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At colleges, the AI boom means everyone wants to dabble in computer science Hiring has cooled for entry-level software developers — work increasingly done by AI agents — and college enrollment in computer science programs has been declining. Yet colleges recognize that new graduates — regardless of their field — are facing questions about their AI skills from potential employers. Read more. Why this matters: Many professors are finding themselves busier than ever teaching students from a range of majors about artificial intelligence. Schools like VCU are standing up AI minors targeting students outside computer science. There’s a new AI graduation requirement at Purdue University. In freshman writing classes, Harvard University is teaching students how large language models work. “In the same way that everybody needs some degree of math, reading and writing, I think everybody needs a degree of AI literacy,” said Peter Stone, the chair of computer science at the University of Texas at Austin. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ A flex in corporate America, AI ‘tokenmaxxing’ fades as workplaces look to cut tech spending Chinese AI models gain ground as they make inroads in the US

Trump says Pirro ‘folded like an umbrella’ in bid to drop Reflecting Pool vandalism charges U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s move to dismiss charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalism was an embarrassing setback for the Justice Department. It marked a rare moment during President Donald Trump’s second term of an aide or political appointee openly defying him. Read more. Why this matters: Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime ally, was handpicked by Trump as top federal prosecutor in the nation’s capital. Speaking at an unrelated Oval Office event, Trump ducked questions about whether he’d fire Pirro. But the president kept up his drumbeat of sharp criticism, saying he remained disappointed by her assessment that damage to the Reflecting Pool was the result of shoddy construction, not vandalism. Though she has not commented publicly since Trump’s initial social media post criticizing her, Pirro was spotted walking into the White House on Monday evening. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ WATCH: Trump’s comments about Pirro 25 states sue over Trump’s new tariffs As Blanche’s path to confirmation is cleared, Trump’s tax audit immunity remains in place Trump accounts were closed in 2021 due to concerns over possible money laundering, Capital One says Supreme Court won’t halt $656M judgment against the PLO and Palestinian Authority Ethics panel recommends House censure Rep. Chuck Edwards for conduct with two aides

