THE BIG STORY

Michelle Obama kicked off the Democratic National Convention with a passionate plea

In 2016, Michelle Obama used her speech at the DNC to make the positive case for Hillary Clinton. Four years later, a major tone change: the former first lady painted a picture of a country in chaos under Donald Trump, and made an impassioned plea for Americans to vote him out.

Obama's speech was delivered remotely after party officials asked Democrats not to attend the planned Milwaukee convention in person and moved to a fully digital convention because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic textured much of Obama’s speech. She said that Trump “cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.” Here are her full remarks.

Also from the convention:

👉 George Floyd’s brothers made a live appearance, remembering victims of police brutality. Philonise and Rodney led a national moment of silence.

👉 Kristin Urquiza, whose father died of COVID-19, said at the DNC that she blamed his sudden death on President Trump's handling of the pandemic.

Chris Delmas / Getty Images

STAYING ON TOP OF THIS

Top Ellen Show producers have been fired after allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct

Three top executive producers for The Ellen DeGeneres Show have been fired amid allegations of blatant sexual harassment and using fear and intimidation to run the show.

In a recent BuzzFeed News report, more than 30 former employees detailed how sexual harassment and misconduct by executive producers runs rampant in the show’s culture.

On Monday, according to an employee who was at the meeting, Ellen DeGeneres announced the ousting of executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman in a call with the show's crew, and said an internal investigation would be completed soon.

In the meeting, other executive producers told staff they're committed to eliminating a “culture of fear.”

SNAPSHOTS

A judge blocked the Trump administration’s effort to roll back transgender healthcare protections. The judge found that the landmark Supreme Court ruling expanding workplace protections for LGBTQ individuals also applied in a legal fight over anti-discrimination provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

18 years after the killing of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay, two men were arrested. Jam Master Jay was shot dead in his Queens studio in 2002. Authorities have arrested Ronald Washington, 56, and Karl Jordan Jr., 36, in connection with his death.

A boat on the Willamette River sank after being swamped by waves during a Trump boat parade. A viral video showed dozens of boats with pro-Trump signage creating a wake. Officials were told the sinking boat's occupants were not part of the boat parade. No injuries were reported.

Death Valley might have just broken a temperature record. It reached 130 degrees in Death Valley National Park on Sunday afternoon — setting a possible record for the highest temperature recorded on Earth.

A LONG HISTORY

The post office has always been political

You might not think about the mail very often. Maybe you think about it only when you need it. But the reality is: the United States mail, as an institution, has always been a center of political tension.

There is a deep history to this. As Scott Lucas writes, “the US post office — and the values it embodies — has frequently been in the political crosshairs. The post office has always been the public network by which the United States built its common political culture — and fought over just what that culture would be.”

So Trump’s attempts to undermine the US Postal Service may look new, but in fact it’s history repeating itself. Politicians have long tried to use the power of the postal network to shape the country — because the mail is never just the mail.

WORKIN' ON HIS FITNESS

This dog’s favorite toy is a 30-pound dumbbell, and I both love him and fear him greatly

Look, pups can’t help the toys they fall in love with. For some it’s a chew toy, for others it’s your fav. shoe — but the connection between doggo and toy cannot be denied.

Bonzo has a bit of an unusual quirk. His favorite toy is...a 30-pound dumbbell. Let me repeat: this pupperino likes to carry around a 30-pound dumbbell.

Bonzo’s person, Derek Plante, told us he usually has to hide the dumbbells from Bonzo, but he let the pup carry around the weight to show his niece. Naturally, a video of the STRONG pup and his toy went viral.

Twitter: @portugi_bruja

Wishing you a clear path to your most capable self today,

Elamin