Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis, Taylor grand jury proceedings, Jobs report: 5 things to know Friday
After COVID-19 diagnosis, Trump cancels rally, most of his schedule
After the staggering news that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19, the commander in chief canceled most of his events on his official schedule for Friday, including a roundtable for supporters at his Washington, D.C., hotel and a rally at an airport in Central Florida. He did keep one event scheduled — a phone call on COVID-19 support to vulnerable seniors that is closed to the press. The first lady also has postponed all of her upcoming engagements. The astonishing announcement, delivered on Twitter, came several hours after news that White House adviser Hope Hicks, one of Trump's longest-serving political aides, also tested positive for COVID-19.
- What we know: The latest on President Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis
- President Trump, first lady test positive for COVID-19: What's the typical course of the illness?
- 'May God's healing powers touch them': Twitter reacts after the president announces he and his wife tested positive for COVID-19
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Grand jury recordings to be released in Breonna Taylor case
The transcripts, recordings and reports from the grand jury proceedings in the Breonna Taylor case are expected to be released to the public on Friday at noon ET. The development comes after a grand juror filed a motion in court calling for their release and permission to speak freely about what charges and defendants were not considered. Jefferson Circuit Judge Ann Bailey Smith ordered the recording of the grand jury proceedings to be "filed in the court file by noon of Wednesday this week," and later extended the deadline to Friday at the request of Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Last week, a Kentucky grand jury indicted former Louisville detective Brett Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment. The officers who shot Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician, were not charged.
- Judge delays release of Breonna Taylor grand jury recordings to protect witnesses
- Ben Crump slams decision in Breonna Taylor case, calls out systemic racism in the legal system
- Kentucky attorney general's decision is being picked apart. Here's why.
661,000 jobs added last month, unemployment fell to 7.9%: Final monthly jobs report before election
U.S. employers added a disappointing 661,000 jobs in September as Sunbelt states resumed business reopenings that were disrupted by COVID-19 spikes over the summer, offsetting persistent layoffs by struggling firms that have exhausted federal aid. The unemployment rate fell to 7.9% from 8.4% in August, the Labor Department said Friday. But that's because the labor force which includes the number of people working or looking for jobs — declined by about 700,000. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had estimated that 870,000 jobs were added last month. The employment report is the last before an election that could hinge on how voters view President Donald Trump's handling of the pandemic and its economic fallout.
- Were you laid off recently? Here are 5 financial next steps to survive unemployment
- Trump says economic recovery is V-shaped, Biden says it's a K. Who's right and what does it mean?
- Did you take Social Security early during the pandemic and are regretting it? You could get a do-over.
California wildfires rages amid fear of mega-inferno
Red flag warnings of extreme fire danger were expected to continue into Friday for large stretches of Northern California amid fears that multiple wildfires could merge into a 1-million acre mega-inferno. Officials fear gusty winds, extreme heat and low humidity may prompt the Zogg Fire, which has burned through 55,303 acres near Redding and left four people dead, to fuse with the August Complex Fire – which has already incinerated 955,513 acres. The August Complex Fire was 47% contained as of Thursday; the Zogg Fire was 26% contained, nearly three times as much as the previous day as firefighters made considerable progress. In the wine country counties of Napa and Sonoma, more than 70,000 people remained under evacuation orders Thursday as the Glass Fire continued to rage.
- California wine country: Wildfire-fatigued residents weigh the unthinkable: Moving out
- Fires rage: At least 35 dead as nearly 100 wildfires continue to rage across 12 Western states
- The Backstory: Covering the record-setting wildfires that have wracked Western states
Aces and Storm set to square off in the WNBA Finals
For the fourth time in five seasons, the top two teams in the WNBA will face off in the best-of-five finals for the title when the No. 1 seed Las Vegas Aces take on the No. 2 seed Seattle Storm in Game 1 Friday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2). Both teams finished the shortened season, which took place in the WNBA bubble in Bradenton, Florida, tied for the best record in the league at 18-4. The Aces, who will be led by league MVP A'ja Wilson, needed to beat the Connecticut Sun in a winner-take-all Game 5 Tuesday to reach the finals. The Storm, who are led by 2018 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart and star point guard Sue Bird, swept the Minnesota Lynx to reach their second final in three years and have had extra time to rest before the championship series.
- 2020 WNBA Playoffs: Seattle Storm sweep Minnesota Lynx after blowout win in Game 3
- From No. 1 pick to MVP: Aces forward A'ja Wilson wins Most Valuable Player, receiving 43 of 47 first-place votes
- Timeline: The WNBA has been on forefront of racial justice movement for years
Contributing: Associated Press