Arrests in Tyre Nichols death, annual COVID boosters?: 5 Things podcast

On today’s episode of the 5 Things podcast: Former Memphis police officers arrested, face murder charges in Tyre Nichols’ death

Former Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Tyre Nichols. Plus, the economy grew solidly in the 4th quarter, the National Archives asks all former presidents and vice presidents to check if they have classified  materials, USA TODAY Sports Reporter Josh Peter looks at the challenges for LGBTQ student-athletes at BYU, and USA TODAY Patient Safety Reporter Karen Weintraub looks at the future of COVID-19 boosters after an FDA panel moves to simplify the shots.

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Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Taylor Wilson:

Good morning. I’m Taylor Wilson and this is 5 Things you need to know Friday, the 27th of January 2023. Today, murder charges for former Memphis cops in their involvement at a traffic stop that led to a man’s death. Plus, the economy finished strong last year, and we look at the challenges for queer student athletes at BYU.

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Five former Memphis police officers have been arrested after their involvement in a traffic stop that came before a man’s death. The officers have each been charged with one count of second degree murder, and all posted bond yesterday between $250,000 and $350,000. The charges come less than a week after the officers were fired and accused of violating department policy during the stop of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols. According to an initial statement from police, he complained of shortness of breath and was hospitalized in critical condition on January 7th. He then died on January 10th. Memphis police have not explained what happened during the confrontations. The city will release video of the stop at some point after 7:00 PM Eastern time today, though some will be redacted. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said, “What’s captured on video is appalling.”

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Well, after limping out of the starting gate in 2022, the economy closed the year strong. The Commerce Department said yesterday that the nation’s gross domestic product, or value of all goods and services produced in the country, expanded by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. That’s better than the 2.6% predicted by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Solid gains in consumer spending and business stockpiling offset another terrible quarter for housing. Overall, the economy grew 2.1% last year, after a 5.7% advance the previous year, helped by an easing pandemic. Still, many economists expect a modest recession in 2023. For more on the near term recession outlook, and how to understand some of the signals that could help us predict what’s coming, tune into this Sunday’s edition of 5 Things, when host James Brown digs into it.

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The National Archives yesterday asked former presidents and vice presidents to look for any sensitive and potentially top secret material they might have. The move comes amid a steady stream of improperly kept documents, ranging from current President Joe Biden, to former President Donald Trump, and former Vice President Mike Pence. Federal statutes require that such documents be given to the National Archives and Records Administration for safekeeping, and eventual disclosure to the American public. Earlier this week, former presidents Barack Obama and George H. W. Bush said they believed they did not have classified material in their possession, as did former vice presidents, Al Gore and Dan Quayle.

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Challenges for LGBTQ athletes are emerging from the shadows at BYU, the university where any same-sex romantic behavior is a violation of the school’s honor code. For more, I’m now joined by USA TODAY Sports Reporter Josh Peter. Josh, thanks for coming on 5 Things.

Josh Peter:

Thanks for having me. I really appreciate it.

Taylor Wilson:

So let’s talk about this honor code at BYU. How does it specifically address LGBTQ students?

Josh Peter:

Well, specifically, it prohibits any same sex romantic behavior, which would be holding hands; kissing; things that might strike people as pretty benign. That is prohibited. And can result, not only in investigation, but expulsion from the school.

Taylor Wilson:

Josh, what did you hear from some of the student athletes who you spoke with about their experiences being LGBTQ at Brigham Young?

Josh Peter:

In general, what struck me is that all of them, at some point, wanted to work within the parameters of the school to foster a more inclusive environment for athletes. And that, ultimately, what they found is that the honor code was a hurdle they couldn’t clear. It was something that prevented them from getting to a place where they felt truly comfortable being themselves. And Mina Margraf, who is a sophomore gymnast, had an experience she shared with me, in which the school asked her to tape a video for their Instagram. And before they started, they said that, “You can’t use the word gay.” And she was just dumbfounded. Now, ultimately, they relented. The video was never published. And she walks away thinking, “I still haven’t been accepted.” So that’s, ultimately, what I think all the athletes I spoke to got was, “We did our part. We believed in certain administrators. But in the end, the school wasn’t going to budge. They weren’t going to change their honor code. And as a result, we’ll never feel fully accepted on campus.”

Taylor Wilson:

Josh, I know you also spoke with Emma Gee, this is a bisexual former BYU runner. She launched The Queer Athlete Podcast to try and hear some more of these stories. What did you hear from her in that podcast?

Josh Peter:

Right, well, most recently she published an interview with Jon Stanley, who’s a senior volleyball player. There was a time where he posted on Instagram an image, calling out BYU for this honor code. It was an illuminated rainbow-colored Y, and was being used by the local LGBTQ community to bring attention to the honor code and this prohibition. And he said that he was asked by volleyball coaches to take it down. He also said that, particularly as a freshman, the coaches approached him and said, “Your clothing’s inappropriate.” One was a floral headband, had to stop wearing the headband. At one point, he realized, “I’m only wearing sweatpants and jackets, and I’ve lost a piece of myself.”

Taylor Wilson:

What does BYU say publicly about stories like these? And in general, Josh, how do they defend this honor code?

Josh Peter:

The athletic director basically said, “When our athletes arrive at school, they’ve agreed to adhere to the honor code.” That it’s just part of the culture. I think what happens is, after spending some time on campus, and maybe exploring the environment and who they are, it’s something that grows increasingly distasteful. And so they’re pushing back. There’s really very little room for that at BYU.

Taylor Wilson:

All right. Great insight, Josh Peter. Thank you so much for making the time, really appreciate it.

Josh Peter:

Thanks so much for having me. I really appreciate it, too.

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Taylor Wilson:

When it comes to COVID-19, 90% of the American public has now been infected, vaccinated, or both. So how should we think about COVID vaccines going forward, as the virus lingers? A federal advisory panel met yesterday to discuss ways to simplify and better schedule COVID shots in the years to come. I chatted with USA TODAY Patient Safety Reporter Karen Weintraub, to find out more.