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As Derek Chauvin’s murder trial continues, another Black man is killed by cops in Minneapolis. Stephen Maturen / Getty News

Here’s your daily roundup of all the latest local and national news. (Like our coverage? Please consider making a recurring contribution to the Mercury to keep it comin’!)

IN LOCAL NEWS:

• Thanks to production problems at a Johnson & Johnson site, the vaccine supply promised to Oregon this week will be 88 percent less than expected, and it’s not looking so great for next week either. However, the OHA predicts that, thanks to the continued supply of Pfizer and Moderna doses, there will only be a slight delay in the state’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of residents by the end of May.

• A very good reason to get vaccinated: Though no COVID-related deaths were reported yesterday, there were still 499 new cases and hospitalizations are on the rise.

• Today in “racist dummies with guns”: FEMA has been setting up mobile trailers in Southern Oregon’s Jackson County to house wildfire survivors, and have been met by conspiracy theory-spouting, racist idiots with guns who assumed the trailers were there to provide housing for immigrants crossing the border in Mexico. (Which actually is a pretty good idea, come to think of it.) RELATED: Did you hear about all those “White Lives Matter” rallies that were supposed to pop up in Oregon and across the country yesterday to demonstrate the level of support they have for their racist ideas? Hardly anybody showed up.

Prosecutors keep tabs on cops whose past actions might cast doubt on their testimony. Across WA’s 39 counties, we found nearly 200 officers who have been flagged by prosecutors for issues such as lying, excessive force or bias — but remain on the force. https://t.co/3yuM218G9t

— Melissa Santos (@MelissaSantos1) April 8, 2021

• The veggie-forward restaurant/bar G-Love extends their farm-to-table vibes to their cocktail program, and our Janey Wong takes you on a delicious tour of their menu in the latest edition of “Cocktail To-Go Club!”

IN NATIONAL NEWS:

• School’s back in, and therefore so are SCHOOL SHOOTINGS: One person has been reported dead, and a police officer has been injured during a shooting at a high school in Knoxville, Tennessee. The story is still developing.

• As the Derek Chauvin trial continues in the same city, yesterday a Minneapolis police officer fatally shot a young Black man, Daunte Wright, during a traffic stop—and the details get worse from there. Not only was Wright allegedly pulled over because of an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror (!!), according to the cops, the officer thought she was using her taser when in fact she pulled her sidearm and killed Wright. Within hours of the shooting, hundreds of protesters clashed with police who in turn shot teargas and flashbangs at the crowd. (By all means, tell me once again why police are necessary for enforcing minor traffic violations.)

Portland cop Dan Resiter did something similar in 2011: He fired live rounds instead of “less lethal” beanbag rounds at a person in crisis. Reister was fired for the mistake in 2013, making him one of the few PPB officers to lose their job over misconduct.https://t.co/TpPENxP31l https://t.co/WPoAr8xPPi

— Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) April 12, 2021

• The brother of George Floyd testified today in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, delivering emotional testimony describing how George became the head of the household after the death of their mother. Meanwhile the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Floyd told the jury that his death was a homicide and that Chauvin’s callous actions were the reason George Floyd was dead.

• Related, related, related: An investigation has begun into a traffic stop in which a white Virginia police officer threatened to execute a Black Army officer.

• Director Antoine Fuqua and actor Will Smith have announced they will pull their big-budget film Emancipation out of Georgia, following the passage of the state’s racist voter suppression. (Hey Marvel! You should be next!)

• According to data analysis by the Washington Post, far-right domestic terrorism is on the rise in America, and… well… I’ll just leave this quote from the story right here: “Since 2015, right-wing extremists have been involved in 267 plots or attacks and 91 fatalities, the data shows. At the same time, attacks and plots ascribed to far-left views accounted for 66 incidents leading to 19 deaths.” (Send that quote to your relatives next time they shit-talk Portland!)

President Biden has picked Christine Wormuth to be the next secretary of the Army, the White House has announced. She would, if confirmed by the Senate, be the first woman to hold the position. https://t.co/mSm5x1HqPu

— CNN (@CNN) April 12, 2021

• The COVID-19 surge in Michigan has gotten so out of control, the CDC is recommending they return to a complete shutdown. (There, but for the grace of god, go we and everybody else.)

• Creepy-creep Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been accused of sex trafficking an underage girl, allegedly tried to schedule a meeting with his dark lord Donald Trump… but was turned away, because even Trump doesn’t want anything to do with him! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA yessssssssss.

• Also, HAPPY BLACK HOLE WEEK!

We’re kicking off #BlackHoleWeek⚫ with Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy! Back in 2013, Chandra caught our friendly neighborhood #BlackHole flaring up as it likely tore apart & devoured an asteroid. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FWub6M4Rba

— Chandra Observatory (@chandraxray) April 12, 2021

• Live comedy is BACK, and the Rose City Rollers and the Mercury are presenting a live OUTDOOR comedy event with an awesome lineup of hilarious local and nationally recognized comedians! It’s coming at ya April 22, 23, and 24, so get your tickets pronto!

• HELLO, STONERS! You will be pleased to know that SPLIFF—the short flick film festival about cannabis and all things “stoned”—is kicking off April 16-24 and you can get your tickets NOW. (So hurry up before you forget… because you know you will.)

• And now… THE WEATHER REPORT: Another freaking gorgeous day tomorrow with a high of 66!

• And finally, here’s the good samaritan of the day… OR ARE THEY?? (Watch to the end.)

The way I screamed after watching the end of this video! 😩😩😩😂 pic.twitter.com/gTmu58sezO

— Stepmother of Dragons 🐲 (@cheembeam) April 12, 2021

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