Good morning. It's Wednesday, June 24, and we're covering some of the last remaining primaries, an Atlanta funeral, and a massive desert dust cloud. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Progressives Target Primaries

A number of hotly contested primary races were held in New York and Kentucky yesterday, with progressive Democrats looking to build on the momentum from weeks of nationwide protests. 

In Kentucky, Democratic party favorite Amy McGrath—a former Marine and fundraising powerhouse—faced a late charge from insurgent state lawmaker Charles Booker. The winner faces Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R). In what may foreshadow the November election, long lines slowed voting and the result won't be known for days as mail-in ballots are counted.

In New York, House Foreign Affairs chair and 16-term incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel (D, NY-16) currently trails challenger Jamaal Bowman, 61%-36%. An upset by Bowman, endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY-14), would be particularly stunning as Bowman, a former middle school teacher, has no electoral experience. 

In North Carolina, Madison Cawthorn won the Republican primary in the 11th District to now White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Paralyzed in a car accident, Cawthorn will have just turned the minimum 25 years old when the next Congress begins.

Only four states and Puerto Rico are yet to hold their primaries, which will be followed by each party's convention on Aug. 17-20 (Democrats) and Aug. 24-27 (Republicans).  

Rayshard Brooks Funeral

A private funeral was held yesterday for Rayshard Brooks, who was shot and killed by Atlanta police while fleeing from a sobriety check two weeks ago. The death of Brooks, who was a Black man, followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and reinvigorated anti-police brutality protests in Atlanta and across the nation. The service took place in Atlanta's famed Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached in the 1960s. See photos from the day here.

Separately, officer Devin Brosnan denied confirming to testify against a second officer, Garrett Rolfe. Brosnan was first on the scene and called in Rolfe for support as a certified DUI officer; Rolfe ultimately fired the shots that killed Brooks. Brosnan—who reportedly suffered a concussion during a struggle with Brooks—has been charged with aggravated assault and three counts of violation of oath.

In related news, a woman alleged to have burned down the Wendy's where Brooks was shot was taken into custody. Her attorney confirmed she was the same woman referenced by Brooks in police body camera footage before the incident. 

Saharan Dust Plume

A massive cloud of dust originating in the Sahara Desert is on a trajectory to reach the Southeastern US beginning late today, according to meteorologists. The particles, spread over hundreds of miles, hover around 20,000 feet in the air before falling to the ground. 

The phenomenon is caused by updrafts of hot air near the desert surface—a process known as convection—that carry dust particles into the upper atmosphere. From there, global wind patterns push the cloud across the Atlantic, toward the Caribbean and US. The process occurs a number of times each year, though the current plume may be the biggest in roughly 50 years. See before and after video as it passed through Puerto Rico.   

The cloud is potentially hazardous to those with existing respiratory conditions, while others may experience allergy-like irritation symptoms. The dust also scatters sunlight, resulting in more vibrant sunrises and sunsets. 

See the plume from space here.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> FBI concludes NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace wasn’t a target of a hate crime as noose found in his garage stall had been there since 2019 (More) | Jimmy Kimmel apologizes for performing in blackface in mid-90s “The Man Show” skit (More)

> "Jurassic Park," originally released in 1993, was No. 1 film at US box office over the weekend; "Jaws," released in 1975, was second as moviegoers head back to theaters (More)

> Adult film star Ron Jeremy is charged with sexually assaulting four women, faces up to life in prison (More)

Science & Technology

> Ancient Alaskan eruption linked to extreme weather events that precipitated the downfall of the Roman Empire in 43 BCE; archaeologists have long suspected volcanic activity played a role but could not verify its location (More)

> Mercedes and Nvidia unveil AI-powered automobile software platform that can add new features over time; shift may extend the life of new cars and lead to lower vehicle turnover (More)

> Pluto's early formation may have been hot enough to create a liquid ocean that may still exist under its icy crust; surface cracks suggest the subsurface ocean is slowly freezing (More)

Business & Markets

> Amazon to launch $2B venture capital fund to invest in technologies addressing climate change (More)

> Missouri appeals court rejects Johnson & Johnson’s attempt to throw out baby powder ovarian cancer case, but reduces damages to $2.1B (More)

> Markus Braun, CEO of German fintech firm Wirecard, arrested after company admits to fraudulently inflating balance sheet by more than $2B (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Democrats likely to block Republican police reform bill in the Senate, saying it does not go far enough (More) | Differences include federal standards for use of force and limiting qualified immunity; see more here (More)

> European Union set to restrict incoming travel from the US, citing high levels of coronavirus cases (More) | Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies to House Committee, says he's hopeful for a vaccine by early 2021 (More) | Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) urges residents to stay home as state sets another record for daily cases (More)

> At least five dead and several injured after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes near the coast of Mexico's Oaxaca state (More)

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ETCETERA

How a film with a $0 budget topped the box office.

Protests are driving record traffic to donation sites. 

These award-winning photos capture humankind's relationship with water.

From our partners: Did you know what Intel, CES, and other cool tech businesses have in common? They all use .TECH domains. Learn about .TECH and use code TECH499 for a 90% discount on your purchase. #Ad

Siberian town records the first known 100-degree day in the Arctic Circle.

The Barcelona Opera reopened to an audience of plants. 

This printed Tibetan book is said to predate the Gutenberg Bible.

A brain injury left this man unable to see numbers (w/video).

​That feeling when your art restoration project fails to meet expectations.

Clickbait: A nuclear bomb will not be detonated in Nashville. 

Historybook: Boxing great Jack Dempsey born (1895); First exhibit by Pablo Picasso opens in Paris (1901); HBD actress Mindy Kaling (1979); RIP comedian Jackie Gleason (1987); HBD soccer star Lionel Messi (1987).

"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."

- Jack Dempsey

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