An ‘unsurvivable storm surge’

Ashley Shaffer, USA TODAY
·7 min read

Hurricane Laura threatens to bring a deadly storm surge to the Gulf. The Milwaukee Bucks send a historic message on racial injustice. And a 17-year-old was arrested following a Kenosha shooting.

It's Ashley, thinking about Short List readers preparing for Hurricane Laura. Let's jump right into today's news.

But first, it's shaping up to be a ruff week: In honor of National Dog Day, scroll down for a Short List treat.

Hurricane Laura could bring an ‘unsurvivable’ 20-foot storm surge

Hurricane Laura is expected to be an "extremely powerful Category 4 hurricane" with an "unsurvivable storm surge" of up to 20 feet and 145-mph winds when it reaches the Gulf Coast on Wednesday night and early Thursday, the hurricane center said. A storm surge is the massive mound of water that builds up and comes ashore during a hurricane, created as the storm's powerful winds push water onto the shore. It is often the deadliest and most destructive threat from these storms. Laura's storm surge is expected to be the worst from Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, to the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.

Laura is now the strongest August hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since infamous Hurricane Katrina in 2005, meteorologists say. More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate Tuesday, the largest evacuation in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Evacuees walk to board a bus as they are evacuated by local and state government officials before the arrival of Hurricane Laura on Aug. 25, 2020, in Lake Charles, La.
Evacuees walk to board a bus as they are evacuated by local and state government officials before the arrival of Hurricane Laura on Aug. 25, 2020, in Lake Charles, La.

Fatal shooting at a protest over Jacob Blake

A 17-year-old suspected of fatally shooting two people and wounding a third in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has been arrested as protests over police brutality and the shooting of Jacob Blake continue to rock the country. Court records show the juvenile was charged as a fugitive from justice. For three nights, violent protests have torn through Kenosha after a police officer shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, from behind at close range while he was getting in a vehicle. Since then, buildings have been burned, windows smashed out and stores looted. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has "agreed to accept federal assistance," and that federal law enforcement and the National Guard would be sent to the city.

A demonstrator stands in the street with a make-shift shield on Aug. 25, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. As the city declared a state of emergency curfew, a third night of civil unrest occurred after the shooting of Jacob Blake, 29, on August 23.
A demonstrator stands in the street with a make-shift shield on Aug. 25, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. As the city declared a state of emergency curfew, a third night of civil unrest occurred after the shooting of Jacob Blake, 29, on August 23.

What everyone’s talking about

Bucks boycott NBA playoff game to protest racial injustice

The Milwaukee Bucks have announced they will not play Game 5 of Wednesday's Eastern Conference playoff series against the Orlando Magic in protest of the Jacob Blake shooting. "We're tired of the killings and injustice," Bucks guard George Hill told The Undefeated. Shortly after the Bucks boycotted Wednesday's game, the NBA also postponed the day's remaining two playoff games: Oklahoma City vs. Houston and Portland vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.

Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill during Game 1 against the Orlando Magic.
Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill during Game 1 against the Orlando Magic.

‘This change in policy will kill’

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its COVID-19 testing guidelines and now says people without symptoms "do not necessarily need a test" – even if they've been exposed to COVID-19. The revisions to CDC guidelines have been met with concern by medical experts, who caution that fewer tests may lead to more cases and hinder contact tracing efforts. “This change in policy will kill,” tweeted Alison Galvani, director for the Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis at Yale School of Medicine. Before changes were made Monday, the CDC previously said that testing was recommended “for all close contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

The CDC has changed its COVID-19 testing guidelines and now says people without symptoms "do not necessarily need a test" – even if they've been exposed to the virus.
The CDC has changed its COVID-19 testing guidelines and now says people without symptoms "do not necessarily need a test" – even if they've been exposed to the virus.

Real quick

This is your big moment, veep!

Vice President Mike Pence is expected to formally accept his nomination for vice president tonight at the Republican National Convention, and we’re expecting him to use his speech to (you guessed it) praise Trump and denounce his rival Joe Biden. Second lady Karen Pence, senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, and Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump are also scheduled to address the convention.

Did you catch Day 2 of the RNC? The night was spent portraying a softer Trump, one who cares about the little guy: the lobsterman in Maine, the dairy farmer from Wisconsin, the police officer from New Mexico. First lady Melania Trump described her husband as an "authentic person" who loves the country. Notably, she remarked on racial divisions and spoke on the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are other key takeaways.

