Idalia strengthened into a hurricane early Tuesday on its perilous journey to Florida’s Gulf Coast, where it is expected to make landfall with powerful storm surge and strong winds. Also in the news: An incumbent Democratic governor faces off against a Republican attorney general in the Kentucky gubernatorial race and Coco Gauff bounced back to victory on day one of the US Open.
🙋🏼‍♀️ I am Nicole Fallert, Author of the daily briefing. Aren’t paper straws so eco-friendly??
Now it’s gone with Tuesday’s news.
Idalia is now a Category 1 hurricane as it progresses towards the Gulf Coast of Florida
Florida residents loaded sandbags and were evacuated from their homes in low-lying areas of the Gulf Coast on Monday as Hurricane Idalia intensified. Forecasters predicted it would bring dangerous winds, life-threatening storm surges and flooding heavy rain.
Extremely hot waters in the Gulf feed Idalia, which now has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
- While some areas of Florida Since Tampa Bay won’t make landfall, experts warn Idalia’s main threat will be storm surge — a rapid rise in water levels that pushes rivers and streams inland.
- Several counties along the Gulf of Mexico Evacuations began Monday for coastal communities and low-lying areas, and more evacuations were expected. An emergency order from Governor Ron DeSantis covered 46 of the state’s 67 counties.
- Check your summer vacation plans: The system will certainly have an impact on travel and is already causing some airports, airlines, cruise lines and theme parks to announce operational changes.
Faculty member died following shooting and hours-long lockdown at UNC Chapel Hill
A faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was fatally shot in a campus building on Monday afternoon, officials said at a news conference. Shortly after 1 p.m. ET, UNC police were notified of shots fired at Caudill Laboratories, a chemistry building near the center of campus. The police arrived at the scene and found a teacher shot dead. No one else was injured, UNC Police Chief Brian James said. The motive for the shooting is still unknown. Learn more
More news to know now
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The ex-president and 18 allies will be brought to justice on September 6 in Georgia
Former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies charged with allegedly conspiring to overturn the results of Georgia’s 2020 election will be arraigned on Wednesday (September 6) before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee. The 19 defendants are charged with violating Georgia’s Corrupt and Racketeer Influenced Organizations Act, which criminalizes the activities of individuals engaged in organized crime. Other charges against them include conspiracy to commit election fraud, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, and perjury. On Sept. 6 at 9:30 a.m., Trump will be the first defendant to stand trial. The other accused will follow at 15 minute intervals. Trump and several of his allies have denied any wrongdoing. Learn more
Voting rights for ex-felons could be at stake in Kentucky
Much like Kentucky’s last two gubernatorial elections, whoever wins the race this year could determine whether tens of thousands of Kentuckians who have served felony sentences will be eligible to vote over the next four years. Kentucky is one of only three states where those convicted of a crime can only have their right to vote restored by actions of the governor, although two general executive orders – one of which was overturned – have affected the right to vote for a significant part of Commonwealth elections. population over the past decade. Democratic Governor Andy Beshear now finds himself in a re-election race against Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, raising questions about whether his voting rights decision could survive a possible Cameron administration. This story is for USA TODAY subscribers. If it is you, keep reading. Otherwise, you can register to support our writing here.
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Coco Gauff enters the US Open as favorite
Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old Florida girl who has lost her last two Grand Slam matches – including a first-round elimination at Wimbledon last month – didn’t want to go easy or fast on day one of the US Open. As thousands of fans grew increasingly vocal, sixth-seeded Gauff eventually converted on her eighth break point of that match and ended up beating German qualifier Laura Siegemund 3-6, 6- 2, 6-4 to reach the second round. at Flushing Meadows. Learn more about Gauff’s game.
Quick shots
Photo of the day: Simone Biles wins a record 8th American gymnastics title
Gymnastics star Simone Biles has won her eighth United States Championship, 10 years after first reaching the pinnacle of her sport as a teenage prodigy. Biles’ competition included a huge Cheng, only the second hardest jump performed today and the one she recovered just a few weeks ago. Learn more
Nicole Fallert is the newsletter editor for USA TODAY, sign up for email here. Do you want to send a message to Nicole? Email him at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow his thoughts on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.
Associated Press contributed reporting.
