While you were sleeping, we compiled the biggest stories of the day in one place. Each story has a quick and easy summary, so you're prepared for whatever the day brings. Just click on the links if you want to know more! You can watch the latest LIVE on WPTV here from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.
1. Jeffrey Epstein's confidante Ghislaine Maxwell arrested in connection with his sexual abuse crimes
The FBI announced Thursday that Ghislaine Maxwell, confidante of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested for her alleged role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple girls.
The British socialite and heiress has been accused of helping Epstein groom teen girls for sex with the rich and powerful. One of those teens, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, accused Maxwell in a 2015 defamation suit.
Maxwell is charged with enticement and conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transportation and conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of perjury, according to an 18-page federal indictment.
JUST IN: These are pages from Ghislaine Maxwell’s federal indictment. FBI alledges she’s been bringing girls to Jeffrey Epstein since at least 1994. Some were as young as 14 years old... https://t.co/jPz5iNUIV6 @WPTV pic.twitter.com/Nkl0j6egfl
— Merris Badcock (@MerrisBadcock) July 2, 2020
2. Is this it for the Washington Redskins? Major companies sever ties over name
Nike, FedEx and PepsiCo severed tied with the Washington Redskins in an effort to get them to change their name.
FedEx is the title sponsor of the Redskins' stadium.
In addition to the stadium name and sponsorship agreement, FedEx CEO Frederik Smith is a minority owner.
Majority owner Daniel Snyder has shown no indications he’ll change the name since buying the team in 1999.
Many companies have made changes in recent weeks to be more racially sensitive.
3. Florida breaks record with 10,109 new coronavirus cases
A heartbreaking day in the fight against coronavirus saw over 10,000 new cases in Florida and the death of an 11-year-old boy from Miami-Dade County. He is the youngest death in the state. The previously youngest was a 16-year-old girl from Lee County.
Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has been hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Cain recently attended President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
We are sorry to announce that Herman Cain has tested positive for COVID-19, and is currently receiving treatment in an Atlanta-area hospital.
— Herman Cain (@THEHermanCain) July 2, 2020
Please keep him, and all who are battling this virus, in your prayers.
Our full statement appears below. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/lDRW7Rla4e
4. What happened to Pfc. Vanessa Guillen? Gruesome new details come to light
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Two suspects dismembered Pfc. Vanessa Guillen's body and attempted to burn it after she was bludgeoned to death, an affidavit reveals.
The two suspects have been identified as Spc. Aaron Robinson and his 22-year-old girlfriend Cecily Anne Aguillar, a civilian.
Robinson lured Guillen to the arms room, killed her with a hammer and smuggled her body out in a box, Aguillar said.
Witnesses saw Robinson pulling a large "tough box" with wheels, that appeared to be heavy with weight.
The report said that to easily dispose of the body, Robinson and Aguilar dismembered the female soldier's body.
The two attempted to burn the body, however it would not burn completely. They placed her body in several spots, the affidavit read.
5. 'The Room Where It Happens' is coming to your house: 'Hamilton' released on streaming
Hamilton was released on Disney+ this morning.
Here are the details: The video is 2 hours and 41 minutes long, and includes a minute countdown for intermission. It was recorded using several cameras during two of the last performances of the initial 2016 Broadway run of the hit musical, and includes most of the original cast.
The recording was originally intended to debut in movie theaters in fall 2021. The release was moved up considering the pandemic’s impact on theaters and increase in streaming video.
Today's Forecast
Near record highs again today, a few afternoon storms.
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
Brian Jones and Jim Morrison die, two years apart to the day when they were both 27 years old. Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones is found dead of an apparent accidental drowning on July 3, 1969. Two years later to the day, in 1971, Jim Morrison dies of heart failure in a Paris bathtub.
They are both considered part of the unfortunate 27 Club. The 27 Club includes popular musicians, artists, actors, and athletes who have died at age 27, often as a result of drug and alcohol abuse or violent means such as homicide, suicide, or transportation-related accidents.
Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m.
