promoearn: Joe Biden to accept Democratic nomination for president on DNC's final night

Thursday, August 20

Former vice-president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden stands on stage at the end of the third day of the Democratic National Convention, being held virtually amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware on August 19, 2020.

Thursday's Daily Briefing: Joe Biden at DNC, wildfires, AMC Theatres

Joe Biden will formally accept the Democratic Party's nomination for president, wildfires rage in California and Colorado and more news you need to know Thursday.

Happy Thursday, Daily Briefing readers! Before the Democratic National Convention wraps up tonight, let's do a quick recap of Night 3. Last night the DNC focused on women, with a lineup that included vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Former President Barack Obama also gave a blistering speech criticizing President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy.

Today, I've got good news for people who miss movie theaters, updates on the wildfires burning in California and Colorado plus the latest Girl Scout cookie flavor. Speaking of treats, if you have already perfected your sourdough recipe allow me to introduce you to cloud bread. Here's everything you need to know about your next quarantine cooking obsession.

It's N'dea. Let's talk news.

P.S. Are you registered to vote? Check now and request an early ballot. And here's where you can vote by mail or absentee ballot.

Joe Biden to accept Democratic nomination for president 🗳️

Joe Biden is scheduled to accept the Democratic Party's nomination for president Thursday during the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Biden is expected to contrast himself to President Donald Trump with proposals for dealing with three crises facing the country: the coronavirus pandemic, the resulting economic collapse and the nationwide protests for racial justice. Other speakers on Thursday will include Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Tammy Duckworth. D-Ill., and Andrew Yang. Meanwhile, Trump will campaign Thursday in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, near Biden's birthplace of Scranton, where the president plans to discuss jobs and trade policy.

•	Watch the Democratic National Convention for free: How to live stream without cable
•	Dive deeper: How Biden's political life has been bookmarked by tragedy

The latest news on race in America

•	Cristina Jiménez Moreta helped get DACA, now she helps young immigrants find their voice
•	USA TODAY owner Gannett commits to make workforce as diverse as America, add new beats on race and social justice
•	Settlement in Flint drinking water cases could top $500M
•	Being Black in the Adirondacks: Why the drive to boost diversity is complex, and personal
•	'If he could do it, I can do it': How the NHL's first Black team announcer inspires the next generation
•	Decades before Kamala Harris made history, Charlotta Bass became the first Black woman to run for VP
•	NYPD creates Asian Hate Crimes Task Force after spike in verbal, physical assaults amid pandemic
•	Male film critics still far outnumber female – and too few are people of color
•	Facebook adds new tool to help users find local Black-owned businesses

Wildfires engulf California; fire in Colorado grows to second largest in state history 🚒

As California continues to battle wildfires across the state amid a blistering heat wave, Colorado is battling its own ferocious fire . A wildfire burning in western Colorado has grown into the second largest in the state's history, fire officials said Wednesday. The Pine Gulch Fire, currently north of Grand Junction in Colorado, started July 31 from a lightning spark. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said firefighters were battling 367 known wildfires across the state, including 23 that are considered major fires . Newsom declared a statewide emergency Tuesday, saying the blazes were "exacerbated by the effects of the historic West Coast heat wave and sustained high winds."

•	'It's just gonna burn': Large blaze at Texas factory to continue through Thursday, fire chief says

Coronavirus updates: As Florida deaths pass 10K, Northeast states prepare for a surge 📈

As Florida surpassed 10,000 deaths from the coronavirus, states in the Northeast are preparing for a surge in cases. Northeastern states, which were hit the hardest by the pandemic, have the lowest infection rates in the U.S., but health officials are racing to obtain protective masks and medical supplies to avoid yet another shortage.

•	'Silent spreaders' of COVID-19: Kids who seem healthy may be more contagious than sick adults, study says
•	COVID-19 vaccine trials need diverse volunteers to ensure safety, effectiveness and public buy-in
•	How miscommunication and selfishness hampered America's COVID-19 response
•	Wisconsin teacher creates outdoor classroom for students. Here's how
•	Fact check: Hydroxychloroquine does not work better abroad
•	Confused about the safety of neck gaiters? Here's what you need to know
•	Foggy glasses? Mask acne? How to solve 5 pandemic annoyances – without taking off the mask

UNC temporarily shuts down athletic programs after COVID-19 spike 🏫

The University of North Carolina has suspended all athletic activities through at least Thursday afternoon — just two days after saying a COVID-19 outbreak on campus wouldn't affect plans to play football this fall . In addition, all recreational facilities on the Chapel Hill campus will be closed to students, coaches and staff. The school welcomed students back to campus for in-person classes last week, but after at least four clusters of COVID-19 outbreaks, university officials reversed course and moved all classes online. "After consulting with our health experts and University leadership, we are taking this action to protect our students, coaches and staff,'' UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham said.

•	Power Five conferences: How the college football programs are handling their schedules amid coronavirus pandemic

More news you need to know

•	USPS head has no plans to replace sorting machines or reverse other Postal Service changes, Pelosi says
•	IRS to distribute tax refund interest checks to taxpayers who filed 2019 returns on time
•	Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny unconscious in intensive care after suspected poisoning
•	Megan Thee Stallion shares photo of gunshot injury, slams critics: 'Y'all people are so sick!'
•	Apple is first $2 trillion US company. Here's what that would look like in iPhones
•	Investing $5 a day can make you a millionaire in at least 40 years

AMC Theatres reopen in the US 🍿📽️

AMC Theatres, the nation's largest movie theater chain, will reopen in the U.S. on Thursday with retro ticket prices of 15 cents per movie on opening day. AMC Entertainment, which owns the chain, said it expects to open the doors to more than 100 cinemas — or about a sixth of its nationwide locations. The chain touted the reopening as "Movies in 2020 at 1920 Prices." The promotion will feature catalog films, including "Ghostbusters," "Black Panther," "Back to the Future" and "Grease." Those older films will continue to play afterward for $5. Regal Cinemas, the second-largest chain, is to reopen some U.S. locations on Friday.

•	Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet': Set to screen early to boost movie theaters
•	Mandatory masks and empty seats: What to expect when movie theaters reopen
•	Remember going to the movies? 15 things we miss most about theaters

Fact or fiction? ☑️

Get the latest work from our fact checking team in your inbox with our newest newsletter, Checking The Facts.

•	Fact check: Drinking water while eating does not lead to digestive issues
•	Fact check: Fake Trump quote about ending up in prison if Biden wins had its origin in satire

NBA draft lottery taking place Thursday night 🏀

With the NBA regular season complete and the playoffs underway inside the bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the league can move on with its draft lottery (8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). The 37th annual draft lottery will have a different feel amidst a pandemic, with the event being held virtually from Chicago. A few ping-pong balls could change the fate of the 14 teams vying for a franchise-changing player. Surprisingly, the Golden State Warriors – who have played in the previous five NBA Finals – finished with the league's worst record, and are tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves with a 14% chance to land the No. 1 pick.

•	NBA playoffs: Complete coverage
•	NBA draft: Top 100 prospects

In better news: Girls Scouts unveil new sweet treat 🍪

Girl Scout Cookie season is months away but a new flavor for 2021 has been revealed. Girl Scouts of the USA announced in a news release Tuesday that a French toast-inspired cookie "dipped in delicious icing and full of flavor in every bite" called "Toast-Yay!" will be available in select areas next year. The annual start of cookie season is recognized nationally in January but timing and specific cookie availability can vary by region. According to the release, the 2021 cookie season also will have online sales and sales through "virtual cookie booths" on social media. With the 2021 season, there also will be a gift option.