Hey there! It’s Wednesday, and Spider-Man finally met the Pope, which has me wondering about the Vatican’s favorite Marvel movie. Here’s what you need to know today.

(By the way, if you’d like this emailed to your inbox, you can sign up here.)

1. Former Blackhawks coach convicted of a sex crime had been investigated for other allegations – and the team didn’t help

The Chicago Blackhawks did not aid a Michigan police investigation of sexual misconduct allegations against a high school hockey coach who previously worked for the team, according to a police investigative report obtained by WBEZ’s Tony Arnold and Dave McKinney.

The former Blackhawks assistant coach, Bradley Aldrich, was accused last month in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a player on the team in 2010, before Aldrich began working as a high school assistant coach in Michigan.

A 2013 investigative report from the Houghton Police Department in Michigan shows authorities received at least two allegations of “inappropriate” and “uncomfortable” sexual contact against Aldrich. Those allegations did not lead to criminal charges.

The report shows police contacted the Blackhawks about Aldrich’s time with the team. But the human resources director for the Blackhawks “requested a search warrant or subpoena to give out any information regarding Brad Aldrich leaving” the team, the report states.

In 2013, Aldrich pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct involving a student, who is now suing the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks did not respond to requests for comment by WBEZ. [WBEZ]

2. Will Biden’s anti-crime plan work in Chicago?

President Joe Biden today announced a strategy to combat a surge in gun violence in Chicago and many other cities, putting the White House at the forefront of a politically sensitive issue that comes amid a national debate over policing and racism.

Biden’s plan would provide more money and support to local police departments, a move that will likely disappoint the more liberal wing of the Democratic Party that advocates for rethinking traditional policing under the “defund the police” slogan.

The president’s anti-crime strategy also includes supporting community violence intervention programs and cracking down on gun sellers who violate federal laws. [NPR]

3. An off the rails City Council meeting resulted in no vote on renaming Lake Shore Drive

Chaos erupted at today’s meeting of the Chicago City Council, resulting in aldermen not taking a vote on a plan to rename Lake Shore Drive in honor of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable.

(According to veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman at the Chicago Sun-Times, today was “one of the more bizarre City Council meetings in memory.”)

As WBEZ’s Becky Vevea reports, things went south when critics of Mayor Lori Lightfoot delayed the nomination of Celia Meza as the first Latina to serve as the city’s top attorney.

Last week, Meza created some enemies in the council when she filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from Anjanette Young, who is suing the city after an all-male team of police officers wrongfully raided her home and left her standing naked.

The City Council will now reconvene on Friday afternoon. [WBEZ]

4. The Supreme Court rules police can’t enter a home for minor crimes without a warrant

In a unanimous vote, the Supreme Court today ruled police cannot enter a home without a warrant when pursuing someone for a minor crime.

“On many occasions, the officer will have good reason to enter — to prevent imminent harms of violence, destruction of evidence, or escape from the home,” Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the majority. “But when the officer has time to get a warrant, he must do so — even though the misdemeanant fled.” [NPR]

The nation’s high court also ruled today that a former cheerleader’s online F-bombs about her school is protected speech under the First Amendment. [NPR]

5. Missouri leads the nation with the highest rate of COVID-19 infections

Missouri officials are reporting a steep rise in new coronavirus infections that’s fueled by a combination of the highly contagious Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy, reports The Associated Press.

In one county in Missouri, just 13% of residents are at least partially vaccinated, the AP reports. Most southern and northern counties are well short of 40%.

“If people elsewhere in the country are looking to us and saying, ‘No thanks’ and they are getting vaccinated, that is good,” said an official with Mercy Hospital Springfield, which faces a spike in hospitalizations. “We will be the canary.” [AP]

Meanwhile, a safety group for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is a “likely association” between COVID-19 shots and a rare heart inflammation reported in more than 1,200 young people. [CNBC]

Here’s what else is happening

• Transgender athletes will not be banned from competing on girls’ sports teams in Louisiana. [AP]
• In an effort to combat pollution, a Chicago alderman is proposing a ban on single-use foodware for takeout meals and deliveries. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• A lifeguard shortage is causing the Chicago Park District to keep indoor pools closed. [Block Club Chicago]
• Photos show the scope of devastation caused by this week’s tornadoes in southwest suburban Chicago. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

It’s been a massive Pride month for the LGBTQ community. Bars and nightclubs are reopening for the first time in more than a year, and the first active NFL player recently came out as gay.

And that’s not all. But first, here’s a SPOILER alert.

…

Loki is bisexual!

The god of mischief played by actor Tom Hiddleston casually states his sexual orientation in today’s new episode of Loki on Disney+, according to The A.V. Club. That makes Loki the most prominent LGBTQ character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. [A.V. Club]

Tell me something good …

It’s officially summer now, and I’d like to know: What are your summer plans?

Kimberly writes:

“I have the most wonderful summer plan. I am finally marrying the love of my life! After many delays — due to death and illnesses, and last year, because of COVID-19 — we are now officially ‘tying the knot.’ My new husband and I are an older couple, who had our past loves and heartaches, but found both peace and passion in each other after all these years. While I have been fine living with him and sharing our life together, I am still so giddy about our wedding day!”

Feel free to email me at therundown@wbez.org or tweet me at @whuntah.

Have a nice night! If you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.