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National

The U.S. has already celebrated Easter, graduations and so much more during the coronavirus pandemic, and now it can add July 4 to the list.

The state of play: Axios' Stef Kight writes public parades and fireworks displays around much of the country are being canceled to prevent mass gatherings where the virus could spread. Hot-dog contests and concerts will play to empty stands and virtual audiences — all while American pride treads an all-time low.

A boy wears a mask while riding an amusement pier ride

A boy wears a mask while riding an amusement pier ride in Wildwood, New Jersey. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand in front of Mount Rushmore on a stage

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand in front of Mount Rushmore on July 3, 2020. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Signs are posted in front of the closed Santa Monica Pier saying the beach will be closed July 3-5

Signs are posted in front of the closed Santa Monica Pier in California. The beach is closed for the Fourth of July weekend. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

A woman holds a US flag upside down and a sign that reads " Stop Killing" while standing near policemen

A woman holds a sign that reads " Stop Killing" while standing near policemen in front of the White House to protest police brutality. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

People watch as fireworks burst at the One Times Square building in Times Square

People watch as fireworks in Times Square as part of the 44th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular show on July 1, 2020. Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images

Tourist gather at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland as a sign says "Use at your own risk."

Tourists gather at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland on July 3, 2020. Photo: Daniel Slim/AFP/Getty Images

Go deeper: America's exceptionally uneventful Fourth of July

In photos: America celebrates July 4 during global pandemic

The U.S. has already celebrated Easter, graduations and so much more during the coronavirus pandemic.

A firework stand with hand sanitizer and tape across the window

Photo: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

U.S. News

Fourth of July

Coronavirus

The U.S. health system faces critical questions about cost, access and equity. Technological advances and new discoveries about diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s are transforming patient care and reshaping public health.

Health

The U.S. has reached new highs in single-day coronavirus infections for three consecutive days this week, per data from Johns Hopkins and the COVID Tracking Project. 

The big picture: The number of coronavirus cases increased in the vast majority of states over the last week, and decreased in only two states plus the District of Columbia, Axios' Andrew Witherspoon and Caitlin Owens report. 

By the numbers, according to Johns Hopkins' data: 

There was a slight decline in the numbers reported Friday, at 52,194.

Driving the news: Around much the country, public parades and fireworks displays are being cancelled to prevent mass gatherings where the virus could spread, Axios' Stef Kight and Sarah Grillo report.

Go deeper: Coronavirus cases skyrocketing among communities of color

U.S. coronavirus infections hit record highs for 3 straight days

Cases decreased in only two states and the District of Columbia this week.

Illustration of a broken syringe with a liquid pouring out made from the American flag. 

Health Care

Interim Aurora, Colorado, police chief Vanessa Wilson fired two officers for reenacting the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain and a third officer for commenting on the photo that captured the "despicable act," the Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: McClain died in the summer of 2019 after police officers held him in a chokehold and paramedics used a sedative, ketamine. People have been protesting McClain's death recently after the police killing of George Floyd revitalized the movement against police brutality.

What they're saying: Wilson said she fired Officers Erica Marrero and Kyle Dittrich for posing with Jaron Jones, who resigned earlier this week. Wilson called the photo a "despicable act," per the Post.

"And if any officer in this police department disagrees and thinks this was acceptable, I will gladly accept your resignation today."

 Jason Rosenblatt replied "ha ha" to the image when he received it, the Post notes.

The state of play: The renewed focus on McClain's death prompted Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) to reopen an inquiry and appoint a special prosecutor to the case.

No police officer has been charged with McClain's death.

Context: A coroner's report concluded McClain died because of "undetermined causes" and the "evidence does not support the prosecution of a homicide," NBC reports.

However, the coroner did not rule out that the chokehold and ketamine might have contributed to his death.

The coroner "could not exclude the possibility that Mr. McClain suffered from an unexpected reaction to the drug."

Editor's note: Updates with additional details.

Colorado police chief fires officers who reenacted Elijah McClain's death

Police held McClain in a chokehold and paramedics used a heavy sedative.

A man wears a t-shirt with Elijah McClain's face on it during a protest

LaWayne Mosley, father of Elijah McClain, wears a T-shirt with is son's picture on it during a press conference in Oct. 2019. Photo: Andy Cross/MediaNewsGroup/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Politics

Police

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

Axios AM

A source close to the negotiations tells me there is "no question" the Washington Redskins are expected to change their name before the first kickoff this fall, scheduled for Sept. 10.

Worth noting: Team owner Dan Snyder told USA Today in 2013: "We'll never change the name ... It's that simple. NEVER — you can use caps."

The state of play: The review the team announced Friday "is expected to result in a new team name and mascot," the WashPost reports.

It's also the first formal step the Redskins have taken to reconsider the team name since the debate first began.

The move by Snyder and others comes after FedEx, named sponsor of the Redskins' stadium, released a statement saying, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name."

