NEWS

5 things you need to know Thursday

Editors
USA TODAY

Democratic convention Day 4: It's all about Hillary

Hillary Clinton appears via video as she addresses the 2016 Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Arena.

Hillary Clinton takes the stage in Philadelphia on Thursday  night to officially accept the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first woman to do so for a major party. After President Obama led a group of A-listers for his one-time primary rival, Clinton will look to capitalize on the historic nature of her nomination as she seeks to attract the votes of moderate Republican women. She also will try to reach Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ supporters as well as the many white, working-class voters who are so important to deciding key battleground states. What do her current supporters like about her? Ahead of the convention, USA TODAY Network talked with Clinton supporters in every state. Here's what they had to say.

PGA Championship kicks off in New Jersey

The PGA Championship, golf’s final major of the season, gets underway Thursday at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. Tiger Woods isn’t playing, but there are still several story lines to follow. Henrik Stenson, winner of the British Open earlier this month, is hoping to claim his second major in three weeks. Phil Mickelson, the man he beat at Royal Troon, says he has moved on from the difficult loss and is confident of his chances. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Jason Day will attempt to defend his title after winning last year’s PGA Championship at Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits. The first group of golfers tee off at 7 a.m. ET, and TNT will have live coverage of the event from 1-7 p.m. ET. There will also be a live stream online.

Biden, Lynch to speak at Baton Rouge memorial

Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch are expected to speak at a public memorial for the three police officers killed by a gunman in Baton Rouge earlier this month. Police officer Montrell Jackson, police officer Matthew Gerald and East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy Brad Garafola were shot dead July 17 by Gavin Long, a former Marine. Funeral services for each have been held within the past week. The shootout came as the city was already on edge after the shooting death of Alton Sterling, a black man, during an altercation with Baton Rouge police.

Hey, credit card fees are shrinking!

The number of extra fees tacked onto credit cards is shrinking, according to a new study from CreditCards.com. Travelers overseas can increasingly charge a meal or buy souvenirs without paying a foreign transaction fee that would typically add another 3% to their bill. Out of 100 cards reviewed by CreditCards.com, 61 added on the extra charge, compared with 77 in 2015. Scrapping that fee, among others, is a way card issuers are appealing to customers in a competitive marketplace, industry watchers say. “It’s definitely a buyer’s market when it comes to credit cards,” Matt Schulz, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com, told USA TODAY.

Credit Cards are scrapping extra fees, particularly those for paper copies of statements and international purchases.

Delta Aquarid meteor shower to light up night sky

Get ready for a light show! The Delta Aquarid meteor shower, which has been sprinkling the night sky for a few days, peaks on Thursday and Friday. The best time to see the speeding sparks of light is between midnight and just before dawn. Look to the southern sky for the best viewing. An added bonus: The moon is only a crescent, so its light won't disrupt the show. For viewers in the Northern Hemisphere, the farther south you are, the better, according to Slooh.com (where you can also watch the shower). Meteor showers form when Earth crosses the orbital path of a comet. Bits of dust and debris are the remnants of the comet, and these light up the sky when they enter and burn up in our atmosphere.

And the essentials:

Weather: A soggy Thursday is on tap for portions of the East and South while high heat scorches the West.

Stocks: The Federal Reserve’s decision to leave interest rates untouched leave Asian markets in limbo.

TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at the Democratic National Convention, Hollywood Game Night and Ripper Street.

Be inspired: "Water angel"' saves hikers in hot weather.

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