The biggest news to start your day.
More prayer services and candlelight vigils are scheduled for Friday as the grieving Parkland, Fla., community remembers the 17 lives lost in Wednesday’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The massacre prompted a parent organization on Thursday to march on the state Capitol demanding gun control legislation. Despite the National Rifle Association’s heavy influence in Washington, several leading Republicans also said it’s time for Congress to finally dive into the issue of gun violence. Authorities have not formally identified any of the victims, but friends, family and coaches have shared their memories. Here are some of their stories.
You know the struggle is real when Mikaela Shiffrin isn’t medaling in her best event. After vomiting before her first slalom run, Shiffrin was unable to defend her slalom gold medal and missed the podium and a chance at history. Nathan Chen fell apart in the men’s short program, but the skating news wasn’t all bad. Vincent Zhou made Olympic history, and Adam Rippon dazzled on the ice — while inspiring off it. He revealed some details on his, well, revealing outfit. Later in the day, superstar Lindsey Vonn will attempt to be the oldest alpine skiing medalist at 33 years old. Keep up with how Team USA is faring in the medal count here.
Black Panther, the most high-profile black movie superhero yet, is finally hitting theaters. The movie, starring Chadwick Boseman as the titular African king and masked warrior, is poised to royally rock pop culture, and fans are already praising the film for celebrating black excellence at an unprecedented level. The all-star cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, Martin Freeman and Daniel Kaluuya, among others. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the highly anticipated film has already broken Marvel’s pre-sale records and is expected to pull a box-office opening of $100 million to $120 million.
Boston sports radio station WEEI will go off the air from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday for sensitivity training in the wake of recent on-air controversies, including one that led to the suspension of a host after he criticized New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s 5-year-old daughter. The station said it ordered the mandatory session « to ensure that our programming is never intolerant or harmful to our listeners or our city. » Host Alex Reimer was suspended indefinitely last month after calling Brady’s daughter, Vivian, an « annoying little pissant.” Brady then went on air before the Super Bowl to say he would « evaluate » whether he would continue his relationship with the station.
Millions around the world will celebrate Chinese New Year Friday, ushering in the year of the Dog. The biggest celebrations will be held in China, where 1.3 billion people will travel to be with family and friends, but there are festivities in many Asian countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Korea. Lunar New Year celebrations last 15 days, beginning by cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck and culminating in the spectacular Lantern Festival. Popular traditions include fireworks, the dragon dance, the giving of money in red envelopes and eating traditional foods.