Redskins expected to change name by September

Team owner Dan Snyder told USA Today in 2013: "We'll never change the name."

A vintage Redsins football helmet in some grass

Redskins helmet circa 1970. Photo: Nate Fine/Getty Images

Sports

National Football League (NFL)

Sign up to get the 10 stories that will drive the day

This story first appeared in Axios AM

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

31 Major League Baseball players and seven staff members from 19 of the 30 teams tested positive for the coronavirus, AP reports.

Why it matters: Major League Baseball and the player's association announced the numbers on Friday. The positive cases come just as teams resumed workouts for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic brought spring training to an abrupt halt in March. Opening day is set for July 23 as the league prepares for its shortest schedule since 1878, AP notes.  

Go deeper...Special report: Baseball in America

31 MLB players test positive for COVID as workouts resume

Seven staff members also tested positive.

Players for the Cleveland Indians are on the field preparing for a summer workout

The Cleveland Indians on the field during a summer workout session. Photo: Dan Mendlik/Cleveland Indians via Getty Images

Major League Baseball (MLB)

President Trump signed off on Saturday to give businesses another five weeks to apply for funds through the Paycheck Protection Program.

Why it matters: Roughly $130 billion in PPP funding is still available. The Small Business Administration's inspector general found in May that some rural, minority and women-owned businesses may not have gotten loans due to a lack of prioritization from the agency.

Where it stands: The SBA said that the program had approved over 4.8 million loans as of Tuesday, per the Washington Post —  approximating $520 billion.

Go deeper: Senate passes PPP extension through August

Trump extends coronavirus PPP loan application deadline to August 8

Roughly $130 billion in PPP funding is still available.

Trump wears a suit and waves at the camera

President Trump boards Air Force One on July 3. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump

Business

Top stories & latest news on the Federal Reserve, real-time data, plus the biggest shifts happening in the U.S. and global economy.

Economy

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

As thousands around the country protested the police killing of George Floyd, a conservative Texas powerbroker and activist asked Gov. Greg Abbott in early June to instruct the National Guard to "shoot to kill" rioters, The Texas Tribune first reported yesterday.

What he's saying...Steve Hotze left this voicemail for Abbott's chief of staff and asked him to pass it on to the governor:  "I want to make sure that [Gov. Abbott]  has National Guard down here and they have the order to shoot to kill if any of these son-of-a-b---h people start rioting like they have in Dallas, start tearing down businesses — shoot to kill the son of a b------s. That’s the only way you restore order. Kill ‘em. Thank you."

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) tweeted Saturday that Hotze's comments are "absolutely disgusting and reprehensible."

The Texas Tribune acquired the voicemail on Friday through a public information request.

Hotze did not respond Saturday to Axios' request for comment.

Context: Hotze left the voicemail on the weekend of June 6 — several days after Abbott called on the National Gaurd to curtail protests that turned violent.

Hotze is "one of the most prolific cultures warriors on the right in Texas," the Tribune writes.

He has openly criticized Abbott's response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Hotze has challenged Abbott's emergency orders in court, including a lawsuit against the recent statewide mask mandate.

The big picture: Law enforcement's response to the protests was criticized after thousands around the country poured into the streets to demonstrate against police brutality. Some of the starkest criticism came after military police and park rangers used physical force to clear a path for President Trump to cross Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C.

Editor's note: Updates with additional details, context. 

Texas GOP powerbroker called on National Guard to "shoot to kill" rioters

Hotze: "I want...National Guard down here and they have the order to shoot to kill."

Hundreds of George Floyd protesters in Houston

Thousands of peaceful protesters gathered on May 29 in Houston to mourn the death of George Floyd. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP/Getty Images

Texas

Two U.S. aircraft carriers—the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Nimitz—are heading toward the South China Sea to conduct military exercises just as China is conducting drills in the area as well, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The big picture: China claims sovereignty over most of the sea, which other Southeast Asian countries reject, per the Journal. Tensions between the U.S. and China also remain high over trade, the coronavirus pandemic and China's recent effort to exert more control over Hong Kong. 

Between the lines per Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian: The show of military force is intended to convey to Beijing that its recent provocative acts in the South China Sea have not gone unnoticed. 

Two U.S. aircraft carriers head to South China Sea

China claims sovereignty over most of the sea, which other Southeast Asian countries dispute.

Axios

Saturday's top stories

In photos: America celebrates July 4 during global pandemic

U.S. coronavirus infections hit record highs for 3 straight days

Colorado police chief fires officers who reenacted Elijah McClain's death

Redskins expected to change name by September

31 MLB players test positive for COVID as workouts resume

Trump extends coronavirus PPP loan application deadline to August 8

Texas GOP powerbroker called on National Guard to "shoot to kill" rioters

Two U.S. aircraft carriers head to South China Sea

Trump casts himself as chief defender of American history in divisive speech at Rushmore

Drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback

Kimberly Guilfoyle tests positive for coronavirus

America's exceptionally uneventful Fourth of July