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Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend

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3 more bodies found after demolition of Champlain Towers South in Florida

After rescue efforts were put on hold over fears that winds from approaching Tropical Storm Elsa would topple the partially collapsed Miami condominium building, the remaining structure of the Champlain Towers South was demolished with a loud bang and an almost silent collapse Sunday night. When the billowing smoke and dust that blanketed the area cleared, the remaining structure that had hampered search-and-rescue efforts for 11 days was gone. Search efforts resumed shortly after, allowing crews to return to parts of the rubble pile. Three bodies were discovered Monday, raising the death toll to 27. More than 100 people remain missing, according to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. 

Champlain Towers South comes down during demolition July 4 in Surfside, Fla.

Biden’s July 4th party celebrates progress in pandemic fight, recognizes lives lost

As Americans gathered to celebrate Independence Day, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted their own party on the South Lawn of the White House. The president struck an optimistic tone before a fireworks display, promising that the USA is “closer than ever to declaring our independence from a deadly virus,” though he cautioned that "COVID-19 has not been vanquished.” Biden said he keeps a note on his person with the exact number of Americans who have died from COVID-19. "As of tonight, that number is 603,018 people who have lost their lives," he said, stressing that each person lost was a member of a family and community. The celebration included a barbecue for military families and essential workers, whom Biden thanked for their service to the country throughout the pandemic. "It's the greatest honor to serve as your commander in chief," the president told the gathered service members. "Thank you for your service and sacrifice."

Meanwhile, Joey Chestnut beat his own record to win 14th at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, eating 76 franks.

President Joe Biden hosts an Independence Day celebration.

Real quick

Tropical Storm Elsa turns deadly as it heads toward Florida

About 180,000 Cubans fled their homes over the weekend ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa, which has become deadly on its sweep through the Caribbean with sights set on Cuba. The National Weather Service extended a tropical storm warning for Florida's Gulf Coast as far north as Tampa Bay on Monday in advance of the storm, which is forecast to slam across Cuba before targeting Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 15 counties. Over the weekend, one person died on St. Lucia, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, and a 15-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman died in the Dominican Republic after walls collapsed on them. Also hit hard was Barbados, where more than 1,100 houses were damaged, including 62 homes that collapsed. Late last week, Elsa intensified to the season's first hurricane before returning to tropical storm status. After crossing Cuba, Elsa is forecast to weaken as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. Keep up with the latest updates on the storm here. 

Antony Exilien secures the roof of his house in response to Tropical Storm Elsa in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 3. Elsa brushed past Haiti and the Dominican Republic before taking aim at Cuba and Florida.

Tyson issues massive chicken recall

The USDA and Tyson Foods announced on Saturday the recall of approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen, cooked chicken products for possible listeria contamination. The recall includes Tyson-branded products and private label products for restaurants, which include Jet’s Pizza, Casey’s General Store, Marco’s Pizza and Little Caesars. The CDC issued a food safety alert saying the products – which were shipped nationwide to retailers and institutions including hospitals, nursing facilities, restaurants and schools – may be linked to a listeria outbreak that has caused three illnesses and one death.

Manhunt for suspect in triple homicide at Georgia golf course

Police in Georgia searched for the person who fatally shot three people at an Atlanta-area golf course Saturday, including the club's golf professional. The shooter has not been identified, Cobb County police told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Officers responding to a call at the Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw discovered club employee Eugene Siller, 41, on the course with a gunshot wound to the head. Siller was pronounced dead at the scene. Police found the bodies of two other men who had been fatally shot in the bed of a Dodge Ram 3500, which had been driven onto the course. One man was identified as Paul Pierson, the truck's owner.

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This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Contributing: Associated Press.

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