Surfside demolition, Bitcoin’s real life impact and counterculture skateboarding goes mainstream with Olympic debut

Monday, July 5, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Hope you had a fun 4th of July. Today we're looking at the latest on the Florida condo collapse, how a facility collecting virtual currency is creating real pollution in New York's Finger Lakes, and skateboarding's Olympic debut.  Remaining parts of Florida condo demolished as storm approaches The remaining portion of the Miami-area condo tower that partially collapsed was demolished Sunday night in a controlled explosion after engineers declared it unstable.   Officials were worried that the remaining building would not withstand powerful wind gusts from Tropical Storm Elsa which is approaching the west coast of Florida after leaving a path of destruction in the Caribbean.    Search-and-rescue efforts were put on pause at the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, Saturday afternoon as officials worried the unstable structure could come down on crews working the debris pile.   The building was demolished at 10:30 p.m. Sunday after residents in the area were told to stay inside and close their windows to prevent dust and debris from entering their homes. (Watch video of its demolition here).   Officials said that search-and-rescue crews would get back to their "heart-wrenching" work as soon as the site is deemed secure.   More than a week after Champlain Towers South unexpectedly collapsed, the confirmed death toll stands at 24, with 121 people still unaccounted for.  Monday's top stories Some locals say a Bitcoin mining operation is ruining one of the Finger Lakes. Here's how. By Gretchen Morgenson | Read more At Greenidge, a facility on the shores of Seneca Lake, the computers operate 24/7, burning through an astounding amount of real energy, and producing real pollution, while collecting virtual currency as they "mine" Bitcoin. "The lake is so warm you feel like you're in a hot tub," said a woman who lives near the gas-fired New York plant that powers 8,000 computers.   What's keeping democracy experts up most at night? An overturned election By Benjy Sarlin | Read more   A half-dozen scholars who study democracy and election laws told NBC News they are increasingly worried that 2024 could be a repeat of 2020's legal challenges and division.  Should fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks? Experts weigh in. By Erika Edwards | Read more "Do whatever it takes for Covid to go away," one doctor said. That includes continuing to wear a mask. Of course, not everyone agrees. OPINION The cruel Catch-22 of Britney Spears' waking 'nightmare' By Lynn Stuart Parramore | Read more   The pop legend has alleged horrors that seemed out of another era — a time when toiling for others, suffering and obeying without complaint were seen as the essence of femininity. Is skateboarding a sport? Mixed feelings come with its jump to the Olympic stage By Phil McCausland | Read more  Some members of the skateboarding community — known for their rebellious, counter-culture inclinations — have mixed feelings about skating's "sportification" as it makes its debut as an Olympic sport this summer in Tokyo.   BETTER What's safe for unvaccinated kids this summer? 4 epidemiologists share their plans By Maura Hohman | Read more   Infectious disease doctors share what events they're avoiding to protect their unvaccinated children this summer. Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Pope Francis 'reacted well' to intestinal surgery, Vatican says Troops flee as Taliban take districts in northeast Afghanistan Video shows fireworks explosion in Maryland that led to 4th of July show cancellations Pro golfer shot and killed on Georgia country club golf course Nearly 8.5 million pounds of Tyson chicken recalled due to listeria concerns TikTok is taking the book industry by storm, and retailers are taking notice SHOPPING How to make s'mores inside and outside your home with roasting sticks, mini bonfires and more. One fun thing Americans celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks, floats and flags across the country as the U.S. continues to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.   From Joey Chestnut setting a new hot dog eating contest record to President Joe Biden hosting a backyard BBQ at the White House for essential workers and military families, Americans of all stripes celebrated our Independence Day.   See a slideshow of photos here and video here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Enjoy the rest of your three-day weekend if you have the day off today.    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