6 months of coronavirus. 150,000 dead.
There's no slowdown in sight in our battle against COVID-19 as the U.S. marked another bleak milestone on Wednesday: 150,000 deaths.
It's Ashley with the news to know.
But first, some good news: We are only halfway through 2020 and it's been ... the worst? So let's focus on the good for a few. Here are 100 positive things that have happened in 2020.
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US hits 150,000 deaths from COVID-19
Almost six months after the first known death in the U.S. from COVID-19, more than 150,000 people have died. And the death toll will likely reach a grim 200,000 in less than two months. Several states this week set seven-day records for virus deaths as Southern and Southwestern states continue to be a hotbed for the resurgence. Not all states are on the same trajectory, of course. New York and some of the Northeastern states have tamped down the surge. California, Texas and Florida are among a raft of states now struggling mightily. But as states battle the resurgence, they also face differing attitudes on how to stop the spread. Experts say the increase in cases and deaths is largely because of states easing restrictions and reopening their economies too soon.
In Washington, Attorney General William Barr is being tested for the coronavirus after a Texas congressman he was near tested positive. The congressman is Rep. Louie Gohmert, who "can't help but wonder" if his COVID-19 diagnosis is the result of wearing a mask.
Federal agents in downtown Portland are packing up
Following weeks of nightly protests and violent encounters between protesters and federal officers in Portland, Oregon, federal agents will begin withdrawing from the city’s downtown area. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday that the federal government agreed to remove all Customs and Border Protection and ICE officers from downtown Portland starting Thursday while state police will remain. A force of at least 114 federal officers has been deployed to the city since early this month in the wake of demonstrations against police brutality following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Operation Legend expands: The Portland withdrawal news comes after the Justice Department announced plans to send nearly 100 federal agents and officers to Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee as part of “Operation Legend,” a federal crime initiative that began earlier this month and has since been expanded to several cities.
What everyone’s talking about
What's the deal with the #ChallengeAccepted Instagram trend? Here's how it started, and why J.Lo and more celebs are posting.
🐯 It's International Tiger Day, and some were spotted in Thailand for the first time in four years.
The "Umbrella Man" who broke windows in initial George Floyd protests is a white supremacist, police say.
Machine Gun Kelly opens up about Megan Fox, says he "waited for eternity" to find her.
The woman killed in Maine's first great white shark attack was identified as a 63-year-old from NYC.
Soon-to-be Tropical Storm Isaias could impact Florida this weekend
Florida is in the path of a potential tropical storm for the first time this hurricane season, but it's still too early to determine where the storm might hit. By the end of the week, forecasts say residents could see heavy rain and strong winds. The weather system, which should soon be Tropical Storm Isaias, was dumping heavy rain on the eastern Caribbean on Wednesday. After moving near Puerto Rico on Wednesday night, the system will affect the Dominican Republic and Cuba before making its way to the U.S. mainland, possibly Florida, by the weekend.
Don’t know how to pronounce Isaias? Same. I just looked it up and it’s pronounced "ees-ah-EE-ahs." Listen to a meteorologist pronounce it here.
Real quick
Garth Brooks withdrew from the CMA "Entertainer of the Year" race. "It's time for somebody else to hold that award."
Almost half of all jobs lost during the pandemic may be gone permanently.
A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed and caught fire as a bridge partly collapsed over an Arizona lake.
Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon: Big Tech CEOs were questioned over antitrust concerns.
Madonna's coronavirus Instagram post was flagged, then removed, for sharing "false Information."
US to withdraw nearly 12,000 troops from Germany
President Donald Trump’s plan to pull 12,000 U.S. troops out of Germany is moving forward, defense officials said Wednesday, detailing a Pentagon plan that will cost billions of dollars and take years to complete. About 6,400 forces will be brought home and 5,400 will be shifted to other countries in Europe. The Pentagon said the action was part of its plan to strategically "reposition" U.S. forces in Europe to better counter threats from Russia and China. But the move has attracted bipartisan congressional opposition, raised concerns among NATO allies and appears to be fueled at least in part by Trump’s displeasure at Germany's failure to spend more on defense.
A break from the news
💦 Can’t find Lysol spray? Here’s what to buy instead.
📺 50 best TV shows to watch on Netflix right now: "Schitt’s Creek," "Grey's Anatomy," and more.
👽 From USA TODAY Opinion: In 2020, anything's possible. New government intelligence might prove alien life is, too.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID-19 deaths, Portland, Louie Gohmert, Tropical Storm Isaias: Wednesday's news
