Axios PM: Prosecutor apologizes

Plus: Disney's "Star Wars" hotel | Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Morgan Stanley   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Nov 17, 2021 Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 474 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Prosecutor apologizes Norman 3X Butler, now known as Muhammad Abdul Aziz, is escorted by detectives after his arrest in New York in 1965. Photo: AP 56 years after the murder of Malcolm X, two men convicted of his killing are set to be exonerated. Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. will ask a judge tomorrow to vacate the sentences of Muhammad Abdul Aziz, 83, and Khalil Islam, who died in 2009. In a New York Times interview, Vance apologized on behalf of law enforcement, saying "what we can do is acknowledge the error, the severity of the error." Last year, Vance's office said it was considering reopening the case after Netflix aired "Who Killed Malcolm X?" Between the lines: Scholars and civil rights advocates have long said men charged with killing Malcolm X, later known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, were wrongly convicted, notes Axios' Russell Contreras. Malcolm X's killing came at a time when the FBI was monitoring civil rights leaders — and actively trying to get the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to kill himself or catch him in a personal scandal. The big picture: A 22-month investigation found the FBI, NYPD and prosecutors withheld evidence, The Times reports. Go deeper.     2. COVID strategy backfires at schools Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Schools across the country are discovering they may have been duped when they spent as much as $100 million on new air systems during COVID — with some of the equipment doing more harm than good. The big picture: In some cases, the efforts to keep kids and teachers safe in schools may not be as effective as the 99.99% some companies claimed, Axios' Marisa Fernandez reports. In others, the air cleaning systems could be exposing them to the harmful toxins ozone and formaldehyde, experts warn. Keep reading.     A message from Morgan Stanley At Scale Podcast: The humanitarian cost of plastic waste     Human societies have produced more than nine billion tons of plastic since the 1950s. Nearly all of it ends up as trash, polluting our environment and our communities. Most of that plastic waste disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, and it's become a social justice issue. Listen now.     3. Catch up quick Drug overdose deaths topped 100,000 for the first time in the 12-month period ending in April 2021, the CDC said today. The deaths were a 28% increase from the same period a year before. Apple will allow consumers to make common repairs to some iPhone models. A new online store, set to open early next year, will give customers access to more than 200 parts and tools. Go deeper. Jacob Chansley, known as the "QAnon Shaman," was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his involvement in the Jan. 6 riot. Go deeper.     4. 1 for the road: Disney's "Star Wars" hotel Atrium of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Photo: Disney Lightsaber training and shuttles to the planet Batuu are among the features of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, an immersive hotel experience opening March 1 at Disney World in Florida. "Sympathize with the First Order? Chit-chat with First Order Lieutenant Harman Croy and keep an eye on your Star Wars datapad—accessible within the Disney app on your phone," Bloomberg writes after a preview visit. The bottom line: Guests will pay $4,809 or more per double occupancy cabin for two-night voyages, Bloomberg reports: "[A] family of four might pay closer to $6,000. Bookings are ... sold out through the end of June." Go deeper.     A message from Morgan Stanley At Scale Podcast: The humanitarian cost of plastic waste     Human societies have produced more than nine billion tons of plastic since the 1950s. Nearly all of it ends up as trash, polluting our environment and our communities. Most of that plastic waste disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, and it's become a social justice issue. Listen now.   Like this email style and format? Learn more about Axios HQ. It'll help you deliver employee communications more effectively.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: