End of an era: Bezos steps down as CEO of Amazon
Good morning, Daily Briefing readers! Hopefully a big chunk of you are enjoying a long holiday weekend. Happy Fourth of July for yesterday! 🎆
Rescuers can resume the hunt for victims at the collapsed Florida condo building today, after what remained of the structure was demolished last night. Jeff Bezos is stepping down as CEO of Amazon, the company he founded as an online bookseller exactly 27 years ago. He won't completely cut ties with the firm though – he's taking on the role of executive chairman.
It's Jane, with Monday's news.
🚌 New this morning: From Oprah to Taylor Swift to Tobias Harris, a growing number of stars are taking their investment in education to the next level by launching entire schools.
🚓 The 11 armed people arrested in a standoff on a Massachusetts freeway that blocked traffic for hours were charged with a host of firearm-related offenses, authorities said.
🏃🏽♀️ Let Sha'Carri Richardson compete – and stop testing athletes for cannabis, writes addiction doctor Scott E. Hadland for USA TODAY Opinion.
🎬 Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee is defending the memory of her father again. She says Quentin Tarantino's comments about the late legend are "not welcome."
🎧 On today's 5 Things podcast, hear how the Florida condo's demolition could help the search for survivors. You can listen to the podcast every day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your smart speaker.
Here's what's happening today:
Search back on after partially collapsed condo building in Florida is demolished
Crews have the all-clear to move ahead with search and rescue efforts after authorities demolished the still-standing portion of the collapsed condo building in Surfside, just outside Miami, late Sunday night. Crews immediately began clearing some of the new debris so rescuers could start making their way into parts of the underground garage that is of particular interest. Once there, they were hoping to get a clearer picture of voids that may exist in the rubble and could possibly harbor the 121 people believed to be trapped under the fallen wing of the Champlain Towers South that collapsed June 24. As of Monday morning, the death toll from the condo building's collapse was at 24.
Jeff Bezos to leave role as Amazon CEO
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos formally steps down as CEO on Monday, the 24th anniversary of the company's incorporation. Taking over for Bezos is Andy Jassy, an executive who has been with Amazon since 1997 and previously worked as CEO of Amazon Web Services, the company's cloud computing service. Although the tech giant will have new leadership, Bezos will stay on as an executive chair on the company's board. In that role, he will be involved in many "important decisions: acquisitions, things like strategy and going into grocery and other things," Amazon's chief financial officer Brian Olsavsky told investors.
What else people are reading:
💉 The CDC is investigating the case of a 13-year-old boy who died three days after getting his second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
🍗 Tyson Foods is recalling approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen, cooked chicken products for possible listeria contamination.
🔵 Will the US-Canada border reopen this summer? Tourists, business travelers and families anxiously await news.
💒 Julia Roberts took to Instagram to share a rare photo with her husband Daniel Moder in honor of their nearly two decade long marriage.
Tropical Storm Elsa looms over Florida
Officials and residents in Florida are monitoring Tropical Storm Elsa Monday as it moves closer to the state. Elsa, downgraded from being the first hurricane of the 2021 season, swept along Cuba's southern coast early Monday, and forecasters said it could make landfall on the island's central shore by midafternoon. Elsa was forecast to cross over Cuba by Monday night and then head for Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 15 counties. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the center said the storm was likely to gradually weaken while passing over central Cuba. “After Elsa emerges over the Florida Straits and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, some slight re-strengthening is possible,'' the center said.
Fourth holiday observed on Monday: Here's what's open, what's closed
A lot of services and places will be open for business on Monday, July 5, after the weekend July Fourth holiday — and a lot may not be. And some, such as mail companies, may have limited services. Since the federal holiday fell on a Sunday and is observed on Monday, government offices will be closed. Some banks will reopen on Monday, so you may need to call your local bank to confirm their hours. Here's a more complete rundown.
ICYMI: Some of our top stories yesterday
🔵 The high-rolling developer of the collapsed Florida condo faced legal and money woes during the project.
🔵 He risked his life helping U.S. troops in Afghanistan before seeking asylum in Iowa. So why is he facing deportation?
🔵 Britney Spears called 911 to report abuse a day before her shocking testimony, the New Yorker says.
🔵 Joey Chestnut won his 14th Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in dominant fashion, devouring a new record 76 franks in 10 minutes.
Goodbye, 'Manic Monday' at Wimbledon 🎾
Monday marks the end of a peculiar tradition at Wimbledon: It's the only Grand Slam that takes the middle Sunday off, with all of the men's and women's fourth-round matches being held the next day. But the All-England Club has decided that next year it will add matches on the middle Sunday, thus making this the last-ever "Manic Monday." Among today's key matches: Two-time defending champ Novak Djokovic plays No. 17 Cristian Garin of Chile, while American Coco Gauff, 17, takes on 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber.
📸 Celebrate! Bidens host Independence Day party at the White House 📸
As Americans gathered to celebrate Independence Day across the country, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted their own party on the South Lawn of the White House. Tap here for our gallery of photos of the event.
Contributing: The Associated Press