usatoday--2020-09-30--President Donald Trump, during debate, declares, 'I brought back Big Ten football'

President Donald Trump , during the 2020 presidential debate , took credit for the return of fall football in the Big Ten .
While discussing the economy Tuesday night , Trump said he is the reason Big Ten football reversed its decision to postpone fall sports due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` By the way , I brought back Big Ten football , '' he said .
`` It was me , and I 'm very happy to do it and the people of Ohio are very proud of me , '' before moderator Chris Wallace attempted to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Big Ten announced on Sept. 16 that it would start its nine-week season on Oct. 23 .
On the day of the decision , Trump tweeted , `` Great News : BIG TEN FOOTBALL IS BACK .
All teams participate .
Thank you to the players , coaches , parents , and all school representatives .
Have a FANTASTIC SEASON !
It is my great honor to have helped . ''
Although Trump took to social media on several occasions to announce his support of Big Ten football reversing its decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the discussions between the White House and Big Ten league officials , the league never requested or accepted any resources from the White House .
Big Ten officials directed credit to its medical advisory board for the plan created to safely bring back football for the fall .
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey @ usatoday.com or on Twitter @ analisbailey .

President Donald Trump, during debate, declares, 'I brought back Big Ten football'
Show Caption Hide Caption Did Trump help bring the Big Ten back? Sports Pulse: After a call with Big 10 commissioner President Trump is taking credit for their return SportsPulse, USA TODAY
President Donald Trump, during the 2020 presidential debate, took credit for the return of fall football in the Big Ten.
While discussing the economy Tuesday night, Trump said he is the reason Big Ten football reversed its decision to postpone fall sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"By the way, I brought back Big Ten football," he said. "It was me, and I'm very happy to do it and the people of Ohio are very proud of me," before moderator Chris Wallace attempted to move the conversation back to the debate topic.
The Big Ten announced on Sept. 16 that it would start its nine-week season on Oct. 23.
On the day of the decision, Trump tweeted, "Great News: BIG TEN FOOTBALL IS BACK. All teams participate. Thank you to the players, coaches, parents, and all school representatives. Have a FANTASTIC SEASON! It is my great honor to have helped."
Although Trump took to social media on several occasions to announce his support of Big Ten football reversing its decision, according to one person with knowledge of the discussions between the White House and Big Ten league officials, the league never requested or accepted any resources from the White House. Big Ten officials directed credit to its medical advisory board for the plan created to safely bring back football for the fall.
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.


usatoday--2020-09-30--Mac Davis, country music singer, songwriter for Elvis Presley and actor, dies at 78

Mac Davis — a singer , songwriter and actor who wrote `` In The Ghetto '' and other classic songs for Elvis Presley before becoming a multitalented star in his own right — died Tuesday at age 78 .
The announcement was made by the Country Music Association , following word from Davis ' manager that he had become `` critically ill '' after undergoing heart surgery in Nashville .
Born and raised in Lubbock , Texas , Davis wrote `` In The Ghetto '' and other classic songs for Elvis Presley before becoming a multitalented star in his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presley began in 1968 with `` A Little Less Conversation , '' followed by `` Memories , '' `` In The Ghetto '' and `` Do n't Cry , Daddy . ''
In `` Ghetto , '' Davis said he wanted to write about a `` vicious circle , '' and `` parts of urban areas where poor people were living and could n't get out .
They were stuck there , and everybody took off to the suburbs . ''
`` I grew up with a little kid whose daddy worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black kid , '' Davis said in a 2014 interview with The Tennessean , part of the USA TODAY Network .
`` ...
I remember him being one of my best buddies .
But he lived in a ( bad ) part of town , and I could n't figure out why they had to live where they lived , and we got to live where we lived . ''
Following those and big cuts with other stars — including the Bobby Goldsboro hit `` Watching Scotty Grow '' — Davis found his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1972 chart-topper `` Baby Do n't Get Hooked On Me '' and the easy listening No .
1 `` Stop And Smell The Roses '' in 1974 .
The latter year was a pivotal one for Davis , as he was named the Academy of Country Music 's Entertainer of the Year , and began hosting his own variety show on NBC .
`` The Mac Davis Show '' ran for two seasons , and Davis continued to star in Christmas specials on a near-annual basis through 1983 .
Davis made his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nick Nolte in the comedy `` North Dallas Forty . ''
It was a modest hit , but his next two vehicles , `` Cheaper To Keep Her '' and `` The Sting II , '' did n't fare well at the box office .
He has continued to take small roles in television and film , making appearances on `` That '70s Show , '' `` King of the Hill , '' `` 8 Simple Rules '' and Dolly Parton 's 2019 `` Heartstrings '' Netflix series .
In the 1980s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country format , with hits including `` It 's Hard to Be Humble , '' `` Hooked On Music '' and `` I Never Made Love ( Till I Made It with You ) , '' which became his final Top 10 hit in 1985 .
In a statement , country star Kenny Chesney called Davis `` a small town boy who ’ d achieved the greatest kinds of fame , ( and ) remained a good guy , a family man . ''
`` ... And Mac , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around him , never stopped writing great songs , creating music and inspiring everyone around him . ''
And as a songwriter , Davis continued to enter new arenas well into the 21st century .
A 2002 remix of `` A Little Less Conversation '' by Junkie XL became a global smash , as well as Presley 's 31st No .
1 hit .
Davis later became a unlikely collaborator with Swedish DJ and producer Avicii , co-writing the 2013 dance-pop hit `` Addicted To You , '' and even lending his vocals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Blue . ''
`` He comes from an era that really doesn ’ t exist anymore , especially in lyrics , '' Avicii told Rolling Stone in 2013 .
`` It ’ s so amazing the place he took ( 'Addicted ' ) .
I just met him and he played it on guitar , a song he had from before , and then we switched it around a hundred percent .
But we kept like the vibe of his lyrics .
It sounds like a classic.
” Millions of Americans saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC 's `` Elvis All-Star Tribute , '' performing `` Memories '' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Presley 's 1968 `` comeback '' special .
In statement , CMA CEO Sarah Trahern called Davis `` an amazing entertainer , songwriter and artist . ''
`` I remember watching Mac ’ s TV show as a kid as well as his three years co-hosting the CMA Awards with Barbara Mandrell , which proved his command of the TV medium as well as the music .
Personally , though , I am saddened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his wife Lise Gerard at our CMA Songwriters Series show at the Library of Congress just a few years ago .
He held command of the room backstage with lively stories and a genuine love of the craft of storytelling .
When he performed “ In the Ghetto ” that night , fellow songwriter Pam Tillis pointed out that sadly the song is as pertinent today as it was when Mac wrote it in the late 1960s .
His timeless artistry will be sorely missed . ''
Davis is a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000 .

Mac Davis, country music singer, songwriter for Elvis Presley and actor, dies at 78
Show Caption Hide Caption Mac Davis, songwriter and country star, dead at 78 Legendary songwriter Mac Davis has died at the age of 78, after suffering complications from heart surgery. unbranded - Entertainment, unbranded - Entertainment
Mac Davis — a singer, songwriter and actor who wrote "In The Ghetto" and other classic songs for Elvis Presley before becoming a multitalented star in his own right — died Tuesday at age 78.
The announcement was made by the Country Music Association, following word from Davis' manager that he had become "critically ill" after undergoing heart surgery in Nashville.
Born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, Davis wrote "In The Ghetto" and other classic songs for Elvis Presley before becoming a multitalented star in his own right. His string of songs with Presley began in 1968 with "A Little Less Conversation," followed by "Memories," "In The Ghetto" and "Don't Cry, Daddy."
In "Ghetto," Davis said he wanted to write about a "vicious circle," and "parts of urban areas where poor people were living and couldn't get out. They were stuck there, and everybody took off to the suburbs."
"I grew up with a little kid whose daddy worked with my daddy, and he was a Black kid," Davis said in a 2014 interview with The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.
"...I remember him being one of my best buddies. But he lived in a (bad) part of town, and I couldn't figure out why they had to live where they lived, and we got to live where we lived."
Following those and big cuts with other stars — including the Bobby Goldsboro hit "Watching Scotty Grow" — Davis found his own success as a recording artist with the 1972 chart-topper "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me" and the easy listening No. 1 "Stop And Smell The Roses" in 1974.
The latter year was a pivotal one for Davis, as he was named the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year, and began hosting his own variety show on NBC. "The Mac Davis Show" ran for two seasons, and Davis continued to star in Christmas specials on a near-annual basis through 1983.
Davis made his film debut in 1979, starring alongside Nick Nolte in the comedy "North Dallas Forty." It was a modest hit, but his next two vehicles, "Cheaper To Keep Her" and "The Sting II," didn't fare well at the box office.
He has continued to take small roles in television and film, making appearances on "That '70s Show," "King of the Hill," "8 Simple Rules" and Dolly Parton's 2019 "Heartstrings" Netflix series.
More: Dolly Parton sends prayers to 'critically ill' singer Mac Davis after heart surgery
In the 1980s, Davis the musician began finding more success in the country format, with hits including "It's Hard to Be Humble," "Hooked On Music" and "I Never Made Love (Till I Made It with You)," which became his final Top 10 hit in 1985.
In a statement, country star Kenny Chesney called Davis "a small town boy who’d achieved the greatest kinds of fame, (and) remained a good guy, a family man."
"...And Mac, who was joyous, funny and created a family around him, never stopped writing great songs, creating music and inspiring everyone around him."
And as a songwriter, Davis continued to enter new arenas well into the 21st century. A 2002 remix of "A Little Less Conversation" by Junkie XL became a global smash, as well as Presley's 31st No. 1 hit.
Davis later became a unlikely collaborator with Swedish DJ and producer Avicii, co-writing the 2013 dance-pop hit "Addicted To You," and even lending his vocals to an unreleased track, "Black and Blue."
"He comes from an era that really doesn’t exist anymore, especially in lyrics," Avicii told Rolling Stone in 2013.
"It’s so amazing the place he took ('Addicted'). I just met him and he played it on guitar, a song he had from before, and then we switched it around a hundred percent. But we kept like the vibe of his lyrics. It sounds like a classic.”
Millions of Americans saw Davis back on television last year for NBC's "Elvis All-Star Tribute," performing "Memories" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Presley's 1968 "comeback" special.
In statement, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern called Davis "an amazing entertainer, songwriter and artist."
"I remember watching Mac’s TV show as a kid as well as his three years co-hosting the CMA Awards with Barbara Mandrell, which proved his command of the TV medium as well as the music. Personally, though, I am saddened to recall a wonderful day spent with Mac and his wife Lise Gerard at our CMA Songwriters Series show at the Library of Congress just a few years ago. He held command of the room backstage with lively stories and a genuine love of the craft of storytelling. When he performed “In the Ghetto” that night, fellow songwriter Pam Tillis pointed out that sadly the song is as pertinent today as it was when Mac wrote it in the late 1960s. His timeless artistry will be sorely missed."
Davis is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000.


