CORONAVIRUS UPDATES… The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. has reached 35,948,131 and the nation’s death toll stands at 617,321, according to figures released last night by Johns Hopkins University… Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced yesterday that the Pentagon will require U.S. military members to get vaccinated against coronavirus by September 15. The deadline could be pushed up, depending on developments. Meanwhile, an order issued yesterday by Washington Governor Jay Inslee requires state employees and hundreds of thousands of private healthcare workers to be vaccinated by October 18… Arkansas recorded 103 hospitalizations yesterday to set a new one-day record and raise the number of people hospitalized in the state to 1,376. The Department of Health reported that there are only eight intensive care unit beds available in the state… Canada yesterday opened its border with the U.S. for the first time in more than a year. All travelers are required to show proof of vaccination that’s uploaded through a Canadian app, and a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of entry. All U.S. travelers must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before arriving at the border. Unvaccinated children under 12 traveling with vaccinated parents can skip quarantine if they follow other safety requirements.
SENATE TO VOTE ON INFRASTRUCTURE BILL… The Senate is scheduled to vote this morning the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and move along to the broader $3.5 trillion bill aimed at family support, health and education programs as well as climate change. The infrastructure bill appears to have the votes needed for passage, although some Republicans have objected to the size, scope and financing of the package. Nearly $550 billion would be spent on roads, bridges, broadband internet, water pipes and other public works systems.
TEXAS HOUSE DEMS MAY MOVE FREELY… The more than 50 Texas House Democrats who broke quorum last month by leaving the state may return home without threat of apprehension following a judge’s order that took effect yesterday. The order issued by State District Judge Brad Urrutia restricts Governor Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan from “detaining, confining or otherwise restricting” the free movement of House Democrats within the state or issuing any warrants ordering their confinement. The order expires in 14 days unless extended by Urrutia.
LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS HELP WANTED… The Labor Department announced yesterday that a record 10.1 million jobs were available in June. The report said hirings increased to 6.7 million while the number of workers leaving jobs jumped to 5.6 million. Professional and business services had the most job openings with 227,000 positions, while retail trade had 133,000 openings and accommodation and food services had 121,000 available jobs.
U.N. CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT IS DIRE… A 3,900-page report written by 234 scientists from 66 countries blames affirms droughts are more severe and fire seasons are becoming constant due to human activity. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report says humans can still limit the worst of climate change but many of the changes happening now are irreversible in the coming decades. Time is running out to stave off the most catastrophic impacts, the report concludes but significant cuts in fossil-fuel use could still make a difference, according to the report.
ENTERTAINMENT
BILLIE EILISH TOPS ALBUM CHART… Billie Eilish’s sophomore album “Happier Than Ever” sold 238,000 copies to debut atop the Billboard 200 album chart. The Kid LAROI’s “F*ck Love” slipped to second place after selling 65,000 units. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour” finished third with 60,000 copies sold. Prince’s archival studio album “Welcome 2 America” opened at No. 4 after selling 55,000 units. Doja Cat’s “Planet” dropped to fifth place with 55,000 copies sold.
JURY SELECTION IN R. KELLY TRIAL… Jury selection began yesterday in the New York City criminal trial of R&B singer R. Kelly, who stands accused of trafficking women and girls for sex. The singer, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, faces charges that include sexual and physical abuse, child pornography, paying hush-money and racketeering. Twelve jurors and six alternates will be chosen for his trial in federal court in Brooklyn.
SPORTS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
SAN DIEGO 8 – Miami 3… The Padres used a four-run bottom of the eighth inning to bury the Marlins. Eric Hosmer homered and singled home a run. Trent Grisham legged out a two-run triple. Victor Caratini also knocked in two runs. Joe Musgrove (8-7) allowed a run on five hits over six innings.
Milwaukee – CHI. CUBS (ppd.)… Rain in Chicago forced postponement of last night’s Brewers-Cubs game. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chi. White Sox 11 – MINNESOTA 1… The White Sox scored seven runs in their first two at-bats and never looked back in their romp over the Twins. Tim Anderson homered to lead off the game and Eloy Jimenez smacked a two-run shot during a four-run top of the first. Jimenez added a three-run homer in the second. Yoan Moncada also went deep. Lucas Giolito (9-8) allowed just a run on two hits over eight innings.
N.Y. Yankees 8 – KANSAS CITY 6 (11 innings)… The Yankees blew leads in four straight innings before putting away the Royals with a three-run top of the 11th inning. DJ LeMahieu doubled home a go-ahead run and Brett Gardner’s sharp infield single bounced off Kansas City shortstop Nicky Lopez and scored the two decisive runs. Luke Voit opened the scoring with a run-scoring single in the seventh and added a solo homer in the ninth.
INTERLEAGUE
CLEVELAND 9 – Cincinnati 3… Wilson Ramos belted a tie-breaking two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning and the Indians rolled past the Reds. Jose Ramirez homered with a runner aboard and tripled home a run. Bradley Zimmer also went deep.
TODAY’S MLB SCHEDULE…
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Milwaukee (Freddy Peralta, 8-3; Aaron Ashby, 0-0) is at the Chi. Cubs (Justin Steele, 2-0; Alec Mills, 5-4) for a doubleheader…
Philadelphia (Aaron Nola, 7-6) hosts the L.A. Dodgers (Max Scherzer, 9-4)…
St. Louis (J.A. Happ, 5-6) is at Pittsburgh (Steven Brault, 0-0)…
the N.Y. Mets (Carlos Carrasco, 0-0) host Washington (Paolo Espino, 3-3)…
Cincinnati (Sonny Gray, 4-6) is at Atlanta (Drew Smyly, 7-3)…
San Francisco (Alex Wood, 9-3) hosts Arizona (Zac Gallen, 1-6)…
Miami (TBA) is at San Diego (Craig Stammen, 5-2)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
the L.A. Angels (Chris Rodriguez, 2-1; Jose Suarez, 5-4) are at Toronto (Steven Matz, 9-6; Ross Stripling, 5-6) for a doubleheader…
Baltimore (Keegan Akin, 0-5) hosts Detroit (Casey Mize, 6-6)…
Oakland (Sean Manaea, 8-7) is at Cleveland (Triston McKenzie, 1-5)…
Boston (Eduardo Rodriguez, 8-6) hosts Tampa Bay (Luis Patino, 2-3)…
the Chi. White Sox (Dallas Keuchel, 7-5) are at Minnesota (Griffin Jax, 2-1)…
Kansas City (Daniel Lynch, 2-3) hosts the N.Y. Yankees (Nestor Cortes, 0-0)…
Texas (Kolby Allard, 2-10) is at Seattle (Logan Gilbert, 5-3)
INTERLEAGUE
Colorado (Jon Gray, 7-7) is at Houston (Jake Odorizzi, 4-6)
Bob Sarber 