May 16, 2018

Michigan State reaches $500m settlement with Larry Nassar's victims

Larry Nassar during sentencing. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Michigan State has reached a $500 million settlement with 332 women and students assaulted by Larry Nassar, the former sports doctor for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State who is serving decades in prison, the school said Wednesday.

Why it matters: The settlement is more than a third (37%) of MSU's spending budget for 2017-2018 school year, which, along with the number of claimants, shows the scope of how damaging a sexual abuse case can be to universities and could persuade other institutions to be more proactive moving forward.

Details: The agreement stipulates that $425 million of the $500 million settlement will be distributed to the claimants in the lawsuit, while the remaining $75 million will be set aside for two years to protect any future claimants alleging sexual abuse by Nassar.

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Axios

Updated 36 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 6:15 p.m. ET: 30,611,684 — Total deaths: 953,820— Total recoveries: 20,836,867 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 6:15 p.m. ET: 6,756,781 — Total deaths: 199,090 — Total recoveries: 2,556,465 — Total tests: 93,150,052 — Map.
Politics: In reversal, CDC again recommends coronavirus testing for asymptomatic people.
Health: The dwindling chances of eliminating COVID-19.
World: Guatemalan president tests positive for COVID-19 — The countries painting their pandemic recoveries green.

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Jacob Knutson

1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Trump says he expects to announce a Supreme Court nominee "next week"

President Trump speaking prior to his departure from the White House on Sept. 19. Photo: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

President Trump said Saturday he expects to announce a nominee for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's vacant Supreme Court seat “next week” and that the person will “most likely" be a woman.

What he's saying: "If somebody were to ask me now, I would say that a woman would be in first place, yes. The choice of a woman, I would say, would certainly be appropriate," the president told pool reporters.

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Jacob Knutson, Alayna Treene

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Susan Collins says Senate should postpone Supreme Court vote

Sen. Susan Collins. Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said in a statement Saturday she believes whoever is elected in the 2020 presidential race should pick the nominee to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Supreme Court seat.

Why it matters: Collins will be key in how the nomination process plays out. As one of the most centrist Senate Republicans, whether or not the Senate confirms Trump's SCOTUS nominee could hinge on her vote.