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Wednesday, July 29, 2020

The Rundown: Coronsvirus Cases Rise In Midwest

U.S. NEARS 150,000 DEATHS: While many Sunbelt states are continuing to deal with high numbers of hospitalizations and higher death counts from the coronavirus, including another one-day record of 191 deaths in Florida yesterday, there are some signs of stabilization in the numbers of new cases there. But now health officials are becoming worried about the Midwest, with increased cases in recent days. AP cited an unnamed Trump administration official as saying there are particular concerns about Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and Colorado. That comes as the U.S. is near 150,000 deaths from the coronavirus, with Johns Hopkins University's count at more than 149,200 as of early this morning, with just under 4,352,000 confirmed cases.


President Trump on Tuesday returned to touting the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus, despite multiple studies showing that it doesn't work and recommendations that it shouldn't be taken because of risks from side effects. Trump tweeted a video in which a group of doctors promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine at an event organized by Tea Party Patriots Action, a group that's helped fund a pro-Trump political action committee. Facebook and Twitter took down the viral video as part of their efforts to keep potentially harmful information about the coronavirus off their platforms. Trump said at a White House briefing yesterday, "I think they’re very respected doctors. There was a woman who was spectacular in her statements about it." The doctor, Dr. Stella Immanuel, said in the video that the drug is a cure for the virus and claimed to have successfully treated 350 people with it. The Daily Beast reported that the Houston pediatrician, who's also a religious minister, has posted videos of her sermons on YouTube in which she says that alien DNA is used in medicine and that gynecological problems are caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons.

Russian Intelligence Spreading Coronavirus Disinformation: U.S. officials said yesterday that Russian intelligence is using three English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, trying to exploit the coronavirus crisis in America. The websites are InfoRus.ru, Infobrics.org and OneWorld.press. Officials described the Russian disinformation as part of an ongoing effort to advance false narratives and cause confusion.

➤U.S. TALKING WITH OREGON ABOUT PULLING FEDERAL AGENTS FROM PORTLAND: The Trump administration has begun talking with Oregon Governor Kate Brown's office about pulling federal agents from Portland, the Associated Pres reported yesterday, citing a senior White House official. The agents were sent in earlier this month to protect the federal courthouse after ongoing, at-times violent protests in the wake of George Floyd's death. However, the protests have swelled since then in opposition to their deployment and both Brown and Mayor Ted Wheeler have said they didn't want the agents there. AP cited the official as saying the talks are in the early stages and there's no agreement yet. President Trump has defended sending the agents, charging local officials weren't doing enough to protect the courthouse.

Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said yesterday that she'd received confirmation that federal agents sent to her city last week to protect federal buildings had left.

The Hill
➤BARR, CRITICIZED BY DEMS IN HOUSE APPEARANCE, DEFENDS ACTIONS: Attorney General William Barr appeared before the House Judiciary Committee yesterday, where he defended his actions on several issues against criticism Democratic members who charged he's politicized the Justice Department. In response to criticism for using federal agents to respond to protests in Portland, Oregon, and elsewhere, which some Democrats suggested was being done to try to help President Trump politically, Barr said that it was necessary to protect federal property and that, quote, "violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests." Barr was also pressed on the Justice Department dropping the prosecution of Trump's first national security adviser Michael Flynn and his recommendation of a lighter jail sentence for Trump's longtime friend and confidant Roger Stone, an issue that later become moot when Trump commuted Stone's sentence. Both cases were related to the Russia probe. Barr insisted his only goal was to make sure everyone is treated fairly by the Justice Department.

➤U.S. PARK POLICE HEAD DENIES D.C. PARK FORCEFULLY CLEARED FOR TRUMP PHOTO OP: The head of the U.S. Park Police denied yesterday (July 28th) that Lafayette Square across from the White House was forcefully cleared of protesters on June 1st to clear the way for President Trump to walk across and take a photo in front of a church holding a Bible minutes later. In his appearance before the House Natural Resources Committee, Gregory T. Monahan testified, "There is 100 percent, zero correlation between our operation and the president’s visit." Monahan also denied that the White House, Attorney General William Barr or Interior Secretary David Bernhardt gave the order to clear the park. But at the same hearing, National Guard Major Adam DeMarco said he was surprised when Park Police suddenly began forcefully driving the peaceful protesters out of the park, using chemical irritants and clubbing people with their batons and shields. DeMarco said it appeared to be, quote, "an unnecessary escalation of the use of force." Attorney General William Barr, in an appearance yesterday before a separate House committee, also denied the park was cleared for Trump's photo op, saying the plan was determined during a meeting with several agencies hours earlier and was supposed to have happened earlier. 

➤'WATCHMEN' TOPS EMMYs 2020 LIST: HBO’s Watchmen led the pack with 26 nominations for the 72nd annual Emmy Awards. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel earned second place with 20 nominations. Ozark and Succession were next in line with 26 nods.

Also of note: Saturday Night Live snagged 15 (including one for Brad Pitt as Dr. Anthony Fauci), RuPaul’s Drag Race nabbed 19 and Steve Carrell, Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong received their first nominations ever in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, while Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Colman, Jodie Comer, Laura Linney, Sandrah Oh and Zendaya were nominated as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Overall, Netflix scored 160 nominations, more than any other platform. Last year’s winner HBO snagged 107. NBC earned 47, more than any other broadcaster.

USAToday 7/29/20
➤MARLINS SEASON SUSPEND THROUGH SUNDAY, PHILLIES UNTIL FRIDAY: MLB on Tuesday suspended the Miami Marlins' season through Sunday and that of the Philadelphia Phillies until Friday, after an outbreak of the coronavirus on the Marlins that infected half of the team. AP cited a source as saying four more Marlins players have tested positive, for a total of 15. The Phillies played against the Marlins last weekend, and MLB said their games were also being suspended "out of an abundance of caution," even though no Philadelphia players have tested positive. The Phillies were supposed to play the New York Yankees this week, but now New York will travel to Baltimore and play the Orioles instead, who had been scheduled to play the Marlins.

➤NHL BEGINS EXHIBITION GAMES: The NHL began playing exhibition games on Tuesday, which will take place over three days with each team playing just one exhibition game, before the coronavirus-suspended season resumes on Saturday. The NHL is using a "bubble" format, with all Eastern Conference games being played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and all Western Conference games played at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

➤SEVERAL NFL PLAYERS OPT OUT OF THIS SEASON: As NFL training camps open this week, there was news Tuesday of players who've decided against playing this season. Players who opt out of the coronavirus-affected season will get a $150,000 stipend if it's voluntary, and $350,000 if it's for pre-existing medical reasons. Several key members of the New England Patriots are opting out: linebacker Dont’a Hightower; safety Patrick Chung; offensive tackle Marcus Cannon; running back Brandon Bolden; and fullback Dan Vitale. Also opting out are: defensive tackles Star Lotulelei of the Buffalo Bills and Kyle Peko of the Denver Broncos; Philadelphia Eagles receiver Marquise Goodwin; Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce; and Baltimore Ravens kick returner De’Anthony Thomas.

➤MAHOMES TO BE PART OWNER OF MLB'S ROYALS: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs is joining the ownership group of the Kansas City Royals to become a part owner of the MLB team, the Royals announced yesterday. Mahomes said in a statement, "I love this city and the people of this great town. This opportunity allows me to deepen my roots in the community, which is something I’m excited to do." In addition to playing football, Mahomes was also a baseball prospect, and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2014.

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