Nearing 100,000 deaths.

Americans celebrate a very different kind of Memorial Day after months of social distancing,

flocking to beaches, parks, and pools, even as the death toll closes in on 100,000.

Tonight, the growing concerns about a second wave of infections, as 25 states see increases in cases.

Payne tribute and tweeting. The president honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice as his opponent

Joe Biden makes his first public appearance in months, wearing a mask while laying a wreath.

Plus, that barrage of tweets from the president,

insulting his rivals, and what he's now threatening to do to the summer's Republican convention.

On the brink, protests in Hong Kong turn violent as China cracks down on dissent. Tonight, why Beijing is

blaming the U.S. for stoking an uprising and warning

of a new Cold War. Charged with murder. The horrific new video showing a mother attempting

to drown her autistic son before later claiming he was kidnapped. Profiles in service.

America's top military officer on why Memorial Day is personal for him.

I have soldiers that are buried here that died under my command.

And countdown to history, the return of U.S. spaceflight as astronauts prepare to blast off again from American soil.

This is the CBS Evening News with Nora O'Donnell, reporting from the nation's capital.

Good evening and thank you for joining us.

Nora is off tonight. I'm Margaret Brennan. As Americans observed this muted Memorial Day, with many of the holidays

traditional parades and public events canceled or curtailed, the country moved closer to a

milestone nearly unimaginable just two months ago. As we come on the air tonight, more than 98,000

people have been killed by COVID-19 in the U.S., closing in 100,000 deaths since the pandemic began.

There are now more than 1.6 million confirmed cases nationwide.

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