LA County mask mandate, TWA Flight 800 tragedy, NBA Finals: 5 things to know this weekend
LA County reinstates its mask mandate
California's Los Angeles County, the most populated county in the U.S., will once again require people to wear masks indoors – regardless of vaccination status – due to a recent surge in new COVID-19 cases. The mandate will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Saturday. The startling change, announced exactly a month after California became one of the last in the country to reopen and drop coronavirus mandates, aims to stunt an uptick in new cases combined with the spread of the highly infectious delta variant.
- The fourth wave of COVID-19 cases is here. Will we escape the UK's fate? It's too soon to know.
- COVID-19 vaccine by J&J comes with rare nerve syndrome warning. Here's what to know about it
- Colleges hope students get COVID-19 vaccines for fall semester – but can they require it?
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25 years later, the TWA Flight 800 tragedy is still painful
On July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean minutes after lifting off from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, killing all 230 passengers and crew. For victims' relatives 25 years later, it is a troubling story of lives cut short – an open wound of the heart that never seems to heal. To some it is still a story of a terrorist conspiracy that persists, despite facts showing the plane was actually brought down by a tragic mechanical failure. To others, it is a somber, bureaucratic turning point in how America investigates air crashes. Not only was TWA 800 one of the worst air disasters in U.S. history, it also raised questions about how America responds to conspiracies and how our government monitors the maintenance of aging commercial jetliners. Victims' relatives are expected to gather at the TWA Memorial in Smith Point Park on Long Island in New York Saturday evening, according to a local report.
- 'First conspiracy of the internet age': How the TWA Flight 800 explosion sparked online rumors for years
- 25 years later: The TWA Flight 800 remnants will be scrapped
New York Gov. Cuomo faces questioning from harassment probe
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to be questioned in the state capital of Albany Saturday, the Associated Press reports, as investigators appear close to finishing a probe into the sexual harassment and misconduct allegations that have shadowed him for months. The investigation overseen by state Attorney General Letitia James, a fellow Democrat, is not a criminal inquiry but it could have significant influence on Cuomo's political future. Cuomo is moving forward with plans to run for a fourth term next year, but any findings from the investigation that corroborate the allegations could sway impeachment proceedings or add to already sizable pressure for Cuomo to leave voluntarily before he finishes his third term. The New York Assembly Judiciary Committee's investigation is also looking into other issues, including the underreporting of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and details around Cuomo's lucrative book deal.
- Previous coverage: Assembly investigation has received 100 tips about Cuomo amid scandals
- Anchor's behind-the-scenes involvement: Chris Cuomo's calls with brother's staff on sex harassment claims 'inappropriate,' CNN says
- The US is seeing a summer surge in gun violence: New York just declared an emergency.
Florida Gov. DeSantis heads to Texas to discuss Mexico border situation
With Republicans continuing to hammer President Joe Biden's administration on security over the Mexico border, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday he will lead a Florida delegation to Texas for a weekend briefing with state and local officials. DeSantis will be joined by fellow Republicans, Attorney General Ashley Moody and state Senate President Wilton Simpson. The Florida delegation will be briefed Saturday afternoon by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas law enforcement officials. Florida Democrats have dismissed DeSantis' moves as largely politically motivated. Republicans have criticized Biden for loosening restrictive Trump-era immigration policies, while the arrests of migrants at the border have spiked in recent months. DeSantis has blamed the crush of migrants for increasing the flow of illegal drugs, particularly methamphetamine, into this country, including Florida.
- DeSantis deploys 50 officers: Florida border deployments started last month
- Rising numbers: Migrant encounters at the border surpass 1 million for the year. June's numbers reach 188,000.
- Did you follow the news this week? Test your knowledge with our quiz!
One for the road? The Bucks will need a win in Phoenix at some point
One of the most popular – and some would say annoying – axioms in sports is, "The series hasn't started until the home team loses." The home team has yet to lose in the first four games of the NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. But you might be hard-pressed to convince the teams that the series hasn't started yet. With a pivotal Game 5 of the NBA Finals set for Saturday night in Phoenix (9 p.m. ET, ABC), the Bucks will try to see if the momentum of their two consecutive home wins that evened the series at 2-2 can carry over into Phoenix. Milwaukee will need to win one game in Phoenix since the Suns have the home court in the series. Wednesday's Game 4 saw the Bucks pull ahead late with eight straight points from Khris Middleton and great defense from two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. In fact, there have been early conversations about Antetokounmpo's block of Suns center Deandre Ayton being one of the best denials of all time.
- Race to title: Suns vs. Bucks has become a best-of-3 series after most compelling game of NBA Finals
- Moving forward: Bucks' Khris Middleton takes center stage in Game 4 vs. Suns to even NBA Finals at 2-2
- NBA Finals performances: What should Suns make of Devin Booker’s brilliance and Chris Paul’s sloppiness in Game 4 loss?
Contributing: The Associated Press