usatoday--2020-09-30--'Struggling to walk': Serena Williams withdraws from French Open due to Achilles injury

Serena Williams , citing an Achilles injury that has n't had enough time to heal , withdrew from the French Open on Wednesday .
Williams said her Achilles did not properly recover following the U.S. Open , where the 39-year-old lost in the semifinals to Victoria Azarenka almost three weeks ago .
Williams took a medical timeout during the third set of that match for a tape job on her Achilles ; she also bowed out of the Italian Open , which was played beginning on Sept. 14 .
`` I was able to get it somewhat better .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will I be able to get through enough matches ? ''
she told reporters .
`` So for me , I do n't think I could ( have ) .
( I 'm ) struggling to walk , so that 's kind of a tell-tale sign I should try to recover . ''
That does n't make it any less disappointing for Williams , who has won three of her 23 grand slam titles at Roland Garros .
She defeated fellow American Kristie Ahn 7-6 ( 7-2 ) , 6-0 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria in Round 2 .
`` I love playing in Paris .
I actually adore the clay .
It 's so , I do n't know , fun for me , '' she said .
`` I really wanted to give an effort here . ''
Williams said that the injury will require roughly two weeks of rest and that she likely wo n't take the court again for at least a month , adding that her 2020 season might be over .

'Struggling to walk': Serena Williams withdraws from French Open due to Achilles injury
Serena Williams, citing an Achilles injury that hasn't had enough time to heal, withdrew from the French Open on Wednesday.
Williams said her Achilles did not properly recover following the U.S. Open, where the 39-year-old lost in the semifinals to Victoria Azarenka almost three weeks ago. Williams took a medical timeout during the third set of that match for a tape job on her Achilles; she also bowed out of the Italian Open, which was played beginning on Sept. 14.
"I was able to get it somewhat better. Just looking long term, in this tournament, will I be able to get through enough matches?" she told reporters. "So for me, I don't think I could (have). (I'm) struggling to walk, so that's kind of a tell-tale sign I should try to recover."
That doesn't make it any less disappointing for Williams, who has won three of her 23 grand slam titles at Roland Garros. She defeated fellow American Kristie Ahn 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 in the first round Monday and was scheduled to play Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria in Round 2.
"I really wanted to give an effort here. (I'm) struggling to walk so that's a tell-tale sign that I should try to recover"
Get well soon, Serena!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/PekxZ4tSzj — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 30, 2020
"I love playing in Paris. I actually adore the clay. It's so, I don't know, fun for me," she said. "I really wanted to give an effort here."
Williams said that the injury will require roughly two weeks of rest and that she likely won't take the court again for at least a month, adding that her 2020 season might be over.
Contributing: Associated Press
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-09-30--Coronavirus updates: Children are 10% of US cases; northern states struggling with record new case n

Coronavirus updates: Children are 10% of US cases; northern states struggling with record new case numbers

