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AP-US-ELECTION-2020-BIDEN-RUSSIA
Biden says he's had intel briefings, warns of vote meddling
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden says he’s begun receiving intelligence briefings as he warned that Russia, China and other adversaries were attempting to undermine the upcoming U.S. election in November. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee wasn’t specific and offered no evidence while addressing a virtual fundraiser Friday. But, in the process, he confirmed receiving classified briefings after suggesting as recently as late last month that he wasn’t getting them. Biden received intelligence briefings while vice president but told reporters he wasn’t getting them as of June 30. Classified briefings are traditionally provided to major-party nominees once they win the primary, but Biden won’t formally become the nominee until the party’s convention next month.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TEXAS GOP CONVENTION
Judge: Houston can't ban convention; GOP deciding next move
A federal judge has vacated a ban on the Republican Party holding its state convention in Houston's convention center. But it wasn't clear whether the GOP would move for a physical meetup or keep the event virtual as the coronavirus continues to surge. An attorney for Texas GOP activist Steven Hotze says U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes verbally ruled Friday that the city failed to make a case compelling enough to trump the party’s First Amendment right to meet. Hughes ordered the city to accommodate the party convention this weekend or the following weekend, at the GOP's choice.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-PORTLAND
Mayor of Portland to Trump: Get your troops out of the city
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The mayor of Portland is demanding that President Donald Trump remove militarized federal agents he deployed to the city after some detained people on streets distant from federal property they were sent to protect. Democratic Gov. Kate Brown said Trump is looking for a confrontation in the hopes of winning political points elsewhere. The protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have often devolved into violent clashes between smaller groups and the police. The unrest has caused divisions in a city that prides itself on its activism and progressive reputation.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-CDC
Democrats say White House blocking CDC head from testifying
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are criticizing the White House for blocking the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from testifying at a public hearing on safely reopening the nation’s schools. Democrats said they invited CDC Director Robert Redfield to testify next Thursday, but the White House rebuffed them. Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott called it alarming that the Trump administration would prevent CDC officials from appearing before the committee “at a time when its expertise and guidance is so critical to the health and safety of students.'' A White House spokesperson said Friday that Redfield has testified on Capitol Hill at least four times over the last three months.
FBI SHOOTING-ARIZONA
FBI: Bank robbery suspect dead; 2 agents wounded in Arizona
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The FBI says two of its agents were shot and wounded at an apartment complex in a Phoenix suburb while executing a warrant for a serial bank robbery suspect who was found dead. Authorities say one injured agent was treated at the scene in Mesa for minor injuries and the other was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that weren’t life-threatening. An FBI statement said the suspect was found dead but the agency didn’t provide any further information on how he died or other circumstances.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS
New California rules mean most schools will start online
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out strict criteria for school reopenings that make it unlikely the vast majority of California's 6.7 million public and private school students will have classroom instruction in the fall. The rules he announced Friday come as the coronavirus pandemic surges in California, with 1,200 deaths in the last two weeks. The guidance mandates that public schools in counties on a monitoring list for rising coronavirus infections cannot hold in-person classes. The vast majority of Californians live in counties on that list. He also mandated that students above second grade and all staff wear masks in school. The guidelines marked a dramatic shift from Newsom's earlier position that local officials make reopening decisions.
NAVY SHIP-FIRE
Navy chief: US warship's fate uncertain; damage extensive
San Diego (AP) — A naval chief who visited the charred USS Bonhomme Richard has found extensive structural, electrical and mechanical damage. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said Friday that he believes the ship can be repaired but the question remains as to whether it would be worth it given it is more than 20 years old. The fire that started Sunday was the Navy's worst U.S. warship fire outside of combat in recent memory. Gilday says the Navy will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and whether procedures were followed. It was extinguished Thursday.
AP-US-LAS-VEGAS-POLICE-RESTRAINT-DEATH
Las Vegas police reach $2.2M settlement in chokehold death
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The family of a man who was punched, hit with stun gun jolts and put in a neck restraint by a police officer outside a Las Vegas casino in 2017 has reached a tentative $2.2 million settlement with police. An attorney for Tashii Brown's family said the agreement settles a lawsuit filed on behalf of Brown’s children that accused Las Vegas police of excessive force and gross negligence. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said “an amicable resolution” was reached and is awaiting approval by the department's budget committee. Police say the proposed settlement would be the largest in the department’s history.
BORDER PATROL-FACEBOOK GROUP
Border agency fires 4, suspends 38 for social media posts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Border Patrol’s parent agency has fired four employees and suspended 38 without pay for inappropriate social media activity. The announcement comes one year after revelations of a secret Facebook group that mocked members of Congress and migrants. Customs and Border Protection said another 33 employees were disciplined with reprimands or counseling. Of 138 cases investigated, 63 were found unsubstantiated. Posts questioned the authenticity of images of a migrant father and child dead on a riverbank and depicted doctored images of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez purporting to perform a sex act on President Donald Trump.
NFL TRAINING CAMPS
NFLPA wants players tested daily for virus when camps open
The NFL Players Association wants players tested daily for coronavirus, one of the outstanding points in discussions with the NFL over health and safety protocols as the start of training camp draws near. An acclimation period for players is another main sticking point. Also, the union doesn’t want to play any preseason games while the NFL had planned to cut the exhibition schedule from four games to two. If the league and union don’t reach an agreement, the NFL can implement its proposed rules, according to the CBA.
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