Speed Readsfreedom but make it dangerousPresident Trump will celebrate the freedom to spread disease when he visits Mount Rushmore on Friday.Trump is set to attend and speak at an Independence Day celebration at the South Dakota landmark on Friday. And while South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) confirmed organizers will hand out face masks to anyone who wants them, on Monday that "we will not be social distancing."Noem promised a "large event" set for Friday on her Ingraham Angle appearance, saying "we told those folks that have concerns that they can stay home." As for everyone who comes,...…Speed Readsfreedom but make it dangerousPresident Trump will celebrate the freedom to spread disease when he visits Mount Rushmore on Friday.Trump is set to attend and speak at an Independence Day celebration at the South Dakota landmark on Friday. And while South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) confirmed organizers will hand out face masks to anyone who wants them, on Monday that "we will not be social distancing."Noem promised a "large event" set for Friday on her Ingraham Angle appearance, saying "we told those folks that have concerns that they can stay home." As for everyone who comes,...WW…

Speed Readsan obama updateFormer President Barack Obama is at an impasse.After eight years in office, Obama was ready for a break, and still doesn't seem inclined to get back in the ring to promote the candidacy of former Vice President Joe Biden. But he still knows he needs to be an "enthusiastic supporter" of the Biden campaign, leaving him stuck trying to balance campaigning for the Democrat without furthering a "proxy war" between himself and President Trump, .Obama largely retreated from the spotlight after Trump's unexpected 2016 win, and wasn't eager to get too involved this time...…Speed Readsan obama updateFormer President Barack Obama is at an impasse.After eight years in office, Obama was ready for a break, and still doesn't seem inclined to get back in the ring to promote the candidacy of former Vice President Joe Biden. But he still knows he needs to be an "enthusiastic supporter" of the Biden campaign, leaving him stuck trying to balance campaigning for the Democrat without furthering a "proxy war" between himself and President Trump, .Obama largely retreated from the spotlight after Trump's unexpected 2016 win, and wasn't eager to get too involved this time...WW…

Speed ReadssurePresident Trump would like you to know he was never hiding, just doing some routine maintenance.On Friday, that Trump was herded to the White House's underground bunker while police cracked down on protesters on Washington, D.C.'s streets. But as Trump on Wednesday, he was actually only down there to "inspect" the bunker."I was there for a tiny, short little period of time," Trump claimed, saying it was "more for an inspection." This is apparently something Trump has done before, specifically "two and a half times." Trump did not clarify what a half visit entails.On Monday,...…Speed ReadssurePresident Trump would like you to know he was never hiding, just doing some routine maintenance.On Friday, that Trump was herded to the White House's underground bunker while police cracked down on protesters on Washington, D.C.'s streets. But as Trump on Wednesday, he was actually only down there to "inspect" the bunker."I was there for a tiny, short little period of time," Trump claimed, saying it was "more for an inspection." This is apparently something Trump has done before, specifically "two and a half times." Trump did not clarify what a half visit entails.On Monday,...WW…

Speed ReadsOofNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio came face to face with protesters for the first time on Thursday, and it went over about as well as you'd expect.As protests over the death of George Floyd and police brutality against black people have taken over New York City in the past week, de Blasio's response has made him neither a friend of the protesters nor the NYPD. That became clear at a memorial service for Floyd on Thursday, where de Blasio was drowned out by a booing crowd from the moment he walked onstage even after the reverend who introduced him asked for "respect."Mayor...…Speed ReadsOofNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio came face to face with protesters for the first time on Thursday, and it went over about as well as you'd expect.As protests over the death of George Floyd and police brutality against black people have taken over New York City in the past week, de Blasio's response has made him neither a friend of the protesters nor the NYPD. That became clear at a memorial service for Floyd on Thursday, where de Blasio was drowned out by a booing crowd from the moment he walked onstage even after the reverend who introduced him asked for "respect."Mayor...WW…

Speed Readshealth care disparitiesKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has announced his commitment to combating racial inequalities in health care exposed during the coronavirus pandemic.COVID-19 has disproportionately infected and killed black people across the U.S., including in Kentucky. Its population is 8.4 percent black, but 16 percent of those who died of coronavirus are black. Beshear brought up that disproportionate data in a Monday press conference, and then he was committing to "begin an effort to cover 100 percent of our individuals in our black and African American communities,...…Speed Readshealth care disparitiesKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has announced his commitment to combating racial inequalities in health care exposed during the coronavirus pandemic.COVID-19 has disproportionately infected and killed black people across the U.S., including in Kentucky. Its population is 8.4 percent black, but 16 percent of those who died of coronavirus are black. Beshear brought up that disproportionate data in a Monday press conference, and then he was committing to "begin an effort to cover 100 percent of our individuals in our black and African American communities,...WW…

