(NEW YORK) — An ongoing heat wave is moving east, threatening states from Maine to Texas.
It will be another day of record-breaking temperatures for Texans. Abilene, Waco and San Antonio are under excessive heat warnings, according to the National Weather Service.
San Antonio reached 107 degrees on Monday, tying its hottest July record. Waco has seen record-high heat for the last four days.
Del Rio, Laredo and San Angelo all hit 110 degrees on Monday, breaking previous highs.
Nearly half of Texas continues to endure an extreme drought, made worse by the ongoing heat and dry weather.
Phoenix, Arizona, recorded a temperature of 115 degrees on Monday, a first for the year.
More than 30 million Americans in 13 states face the threat of severe weather.
North of the I-95 corridor, damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado are the biggest threats to residents.
Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, upstate New York and most of inland New England will face the worst of this weather.
Scattered storms are predicted to begin on Tuesday afternoon and continue into the evening.
The Gulf Coast faces a 30% threat of a tropical cyclone over the next few days, as low pressure continues to form.
Ocean waters have been abnormally warm over the northern Gulf, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees on the sea’s surface off of Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle.
Even without the threat of a cyclone, those on the northern Gulf Coast should prepare for flooding.
Out west, dry and hot conditions are paving the way for fire threats.
The Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park is now measured at 2,720 acres and is only 22% contained as of Tuesday morning. Light winds have allowed firefighters to contain the spread.
Lightning and thunderstorms are forecast for Nevada, Northern California and southern Oregon, which could spark or spread new fires.
For now, the areas remain under a red flag warning.
The continuing heat and severe weather pose a significant health threat. For more information on staying safe in the heat, click here.
(WASHINGTON) — The House select committee investigating Jan. 6 will focus Tuesday on extremist groups’ alleged coordination with former President Donald Trump and his allies ahead of and during the Capitol attack.
Stephen Ayres of Warren, Ohio, who recently admitted to illegally entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, will testify, as well as a former spokesman for the Oath Keepers militia group, Jason Van Tatenhove, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Please check back for updates. All times Eastern:
Jul 12, 12:45 pm
Police officers brace for ‘triggering’ hearing with rioter testifying
Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who testified at the first select committee hearing last fall on how he feared for his life and faced racist attacks while defending the Capitol on Jan. 6, told ABC News Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott ahead of the hearing today that he’s expecting the afternoon to be “triggering” — and that he is “emotionally, preparing for the worst.”
With Jan. 6 defendant Stephen Ayres set to testify, Dunn said Ayres “owes everyone in the congressional community who was affected by the day an apology.” Adding, “if he stops short of being honest about the violence — that doesn’t do enough for me. If he stops short of apologizing — that doesn’t do enough for me.”
Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges, who also defended the Capitol and has also been a regular fixture at the public hearings, said it will be notable for Americans to hear what happened straight from someone who breached the building, given that some continue to downplay the violence.
“Having one of the people involved in the attack on Capitol — in their own words describe their mentality, their intentions and the intentions of the group — you can’t get any closer to the source than that.”
Jul 12, 12:17 pm
Cipollone deposition clips to be heavy focus
Video clips from the roughly eight-hour deposition committee investigators conducted with former Trump White House counsel Pat Cipollone last Friday are expected to be played at the afternoon hearing, a source familiar with the matter tells ABC News.
Committee member Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said last week after Cipollone was subpoenaed by the committee that his testimony did not contradict those of previous witnesses when he met with investigators.
Asked if Americans could assume that Cipollone confirmed the testimony offered by Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to Trump’s then-chief of staff Mark Meadows, Lofgren told CNN, “Not contradicting is not the same as confirming.”
While Hutchinson publicly testified last month that Cipollone stressed to her that Trump should not be taken to the Capitol after his rally, warning, “we’re going to get charged with every crime imaginable” if he went, according to Hutchinson, it was not clear if the committee asked Cipollone in his deposition about the comment.
-ABC News’ John Santucci and Katherine Faulders
Jul 12, 12:13 pm
Committee to detail chaotic December 2020 Oval Office meeting
Today’s hearing will partly focus on a meeting in the Oval Office on Dec. 18, 2020. Sources confirmed the meeting to ABC News at the time.
The meeting was said to be so long that it ended up moving from the Oval Office to the White House residence quarters upstairs. In attendance were Trump allies Sidney Powell; former CEO Patrick Byrne; former national security adviser Michael Flynn; then-White House counsel Pat Cipollone; then-chief of staff Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani, who joined by phone.
