>> have a happy fourth. right now on "america this morning," category 6 hurricane. that's how one doctor describes the current surge in covid-19 cases. some hospital icus now overflowing. texas now ordering people to wear a mask. ov president trump. what he says is behind the surge in cases, and this morning, news about the secret service agents who traveled to arizona for vice president mike pence's trip this week. breaking overnight, one of sex offender jeffrey epstein's accusers speaking out after the arrest of epstein's longtime associate ghislaine maxwell found hiding in new hampshire. the bank accounts allegedly uncovered and what happens next.

one alleged victim tweeting, orange is the new black. caught on camera, the landslide disaster. more than 160 people killed. what authorities are saying this morning. fireworks fiasco, the man now under arrest after illegal fireworks are enng down relaonoua g to the new york off. ♪ on the road again and on the road again. why this july 4th will be unlike any other. the top destinations for this holiday weekend. ♪ making music with my friends and i can't wait ♪ and good friday morning, everyone. one doctor may have said it best, the coronavirus is a category 6 hurricane, and we cannot evacuate. >> the cdc is now forecasting up to 160,000 deaths in the u.s. by july 25th. that's only three weeks away.

>> in a late night tweet president trump once again argued the new cases are rising at a record rate because we're ramping up testing, but the president's own testing czar said thursday that it's not just testing but also an increase in the infection rate that's driving this record surge. >> and it's young people who are spreading this virus. at least 80 students living in fraternity houses at the university of washington have now tested positive raising new concerns about plans to re-open schools in the fall. this morning, hospitals across the country are bracing for the fourth of july. >> it makes me really nervous. i know after the fourth that we could potentially see another surge. >> if things don't change and people don't take it a little more seriousnehurricofe we need to stay in place. >> reporter: huge crowds and holiday parties threatening to set off a new surge of coronavirus infections even as

the nation's top doctor warns the u.s. is at risk of losing control. >> right now if you look at the number of cases, it's quite disturbing. we're setting records practically every day of new cases. that clearly is not the right direct. >> we're even opening up different units at this point to be able to meet the demands of the patients that are coming in. >> reporter: hospitals in arizona are struggling with a surge of patients. and in texas -- >> i don't think we can handle 500,000 people down here for the weekend. >> reporter: cities are closing beaches in hopes of controlling crowds. vanilla ice canceling a weekend concert. the governor reversing course now mandating masks after one-third of the state reported a record number of cases monday. >> covid-19 is not going away. in fact, it's getting worse. now more than ever action by everyone is needed. >> reporter: houston now reporting one in five covid-19 tests are coming back positive. some icus have hit full capacity. >> after the memorial day weekend, our increase happened

so quickly that it was just overwhelming. >> reporter: meanwhile, in missouri's lake of the ozarks where memorial day pool parties made headlines due to the lack of social distancing, authorities are trying to prepare for record crowds this weekend. >> i've never been really concerned overly about a holiday weekend, but i will tell you this one concerns me. >> reporter: chicago is the latest city to crack down on visitors coming from hot spots. the city now issuing a quarantine order. while washington state is now allowing businesses to refuse service to anyone not wearing a face covering. and in west hollywood, no mask will now cost you $300. it comes as california reports nearly 10,000 new cases in just 24 hours. in riverside county icus are at 90% capacity, and nurses are on a ten-day strike. >> i know that the ppe shortage is nationwide, but i feel like our hospital has done an exceptionally poor job in terms of distributing ppe, maintaining our supply chain. >> reporter: in new hampshire -- >> of course, you know, this is

not good because you can see that there is a lot of air that's going to be able to get here. >> reporter: -- nursing home workers say after fighting to get fema to send them supplies their deliveries are unsafe and flat out faulty. >> we've been treated like garbage by the federal response throughout this entire crisis. the emphasis has been on hospitals. nursing homes have been neglected even though nursing home homes have been hardest hit by the virus. >> as for the lake of the ozarks officials expect more than a million visitors this weekend. former presidential candidate herman cain is in the hospital fighting the coronavirus. he tested positive monday and hospitalized two days laters. the 74-year-old was among thousands attending president trump's rally last month and posted a photo where no one was wearing a mask. president trump heads to mt. rushmore today for an independence day celebration where no social distancing will be enforced. it comes as we learn secret service agents have tested positive after traveling with the vice president.

ines de la cuetara has more. >> reporter: as he faces growing backlash for his handling of the covid-19 pandemic, president trump gearing up for a fourth of july celebration at mt. rushmore. thousands expected to attend. south dakota's governor ksvealing there will be no would be optional prompting concerns from native american leaders worried the president's photo-op may put tribal members at risk. >> we won't be social distancing. we're asking them to come, be ready to celebrate, to enjoy the freedoms and the liberties that we have in the country. >> reporter: large parts are experiencing an alarming rise in covid-19 cases, something 2020 rival joe biden calls a direct consequence of -- >> donald trump's bungled leadership and the total mismanagement of this crisis from the start. >> reporter: but president trump insists -- >> our health experts continue to address the temporary hot spots in certain cities. >> reporter: the president choosing instead to focus on the economy. new unemployment numbers showing

three out of ten americans who lost their jobs during the shutdowns now back at work. >> our economy is roaring back. >> reporter: the former vice president again taking aim. >> trump wants to declare his health crisis over and unemployment solved. unfortunately, he's deadly wrong on both fronts. >> reporter: and overnight we learned that vice president pence had to delay a trip to arizona earlier this week after secret service agents tested positive for covid-19. it's the second time in as many weeks that secret service agents have tested positive while preparing for a presidential or vice presidential trip. kenneth and mona. >> ines, thank you. and we turn now to the fbi arresting jeffrey epstein's longtime associate ghislaine maxwell. the british socialite has been charged with helping to recruit underage girls for the convicted sex offender. agents say she was hiding in new hampshire and kept at least 15 bank accounts as she

evaded authorities, that is, until now. this morning, the alleged co-conspirator and accused recruiter in jeffrey epstein's sex trafficking network is behind bars. >> she pretended to be a woman they could trust. all the while she was setting them up to be sexually abused by epstein. >> reporter: ghislaine maxwell, epstein's former girlfriend was arrested thursday in new hampshire before appearing in court via video chat. the fbi calling the former british socialite a villain in the epstein saga. >> maxwell was among epstein's closest associates and helped him exploit girls who were as young as 14 years old. >> reporter: maxwell is charged with six counts including conspiracy and perjury and accused of facilitating epstein sex crimes and enticing minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. >> maxwell played a critical role in helping epstein to identify, befriend and groom minor victims for abuse. in some cases maxwell participated in the abuse herself. >> reporter: the arrest coming

nearly a year after epstein was charged in a federal indictment with sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. epstein dying weeks later in federal custody after an apparent suicide. >> this case against ghislaine maxwell is the prequel to the earlier case that we brought against jeffrey epstein. >> reporter: maxwell has kept a low profile since his death but investigators say they kept a close watch. >> she slithered away to a gorgeous property in new hampshire continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims live with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago. >> reporter: for years she's been accused by dozens of young women of helping procure and groom young girls for. overnight one of those alleged victims, virginia giuffre, tweeting her reaction, orange is the new black. thank you to the fbi and anyone involved in the arrest of this insidious creature. hope the judge throws the book at her. so, so, so happy she's finally where she belongs. the indictment alleging maxwell

would, quote, normalize sexual abuse by discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victim, being present when a nine more victim was undressed and/or being presented or present for sex acts involving the minor victims. maxwell has consistently denied allegations. if convicted she could face 35 years in prison. coming up later on "good morning america," we'll hear from the lawyer representing dozens of epstein's alleged victims. overseas some dramatic video from asia. this morning at least 162 people have died after this massive landslide in myanmar. it was triggered at a jade mine. a pile of mine waste collapsed into that lake after heavy rain. dozens of other people were injured. and turning now to the

weather, the holiday weekend looks like a summer scorcher for much of the u.s. let's take a look at your friday forecast. the wildfire danger across the west remains severe. flight crews dropped water on one fire near reno. it stopped the spread. no buildings were lost. checking today's high temperatures, phoenix rises to 106 degrees today. 100 in dallas. 97, washington, d.c. nice and cool at 69 in seattle. looking ahead to the weekend, that heat we mentioned will be sticking around. phoenix will see 111 degrees sunday. chicago will be 90 or above for the next few days. coming up, the nfl makes the decision about the national anthem. but first the mystery surrounding that missing soldier from ft. hood. her family's attorney describing her brutal murder. what we're learning about the suspects. and later this morning, the big change coming to walmart parking lots.

back now with artists in houston painting a mural paying tribute to ft. hood soldier vanessa guillen who's been missing since april. her family says she was brutally murdered, and now ten weeks later details are finally emerging. according to a family attorney guillen was bludgeoned to death in the armory room where she worked. the attorney says one of her co-workers, army specialist aaron robinson, attacked her with a hammer before moving her body and confessed to his married girlfriend sicily aguilar. aguilar helped him dispose of guillen's body before dismembering her allegedly. init ior family is blaming the usetns. >> they didn't keep my sister safe. they always try to cover up for

each other. why? my sister is a human too. she deserves respect. she deserves to be heard. >> the family claims guillen had complained that robinson was harassing her, but army officials say they have not found any link between sexual harassment and this case. new pressure this morning on the owner of the washington redskins to change the team's name because of the racist connotations. fedex, which owns naming rights to the team's stadium, has requested the change and nike pulled the team's apparel from its website. the companies have reportedly been urged by investors to cut ties with the team unless it changes the name. the nfl has reportedly decided to play what's known as the black national anthem during the first week of the season. espn reports the song "lift every voice and sing" would be played before the national anthem at each game. many fans are criticizing the move as a, quote, token gesture. walmart is putting some ea the company says 160 lots across the country transformed

into theaters offering a socially distanced night of entertainment. the plan is to show films through october. coming up, a messy mishap at the gas station. also ahead, what not to do this holiday weekend. the man arrested after fireworks burned down his home. you know what's better than mopping? anything! at the end of a long day, it's the last thing i want to do. well i switched to swiffer wet jet and its awesome. it's an all-in-one so it's ready to go when i am. the cleaning solution actually breaks down dirt and grime. and the pad absorbs it deep inside. so, it prevents streaks and haze better than my old mop. plus, it's safe to use on all my floors, even wood. glad i got that off my chest and the day off my floor. try wet jet with a moneyback guarantee neuriva has clinically proven oingredients that fuel five, indicators of brain performanc: memory, focus, accuracy, learning, and concentration. try our new gummies for 30 days and see the difference.

