Hands Up: The image of a police sniper on top of an armored vehicle may have been the last straw. After four nights of confrontations in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon got rid of local SWAT teams and put the state highway patrol in charge of security. The new commander in charge actually marched with protesters during a peaceful evening last night.

Nixon acted amid complaints that otherwise peaceful demonstrators were being met with a militarized response. Cops in Kevlar helmets and body armor had pointed semi-automatic rifles at unarmed protesters and journalists. It didn’t help that police fired teargas at a news crew and briefly detained two reporters working inside a McDonald’s. All of it caught on tape.

President Obama has ordered a federal investigation of the police shooting Saturday night of the unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown. Calling for calm the resident said, “There is never an excuse for violence against police, or for those who would use this tragedy as a cover for vandalism or looting.” But he added, “There’s also no excuse for police to use excessive force against peaceful protests, or to throw protestors in jail for lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights.” 

Just this morning police revealed the name of the officer who shot Brown as Darren Wilson, a six-year veteran of the Ferguson police.

War Department: The police response in Ferguson has drawn attention to the militarizing of local police departments as the Pentagon gives them billions of dollars worth of surplus guns and battlefield gear. Six hundred mine resistant personnel carriers have been distributed to departments throughout the country.

Iraq: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced he’s giving up power without a struggle. After the country’s president announced Maliki would be replaced, Maliki at first indicated he might use the military to stay in power. Maliki’s willing departure will smooth the transition, but his replacement, Haider al-Abadi, has 30 days to put together a government that fairly represents Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds while fighting back against the vicious militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Ukraine: Ukrainian customs inspectors will inspect Russian aid vehicles before they enter the country, the government said. Some reporters allowed to look inside the trucks said many were nearly empty. Witnesses also say Russian military vehicles continue to cross into Ukraine.

Robin Williams: The wife of the late comedian announced in a statement yesterday that in addition to depression and anxiety, Williams was fighting the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Susan Schneider said, “It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing, that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.”

Blackfish: Seaworld announced it will build bigger tanks for its killer whales after taking a pounding by the documentary “Blackfish” that says the theme park’s confinement of the whales is inhumane. Profits are down and the company’s stock has plunged as attendance has dipped at the three Seaworld parks. In an effort t defend its reputation, Seaworld has been airing a television ad campaign touting how much they love and care for the whales.

Small Screen: David Gregory, host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” is out. He’s leaving the show and NBC News after 20 years with the network. Gregory was once one of the wonder boys of network news on a trajectory to stardom, but he hit the ceiling when he failed to hold the audience after the death of MTP host Tim Russert. The NY Daily News reports that Gregory forced a confrontation after weeks of rumors that NBC was going to boot him from the show. His replacement will be Chuck Todd, who leaves the White House beat.

The Dependsables: The action adventure sequel “Expendables 3” opens today. The movie aimed at 14-year-old boys stars Sylvester Stallone, 68, Arnold Schwarzenegger, 67, Harrison Ford, 72, and Mel Gibson, 58. Gibson was cast to hold the 10-year-old demographic.

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