Perusing News Digests.

• Barack Obama will headline a televised prime-time commencement address for the Class of 2020
  

  Ah!  A sly campaign move to reach all the new young voters out there with empathy, the latest former president's greatest strength -- he might end up topping Jimmy Carter in this regard, BUT...  
  
  Come November, Barack Obama will not be on the ballot.  Joe Biden will be. (won't he?)  Will Barack's encouraging, enthusiastic positive words of hope and inspiration to the freshest young voting Americans transfer to the Biden campaign this fall?  
  
   Will it all depend on whether or not old Joe is paired with a dynamic vice-presidential pick of his own?  Will the announcement be made by the time former President Obama addresses graduates in his prime-time coming-out party?  
  
   Inquiring minds want to know, as the populist magazine used to say...
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  •  Illinois officials reported 176 additional deaths — the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities in a 24-hour period yet — and announced 2,122 new known cases, bringing statewide totals to 2,838 deaths and 65,962 known cases

    No snark here, just quiet acknowledgment of the numbers, and prayers up that --  like wildfires out West -- local authorities can gain control of the spread and spare lives and livelihoods.