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!
1. Tropical Storms Marco and Laura head towards Louisiana, trio of fires in Northern California
Tropical Storm Marco is expected to make landfall sometime today across southern Louisiana as a tropical storm.
Tropical Storm Laura is on track to move into the Gulf of Mexico by tomorrow where it will likely strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall sometime Wednesday morning somewhere along the Louisiana/Southeast Texas coastline.
The fires surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area were started by lightning strikes that were among 12,000 registered in the state in the past week.
2. Speaking of disasters, an asteroid will get uncomfortably close to Earth
The celestial object, known as 2018VP1, is roughly 6.5 feet in diameter and is expected to buzz Earth on November 2, according to the Center for Near Objects Studies at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Just in time for the 2020 Election!
NASA says that there could be three potential impacts, but “based on 21 observations spanning 12.968 days," there is just a 0.41% chance of the asteroid hitting us.
3. RNC Lineup: Trumps across the board
President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee has unveiled the list of speakers for the virtual Republican National Convention happening this week.
At least four of the president's five children including Don Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany will speak along with FLOTUS and POTUS.
Other speakers include RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel and several Republican lawmakers. You can see the full schedule at the link above.
4. Kellyanne Conway says goodbye after Twitter feud with daughter
President Donald Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway announced on Twitter that she is leaving the White House at the end of August to focus on her family.
In a statement, Conway said she was taking a step away from her job to focus on her family. Her husband George Conway will also step away from his position with the Lincoln Project.
The move comes after her 15-year-old daughter posted on Twitter that her mother "ruined" her life by her work in the administration and that she was seeking emancipation from her parents.
i’m officially pushing for emancipation. buckle up because this is probably going to be public one way or another, unfortunately. welcome to my life
— CLAUDIA CONWAY (@claudiamconwayy) August 23, 2020
5. Another Grim Milestone: Florida coronavirus cases top 600,000
Florida cases passed 600,000 with an increase of 2,974 in one-day reporting.
On the brighter side, there was the lowest amount reported deaths in more than a month with 51. There were no fatalities in Palm Beach County.
Also the positivity rates continue to trend below the target 10 percent rate, the Florida Department of Health announced Sunday.
Today's Forecast
Tropical Storm Laura remains to our south, but indirect impacts possible throughout the day today.
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
We're continuing the theme of disasters. On August 24, 79 A.D., after centuries of dormancy, Mount Vesuvius erupts in southern Italy, devastating the prosperous Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and killing thousands.
Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m.
