Good morning! The weekend edition is 722 words, a 3 minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• LA fire chief gets fired

• Michael Jordan opens another medical clinic

• Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle Cheetos

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Today’s Big Story

Alabama’s Criminal Cops

The small city of Hanceville, Alabama placed its entire police force on leave after a grand jury recommended shutting down the department.

• The grand jury said the town’s police had been operating "more like a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency." As a result, the Cullman County Sheriff's Department is temporarily taking over police duties.

• The police force was indicted on serious charges, including mishandling evidence from the department's evidence room, misusing state criminal databases, and distributing controlled substances among themselves. Six people total were charged, including the chief, four officers, and one officer's wife.

• The investigation began after a police dispatcher who had access to the evidence room was found dead at work in August 2024. An autopsy showed the dispatcher died from a combination of fentanyl and other drugs. When investigators examined the evidence room, they found it had been seriously mismanaged to the point where evidence couldn't be used.

• Hanceville has 3,200 residents and is located 45 miles north of Birmingham. The city council plans to meet on February 27 to discuss the future of the police department, which had eight officers total before the incident.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• Scientists at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital used gene therapy to help four legally blind toddlers significantly improve their vision. The treatment involved injecting healthy genes into their eyes to correct a rare genetic defect. After treatment, some children progressed from barely detecting light to being able to draw and write. (More)

• Israeli PM Netanyahu condemned Hamas for a "cruel" breach of the ceasefire after they released a body that wasn't the promised Israeli mother of two small boys. While the incident created tension, the next exchange of six Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners is expected to continue. Hamas claimed a possible mix-up occurred due to Israeli bombing and promised to investigate. (More)

• The Yankees ended their 49-year ban on beards to help attract new players as they chase their first World Series since 2009. Owner Hal Steinbrenner called the rule "outdated" and acknowledged that beards are an important part of modern men's identity. (More)

• Judge Dale Ho postponed NYC Mayor Eric Adams' corruption trial indefinitely and appointed former US Solicitor General Paul Clement to argue against prosecutors' motion to dismiss charges. Since both Adams and the Justice Department support dismissal, Ho wants an independent analysis of this important case before making his decision. (More)

• LA Mayor Karen Bass fired Fire Chief Kristin Crowley following the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires. Bass cited Crowley's decision to send home 1,000 firefighters before the fires and refusal to complete an investigation report. Retired Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva will serve as interim chief. Bass herself faced criticism for being in Ghana during the fires. (More)

• The Senate passed a $340 billion Republican budget plan supporting Trump's immigration, energy, and military priorities after an overnight voting session. Only GOP Senator Rand Paul joined Democrats in opposing it. The House will consider its own version with tax cuts and debt limit changes next week. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• Retired Army veteran and former architecture student Pete Adler now leads volunteers in building free wheelchair ramps for seniors and disabled neighbors. (More)

• Michael Jordan opened his fourth medical clinic in North Carolina, the second in his hometown of Wilmington. The 7,300-square-foot facility will provide primary care to all patients, including those without insurance. (More)

• Nonprofit Mobile Crisis Construction creates portable block factories in disaster zones, turning rubble into "LayGo" bricks. These interlocking blocks, made from crushed debris and minimal new materials, can quickly rebuild homes. One machine produces enough bricks for 10 houses every three days. (More)

• During Ramadan, TikToker Zachery Dereniowski ordered 1,000 shawarmas from Hussein's struggling Ontario restaurant. When Hussein offered to donate 300 meals for underprivileged families, Dereniowski surprised him with a $1,000 tip and later returned with $50,000 raised from followers. (More)

Extra Credit

🧑‍🚀 How do astronauts shower in space?

🚀 Man finds a rogue chunk of SpaceX rocket in his garden.

👩 See Time Magazine’s Women of the Year.

🐯 Cheetos debuts Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle flavor.