First lady Melania Trump speaks from the Rose Garden at the White House during the Republican National Convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 25, 2020.
First lady Melania Trump speaks from the Rose Garden at the White House during the Republican National Convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 25, 2020.

Can I pet that dog?

It's National Dog Day, and obviously an excellent excuse for me to give a few of your adorable pups the Short List fame they deserve. I put an SOS out yesterday for you all to send in pictures of your dogs for the occasion, and I was not disappointed.

Here are a few (of the many!) good boys and girls of The Short List:

Jack, who definitely has more Instagram followers than all of us, says "Not all who wander are lost, man."
Jack, who definitely has more Instagram followers than all of us, says "Not all who wander are lost, man."
This is Gunner, in addition to chasing balls at the park he works "pot" time at home in Eastern Massachusetts.
This is Gunner, in addition to chasing balls at the park he works "pot" time at home in Eastern Massachusetts.
"Between a rock and a hard place? Try two couch cushions!" — Lil' Jack, who does not approve this message.
"Between a rock and a hard place? Try two couch cushions!" — Lil' Jack, who does not approve this message.
Samuel and her big sister Sydney want you to vote in the upcoming election. Specifically, for unlimited dog treats and more belly rubs.
Samuel and her big sister Sydney want you to vote in the upcoming election. Specifically, for unlimited dog treats and more belly rubs.
Stella, a one-year-old Aussiedoodle, sees that Pumpkin Spice Latte in your hand and is wondering where the heck her Puppuccino is?
Stella, a one-year-old Aussiedoodle, sees that Pumpkin Spice Latte in your hand and is wondering where the heck her Puppuccino is?
This is Maddon, not to be confused with the NFL video game franchise. However, this 100-pound pup could probably be confused with a linebacker.
This is Maddon, not to be confused with the NFL video game franchise. However, this 100-pound pup could probably be confused with a linebacker.
Meet Lola, a spunky 2-year-old Havanese who — wait, is that a squirrel?!
Meet Lola, a spunky 2-year-old Havanese who — wait, is that a squirrel?!
This is Chip, a 3.5-pound long-haired chihuahua. Like his namesake, he's a total snack!
This is Chip, a 3.5-pound long-haired chihuahua. Like his namesake, he's a total snack!
Jax the Maltese may have a resting cute face, but he's a little annoyed you are taking a photo instead of throwing that ball right now.
Jax the Maltese may have a resting cute face, but he's a little annoyed you are taking a photo instead of throwing that ball right now.

Thank you to everyone who sent pictures of your pups in! A special Dog Day *boop* to:

Mitch, the "Best Dog in the Whole World." Bogart the "most awesome boy" from Charleston, SC. Bruce and his big bro Roscoe. Stocia the Bernadoodle and Ziti the mini Golden Doodle. Theodore Longfellow the Dachshund. Izzy the Shiba Inu and her brother (from another mother) Zeus. Sadie from Florida. Luke in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Momo from San Diego, CA. Buddy the Beagle from Bettendorf, Iowa. Yorkies Bella and Laci. Winnie, Hannah and Baxter from Indianapolis. Maggie the lab shepherd mix and Ralphie Amadeus Frankenstein Dexter. Foxxy and Zara. Peanut and Kahlo are the beloved Chihauhaus. Luci and Foxi. Lola the 3-month-old Maltipoo. Scooter from the Jersey Shore. Butter Koch the shoelace connoisseur. Duffy the adorable 10-year-old furball. Moshie the 5-year-old rescue from Belvidere, TN. Steva Campbell's pugs. Riley from Lake Michigan. Caleb schnoodle. Lola the 10-year-old rescue Shitzu. Oliver who loves a good Chicago joyride. Jake from Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. Benji from Thousand Oaks, CA. Rocket the skunk magnet. Josie from the Gulf Coast. Princess Cici. Francis the Border Collie. Gracie the Morkie. Sam bear and Polly. Lucy from Jonesboro. Ginger the soon-to-be-fifteen-year-old. Rusty the rescue. Miles the Golden and Hubbard the Shepherd. Oscar McChung the cheese lover. Missy from The Villages, FL. Tucker from Noblesville, Indiana. Wrigley keeping safe from COVID-19. Clyde and Oliver. Ginger, Sass, Reni, Rusty, and last but not least: Jack.

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Laura, Jacob Blake, RNC, Trump, NBA, COVID-19: Wednesday's news.