Died

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative commentator who transformed the media landscape, died Feb. 17 at age 70. His fans saw him as a conservative hero, deserving of the nation’s highest civilian honor. At the 2020 State of the Union address, President Donald Trump awarded Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Accusations of racism, sexism, and hypocrisy also followed him throughout his career, and at times he apologized for hurtful remarks. But even Limbaugh’s critics could not deny his lasting influence on how American media outlets talk about politics—and life. His success became a road map for how AM radio could survive as a talk show platform. Limbaugh encouraged listeners to give to various charities. In 2008, he ranked fourth on the Forbes list of most generous celebrities. Last year Limbaugh announced he had lung cancer but said he was relying on God.

Acquitted

Seven Senate Republicans joined every Senate Democrat to vote against former President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial on Feb. 13—not nearly enough to reach the two-thirds threshold of senators needed to convict Trump of inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The vote was 57-43. Republican senators gave different reasons to acquit: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Trump had called for a “peaceful” protest prior to the riot. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said rioters had long planned to storm the Capitol. Other Republicans believed the Senate lacked jurisdiction to convict a private citizen who was no longer president. (The House impeached Trump before he left office.)

Jailed

Canadian authorities jailed Pastor James Coates of Edmonton-area GraceLife Church for violating COVID-19 health restrictions. Coates says the Alberta Health Service’s rules—limiting in-person worship gatherings to 15 percent of a church’s capacity and requiring attendees to wear masks and social distance—violate his conscience and religious beliefs. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, GraceLife Church held livestream worship services and followed local health orders. Since the church resumed meeting in person, authorities have fined the pastor and warned the church to follow the ongoing health orders. Coates turned himself in to police on Feb. 16.

Abducted

On Feb. 17, gunmen stormed the Government Science Secondary School in central Nigeria, fatally shot one student, then took 42 captives, including 27 students. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Insurgents have abducted students across central and northern Nigeria in recent years. Some 100 girls remain missing after Boko Haram extremists kidnapped more than 270 from a boarding school in 2014. In February 2018, insurgents from the Islamic State West Africa Province terror group abducted 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, most of whom returned home. In December, some 344 schoolboys went free a few days after armed men took them from their school.