promoearn: 1 million voters

Wednesday, June 24

Alcozy Payno-Gamble reads as she waits in line to vote in primary elections at the Nepperhan Community Center in Yonkers, N.Y. June 23, 2020.

The United States reports 35,000 new coronavirus cases. A police reform bill is blocked in the Senate. It's Wednesday's news.

Quarantines are being imposed again. Confederate monuments are being torn down. And millions are calling for justice for Elijah McClain — a year after his death.

But first, it's almost here: A "Godzilla" dust cloud from the Sahara Desert is nearing the U.S. Gulf Coast, promising hazy skies and fiery red sunsets — but also potential health problems.

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The votes are in. The results are TBD.

Long lines. Fewer in-person voting locations. And a decrease in the number of people willing to work the polls. An election amid a pandemic is no longer business as usual. In Kentucky, one of several states that have expanded access to absentee voting, officials expected a record turnout of more than 1 million voters. Still, some in Louisville were stuck waiting to park their cars outside the Kentucky Exposition Center, causing them to miss the deadline to get in line when polls closed at 6 p.m. While full results will likely not be released in the state until June 30, here are the key takeaways from the rest of Tuesday's primaries:

•	In New York: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's surprise upset in 2018 was not a "fluke," with the freshman lawmaker and Democratic socialist warding off three Democratic primary challengers in New York's 14th Congressional District.
•	In North Carolina: Newcomer Madison Cawthorn, 24, bested Republican Lynda Bennett, who was endorsed by Trump, in a runoff election to fill former Rep. Mark Meadows' House seat. Cawthorn won roughly two-thirds of the vote over Bennett.
•	In Kentucky: Rep. Thomas Massie was declared the winner of the Republican primary in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District Tuesday evening, even after Trump called for Massie's removal after the congressman's efforts to fight a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package.

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Three Georgia men indicted on felony murder, malice charges in Ahmaud Arbery case

Three men in Georgia have been indicted on murder charges in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, a prosecutor announced Wednesday . Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. were each charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count each of false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. "This is another positive step, another great step for finding justice for Ahmaud, for finding justice for this family and the community beyond," Cobb County District Attorney Joyette Holmes said. Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was shot and killed Feb. 23 about two miles from his home in a neighborhood outside Brunswick, Georgia. Arbery had been jogging through the neighborhood when the McMichaels were armed in the middle of a street, looking for a suspected burglar.

The statues are crumbling — and not everyone is happy about it

Across the country, monuments to Confederate leaders and other historical figures known for defending slavery are being defaced, torn down by protesters or removed by officials. But as the statues become a focal point for a country demanding racial justice, not all are in agreement. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would be issuing an executive order to protect monuments and statues, though he offered few details. "We are looking at long-term jail sentences for these vandals and these hoodlums and these anarchists and agitators." Here's the latest.

•	Fury exploded outside the Wisconsin State Capitol on Tuesday night as protesters smashed windows, attacked a state senator and tore down two statues — including one of an abolitionist who died trying to end slavery during the Civil War.
•	The National Guard is being deployed to Washington, D.C., to "to guard monuments and other infrastructure in support of local law enforcement agencies."
•	Meanwhile, a statue of slavery advocate John C. Calhoun is being removed from the downtown square of Charleston, South Carolina.
•	And in South Dakota, the governor has weighed in on whether it's appropriate to remove George Washington and Thomas Jefferson from Mount Rushmore: "Not on my watch."

A push to rename: Rhode Island governor, top legislators drop references to state's full name and will no longer include the words "Providence Plantations."

A worker uses a saw at the foot of the statue of John C. Calhoun atop the monument in his honor at Marion Square on June 24, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. Work crews began dismantling the monument in Tuesday evening.

Sean Rayford, Getty Images

Senate Democrats block police reform package

Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked a police reform package that they argue does not implement all the changes needed in the aftermath of George Floyd's death . The measure needed 60 votes to advance. The stalemate comes as several senators expressed concerns that blocking the measure would create a hurdle for the momentum on this issue. However, Democrats argue that there is no real path to altering the bill in a way that would allow its passage in both the House and Senate. While the vote halts movement on the legislation, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to try again.

Will Colorado officials investigate the death of Elijah McClain?

More than 2 million people have signed an online petition calling for Colorado officials to reopen the investigation into the death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, who died in August after he was stopped by police officers who used a carotid hold on him . The petition calls on Adams County district attorney Dave Young, Mayor Mike Coffman and the Aurora Police Department, to conduct "a more in-depth investigation" and remove the officers involved from duty.

What everyone's talking about

•	'Athlete A' tells part of the Larry Nassar investigation. This is the story you didn't see.
•	NASCAR vows to continue the investigation into the noose found in Bubba Wallace's garage after FBI concludes it's not a federal crime.
•	Trump ally Roger Stone, set to report to prison next week, asks judge to postpone sentence because of the coronavirus.
•	Melania Trump scolds Food Network host for "insensitive" tweet about son Barron.
•	About 6 in 10 Jacksonville voters don't want to host Republican National Convention in August.
•	Flying this summer? With little oversight, patchwork of airline coronavirus policies leaves flyers wary.
•	"My babies could have died": Harrowing video shows twins tipping anchored Ikea bookcase.

It's another coronavirus record no one asked for

Another day, another "largest single-day increase" since the start of the pandemic. The United States reported nearly 35,000 new cases Tuesday, with many states continuing their reopening measures . While President Trump has blamed increased testing for the spike, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said the "disturbing surge of infections" was due to a combination of factors, including an increase in person-to-person transmission, or community spread.

The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will require all individuals traveling from states with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The New York City Marathon won't be happening this November. And Texas is hitting an all-time high for COVID-19 cases, with Gov. Greg Abbott telling state residents to stay home unless they need to be out.

Real quick

•	"It was so crazy": Man grabs shark with bare hands on Delaware beach in viral video.
•	Newborns in Mexico were diagnosed with coronavirus in what officials confirm is the first such case in a set of triplets.
•	Miley Cyrus opens up about sobriety journey, says she's been "sober sober" for six months.
•	12 states are now part of outbreak linked to salad mixes sold at Jewel-Osco, Hy-Vee and Aldi.
•	5.8 magnitude earthquake rattles central California. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
•	Fire up the TV for July: Netflix will have "Kissing Booth 2," "Baby-Sitters Club," Charlize Theron and more.
•	Segway, which boldly claimed its two-wheeled personal transporter would revolutionize the way people get around, is ending production of its namesake vehicle.

The case against Flynn can be dismissed

A federal appeals court has ruled that the case against Trump's former national security adviser be dismissed. The ruling presents a victory for Michael Flynn, who has accused investigators of entrapping him. Flynn, a former Army general, pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his communications with a former Russian ambassador, but later reversed course, claiming investigators lured him into making false statements. The appeals court panel called the actions of the district judge presiding over the prosecution of Flynn, Emmet Sullivan, "unprecedented intrusions on individual liberty" and on the Justice Department's prosecutorial powers.

A break from the news

•	These are the 26 highest-quality cars, trucks, SUVs of 2020, according to J.D. Power.
•	Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house reopened and performed its first concert since the coronavirus lockdown to a "live" audience: a room full of plants.
•	Can't find Clorox wipes? Here's what to buy instead.

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