Apr 3, 2019

Police investigating "white power" symbol found after social justice center burned down

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and agents from Tennessee's bomb and arson agency opened an investigation Tuesday after an iconic social justice center was destroyed in a fire last week where a "white power" symbol was found spray painted on its parking lot. No one was injured in the fire.

Why it matters: The Highlander Research and Education Center, founded in 1932, congregated civil rights figures like Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks for training and organizing efforts. Rhetoric, protests and crimes related to white nationalism have increased in recent years in the U.S. and globally. The center called for the community to stay vigilant.

Go deeper: The rise of white nationalism in America

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Kendall Baker

MLB's Rob Manfred is latest villain in Astros' cheating scandal

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's decision to grant Astros players immunity in exchange for confessions about their sign-stealing scheme has undermined his reputation — and he only made himself look worse on Sunday.

The interview: In a 45-minute conversation with ESPN, Manfred asserted that public shame was punishment enough for the Astros. He also called the World Series trophy "just a piece of metal" and said that taking a title away from Houston "seems like a futile act."

Go deeper54 mins ago - Sports

Dion Rabouin

Economists warn coronavirus risk far worse than realized

Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

Worries are growing that the economic impact from the novel coronavirus outbreak will be worse than expected and that markets are being too complacent in factoring it in as a risk.

What's happening: The number of confirmed cases has already far outpaced expectations and even those reports are being viewed through a lens of suspicion that the Chinese government is underreporting the figures.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Economy & Business

Sara Fischer

National newspapers thrive while local outlets struggle to survive

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

While big national newspapers grow stronger, local newspaper chains that have for decades kept the vast majority of the country informed are combusting.

Why it matters: The inequity between giants like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and their local counterparts represents a growing problem in America as local communities no longer have the power to set the agenda for the news that most affects them.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Economy & Business