August 4, 2026 Your first month is free in The New York Times app. Download now → By Evan Gorelick Good morning. Let’s start today in Washington, with a fight over President Trump’s Justice Department. Todd Blanche Kenny Holston/The New York Times Sweet deal? After much confusion and acrimony, Todd Blanche now appears set to become the nation’s top law enforcement official. Two Republican senators who had been blocking Blanche’s confirmation for attorney general gave him their blessing yesterday, after Blanche promised — in writing — to scale back a lucrative deal the Justice Department had cut with Trump. The president’s effort to muscle Blanche, his former lawyer, through the Senate got messy this past week. There were public demands, counterdemands and counter-counterdemands. It’s easy to get so mired in the political minutiae that you forget a couple of things. First: Blanche already runs the Justice Department, and he’s allowed to keep running it indefinitely in an acting capacity, confirmation notwithstanding. So for Trump, this fight has always been more about rewarding Blanche — and exerting control over Congress — than about imbuing Blanche with any new authority. Second, and more important: Trump is still getting most of what he wants. The fine print The Justice Department deal that knocked Blanche’s nomination off course had two main components. It established a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which Trump wanted to use to pay allies of his who claimed they had been unfairly prosecuted by previous administrations. And it granted Trump, his family and their businesses sweeping immunity from I.R.S. tax audits. In documents Blanche released on Sunday night, he said he would rescind the order establishing the fund and narrow the tax immunity to include only Trump, two of his sons and the Trump Organization. President Trump Pete Marovich for The New York Times That was enough to win over the two Republican holdouts, Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn. But Trump’s opponents are crying foul, saying Blanche’s memo is a political solution to a political problem rather than a legally binding document. For one, an order from an attorney general can be reversed by a future order from an attorney general. So in theory, Blanche could simply issue a new order reviving Trump’s fund. Or the Justice Department could skip the fund altogether and simply cut million-dollar settlement checks to Trump allies who claim to be victims. (It has already been doing that.) And there is no question that the I.R.S. immunity, even in its narrower form, remains immensely valuable to the president, writes Andrew Duehren, who covers tax policy. One dispute Trump had with the I.R.S. could have cost him more than $100 million, The Times reported. Other audits could have cost him even more. Andrew writes: Where the I.R.S. previously made a point of regularly auditing whoever occupies the Oval Office, Mr. Trump has leveraged his control of the federal government to instead escape the scrutiny that every other modern president, not to mention every other regular taxpayer, has been subject to. At the Oval Office yesterday, Trump told reporters that he hadn’t signed off on Blanche’s plan. “I didn’t look at it,” Trump said. “All I know is that Todd Blanche is great.” THE LATEST NEWS The Reflecting Pool The Reflecting Pool last month. Andrew Leyden for The New York Times Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, moved to dismiss charges against three more people accused of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool. Investigators concluded the main cause of damage was botched work by a contractor, not vandalism. Trump said Pirro had “choked” and “folded like an umbrella.” He later met with her at the White House. Primary Elections Michigan Democrats’ hard-fought, expensive Senate primary will culminate today. An insurgent progressive, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, is looking to defeat an establishment-backed moderate, Representative Haley Stevens. Also in Michigan: A progressive candidate in a battleground House race will try to capitalize on a potential misstep by moderate Democrats, who were unable to unite behind one candidate. AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has become one of the biggest spenders in American elections. Its ads rarely mention Israel. More on Politics Representative Max Miller, an Ohio Republican whose ex-wife has accused him of abusing her and their toddler daughter, said he would not end his re-election campaign. He denies the accusations. Senator Rand Paul and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have both written books critical of Dr. Anthony Fauci. His return to the spotlight might be boosting sales. Times Exclusive: Democrats released a draft autopsy in May of what went wrong for them in the 2024 presidential election. Its author says the party excluded a key chapter. Spokane Fires John Stember and Loren Elliot for The New York Times A man was arrested on suspicion of starting one of three fires that forced 65,000 people from their homes around Spokane, Wash. Some evacuees returned home to find entire streets reduced to rubble, trees blackened and toppled, and broken pipes spraying water. War in Iran Iran said it was talking with Oman, but not the United States, about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A deal with Oman, on the other side of the strait, could cement Iran’s control over what was previously an open international waterway. The war is driving up costs for many Americans. Polls show it’s already unpopular and losing support. Around the World A drone struck a crowded beach in southern Russia, killing at least seven people, officials said. Why is the U.S. Treasury Department helping prop up Japan’s weak currency? Here’s a guide. One of the world’s smallest countries adopted a new name: Naoero. Immigration A Salvadoran immigrant held at a troubled ICE detention center in Newark, N.J., died over the weekend, officials said. A federal judge blocked a New York law banning immigration agents from wearing masks. The United States resumed deportation flights to Venezuela, which is struggling with the aftermath of two earthquakes. Other Big Stories Health officials in Michigan reported two deaths linked to cyclospora. Both people had “significant underlying health conditions,” they said. The Education Department is set to wipe out $11 billion in student loan debt held by tens of thousands of students who say they were defrauded by predatory for-profit schools. OPINIONS Critics of Paramount’s agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery are missing what it will do: invigorate Hollywood and safeguard independent journalism, David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, argues. Ignore the reaction to Texas’ requiring public-school students to read the Bible. Blue states could learn from the state’s mandatory reading list, James Traub writes. Deeply reported journalism needs your support. The Times relies on subscribers to help fund our mission. Become a subscriber today. MORNING READS Will Crooks for The New York Times We’ve made these links free for you. Honeybee medicine: Bees are vital for agriculture. They’re also increasingly under threat from parasites and pathogens. Enter the bee vet. Drug money: Prediction markets now let people bet on F.D.A. approvals of emerging medicines. Some patients say that crosses a disturbing line. Can’t buy me love: More than half of unmarried young adults say not having enough money is their biggest barrier to dating. Your pick: The most clicked link in The Morning yesterday was about surfing in Alaska. TODAY’S NUMBER Approaching Arlington National Cemetery. Kent Nishimura/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images 37 — That is the number of historic sites around Washington that Trump’s proposed triumphal arch would adversely affect, according to an assessment by National Park Service staff. SPORTS M.L.B.: A slew of moves took place just before the trade deadline. Notably the Red Sox added the Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, the Angels changed course and the Blue Jays shuffled their roster a year after reaching Game 7 of the World Series. Soccer: Mauricio Pochettino agreed to return as U.S. men’s national team coach. The deal runs through the 2030 World Cup. N.F.L.: There’s nothing more inspiring — and risky — than a prodigal son hired to fix his old team. Matt Ryan is trying to do that in Atlanta. RECIPE OF THE DAY Ghazalle Badiozamani for The New York Times Melissa Clark’s baked fish and chips are just begging for some horseradish tartar sauce. Put it in a cup off to the side for dipping (fries too), or throw it right on top if you’re feeling dangerous. Baking is miles easier than frying, and it’ll let you cook the fish and the potatoes at the same time. The secret to getting your fries extra crispy? Cut them thin, then spread them out in one layer on a preheated sheet pan. PIPING UP Practicing at a cemetery in Brooklyn. Jonah Markowitz for The New York Times It’s not easy being a bagpiper in one of America’s most densely populated cities. To hone their craft in peace, New York City’s pipers often duck into cemeteries, toxic canals and industrial zones. After all, the high-pitched wail of a great Highland bagpipe can hover around 100 decibels, comparable to the revving of a motorcycle. “People will say, ‘Can you lower it a bit?’” said Jerry Dixon, a Verizon technician and bagpipe player from Queens. “And I’m like, ‘It only has one volume: 11.’” More on culture Ariana Grande’s decision to step back from public life has reignited debate over celebrity and privacy. Late night hosts reacted to Trump’s latest Iran deal comments. Our art critic Deborah Solomon was one of 50 players to go up against a chess grandmaster for Marcel Duchamp’s 139th birthday celebration at MoMA. In the video below, she explores the question: Is chess an art? Click to watch. The New York Times THE MORNING RECOMMENDS Eat more tomatoes. They’re juicy, versatile and packed with nutritional benefits. Use a three-in-one shower product. This beauty writer says it’s OK! Rethink your personal style without losing yourself with these tips from Vanessa Friedman, our chief fashion critic. GAMES Here is today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s pangram was floridly. And here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections, Crossplay and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. As a reminder, Sam Sifton is on vacation for the next two weeks. See you tomorrow. Correction: Yesterday’s newsletter mistakenly included Elissa Slotkin on a list of politicians who have endorsed Haley Stevens in Michigan. Slotkin has not endorsed either candidate in the Democratic primary. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Host: Sam Sifton Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti News Staff: Evan Gorelick, Brent Lewis, Lara McCoy, Karl Russell Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Editorial Director, Newsletters: Jodi Rudoren Deputy Editorial Director: Lauren Jackson

