Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Aug 24, 2017

Our 50-50 nation trends 60-40

Mike Allen, author of AM

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Data: Quinnipiac University; Chart: Lazaro Gamio / Axios

I was struck by this rat-tat-tat series of findings in a new Quinnipiac University Poll (Aug. 17-22; 1,514 voters nationwide; margin: +/-3.1 points).

Why it matters: "Elected on his strength as a deal-maker, [Trump is] now overwhelmingly considered a divider."

59% think he has encouraged white-supremacist groups; 3% think he has discouraged them; 35% no impact.
65% think "the level of hatred and prejudice in the U.S. has increased" since Trump's election; 2% think it's decreased; 32% say it hasn't changed.
Too much prejudice in the U.S. today; 55%; too much political correctness: 40%.
62 - 31% think he's doing more to divide than unite the country.
62 - 35 % think he doesn't provide the U.S. with moral leadership.
60 - 32% disapprove of Trump's response to the events in Charlottesville.
61 - 36% think he is not honest.
61 - 37% think he does not have good leadership skills.
57 - 40% think he does not care about average Americans.
68 - 29% think he is not level -headed.
59 - 38% think he is a strong person.
55 - 43% think he is intelligent.
63 - 34% think he does not share their values.
54 - 36% trust the media more than Trump.

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Air quality alerts issued as California fires threaten more sequoias

The Windy Fire blazes through the Long Meadow Grove of giant sequoia trees near the Trail of 100 Giants in Sequoia National Forest, near California Hot Springs, on Tuesday. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Two wildfires were threatening California's sequoia trees over overnight, hours after authorities issued fresh evacuation orders and warnings, along with air quality alerts on Wednesday.

The big picture: Officials in the Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley issued air quality alerts as smoke from the Windy and KNP Complex fires resulted in hazy, "ash-filled" skies from Fresno to Tulare, the Los Angeles Times notes.

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Asymptomatic Florida students exposed to COVID no longer have to quarantine

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a September news conference in Viera, Fla. Photo: Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced Wednesday an emergency order allowing parents to decide whether their children should quarantine or stay in school if they're exposed to COVID-19, provided they're asymptomatic.

Why it matters: People infected with COVID-19 can spread the coronavirus starting from two days before they display symptoms, according to the CDC. Quarantine helps prevent the virus' spread.

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4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Federal judge: Florida ban on sanctuary cities racially motivated

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A federal judge on Tuesday struck down parts of a Florida law aimed at banning local governments from establishing sanctuary city policies, arguing in part that the law is racially motivated and that it has the support of hate groups.

Why it matters: In a 110-page ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said the law — signed and championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) — violates the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause because it was adopted with discriminatory motives.

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