Powell, Flynn and Byrne argued with White House officials over invoking rarely used presidential powers to declare a national emergency to seize voting machines – a plan that was ultimately rejected. Trump in the meeting also discussed naming Powell a special counsel overseeing an investigation of voter fraud, as first reported by the New York Times at the time.
ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl described the meeting in his book “Betrayal” as one “so bizarre, long, and out of control that it may go down in history as the strangest meeting Donald Trump, or any other president, ever had at the White House.”
– ABC News’ Katherine Faulders and Will Steakin
Jul 12, 11:17 am
Reps. Murphy, Raskin to lead questioning
Reps. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., will lead Tuesday’s questioning, according to committee aides.
One focus of the hearing, aides said, will be the impact of a Twitter post sent by Trump in December 2020, which read: “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!”
“Today, we’ll show how President Trump’s tweet in the early hours of December 19th activated domestic extremist groups, and how some Members of Congress amplified that message, all leading to the attack on January 6th,” Murphy said on Twitter.
Puscifer has announced a fall U.S. headlining tour in continued support of the Maynard James Keenan-led band’s latest album, 2020’s Existential Reckoning.
The outing begins October 13 in San Francisco and will wrap up November 22 in Prescott, Arizona. Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 15 at 10 a.m. local time.
For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Puscifer.com.
Along with the tour news, Puscifer has also released a video for the remix of the Existential Reckoning song “Bullet Train to Iowa,” done by Keenan’s A Perfect Circle bandmate Billy Howerdel. You can watch the animated clip streaming now on YouTube.
(NEW YORK) — Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon on Sunday, beating Australian player Nick Kyrgios in the final in what will likely be Djokovic’s final Grand Slam appearance this year.
For a second consecutive year, Djokovic won’t be able to play in the U.S. Open in August due to his COVID-19 vaccination status.
“The only good news I can have is them removing the mandated green vaccine card…to enter the United States,” Djokovic said during a press conference on Sunday. “Or exemption.”
Djokovic, 35, is not vaccinated. He told the BBC in February that “based on all the information that I got, I decided not to take the vaccine.” At the post-match press conference on Sunday he reiterated that “I’m not planning to get vaccinated.”
The U.K., where Wimbledon takes place, allows travelers into the country without requiring proof of vaccination. France relaxed its entrance requirements in time to allow Djokovic to play in the French Open in May.
Djokovic was deported from Australia in January after his visa was revoked at the Melbourne airport, restored and then canceled a second time because he is unvaccinated.
His visa was ultimately revoked “on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so,” according to Australian authorities.
Although the U.S. Open and New York City, where the tournament will take place, allow visitors without proof of vaccination, Djokovic will not be able to play because of COVID requirements for international travelers set by the U.S. government. The U.S. does not allow people to visit without proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
American tennis player Tennys Sandgren, despite being unvaccinated, will be able to play in the U.S. Open because of this policy.
“Pretty shameful that the USTA won’t fight for an exemption for Novak,” he wrote in a tweet last month. “I can play but he can’t? Ridiculous.”
During the press interview on Sunday Djokovic stated that an exemption to play in the U.S. Open didn’t seem “realistically possible.”
“Though the U.S. Open does not have a vaccination mandate in place for players, we respect the U.S. government’s position regarding travel into the country for non-U.S. citizens,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Open told ABC News.
Mark Conrad, a professor of law and ethics at Fordham University who specializes in sports law and business, told ABC News he would be “very, very surprised if there were a change in policy, especially with the latest variants.”
“I don’t really think there’ll be a lot of sympathy,” he said. “If there’s an exemption for him, there will be a lot of people saying why should he get that exemption?”
“Does the government really care so much to go and stick his neck out for one tennis player, no matter how good he is?”
(WASHINGTON) — A U.S. military drone strike in northwest Syria has killed the top ISIS leader in Syria, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.
The drone strike is the latest in a series of operations targeting terrorist leaders who have found refuge in a region of the country controlled by rebel forces affiliated with Islamic extremists groups.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the strike occurred on Tuesday outside of Jindayris in northwest Syria targeting two senior ISIS leaders.
“Maher al-Agal, one of the top five ISIS leaders and the leader of ISIS in Syria, was killed in the strike,” said the statement.