Cyclosporiasis deaths Two people in Michigan have died in connection with the state's cyclosporiasis outbreak, health officials reported Monday, marking the first known deaths linked to the multistate outbreak of the diarrheal illness. Both individuals had significant underlying health conditions that may have been worsened by the parasite, officials said. Cases of cyclosporiasis typically rise in the spring and summer, but this year's outbreak has been unusually severe, with multiple clusters emerging across the Midwest.

Blanche nomination vote The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to meet today for a potential vote on Todd Blanche, President Trump's pick for US attorney general. Blanche's confirmation is likely to advance after he formally rescinded Trump's "anti-weaponization fund" on Sunday. That move came after two key Republican senators threatened to withhold their support unless the program was ended. Sources told CNN the White House was deeply involved in the negotiations, though Trump denied seeing the details of the deal.

Middle East President Trump on Monday warned it is Iran's "last chance" to reach a deal with the US to end the war after again calling off strikes and agreeing to continue talks. This comes after he claimed US-Iran talks would begin Monday and that a Strait of Hormuz agreement was in place, but Tehran denied any negotiations are underway. Trump also recently unveiled a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, though it appears far from finalized as Israeli strikes on Gaza have intensified and the death toll there continues to rise. Iran and Oman are working on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and other Mideast developments CAIRO (AP) — Iran and Oman are inching toward a deal to reopen the disputed Strait of Hormuz and potentially help bring an end to the war. https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-hormuz-mideast-gaza-israel-palestinians-ff5f13230ab92b5ae3022f45b2585444?

A key round of 2026 midterm primaries gets underway today as voters head to the polls in five states: Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Virginia and Washington. Many will be watching Michigan, where Rep. Haley Stevens faces Abdul El-Sayed for the Democratic Senate nomination. Democrats view this race as critical to their hopes of reclaiming the Senate majority, but other competitive contests across the country could also carry national implications. Here's what to watch in today's elections. What to watch in Tuesday’s primaries   Back with us today is national politics reporter, Meg Kinnard. It’s been a busy time for Meg as the race to the November midterms heat up. Fresh off reporting from Lindsey Graham’s funeral in Washington and back home in South Carolina, Meg is with us this morning to talk about today’s primaries. What do you think today’s races will tell us about where things are heading in the November midterms? Today isn’t just about the question of which party will have majorities in Congress; it’s about what kind of nominees are headed in that general election. The Michigan Senate race is the latest vanguard testing progressives’ heft within the Democratic Party this cycle, and a win by Abdul El-Sayed over Haley Stevens would give progressives their biggest victory to date this year. If readers only follow one thing from today’s races, what should it be? Michigan is holding today’s most-watched contest, and it’s also one of the earliest states holding a Democratic presidential primary in 2028. How Democrats vote today in picking their Senate nominee could telegraph where they’re leaning when it comes to selecting someone to lead the party nationally in the next race for the White House — which begins in earnest as soon as the midterms are over! If you want more from Meg, she also writes AP’s political newsletter Ground Game. Subscribe here. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Full preview of the Kansas, Michigan, Virginia, Missouri and Washington races Michigan Democrats pick between moderate and progressive in high-profile Senate primary Trump touted his tariffs in Michigan despite rising costs. Even some of his supporters are worried Former progressive Squad member Cori Bush attempts political comeback against Missouri US Rep. Bell

🎒 Back-to-school bummer Data: PwC. Chart: Sami Sparber/Axios U.S. families expect to spend over $900 on average on back-to-school shopping this year, Axios' Sami Sparber writes from a PwC survey. Total K-12 back-to-school spending could climb around 10% this year compared to last, hitting a record $43.3 billion, the National Retail Federation forecasts. Northeast families plan to spend the most, $1,076 on average, well above the $922 national average. That figure covers clothes, tech, after-school gear, books, supplies and other one-time purchases. Explore the data ... Keep reading.

✮ Lone Star data center pause Image: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott via X Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) halted approvals for new data centers yesterday until the state audits projects seeking to connect to its strained electric grid, writes Axios San Antonio's Megan Stringer. Why it matters: AI infrastructure faces a growing bipartisan backlash over its power, water and tax demands. By the numbers: Data centers account for about 90% of new grid-connection requests, Abbott says. The state's grid operator is considering more than 474 gigawatts of requests — more than five times Texas' record peak electricity demand.

📉 Charted: Worker confidence sinks Data: Glassdoor. Chart: Courtenay Brown/Axios By many measures, the labor market is showing signs of improvement. But American workers are less confident than ever in the companies that employ them, Axios' Courtenay Brown writes. About 43% of U.S. employees reported a positive six-month outlook for their employer's business in July, the lowest on record in data going back to 2016, according to Glassdoor's Employee Confidence Index. That's down sharply from the record 53% who said the same in 2022, when the labor market was the hottest in years.

