Quote of the day:

Sit with the winners, the conversation is different. – Unknown

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” In case you’re a first-time visitor, this is the weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes sprinkled with sarcasm and humor.

This week’s topics include unemployment claims, COVID-19 cases & deaths, record-high cases, Trump’s federal judges, play ball, Montana Law Enforcement Academy, Trump’s disapproval rating, the death penalty, 2020 Census, Trump & coronavirus, a Tennessee dog, miles of border wall, plus much more!

1,408,000

In the week ending June 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 1,480,000, a decrease of 60,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 32,000 from 1,508,000 to
1,540,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,620,750, a decrease of 160,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 8,000 from 1,773,500 to 1,781,500. (DOL)

121,117

As of Wednesday evening, the U.S. had recorded 2,336,615 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 121,117 deaths. That is according to the CDC. (CDC)

Last Thursday the deaths numbered 116,862.

36,358

The U.S. broke its record for the highest coronavirus cases recorded in a single day, with 36,358 new positives reported on Wednesday, according to a tally by NBC News. (CNBC)

Wear a damned mask, people!

200

The Senate has approved the nomination of a Mississippi judge to a federal appeals court, the 200th federal judge named by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Republican-controlled chamber. It’s the highest number of judicial nominees confirmed at this stage of a presidency in four decades. (AP)

That’s one of the perks of winning a presidential election.

60

Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially announced a plan to return to play that features players reporting for training by July 1, leading up to a proposed 60-game regular-season schedule anticipated to begin on July 23 and 24. (MLB.com)

MLB and fans may find a 60 game season more appealing.

57

That’s how many men and women graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy this week. (KTVH.com)

Reminder: Everyone has a camera.

Be safe out there and thank you.

55.4

That is President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating. His approval rating is just 40.9%. (FiveThirtyEight)

Last week his disapproval rating was 55.3%.

54

A record-low 54% of Americans consider the death penalty to be morally acceptable, marking a six-percentage-point decrease since last year. (Gallup)

Check out Gallup’s results on what other issues are morally acceptable by clicking on the link.

46

That’s Montana’s rank for the 2020 Census self-response. Last week Montana was ranked 45. Montana has a 55.3% response rate to rank #46. Last week Montana had a 55.0% response rate. Minnesota leads the nation with a 71.2% rating. The national average is 61.7%. (Census)

Fill out your forms, people!

37

American approval of President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has dropped to the lowest level on record, the latest Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll shows, as new COVID-19 cases surged and Trump was widely criticized for suggesting he wanted to slow down testing. The poll shows that 37% of Americans approved of the way Trump has responded to the pandemic, the lowest on record since Reuters/Ipsos started asking the question at the beginning of March. Fifty-eight percent said they disapproved. (Reuters)

Trump on slowing down testing: “I don’t kid.”

20

A Tennessee dog is proving that age is just a number. August, or “Augie,” as she is affectionately called, turned 20 on April 24, making her the oldest living golden retriever in history, according to GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue. (WSLS.com)

Wow! Who’s a good girl…

3

Nearly all 216 miles of border wall built since Trump took office replaced outdated or dilapidated fencing. Only about “three miles of new border wall system [have been] constructed in locations where no barriers previously existed,” according to Homeland Security’s June 19 status report on the wall. (LA Times)

Three miles…

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