Miami safety board under scrutiny, Ledecky takes silver and teens dominate women’s skateboarding

Monday, July 26, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     In the wake of the recent Surfside condo tragedy, this morning we're taking a closer look at the record of the Miami safety board tasked with keeping buildings safe. Plus, we have the latest on the medal race at the Tokyo Olympics and a pair of 13-year-old skateboarding phenomenons.    Here's what we're watching this Monday morning. Before Surfside, Miami safety board sided with building owners more than inspectors Less than a month after the Surfside tragedy, it remains unclear what caused the massive condo building to fall and kill at least 97 people.   The disaster has brought increased scrutiny to the structural soundness of buildings across Florida — and the U.S. — and to the work municipalities perform to keep buildings safe.   In Miami-Dade County, with a population topping 2.7 million, the Unsafe Structures Board is central to that effort — a last line of defense against risky buildings.   But an NBC News investigation found that from 2010 to 2021, the safety board overrode building officials' recommendations to bring properties up to code almost twice as often as it ruled in favor of them.   Read the full story from NBC News' senior financial reporter Gretchen Morgenson here.  Monday's top stories Katie Ledecky takes silver in thrilling 400m showdown with Australian rival By The Associated Press | Read more   For the first time in her brilliant Olympic career, Ledecky felt the sting of defeat. Australia's Ariarne Titmus chased down Ledecky to win one of the most anticipated races of the Games. See a roundup of Day 3 from Tokyo here. And get all the latest news and results with NBC's full coverage here.    Trade groups wrestle with supporting GOP lawmakers who embrace Trump's election lie By Allan Smith | Read more The Jan. 6 Capitol riot has forced the sprawling network of Washington trade associations, which represent everything from hedge fund managers to dentists, to reconsider who is eligible for their campaign cash. Meantime, when the committee investigating the riots begins Tuesday, it will feature GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an outspoken Trump critic. 'Our city is surrounded': Afghans must run a Taliban gauntlet to reach Kabul for U.S. evacuation By Dan De Luce and Saphora Smith | Read more  Thousands of Afghans who are eligible for a U.S. evacuation out of the country now face one final life-and-death hurdle — getting to Kabul without being captured or killed by the Taliban. OPINION Anthony Bourdain movie 'Roadrunner' doesn't allow for life's loose ends By Alicia Kennedy | Read more  The writer and chef rejected the idea that the world could be comprehended in an easy way, his life and death can't be either, Kennedy writes in an opinion piece. Why empty offices aren't being turned into housing, despite lengthy vacancies By Cyrus Farivar | Read more    Even in cities like San Francisco, where homelessness remains a major challenge and office vacancy is relatively high, commercial buildings are not being converted into housing because developers, property owners and city officials aren't convinced the swap makes financial sense in the long run. BETTER Ready to train like an Olympian?  By Today | Read more   Here's your shot! Three American Olympians share a workout that will tone your legs, arms and core. Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... GOP congressman says he has Covid-19 for second time  Tucker Carlson confronted at Montana fishing shop, called the 'worst human being' 7 dead, several injured in Utah car crashes caused by sandstorm Robert Parris Moses, civil rights activist who endured beatings and jail in the 1960s, has died at 86 2000 is now 'vintage': Gen Z's 'nowstalgia' for Y2K fashion is leading to a thrifting explosion Video shows baby trapped under alleged drunk driver's car being rescued by bystanders, police Birthplace of 'Arab spring' in crisis after Tunisia's president ousts government Jackie Mason, one of the last of the Borscht Belt comedians, dies at 93  SHOPPING The best beach reads to pick up this summer, according to Goodreads. One fun thing While it's officially called "women's" street skateboarding, teens are blazing the trail for the new Olympic sport.    A pair of 13-year-olds won gold and silver, while a mature 16-year-old took home the bronze for their amazing skateboarding skills.    Read the story here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser