Daily Briefing: Coach Walz at the pep rally
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced himself to Democratic delegates with a folksy, energized tone. A high-ranking World Health Organization says “Mpox is not the new COVID.’’ Four bodies have been recovered from a luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily.
🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Saboteurs placed bugs in a breakfast buffet at the DNC.
'A dad in plaid' accepts the Democratic VP nomination
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz played up his role as the everyman on the Democratic ticket at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night by talking about his time as a high school teacher and coach while accepting his party's nomination for vice president.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduced her home-state governor as a “dad in plaid" as Walz addressed Americans who had no idea who he was until Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate two weeks ago.
"I haven't given a lot of big speeches like this, but I have given a lot of pep talks": Introduced by former football players he used to coach, Walz came across as direct, unpretentious, blunt and funny.
More from Wednesday: The DNC convention's third night was dominated mostly by speakers who talked up Harris' record as a prosecutor, whether fighting cartels or domestic abusers. It also continued to lean into the theme of freedom, particularly on reproductive rights.
Harris is set to accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night, making her with the first Black and Asian American woman topping a presidential ballot.
Here's the rundown of the final night of the DNC and more from USA TODAY's reporters in Chicago:
Tim Walz's son Gus has a learning disorder. Can his visibility help disabled Americans?
Here's why some Black voters greet the Harris campaign with apathy.
Gotta get your "Cat Lady" t-shirts at the DNC.
Welcome to "Hotties for Harris."
Protesters planned to overtake DNC. Instead, hostages' families were welcomed.
Here's what to do if you get mpox
With the discovery of new cases outside Africa as an emerging strain that appears more contagious, concern about mpox is rising as a new variant has spread to at least 12 nations in Africa and one in Europe. It typically spreads through bodily fluids or close physical contact, as well as through contact with contaminated objects. Mpox often manifests in a rash on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth and around the genital area. There’s no specific medication for the painful and itchy lesions caused by mpox, but doctors say symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter medicines. Read more
More of Thursday's headlines
Reports: RFK Jr. to exit race.
Trump is heading back to court.
A jobs report revision suggests the U.S. added 818,000 fewer jobs than believed.
Teens and kids with long COVID show surprising new symptoms.
Take a game break. Our expert Sally has the crossword answers.
What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
Canadian railway work stoppage has US effects
Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City announced the lockout of their Canadian workers on Thursday after failed labor talks, resulting in a shutdown of their rail networks. Canada is the world's second-largest country by area and relies heavily on rail transport. The stoppage is set to cripple shipments of grain, potash and coal while also slowing the transport of petroleum products, chemicals, and autos. Read more
Fifth body found inside the Bayesian yacht
The body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch was retrieved on Thursday from the wreck of a yacht that sank earlier this week off Sicily during a tempest, a source close to the rescue operation said. Lynch set off on the cruise late last month to celebrate his acquittal on fraud charges in the U.S. that marked a decade of legal challenges. Lynch's 18-year daughter Hannah is still missing, the source said. The bodies of the other four people who vanished when the boat went down were recovered from the yacht on Wednesday. Read more
Keep scrolling
Entering Travis Kelce, actor.
These sharks just wanted a girls night.
The Yankees roasted this Little League coach.
Taylor Swift finally addressed the "devastating" alleged Vienna terrorist plot.
People are behaving badly on the plane. What do you do?
There's a problem on the plane — the unruly passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration continues to report dozens of cases of air rage to the FBI in the past year. If you witness crimes on a plane, especially those that involve sexual misconduct, experts say you should help document the incident and try to distract the assailant, as well as report it to cabin crew members or other authorities. Read more
Photo of the day: Little League, big game
The Little League World Series continues on Thursday with must-see competition. The first game will feature Japan, who is coming off a loss to Chinese Taipei and will be playing against Venezuela to kick off the day's action.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tim Walz, Kamala Harris, DNC, mpox, yacht, Taylor Swift: Daily Briefing
