West Coast heat wave, UFC 252, 'Lovecraft Country': 5 things to know this weekend
Dangerous heat wave raising fire threat and coronavirus concerns
This weekend could feature the hottest weather in three years for several cities in the western United States as fears the heat will lead to increased wildfire danger and coronavirus spread. “Dangerously hot conditions will occur during the afternoon and early evening hours each day,” according to the National Weather Service. The scorching temperatures are a concern for firefighters battling blazes that have destroyed several homes and have erupted near both rural and urban foothill neighborhoods, driving through tinder-dry brush. Health officers are also concerned that people will pack beaches, lakes and other recreation areas without following mask and social distancing orders.
California COVID-19 cases spiked after July 4th. Family gatherings helped the spread, experts say.
Fact check: The coronavirus pandemic isn’t slowing climate change
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After coronavirus cases, St. Louis Cardinals resume play
The St. Louis Cardinals, who have not played a game since July 29, are expected to resume play Saturday with a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The plan is contingent on the team not having any more positive COVID-19 tests. The Cardinals, who had 10 players and seven staff members test positive for COVID-19, played only five games before being shut down. The ballclub will not have to make up their entire missed schedule, with only 45 days left in the season year. For all teams who don’t play the full season, their winning percentage will determine whether they are among the top eight teams to qualify for the postseason in the National League.
Several Cardinals members had to visit the ER after being infected
53 games in 44 days: St. Louis Cardinals hit the road (in 41 rental cars)
'Lovecraft Country': In HBO's horror series, America's racism is the real monster
"Lovecraft Country" is a perfect TV series for 2020. Too perfect, in fact. The new 10-episode HBO series, which premiers Sunday at 9 ET/PT, is based on the 2016 novel by Matt Ruff and is set in 1950s Jim Crow America. Created by Misha Green ("Underground") and produced by Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams, the series is relevant to any time in American history because it so profoundly portrays and then dissects racism. According to USA TODAY's Kelly Lawler, the series is also a rip-roaring genre adventure full of terrifying monsters, creepy mysteries and absolutely superb acting from stars Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Courtney B. Vance and Michael K. Williams.
'There's a horror in just being Black': HBO's 'Lovecraft Country' digs into real racism with pulp fiction
Legacies on the line at UFC 252
The main event at UFC 252 features what some are calling the biggest heavyweight fight in the promotion's history. Stipe Miocic puts his title on the line against Daniel Cormier in the third matchup between the longtime UFC stars. Cormier, who plans to retire after the fight, knocked out Miocic in July 2018. Miocic returned the favor with a knockout in August of last year. Neither has fought since. The championship fight from Las Vegas airs on pay-per-view after the preliminary card on ESPN/ESPN+.
Wrestling vs. body shots? Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic talk tactics ahead of UFC 252 trilogy fight
UFC 252 faceoff highlights: Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier meet one last time before fight
Year after she died in a plane crash, reporter's husband sues FAA
Nearly a year after a New Orleans TV anchor was killed in a plane crash, her husband is suing the Federal Aviation Administration for nearly $23 million over what he says is its negligent role in her death. Nancy Parker, 53, was shooting a story about skywriting pilot Franklin J.P. Augustus when their plane went down in a field near New Orleans Lakefront Airport on Aug. 16, 2019. In the lawsuit, filed Aug. 6 and obtained by USA TODAY, Glen Boyd claims the FAA failed to follow through on several regulations surrounding the Aerotek Pitts S-2B aircraft. He says local FAA officials were aware the two-person stunt plane "had a lengthy and well-known history" of issues. Parker, a five-time Emmy winner who worked at Fox 8 for more than two decades, "put her heart and soul into her work, covering thousands of stories and touching countless lives," the television station said after her death.
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat wave, UFC 252, 'Lovecraft Country': 5 things to know this weekend
