Your Tuesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including California spent the Labor Day weekend broiling under the one-two punch of a brutal heatwave and wildfires burning across the state; Americans disagree about the absentee-ballot process almost as much as they disagree about their preferred candidate; The New Hampshire primary could lead to the first congressional election in U.S. history between two openly gay candidates, and more.
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National
1.) After a Trump-appointed judge shredded the rule for trampling congressional intent, experts called the government’s attempted diversion of coronavirus relief to private schools an exploitive political move.
2.) Millions of Americans will vote by mail for the first time this November, but they disagree about the absentee-ballot process almost as much as they disagree about their preferred candidate.
3.) As the Senate returned from the August recess Tuesday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said lawmakers will forge ahead on negotiations over another coronavirus relief bill and could vote on the next package as soon as this week.
4.) U.S. Census officials are reviving quality-control measures and postponing layoffs of census takers after a federal judge temporarily blocked the statistical agency from winding down operations by the end of this month.
Regional
5.) California spent the Labor Day weekend broiling under the one-two punch of a brutal heatwave and wildfires burning across the state that forced thousands to flee their homes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
6.) Tuesday’s primary in New Hampshire — which could lead to the first congressional election in U.S. history between two openly gay candidates — will also be an early test of President Donald Trump’s strength in a swing state that could be critical in November.
International
7.) Accusing the United Arab Emirates of racial bias, Qatar had the last opportunity to speak before the United Nations’ high court on Monday in a dispute involving a land, air and sea blockade.
8.) Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is facing a concerted attempt from the political right and putative left, who are blocking his reforms and trying to persuade the public that his administration is no different from its corrupt predecessors.
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