Three former Memphis officers were acquitted Wednesday of all state charges, including second-degree murder, in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols after he ran away from a traffic stop, a death that sparked nationwide protests and prompted renewed calls for police reforms in the U.S. An out-of-town jury from a majority-white county took about 8 1/2 hours over two days to find Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith not guilty on all charges after a nine-day trial in state court in Memphis, which is majority-Black. After the jury’s verdict was read, the defendants hugged their lawyers as relatives of the former officers cried. One relative yelled, “Thank you, Jesus!” Martin Zummach, Smith’s attorney, told The Associated Press by text: “It’s easy to defend a good person.

President Trump announces a big news conference tomorrow morning regarding a “MAJOR TRADE DEAL.”

WILLIAMSBURG: An NYPD cruiser was involved in an accident at Willoughby Avenue and Walworth Street after a passenger in the other vehicle reportedly suffered a medical episode, which may have distracted the driver. Williamsburg Hatzalah treated the officer at the scene and transported him to Kings County Hospital in serious condition. FDNY and EMS also responded, and the area remains closed as the NYPD investigates. (Via WMSBG News)

TERRIFYING FOOTAGE: A driver in Lakewood nearly struck TWO children in a local development this afternoon after they ran and scootered into the street. Parents: be better than this!

A historic project is underway to rebuild the only mikvah taharah in Meron—serving every group in Klal Yisroel, in one of the holiest places on earth. Of all places, you wouldn’t expect this.   In Meron, the most visited Jewish site in the world, the only mikvah taharah has fallen into deep disrepair and is unfit for use.  Each year, over a million people pour in, drawn by the kedusha of Reb Shimon. And yet, just steps away, the only mikvah taharah stands in deep disrepair—its doors closed to those who need it most. Surrounding Meron are thousands of families in Moshav Meron and nearby communities, some of whom have no other mikvah at all.

A wild con game came to a crashing end Wednesday afternoon when Boro Park Shomrim and the NYPD caught two scammers red-handed—right in the middle of trying to pull off the same fake Dubai jewelry scam that had already cost another victim $7,000. It began Monday evening on New Utrecht Avenue, when a well-dressed duo in a luxury vehicle flagged down a Yungerman. Claiming to be visitors from Dubai who had been robbed, they spun an elaborate tale—saying they had valuable jewelry but no cash, and begged for a loan, offering the “jewels” as collateral until they could repay. Convinced by their smooth story and appearance, the victim actually got into their car, rode with them to a bank on 13th Avenue, and withdrew $7,000 in cash.

NEW YORK

The White House is withdrawing the nomination of a former Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat for U.S. surgeon general, marking at least the second health-related pick from President Donald Trump to be pulled from Senate consideration. The withdrawal was confirmed by two people familiar with the matter. Nesheiwat had been scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Thursday for her confirmation hearing. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm a decision not yet made public. Nesheiwat is a medical director for an urgent care company in New York and has appeared regularly on Fox News to offer medical expertise and insights. She is a vocal supporter of Trump and shares photos of them together on social media.

HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Ezrachi, who underwent a heart catheterization earlier this week, is now in recovery in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Despite his weakness, HaRav Ezrachi, one of the Roshei Yeshivah of the Mir, insisted on delivering his weekly sichah to his talmidim via live teleconference. The public is asked to continue davening for the refuah sheleimah of Yaakov Yitzchak ben Hinda Malka b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)