Hey there! It’s Tuesday, and I’m writing from the suburbs, where my nephews have thrown their toys all over the place. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Postmaster general says he’ll “suspend” service cuts amid growing concern over mail-in voting

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said today he will suspend service cuts as at least 20 states prepared to sue USPS over concerns the cuts would derail the upcoming election. DeJoy said mail-sorting machines and blue mailboxes will not be removed, and mail-processing facilities will not be closed. [NPR]

The announcement came minutes after The Washington Post reported that at least 20 states, including Illinois, were planning to file lawsuits. The states prepared to argue recent service changes could impede their ability to run “free and fair elections.” [Washington Post]

Meanwhile, DeJoy will testify before a Senate committee on Friday, reports Politico. He is also expected to testify on Monday before House lawmakers.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called lawmakers back from their August recess for a Saturday vote on legislation that would give the Postal Service $25 billion. Senate Republicans, however, are working on a coronavirus relief package that would give $10 billion to the Postal Service. [Politico]

2. Should ComEd pay Illinois customers for its role in an 8-year bribery scheme?

That’s a question being raised in federal court as the utility company was scheduled to begin paying a $200 million fine in a federal corruption case.

Federal prosecutors and ComEd in July reached what is known as a “deferred prosecution agreement,” which called for the company to pay the fine and admit its role in a bribery scheme to win political influence in the Illinois Capitol.

The money from the fine would go to the U.S. Treasury, but Chicago lawyer Joseph Stewart has argued “that restitution is due to non-federal victims of ComEd’s bribery scheme” before any money goes to the U.S. government.

Stewart cited a report from WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos and Dave McKinney that showed the bribery scheme came at a cost to ratepayers.

U.S. District Judge John Kness gave the government and ComEd a week to respond to Stewart’s argument. [WBEZ]

3. Russia interfered in 2016 election to help Trump, according to GOP-led Senate panel

A three-year investigation from the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee found extensive contacts between Trump campaign advisers and officials connected to the Russian government and intelligence services.

The findings of the investigation were unveiled today in a nearly 1,000-page report, which did not conclude the Trump campaign engaged in a coordinated conspiracy with the Russian government.

But the report painted a damning picture of onetime Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was described as a “grave counterintelligence threat.” The report states Manafort worked with a Russian intelligence officer and shared campaign strategies and polling data. [NPR]

4. Jill Biden and Bill Clinton are among today’s speakers at the DNC

It’s Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention, and we’ll see the presidential roll call vote today. In previous years, the vote was delivered in packed arenas, but each state and territory will deliver their votes remotely this year.

Today’s speaker lineup includes former second lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former acting Attorney General Sally Yates and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. You can find more convention news in this link. [NPR]

Meanwhile, Democrats spent a lot of time yesterday defining who Joe Biden is for different kinds of voters while delivering dire warnings of what’s at stake in the November election.

On one side was former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who reached out to disenchanted GOP voters and independents while rebutting claims that Biden would be beholden to the “radical left.” Then there was Sen Bernie Sanders, who directly addressed supporters of his two presidential campaigns to back Biden.

And capping off the night was former first lady Michelle Obama, who urged voters to mobilize to defeat President Donald Trump. [NPR]

5. Navy Pier will be closed until next spring

The lakefront tourist attraction will close on Sept. 8 and won’t reopen until spring in order to save money, Navy Pier officials announced today.

A pier official told the Chicago Tribune that attendance has fallen to 15 to 20% of what they would normally see this time of year. And the economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic could leave the pier $20 million short of anticipated revenues. [Chicago Tribune]

The news comes as Illinois continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases. State officials today announced 1,740 new cases and 27 additional deaths. Illinois has seen an average of 1,802 cases per day over the last week, up by 17% from the average two weeks ago, according to The New York Times. You can find more information on COVID-19 in Illinois in this link. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• Chicago police officers are retiring at such a fast rate that concerns are growing the number of new hires won’t be able to keep up. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• A federal judge in Chicago delayed the trial of R&B singer R. Kelly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Chicago-based Potbelly got another $10 million loan from the Payroll Protection Program. [Chicago Tribune]
• Ugh, I still need to watch HBO’s Lovecraft Country. [Hollywood Reporter]

Oh, and one more thing …

Sounds like Death Valley is really living up to its name this week. The national park in California on Sunday reported a temperature of 130 degrees, which could be the hottest temperature in the world since 1913.

The National Weather Service has launched a formal review to verify the temperature. (The credibility of Death Valley’s 1913 record of 134 degrees has been debated.)

The news comes as much of the western U.S. endures an intense heat wave, yet people are still visiting Death Valley.

“Drink plenty of water and carry extra. Avoid hiking (after 10 am). Travel prepared to survive,” the national park advises. [NPR]

Tell me something good …

Today is the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Is there a woman who fought for equality who inspires you?

Janet Halpin writes:

“I’m from Manitoba, and there is an amazing woman who has been an inspiration to me for decades: Kathy Mallett. She has been an activist and inspiration for indigenous women and children, and has been instrumental in the creation of many of the most important organizations in Manitoba. She also headed an initiative to build housing for indigenous people in Winnipeg. I only met her once and expressed my appreciation for her work, but she was not a person to take compliments, always knowing that there is a mountain of work still to be done.”

What about you? Is there a woman who fought for equality who inspires you? Feel free to tweet or email me your responses, and they might be shared here this week. Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

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