🤖 Exclusive: College AI use spikes Illustration: Maura Kearns/Axios The share of business students regularly using AI — more than 10 times a week — has increased from 6.2% to 29% over the past three years, Axios' Megan Morrone writes from new research by American University's Kogod School of Business. Why it matters: Students increasingly see AI as a critical job skill but want more guidance on using it responsibly. Keep reading.

🗳️ Shock Texas polls: Talarico leads Paxton Three consecutive polls show Democrat James Talarico narrowly ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in that state's crucial Senate race, Axios' Hans Nichols and Marc Caputo write. The latest, out this morning from Texas Southern University, has Talarico up 47%-45%. In the past week, a Fox News poll had Talarico up 51-48 and a Texas Public Opinion Research survey found Talarico up 45-40. Why it matters: Talarico's lead is within the margin of error. But there are troubling signs for the GOP nominee — even if the Republican establishment isn't panicking yet. Nick Maddux, a Paxton adviser, told us: "Talarico's campaign will end up exactly where every Democrat before him has ended up in Texas — a pipe dream." 🔬 Zoom in: Demographically, Paxton appears to be taking a one-two punch, according to the Texas Southern survey. He's underperforming badly with white voters (60% of the modeled midterm electorate) and Latino voters (21% of the electorate). Paxton is winning white voters by just 14 points, the survey found, low for a Texas Republican. President Trump won them by 33 in Texas two years ago, according to exit polls. Trump carried Hispanic voters by 10 points. Talarico is winning them by 19, Texas Southern found. Explore the TSU data ... Keep reading.

🌰 GOP's red-hot Ohio mess Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images Ohio, the red state that helped fuel President Trump's political comeback — and launched his presumed heir, JD Vance, onto the national stage — has become one of the GOP's biggest headaches for the midterms, Axios' Alex Isenstadt writes. Why it matters: Ohio's GOP is scrambling under the weight of domestic abuse allegations, sluggish campaigns and a working-class rebellion. The races giving Republicans the most heartburn: 1. The Miller debacle. The most immediate concern is the race in northeastern Ohio's normally red 7th House District, where Rep. Max Miller faces allegations that he abused his ex-wife and daughter, which Miller has denied. The ex-wife he's accused of abusing is Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). 🚨 Trump, who previously called the allegations a family matter, phoned Miller yesterday and expressed worries about his candidacy, three sources briefed on the call told Axios. "It's not looking good for you," the president told Miller, the sources said. "I'm hearing from people you're not going to win." Miller told Trump he's staying in the race. Strategists from both parties agree the allegations have helped Democrat Brian Poindexter run neck-and-neck with Miller. 2. The Senate race. Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) looks to be in a dead heat with former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D). Polling averages and prediction markets give Brown an edge. Brown, a populist-minded Democrat who served three terms before losing his seat to Moreno in 2024, has outraised Husted by nearly 3 to 1. 3. The governor's race. Polls show former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in a toss-up race against Democrat Amy Acton. Ramaswamy, an Ivy League-educated former biotech investor, has struggled to win over blue-collar voters.

