Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Monday, August 10, 2020:
COVID-19: STATUS CHECK: The U.S. hit 5 million confirmed coronavirus cases over the weekend, far and away the most of any country, with new cases running at about 54,000 a day (down from over 70,000 a day in July). Nearly 100,000 children nationwide tested positive in the last two weeks of July. Cases have begun to fall in some states that were hotspots, notably Arizona, while they are rising in others, like Hawaii. The national death toll stands at 163,000. AP
ECONOMIC EXECUTIVE ORDERS: President Trump signed a series of executive actions aimed at providing economic relief, like extending enhanced unemployment benefits and deferring the payroll tax. In reality, the orders will not have much immediate impact when it comes to getting cash to people who are out of work. The cornerstone of the plan is to use disaster relief funds to come up with a $300 weekly unemployment stipend, contingent on states kicking in another $100. Democrats say it's executive overreach, and it's unclear what the effect will be on bipartisan negotiations in Congress. FORBES
BEIRUT ON THE BRINK: Central Beirut erupted in protest over the weekend, as residents’ anger over the seemingly preventable port explosion boiled over. More than 150 people were killed in that blast, caused by tons of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse, and thousands are still in the hospital. Demonstrators broke into government buildings and demanded that officials resign, and at least two have -- but people are calling for the entire government to go. REUTERS
NC QUAKE: North Carolinians were woken up Sunday morning by the area’s largest earthquake in 94 years. A 5.3 magnitude quake struck outside the town of Sparta, and was felt as far away as Atlanta and D.C. No one was killed but there were extensive reports of damage, like cracked roads. CNN
FOX ON FIRE: Despite lawsuits, controversies and boycotts, Fox News had the highest-rated primetime lineup in June and July in all of television. More people are tuning in for Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson than the MLB or NBA, or even the broadcast networks. Fox’s ratings are up across the board, though they notably fell during two recent events: the funerals of George Floyd and John Lewis. NY TIMES
AMAZON AT THE MALL: Amazon is reportedly in talks with the biggest mall-owner in the U.S. to turn former department stores into fulfillment centers. Simon Property Group could lease vacant spaces that were JCPenney or Sears stores to Amazon, which would use them as distribution centers that would get products to customers faster. WSJ
COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIMBO: The heads of the NCAA Power 5 conferences -- ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac12 and SEC -- are meeting this week to discuss what to do about the fall sports season. The Big Ten is reportedly moving toward cancelling the season. A joint announcement on shelving college football could be made in the coming days. SI
DISNEY CUTTING HOURS: Walt Disney World will cut its hours of operation starting next month in response to less-than-stellar attendance since the park reopened at reduced capacity last month. Magic Kingdom will close an hour earlier, while Epcot and Animal Kingdom will be open for two fewer hours a day. The new hours start after Labor Day and will remain in place through October. THR
COWELL BIKE ACCIDENT: America’s Got Talent host Simon Cowell is recovering from major surgery after he broke his back in a bike crash. Cowell was testing out an electric bike in Malibu when he fell. His rep says he is “doing fine.” DEADLINE
LEFTOVERS: MOST EFFECTIVE MASK: Researchers at Duke conducted a study of 14 types of face masks to determine which were most effective at blocking respiratory droplets. Unsurprisingly, the N95 scored best. Perhaps more surprising: bandanas and gaiters aren’t very effective, and neck fleeces may actually be worse than wearing no mask at all. WCNC
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