Editor’s Note: This listicle is part of a weekly series by The Ball State Daily News summarizing five stories from across the United States. All summaries are based on stories published by The Associated Press.
Portland protest groups sue the U.S. , General William Barr defends aggressive federal response to protests, Hawaii fights complacency, the virus exacts heavy toll in Queens neighborhood and cleanup from Hanna spurs fear as virus cases increase in Texas make up this week’s five national stories.
Portland protest groups sue US over tear gas, rubber bullets
Two groups protesting U.S. agents sent to Portland by President Donald Trump to tamp down demonstrations outside a federal courthouse have sued the Department of Homeland Security, alleging it violated the Constitution by sending federal law enforcement to disperse crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Barr defends aggressive federal response to protests
Attorney General William Barr defended the aggressive federal law enforcement response to civil unrest in America as he testified for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee, pushing back against angry, skeptical Democrats who said President Donald Trump’s administration is unconstitutionally suppressing dissent.
Hawaii battles complacency after another hurricane near-miss
Hurricane Douglas joined a long list of hurricanes that have come near the Hawaiian Islands but didn’t cause major damage. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said such experiences unfortunately help people become complacent and think disaster will never strike them.
Virus exacts a heavy toll in Queens neighborhood of Corona
It is pure coincidence that the neighborhood, where more than 440 people have died, shares its name with the coronavirus. City data shows that poor immigrants and Black New Yorkers were hit harder than wealthy, white sections of the city. Health officials have attributed that partly to the virus spreading easier in cramped apartments among laborers who can’t telecommute to work.
Cleanup from Hanna spurs fear amid COVID-19 surge in Texas
As recovery and cleanup efforts got underway Monday in South Texas in the wake of a downgraded Hanna, worried residents confronted the prospect of undertaking the effort amid a surge in coronavirus cases that has left many fearful about their health. Gov. Greg Abbott said the state was sending additional testing supplies and hospital personnel to South Texas communities impacted by Hanna to ensure the storm doesn’t exacerbate the spread of the virus.