promoearn: He's swimming in gold

Sunday, August 1

August 1, 2021: Caeleb Dressel (USA) celebrates after winning the men's 4x100m medley final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend

Caeleb Dressel got his fifth gold medal of the Olympics. U.S. COVID cases tripled from last month. It's the weekend's biggest news.

Dressel snags 5th gold, Schauffele wins men's golf

Swimming events wrapped up Sunday at the Tokyo Olympics, but not before Caeleb Dressel could add a couple more gold medals to his fast-growing collection. The Team USA star took first in the 50-meter freestyle before powering the men's 4x100 medley relay team to gold and a new world record. He leaves the Games with an impressive five gold medals.

Xander Schauffele won gold for Team USA in men's golf, following a stellar performance across the 4-day competition. Schauffele, who finished at 18 strokes under par, held off a record-breaking effort from Slovakia's Rory Sabbatini, who shot the lowest single-round score in Olympic history on Sunday to win the silver medal.

The U.S. has won more total medals than any other country with 59, but its 20 gold medals trails only China (24).

•	Tokyo 2020: Events schedule, medal counts, top athletes competing today.
•	A new fastest man: Italy's Lamont Jacobs wins 100-meter dash.
•	Elaine Thompson-Herah leads Jamaican sweep with women's 100-meter gold.

Simone Biles withdraws again

The chances of seeing Simone Biles compete again at the Tokyo Olympics are dwindling . USA Gymnastics announced Biles' withdrawal from the floor exercise final Sunday after she had already pulled out of the all-around, as well as Sunday's event finals for vault and uneven bars. The last event final, for balance beam, is Tuesday, but a decision on her availability for it has yet to be made. Biles, who came to Tokyo projected to win a record five gold medals, pulled out of the team competition Tuesday after one event, saying mental health concerns were manifesting themselves in "the twisties," a loss of air awareness.

•	What are the twisties in gymnastics and the impact on Simone Biles?

Simone Biles, left, and MyKayla Skinner watch the men's all-around final at the Tokyo Olympics.

Natacha Pisarenko, AP

July COVID cases shatter June number; Fauci dismisses idea of lockdowns

The U.S. likely won't see the lockdowns that plagued the nation last year despite surging infections, but "things are going to get worse," Dr. Anthony Fauci warned Sunday. Fauci, making the rounds on morning news shows, noted that half of Americans have been vaccinated. That, he said, should be enough people to avoid drastic measures. But not enough to crush the outbreak. The U.S. reported more than 1.3 million new infections in July, more than triple the number from June. Fauci acknowledged that some breakthrough infections are occurring among the vaccinated. No vaccine is 100% effective, he noted. But he stressed that vaccinated people who do become infected are less likely to become seriously ill than unvaccinated people who become infected.

•	Mask mandates by state: As COVID cases spike, see what the rules are where you live.
•	Mapping CDC's new guidelines: High transmission areas where you need to wear a mask indoors.

Real quick:

•	Sen. Susan Collins criticizes Jan. 6 panel as 'partisan,' Rep. Adam Kinzinger says former President Trump may not need to testify.
•	Biden wants more transparency for police disciplinary records. Experts say it's harder than it sounds.
•	American gymnast Suni Lee adds bronze medal on uneven bars to all-around title.
•	American swimmer Bobby Finke wins gold in 1,500 meters for stunning distance double.
•	Kevin Durant sparks Team USA to important win against Czech Republic.
•	NHL to investigate allegations San Jose Sharks star bet on his own game.
•	Rep. Madison Cawthorn tried to board plane with gun; could face fine, status loss.
•	Bacon may disappear in California as pig rules take effect.
•	Lollapalooza cuts DaBaby from lineup after controversy over his homophobic remarks.

Eviction moratorium expires, putting millions at risk of eviction

A federal freeze on most evictions expired Saturday after the House of Representatives on Friday did not pass a bill that would have extended the moratorium. The freeze, which was enacted last year due to the pandemic, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. Many of them lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and had fallen months behind on their rent. Landlords successfully challenged the order in court, arguing they also had bills to pay. They pointed out that tenants could access nearly $47 billion in federal money set aside to help pay rents and related expenses. Roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. as of July 5 said they face eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey.

•	Federal rent moratorium ended: Here's what you need to know.
•	AOC blames Democrats for letting eviction moratorium expire, says Biden wasn't 'forthright.'

Wildfire-weary West faces thunderstorms, potential flash floods

Western states already under siege from numerous wildfires may face a new threat this week as thunderstorms head their way, raising the possibility of flash flooding. The National Weather Service said the storms are expected to hit the interior western states, particularly the area from the Great Basin to the Rockies, and may help douse some fires but won't provide relief to drought-stricken California. Spots left barren of vegetation by the rash of wildfires throughout the West are especially prone to flash flooding when pelted by heavy rainfall. Parts of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Washington and Montana are under a flood watch. Firefighters in Oregon reported good progress in the battle against the Bootleg Fire, the nation's largest one, as containment increased from 56% on Saturday to 74% on Sunday.