- Chicago police routinely and aggressively infringed upon civil rights, according to a new Department of Justice report. After a 13-month investigation, the DOJ found that the systemic use of excessive force primarily affected people of color [1], reports The New York Times. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Attorney General Loretta Lynch held a joint press conference on Friday to discuss the inquiry as well as present a plan, such as improved training, to address the problem.
- For the first time ever, the US Mint will produce a coin [2] depicting lady liberty as a black woman. Celebrating the Mint's 225th anniversary, the coin will be worth $100 and made of 24 karat gold. Expect it to be released in April.
- Proving that he knows the popular internet meme, Paul Ryan dabbed [3] during his town hall event with CNN's Jake Tapper on Thursday. The speaker did so after a video went viral earlier this month of him looking confused when a congressman's son dabbed during a swearing-in ceremony. Ryan told Tapper that he was not confused but instead thought the teen was sneezing.
- The much-anticipated A Series of Unfortunate Events series premiered today, Friday the 13th, on Netflix. Based on Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket's hit book series, the show is already receiving rave reviews online. Neil Patrick Harris [4] stars as the series's villain [5].
- After reportedly struggling to book acts for the presidential inauguration, the committee released a list of performers for a preinauguration celebration to be held on Thursday. 3 Doors Down, Toby Keith, and Lee Greenwood will perform [6] as musical guests. The actor Jon Voight is also scheduled to make an appearance.