Good morning. It's Tuesday, June 2, we're covering police protests across the country, the toll of the coronavirus on nursing homes, and the oldest fossil of a land animal. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Police Protests Enter Seventh Night

Cities across the US were once again seized by protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died last week while being taken into custody by Minneapolis police. Following a weekend of largely peaceful daytime demonstrations that gave way to overnight violence, dozens of cities implemented curfews, with the National Guard activated in 23 states. President Trump urged governors to crack down on violent protestors (audio of the call here), and in evening remarks said he would deploy federal forces if cities failed to quell unrest. 

In Washington, DC, where fires flared in front of the White House Sunday, curfew was dropped to 7pm. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to clear out Lafayette Park, which sits just north of the White House, before the president briefly walked across the park to St. John's Church.

In Louisville, the police chief was fired after the mayor learned officers involved in a deadly shooting amid protests in the city failed to activate their body cameras. In Las Vegas, an officer is in critical condition after being shot in the head, while looting and vandalism was reported in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. In Minneapolis, tensions eased somewhat, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) considering pulling back some of the 7,000 National Guard called in for support.

Separately, an independent autopsy found Floyd died of asphyxiation due to chest and back compression. The findings conflict with a preliminary report from the county medical examiner, which did not conclude asphyxiation was the primary cause of death, but rather the way Floyd was restrained was a contributing factor. However, the medical examiner also ruled Floyd's death a homicide.

Amid the chaos, misinformation has run rampant, including a doctored shot from the television series "Designated Survivor" that took off on social media.

Nursing Home Toll 

The impact of the coronavirus on the nation's nursing homes began to come into view yesterday as preliminary data showed an estimated 26,000 deaths and 60,000 cases among residents. The number represents data from 80% of the country's long-term care facilities; many states with higher death rates were yet to submit data. At least 450 deaths and more than 34,000 cases were reported among staff, reflecting the toll on both the elderly and those assisting them. 

Separately, a team of researchers found that limited community transmission of the virus began as early as mid-January in the US, following an infection brought from China and from multiple separate carriers from Europe. The findings would once again push back the timeline for the outbreak in the US. 

The US has reported 1.8 million cases, with 105,147 deaths, as of this morning. Deaths rose less than 1% since yesterday morning, see the moving three-day average here. 

Have more questions? Check out our expert-curated coronavirus resource page.

Biden Looks to Clinch Nomination

Eight states and Washington, DC hold primary elections today, the biggest day of voting since the pandemic began in early March. Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden may formally clinch the nomination, though he would need to win roughly 90% of the 479 delegates up for grabs. Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have continued to cast ballots for the former candidate, hoping to increase his influence at the party's convention.

A number of key congressional primaries will also be contested. GOP pariah Steve King (R, IA-4) faces the fight of his political life, with mainstream Republicans backing challenger Randy Feenstra. In New Mexico, former CIA operative Valerie Plame aims to replace outgoing Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D, NM-3), who in turn seeks to replace outgoing Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). 

See a rundown of the races here.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> MLB Players Association proposes modified 2020 season including 114-game regular season and option for players to opt out (More) | National Women’s Soccer League announces draw for 2020 Challenge Cup tournament to begin June 27 (More)

> Music industry to observe “Blackout Tuesday” today and will halt business activity in response to the death of George Floyd (More)

> Pat Dye, former Auburn University head football coach and College Football Hall of Famer, dies at 80 (More)

Science & Technology

> Pharma giant Eli Lilly begins human trials for the first medicine designed specifically to treat COVID-19; treatment relies on human-made antibodies (More)

> Oldest-known fossil of a land animal discovered in Scotland; the millipede-like animal lived 425 million years ago and was found in the same region as the oldest-known stemmed plants (More)

> New theory suggests stationary black holes should have at least one light ring, where the gravitational field is so strong it bends light into a circular orbit (More)

Business & Markets

> Facebook employees participate in virtual walkout over the company’s inaction on recent President Trump posts (More)

> Retailer Pier 1 Imports to cease operations and liquidate; will close approximately 500 stores by October (More)

> US manufacturing activity picks up in May after falling to 11-year low in April, an encouraging sign of economic recovery in the sector (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Spain records zero daily coronavirus deaths for the first time since March (More) Moscow begins reopening as President Vladimir Putin rescheduled referendum allowing him to stay in power for July 1 (More)

> Hong Kong officials ban annual vigil remembering those killed in China's Tiananmen Square massacre for first time in 30 years (More)

> Supreme Court upholds decision allowing Puerto Rico's financial oversight and debt management board to be independently appointed; avoids requirement of having board members confirmed by the Senate (More)

IN-DEPTH

The Riots of 1968

National Archive | Staff. Sparked by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and fueled by opposition to the Vietnam War, 1968 is considered one of the most tumultuous years in US history. Through photos, see how its legacy shaped six American cities. (Read)

'Like a Burning Theater'

Vanity Fair | Jessica Camille Aguirre. The precipitous and abrupt drop in demand left the oil market in a mind-bending position in mid-April, with buyers paying to have others take oil off their hands for lack of storage. Here's an inside account of the day oil futures went negative. (Read)

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ETCETERA

Deaths during police encounters have dropped in large cities—but are rising in the suburbs and rural areas.

Photos of people coming together to clean up after weekend protests.

A stunning visualization of the Earth's plate tectonics. 

Invest in wine? Vinovest gives investors access to a portfolio of fine wines. Their 100 Index has achieved strong +5.2% growth YTD (vs. S&P -7.29%). With low market correlation, and industry returns that beat the S&P 500 over the last 20 years, invest with Vinovest today #Ad

Tesla autopilot fails to recognize an overturned truck (w/video).

How lockdowns have destroyed our internal clocks.

How Hollywood gets the ocean wrong, according to a marine biologist.

Mom and daughter overachieve with sidewalk chalk drawings.

What it's like to be fired over Zoom.

Clickbait: A sparkling dinosaur heads to space.

Historybook: First, first lady Martha Washington born (1731); Indian Citizenship Act is signed into law in the US (1924); Baseball legend Babe Ruth retires (1935); Queen Elizabeth II is coronated (1953); HBD soccer star Abby Wambach (1980).

"It's a heavy burden to look up at the mountain and want to start the climb."

- Abby Wambach

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