The pandemic is wreaking financial havoc on families with children , and 10 % of all COVID-19 cases are now kids , a pair of new surveys reveals .
Children represented only 2 % of cases in April .
The reports come as big-city public schools make news with efforts to get kids back in classrooms .
New York City began offering in-class learning to elementary students on Tuesday and invites the older students back Thursday .
And Los Angeles County officials voted this week to allow some schools to resume in-person instruction .
The elephant – and donkey – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential debate , and the virus played a major role .
President Donald Trump shrugged off criticism from Democratic challenger Joe Biden of his soft position on wearing masks and his large , non-socially distant political rallies .
Asked why he continues to hold large rallies against the advice of his own health experts , Trump responded : “ Because people want to hear what I have to say.
” He claimed that his rallies have had no negative effect on Americans , explaining `` so far , we have had no problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a `` fool . ''
• Disney parks plan to lay off 28,000 workers in California and Florida .
• The NFL 's Tennessee Titans are pausing in-person activities after the team reported eight positive COVID-19 tests – three players and five staff .
• Public elementary schools reopened across New York City on Tuesday for 300,000 students for the first time since March as the city struggled with a bump in positive COVID-19 test results .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has reported more than 7.1 million cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University data .
Globally , there have been more than 33 million cases and more than 1 million fatalities .
📰 What we 're reading : As American , United and other airlines roll out passenger testing for COVID-19 , here 's what you need to know .
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak , state by state .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter .
Survey peers into crushing impact of pandemic on families More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children report facing serious financial problems during the coronavirus outbreak , according to a survey released Wednesday .
Nine in 10 households with children where someone has been diagnosed with COVID-19 report serious financial problems and serious problems caring for their children , the survey says .
The poll , from NPR , the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , highlights some of the major challenges families face during the pandemic .
More than one-third of households with children report serious problems keeping their children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 report at least adult household member has lost a job , been furloughed , or had wages or hours cut .
Seven states set records for new cases over a seven-day period while three states had a record number of deaths in a week , a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data through late Tuesday shows .
New case records were set in Kentucky , Minnesota , Montana , Nebraska , North Dakota , Utah and Wisconsin , and also Puerto Rico .
Record numbers of deaths were reported in Alaska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 've had deaths totaling more than two 9/11s just since America hit 200,000 dead a week ago .
Thailand , annually among the world 's top 10 tourism destinations , is preparing to receive the first group of foreign tourists since scheduled commercial passenger flights into the country were halted in April .
A new system of coronavirus testing and transport facilities has been installed at the airport at the resort island of Phuket to welcome the first 150 Chinese from Guangzhou province on Oct. 8 , Minister of Tourism and Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups of foreign tourists will arrive in October – two from China and one from Scandinavia .
All will be subject to a 14-day quarantine and other restrictions on their movements .
Thailand , where efforts to combat the virus have drawn praise from World Health Organization officials , has had 3,564 confirmed coronavirus cases , including 59 deaths .
The first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden quickly went off the rails Tuesday night , including when the pair debated the use of masks and holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended his rallies and mocked Biden 's more modest , cautious efforts .
Biden slammed Trump for the way he has responded to the coronavirus pandemic and specifically criticized his reluctance to wear a face mask in public .
“ He has been totally irresponsible in the way he has handled the social distancing , the people wearing masks – basically encouraging them not to , ” Biden said .
`` He 's a fool on this .
He ’ s not worried about the people . ''
Moderna 's vaccine may work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults Moderna 's coronavirus vaccine appears to create as strong an immune response in older people as it does in younger adults .
That 's a positive sign as many vaccines do n't work as well in the elderly .
A small study published Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine found the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine elicited an immune system response almost as strong in people over 56 as in adults ages 18 to 55 .
Older people are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 , according to the Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 to 64 years old are four times more likely to be hospitalized and 30 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people 18 to 29 .
Those 65 to 74 are five times more likely to be hospitalized and 90 times more likely to die .
The older the person , the higher the risk .
Six days after starting an indefinite hold for all football activities beyond Zoom meetings , Notre Dame on Monday released its latest COVID-19 testing numbers .
The six-sentence statement from the athletic department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players in isolation as of Monday because of positive tests , and 14 others in quarantine as the result of contact tracing .
The athletic department said that as of now there has been no change in status for the next game on the Irish schedule – an Oct. 10 home date for fifth-ranked Notre Dame against Florida State .
Notre Dame has resumed conditioning activities , according to the statement .
Last Monday , there were 13 players in isolation and 10 in quarantine , two days after the Irish beat South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are required to spend 10 days in isolation after a positive test and undergo cardiac testing , per ACC protocols .
The quarantine period is 14 days .
The federal government is sending 2.19 million rapid COVID-19 tests to Arizona , and schools will be among those prioritized for using them , Gov .
Doug Ducey announced .
The first shipment of the tests is expected to arrive within the next seven to 10 days .
The Abbott rapid point-of-care tests can get results within 15 minutes .
The number of tests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than the total number of diagnostic tests completed in Arizona since the pandemic began , state data shows .
President Donald Trump announced Monday that his administration will distribute more than 150 million rapid Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Point of Care tests around the country in the coming weeks and that of those , roughly 50 million tests will target vulnerable communities including nursing homes , assisted living facilities , hospice care and tribal nations .
Mayor Bill de Blasio : New York City to fine people who refuse to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections in a few Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods , New York City officials will start issuing fines in those areas to people who refuse to wear masks , Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
De Blasio said he was sending teams of hundreds of outreach workers and contact tracers to nine Brooklyn and Queens ZIP codes that have seen an upswing in positive COVID-19 tests in hopes of avoiding harsher enforcement measures .
Those workers will be handing out masks but also insisting that people put them on if they are in a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other people .
Some Los Angeles elementary schools will be able to apply to resume in-person instruction up to second grade under a vote Tuesday by the county Board of Supervisors .
“ As October approaches it ’ s critical that we begin the process of reopening our schools at limited capacity , ” said board Chairwoman Kathryn Barger , according to local reports .
She cited inequities in distance learning that affect the education of low-income , Black and Latino students .
On the other coast , New York City school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a news conference Tuesday , Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the most recent rate of positive tests was 3.25 % , the highest since June .
De Blasio has said he will shut down classrooms , which are all supposed to be open by Thursday , if the test positivity rate exceeds 3 % over a seven-day average .
Disney parks to lay off 28,000 workers in Florida , California Disney 's park division is laying off 28,000 employees in California and Florida in the wake of the pandemic .
Two-thirds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they ranged from salaried employees to nonunion hourly workers , Disney officials said .
In a letter to employees , Josh D'Amaro , chairman of Disney Parks , Experience and Product , said his management team had worked hard to try to avoid layoffs .
They had cut expenses , suspended projects and modified operations , but it wasn ’ t enough given limits on the number of people allowed into the park because of social distancing restrictions and other pandemic-related measures , he said .
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But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .
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John Bacon and Jessica Flores, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: NYC diners back inside restaurants; North Carolina man accused of $6M PPP fraud; CDC to extend 'no-sail' order
Show Caption Hide Caption 4 tips to convince kids to wear masks during COVID-19 Here are 4 tips on how to get your kids to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic. ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
New York City residents were cautiously eating inside restaurants Thursday, one day after indoor dining began and two days after public elementary schools opened, even as the city faces a slight uptick in its positive COVID-19 case rates. Across the coast, some Los Angeles elementary schools, on an application basis, may also attempt in-person learning.
But efforts to reopen elsewhere – particularly in sports and entertainment – have been met with mixed results.
College and professional football leagues are facing setbacks in their efforts to play: Notre Dame’s football team reported 25 players who tested positive, while an upcoming match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans was postponed because of an influx of player and staff cases.
Disney laid off 28,000 park employees – many of them part-time workers. With its attendance expectations dashed for now, it seems unlikely that the parks will return to normal anytime soon.
Some significant developments:
Indoor dining opened — with social distancing and contact tracing measures in place — for New York City Wednesday. The reopenings come as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio reports that the citywide positivity rate over 7 days had risen to 1.46%.
A small study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine elicited an immune system response almost as strong in people over 56 as in adults ages 18 to 55.
Some Los Angeles elementary schools will be able to apply to resume in-person instruction up to second grade.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has reported more than 7.2 million cases and 207,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Globally, there have been more than 34 million cases and 1 million fatalities.
📰 What we're reading: As American, United and other airlines roll out passenger testing for COVID-19, here's what you need to know.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak, state by state.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will extend its "no-sail" order for the U.S. cruise industry through Oct. 31, a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY.
The CDC's previous order had been scheduled to expire Sept. 30 after extensions to the original mid-March order in April and again in July.
The CDC requested that the order be extended to Feb. 15 but compromised with the White House Task Force to extend it until Oct. 31, four days before the Nov. 3 election.
– Morgan Hines
COVID-19: How Herd Immunity works, why you still need to wear a mask Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Despite the public's legitimate concerns about political rhetoric, politics is not having an impact on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, several public health experts testified to Congress Wednesday.
Both government and independent researchers provide strong oversight of the vaccine development process, said Dr. Mark McClellan, director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University and a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner.
"This is not an easy process to disrupt just because somebody says something about it," he said, alluding to President Donald Trump's insistence that a vaccine could be available before Election Day.
That said, public health and medical experts testifying before the House Committee on Energy & Commerce on Wednesday didn't discount it entirely.
– Elizabeth Weise and Karen Weintraub
A North Carolina man who applied for more than $6 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans has been charged with fraud by the Department of Justice. Tristan Garner, 38, received around $1.7 million in loans for false businesses, some of which were named after characters from the HBO hit series "Game of Thrones," prosecutors say. The small businesses he claimed were named Pan Insurance Agency, White Walker, Khaleesi and The Night’s Watch.
Garner falsified tax filings and payroll expenses for the businesses across 14 loan applications, per a statement from the Department of Justice. The DOJ said it was able to reclaim some of the funds.
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. It is considered a key program in helping businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
Disney's layoffs will alter already topsy-turvy theme park visits for guests, if they even choose to go at all.
Attendance at all parks that have reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic has generally been disappointing. Florida’s Walt Disney World, which was already operating its four theme parks with reduced hours, moved to an even shorter daily schedule this month.
"In particular, it means that we're not likely to see the return of longer, pre-pandemic park hours, no special perks like extra time in the parks for people staying at Disney hotels, and no widespread use of Disney's FASTPASS ride reservation system," park expert Len Testa said. There may also be cutbacks in special events, such as fireworks displays, themed holiday shows and parades.
– David Oliver
A clinical trial of health care workers found that hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malarial drug repeatedly touted by President Donald Trump as a coronavirus cure, did not help prevent coronavirus. University of Pennsylvania researchers studied 125 health care workers who took either hydroxychloroquine or a placebo for eight weeks. Eight of them – four on the anti-malarial drug, four on a placebo – tested positive for COVID-19, all of whom were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms. Their findings were published Wednesday in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal.
This study further corroborates previous findings about the inefficacy of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment or preventative measure against COVID-19.
A British trial in June found the drug did not help mortality outcomes in hospitalized patients, while a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a statistically insignificant difference in COVID-19 positivity rates between non-hospitalized individuals exposed to the virus who took a placebo or hydroxychloroquine.
Fact check: Hydroxychloroquine has not worked in treating COVID-19, studies show
The NFL has postponed the Tennessee Titans' home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in the wake of a rash of positive COVID-19 tests. The league announced Wednesday it was moving the game back "to allow additional time for further daily COVID-19 testing and to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel." The game will be played on either Monday or Tuesday. As of Wednesday, four Titans players and five team personnel tested positive for COVID-19.
The postponement marks the first NFL regular-season schedule change stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
– Erik Bacharach, Nashville Tennessean
New York City plans to host testing "block parties" in its neighborhoods where COVID-19 cases have creeped up in recent days. Six sites across the city will have sidewalks and streets converted into block parties with testing tents where 500 tests per day can be processed, Dr. Mitchell Katz, the head of the city's hospital system, said Wednesday.
The goal is to "saturate" with tests the neighborhoods that are contributing disproportionately to New York's overall caseload. The city is monitoring a number of neighborhoods in Queens and Brooklyn that have seen positive test rates well above 3%. If the citywide test rate were to exceed 3% on a 7-day average, Mayor Bill de Blasio previously said he would close the city's public schools.
"Constantly people say, 'What can I do to help? How can I help New York City?' You can help New York City by going out and getting tested today," de Blasio said.
– Ryan W. Miller
More than 60% of U.S. households with children report facing serious financial problems during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a survey released Wednesday. Nine in 10 households with children where someone has been diagnosed with COVID-19 report serious financial problems and serious problems caring for their children, the survey says.
The poll, from NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, highlights some of the major challenges families face during the pandemic. More than one-third of households with children report serious problems keeping their children’s education going and six in 10 report at least adult household member has lost a job, been furloughed, or had wages or hours cut.
Seven states set records for new cases over a seven-day period while three states had a record number of deaths in a week, a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data through late Tuesday shows. New case records were set in Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin, and also Puerto Rico. Record numbers of deaths were reported in Alaska, North Dakota and South Dakota. We've had deaths totaling more than two 9/11s just since America hit 200,000 dead a week ago.
– Michael Stucka
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
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Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-30--Nine NFL teams poised for playoff breakthrough in 2020, including two that haven't gone in more than

