A steep and long third wave

Trump in Michigan, Patriot Front grows, Keith Raniere sentenced

THE BIG STORY Coronavirus cases are now rising in almost every state in the US   In the last stretch of the presidential campaign, President Donald Trump has taken to calling COVID-19 a "fake news media conspiracy." But the numbers tell a different story: Daily new cases are running at record levels and climbing fast.  The US is well into a third wave of hospitalizations — and experts worry that there are signs that deaths may be starting to rise once again. This wave of cases differs from the last two in one key way: the numbers are going up everywhere. The first two waves hit the Northeast and the Sun Belt, respectively, but now coronavirus numbers are surging in every part of the country. One expert told us, "With impending holidays, likely travel, and people moving indoors due to colder weather, I'm increasingly concerned that this will be a rather steep and long third wave." STAYING ON TOP OF THIS   Three election stories you need to know: 👉 Trump brought rage toward Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and doubt about the kidnapping plot to Michigan. He had a receptive audience. At a rally in Michigan, Trump told thousands of supporters that the plot against Whitmer "maybe" was "a problem, maybe it wasn't." 👉 Alabama's most populous county says it has a plan for voters who received instructions that would invalidate their ballot. Officials in the county did not provide details as to what, exactly, that plan entailed.  👉 It's basically too late to vote by mail now. In many states, Tuesday was the last recommended day by which to drop your ballot in a mailbox. From now, voters are being encouraged to leave them in official drop boxes or vote in-person. Utah County Election workers unload ballots that were picked up at a post office in Provo, Utah. George Frey / Getty Images SNAPSHOTS   Philadelphia police shot and killed a Black man who officials say was carrying a knife. The man, identified in local news reports as Walter Wallace Jr., died of his injuries at a nearby hospital. The shooting prompted protests Monday night in Philadelphia, which turned violent and, according to police resulted in 30 officers being injured. Keith Raniere, founder of the NXIVM sex cult, was sentenced to 120 years in prison. During a nearly six-week trial last year, several women testified they were coerced into joining a secret women's group within NXIVM, where they were branded with Raniere's initials using a cauterizing pen. Schools don't seem to be COVID hotbeds. That doesn't mean they should all open, scientists say. While it's true that schools don't appear to be COVID-19 superspreading sites, the assertion that there is "zero excuse" to keep classrooms closed is an oversimplification, experts say. The iPhone 12 is a good phone. It would've been a great one without the pandemic. Kate Notopoulos's review of Apple's latest device: Apple built the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro for a year that didn't happen. A judge ruled the Justice Department can't take over Trump's defence against E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit. The ruling means Trump must continue to personally defend against writer E. Jean Carroll's claim that he lied when he denied raping her more than two decades ago. GROWING THREAT   The white extremist group Patriot Front is preparing for a world after Donald Trump Patriot Front is not an old group. Yet in just three years, the white supremacist organization has grown into one of the most active hate groups in the United States. We received a cache of hundreds of messages exchanged by the group's members. In logs of the chats, all from 2020, around 280 members discuss  goals like creating a white ethnostate in the United States. The messages reveal a sophisticated network of extremists who are training for violence. They openly talk about expelling immigrants, people of color, and Jews, remaking the fabric of America. Their actions may seem limited — things like putting up stickers bearing their logo in cities and college campuses, covering pro–Black Lives Matter billboards with their own propaganda — but they've recruited 21 new members in the last 30 days.  Read Jane Lytvynenko's report on how the organization is creating a new generation of white supremacists.  SHARING A DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE   Chrissy Teigen opened up about her pregnancy loss: "I'm not sure I'll ever forget the experience"   Last month, Chrissy Teigen shared that she and her husband John Legend lost their baby after her doctors diagnosed her with partial placenta abruption.  In a moving, difficult post, Teigen wrote in depth about her experience and the outpouring of support she has received. It's very much worth your time.  This little bit touched me: "I went to a store where the checkout lady quietly added flowers to my cart. Sometimes people will approach me with a note. The worst part is knowing there are so many women that won't get these quiet moments of joy from strangers." Spend time creating something just for the pure joy of creating, Elamin P.S. If you like this newsletter, help keep our reporting free for all. Support BuzzFeed News by becoming a member here. (Monthly memberships are available worldwide). 📝  This letter was edited and brought to you by Elamin Abdelmahmoud and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.   🔔  Want to be notified as soon as news breaks? Download the BuzzFeed News app for iOS and Android (available in Canadian, UK, Australian, and US app stores). 💌  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to get BuzzFeed News in your inbox! Show privacy notice and cookie policy. BuzzFeed, Inc. 111 E. 18th St. New York, NY 10003 Unsubscribe