House's sprint, Trump's West visit, returns of 'Jeopardy!', 'Wheel': 5 things to know Monday

Editors, USA TODAY
·5 min read

House returns with pandemic, shutdown, marijuana on a full agenda

The House is set to return from a monthlong recess Monday, launching a congressional sprint on a number of must-pass bills to avert a government shutdown. Both the House and Senate only have several weeks left in session before the November election. The small window, meshed with essential legislation, a global pandemic and a presidential election, has left Congress with a jam-packed schedule. The House also aims to tackle topics beyond the expected, like the federal legalization of marijuana. As for COVID-19 relief, optimism on Capitol Hill has faded fast. Americans weathering the deep-rooted impacts of the coronavirus pandemic appear increasingly unlikely to see any additional financial relief from Congress before the November election.

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Trump to visit California as wildfires ravage the state, western US

President Donald Trump will travel to California Monday for an update on the wildfires that have scorched parts of the state. Trump, who publicly addressed the fires for the first time last week, approved a major disaster declaration for California, which has experienced some of the largest fires in its history this year. But the visit also comes on the heels of Trump's blistering criticism last month where he said California's forest fires burn because the state is not "cleaning its floors." At least 35 people have died — 24 in California, 10 in Oregon and one in Washington state — since a rash of fires began burning in drought conditions a month ago. No one knows yet exactly how many homes have been destroyed.

Sally forecast to become hurricane before landfall near Louisiana border

A report from the National Hurricane Center early Monday morning said the center of Tropical Storm Sally will approach the northern Gulf Coast within the hurricane warning area Monday night and Tuesday. The hurricane center also said strengthening is expected, and Sally is forecast to become a hurricane by Monday night, with additional strengthening possible before the center crosses the northern Gulf Coast. The upcoming storm triggered evacuations in Louisiana over the weekend. "It's possible we could see winds of 100 mph, with gusts to 120 along the coast as Sally makes shore," said Ben Schott, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in New Orleans. The hurricane center warned Sally could bring rainfall along the Gulf Coast of 8 to 16 inches with isolated amounts of 24 inches, as well as life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force winds.

'Monday Night Football' returns with a doubleheader

A double dose of "Monday Night Football" wraps up an opening weekend that has been anything but ordinary across the NFL. Like nearly all of Sunday's games, neither Monday night contest will feature fans in the stands, and social justice messages figure to be a core theme in the games. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is set to make his return after missing nearly all of the 2019 season as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New York Giants in the early game, starting at 7:15 p.m. ET. The late game, starting at 10:10 p.m. ET, pits the Denver Broncos against one of last season's biggest surprises, the Tennessee Titans. Both games will air on ESPN and the early game will feature the new regular three-man 'MNF' booth of play-by-play man Steve Levy and color commentators Louis Riddick and Brian Griese.

'Jeopardy!' returns for its 37th season

For those in need of some normalcy (everyone), Monday night marks the return of ‘Jeopardy!’ for its 37th season. Longtime host Alex Trebek, who has been battling pancreatic cancer, recorded the show without a studio audience – and you might notice some changes to the set: More space between the contestants as well as a safe distance between them and Trebek. If you’re a fan of 'Jeopardy!' champion Ken Jennings, you'll be happy to hear he's now working as a consulting producer for the new season and will be around to present his own special video categories. To find out what time the show airs in your area, visit jeopardy.com/watch.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House returns from recess, Trump heads west: 5 things to know Monday