Hurricane Laura projected to be 'catastrophic' Category 4 storm

Hurricane Laura bears down on the Gulf Coast, two are dead in a shooting during Wisconsin protests, and more things to start your Wednesday morning. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Daily Briefing   Wednesday, August 26 Hurricane Laura projected to be 'catastrophic' Category 4 storm Hurricane Laura bears down on the Gulf Coast, two are dead in a shooting during Wisconsin protests, and more things to start your Wednesday morning. Good morning, Daily Briefing friends. The week's big stories continue to develop as we start our Wednesday, with major updates on protests in Washington, Hurricane Laura's looming landfall and President Donald Trump's unconventional Republican National Convention. Let's get to it: 2 shot dead and 1 injured in Kenosha during protests Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, were looking early Wednesday for a man armed with a long gun after two people were shot and killed and a third person was injured during protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake. The shooting came on the third night of fiery protests that have torn through Kenosha after a police officer shot Blake from behind at close range while he was getting in a vehicle. • Timeline: Blake was shot less than 3 minutes after Wisconsin police arrived at the scene • What we know: Blake reportedly paralyzed after police shooting Hurricane Laura bears down on Texas, Louisiana Hurricane Laura was "rapidly intensifying" early Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center warned, threatening to bring a life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding to Texas and Louisiana. The storm is poised to deliver a devastating blow late Wednesday and early Thursday. The Hurricane Center has projected that Laura will become a Category 4 major hurricane before landfall, with winds of around 120 mph. The storm, moving northwest at 15 mph, was last spotted 315 miles south-southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and 335 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas, as of 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday. Wind speeds had increased up to 110mph. • Wild weather: Season may be record-breaker with two hurricanes hitting Gulf at same time • Keep an eye on tropical storms and hurricanes with USA TODAY's storm tracker • Flying to or from the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Laura approaches? Change your flight without a fee The latest on coronavirus in America • Coronavirus live updates: Melania Trump offers sympathy to victims; Hurricane Laura evacuation efforts; US death toll nears 180K • Experts see progress on a COVID vaccine, but worry about who gets it first and how it gets to them • Should employers force workers to get COVID-19 vaccine? Some experts say they should • From a Biogen conference to a homeless shelter: Researchers track coronavirus infections from 'superspreader' events • 'A complete fantasy'? College students are moving in, but they're making COVID-19 back-up plans • Colleges are trying to track students to contain COVID-19 cases. Students are pushing back • From air hugs to airplane arms: What reopening daycare centers look like during COVID-19 VP Pence headlines Day 3 of the Republican National 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 office from New Mexico. First lady Melania Trump was the speaker of note . From the White House Rose Garden, 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.  • Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke from Israel, breaking diplomatic protocol by engaging in partisan political activity • Trump makes 'surprise' appearance during RNC to take part in the swearing-in of new citizens • More RNC takeaways from night 2: Melania Trump speaks of 'harsh reality' of racial unrest, Pompeo stirs controversy Mike Pence is expected to formally accept his nomination for vice president on the third night of the convention , though he too is expected to use his speech to praise Trump. His remarks are likely to underscore the main RNC themes: Lavish praise for Trump combined with harsh denunciations of challenger 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. • How to livestream the RNC for free Weather conditions could change California firefighters' tactics Firefighters battling the historic blazes in Northern California have made progress in getting the massive fires under control after weather conditions helped them out on Monday. But that good weather may not be here to stay: Temperatures are forecast to rise in the coming days into the weekend . At least seven people have died in the fires, and 1,400 structures were destroyed, Cal Fire Assistant Deputy Director Daniel Berlant said. About 170,000 people were evacuated, and although about 50,000 were allowed back into their homes starting Sunday, about 75,000 structures remain threatened by the fires.  • California fires: This is how a lightning storm can start a wildfire • California is on fire: What are fire whirls, fire tornadoes, fire clouds and dry lightning? More news we're watching • March on Washington: 15 photos of the historic march on anniversary of MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech • Missing Fort Hood soldier Elder Fernandes' body found in Texas, attorney says • Doc Rivers: 'It's amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back' • 'AGT': Heidi Klum 'uncomfortable' after comedian calls her a 'tramp' in cringeworthy skit • Frito-Lay issues voluntary recall of Lay's Barbecue chips over allergy concerns Women gained the right to vote 100 years ago One hundred years ago, the women's suffrage movement achieved victory as the 19th Amendment officially became part of the Constitution. (It had become a done deal on Aug. 18 when Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, securing a two-thirds majority of the states.) The dominant narrative about the women's suffrage movement is framed through the experiences of white women. African American women played a major role in obtaining the right to vote even though many of them would not truly enjoy the right themselves to the same extent until decades later. In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated Aug. 26 as Women's Equality Day. To commemorate the amendment's 100th anniversary, USA TODAY put together a list of 100 Women of the Century, recognizing powerhouse women who have shaped our nation and paved the way for future leaders.  • Women's suffrage timeline: A look back at milestones of the movement • The Backstory: How and why USA TODAY is recognizing Women of the Century • These 20 Black women fought for voting rights • State-by-state: USA TODAY Network's Women of the Century marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment In better news 🍂 The cult favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte lands back at Starbucks today, ready to transport you back to simpler times of fall 2019. More good news for those of us who've chosen to eat our way through this pandemic: Childhood cereal favorite Lucky Charms is releasing its "marshmallow charms" as a limited edition snack. And Spicy Chicken McNuggets are headed to McDonalds starting Sept. 16, the first flavor McDonald's has introduced since McNuggets launched in 1983.   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102