What we’re reading: Derek Chauvin trial begins, COVID-19 cases on the rise

By Tenae Durham

Published Mar 30, 2021

In this image from video, defense attorney Eric Nelson, left, and former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin listen as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides over pre-trial motions prior to opening statements, Monday March 29, 2021, in the trial of Chauvin, in the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

Day one of Derek Chauvin trial

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd by kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, had the first day of his trial on Monday.

According to the New York Times, Chauvin’s lawyer asked the jurors to think beyond the viral video.

The prosecutors, however, asked the jurors to believe exactly what they saw.

Day two of the trial begins today.

Central Tennessee prepares for more rainfall

Water floods the vendor area as races for both the Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series auto race were postponed due to inclement weather at Bristol Motor Speedway, Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Central Tennessee is preparing for more rainfall after a devastating amount of flooding this past weekend.

The effects of the flooding knocked out power to thousands and damaged many homes and businesses, according to CNN.

The floods also killed seven people.

2.5 million people in the region are under flood warnings through Thursday evening.

A 12-year-old Florida boy was abducted, assaulted and shot

A 12-year-old boy was the victim of an assault this past weekend in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

According to NBC, 43-year-old Aliex Santiesteban was brought into custody early Tuesday morning and is charged with several counts, including sexual battery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and attempted murder.

The boy arrived at the hospital in critical condition and is currently stable.

U.S. COVID-19 cases have jumped by 12% in the last week

A nurse holds a swab at a drive-up coronavirus testing station at Harborview Medical Center hospital, Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Seattle. The facility saw a steady stream of employees and patients with symptoms Thursday as testing, which has been going on for several weeks, continued as part of efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

New COVID-19 cases jumped more than 12% nationwide over the last week.

“The seven-day average of new cases topped 63,000 for the first time in nearly a month,” according to the Washington Post.

Michigan had a 57% rise in the last week, leading the nation.

More than 550,000 people have died in the United States due to COVID-19.