(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser lost her only sister and oldest sibling, Mercia Bowser. The Mayor released the following statement on the passing of her sister:

“My family and I are mourning the loss of my sister, Mercia Bowser, who passed away this morning due to complications related to COVID-19. Mercia was loved immensely and will be missed greatly, as she joins the legion of angels who have gone home too soon due to the pandemic. I ask that you continue to keep those who have been lost or impacted by the pandemic and those who are working so hard to protect us from it in your thoughts and prayers, and I respectfully request that my family and I are granted the time and space we need to mourn the loss of Mercia.

A retired New York City cop and U.S. Marine wanted for allegedly assaulting a Washington, D.C., police officer with a metal flagpole during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot has surrendered on federal charges.

Thomas Webster, 54, who once provided security for New York mayor and City Hall, according to news reports, turned himself in Monday on six counts related to the beating of the officer captured on body camera footage during the pro-Trump insurrection, according to a federal complaint.

By Kristen Holmes @ CNN.com, Feb. 19

The White House is working to quickly fill the vacant seats on the Postal Service Board of Governors.

"President Biden has made clear his feelings on the current leadership of the Postal Service and the challenges it faces, and his team is working as quickly as possible to fill board vacancies so the USPS can effectively fulfill its vital mission for the country, and live up to the commitments made to its workers, " Biden spokesperson Michael Gwin told CNN.

In the second episode of “Renegades: Born in the USA,” released Monday, the 44th president said this psychology was institutionalized over time to justify dehumanizing others and taking advantage of them. Racism is also due to an inner fear that “I’m insignificant and not important. And this thing is the thing that’s going to give me some importance,” Obama added.

To demonstrate his point, he brought up an instance from his school days in Hawaii, when he came to blows with a friend who called him a “coon.” 

Previous COVID NEWS thread HERE, covers 2/19 thru 2/23

while out on parole-