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flames. the homeowner charged with arson in the fourth degree. this year fireworks are posing a bigger problem than ever due in large part to their exploding popularity. >> the consumer fireworks sales are going to, you know, really have a banner year. i think the general public due to covid is just itching to do something. >> reporter: the cpsc reporting about 10,000 injuries and 12 fireworks-related deaths in 2019 and with the holiday falling on a saturday this year, more fireworks are expected than usual. so safety is even more paramount. remember to keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy at all times. light fireworks one at a time and then move away quickly. never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. but not all of the problems come from physically setting off fireworks. a new study revealing another potential hazard. possible lung damage when toxic metal particles that fly out of consumer

fiinle the study in the journal of particle and fiber toxicology discovered that the toxins come from the metals in the fireworks that give them color. the doctor leading the study said more research is needed but recommends that everyone stand downwind from the fireworks when they are set off. so now that you know where you should be standing what about fido. experts say to leave your pets at home with the windows closed and curtains on and radio or tv on to drown out the sound of the fireworks. if you are leaving your tv on, remember not to leave on a channel that will show the fireworks displays. that sort of defeats the purpose. a lot to remember but it's worth it to have a safe and fun fourth of july. kenneth, mona. >> appreciate the tips. thank you, will. coming up, the story of the stolen super bowl rings and how one patriots fan got even. also ahead, a hungry bird catches dinner at the beach. mornings were made for better things than rheumatoid arthritis. when considering another treatment, ask about xeljanz a pill for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis when methotrexate

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♪ time to check "the pulse" on this friday. we begin with a real story of revenge. it turns out a patriots fan was behind the theft of dozens of new york giants super bowl rings. now, this happened in 2008 after the patriots lost to the giants but the details just coming out. bloomberg reports the man who stole them is a notorious thief from the boston area and found out the rings were being made by a jeweler in massachusetts. after pulling off the heist he realized he couldn't sell the rings because they'd get too much attention. >> he kept all 27 of them, but he gave one to his then girlfriend, and that eventually led to his arrest. i'm sure there is a message, moral to the story there. >> don't get caught slipping. it's fourth of july weekend and this holiday will be like none other. ayhile keeping their social distance. airbnb says 20% of its bookings this weekend are in rural areas and cabins are the number one

searched location instead of condos or apartments. >> more people are renting rvs. one company says rentals are up 1600% this year. ♪ on the road again some love to travel overseas but they've been grounded because of covid-19 restrictions. >> or have they? an airport in taiwan let people show up, get their itinerary and go through security and even board the plane, but they never left. it was all to pretend they were going overseas. >> thousands of people applied to go on these fake flights just to feel like they were going somewhere. it was all a marketing stunt by the airport to show off their renovations. >> the middle seat. and finally this is not something beachgoers were expecting to see in south carolina. >> a hungry, hungry bird took a dive for a meal and look what it caught. it appears to be a small shark. but experts claim it's actually a ladyfish and the bird likely an osprey.

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developing news this morning in the east bay, huge flames at a construction site. arson investigators are on the scree scene. and now a big county ready to take a big step in reopening. oakland schools where layar going the ground work to return and parents are weighing in. hello, everybody. it is friday, july 3. happy friday, mike. >> yeah, we finally made it. how about that? is your day starting off well. >> >> it has been good. >> yeah, so far not too bad. and let's take a look at the

weather. still have the big warming trend away from the coast, but you can see the sea breeze is out there and the cloud cover is plentiful again this morning. the full moon was we have in the 70s and 80s around the bay. and a two-alarm fire is being vinvestigated right now ad it is likely suspicious. it started on willow pass road and it spread to every part of the building.anfirkeen i tre an nearby. there are a number of townhouses

under construction in the area. and arson investigators are at the scene. i think it is safe to say that this fourth of july will be anything but typical. covid-19 restrictions mean that everything that we're used to like fireworks and going to the beach are either canceled or going virtual. lauren martinez has the details on this. >> you're right, most fireworks shows are canceled to prevent people from congregating during the pandemic. some cities are allowing the sale of amateur fireworks labeled safe. here is a look at why there thee loi allowed. here is the city. and this is just a few. we have a full list on abc7news.com. it may be tempting to set off

fireworks, but take a look at these photos the oakland police department tweeted out. they say a family burned their front lawn setting off fireworks. all fire works are illegal in oakland. and there are some virtual events happens in the bay area concord is organizing a swrirvi parade where you can submit a video of your float and they will compile a video of all the submissio submissions. and so head to abc7news.com and you can see a list of all the virtual events. more warnings from xwoou go newsom on avoiding crowds and wearing face coverings. state hospitalizations are up nearly 60%. and the