Tim Walz accepts the Democratic nomination for vice president. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to drop his presidential bid and endorse Trump. And what to know about the new round of Covid vaccines coming.
Here’s what you need to know today.
Tim Walz Accepts Vice President Nomination With Energetic Pep Speech
Tim Walz officially became the Democratic vice presidential nominee last night, delivering a keynote speech on the third day of the Democratic National Convention that hammered home the theme of “freedom.”
“When Republicans use the word ‘liberty,’ they mean that the government should be free to invade your doctor’s office, that corporations should be free to pollute your air and water, and that banks should be free to take advantage of their customers,” Walz said. He added that Democrats see “liberty” as the ability to “make your own health care decisions” and “the freedom for children to go to school without fear of being shot.”
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Walz also touted his small-town roots and experiences as a teacher, football coach, veteran and gun owner, highlighting the passage of gun safety laws, free school lunches and paid family leave while he was Minnesota governor.
And Walz didn’t fail to cite the word that propelled him into the national political zeitgeist just a few weeks ago: weird. Taking on the far-right Project 2025, Walz asked the audience: “Is it weird? Absolutely. But it’s also wrong and dangerous.”
Read the full story here.
More coverage of the Democratic National Convention:
- Watch the highlights Excerpt from the third night of the DNC in 3 minutes.
- Sixty years after civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer’s iconic speech at the 1964 DNC, Harris is about to make history in his own speech tonight.
- The last night of the convention will feature survivors of gun violence.
- In a surprise appearance, Oprah Winfrey praised Harris and Walz while doing some digging at Trump and Vance.
- Former President Bill Clinton called the election a “clear choice” and called Trump a narcissist consumed by concerns that have nothing to do with everyday problems.
- Nancy Pelosi may be a bad guy in President Joe Biden’s inner circle, but the DNC made it clear that she was a hero to the rest of the party.
- The border was a major theme in several speeches, solidifying Democrats’ shift toward a tougher stance on immigration.
- Parents of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin made an emotional appeal for the return of their son which left many people in the conference hall in tears.
- Meanwhile, uncommitted delegates at the DNC said Harris’ campaign refused their main request to feature a Palestinian-American speaker.
- What if Trump had said no to Biden’s offer to hold an early debate months ago? NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd takes us through what this week might have looked like. Read the full analysis.
RFK Jr. to set aside presidential ambitions in favor of another
Third-party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should abandon the race And support former President Donald Trumptwo sources familiar with the matter said. Kennedy said yesterday he would deliver a speech in Phoenix tomorrow on the “path forward” for his campaign. Trump will also be in Glendale, Arizona, for an event.
A group close to Trump — including his son Donald Trump Jr., right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson and business leader Omeed Malik — worked behind the scenes to lure Kennedy into their corner, the sources said.
Trump suggested in an interview this week that Kennedy would do an “incredible job” as Health and Human Services secretary. Kennedy, a notorious anti-vaccine advocate and conspiracy theorist, has not been shy about expressing interest in a Cabinet position under Trump. But an HHS secretary position, by historical comparisons, would be an odd choice. For one, Kennedy has openly advocated for dismantling offices like the FDA and CDC and rebuilding them with like-minded fringe figures. Here’s what Kennedy also stood for.
More coverage of the 2024 elections:
- How RFK Jr. Exited the Presidential Race would help Trumpaccording to the polls.
- Trump said his priority in November is to ensure that Democrats “don’t cheat,” echoing his previous efforts to undermine the election.
New Covid vaccines expected soon
The FDA could approve a new Covid vaccine as early as today, two people familiar with the matter said, which could put those vaccines on the market within days. The updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are designed to target the KP.2 strain, while a third vaccine from drugmaker Novavax will target the JN.1 strain.
However, the CDC says both strains have largely disappeared from circulation. Millions of Americans have already been infected with Covid during the current summer surge, meaning their immunity is boosted, at least for a while.
So who should get vaccinated and when is the best time to get it? The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated, but if you’ve been sick recently, you might want to consider delaying your vaccination. NBC News reporters explain everything you need to know about new vaccines.
Politics in brief
Hunter Biden: Federal judge presiding over Hunter Biden tax trial established the schedule for the upcoming criminal trial of President Joe Biden’s son, which will begin with jury selection in two weeks.
Electoral losses: Nearly half of the 23 Florida school board candidates backed by DeSantis lost their elections, while six others were forced to runoffs. The results of Tuesday’s election indicate that the reputation of the governor of Florida is tarnished after the failure of his presidential campaign.
Rule change: People with HIV can no longer be banned to enlist in the U.S. military, a federal judge ruled, striking down the Pentagon’s last remaining policy limiting service for people with the virus.
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Staff Picks: A poignant end for the gay penguin ‘power couple’
Penguins are monogamous creatures, mating for life and “proposing” to their chosen partner by offering them a rock. So when Sydney Aquarium staff noticed male penguins Sphen and Magic “flirting” and building a nest together, they gave the new couple an egg to raise.
The gay power couple was celebrated around the world.
So I was very sad to hear that Sphen, the older of the two penguins, had passed away. The aquarium staff brought Magic to see Sphen’s body so he could understand that his partner of 6 years was not coming home. Upon seeing Sphen, Magic began to sing and the colony of 45 penguins joined in their mourning song. Sphen may have passed away, but Love continues. — Fiona Day, social media editor
NBC Select: Online Shopping Made Easy
Flying can be hard on your body, especially your skin. These products can keep your skin from drying out and becoming dehydrated when you travel. And those with oily or combination skin may benefit from a gel moisturizer, which is thinner and lighter. Here are the best ones.
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