Hey there, it’s Thursday! And my bosses said most WBEZ employees won’t return to work at the illustrious Navy Pier — which is reportedly one of the best places to “cry in public” — until next year. Here’s what you need to know today.
1. New jobless claims surpass 1 million for 20th week straight as federal relief negotiations hit critical moment
Nearly 1.2 million people filed unemployment claims last week, according to Labor Department figures released today. That’s the lowest weekly total reported since March. But economists estimate that more than 31 million Americans were collecting unemployment benefits in mid-July, raising concerns that temporary layoffs could become permanent.
The news comes as the White House and congressional Democrats negotiate over enhanced jobless payments as part of a broader coronavirus relief package. A recent study from the University of Chicago and the JPMorgan Chase Institute found that the $600-per-week boost to unemployment payments, which expired last week, helped prevent the economy from sliding into an even worse crisis.
“It actually turns out that they’re helping to sustain the U.S. economy as a whole,” said Peter Ganong, an assistant professor at U of C who worked on the study. [NPR]
Negotiators for the Trump administration and top Democrats are expected to meet this evening in what could be a critical moment for determining whether a deal can be reached. [Washington Post]
Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker recently warned that Illinois faces “extraordinarily painful” budget cuts if the federal government does not provide aid to states. [Chicago Tribune]
2. New York attorney general sues to dissolve the NRA over allegations of corruption
Top executives of the National Rifle Association for years engaged in fraud and financial misconduct that drained $64 million from the non-profit organization in just three years, according to a lawsuit filed today by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“The NRA’s influence has been so powerful that the organization went unchecked for decades while top executives funneled millions into their own pockets,” James said in a statement. “The NRA is fraught with fraud and abuse, which is why, today, we seek to dissolve the NRA, because no organization is above the law.”
Among the allegations in James’ lawsuit is that NRA executives misused charitable funds for their own personal gain and awarded contracts to friends and family members. The suit claims NRA funds were used for vacations, private jets and expensive meals.
In addition to seeking the closure of the NRA, James is also asking for the removal of CEO Wayne LaPierre. The attorney general of the District of Columbia also filed a lawsuit today against the NRA. [NPR]
3. Illinois reports nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 cases
State officials today announced 1,953 new cases and 21 additional deaths. Over the past week, Illinois is seeing an average of 1,644 cases per day as of yesterday, reports The New York Times. That’s an increase of 32% compared to the average two weeks ago. The state’s positivity rate now stands at 4%. [WBEZ]
Meanwhile in Chicago, beaches are still closed, but beachfront restaurants and cafes can welcome back customers. [Block Club Chicago]
And while Chicago’s public schools will begin with remote learning in the fall, the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic School said it will press on with in-person classes. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. The Chicago Police Department has almost spent its entire overtime budget for the year
The Police Department has spent more than $84 million in overtime during the first six months of the year, reports Fran Spielman at the Chicago Sun-Times.
That’s almost the department’s entire overtime budget for the year, and the surge comes as Mayor Lori Lightfoot faces a $700 million budget shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chicago Budget Director Susie Park told the Sun-Times that a majority of the overtime costs were associated with protests that erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s killing.
“The protests were … all hands on deck,” Park said. [Sun-Times]
5. Death toll rises from Beirut explosion that wounded thousands and left hundreds homeless
Officials say at least 137 people were killed from this week’s massive explosion in Lebanon’s capital that wounded about 5,000 people. The city’s governor said the blast, which could be felt more than 100 miles away in Cyprus, “destroyed more than half” of Beirut.
Authorities say the enormous blast was caused by the storage of an extraordinary amount of a highly explosive substance — ammonium nitrate — that was stored at a warehouse at the city’s port, a dangerous situation that government officials had known for years.
An investigation is underway to determine who is responsible for the storage of ammonium nitrate at the warehouse. [NPR]
Here’s what else is happening
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tested positive for the coronavirus right before he was expected to greet President Trump in Cleveland. [Cincinnati Enquirer]
Up to 25 named storms are predicted for this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, the most forecasted since 2005. [NPR]
On the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, survivors say they feel an urgency to tell their stories. [AP]
Chicago radio legend John Records Landecker may be in line for a permanent gig at WGN 720-AM. [Feder]
Oh, and one more thing …
If it seems like everyone is playing Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch, it might be because they are. Nintendo today reported it saw a 428% increase in quarterly profits fueled in part by the enormous popularity of Animal Crossing.
The video game, which allows players to design their own islands, has sold 22.4 million copies, surpassing sales for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which I am utterly lousy at playing.
But come visit my Animal Crossing island sometime. It’s called Cape Fear, and one of my residents is an elephant named “Big Top.” [CNBC]
Tell me something good ...
I need book recommendations. What’s a good book you recently read?
Wendy Bendfeldt writes:
“The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. I must have looked like a crazy woman driving in rush hour traffic on 55 doubled over, tears in my eyes, laughing my head off.”
Lisa Victory writes:
“My book club recently finished Where the Crawdads Sing. By far, it’s one of the top 5 books I’ve ever read. It’s the type of book that keeps you in suspense and makes you want to read the last page because you want to know what happens, but at the same time you don’t want it to end!”
And Laura Jansen writes:
“I just finished The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin and immediately ordered the other two books in the trilogy. I know it’s not a recent book, but I am not a fantasy reader and I loved this book.”
What’s a good book you recently read? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.
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