Olympians, beware: Zika is coming

View this email in your browser Brought to you by USATODAY.com Will Zika wreck the Olympics? Ever since we learned of the Zika virus crisis hitting Brazil, we wondered what it means for the Summer Olympics in Rio. We're not alone: Organizers have spent a lot of time reassuring athletes and potential visitors that they'll be spared the effects of the mysterious mosquito-borne disease. The reality: Mosquito issues are prevalent in the area. The World Health Organization and the Brazilian government  are making more vigorous efforts to fight Zika — but that doesn't mean much to the people who already got the virus and the babies born with microcephaly, which is suspected of being linked to Zika. 'Shawshank Fugitive' to go free. Really Back in 1957, Frank Freshwaters, 21, was speeding along a street in Akron, Ohio, when he struck and killed Eugene Flynt, 24. Freshwaters pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, got probation, violated probation and was shipped to prison. He then escaped and spent 56 years on the run and lived under an assumed identity — before being captured last year. Freshwaters has been behind bars ever since. The craziest part?  He won his freedom again at a parole hearing Thursday, despite protests from prosecutors and Flynt's family. We're working on a movie script now. Let's call this a humanity fail: Fellow passengers applaud allergic boy's exit A 7-year-old boy, allergic to dogs, started getting itchy and breaking out in hives on a plane. First, the oh-so-compassionate flight attendant said there are dogs aboard all flights. Thud. There's more: The boy's reaction delayed takeoff, and the family was told they have to leave the plane. As they gathered up their stuff, people clapped . CLAPPED. Seriously, people? The little boy was crushed.The little boy was crushed, as were his parents; his father, who has terminal cancer, wanted to make this a special memory for his son. The Oscars 'thank you' speech *might* be getting replaced with something more important Think of it as a ticker tape of gratitude. Viewers tuning in to Sunday's Academy Awards will find a scroll of names rolling across the bottom of the screen — listing people that winners have preordained to thank. The idea is to allow them to truly say what's in their hearts within the allotted 45 seconds. (Remember those times  the speeches got real.) Will it lead to more memorable speeches? Perhaps. It might also distract viewers. We'll see. Speaking of the Oscars, follow USA TODAY on Snapchat and Twitter for those can't-miss moments and exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage. Today in really important journalism: • Prosecutors in a Los Angeles suburb say they dramatically scaled back a vast and legally questionable eavesdropping operation, built by federal drug agents, that once accounted for nearly a fifth of all U.S. wiretaps. An investigation last year by The Desert Sun and USA TODAY found that the operation almost certainly violated federal wiretapping laws. • Wisconsin educators convicted of inappropriate relationships or abuse of students often plead down from more serious charges and rarely serve more than a year in prison, a USA TODAY NETWORK investigation has found as part of its ongoing nationwide examination of how states handle teacher misconduct. • Apple filed a motion to vacate in its ongoing battle with the FBI over access to the iPhone of one of the assailants in the San Bernardino, Calif., massacre. The company said Thursday that the government's request would ultimately put all of its customers' data at risk. Today in less-important but totally-mind-blowing journalism: • Robots are coming to rule us all one day in the not so distant future. Just watch the video from robotics company Boston Dynamics introducing its new version of Atlas, a super smart robot that can walk outside and move heavy boxes. Seriously, this thing looks like it would be very comfortable chasing you through the woods — and it's kind of terrifying. Want the Short List delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up! This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY. Invite others to enjoy The Short List newsletter. Thank you for subscribing to the The Short List. Got some feedback, a tip or just want to say hello? Email us at newsletters@e.usatoday.com. USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Unsubscribe from the The Short List Why did I get this? Update my subscription preferences USA TODAY 7950 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22102

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