Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Monday, August 31, 2020:
SOCIAL UNREST: Portland, Oregon was ground zero in another violent weekend that included a miles-long caravan of supporters of President Trump clashing with counter-protesters on the streets. One man was shot and killed in the unrest. His identity has not been released but he is believed to be a member of a right-wing group called the Patriot Prayer. No one has been arrested in that shooting. The president retweeted a video of his supporters shooting paintballs and pepper spray at crowds as the Biden campaign accused Trump of “recklessly encouraging” the violence. OREGON LIVE
COVID-19: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: The number of worldwide coronavirus cases surpassed 25 million over the weekend, with the U.S., Brazil and India leading the count. The U.S. topped 6 million cases even as the daily rate continues to decline -- though college towns are now showing up as many of the new hotspots. The FDA chief says the government would be willing to approve a vaccine before all the clinical trials are complete if it was “appropriate” to do so. He promised that the decision would not be political. FT
NBA VOTING INITIATIVE: The NBA and its players union made a first-of-its-kind decision on Friday to convert basketball arenas into polling locations for the November election. In cities where the team controls its arena, they will be opened for voting. If the deadline to set up a polling place has passed, the arena will be used for civic engagement purposes, like voter registration drives. Here’s a list of which teams have committed: CBS SPORTS
IN MEMORIAM: CHADWICK BOSEMAN: The entertainment world is still reeling from the shocking death of Chadwick Boseman, who passed away on Friday from colon cancer at 43. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler penned a long, emotional tribute to his star, calling Boseman “a caretaker, a leader and a man of faith, dignity and pride” who is “an ancestor now.” Boseman was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and kept it private; his most iconic roles, including that of Wakandan king T’Challa, were shot while he was secretly battling the disease. THR
THE END OF CHANGE FEES?: United Airlines has a new policy that would have been unheard of from one of the legacy carriers just six months ago: no more $200 change fees on any domestic flight, ever. United and Southwest are now the only two U.S. airlines that won’t charge you to change your ticket. That’s a pretty good bet that, as carriers look for ways to get people back in the sky, more flexible customer policies are on deck. POINTS GUY
FREE IPHONE: If you need a new phone and can’t wait, T-Mobile is offering an iPhone 11 Pro -- gratis -- if you switch from another carrier. Current T-Mobile customers can get the deal if they add a line to their plan. (You still have to buy it upfront, but it’s refunded in billing credits over 24 months.) Just remember, Apple is about to launch a completely new iPhone model within the next month. BUSINESS WIRE
CFB RETURNS: The college football season is finally here. Central Arkansas beat Austin Peay in a messy opener that included a ref caught on a hot mic complaining about his mask, and a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the first play -- all in front of just a smattering of fans, no marching bands, and cheerleaders who were forced to sit in the stands. MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER
SPOTTED...
...LeBron James, doing the “Wakanda Forever” salute in tribute to Chadwick Boseman before the Lakers-Blazers game: SEE PIC
...Kian Westbrook, a 7-year old Missouri boy, and all his Avengers action figures lined up to honor Boseman, who Westbrook said “let me know Black boys can be heroes too”: SEE PIC
'TENET' FINALLY OPENS: Hollywood executives are cautiously optimistic after seeing the box office receipts from Tenet’s debut weekend overseas. The long-delayed Christopher Nolan flick grossed a surprisingly solid $53 million internationally, helped by France, the UK and South Korea. Next weekend, Tenet opens in the U.S. and, perhaps more crucially, China, where the box office is seeing an incredible rebound this summer. VARIETY
LEFTOVERS: VMA WINNERS: MTV pulled off a Video Music Awards fit for 2020, full of custom facemasks, BLM tributes and fake crowd noise. Lady Gaga took home Artist of the Year, The Weeknd won Video of the Year for Blinding Lights, and K-pop supergroup BTS made history as the first Asian act to win the Best Pop VMA. BILLBOARD
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