Hey there! It’s Wednesday, and it has been a busy news day in an already busy week. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Trump announces federal agents will be deployed to Chicago to help reduce violence

A “surge” of federal agents will help Chicago authorities reduce violence, and other cities facing a spike in crime may also get federal assistance, President Donald Trump said today.

The program, called “Operation Legend,” will include agents from the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Officers from the Department of Homeland Security will also be part of the Trump administration’s “anti-violence” surge.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration faces criticism over the use of federal forces in Portland, where protesters say they were detained by masked agents in unmarked vehicles. It also comes as Trump focuses on “law and order” issues as his support among suburban voters declines.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said John Lausch, the U.S. attorney in Chicago, told her that federal agents are not coming to Chicago in a “Portland-style deployment.” [AP]

The news comes after 15 people were shot during a funeral last night on Chicago’s South Side.

An activist questioned why the tragic event unfolded after she warned cops about the potential for danger at the funeral. Police Superintendent David Brown said at a press conference today that the department increased the number of officers in the area after receiving “intelligence.” [WBEZ]

2. Illinois suffers largest spike in COVID-19 cases since early June

Gov. JB Pritzker today announced Illinois saw nearly 1,600 new cases, the largest number reported in a single day since early June, and he warned some areas of the state are close to falling back in his plan to reopen local economies.

Pritzker said Region 4 of his plan, which includes downstate areas near St. Louis, is close to seeing a seven-day average of 8% in its positivity rate, a benchmark that would move the region back to Phase 3 and see the return of stricter coronavirus restrictions. [WBEZ]

Here’s a map of Illinois showing where infections are rising. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile in Chicago, service industry workers say they must choose between maintaining their health or their financial well-being. Their concerns come as city officials announced this week that some restrictions will return for bars and restaurants.

“I really think the people who go out to the restaurants now are the people who don’t care about everyone’s safety,” a Chicago restaurant worker told WBEZ’s Vivian McCall. [WBEZ]

As the economic crisis from the pandemic continues, an estimated 2,400 businesses in the Chicago area say they will permanently close, according to data compiled by Yelp. [Chicago Tribune]

The rise in cases comes as Chicago Public Schools prepares to gather feedback about its blueprint to reopen schools. Students and parents tell WBEZ they have mixed feelings about the return of in-person classes. [WBEZ]

3. Trump administration announces nearly $2 billion deal for coronavirus vaccine

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and a German biotechnology company will provide 100 million doses of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in December, according to a deal reached with the federal government. The U.S. will also have the rights to buy another 500 million doses.

Americans will receive the vaccine for free, the companies said today.

Five potential coronavirus vaccines are currently being developed with U.S. funding, said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Today’s agreement is part of President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed program, which aims to deliver 300 million vaccine doses by the end of the year. [AP]

4. U.S. orders Chinese consulate in Houston to close over claims of espionage and theft

In another sign of the quickly deteriorating relations between the White House and Beijing, the U.S. has ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close by Friday.

The State Department said in a statement today that the consulate’s closure was in response to China’s “massive illegal spying and influence operations” and its attempts to steal intellectual property.

The move comes one day after the Justice Department indicted two Chinese hackers on charges of trying to steal research on a potential coronavirus vaccine.

China criticized the consulate’s closure as an “unprecedented escalation” and vowed to retaliate. In addition to Houston, China operates consulates in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. [NPR]

5. Major League Baseball returns tomorrow

This year’s season will have only 60 games — less than half as many games in a normal season — and no fans in the stands. But you’ll still get to hear the roar of the crowd.

All 30 teams will play recorded sounds of fans during games, and you can also chime in. MLB has a website called “Cheer at the Ballpark,” which allows fans to record their cheers, boos and claps. As NPR reports, the idea is to provide sound engineers at ballparks with real-time reactions from fans so they can adjust what crowd noises they play. [NPR]

At Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the bleachers won’t be completely empty: The Cubs are using the space for advertisements, reported the Chicago Tribune. Green banners will cover some of the empty seats with logos of seven sponsors.

The Cubs have also expanded both dugouts to allow players to social distance during games. [Chicago Tribune]

Here’s what else is happening

• The Chicago City Council today approved reforms to the city’s controversial impound program. [WBEZ]
• Chicago officials reached an agreement with Woodlawn residents to protect and expand affordable housing near the planned Obama Presidential Center. [Block Club Chicago]
• One-third of U.S. museums may not survive this year, according to a survey from the American Alliance of Museums. [NPR]
• A hostage standoff in Ukraine ended after the country’s president agreed to promote a 15-year-old documentary. [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

Tenet, Candyman and Wonder Woman 1984 are just some of much-anticipated movies that would have been released this summer had it not been for, you know, a growing public health crisis.

And I was really, really looking forward to the Wonder Woman sequel. I saw the first one at the New 400 in Rogers Park, and it was like a Pride parade.

If you’re like me and bummed about the various movie delays, check out this week’s Nerdette podcast. Host Greta Johnsen talks to Eliana Dockterman, a staff writer at Time, about great new movies you can stream at home.

It’s a great episode that I desperately needed, as I’ve blown through so many TV shows and movies that I’m now stuck with Bravo’s Below Deck. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

What fun summer things are you doing while also being mindful of the ongoing pandemic?

Barbara Rowley writes:

“We are fortunate enough to live on a river, and so we blow up our river tubes, carry some adult beverages and Pandora to our ‘beach’ and float, watching kayakers and canoers go by. Once in a while we even see an eagle.”

And Jamie tweets:

“To make the most of this summer, I bought a hammock and am camping at nearby parks.”

How are you enjoying summer (while it lasts)? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

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