level the playing field: Introducing The GIST—a free, 3x-weekly sports newsletter that gives you "the gist" of what's up in men's and women's sports. But this isn't your regular sports newsletter. Written by women, The GIST provides a witty voice and fresh perspective on sports. Check it out for free today.

Science & Technology

> NASA's Perseverance rover makes first test drive, travels roughly 21 feet (More)

> Engineers demonstrate 3D printing of organs 10 times faster than industry standard (More)

> Scientists pinpoint how cells known as astrocytes malfunction in patients suffering from bipolar disorder, linking the disorder to the secretion of an inflammatory molecule (More)

Business & Markets

> US economy adds 379,000 jobs in February, unemployment rate falls to 6.2%; leisure and hospitality industries represent 355,000 of added jobs (More)

> At least 30,000 US organizations reportedly hacked by a Chinese espionage group exploiting a flaw in Microsoft's email servers; extent of damage unknown, victim list includes small businesses and local governments (More)

> Security software founder John McAfee charged with securities fraud after “pump and dump” cryptocurrency scheme; McAfee was previously indicted on tax evasion (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Pope Francis wraps historic visit to Iraq, including meeting Iraqi Shiite leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and holding mass in Erbil soccer stadium (More) | See photos (More) | At least 17 dead, 400 injured in blast in Equatorial Guinea (More)

> Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) backs inquiry into New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) after two more aides come forward with allegations of sexual harassment; claims bring the total to five (More)

> The US administers more than 5 million vaccine doses over the weekend; almost 59 million people have received at least one dose (More) | The US reports 525,035 total COVID-19 deaths; see averages here (More)

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ETCETERA

Why today is International Women’s Day.

Ranking the top female entrepreneurs of the 21st century. ($$, Forbes)

... and 16 female scientists you should know about.

... and 20 female artists that should be stuck in your head.

Mount Etna won't shut up.

The world's oldest known bird has another chick. 

The world's oldest living person will carry the Olympic torch.

How to train heavy metal bands. (w/video)

Clickbait: Ohio man lives on nothing but beer during Lent (for a cause). 

Historybook: New York Stock Exchange established (1817); American actress Claire Trevor born (1910); RIP president William Taft (1930); RIP baseball great Joe DiMaggio (1999); Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappears, 239 people die (2014).

"A person always doing his or her best becomes a natural leader, just by example."

- Joe DiMaggio

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