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US News

The Uvalde Families Reached a Settlement With the City

What's going on: Yesterday, 19 families of the Uvalde school shooting victims settled a lawsuit with the city for $2 million. The families also announced they are suing dozens of officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety and Uvalde's school district. This comes just days before the two-year anniversary of a teenage gunman opening fire and killing 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School. One parent said “no amount of money is worth the lives of our children.”

What it means: The deal includes the Uvalde Police Department providing enhanced training for police officers, according to the families’ attorneys. The city also committed to supporting mental health services for the families and community members and establishing a permanent memorial. Uvalde has remained in the spotlight as the police response to the school shooting has been criticized in a number of government reports. The DOJ said it found “cascading failures” as it took nearly 400 officers 77 minutes to confront the shooter.

Related: What Went Wrong in the Uvalde Shooting Police Response (ABC)

Politics

Justice Samuel Alito Is in Hot Water Over His Flags

What's going on: Nearly 50 House Democrats have called on Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from Jan. 6-related cases, with one wanting to go as far as censure. The congressional blowback comes after The New York Times reported last week that an upside-down American flag was flown outside Alito’s home in Jan. 2021 — a known symbol of the “Stop the Steal” movement. Alito told The Times he “had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag,” and that his wife placed it there. She reportedly did it after arguing with a neighbor who had an anti-Trump sign on their lawn. Oh and the Times also reported that an “Appeal to Heaven” flag, which rioters carried on Jan. 6, was flown at Alito’s beach house.

What it means: Public trust in the Supreme Court fell to its lowest level in 50 years after its Roe v. Wade decision. And with the high court expected to release rulings on Jan. 6 cases in the coming weeks, these flag incidents are bringing Alito’s impartiality as a judge into question. It’s worth flagging, Justice Clarence Thomas faced similar calls for recusal over his wife’s actions on Jan. 6.

Related: Nikki Haley Finally Shares Whether Or Not She’s Voting for Trump (USA Today)

Health

Influencers Are Spreading Misinformation About Sunscreen

What's going on:  A growing number of content creators have told their followers that wearing sunscreen causes cancer and blocks the sun’s benefits. Some of the skepticism has apparently been fueled by a recall of spray sunscreens after a testing company detected the carcinogen benzene. Others have also said using sunblock doesn’t allow people to produce the adequate amount of vitamin D.

What it means: Social media has become a breeding ground for medical misinformation. Health agencies in the US and around the world agree that wearing sunscreen is crucial in preventing skin cancer. One expert reportedly said there has been no evidence in the past 40 years of sunscreen’s active ingredients causing harm to people, and added that those who want to avoid absorption can opt for zinc sunblock. When it comes to vitamin D, dermatologists said it’s unlikely that people apply enough sunscreen to completely hinder the production of it.

Related: 23 Best Sunscreens Without a White Cast (Cosmopolitan)