Historic wildfires rage across the Pacific Northwest. Senate Republicans introduce new COVID-19 relief bill. It's Tuesday's news.
Helicopters have rescued hundreds of people amid record-breaking fires. Colorado can't decide whether it's summer or winter. And a new COVID-19 relief bill has been introduced – missing one thing you may have been waiting for.
It's Ashley with Tuesday's top news, and a big congrats to all the kids starting school today – in-person or virtually.
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Historic wildfires devastate the Pacific Northwest
Helicopter rescues were underway in California on Tuesday as intense heat, dry conditions and high winds fueled historic wildfires across the Pacific Northwest. This is unlike anything we've seen before: California has been struggling with a record-breaking fire season this year with more than 2 million acres torched and almost 1,000 fires since August. But California isn't the only state battling infernos: Hurricane-force winds and high temperatures energized wildfires across Oregon and Washington state while more blazes have been reported in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, with smoke detected as far east as Arkansas.
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In Washington, the small town of Malden has been devastated by flames. "The scale of this disaster really can't be expressed in words," Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said in a statement.
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In California, more than 150 people were rescued early Tuesday as aid efforts continue for people trapped by the fast-growing Creek Fire in the Sierra National Forest.
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In Oregon, a wildfire caused "catastrophic damage" and probably loss of life in the town of Blue River, east of Eugene, officials said. At least 80 to 100 homes burned.
Creek Fire burns near Shaver Lake on Sunday, September 6, 2020.
Ron Holman, Visalia Times-Delta via USA TODAY Network
Senate Republicans introduce COVID-19 relief bill
Senate Republicans on Tuesday introduced a slimmed-down COVID-19 relief package, but the proposal faces an uncertain future, with members of both parties in opposition. You'll notice one thing missing: another round of stimulus checks. The estimated $500 billion proposal does include bolstered unemployment benefits, funding for schools and liability protections for businesses and health care facilities. But the measure doesn't include some top priorities for Democrats, such as more funding for state and local governments that have seen budget shortfalls. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the bill isn't perfect, but added that a procedural vote on the measure could come as early as this week.
Rochester police chief announces retirement in the wake of Daniel Prude's death
Rochester, New York, Police Chief La'Ron Singletary announced his retirement from the police department Tuesday. Singletary's job performance has come under scrutiny in the past week as news of the death of Daniel Prude became public, with many activists calling for Singletary's immediate resignation. Prude, a Black man, died of asphyxiation after police officers in Rochester pinned Prude to the ground while restraining him. The incident occurred in March, two months before George Floyd's very similar death in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests. Singletary, 40, joined the force in 1998 as a police cadet and became chief in 2019. Deputy Chief Joseph Morabito, who oversees the department's operations, also announced his retirement.
Rochester Police Chief La'Ron Singletary answers questions during a press conference Mayor Lovely Warren held Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 . Warren, who expressed confidence in Singletary, talked about changes that will place and addressing some concerns from last night's rallies and protest held in memory of Daniel Prude.
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/ Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Postmaster General DeJoy is in the hot seat
A Democratic-led House committee will investigate Postmaster General Louis DeJoy amid allegations DeJoy pressured employees at his former company into giving political donations to Republicans and helped reimburse the cost — a potentially illegal arrangement. In a statement first provided to the Washington Post, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., the chair of the House Oversight Committee, said the allegations, if true, meant DeJoy had also lied to the committee during past testimony and urged the Postal Board of Governors to "immediately suspend DeJoy." Democrats have scrutinized DeJoy's political donations amid controversy surrounding the Postal Service. Democratic lawmakers allege DeJoy, a major Republican donor, has conflicts of interest in running the agency and say operational changes he's made at the Postal Service threaten the agency's ability to handle mail-in ballots.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies before a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the Postal Service on Capitol Hill, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Washington. (Tom Brenner/Pool via AP) ORG XMIT: WX412
From 93 to 33: September snowstorm wallops Denver, a day after temps in the 90s
In Denver, temperatures soared into the 90s yesterday. Today, it's supposed to snow. A major winter storm and frigid temperatures brought summer to a screeching halt in the Rockies on Tuesday, with highs expected to top out only in the 30s. Snow is accompanying the freezing temperatures: Denver is expected to receive 3 to 6 inches of snow by Wednesday morning, AccuWeather said, and as much as 2 feet of snow is possible in the highest peaks of Colorado. One bit of good news: The snow could suppress the Cameron Peak Fire, a major blaze in northern Colorado that quadrupled in size over Labor Day weekend. In addition to Colorado, winter storm warnings were in effect for portions of Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska and New Mexico.
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