Parity has long been one of the NFL 's calling cards and a major reason it continues a runaway as the country 's most popular sports league .
Sure , it 's been largely dominated by the New England Patriots for the past two decades , but rarely has the greatest dynasty in NFL history been viewed as a prohibitive favorite .
And hope springs eternal league-wide because the draft , salary cap , injuries and a limited inventory of games combine to provide just about any club the opportunity to make a deep playoff surge .
Who saw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season ?
Or the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017 ?
Heck , the more time passes , the more remarkable the Atlanta Falcons ' run to Super Bowl LI – and overtime fail at New England 's hands – seems .
The NFL loves to cite year-over-year turnover in its playoff field .
Since 1990 , when the 12-team postseason format was implemented , at least four new teams ( and often many more ) have reached the Super Bowl tournament annually after being spectators the previous year .
But it 's more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , 29 of the league 's 32 teams have made at least one playoff trip .
Since 2010 , when the New York Jets reached the second of two consecutive AFC championship games , the only teams absent from postseason are the Buccaneers ( last appearance , 2007 ) and Browns ( 2002 ) – two organizations that could very well cast futility aside in 2020 .
And , do n't forget , we 're guaranteed at least two new playoff entries this season with the league expanding to a 14-team bracket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Here are nine that seem likeliest to break through , from most likely to least , with September 's action now in the books ( current record in parentheses ) : NFL power rankings : Chiefs reclaim No .
1 spot as Packers , Seahawks vie for top NFC team Nancy Armour : Titans ' COVID-19 outbreak does n't need to spell doom for NFL 32 things we learned : From Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season 1 .
Pittsburgh Steelers ( 3-0 ) : Baltimore 's loss Monday gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the AFC North , though the Steelers will have to contend with both the Browns and Ravens in October .
But every reason to be upbeat about a team that seems to be wedding last year 's dominant defense with an offense once again thriving under QB Ben Roethlisberger 's watch .
Big Ben is playing at a high level , his 105.2 passer rating on track to establish a career high , and the rejuvenation of his elbow coinciding with renaissance seasons from RB James Conner and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 290 yards allowed per game ) and is once again leading the NFL in sacks ( 15 ) .
Whether or not the Steelers knock Baltimore from the divisional throne , Pittsburgh looks capable of making serious noise in January .
NFL POWER RANKINGS : Chiefs reclaim No .
1 spot as Packers , Seahawks vie for top NFC team 2 .
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 2-1 ) : Despite their season-opening loss at New Orleans , the Bucs have bounced back to claim exclusive ownership of first place in the NFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has steadily improved ( yes , his opponents have also gotten steadily worse ) , former Pats teammate Rob Gronkowski returned to relevance Sunday in Denver , and key rookies like RT Tristan Wirfs and S Antoine Winfield Jr. are playing well .
If the newcomers , including RB Leonard Fournette , continue to jell with the Bucs ' established stars , this team has an open path to a division crown and more .
Keep a close eye on second-year LB Devin White and a fourth-ranked defense that should only get better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 .
Los Angeles Rams ( 2-1 ) : They should be 3-0 , robbed of a win in Buffalo by a highly suspect pass interference call .
Regardless , very encouraging start for a team proving offensively diverse without RB Todd Gurley – five players are averaging more than six touches per game , and that does n't include underrated TE Tyler Higbee – thanks in part to a revitalized offensive line .
The defense needs to dial in under rookie coordinator Brandon Staley , but when you 've got DL Aaron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming games against the Giants and Washington – ample opportunity to get right .
4 .
Dallas Cowboys ( 1-2 ) : They could easily be undefeated , yet came equally close to a winless start .
But playing in what shapes up as a pathetic NFC East , America 's Team should enjoy a substantial margin for error as it looks to extend a pattern of winning the division every other year since 2014 .
There 's no denying the talent , ever-improving QB Dak Prescott triggering the league 's No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving corps that 's apparently four deep given how Cedrick Wilson played Sunday .
Dallas should also be bolstered assuming the eventual returns of starting OTs Tyron Smith ( neck ) and La'el Collins ( hip ) and LB Leighton Vander Esch ( broken collarbone ) .
Three of the Cowboys ' next five contests are of the divisional variety , which should be a golden opportunity to create space between them and their battered rivals .
In the interim , new coach Mike McCarthy needs to get RB Ezekiel Elliott and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakdowns are addressed .
5 .
Indianapolis Colts ( 2-1 ) : Guess who 's got the stingiest defense in the NFL in both yards and points allowed ?
Anchored by DL DeForest Buckner and LB Darius Leonard , Indy looks capable of checking opponents more formidable than the winless Vikings and Jets .
Offensively , TE Mo Alie-Cox is an emerging player , though serious injuries to RB Marlon Mack and WR Michael Pittman Jr. are setbacks .
Still , this team 's fate is likely to hinge on QB Philip Rivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His Colts debut at Jacksonville in Week 1 was shaky , and the veteran passer has n't had to do much during the team 's subsequent blowouts .
Rivers never took the Chargers to the promised land , but it 's been some time since he had the backing of a defense and offensive line this stout .
Stay tuned .
6 .
Arizona Cardinals ( 2-1 ) : They made an impressive Week 1 statement by beating the ( mostly intact at the time ) 49ers on the road ... though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stumble to the Lions in the desert .
Still , a team with QB Kyler Murray , WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald , RB Kenyan Drake , OLB Chandler Jones and DBs Patrick Peterson and Budda Baker has more than enough talent to contend – even from the loaded NFC West .
The Cards are on the road the next three weeks but should notch at least two wins given the Panthers , Jets and Cowboys are on the docket .
Turnovers , the offensive line and a rough start for rookie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the versatile defender , who 's lined up in multiple spots , to do too much – loom as concerns .
7 .
Cleveland Browns ( 2-1 ) : Under new coach Kevin Stefanski , they 're enjoying just their third 2-1 start since 2002 – the only time the franchise has reached postseason since its 1999 reboot .
RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt form the best backfield tandem in the league , QB Baker Mayfield has played efficient football the last two weeks – often rolling out and using play-action thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Myles Garrett could be the NFL 's next transcendent defender , anchoring a unit tied for the league lead with seven takeaways .
The schedule 's about to get trying – the Browns will see the Cowboys , Colts and Steelers in October – but this squad has the talent to stay in the wild-card chase even while navigating the unforgiving AFC North .
8 .
Las Vegas Raiders ( 2-1 ) : An offense averaging nearly 30 points per game has flashed courtesy of QB Derek Carr , RB Josh Jacobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently missing field-stretching rookie WR Henry Ruggs III and a pair of starting O-linemen ( Trent Brown , Richie Incognito ) .
Worse , despite personnel changes , a defense gashed for 90 points and more than 1,200 yards does n't look any stronger in 2020 , particularly at the second and third levels .
Vegas ' next four opponents are the Bills , Chiefs , Bucs and Browns – a gauntlet that should help reveal the Raiders ' level of legitimacy .
9 .
Chicago Bears ( 3-0 ) : No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Period .
Chicagoans will cite perseverance for Da Bears ' comeback wins over Detroit and Atlanta – though most will see collapses by the Falcons and Lions , who would have survived had rookie RB D'Andre Swift not dropped what should have been the game-salvaging TD with 6 seconds to go .
( I still would n't be surprised if Detroit and Atlanta both overtake the Bears at some point this season . )
Chicago also survived a very suspect Giants team stripped of its best player , RB Saquon Barkley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once-dominant defense looks decidedly average .
RB Tarik Cohen is gone with an ACL tear .
And , most important , coach Matt Nagy is now throwing in with newly promoted QB Nick Foles – whose right arm was a magic wand once again in relief Sunday yet has only produced as many as eight regular-season victories once ( 2013 in Philadelphia ) .
The Colts and Bucs visit Soldier Field the next two weeks – very likely revelatory matchups .