Trump's presidential paywall Data: Financial Modeling Prep, Binance. Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals For years, Truth Social was President Trump's money-losing megaphone. Now his company is charging Wall Street clients up to $1.2 million a year for a license giving a split-second edge on posts that can — and frequently do — jolt global markets, Axios' Dan Primack and Zachary Basu write. Why it matters: Trump has transformed his second term into the most lucrative venture of his entire career, raking in more than $2.2 billion in 2025 from his family crypto empire, legal settlements and various licensing deals. Truth API, as the data feed is branded, is the logical endpoint of that profiteering: the presidency's unrivaled power to move markets, packaged and sold as a subscription. 🔎 Zoom in: The product offered a live demonstration of its value almost immediately (charted above). Hours after Truth API launched, Trump announced he'd canceled massive planned strikes on Iran. Oil prices fell nearly 5% when markets reopened. A March 23 post postponing strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure sent Brent crude tumbling nearly 11%. Trump's March 2025 announcement of a U.S. crypto reserve drove XRP up 27% and added roughly $300 billion to the global crypto market. His threat last October to impose massive new tariffs on China sent the S&P 500 down 2.7%. 🔄 How it works: The real-time feed from Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) went live Saturday, delivering Truth Social posts directly to institutional clients in milliseconds. A source familiar with the matter tells Axios that access to the platform's 10 top-trending accounts costs $60,000 to $100,000 per month. Customers seeking a broader range of accounts could pay more. At least five high-frequency trading firms have signed up, according to The Wall Street Journal. Trump Media says customers also include financial news organizations. 💸 Follow the money: Trump Media is publicly traded, with Trump as its dominant shareholder. He is the sole beneficiary of a revocable trust that owns 41.5% of the company. Donald Trump Jr., the trust's sole trustee, controls the shares. Trump Media generated just $871,000 in revenue during the first quarter of 2026 and $3.68 million in all of 2025. Its shares have risen 7% since the eve of the API announcement, adding nearly $77 million to the paper value of Trump's stake. Between the lines: Customers are buying a fractions-of-a-second advantage. Truth API gives trading algorithms a direct, machine-readable feed they can act on before most investors receive a push alert or refresh their screens. 🥊 Reality check: TMTG says the posts are already public when they reach the API. What the company sells is the latency gap — the brief interval between publication and widespread awareness. The company explicitly markets the service to firms for which "the cost of a delay in information" is highest. A TMTG spokesperson told Axios: "Senate and House Democrats continue to mischaracterize Truth API either out of ideological opposition to free markets or a failure to grasp the distinction between public and nonpublic information."

THIS DAY IN HISTORY August 4 1944 Anne Frank captured 15-year-old Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family are captured hiding in an Amsterdam warehouse. The Franks had taken shelter there in 1942 out of fear of deportation to a Nazi concentration camp. read more Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 19th Century 1873 Colonel Custer and 7th Cavalry clash with Indians Arts & Entertainment 2006 “Talladega Nights” released in theaters Black History 1964 Slain civil rights workers found Colonial America 1753 George Washington becomes a Master Mason Crime 1892 Lizzie Borden’s parents found dead 2019 Dayton, Ohio shooting becomes second mass shooting in 24-hour period Exploration 1784 Russians begin to settle Alaska Immigration 1942 U.S. and Mexico sign the Mexican Farm Labor Agreement Sports 1936 Jesse Owens wins long jump—and respect—in Germany 2012 Oscar Pistorius becomes the first amputee runner to compete at the Olympics U.S. Government and Politics 1790 Alexander Hamilton creates Coast Guard to intercept smugglers World War I 1914 U.S. proclaims neutrality in World War I

> Mauricio Pochettino to continue coaching the US men's national soccer team through the 2030 World Cup (More) | How the 54-year-old Argentine became the US coach (More) > Philadelphia Phillies land three-time batting champion Luis Arraez and Boston Red Sox snag three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman ahead of MLB trade deadline (More, w/all trades graded) > Ariana Grande pulls out of London musical and steps back from the public eye, citing public scrutiny; the 33-year-old singer has faced ongoing commentary about her physical appearance (More)

Antarctic Time Capsule A study published yesterday reveals a rich community of microorganisms living in the water flowing through Antarctica’s Blood Falls, suggesting the crimson waterfall may have ancient marine origins. See images. Genetic analysis of roughly 167 water, sediment, and air samples suggests that the newly discovered microbes belong to organism groups commonly found in the ocean. They are likely descendants of a marine community that became trapped beneath the Taylor Glacier when seawater flooded a valley millions of years ago. The trapped seawater appears to have formed a hypersaline brine with a lower freezing point, allowing the microbes to survive as Antarctica grew increasingly cold. Scientists believe the microbes have remained isolated and relatively unchanged since the flood, providing a rare glimpse into life before the modern Antarctic ice sheet. Prior research found that the waterfall's color comes from iron in the brine, which rusts when it comes into contact with oxygen (w/video).

