Could the collapsed Miami condo have been repaired quicker under repealed law?

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we report on the investigation into the deadly collapse of the Surfside condo, the latest on Tropical Storm Elsa and the world passing 4 million Covid cases.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Thursday morning. Collapsed Florida tower could have been repaired faster under repealed law, experts say Structural damage may have contributed to the partial collapse of the high-rise condo in Surfside, Miami, last month, NBC News reports this morning.   Late last year, after years of delays and disputes, the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association began a desperate search for $16.2 million to fix major structural damage that was slowly threatening the building.   The building's reserve fund, money set aside to bankroll repairs, held just $777,000, according to condo board documents obtained by NBC News and NBC Miami — nowhere near enough to cover the cost.   The cause of the collapse remains unknown. Investigators and experts are trying to determine whether the uncompleted repairs played a role — and whether a repealed Florida law regulating condo repairs could have made a difference.   So far 56 people have been confirmed dead in the collapse and 86 others are missing. The search for survivors was formally ended Wednesday.   "If the owners would have had a reserve study, if the board was proactive and had funded its reserves, this never would have happened," said Julio Robaina, a former Republican state legislator.   Read the full article here. Thursday's top stories White House: Actually, it's Republicans who are trying to defund the police  By Sahil Kapur and Shannon Pettypiece | Read more The White House has launched a counteroffensive as advisers push to shore up Biden's low approval on crime and fight an attack that could damage Democrats in the 2022 elections.   1 dead as Tropical Storm Elsa moves over Florida, into Georgia By Phil Helsel | Read more  A falling tree killed a person in Florida as Tropical Storm Elsa moved through Wednesday, and 11 people were injured in Georgia when a suspected tornado touched down at a submarine base, officials said. England's Covid-19 gamble as society reopens despite skyrocketing cases By Alexander Smith| Read more England is trying to rewrite the pandemic playbook, opening up its society amid skyrocketing cases in the hope its world-class vaccine rollout will prevent more mass deaths. INTO AMERICA PODCAST The Quiet Power of Preservation  Listen here This week on Into America, Trymaine Lee takes a look at the movement to preserve Black historic landmarks and create a 'permanent record' of the Black experience in America. OPINION Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene can't stop making Covid-Nazi comparisons  By Noah Berlatsky | Read more  Greene's comments are part of a history of far-right disavowal, projection and escalation intended to provide a rationale for retaliation, writes cultural critic Noah Berlatsky. Reprimand of judges for social media misconduct warrants updated guidelines, experts say  By Erik Ortiz | Read more After a spate of reports of judges using social media in partisan and inappropriate ways, observers say states should revisit their guidelines and give more clarity.  BETTER Burned out? Try the Swedish custom of 'Little Saturday' By Stephanie Thurrott | Read more People in Sweden and some other countries have a lovely custom to break up the working week. It's called lillördag, and it means little Saturday.  Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Global coronavirus death toll reaches 4 million Four suspects in Haiti assassination killed, 2 arrested after president's death, police chief says Making history: Chileans start work on first constitution equally drafted by women, men Lesbian, bisexual women more successful at the ballot box than gay men, study finds More than $1 billion in pot seized in Los Angeles-area bust Tampa Bay Lightning defeat Montreal Canadiens to win second Stanley Cup in row SHOPPING Here are eight of the best charcoal grills of 2021, according to experts. One fun thing Back in 1999, rapper Juvenile had a hit with 'Back That Thang Up,' which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.   Now he's moved with the times and turned the tune into a pro-vaccine anthem called 'Vax That Thang Up' that was released this week, as part of a promotional campaign for a dating app.   Read the story and watch the video here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser