Good morning. Last night, the Republican National Convention kicked off, as more than 300 delegates gathered in Charlotte to renominate President Trump as their presidential candidate. Highlights from the Night 1 of the RNC, after weather. 

Smoky, heat, storms today. Mostly sunny today with highs in the lower 80s to the lower 90s across the state. There’s a chance of rain and thunderstorms for northern Minnesota, especially later in the afternoon. A wave of thick smoke aloft from the massive wildfires in California likely drifts across Minnesota today, too. More on the Updraft weather blog.

Summary of the RNC’s first night: Donald Trump, Trump and more Trump. On Night 1 of the party’s national convention, Republicans focused on touting Trump’s successes during his first term, while blasting Democrats, calling them “radical.” Speakers, including a doctor who is also a coronavirus survivor, also hailed the president for his response to the pandemic, saying Trump’s “decisive leadership led to a rapid and efficient response.” 

Find more on the highlights and key takeaways from the first night of the Republican convention. Also don’t forget to follow our live updates and analysis of the convention throughout today. Stay tuned tonight as we carry live coverage of the RNC, starting 8 p.m. Night 2 will feature first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Hundreds of Minnesotans march in solidarity with Jacob Blake.  A day after the Black man was shot in the back by Kenosha, Wis., police, a few hundred Minnesotans held a peaceful rally in downtown Minneapolis, demanding justice for Blake. In Wisconsin on Monday, Gov. Tony Evers called up the National Guard to aid local police.

61% of counties have been visited by Sturgis attendees. Health officials in Minnesota and three other states reported a total of 81 cases among the rallygoers as of Monday, and the case count is expected to increase, faster and further across the U.S. An analysis of anonymous cellphone data found that 61 percent of all the U.S. counties have been visited by someone who attended Sturgis. Minnesota’s Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann reiterates: If you traveled to Sturgis, quarantine for two weeks.

Latest on COVID-19: Cases top 70K; 717 new cases confirmed Monday.  Yesterday’s COVID-19 numbers in Minnesota continued to send a mix of hopeful and concerning signals: Daily death counts remained in the single digits, but new cases continued their climb.

Here are the latest coronavirus statistics in Minnesota:

• 70,298 cases confirmed (717 new) via 1,386,513 tests (11,977 new)

• 1,771 deaths (four new)

• 6,195 cases requiring hospitalization

• 310 currently hospitalized; 135 in intensive care

• 63,059 patients no longer needing isolation