JUDY WOODRUFF: In the day's other news: The
U.S. Supreme Court is again considering religious
objections to contraceptive coverage under
Obamacare.
The justices today heard arguments on the
Trump administration's attempt to let more
employers opt out of coverage for religious
or moral rationales.
We will get the details after the news summary.
A black family in Georgia pressed today for
authorities to act after the shooting death
of their son. Ahmaud Arbery was killed after
two men, white men, chased him. Now video
of the incident has emerged.
Yamiche Alcindor has our report.
YAMICHE ALCINDOR: A graphic video, a shocking
shooting, and many unanswered questions. This
cell phone footage is believed to show Ahmaud
Arbery jogging in a South Georgia neighborhood
before coming upon two men in a truck.
The 25-year old tries to get around them.
And then:
(GUNSHOT)
YAMICHE ALCINDOR: The video, released yesterday,
has brought national attention to the incident,
which took place back on February 23. Some
believe this is yet another example of an
unarmed black person shot and killed unfairly.
Charges were not initially brought against
the two men, Gregory McMichael and his son
Travis. But after the video's release, a Georgia
prosecutor announced he plans to call a grand
jury.
WANDA COOPER, Mother of Ahmaud Arbery: He
was a happy-go-lucky person. He loved his
family.
YAMICHE ALCINDOR: Wanda Cooper is Arbery's
mother. In an interview yesterday, she said
the process has taken too long.
WANDA COOPER: A lot of time has passed, and
I'm ready to get these people who are responsible,
you know, in jail.
YAMICHE ALCINDOR: Gregory McMichael told police
he thought Arbery looked like a suspect in
a nearby burglary. He said he and his son
followed Arbery and told him to stop.
Then, McMichael said Arbery -- quote -- "began
to violently attack them." McMichael had been
an investigator in the district attorney's
office and a police officer. And, according
to The New York Times, one of the original
prosecutors on the case argued there was -- quote
-- "insufficient probable cause" to arrest
the two men.
But he later requested to be removed from
the case because his son worked in the prosecutor's
office with Gregory McMichael.
Today, the local president of the NAACP called
for immediate action.
JOHN PERRY, President, Brunswick NAACP: Right
now, we're calling for a law system that operates
in integrity. And we believe that begins with
the dismissal of the police chief that was
in charge at the point of this incident.
YAMICHE ALCINDOR: Meanwhile, Georgia courts
remain closed until at least June 13 due to
the COVID-19 outbreak.
An attorney for Arbery's family tells "NewsHour"
the grand jury process would likely begin
sometime after courts open back up.
For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Yamiche Alcindor.
JUDY WOODRUFF: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation
said today that it has now opened its own
probe of the shooting.
The U.S. Department of Education released
final rules today with new protections for
the accused in sexual assault cases on college
campuses. The overhaul narrows the definition
of sexual harassment, and it requires live
campus hearings and cross-examinations. We
will return to this later in the program.
The Supreme Court of Israel has ruled that
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may go ahead
with forming a new coalition government. That
is despite the fact that he is facing trial
on corruption charges. Netanyahu says that
he is hoping to swear in the new government
next week.
There is word that the coronavirus pandemic
is doing serious damage in North Korea. Lawmakers
in South Korea were briefed today on new intelligence.
They said that the costs of food soared in
the North after China closed its border to
stop the spread of COVID-19.
KIM BYUNG KEE, South Korean Lawmaker (through
translator): Due to the anxiety over unstable
prices of goods, North Koreans have been panic-buying
daily necessities. North Korea's cabinet and
security department have implemented various
measures to stabilize prices, such as cracking
down on market cornering.
JUDY WOODRUFF: The South Koreans say the pandemic
is also why North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un,
has stayed largely out of public view. The
North maintains that it has had no infections.
Today marked 75 years since Nazi Germany surrendered
to the Allies in World War II. The news touched
off mass celebrations in London in 1945, after
Britain had endured nearly six years of fighting.
The war in Europe formally ended the next
day.
Back in this country, President Trump has
vetoed a congressional resolution that would
bar him from using military force against
Iran. In his veto message, he called it -- quote
-- "very insulting" and harmful to the national
defense. The resolution passed after Qasem
Soleimani, who was a top Iranian commander,
was killed in a U.S. airstrike.
And on Wall Street, recession fears weighed
down much of the market. The Dow Jones industrial
average lost 218 points to close at 23664.
The Nasdaq did gain 45 points, but the S&P
500 slipped 20.
Still to come on the "NewsHour": the Supreme
Court continues to hear cases of great consequence
from a distance; Republican Senator John Thune
discusses the federal government's latest
coronavirus response; an increasing number
of Americans forego critical medical care,
for fear of entering hospitals; the CEO of
Southwest Airlines on the industry's plans
to reopen travel; and much more.
