promoearn: He's accused of choking Eric Garner. He was fired.

Monday, August 19

People participate in a protest to mark the five-year anniversary of the death of Eric Garner on July 17, 2019 in New York.

He's accused of choking Eric Garner. He was fired.

Three mass shooting plots, firefighters missing in Florida and the officer involved in Eric Garner's death: Monday's news

A trio of thwarted mass shooting plots. Firefighters missing off the coast of Florida. And an update on the president's not-so-little son. Here's the news you need to know Monday.

But first, there is good in the world: El Paso teachers asked for notes to comfort students after the mass shooting. They received thousands of postcards and letters.

NYPD officer accused of chokehold fired

The police officer who subdued Eric Garner moments before his death will be fired, an NYPD official announced Monday. Officer Daniel Pantaleo, a 13-year department veteran, was accused of placing a banned chokehold on Garner during an arrest five years ago in New York as Garner cried, "I can't breathe." An autopsy found Garner's death was caused in part by a chokehold, and the case was ruled a homicide. Video of the arrest triggered nationwide protests as Garner's dying words became a battle cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill's decision to fire the officer drew outrage from the police union and a guarded "thank you" from one of Garner's children.

People participate in a protest July 17 to mark the five-year anniversary of the death of Eric Garner in New York.

Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

Epstein's death shook up federal prisons

The acting director of the federal prison system has been ousted after the suicide of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Attorney General William Barr announced the removal of Hugh Hurwitz on Monday. Epstein was awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy about a week ago when the 66-year-old was found dead at Metropolitan Correctional Center, part of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. His death is the subject of at least three federal investigations, including a look into whether Epstein's guards slept through checks on his prison cell during the hours before his death.

What everyone's talking about

•	We hardly flew ye: RIP to these Southwest flights that the airline is dropping – nearly 20 nonstop routes in all.
•	Newt Gingrich said slavery needs to be put "in context" and called The New York Times' 1619 project a "lie."
•	After a clown doll landed in this woman's backyard, she said she burned it and slept with a knife. 🤡
•	Colton Underwood revealed he lied to "Bachelor" producers when Hannah was left off a date.
•	Jada Pinkett Smith said she knew she and Will weren't cut out for a "conventional marriage."

Two firefighters went fishing. They've been missing three days

The search continues for two firefighters who disappeared Friday after heading out for a day of fishing in Florida's Port Canaveral. Since Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard has searched about 24,000 square miles after Brian McCluney, a Jacksonville Fire Department firefighter, and Justin Walker, a Fairfax County, Virginia, firefighter, were reported missing.

Stephanie Young McCluney, wife of Brian McCluney, one of two missing boaters, is joined by supporters who gathered at Jetty Park Aug. 18 to pray and search the shore for any clues in the search for the missing boaters who left Port Canaveral.

TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY

State schools may take your taxes but not your kids

Out-of-state enrollment is skyrocketing as some public colleges and universities have become a battleground for geographically diverse students. A USA TODAY analysis shows public universities have sharply decreased numbers of in-state students – and increased the number of out-of-state ones – in freshman classes over the past five years. Residents in some states demand universities reserve enough space to serve the students of taxpaying residents. Is your own state or college aggressively targeting out-of-state students? Find out using our exclusive database.

Real quick

•	Elizabeth Warren apologized at a Native American forum for "harm I have caused" through her ancestry claims.
•	Elton John defended Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan from "distorted and malicious" media coverage.
•	California adopted one of the nation's strictest laws regulating police use of force, hoping it will deter shootings by law enforcement agents.
•	Planned Parenthood said it's pulling out of the federal family planning program.
•	Children fed gluten-heavy foods frequently in their early years may be more likely to develop gluten intolerance, a new study says.

3 mass shooting plots stopped around the country

Three mass shooting plots were thwarted and three men were arrested in unrelated cases, according to authorities in Connecticut, Florida and Ohio. The arrests come amid renewed cries for legislation to change the country's gun laws in the wake of mass shootings. Here's what we know about the three cases:

•	Connecticut: A 22-year-old man was arrested on four counts of illegal possession of large-capacity magazines, police said Thursday. Posts on Facebook showed an "interest in committing a mass shooting," police said.
•	Florida: A 25-year-old Daytona Beach man was charged with making threats to commit a mass shooting and arrested Friday.
•	Ohio: Police arrested a 20-year-old man Friday after receiving a tip about an online video in which the man identified himself as the shooter at a Jewish community center – an incident that hadn't happened yet, according to the FBI.

Has anyone seen Barron Trump lately?

America hasn't seen or heard much about 13-year-old Barron Trump since his dad became president, so many people might have missed it: The kid has really grown. He's at least slightly taller than either of his parents, even the first lady in her customary 5-inch stilettos.

President Donald Trump, flanked by first lady Melania Trump and son Barron, 13, return to the White House following a stay in Bedminster, N.J.

Tasos Katopodis / POOL/ EPA-EFE

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this snappy news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for "The Short List" newsletter here.

Start your day with the 5 Things podcast: Five news stories. Less than five minutes. Free to subscribe.