10 things you need to know today: February 4, 2020

1. Iowa Democratic Party delays caucus results citing inconsistencies

Iowa's Democratic Party delayed the results of its caucuses, which launched the presidential primary season on Monday. The state party blamed the delay partly on inconsistencies as it tried for the first time to report three sets of data − first round, second round, and overall delegate counts. "This is not a hack or an intrusion," said Mandy McClure, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party. Heading into the caucuses, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden led in polls, followed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg; Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.); entrepreneur Andrew Yang; and investor Tom Steyer. Many of the candidates have left Iowa and moved on to New Hampshire, which holds its primaries next week.

Des Moines Register The Washington Post

2. Senate reaches final stage of Trump impeachment trial

The Senate on Monday heard closing arguments from each side in President Trump's impeachment trial. House impeachment managers and Senate Democrats agreed with Trump's legal team and Senate Republicans on Friday to extend the trial into this week after senators voted against a measure to call additional witnesses. Senators heard about four hours of closing arguments on Monday and will continue on Tuesday. The trial is expected to end on Wednesday, when lawmakers will vote on whether to acquit Trump on his charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, or to remove him from office. The Republican majority is expected to remain largely unified in voting to acquit Trump.

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The Washington Post

3. China outbreak's toll rises, Hong Kong reports its first coronavirus death

China's coronavirus outbreak continued to spread rapidly on Monday, with the country's death toll rising to 425 as Hong Kong reported its first death from the virus. China's National Health Commission said the number of confirmed cases had risen to 20,438. Outside of mainland China, more than 170 infections have been reported in more than 20 countries. Eleven cases have been confirmed in the United States, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta is the only place in the country capable of verifying that a person has been infected. The World Health Organization last week declared the outbreak to be a global public health emergency.

CNBC CNN

4. Moderate Democrat suggests censuring Trump

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a moderate Democrat, said Monday that the Senate should consider censuring President Trump instead of removing him from office on impeachment charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. "I do believe a bipartisan majority of this body would vote to censure President Trump for his action in this matter," Manchin said. "Censure would allow this body to unite across party lines. His behavior cannot go unchecked by the Senate." Republicans said, however, that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was unlikely to consider allowing a vote on censure. Republicans are expected to acquit Trump on Wednesday.

The Washington Post

5. 2 women dead in shooting at Texas university

Two women were fatally shot and a 2-year-old child was injured in a shooting at a Texas A&M University-Commerce dormitory on Monday. A student who lives in the Pride Rock residence hall reportedly called university police to notify them of the incident, and responding officers found the victims in a room. Authorities did not immediately say whether the women were students at the school. The toddler was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Police did not immediately identify a suspect or motive, but University Police Chief Bryan Vaughn said there appeared "to be no other threats" on campus.

CNN The Wall Street Journal

6. U.S. factories rebound after U.S., China trade truce

U.S. factories broke a five-month losing streak and expanded unexpectedly in January, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday. The institute, an association of purchasing managers, said its manufacturing index rose to 50.9 in January from 47.8 in December. The index showed that manufacturing contracted from August through December as President Trump's trade war with China raised costs, and economists had expected further trouble in January. But following a partial deal that amounted to a truce between Beijing and Washington, new orders, production, and export orders rose. Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM's manufacturing survey committee, cautioned that China's coronavirus outbreak is threatening manufacturers' supply chains and "has got me concerned."

The Associated Press

7. Bloomberg targeted votes in delegate-rich California as rivals battled in Iowa

As the leading Democratic presidential candidates competed in the Iowa caucuses on Monday, late-comer Michael Bloomberg campaigned in California, hoping to make up for lost time by lining up support in the delegate-rich state. The billionaire business-media tycoon entered the race late and has launched an unprecedented blitz of ads, spending a quarter-billion dollars nationwide since November. Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor, has hired 200 employees in California, more than twice as many staffers as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has in the state. California is the biggest delegate prize among 14 states voting in March 3 primaries.

Reuters

8. Tesla shares soar in biggest one-day gain since 2013

Tesla shares made their biggest single-day jump since May 2013 on Monday, jumping by 19.9 percent after Targus Research raised its price target to $808 from $556. Targus analysts cited the electric car maker's better-than-expected fourth quarter results and forecasts of rising earnings as justification for the change. The research firm said one reason for its "positive view" was strong demand for the new Model 3, Tesla's first mass-market electric car. "Despite past production delays, parts shortages, labor cost overruns, and other difficulties, we expect Tesla to benefit from its dominant position in the electric vehicle industry and to improve performance in 2020 and beyond," Targus Research said.

CNBC

9. Weinstein accuser breaks down under cross-examination

Harvey Weinstein's attorney on Monday cross-examined one of the disgraced film producer's key accusers in his sex-crimes trial, and accused her of manipulating him. The accuser, Jessica Mann, left the courtroom sobbing, leading the judge to dismiss the trial for the day. Mann provided graphic testimony alleging Weinstein raped her in 2013 when she was an aspiring actress. Defense attorney Donna Rotunno questioned Mann's credibility, pointing to friendly emails she exchanged with Weinstein after the alleged rape. Rotunno argued she "could have walked away from Harvey Weinstein and never seen him again." Mann said she maintained a relationship with Weinstein fearing he could damage her career. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and denied any sex that wasn't consensual.

The Hollywood Reporter The Associated Press

10. Rush Limbaugh reveals lung cancer diagnosis

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh announced on the air Monday that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. He said sharing the news on his show was "one of the most difficult days in recent memory for me," telling listeners he was diagnosed last month and that "there are going to be days that I'm not going to be able to be here" as he undergoes treatment. It was for this reason Limbaugh said he decided to announce the news publicly, even though he explained he didn't "want to burden anybody with it" and considered keeping the diagnosis private. Limbaugh has hosted his radio show nationally for more than three decades, and is an extremely influential voice among conservatives.

Mediaite