Today In History: August 20, Soviets Invade Czechoslovakia

An estimated 67.1 million people watched the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, a sharp increase from the June debate that eventually led to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The debate was run by ABC News but shown on 17 different networks, the Nielsen company said.

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After adjusting its air date to make room for the presidential debate on Tuesday, the MTV Video Music Awards took place tonight live from UBS Arena in New York—its first time at that particular venue after spending the last two years at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, the VMAs celebrated its 40th(!) anniversary with performances and appearances from a cast of celebrities, many of whom are closely intertwined with MTV’s pop-culture history, from show opener Eminem to Video Vanguard winner Katy Perry, presenter and onetime Total Request Live VJ Carson Daly, and fellow presenter Cyndi Lauper, who won the first-ever Moonman for best female video in 1984.

A constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights in Missouri and overturn the state’s near-total ban will remain on the November ballot, despite right-wing efforts to remove it. On Friday, a judge ruled the amendment should not be on the ballot, four days before Tuesday’s deadline to finalize ballots. But on Tuesday, Missouri’s Supreme Court ruled that the amendment shall remain on the ballot. The Missouri Independent has the deets on the rulings.

By MICHAEL PHILLIS Warm water in the Gulf of Mexico helped quickly strengthen Hurricane Francine, creating danger for Louisiana residents rushing to buy supplies and secure their homes ahead of the storm’s landfall Wednesday. Warm ocean water is essential for forming and strengthening hurricanes. Heat helps the water evaporate faster, fueling the storm and producing more rainfall. Mid-September is typically the peak of hurricane season and Francine moved through a part of the ocean that held an exceptional amount of energy. As of Wednesday afternoon, Francine had strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of nearly 100 mph (161 kph). Hear’s how high Gulf of Mexico water temperatures are effecting Francine and the hurricane season: HOW HOT IS THE WATER? The Gulf of Mexico doesn’t need record setting temperatures to form hurricanes this time of year.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare is returning to the Colorado Avalanche on a tryout contract, the club announced Wednesday. Related Articles Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche Journal: Calum Ritchie, Mikhail Gulyayev lead deeper prospect pool Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog confident he’s made progress with knee injury, will return this season Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche coach Jared Bednar expects captain Gabe Landeskog to miss start of the season Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche adds NHL veteran employee Andrew Wilson as assistant general manager Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche Journal: If I was NHL commissioner for a day, here’s what I’d change Bellemare, 39, played for Colorado during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, scoring nine goals each season as a depth forward.