Nine NFL teams poised for playoff breakthrough in 2020, including two that haven't gone in more than a decade
Show Caption Hide Caption NFL power rankings 4.0: Chiefs, Mahomes solidify themselves at the top SportsPulse: The Monday Night bout between the top two teams in the AFC was essentially a knockout with Kansas City dominating start to finish and reaffirming their status as the top team in the NFL. We reveal our risers and fallers in this week's power rankings. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Parity has long been one of the NFL's calling cards and a major reason it continues a runaway as the country's most popular sports league.
Sure, it's been largely dominated by the New England Patriots for the past two decades, but rarely has the greatest dynasty in NFL history been viewed as a prohibitive favorite. And hope springs eternal league-wide because the draft, salary cap, injuries and a limited inventory of games combine to provide just about any club the opportunity to make a deep playoff surge.
Who saw the Tennessee Titans reaching the championship round last season? Or the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017? Heck, the more time passes, the more remarkable the Atlanta Falcons' run to Super Bowl LI – and overtime fail at New England's hands – seems.
The NFL loves to cite year-over-year turnover in its playoff field. Since 1990, when the 12-team postseason format was implemented, at least four new teams (and often many more) have reached the Super Bowl tournament annually after being spectators the previous year.
But it's more than a churn of predictable powers. Since 2015, 29 of the league's 32 teams have made at least one playoff trip. Since 2010, when the New York Jets reached the second of two consecutive AFC championship games, the only teams absent from postseason are the Buccaneers (last appearance, 2007) and Browns (2002) – two organizations that could very well cast futility aside in 2020.
And, don't forget, we're guaranteed at least two new playoff entries this season with the league expanding to a 14-team bracket for the first time in a non-strike campaign.
Here are nine that seem likeliest to break through, from most likely to least, with September's action now in the books (current record in parentheses):
NFL power rankings: Chiefs reclaim No. 1 spot as Packers, Seahawks vie for top NFC team
Nancy Armour: Titans' COVID-19 outbreak doesn't need to spell doom for NFL
32 things we learned: From Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0): Baltimore's loss Monday gave Pittsburgh sole possession of first place in the AFC North, though the Steelers will have to contend with both the Browns and Ravens in October. But every reason to be upbeat about a team that seems to be wedding last year's dominant defense with an offense once again thriving under QB Ben Roethlisberger's watch. Big Ben is playing at a high level, his 105.2 passer rating on track to establish a career high, and the rejuvenation of his elbow coinciding with renaissance seasons from RB James Conner and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. More important, that elite D ranks second (290 yards allowed per game) and is once again leading the NFL in sacks (15). Whether or not the Steelers knock Baltimore from the divisional throne, Pittsburgh looks capable of making serious noise in January.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs reclaim No. 1 spot as Packers, Seahawks vie for top NFC team
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1): Despite their season-opening loss at New Orleans, the Bucs have bounced back to claim exclusive ownership of first place in the NFC South. QB Tom Brady's play has steadily improved (yes, his opponents have also gotten steadily worse), former Pats teammate Rob Gronkowski returned to relevance Sunday in Denver, and key rookies like RT Tristan Wirfs and S Antoine Winfield Jr. are playing well. If the newcomers, including RB Leonard Fournette, continue to jell with the Bucs' established stars, this team has an open path to a division crown and more. Keep a close eye on second-year LB Devin White and a fourth-ranked defense that should only get better as Brady and Co. settle in.
3. Los Angeles Rams (2-1): They should be 3-0, robbed of a win in Buffalo by a highly suspect pass interference call. Regardless, very encouraging start for a team proving offensively diverse without RB Todd Gurley – five players are averaging more than six touches per game, and that doesn't include underrated TE Tyler Higbee – thanks in part to a revitalized offensive line. The defense needs to dial in under rookie coordinator Brandon Staley, but when you've got DL Aaron Donald and CB Jalen Ramsey – and upcoming games against the Giants and Washington – ample opportunity to get right.
4. Dallas Cowboys (1-2): They could easily be undefeated, yet came equally close to a winless start. But playing in what shapes up as a pathetic NFC East, America's Team should enjoy a substantial margin for error as it looks to extend a pattern of winning the division every other year since 2014. There's no denying the talent, ever-improving QB Dak Prescott triggering the league's No. 1 passing attack while armed with a receiving corps that's apparently four deep given how Cedrick Wilson played Sunday. Dallas should also be bolstered assuming the eventual returns of starting OTs Tyron Smith (neck) and La'el Collins (hip) and LB Leighton Vander Esch (broken collarbone). Three of the Cowboys' next five contests are of the divisional variety, which should be a golden opportunity to create space between them and their battered rivals. In the interim, new coach Mike McCarthy needs to get RB Ezekiel Elliott and a middling run game going while ensuring secondary breakdowns are addressed.
5. Indianapolis Colts (2-1): Guess who's got the stingiest defense in the NFL in both yards and points allowed? Anchored by DL DeForest Buckner and LB Darius Leonard, Indy looks capable of checking opponents more formidable than the winless Vikings and Jets. Offensively, TE Mo Alie-Cox is an emerging player, though serious injuries to RB Marlon Mack and WR Michael Pittman Jr. are setbacks. Still, this team's fate is likely to hinge on QB Philip Rivers, who will be 39 in December. His Colts debut at Jacksonville in Week 1 was shaky, and the veteran passer hasn't had to do much during the team's subsequent blowouts. Rivers never took the Chargers to the promised land, but it's been some time since he had the backing of a defense and offensive line this stout. Stay tuned.
6. Arizona Cardinals (2-1): They made an impressive Week 1 statement by beating the (mostly intact at the time) 49ers on the road ... though that was partially offset by Sunday's stumble to the Lions in the desert. Still, a team with QB Kyler Murray, WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald, RB Kenyan Drake, OLB Chandler Jones and DBs Patrick Peterson and Budda Baker has more than enough talent to contend – even from the loaded NFC West. The Cards are on the road the next three weeks but should notch at least two wins given the Panthers, Jets and Cowboys are on the docket. Turnovers, the offensive line and a rough start for rookie Isaiah Simmons – Arizona may be asking the versatile defender, who's lined up in multiple spots, to do too much – loom as concerns.
7. Cleveland Browns (2-1): Under new coach Kevin Stefanski, they're enjoying just their third 2-1 start since 2002 – the only time the franchise has reached postseason since its 1999 reboot. RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt form the best backfield tandem in the league, QB Baker Mayfield has played efficient football the last two weeks – often rolling out and using play-action thanks to Stefanski's system – and DE Myles Garrett could be the NFL's next transcendent defender, anchoring a unit tied for the league lead with seven takeaways. The schedule's about to get trying – the Browns will see the Cowboys, Colts and Steelers in October – but this squad has the talent to stay in the wild-card chase even while navigating the unforgiving AFC North.
8. Las Vegas Raiders (2-1): An offense averaging nearly 30 points per game has flashed courtesy of QB Derek Carr, RB Josh Jacobs and TE Darren Waller. However the Raiders are currently missing field-stretching rookie WR Henry Ruggs III and a pair of starting O-linemen (Trent Brown, Richie Incognito). Worse, despite personnel changes, a defense gashed for 90 points and more than 1,200 yards doesn't look any stronger in 2020, particularly at the second and third levels. Vegas' next four opponents are the Bills, Chiefs, Bucs and Browns – a gauntlet that should help reveal the Raiders' level of legitimacy.
9. Chicago Bears (3-0): No losses here, so they're relevant. Period. Chicagoans will cite perseverance for Da Bears' comeback wins over Detroit and Atlanta – though most will see collapses by the Falcons and Lions, who would have survived had rookie RB D'Andre Swift not dropped what should have been the game-salvaging TD with 6 seconds to go. (I still wouldn't be surprised if Detroit and Atlanta both overtake the Bears at some point this season.) Chicago also survived a very suspect Giants team stripped of its best player, RB Saquon Barkley, in Week 2. The Bears' once-dominant defense looks decidedly average. RB Tarik Cohen is gone with an ACL tear. And, most important, coach Matt Nagy is now throwing in with newly promoted QB Nick Foles – whose right arm was a magic wand once again in relief Sunday yet has only produced as many as eight regular-season victories once (2013 in Philadelphia). The Colts and Bucs visit Soldier Field the next two weeks – very likely revelatory matchups.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis


usatoday--2020-09-30--Is Gamma on the way? Tropical wave in Caribbean would be season's 24th storm

Is Gamma on the way ?
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are tracking a tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea that , if it were to form , would be the 24th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season .
The wave is forecast to move toward the west and northwest over the next couple days and `` interact with a frontal system , producing a broad area of low pressure over the western Caribbean Sea by Thursday night or Friday , '' the Hurricane Center said .
Forecasters say the conditions are right for some development after that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend .
While the chances of formation in the next two days are low , the Hurricane Center says there 's a 60 % chance of formation in the next five days .
In a historically active hurricane season , 2020 has already seen 23 other named storms — about double the average for an entire season .
Forecasters every year have a list of 21 pre-approved names corresponding to letters of the alphabet , excluding Q , U , X , Y and Z , and if they run out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — they turn to Greek letters .
Hurricane season takes a breather : But activity could ramp up again in October Only once before have Greek letters been employed .
The hyperactive 2005 season wound up using six Greek names : Tropical Storm Alpha , Hurricane Beta , Tropical Storm Gamma , Tropical Storm Delta , Hurricane Epsilon and Tropical Storm Zeta .
This year has already seen storms Alpha , a short-lived subtropical storm over Portugal , and Beta , a tropical storm that soaked Texas and the Gulf Coast .
Gamma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricanes have also formed this season , with winds of 111 mph or more , meaning they reached Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale : Hurricanes Laura and Teddy .
Laura caused widespread damage in Louisiana and southeastern Texas when it roared ashore as a Category 4 storm .
Teddy never made landfall in the U.S. but brushed past Maine into Canada after it had lashed Bermuda .
Hurricane Sally , though not a `` major hurricane '' in terms of wind speeds , still drenched Alabama and Florida with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The active season has also renewed concerns and raised questions about climate change .
While no single storm can be attributed to climate change , scientists say it has caused strong storms to be even stronger .
Warmer air also holds more moisture , making storms rainier , and rising seas from global warming make storm surges higher and more damaging .
Scientists have been seeing tropical storms and hurricanes slow down once they hit the United States by about 17 % since 1900 , and that gives them the opportunity to unload @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sally did in the Southeast and 2017 ’ s Hurricane Harvey did in Houston .