“A senior ISIS official closely associated with Maher was seriously injured during the strike,” it added. “Extensive planning went into this operation to ensure its successful execution. An initial review indicates there were no civilian casualties.”
Al-Agal was also described as “aggressively pursuing the development of ISIS networks outside of Iraq and Syria.”
“This strike reaffirms CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS,” said Col. Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “The removal of these ISIS leaders will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out global attacks.”
The strike is the latest in a series of U.S. military operations in northwest Syria over the past month targeting the leaders of Islamic terrorist groups who have found refuge in a corner of Syria still controlled by rebel forces belonging to Islamic extremist groups.
On June 15, a rare ground raid into northwest Syria carried out by elite special operations forces captured a Hani Ahmed al-Kurdi, a senior ISIS leader involved in actively planning ISIS operations.
Two weeks later, a drone strike killed Abu Hamzah al Yemeni, a senior leader of an al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist group, officials said.
“ISIS continues to represent a threat to the U.S. and partners in the region,” said Buccino, the CENTCOM spokesman.
“CENTCOM maintains a sufficient and sustainable presence in the region and will continue to counter threats against regional security,” the spokesman said.
Selena Gomez wasn’t nominated for her role in Only Murders in the Building, but she still made Emmy history.
The show was nominated for 17 Emmys on Tuesday, and as an executive producer, she’s nominated in the category of Outstanding Comedy Series. This marks only the second time in the 74-year history of the Emmys that a Latina has ever been nominated as a producer for a comedy series. The first was Salma Hayek, who was nominated in 2007 as a producer of the Fox show Ugly Betty.
Only one Latina has ever won an Emmy for producing in any of the top series categories: Celia D. Costas for 2004’s Angels in America. If Only Murders wins its category, which it very well might, Selena may make history again.
Meanwhile, TV specials starring Adele and Lady Gaga have also received Emmy nods as did a Simpsons short featuring Billie Eilish.
Adele: One Night Only is up for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) as is One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga. Both specials aired on CBS last year and received several technical nominations as well.
When Billie Met Lisa, a Simpsons short which premiered on Disney+, is nominated for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program. Billie and her brother, FINNEAS, both played themselves in the film.
Luke Combs has a specific mindset when it comes to live performing.
Looking back on his early career, Luke recalls having meetings with managers who told him he was more suited to be a songwriter than an artist. Now that he’s a country superstar who has sold out arenas and has 14 number-one hits to his name, Luke says his approach to performing comes from a desire to leave a good impression on every person who attends his show.
“Nobody looks at music. They listen to music. And I knew if I could write great songs and put ‘em out, you’d listen to me and go, ‘I really like that,'” Luke explains to Variety. “And then when you come to see a show…I’m not crazy enough to think everyone in there is going to go, ‘This is the best show I’ve ever seen! This guy’s the best thing ever.’ My goal was always to have no one walk out and go, ‘That was a bad show.'”
The hit singer also hopes that attendees will find a song or moment in the show they connect to most and recognize his passion for his music and fans. “You can’t be everybody’s favorite. But I never wanted anybody to walk out and go, ‘That show let me down.’ And I don’t think that I’ve done that,” he concludes.
Luke released his latest album, Growin’ Up, in June, and it became the highest debut for a country album this year. His current single, “The Kind of Love We Make,” is ascending up the top 20 on country radio.
He’ll embark on the Middle of Somewhere Tour this fall.
The 74th Emmy Awards nominations were announced Tuesday, and HBO’sSuccessionled the pack with 25 noms. Another HBO drama,The White Lotus, scored 20, tying with Apple TV+’s previous Emmy sweeperTed Lassoin the Comedy category.
HBO’sHacksand Hulu’sOnly Murders in the Buildingeach scored 17 nods, with the latter’s star,Selena Gomez, becoming the first Latina to be nominated as a producer in the Comedy category.
Other firsts includedSquid Gamenamed as the first non-English speaking Outstanding Drama nominee and previous Emmy winnerZendaya,who became the youngest producer to ever be nominated for a series, forEuphoria.
That series earned 16 nominations.
Additionally,Quinta Brunsonbecame the first Black woman to be nominated three times in the Comedy category, as an actor, writer and producer.
Actor and comedianJ.B. SmooveandBrooklyn Nine-NinestarMelissa Fumerorevealed the lucky names during a livestream ceremony at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Many details of the 2022 Emmys, including the host, location and presenters for the three-hour show, have not yet been announced yet.
