Wednesday morning news: August 9, 2023

Severe weather » Millions of Americans are cleaning up streets, pulling tree limbs out of car windows, and filing insurance claims this morning … after severe storms slammed much of  the eastern U.S.

Carim Khouzami is president of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company.

KHOUZAMI: Our service territory experienced one of the most devastating storms that we’ve seen in many, many years. At the height, we had 120,000 customers out of service — 56,000 in Carroll County alone.

In total, more than a million customers lost power … from Alabama to Pennsylvania.

At least two people were killed in the storms.

Officials say it appears that an EF-2 tornado touched down in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Ukraine » A new report suggests that NATO allies no longer expect Ukraine to make any major breakthroughs on the battlefield before winter weather sets in.

CNN cites an intelligence source in reporting that Western officials are receiving “sobering” assessments of the situation.

But State Dept. spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States remains committed to the cause.

MILLER: We continue to supply Ukraine with artillery, with a whole host of weapons. We have other announcements coming later this week about additional assistance that we plan to supply to Ukraine.

The new report states that Ukraine has suffered “staggering losses” in some places as it tries to push through deeply entrenched Russian defenses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the counteroffensive as “challenging.” And he conceded that it may be unfolding slower than many had hoped. But he said Kyiv’s forces are still on the attack and are not retreating.

Harris announces worker rules » Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday announced that the Labor Department is updating its payscale for construction workers.

HARRIS - These workers deserve our recognition and appreciation and they deserve something more: they deserve a raise.

Harris heard there in Philadelphia yesterday. The update is expected to affect roughly 1 million construction workers.

Critics say the move is not responsible right now with Washington already running massive deficits.

Pence qualifies » Former Vice President Mike Pence is the latest GOP candidate to qualify for the first presidential debate … two weeks from today in Milwaukee.

Pence said this week that his message to voters … is that if they’re looking for a straight shooter, he’s their man.

PENCE: I’m the guy talking about the national debt. We have the largest national debt since the end of World War II. It’s the size of our economy, and we’ve got to be honest with the American people about the need for reform.

Pence’s campaign announced Tuesday that he had amassed 40,000 unique donors, checking off the final debate requirement set by the Republican National Committee.

Eight Republicans have now qualified to participate. But it’s unclear if one of those candidates, former President Donald Trump, will join.

Haiti protests » Thousands of people are protesting in Haiti … calling for protection from violent gangs. WORLD’s Lauren Canterberry has more.

LC: Protesters burned government vehicles in the capital of Port-au-Prince earlier this week … police used tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Gangs have seized control of up to 80% of the capital since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

Last October, Haiti’s prime minister requested an international armed force to be deployed to the country.

The United Nations refugee agency says about 73,500 people fled the country last year because of the unrest.

For WORLD, I’m Lauren Canterberry.

Ohio vote » Ohio residents rejected a ballot initiative that would make it tougher to amend the state constitution. Republican lawmakers backed the measure … ahead of a fall campaign that will become the nation’s largest referendum on abortion rights.

The defeat of Issue 1 keeps in place a simple majority threshold for passing future constitutional amendments. That could make it more likely that Ohio will enshrine the right to an abortion in the state’s constitution later this year.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: on Washington Wednesday, Ron DeSantis tries to reload his campaign.

Plus, preserving a family tradition.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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