Is Gamma on the way? Tropical wave in Caribbean would be season's 24th storm
Show Caption Hide Caption Hurricane season: Accuweather predicts 20 named storms and we're not done We've already had eight storms with direct impact on the U.S. this Atlantic hurricane season and Accuweather forecasts two more. Accuweather
Is Gamma on the way?
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are tracking a tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea that could be the 24th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
The wave is forecast to move toward the west and northwest over the next couple of days and "interact with a frontal system, producing a broad area of low pressure over the western Caribbean Sea by Thursday night or Friday," the Hurricane Center said.
Forecasters said the conditions are right for development after that, and a tropical depression could form over the weekend. Though the chances of formation in the next two days are low, the Hurricane Center said there's a 60% chance of formation in the next five days.
There have been 23 other named storms this year – about double the average for an entire season. Every year, forecasters have a list of 21 preapproved names corresponding to letters of the alphabet, excluding Q, U, X, Y and Z, and if they run out of names – a rare occurrence – they turn to Greek letters.
Hurricane Sally floods Florida beach with storm surge Coastal areas in Florida see massive storm surge as Hurricane Sally makes landfall. USA TODAY
Hurricane season takes a breather: Activity could ramp up again in October
Only once before have Greek letters been employed. The hyperactive 2005 season used six Greek names: Tropical Storm Alpha, Hurricane Beta, Tropical Storm Gamma, Tropical Storm Delta, Hurricane Epsilon and Tropical Storm Zeta.
This year has seen storms Alpha, a short-lived subtropical storm over Portugal, and Beta, a tropical storm that soaked Texas and the Gulf Coast. Gamma would be up next.
Two major hurricanes have formed this season: Hurricanes Laura and Teddy reached Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale – winds of 111 mph or more.
Laura caused widespread damage in Louisiana and southeastern Texas when it roared ashore as a Category 4 storm. Teddy never made landfall in the USA but brushed past Maine into Canada after it lashed Bermuda.
Hurricane Sally, though not a "major hurricane" in terms of wind speeds, still drenched Alabama and Florida with heavy rains and caused massive flooding.
The active season has renewed concerns about climate change. Though no single storm can be attributed to climate change, scientists said it has caused strong storms to be even stronger. Warmer air holds more moisture, making storms rainier, and rising seas from global warming make storm surges higher and more damaging.
Dual disasters: How is climate change worsening wildfires and hurricanes?
Scientists have seen tropical storms and hurricanes slow down once they hit the USA by about 17% since 1900, and that gives them the opportunity to unload more rain over one place, as Sally did in the Southeast and 2017’s Hurricane Harvey did in Houston.
Contributing: Doyle Rice, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Cheryl McCloud


usatoday--2020-09-30--Disney parks to lay off 28,000 workers in California, Florida

The coronavirus pandemic 's economic effects have reached the workers of the most magical place in the world .
Disney 's park division is laying off 28,000 employees in California and Florida in the wake of the pandemic .
Two-thirds of the planned layoffs involve part-time workers but they ranged from salaried employees to nonunion hourly workers , Disney officials said .
In a letter to employees , Josh D'Amaro , chairman of Disney Parks , Experience and Product , said his management team had worked hard to try to avoid layoffs .
They had cut expenses , suspended projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t enough given limits on the number of people allowed into the park because of social distancing restrictions and other pandemic-related measures , he said .
When will Disneyland reopen ?
: COVID-19 surge keeps California theme parks in limbo “ As heartbreaking as it is to take this action , this is the only feasible option we have in light of the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on our business , including limited capacity due to physical distancing requirements and the continued uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .
The California Attractions and Parks Association , which represents popular theme parks , including Disneyland and Universal Studios , called on California Gov .
Gavin Newsom two weeks ago to implement COVID-19 regulations to allow the parks to get back to business .
Disneyland was supposed to reopen on July 17 , but that was postponed as coronavirus cases surged in California during the first half of the summer .
Disney ’ s other theme parks in Florida , Paris , Shanghai , Japan and Hong Kong have been able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney World even adding extra open hours recently .
Contributing : Rasha Ali , USA TODAY and The Associated Press

Disney parks to lay off 28,000 workers in California, Florida
Show Caption Hide Caption Disney World reopens with new safety measures amid COVID concerns As Walt Disney World reopens, here are some new health and safety measures you may see. USA TODAY
The coronavirus pandemic's economic effects have reached the workers of the most magical place in the world.
Disney's park division is laying off 28,000 employees in California and Florida in the wake of the pandemic.
Two-thirds of the planned layoffs involve part-time workers but they ranged from salaried employees to nonunion hourly workers, Disney officials said.
In a letter to employees, Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experience and Product, said his management team had worked hard to try to avoid layoffs. They had cut expenses, suspended projects and modified operations but it wasn’t enough given limits on the number of people allowed into the park because of social distancing restrictions and other pandemic-related measures, he said.
When will Disneyland reopen?: COVID-19 surge keeps California theme parks in limbo
Disney World employees: Workers gain access to COVID-19 testing site actors' union requested
“As heartbreaking as it is to take this action, this is the only feasible option we have in light of the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on our business, including limited capacity due to physical distancing requirements and the continued uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic,” he said.
USA TODAY reached out to Disney for comment.
The California Attractions and Parks Association, which represents popular theme parks, including Disneyland and Universal Studios, called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom two weeks ago to implement COVID-19 regulations to allow the parks to get back to business.
Disneyland was supposed to reopen on July 17, but that was postponed as coronavirus cases surged in California during the first half of the summer.
Disney’s other theme parks in Florida, Paris, Shanghai, Japan and Hong Kong have been able to reopen to limited capacity, with Disney World even adding extra open hours recently.
Contributing: Rasha Ali, USA TODAY and The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-30--Election updates: First president debate goes off the rails as both sides claim victory

The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump quickly spun into a storm of personal attacks Tuesday night , at times devolving into a shouting match that made it hard for moderator Chris Wallace to be heard .
Biden called Trump a `` fool , '' `` Putin 's puppy '' and `` the worst president '' in American history .
In one of the times Trump interrupted him , Biden snapped , `` Will you shut up , man ? ''
Trump needled his opponent from the outset , calling him a `` socialist , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interrupting and speaking over him .
Trump was given an opportunity to condemn white supremacists , but he did n't take it , a response that may energize the extremist group Proud Boys , one expert said .
Biden also knocked Trump on his response to the COVID-19 pandemic , saying he needed to get `` a lot smarter '' on the issue .
Despite the raucous debate , which CNN 's Jake Tapper described as `` a hot mess inside a dumpster fire , '' both sides quickly claimed victory .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was full of testy exchanges .
Here are our top moments of the night .
• Operation Legend : Trump promotes himself as the `` law and order '' president and has expanded a federal policing initiative across the U.S. , but violent crime is far from dissipating in cities where the program was launched .
• Michael Flynn : A lawyer for Michael Flynn , President Donald Trump 's former national security advisor , told a federal judge Tuesday that she asked Trump not to pardon her client .
📊 What the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until Election Day , seven days until the vice presidential debate , 112 days until Inauguration Day , 93 days left in 2020 .
🗳 Voting : See USA TODAY 's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote , when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues .
We will update this article throughout the day .
You can follow all of USA TODAY 's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter .
President Donald Trump was given an opportunity to condemn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He did n't take it , and his response has energized the Proud Boys , a known extremist group , one expert said .
Moderator Chris Wallace 's question came as Trump and Biden discussed the violence and social upheaval that has swept the streets of cities like Portland , Oregon , and Kenosha , Wisconsin , following a summer of protests .
When pressed to condemn white supremacists , Trump asked for the name of a specific group .
Biden responded by naming the Proud Boys .
`` Proud Boys – stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` But I 'll tell you what , somebody 's got to do something about antifa and the left . ''
Debate : Donald Trump sidesteps call to condemn white supremacists — and the Proud Boys were 'extremely excited ' about it Megan Squire , a professor of computer science at Elon University in North Carolina who studies online extremism , told USA TODAY that she immediately went to the group 's social media channels .
“ They reacted exactly as I thought they would , '' Squire said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
They felt validated .
They took it the same way everybody listening took it — that he was giving them a shout-out , basically.
” Hillary Clinton admits she wanted to tell Trump to 'shut up' After a presidential debate rife with outbursts and attacks , Hillary Clinton confirmed she wished she could have told President Donald Trump to `` shut up '' when the pair debated in 2016 .
The former nominee 's confession came after feminist writer Jill Filipovic tweeted that former Vice President Joe Biden 's off-the-cuff remark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man ? ''
was `` the line of the night . ''
Filipovic later added , `` I so feel for Hillary right now , because I 'm positive she wanted to say that and could n't . ''
`` You have no idea , '' Clinton replied .
House commits to 'peaceful transfer of power ' in resolution By a lopsided 397-5 vote , the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a nonbinding resolution affirming the House 's commitment to an `` orderly and peaceful transfer of power '' after the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump by name , it was introduced after he declined lat week to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the election in November , provoking a backlash from both sides of the aisle .
`` You know that I 've been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster , '' Trump told reporters .
`` Get rid of the ballots and you 'll have a very a peaceful – there won ’ t be a transfer , frankly , there ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Calif. , who had introduced the measure , called Trump 's remarks `` beyond unsettling '' and the `` sentiment of dictators and despots . ''
The Senate passed a similar nonbinding measure last week without any objections from lawmakers .