Whale Song and Dance Male humpback whales appear to synchronize different parts of their songs with specific stages of their dives, according to research published yesterday. The findings offer the first evidence linking underwater movements to the structure of the elaborate courtship songs males sing during breeding season. Researchers attached temporary sound-and-motion tags to 16 humpback whales off Maui between 2018 and 2024, tracking both their dives and vocalizations. The whales repeated distinct song "themes" during specific phases of a dive, with some singing continuously for up to 16 hours (hear the songs, w/video). Scientists believe some themes evolved to attract mates, while others reflect physical constraints such as oxygen consumption and buoyancy. The findings could help researchers infer a whale's depth and behavior from acoustic recordings alone. Whale songs are among the few animal vocalizations passed down culturally rather than genetically, with new songs spreading across ocean populations. Could humans one day communicate with whales? Explore the idea (w/video).

Michigan Primary Matchup Michigan voters head to the polls today for statewide races, including the most expensive Democratic Senate primary in US history. The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November for the seat being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). More than $60M has been spent on the Democratic primary, with pro-Israel lobby AIPAC directing nearly $30M to support four-term Rep. Haley Stevens (D, MI-11). Stevens has highlighted her work on former President Barack Obama’s recession-era bailout for Detroit's automobile industry. She faces Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit public health official who emphasizes a progressive agenda, including Medicare for All. The race is largely seen as a referendum on Israel; a recent poll found nearly 60% of Democrats, including El-Sayed, believe the party is too supportive of the country. The latest polls largely show El-Sayed leading Stevens. A recent poll found El-Sayed trailing Rogers by 10 points, and a closer race between Rogers and Stevens.

Mount Rushmore cost less than one million dollars to construct. It took 14 years to build, from 1927 to 1941, and took 400 workers. James

Authorities arrest arson suspect in connection with one of the devastating Spokane wildfires SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Authorities on Monday arrested a 37-year-old man they suspect of starting one of the devastating wildfires tearing through eastern Washington state as many residents were left wondering if their homes had survived. https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-spokane-washington-evacuate-8e42b37783bda01e7d004d71e546458e? Arson arrest A man is in custody after being accused of deliberately starting one of three major wildfires in Spokane County, Washington. The fires have burned out of control since Saturday, consuming more than 8,000 acres with 0% containment, officials said. More than 700 structures have been destroyed, and nearly 65,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. Speaking with CNN on Monday, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said the arson arrest only deepens the "absolute anguish" of those who have lost their homes to the flames.

What is the unemployment rate in the US right now? Unemployment was at 4.2% in June 2026. That's a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the prior month. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It's a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy. https://usafacts.org/answers/what-is-the-unemployment-rate/country/united-states/? Which US cities have the largest homeless populations? In 2025, over a quarter of people experiencing homelessness in the US were concentrated in two major cities: New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA. https://usafacts.org/articles/which-cities-in-the-us-have-the-most-homelessness/? One last fact In 2023, the largest share of government transportation and water infrastructure spending was for the nation’s highways ($249.16 billion). Water utilities came in second ($172.84 billion), followed by mass transit and rail ($99.21 billion).  Why are water utilities including and transportation spending measured together? That’s because they’re both basic infrastructure subcategories and are mainly funded through the public sector. Both involve large, long-lived physical assets managed largely by governments, so they use similar methods to measure the infrastructure’s value and how it depreciates over time.

👋 Good morning! Welcome back. In today's edition: Dodgers add Skubal, FIFA plan axed, college sports legislation, Aaron Donald buzz building, