The Justice Department is investigating the Phoenix police department over allegations that its officers use excessive force and abuse homeless people. The mayor and police chief have promised to cooperate with the probe, which is the third of the Biden administration, joining inquiries into policing in Louisville, Ky. and Minneapolis.

 

View this email online by Korva Coleman and Christopher Dean Hopkins First Up Noah Berger/AP Here's what we're following today. The massive Dixie Fire is spreading swiftly in northern California, burning close to the same place where the 2018 Camp Fire left 85 people dead. Both fires started for the same reason — downed electrical lines. The Dixie Fire — the second-largest blaze now burning in the U.S. — has torched a small, historic town and forced thousands to flee. Some Florida school districts are in a showdown with Gov. Ron DeSantis. They want to require masks for their students this fall; he's forbidden it, saying parents should make the choice. Florida, currently home to the nation's worst coronavirus infection rate, may cut funding from school districts that try to mandate masks. Restaurants and bars have hired hundreds of thousands of cooks and servers in recent months to meet surging demand, but the industry is still massively short on workers. While some potential workers may be eyeing coronavirus numbers or waiting for schools to reopen, businesses are hoping that added benefits like paid vacation and health insurance — and wages 10% higher than last year — will lure more back. The Justice Department is investigating the Phoenix police department over allegations that its officers use excessive force and abuse homeless people. The mayor and police chief have promised to cooperate with the probe, which is the third of the Biden administration, joining inquiries into policing in Louisville, Ky. and Minneapolis. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Today's Listens DrAfter123/Getty Images One Medical has a reputation for being a high-end health care provider, but some employees say it's rushing work to increase its profits. Dozens of them are trying to unionize in response to what they call mismanagement, poor working conditions and a declining focus on patients. The company, already scrutinized for allegedly trying to profit off vaccine distribution, rejects the workers' claims. Read more about the story or listen to it. Edith Murway turns 100 on Sunday. She's also in her ninth year of powerlifting, and recently got a world record by deadlifting 150 pounds. Hear her story. Dark money poses a threat to American democracy, New Yorker writer Jane Mayer tells Fresh Air. A handful of wealthy conservatives are pushing the Big Lie — the falsehood that the election was stolen from former president Donald Trump — by paying for Arizona Republicans' fiercely criticized audit of ballots from the 2020 election. They're also backing new laws that make voting more difficult — or could allow a state legislature to overturn its state's election results. Listen to find out how. The Tokyo Olympics David Ramos/Getty Images Allyson Felix made history today, winning her tenth Olympic medal as she finished third in the 400-meter race. That's more medals than any other female track star in history, and ties her with Carl Lewis for the most by a U.S. track athlete.  A U.S. women’s beach volleyball team has captured the gold medal. Alix Klineman and April Ross defeated a team from Australia to win the championship. For Ross, it completes a medal set — she won silver in London in 2012 and bronze in Rio de Janeiro four years later. The summer Olympics are coming to a close in Tokyo, but the 2022 Winter Olympics will open in fewer than six months in Beijing. With coronavirus outbreaks still raging in parts of the world, Chinese Olympic officials are closely watching the Tokyo games to evaluate the effectiveness of their pandemic safety measures. Before You Go Manu Fernandez/AP Lionel Messi, one of the greatest soccer players in the world, will leave FC Barcelona after 17 years. The Spanish league's salary cap made paying the Argentine superstar nearly impossible. CNN fired three employees for coming to work without getting a COVID-19 vaccination. The cable news channel says the inoculations are required if workers are in physical proximity with fellow employees, whether in the office or out in the field. The Romance Writers of America, which emerged from a controversy over racism last year by vowing to do better, awarded a major prize this year to a book with a hero who murders Native Americans at Wounded Knee. The award was rescinded but the controversy’s not over. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Illinois Public Media - WILL (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Music, Politics, Health and more!