Election updates: GOP chides Trump over white supremacy remarks, debate commission considering changes after Tuesday goes off the rails
Show Caption Hide Caption Presidential Debate: Trump and Biden argue their stances on COVID-19 President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden argue what to do about COVID-19 and the pandemic at the first 2020 presidential debate. USA TODAY
The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump quickly spun into a storm of personal attacks Tuesday night, at times devolving into a shouting match that made it hard for moderator Chris Wallace to be heard.
It was so acrimonious the organization that oversees the presidential debates says it will be adding "additional tools" to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's night's raucous confrontation between
Biden called Trump a "fool," "Putin's puppy" and "the worst president" in American history. In one of the times Trump interrupted him, Biden snapped, "Will you shut up, man?"
Trump needled his opponent from the outset, calling him a "socialist," taking shots at his family and repeatedly interrupting and speaking over him.
Trump was given an opportunity to condemn white supremacists, but he didn't take it, a response that drew blowback from some in his own party Wednesday. Biden also knocked Trump on his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he needed to get "a lot smarter" on the issue.
Despite the raucous debate, which CNN's Jake Tapper described as "a hot mess inside a dumpster fire," both sides quickly claimed victory.
☕ The latest:
GOP reacts to Trump: Senate Republicans said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate.
Senate Republicans said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate. Debate's top moments: Tuesday night was full of testy exchanges. Here are our top moments of the night.
Tuesday night was full of testy exchanges. Here are our top moments of the night. Law and order : Trump promotes himself as tough on crime and has expanded Operation Legend, a federal policing initiative across the U.S., but violent crime is far from dissipating in cities where it launched.
: Trump promotes himself as tough on crime and has expanded Operation Legend, a federal policing initiative across the U.S., but violent crime is far from dissipating in cities where it launched. James Comey: The former FBI Director spoke before a Republican-led Senate panel on Wednesday, calling the Russia investigation "essential."
📆 34 days until Election Day, seven days until the vice presidential debate, 112 days until Inauguration Day, 93 days left in 2020.
🗳 Voting: See USA TODAY's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote, when your state begins voting, frequently asked questions and what the candidates think about the issues.
We will update this article throughout the day. You can follow all of USA TODAY's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter.
The Senate prepared Wednesday evening to vote on a spending measure to keep federal agencies running hours before the government is set to shut down.
The legislation, which is likely to pass in a largely bipartisan vote, would go to President Donald Trump, who is likely to give final approval to the bill. The federal annual spending bill expires at midnight, meaning Congress has to act Wednesday to keep the government open.
- Christal Hayes
The organization that oversees the presidential debates says it will be adding "additional tools" to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's night's raucous confrontation between President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden.
"Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," the Commission on Presidential Debates announced Wednesday.
The commision said it was "carefully considering" changes and would announce them shortly.
The second of three debates between Trump and Biden is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami.
- Ledyard King and Phillip Bailey
Debate changes: Trump-Biden brawl in Cleveland prompts debate commission to consider format changes for future encounters
Republicans in Congress said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate Tuesday, when the president sidestepped a question on the issue during a chaotic and bruising two hours.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, often a Trump critic, said Trump should have condemned white supremacists.
"I think he misspoke, I think he should correct it. If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak," said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the only Black Republican in the Senate.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said Trump “should have been very clear, and he should have made it very clear that there's no room for people on the far left or the far more far-right. When it comes to either an antifa or these white supremacist groups should have been very clear.”
When pressed to condemn white supremacists, Trump asked for the name of a specific group. Democrat Joe Biden responded by naming the Proud Boys.
"Proud Boys – stand back and stand by," Trump said. "But I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left."
- Nicholas Wu
Debate: Republicans in Congress say Trump should have directly condemned white supremacists at presidential debate
President Donald Trump was given an opportunity to condemn white supremacists during Tuesday's debate. He didn't take it, and his response has energized the Proud Boys, a known extremist group, one expert said.
Moderator Chris Wallace's question came as Trump and Biden discussed the violence and social upheaval that has swept the streets of cities like Portland, Oregon, and Kenosha, Wisconsin, following a summer of protests.
When pressed to condemn white supremacists, Trump asked for the name of a specific group. Biden responded by naming the Proud Boys.
"Proud Boys – stand back and stand by," Trump said. "But I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left."
Debate: Donald Trump sidesteps call to condemn white supremacists — and the Proud Boys were 'extremely excited' about it
Megan Squire, a professor of computer science at Elon University in North Carolina who studies online extremism, told USA TODAY that she immediately went to the group's social media channels.
“They reacted exactly as I thought they would," Squire said. "They were extremely excited by what he said. They felt validated. They took it the same way everybody listening took it — that he was giving them a shout-out, basically.”
- Courtney Subramanian
Former FBI Director James Comey, whose 2017 dismissal by President Donald Trump unleashed a broader investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia led by special counsel Robert Mueller, on Wednesday defended the inquiry that he initially helped launched as "essential."
"Overall, I'm proud of the work," Comey told a Republican-led Senate panel investigating the government's early handling of the Russia investigation that shadowed much of Trump's presidency.
Comey also said he would not have approved the Carter Page warrant had he been aware of the errors uncovered by the inspector general.
- Kevin Johnson
After a presidential debate rife with outbursts and attacks, Hillary Clinton confirmed she wished she could have told President Donald Trump to "shut up" when the pair debated in 2016.
The former nominee's confession came after feminist writer Jill Filipovic tweeted that former Vice President Joe Biden's off-the-cuff remark of "Will you shut up, man?" was "the line of the night."
Filipovic later added, "I so feel for Hillary right now, because I'm positive she wanted to say that and couldn't."
"You have no idea," Clinton replied.
- Camille Caldera
By a lopsided 397-5 vote, the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a nonbinding resolution affirming the House's commitment to an "orderly and peaceful transfer of power" after the election.
Although the resolution did not mention President Donald Trump by name, it was introduced after he declined lat week to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the election in November, provoking a backlash from both sides of the aisle.
"You know that I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster," Trump told reporters. "Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very a peaceful – there won’t be a transfer, frankly, there’ll be a continuation.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who had introduced the measure, called Trump's remarks "beyond unsettling" and the "sentiment of dictators and despots."
The Senate passed a similar nonbinding measure last week without any objections from lawmakers.
- Nicholas Wu


usatoday--2020-09-30--'Day of reckoning': Former FBI Director James Comey to testify in Senate Russia hearing

Former FBI Director James Comey , whose 2017 dismissal by President Donald Trump has since become the subject of a memoir and recent television drama , is set to testify Wednesday before a Senate panel investigating the government 's early handling of the Russia investigation that shadowed much of Trump 's presidency .
Comey is the third high-profile witness in the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee 's inquiry which has cast the investigation into the Kremlin 's interference in the 2016 election as politically-motivated and undermining the Trump presidency .
Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , has described Comey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reckoning '' in the Senate inquiry .
Lawmakers already have heard testimony from former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein , who appointed Robert Mueller to lead the 22-month Russia probe , and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates , who first warned the Trump administration that then-national security adviser Michael Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his early contacts with Russia .
'No such thing happened ' : Former acting AG Sally Yates says Obama , Biden did not urge Flynn inquiry ' I 'm accountable ' : Ex-deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe but accepts flaws in FBI surveillance It was Comey 's firing , however , that would reverberate for months , starting with Trump 's acknowledgment that he took the action because of the FBI chief 's handling of the Russia investigation and the president 's connection to it .
Within weeks of Comey 's dismissal , Rosenstein appointed Mueller , unleashing a sprawling investigation into contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials , along with attempts by the president to thwart the Mueller investigation .
In explosive testimony a month following his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee that he had memorialized conversations with Trump during the early days of the administration in which the president allegedly requested the FBI director 's personal `` loyalty '' and asked him to drop the investigation into Flynn 's contacts with the Russian ambassador .
More : DOJ declines prosecution of ex-FBI Director James Comey for leaked Trump memos , found he violated policy The memos are the heart of television mini-series , titled `` The Comey Rule , '' that debuted earlier this week .
`` I appreciate Mr. Comey coming before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News earlier this month .
`` He will be respectfully treated but asked hard questions . ''
Graham 's committee has cast a spotlight on the FBI 's handling of the Flynn investigation , suggesting that the bureau sought to unfairly target Flynn .
The administration 's first national security adviser would later plead guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
Flynn moved to withdraw that guilty plea in January , claiming the government had breached the plea agreement .
While Flynn awaited sentencing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prosecution over the objection of career prosecutors .
The move was challenged by the sentencing judge , who has since asked a federal appeals court to reconsider Justice 's decision , leaving the retired Army lieutenant general 's fate uncertain , nearly three years after he first pleaded guilty .

