The Short List

Wed Aug 21 2024

Laura L. Davis | Audience Editor

@lauradavis

Four bodies were found inside a sunken luxury yacht in Italy. Day 3 of the Democratic convention features Gov. Tim Walz. And summer isn't over yet: A heat dome is expanding.

👋Hey, Wednesday! Laura Davis here, and it's time to get you caught up on the news.

But first: Bye bye, Bennifer. 💔 Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are getting a divorce. Why people can't look away.

📲 The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Search continues after superyacht disaster

Four bodies were recovered inside the Bayesian superyacht on Wednesday more than two days after it sank off the coast of Italy, setting off an exhaustive search for six missing people, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch.

What happened? Six of the ship's 22 passengers, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, vanished after the yacht plunged under the water just before 5 a.m. on Monday as a storm swept across the area. 👉 Everything we know so far.

•	Experts puzzled over sinking: Was it a 'black swan' event?

Rescue personnel transport a body after a luxury yacht, which was carrying British entrepreneur Mike Lynch, sank off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, Italy, on Wednesday.

Louiza Vradi, REUTERS

DNC Day 3: Walz takes the stage

The third day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention on Wednesday in Chicago will have another packed schedule, with Democrats focusing on "a fight for our freedoms" as the day's theme. The evening's events will include meetings of the Black, LGBTQ, Hispanic and AAPI caucuses, a speech from former President Bill Clinton, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz officially accepting the vice presidential nomination. Follow along with our live updates.

Obamas storm the national stage: On Tuesday, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama called on Democrats across the country to get involved in the 2024 race. 👉 See our Day 2 takeaways.

•	Tough, savvy, and all-around 'nice guy': How Gov. Walz gets stuff done.
•	Obamas, Clintons, Carter, even JFK: How the old gang is helping Harris.
•	Michelle Obama's outfit has the internet buzzing.
•	Which state has the best swag?

Former President Barack Obama greets former first lady Michelle Obama before his speech during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Jasper Colt, USA TODAY

📺 Tune in to the DNC: USA TODAY is streaming live on YouTube every night.

End of the line? Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to end his independent presidential campaign Friday and endorse Donald Trump, according to ABC News and NBC News. 👉 What we know so far.

Real quick

•	In the past year, the nation added fewer jobs than estimated.
•	Chick-fil-A to open restaurant with 'elevated drive thru' concept.
•	Study unveils surprising symptoms of long COVID in kids.
•	If your landlord penalizes 911 calls, it could be illegal.
•	Stephen Colbert interview with Nancy Pelosi interrupted by protesters.

Support the Short List and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

Heat wave incoming

Feeling a little sweaty? Me too. 🥵 A heat dome blanketing the southwest and Texas is cooking up hazardous conditions for millions of Americans, with forecasters predicting record highs in these regions. More than 23 million Americans were under some level of heat advisory or warning Wednesday, officials said. In Texas, scorching temperatures are taxing the state's electric grid as power demand hits a record high. Crank up the air conditioner and don't forget to stay hydrated, y'all! ☀️ See the full forecast.

•	Hail in a handbasket: Climate change could bring giant ice stones.

Late-summer COVID surge

The U.S. is experiencing its largest wave in COVID-19 cases since January. To help public health experts stop outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to test wastewater, which acts as an early warning system for outbreaks.

State-by-state: Data collected late last week by the CDC showed that 32 states have reported "very high" levels of wastewater viral activity nationwide. The CDC estimates that COVID-19 infections will grow or likely grow in 25 states, decline or likely decline in five states, and remain stable in 17 states. 🗺️ Mapping out the surge.

A break from the news

•	💰 3 ways you could accidentally reduce your Social Security check.
•	📚 Protect yourself with these tips to avoid back-to-school scams.
•	🏈 Beware of these fantasy football players with major bust potential.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.