The 74th Emmy Awards will be held live Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and will stream live on Peacock.
Outstanding Variety Talk Series
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Jimmy Kimmel Live! Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Late Night with Seth Meyers The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Outstanding Competition Program
The Amazing Race Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls Nailed It! RuPaul’s Drag Race Top Chef The Voice
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Rachel Brosnahan –The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson –Abbott Elementary
Kaley Cuoco –The Flight Attendant
Elle Fanning –The Great
Issa Rae –Insecure
Jean Smart –Hacks
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Donald Glover –Atlanta
Bill Hader –Barry
Nicholas Hoult –The Great
Steve Martin –Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short –Only Murders in the Building
Jason Sudeikis –Ted Lasso
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary Barry Curb Your Enthusiasm Hacks The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Only Murders in the Building Ted Lasso What We Do in the Shadows
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Colin Firth –The Staircase
Andrew Garfield –Under the Banner of Heaven
Oscar Isaac –Scenes from a Marriage
Michael Keaton –Dopesick
Himesh Patel –Station Eleven
Sebastian Stan –Pam & Tommy
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Toni Collette –The Staircase
Julia Garner –Inventing Anna
Lily James –Pam and Tommy
Sarah Paulson –American Crime Story: Impeachment
Margaret Qualley –MAID
Amanda Seyfried –The Dropout
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
Dopesick The Dropout Inventing Anna Pam & Tommy The White Lotus
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Jodie Comer –Killing Eve
Laura Linney –Ozark
Melanie Lynskey –Yellowjackets
Sandra Oh – Killing Eve
Reese Witherspoon –The Morning Show
Zendaya –Euphoria
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman –Ozark
Brian Cox –Succession
Lee Jung-jae –Squid Game
Bob Odenkirk –Better Call Saul
Adam Scott –Severance
Jeremy Strong –Succession
Outstanding Drama series
Better Call Saul Euphoria Ozark Severance Squid Game Stranger Things Succession Yellowjackets
(WASHINGTON) — First lady Jill Biden apologized Tuesday through her spokesperson after receiving public backlash for saying in a speech Monday that Latinos are “as unique as breakfast tacos.”
Spokesperson Michael LaRosa tweeted a brief apology on Tuesday morning following an onslaught of criticism from conservatives and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
“The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community,” the tweet read.
The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community.
Biden’s invocation of breakfast tacos came at the UnidosUS annual conference, titled “Siempre Adelante: Our Quest for Equity,” in San Antonio on Monday evening, while speaking to the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy group.
The first lady noted in her remarks that the group’s longtime leader, Raul Yzaguirre, had “helped build this organization with the understanding that the diversity of this community — as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio — is your strength.”
Republicans pounced on social media, saying she was comparing Latinos to tacos, and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists also clapped back, sending a message to the first lady to “not reduce us to stereotypes.”
NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities.
We are not tacos.
Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.
“NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities. We are not tacos. Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions. Do not reduce us to stereotypes,” it said.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida responded by changing his Twitter profile picture to an image of a taco and tweeting, “#NewProfilePic.”
But Janet Murguía, the current president and CEO of UnidosUS, tweeted after Biden’s speech that the group was “honored” to host her, calling her “a great educator in, and a great amiga to, our community for years,” and adding she was, “Privileged to call her a friend.”
The analogy and apology from the first lady come at a time with President Joe Biden and Democrats are seeking to reach out to Hispanic voters ahead of the midterm elections and ahead of Biden meeting Tuesday with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at the White House.
After Stranger Things helped propel Kate Bush‘s 1985 single “Running Up That Hill” to the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, the Netflix sci-fi series’ use of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” in its season four finale has resulted in the 1986 thrasher’s debut appearance on the chart.
“Master of Puppets” currently sits at #40 on the ranking and gives Metallica their first Hot 100 entry since the Death Magnetic single “Cyanide” reached #50 in 2008.
If you’re curious, Metallica’s highest-charting single on the Hot 100 is not “Enter Sandman” or “Nothing Else Matters” but 1996’s “Until It Sleeps,” the lead single off the metal outfit’s first post-Black Album studio effort, Load, which peaked at #10.
Following the premiere of the Stranger Things season four finale on July 1, Metallica issued a statement saying that they were “beyond psyched” and “totally blown away” by the placement of “Master of Puppets.” They even released a TikTok of them shredding along to the scene where the character Eddie Munson plays the song.