Former FBI Director James Comey defends Russia investigation, concedes on Carter Page
Show Caption Hide Caption How Russian interference could affect the 2020 election, too Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and helped Donald Trump win. We look back at history and ask: Will they do it again? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Former FBI Director James Comey, whose 2017 dismissal by President Donald Trump unleashed a broader investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia led by special counsel Robert Mueller, on Wednesday defended the inquiry that he initially helped launched as "essential."
"Overall, I'm proud of the work," Comey told a Republican-led Senate panel investigating the government's early handling of the Russia investigation that shadowed much of Trump's presidency.
At the same time, the former director also conceded that there were "significant and important failings" in the bureau's repeated pursuit of surveillance authority to track former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, as part of the investigation.
Pressed repeatedly by Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Comey said he would not have approved multiple wiretap applications targeting Page had he known that the requests filed with the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court had been rife with error, as determined last year by the Justice Department's inspector general.
Nevertheless, Comey said the flawed warrant represented a "far less important" part of the overall investigation that went on to review the former director's firing as part of an effort by Trump to obstruct the inquiry.
Comey, whose firing has since become the subject of a memoir and television drama, is the third high-profile witness in the Senate Judiciary Committee's inquiry, which has cast the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as a politically motivated operation to undermine candidate Trump and later the Trump presidency.
On Wednesday, Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., seized on the Page surveillance warrant, suggesting that the FBI and Obama Justice Department turned its back on information that should have raised questions about the basis for seeking the Page wiretap.
Leveling criticism directly at Comey, who appeared via video, Graham said it was "astounding" that the FBI director was unaware of the investigation's shortcomings, suggesting that the director was "clueless."
The Justice Department's inspector general's findings led to the prosecution of a former FBI lawyer who last month pleaded guilty to falsifying an email used to support the surveillance request. Federal authorities also used an unverified dossier, purporting to chronicle Trump's past activities in Moscow, to support the warrant application.
When the FBI obtained the dossier in September 2016, compiled by a former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele, Comey told lawmakers he was unaware Steele's primary source was a suspected Russian agent.
The abuses uncovered by the inspector general, Graham said Wednesday, have "shaken" confidence in the system. But the same inspector general's report also concluded that the Russia investigation was justified and was not influenced by political bias.
Comey: Trump would be charged with obstruction if he was not president Former FBI Director James Comey said President Trump would've been charged with obstruction if he wasn't president, during a CNN town hall broadcast. USA TODAY
Graham has cast Comey's voluntary appearance as "the day of reckoning" in the Senate inquiry. Lawmakers already have heard testimony from former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller to lead the 22-month Russia probe, and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who first warned the Trump administration that then-national security adviser Michael Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his early contacts with Russia.
Republican members joined Graham in blasting Comey's initial oversight of the investigation, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pointedly calling the Russia inquiry "corrupt."
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., called Comey an "equal opportunity egotist" for his public roles in managing both the Trump inquiry and the Hillary Clinton email investigation, that was briefly re-opened in the days before the 2016 election.
Trump entered the fray via Twitter on Wednesday, referring to Comey as a "LIAR!!!" and saying he "should be arrested on the spot!"
The stream of broadsides came just hours after the rancorous Tuesday night presidential debate where Trump insulted and interrupted his way through a 90-minute clash with Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who referred to the president as "a clown" and implored him to "shut up."
Committee Democrats, including Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, meanwhile described the Senate hearing as "a political errand for Trump's re-election effort" just weeks before Election Day.
"We shouldn't be debasing ourselves this way," Leahy said.
'No such thing happened': Former acting AG Sally Yates says Obama, Biden did not urge Flynn inquiry
'I'm accountable': Ex-deputy AG Rod Rosenstein defends oversight of Russia probe but accepts flaws in FBI surveillance
Comey's firing has reverberated for years, starting with Trump's acknowledgment that he took the action because of the FBI chief's handling of the Russia investigation and the president's connection to it.
Within weeks of Comey's dismissal, Rosenstein appointed Mueller, paving the way for the special counsel's wide-ranging investigation.
In explosive testimony a month after his dismissal, Comey told a separate Senate committee that he had memorialized conversations with Trump during the early days of the administration in which the president allegedly requested the FBI director's personal "loyalty" and asked him to drop the investigation into Flynn's contacts with the Russian ambassador.
More: DOJ declines prosecution of ex-FBI Director James Comey for leaked Trump memos, found he violated policy
The memos are the heart of a television miniseries, titled "The Comey Rule," that made its debut earlier this week.
Graham's committee also has cast a spotlight on the FBI's handling of the Flynn investigation, suggesting that the bureau sought to unfairly target Flynn. The administration's first national security adviser would later plead guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Flynn moved to withdraw that guilty plea in January, claiming the government had breached the plea agreement.
While Flynn awaited sentencing, the Justice Department in May abruptly abandoned the prosecution over the objection of career prosecutors. The move was challenged by the sentencing judge, who has since asked a federal appeals court to reconsider Justice's decision, leaving the retired Army lieutenant general's fate uncertain, nearly three years after he first pleaded guilty.
Before Graham adjourned Wednesday's hearing, he challenged Comey's earlier assertion that the overall Russia investigation was conducted "by the book."
Comey gave no ground, saying that "in the main," the inquiry was proper, prompting another flourish from the chairman.
"God help us all if this was done by the book," Graham said. "If this is by the book, we need to rewrite the book."


usatoday--2020-09-30--Ruth Bader Ginsburg's memorial marks a moment in history for women

This story was published in partnership with The 19th , a nonprofit , nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender , politics and policy .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a historic trailblazer , marked history one more time : On Friday , the late Supreme Court justice became the first woman and Jewish person to lie in state in the United States Capitol , an honor reserved for members of Congress , U.S. presidents or leaders of the military .
She is only the second justice to be honored in this way ; the other was William Taft , who was chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check : It 's true , Ginsburg and Scalia were close friends despite ideological differences Ginsburg ’ s legacy of inspiring generations of women — many represented among the mourners who stood before her flag-draped casket — was on full display in the Capitol ’ s Statuary Hall , where centuries of the patriarchy of American politics , in the forms of marble figures of men , looked on during her memorial .
During the ceremony , the women of the 116th Congress were the first allowed to pay their respects to Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol to honor her as her casket passed by .
There was Nancy Pelosi , the highest-ranking female elected official in U.S. history and the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House .
The California Democrat called the moment a “ high honor , ” and said in a statement : “ Justice Ginsburg ’ s tireless advocacy in the fight for gender equality leaves a historic and enduring legacy of progress for women , for families and for our entire country .
Her life and leadership cemented the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equal.
” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Rep. Barbara Lee of California both bowed at the foot of Ginsburg ’ s casket .
Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio raised her fist as she passed by .
The three Black women are part of the most diverse Congress in history , and members of the largest Congressional Black Caucus since the organization ’ s founding in 1971 .
Also among the grieving : the trailblazing women and sitting U.S. senators who , together with Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Marianne Williamson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for president in a single election cycle .
Honoring Ginsburg on Friday were Sens .
Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Kamala Harris of California — currently the highest-ranking Black female elected official in American politics , whose latest barrier breaking moment in politics came last month when she was named the first Black woman to join a major party presidential ticket .
Alongside these gains in political gains for women is another reality : Women still make up only 23.7 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the U.S. population and electorate .
In a nod to Ginsburg ’ s strength , her trainer , Army veteran Bryant Johnson dropped before her casket and did a trio of push-ups in her honor .
Ginsburg ’ s fitness routine as an octogenarian became legend in a recent documentary about her life .
Ginsburg ’ s lifelong love of opera — the diminutive justice lamented that she wished she ’ d had the talent to be an opera singer — was also reflected in the ceremony , as soprano Denyce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half a century , it was that strength that helped bring about much of the change — both incremental and seismic — to make America more fair and free for all of its citizens .
Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt spoke to how Ginsburg spent a lifetime chipping away at inequality , a leader to the end .
“ All the days of her life , she pursued justice … Pursuing justice took resilience , persistence , a commitment to never stop , ” Holtzblatt told the audience .
“ As a lawyer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not in one swift victory , but brick by brick , case by case , through meticulous , careful lawyering , she changed the course of American law .
“ She was our prophet , our north star , our strength for so very long … Now she must be permitted to rest after toiling so long for every single one of us .
”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s memorial marks a moment in history for women
This story was published in partnership with The 19th, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a historic trailblazer, marked history one more time: On Friday, the late Supreme Court justice became the first woman and Jewish person to lie in state in the United States Capitol, an honor reserved for members of Congress, U.S. presidents or leaders of the military. She is only the second justice to be honored in this way; the other was William Taft, who was chief justice as well as president.
Fact check: It's true, Ginsburg and Scalia were close friends despite ideological differences
Ginsburg’s legacy of inspiring generations of women — many represented among the mourners who stood before her flag-draped casket — was on full display in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall, where centuries of the patriarchy of American politics, in the forms of marble figures of men, looked on during her memorial.
During the ceremony, the women of the 116th Congress were the first allowed to pay their respects to Ginsburg. They also lined the steps of the Capitol to honor her as her casket passed by.
There was Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking female elected official in U.S. history and the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. The California Democrat called the moment a “high honor,” and said in a statement: “Justice Ginsburg’s tireless advocacy in the fight for gender equality leaves a historic and enduring legacy of progress for women, for families and for our entire country. Her life and leadership cemented the truth that all men and women are created equal.”
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Rep. Barbara Lee of California both bowed at the foot of Ginsburg’s casket. Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio raised her fist as she passed by. The three Black women are part of the most diverse Congress in history, and members of the largest Congressional Black Caucus since the organization’s founding in 1971.
Also among the grieving: the trailblazing women and sitting U.S. senators who, together with Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Marianne Williamson, set a record for women candidates running for president in a single election cycle. Honoring Ginsburg on Friday were Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Kamala Harris of California — currently the highest-ranking Black female elected official in American politics, whose latest barrier breaking moment in politics came last month when she was named the first Black woman to join a major party presidential ticket.
Alongside these gains in political gains for women is another reality: Women still make up only 23.7 percent of lawmakers in Congress, despite being the majority of the U.S. population and electorate.
In a nod to Ginsburg’s strength, her trainer, Army veteran Bryant Johnson dropped before her casket and did a trio of push-ups in her honor. Ginsburg’s fitness routine as an octogenarian became legend in a recent documentary about her life.
Ginsburg’s lifelong love of opera — the diminutive justice lamented that she wished she’d had the talent to be an opera singer — was also reflected in the ceremony, as soprano Denyce Graves performed in tribute.
Over more than half a century, it was that strength that helped bring about much of the change — both incremental and seismic — to make America more fair and free for all of its citizens. Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt spoke to how Ginsburg spent a lifetime chipping away at inequality, a leader to the end.
“All the days of her life, she pursued justice … Pursuing justice took resilience, persistence, a commitment to never stop,” Holtzblatt told the audience. “As a lawyer, she won equality for women and men, not in one swift victory, but brick by brick, case by case, through meticulous, careful lawyering, she changed the course of American law.
“She was our prophet, our north star, our strength for so very long … Now she must be permitted to rest after toiling so long for every single one of us.”