Good morning. It's Thursday, July 1, and we're covering the court-ordered release of comedian Bill Cosby, changes to the NCAA's amateurism rules, and more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Bill Cosby Released

Former entertainer Bill Cosby was released from prison yesterday after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his 2018 sexual assault conviction. The court ruled a previous non-prosecution deal struck with an earlier prosecutor should have preempted the charges. 

More than 60 women have made allegations against Cosby that include drug-induced sexual assault to rape, with claims dating back to 1965 (see list). Cosby has denied the accusations, and the statute of limitations expired on the majority of the claims without charges brought. 

His conviction stemmed from a 2004 assault against then-Temple University employee Andrea Constand. However, the district attorney at the time agreed not to pursue criminal charges against Cosby if he testified in a civil suit brought by Constand. During his trial, a judge found the pledge was not binding on the new prosecution team—a decision reversed by yesterday's ruling.  

Cosby had served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence. 

Seismic Shift in College Sports

The NCAA yesterday approved temporary measures that allow for college athletes to profit from the use of their name, image, or likeness. The decision, which reverses a decadeslong policy on the ability of athletes to earn revenue from self-branding, comes ahead of a deadline today where legislation in several states would have forced the organization's hand.  

Under the new rules, players will be able to enter endorsement deals, profit from the use of their social media accounts, sell autographs, and more. Athletes will also be able to have representation—i.e., agents—help guide endorsement deals. Schools will still be prohibited from directly paying players.  

The change is the latest to upend the college sports landscape—the Supreme Court unanimously ruled last week restrictions on extra educational benefits for student-athletes violated antitrust laws. 

Tour de France Arrest

French police announced yesterday they arrested the spectator who caused a massive crash at the first stage of the Tour de France Saturday. The unidentified 30-year-old woman disappeared from the scene before investigators arrived. 

Footage leading up to the accident showed the woman holding a cardboard sign toward television cameras, with her back to the approaching riders (watch here). German rider Tony Martin clipped her arm, causing him to lose his balance and set off a domino-like crash that took down dozens of riders. One rider pulled out of the race, with eight others treated for injuries. Authorities said they would charge the woman with causing involuntary injury, while race officials said they were considering suing. 

The spectator's sign read, "Allez Opi-Omi"—which roughly means "Go Grandpa and Grandma" in a mix of French and German. 

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by goodr

> "Smallville" star Allison Mack sentenced to three years prison for her role in NXIVM sex cult (More) | James Franco settles sexual misconduct lawsuit brought by former acting students for $2.2M (More)

> Twelve-year-old American Abhimanyu Mishra becomes youngest chess grandmaster of all time (More) | What does it take to become a grandmaster? (More)

> Mississippi State tops Vanderbilt to win the men's College World Series, their first national title in any sport (More) | Phoenix Suns eliminate Los Angeles Clippers to advance to first NBA Finals since 1993 (More) | Tampa Bay takes 2-0 series lead in Stanley Cup final (More)

From our partners: Tropic like it's hot … or don’t. That’s the name of a style in goodr sunglasses’ all-new Tropical Opticals line. Inspired by island vibes and fruity cocktails, these polarized shades won’t slip or bounce no matter how rowdy your beach day gets. Grab a pair (or three) today starting at $25.

Science & Technology

> US health officials say fully vaccinated people are sufficiently protected against fast-spreading coronavirus delta variant; strain accounts for about one-in-four new US cases, but the vast majority of hospitalizations (More) | Read more about the variant here (More)

> Experimental vaccines using live malaria parasites show between 78% and 87% effectiveness in pediatric clinical study (More)

> Engineers demonstrate smart skin biosensors that provide reliable real-time diagnostics, even in the presence of sweat, using artificial pores; perspiration has been one of the largest barriers to electronic skin devices to date (More)

Business & Markets

> Free trading app Robinhood to pay record $70M settlement with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority over system outages in March 2020 (More)

> Amazon pushes for Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Lina Khan to be recused from antitrust probes given her past criticism of the company (More)

> Gates Foundation to spend $2.1B on gender-equality over the next five years (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> At least 63 people died in Oregon during recent heat wave, officials say (More) | Death toll in Miami-area building collapse rises to 18, with unidentified remains also located (More)

> Grand jury reportedly indicts Trump Organization and Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg on tax-related charges; former President Donald Trump not expected to be charged (More) | Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dies at age 88 (More) | House approves select committee to probe Jan. 6 US Capitol storming (More)

> China's Communist Party marks 100th anniversary; President Xi Jinping to lead celebrations of the party that now counts more than 95 million members (More)

IN-DEPTH

'Too Vast To Imagine'

BBC | Richard Fisher, Javier Hirschfeld. Concrete is so commonplace in modern life; most don't give it a second thought. But scientists estimate the total amount of the material is so immense, it will outweigh all living organisms combined by 2040—with unknown effects on the global ecosystem. (Read)

From Diplomat to Troll

Washingtonian | Britt Peterson. For years, employees at Washington, DC's Arab American Institute were subject to an unusually vicious harassment campaign. It wasn't until the FBI became involved that the perpetrator was revealed to be a US foreign service officer. (Read)

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BEST OF ETCETERA—JUNE 2021

Editor's note: More than 3 million monthly clicks can't be wrong. Here are the most popular stories we ran in June. Enjoy!

(6/30/21) A stunning video of Lake Superior cliffs collapsing.

(6/7/21) The greatness of gymnast Simone Biles in slow motion.

(6/23/21) The best ice cream in every state.

(6/2/21) America's most (and least) healthy states during 2020.

(6/17/21) Photographer captures bees sleeping in a flower.

(6/14/21) The best moments from the Westminster dog show.

(6/8/21) The best small towns in the US to visit this summer.

(6/18/21) Ranking America's most livable beach towns.

(6/16/21) Study says you should only work five hours per day.

(6/22/21) Visualizing 150 years of US national debt.

(6/10/21) France to deliver a second Statue of Liberty.

(6/8/21) Texas mom arrested after impersonating teenage daughter at school.

(6/9/21) Five decades of American eating habits.

(6/14/21) When you get swallowed by a whale, but you're not tasty enough.

(6/22/21) Clickbait: One proud dachshund.

Historybook: Civil War Battle of Gettysburg begins (1863); Happy birthday, Canada (1867); RIP abolitionist and author Harriet Beecher Stowe (1896); Princess Diana born (1961); China regains sovereignty over Hong Kong (1997).

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

- Harriet Beecher Stowe

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