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Serena Williams

As wildfires rage in California, snow blankets Colorado

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USA TODAY

Happy hump day, Daily Briefing readers! It’s Jane here, bringing you the news you need to know this Wednesday.

As wildfires continue to burn in sweltering California, Colorado is seeing snowfall — but firefighters there are warning it won’t put out a massive blaze that’s  burning in the state. Joe Biden will court autoworkers on the campaign trail in Michigan, a day before President Donald Trump’s visit to the state. And Serena Williams will continue her quest to make record-tying history at the U.S. Open.

Here’s today’s news:

As West wildfires rage, Colorado gets blanketed with snow

As wildfires rip across the state of California amid a triple-digit heat wave, parts of Colorado are expected to receive 3 to 6 inches of snow by Wednesday morning. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state's wildfire count is far beyond the number last year. And smoke from about 40 wildfires across California has thrown a shroud over Southern California – reaching as far as New Mexico. In some areas, it could be days before residents get to see blue skies again. In Colorado, a major winter storm and frigid temperatures brought summer to a screeching halt. The heavy snow could help dampen the Cameron Peak Fire, a major blaze in northern Colorado that more than quadrupled in size over the hot Labor Day weekend. But despite the snow, "the fire will still be going," said Paul Bruggink, a spokesman for the team fighting the blaze. "We need a series of these to put this thing out," he added. 

On the campaign trail: Biden expected to make appearance in Michigan

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday is headed to Warren, Michigan, home to the auto industry that the Obama administration helped rescue after the recession. Ahead of Biden’s visit, the United Auto Workers released a video giving him praise for helping with the government rescue of General Motors and Chrysler in 2009 and legislation that included a provision that helped move jobs back to Flint from Mexico. Biden's remarks at the campaign stop are expected to focus on manufacturing and other jobs in Michigan. A live stream of the event will be available on www.joebiden.com. Wednesday’s visit comes a day before President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at an airplane hangar in Freeland, Michigan. Biden is currently leading Trump in Michigan polls by an average of 6.5 percentage points. 

In coronavirus news:

Birthing while Black: Their stories show the dangers of being Black and pregnant

Kyana Brathwaite, a registered nurse from Havertown, Pennsylvania, said she got no empathy from her doctor when she was pregnant. "She treated me as if I was a piece of cattle," she said. Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. And this disparity increases with age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But even Black women with relatively uncomplicated pregnancies say they experience overt racism by medical professionals who are supposed to be caring for them. They’re ignored. They’re dismissed. And they aren’t treated with the same respect as their white counterparts. Here are their stories:

More news you need to know:

New York casinos can officially reopen at 25% capacity

Privately-owned casinos in New York will be able to reopen Wednesday, following a lengthy COVID-19 shutdown. The casinos will be required to set their maximum capacity at 25%, and those who enter the facilities will be required to wear masks. Some slot machines will be closed to ensure social distancing. The state has not yet approved table games, but casinos will be able to seek approval if they install physical barriers between guests. According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, they will also need to ensure their air filtration systems meet certain requirements set by the state, similar to the requirements set for indoor shopping malls. 

Serena Williams continues her quest in U.S. Open semifinals

Serena Williams will continue her quest for a record-tying 24th major singles title when she takes on unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova for a berth in the U.S. Open semifinals Wednesday in New York City. Williams missed more than a year of competition when she had a daughter in 2017, and has since been seeking that elusive 24th title. Pironkova, who hails from Bulgaria, is playing in her first tournament since she took a break of more than three years to have a son. Williams endured a tough fourth-round match Monday, needing three sets before beating 15th-seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, to get to the quarterfinals in a 12th consecutive appearance at Flushing Meadows. Williams, who turns 39 in less than three weeks, has won six of her 23 titles at the U.S. Open.

And finally:

Watch this adorable golden retriever puppy struggle to get comfortable during his afternoon snooze, until a classic sleeping position works out best.

Contributing: Associated Press

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