Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Wednesday, July 28, 2021:
CDC REVERSES COURSE
The CDC has revised its previous guidance on mask wearing, now recommending masks for vaccinated people indoors in places where the Delta variant is surging. The CDC is also calling for universal masking inside schools. The criteria for indoor masking is as follows: any place where there are more than 50 new cases per 100,000 residents, or where test positivity is 8% over the past seven days. About two-thirds of U.S. counties fall under that category: SEE MAP
BILES WALKS AWAY
Simone Biles, the biggest star of the Olympics, has withdrawn from the all-around gymnastics final to focus on her mental health. The decision came a day after Biles stunned just about everyone by taking herself out of the team competition, saying she couldn’t mentally continue. The Russians took gold in that competition while the U.S. women settled for silver. Biles had struggled on the vault and walked off the floor with a trainer, leading to speculation that she was injured. She later said she felt fine physically but that “it varies” emotionally. Suni Lee and Jade Carey will rep Team USA in Biles' place tomorrow. TODAY
JAN 6. COMMITTEE
Police officers who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot told their stories to the Congressional panel investigating what happened that day. In hours of emotional testimony, cops described a “medieval battle” scene at the seat of the U.S. government. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said he was repeatedly called racist slurs by members of the mob, who he described as being sent by a “hit man.” Dunn’s colleague, Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, recalled thinking he felt like he was going to die as he was crushed by supporters of the former president. Rep. Liz Cheney, one of two Republicans on the panel, said the country could face violence every four years if those responsible for the Capitol riot aren’t held accountable. CNN
SPA SHOOTER PLEADS OUT
The 22-year-old man who killed eight people in a shooting rampage at Atlanta-area spas back in March will spend the rest of his days behind bars. The shooter pleaded guilty to four of the murders in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus another 35 years tacked on. He blamed a sexual addiction that he said drove him to kill sex workers at the spas he visited. While most of the victims were of Asian descent, the DA said investigators determined that the shooting spree was not a hate crime. ABC NEWS
WALMART FREE COLLEGE
Walmart will start offering free college tuition and books to all of its 1.5 million U.S. employees. The country’s largest retailer is dropping a $1-per-day fee for its workers who want to earn a degree from a handful of partnering schools, and sweetening the pot by picking up the tab on books. About 28,000 Walmart employees currently participate in that program. The move is the latest among big employers looking to retain talent in a fiercely competitive labor market. NPR
BIG TECH BLOWOUT
Microsoft, Apple and Google all crushed their quarterly earnings, showing once again how dominant a handful of American tech companies have become in the global economy. Microsoft posted its highest revenue ever. Apple delivered monster results thanks to worldwide demand for the iPhone 12. Google parent Alphabet saw revenue jump 62% on huge pent-up demand for digital advertising. Facebook reports today; Amazon tomorrow. WSJ
OTHER OLYMPIC ACTION
Simone Biles’ withdrawal came just as Japan shut out the U.S. to win gold in softball during another uneven day for Team USA. The U.S. women’s soccer team advanced after a 0-0 draw with Australia. The U.S. women’s basketball team opened its run for gold by beating Nigeria, the squad's 50th straight Olympic win, while the men’s team routed Iran. Katie Ledecky rebounded after her fifth-place finish in the 200m freestyle to win gold in the 1500m. Hungary upset the top-ranked U.S. in women’s water polo in preliminary play. NBC OLYMPICS
NYC HOMECOMING WEEK
New York City is putting on a series of large concerts next month celebrate the “comeback” of the original COVID hotspot in the U.S. Now we’ve got the lineup for the biggest of the shows in Central Park: Andrea Bocelli, LL Cool J, The Killers, Journey, Paul Simon, Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen are among the headliners for the Aug. 21 event. All five of the “Homecoming Week” concerts -- one for each borough -- will require proof of vaccination to attend. ABC7
SPOTTED...
…Lady Gaga, in tennis whites and gold hoops: SEE PICS
...Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani, attending their son’s football game while keeping a safe distance from each other: SEE PICS
...a shirtless Adam Driver, morphing into a half-man/half-horse in Burberry’s new cologne ad: SEE IT
LEFTOVERS: NO SOAP FOR YOU
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have sparked an online debate about how much bathing is too much, especially when it comes to young kids. The celeb couple revealed on a recent podcast that when their children were very young, they only gave them baths when you could “see the dirt on them.” Kunis and Kutcher also said they don’t use soap on themselves everyday, either. INSIDER
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