promoearn: Does this Justify a cover-up?

Thursday, September 12

Justify wins the running of the 2018 Belmont Stakes and completes the Triple Crown.

A report of a tainted horse race, and a warning issued for charging phones. It's Thursday's news

One of the greatest runs in horse racing history may have been tainted, and the Coast Guard warns against unsupervised phone charging. Plus: Dogs of The Short List.

It's Ashley. Let's dive into today's news, shall we?

But first, cue the "Rocky" theme song: Here are five questions tonight's Democratic debate may answer, including: Is Joe Biden a fragile front-runner?

Was this horse on drugs?

Triple Crown-winning thoroughbred Justify failed a drug test in the weeks leading up to the 2018 Kentucky Derby, according to a report from The New York Times, but the horse was still allowed to race in all three events, winning the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes en route to the crown jewel of horse racing. The California Horse Racing Board took months to confirm the results of the test and made several decisions (in secret, apparently!) to drop the case and soften the penalty for any horse with the substance scopolamine, which was found in Justify's system, according to the story.

•	The cover-up for Triple Crown winner Justify looks shameful, Tim Sullivan says, no matter how it's framed.

May 5, 2018; Louisville, KY, USA; Mike Smith aboard Justify (7) with trainer Bob Baffert in the winner's circle after winning the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Beware of charging phones, Coast Guard warns

The Coast Guard has a warning for boat operators: Keep an eye on charging phones. After the California boat fire that killed 34 people on Labor Day, the Coast Guard issued a safety bulletin recommending commercial boat operators limit unsupervised charging of cellphones and other electronic devices. Boat operators should "consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords," the bulletin said. The batteries, found in millions of electronic devices, are filled with volatile, flammable chemicals. Incidents of battery fires are extremely rare. Though we still don't know what caused the boat fire, the National Transportation Safety Board said the way batteries and electronics were stored and charged is being scrutinized.

•	The law that could make a difference: Charges in California boat fire may hinge on 1838 law.

Ventura County Fire Department firefighters respond to a boat fire off the coast of southern California. The U.S. Coast Guard said it has launched several boats to help over two dozen people "in distress" off the coast of southern California.

Ventura County Fire Department via AP

What everyone's talking about

•	An El Paso shooting victim honored by Trump wasn't a hero, police say.
•	'SNL': Leslie Jones is out, but meet the show's three new featured players.
•	The strongest woman in the world has a filthy mouth and a heart of gold.
•	$21 says you don't have to buy a new iPhone from your carrier.
•	This could be the best roller coaster in Florida – and maybe even the world.

15,000 people in the Bahamas are without food or shelter

More than a week after Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, thousands of people are without shelter and food, 1,300 are missing, and the prime minister says he expects the death toll of 50 to "significantly increase." To help aid the country as it tries to emerge from the devastating storm, golfer Tiger Woods and singer Justin Timberlake established the One Bahamas Fund, aimed at providing shelter, food, clothing and infrastructure needs to the islands. "It's horrifying to see the videos and hear the stories about the effects of Hurricane Dorian," said Woods, who called the need in the Bahamas "very real." According to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, about 15,000 people need shelter or food.

•	Tropical Storm Humberto is likely to form by this weekend near the Bahamas and could head toward Florida.

A man salvages debris in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, on Sept. 10, 2019, one week after Hurricane Dorian.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP/Getty Images

Former FBI second-in-command is in the hot seat

Federal prosecutors recommended that Andrew McCabe be indicted. McCabe, the former deputy director of the FBI and a frequent target of criticism by President Donald Trump, faced scrutiny in his role regarding a leak about an investigation of the Clinton Foundation shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors in Washington recommended that he be indicted, and a top Justice Department official told his lawyers Thursday that the case could proceed, a person familiar with the matter said. McCabe's lawyers asked the Justice Department to overrule the indictment recommendation, but the department refused, clearing the way for a criminal charge.

Real quick

•	An arrest warrant was issued for R. Kelly after he failed to appear in court to face sex-crime charges.
•	Odell Beckham Jr. was called out by Warren Sapp for wearing a $350,000 watch.
•	Terri Lynn Hollis, 11, was murdered on Thanksgiving Day 1972. Investigators have finally solved her murder.
•	A man says he's spent $37,000 fighting a $120 speeding ticket.
•	One of the country's most wanted fugitives was arrested after a weeks-long manhunt.
•	The murder of 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee horrified Chicago. Now, gang members will stand trial.

Remember when y'all sent in pictures of your dogs?

First of all: That was the best day of my life. Second: Thank you, your pups are majestic creatures. But we didn't think including your dogs in The Short List newsletter was quite enough to showcase their furry glory, so we've published a gallery of some of your pooches to USA TODAY. Are you ready for this? Check out some of the adorable "Dogs of The Short List." Oh, and check out our Instagram Story today, too.

Share the gallery with your friends, share it with your enemies, but be sure to tell them to sign up for "The Short List" newsletter!

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network.

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