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Coronavirus stimulus bill, Billboard Latin Music Awards: 5 things to know Wednesday

Editors, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Senate to vote on $500 billion coronavirus stimulus bill

The Republican-run Senate is set to take up a $500 billion coronavirus stimulus package Wednesday as Congress remains gridlocked over COVID-19 relief. The bill's price is much lower than the $1.8 trillion package the White House is negotiating and the $2.2 trillion plan Democrats have offered. Since it’s not expected to pass into law, the legislation will largely serve as a messaging tool for Republicans. Congress passed a comprehensive package in March but has since been unable to resolve major policy differences on testing, liability protections and school funding.

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DOJ seeks to intervene in defamation case against Trump

Writer E. Jean Carroll said last year that President Donald Trump had raped her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s and later brought a defamation case against Trump after he allegedly slandered her in denying her claims. On Wednesday, oral arguments are set to begin over whether the Department of Justice can move forward with the federal government, rather than Trump, being listed as defendant . A USA TODAY review of 19 women's allegations — the number who allege non-consensual physical contact — as well as more than 4,000 words that Trump has spoken, tweeted or released in written statements since 2016 addressing their allegations, show patterns in both the allegations and Trump's reactions to them.

Coming to you live (not virtual), it's the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Most of this year's big TV awards ceremonies have gone virtual due to the coronavirus, but that's not the case with Wednesday's Billboard Latin Music Awards. The ceremony, rescheduled from April, is set to air live on Telemundo at 8 p.m. ET from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Out of caution, Billboard and NBCUniversal have constructed five separate stages. Everyone involved with the show is subject to routine temperature checks and testing. Venezuelan actress Gaby Espino, star of Jugar con Fuego ("Playing with Fire") will host, with Nastassja Bolivar from "Latinx Now!" offering behind-the-scenes coverage. Bad Bunny and Ozuna lead the pack with 14 nominations each.

Tropical Storm Epsilon could become a hurricane near Bermuda

Tropical Storm Epsilon, now spinning hundreds of miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, could be at or near hurricane strength when it approaches Bermuda later this week. Gale or tropical storm winds could begin late Wednesday night into Thursday, according to the Bermuda Weather Service. Although it's still too early to tell what the storm’s track and intensity will be, the National Hurricane Center said there is a risk of direct impacts from wind, rainfall and storm surge. Epsilon is the 26th named storm of the extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

L.A. Dodgers win Game 1 of World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers' quest to end a 32-year title drought got off to a strong start with an 8-3 win in Game 1 of the 2020 World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night. Clayton Kershaw chased away his October ghosts, Mookie Betts showed why he was a bargain acquisition for LA, and Cody Bellinger showed no signs of any after effects of a dislocated shoulder from Game 7 of the National League Championship Series. The World Series resumes Wednesday night with Game 2 (8:08 p.m. ET, FOX).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus stimulus bill, Billboard Latin Music Awards: 5 things to know Wednesday