Speed ReadswhatPresident Trump's anti-journalist rhetoric is reportedly far worse behind the scenes.Former National Security Adviser John Bolton's forthcoming book, The Room Where It Happened, is in the hands of a few journalists, and it's chock full of quotes and recollections from Bolton's time in the Trump White House. And while Bolton's affirmation of Trump's push for a Ukraine affirmation is noteworthy as it relates to Trump's impeachment, some of his seemingly throwaway statements, like the time Trump called for journalists to be "executed," are among the most disturbing of Bolton's...…Speed ReadswhatPresident Trump's anti-journalist rhetoric is reportedly far worse behind the scenes.Former National Security Adviser John Bolton's forthcoming book, The Room Where It Happened, is in the hands of a few journalists, and it's chock full of quotes and recollections from Bolton's time in the Trump White House. And while Bolton's affirmation of Trump's push for a Ukraine affirmation is noteworthy as it relates to Trump's impeachment, some of his seemingly throwaway statements, like the time Trump called for journalists to be "executed," are among the most disturbing of Bolton's...WW…

Speed ReadsWatch thisPhilonise Floyd doesn't want his message for help to go ignored just like his brother's did.Floyd appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for its hearing on police brutality, just a day after his family buried his older brother George Floyd. George Floyd's death at the hands of police sparked protests across the world and this congressional hearing, and Philonise Floyd hoped that his testimony would "make sure that his death will not be in vain."Floyd started his testimony by telling the House about his "big brother," who he called "Perry." But "I'm...…Speed ReadsWatch thisPhilonise Floyd doesn't want his message for help to go ignored just like his brother's did.Floyd appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for its hearing on police brutality, just a day after his family buried his older brother George Floyd. George Floyd's death at the hands of police sparked protests across the world and this congressional hearing, and Philonise Floyd hoped that his testimony would "make sure that his death will not be in vain."Floyd started his testimony by telling the House about his "big brother," who he called "Perry." But "I'm...WW…

Speed Readsgoing viralOklahoma is leading the nation in new coronavirus infection rates — and President Trump hasn't even had his Tulsa rally yet.Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist and public health scientist at Harvard University, shared analysis Thursday from his team of researchers that showed how much each state's coronavirus infection rate had grown in the past week. Oklahoma topped the list of states with the largest increase in the rate of new cases, up 111 percent — more than double — from the week before. Feigl-Ding described the rate growth as "exponential and meteoric," and then...…Speed Readsgoing viralOklahoma is leading the nation in new coronavirus infection rates — and President Trump hasn't even had his Tulsa rally yet.Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist and public health scientist at Harvard University, shared analysis Thursday from his team of researchers that showed how much each state's coronavirus infection rate had grown in the past week. Oklahoma topped the list of states with the largest increase in the rate of new cases, up 111 percent — more than double — from the week before. Feigl-Ding described the rate growth as "exponential and meteoric," and then...WW…

Speed Readssquawks all aroundThe co-hosts of CNBC's Squawk Box definitely had their coffee this morning.On Wednesday's episode of the business news program, co-hosts Andrew Ross Sorkin and Joe Kernen went head to head over their longstanding perspectives on COVID-19's economic effects. Tensions ran hot as Kernen tried to spin the economy's status in a positive light, and the spat eventually peaked as Sorkin accused Kernen of ignoring the coronavirus' death toll to "try and help your friend the president."Kernen and Sorkin's spat began as they discussed a market rally and what it meant for...…Speed Readssquawks all aroundThe co-hosts of CNBC's Squawk Box definitely had their coffee this morning.On Wednesday's episode of the business news program, co-hosts Andrew Ross Sorkin and Joe Kernen went head to head over their longstanding perspectives on COVID-19's economic effects. Tensions ran hot as Kernen tried to spin the economy's status in a positive light, and the spat eventually peaked as Sorkin accused Kernen of ignoring the coronavirus' death toll to "try and help your friend the president."Kernen and Sorkin's spat began as they discussed a market rally and what it meant for...WW…

Speed ReadsOof has shown former Vice President Joe Biden with a growing lead over President Trump, and with COVID-19 cases surging again, the president's approval level is sinking as well. It's all leading Trump to claim "the polls are all fake" and, when he does believe them, beg for advice to turn it all around, .In recent days, Trump has appeared "down in the dumps," Republicans who have spoken with him tell Vanity Fair. "People around him think his heart's not in it," one Republican close to the White House said of his campaign. Trump is reportedly stuck between appealing to his base...…Speed ReadsOof has shown former Vice President Joe Biden with a growing lead over President Trump, and with COVID-19 cases surging again, the president's approval level is sinking as well. It's all leading Trump to claim "the polls are all fake" and, when he does believe them, beg for advice to turn it all around, .In recent days, Trump has appeared "down in the dumps," Republicans who have spoken with him tell Vanity Fair. "People around him think his heart's not in it," one Republican close to the White House said of his campaign. Trump is reportedly stuck between appealing to his base...WW…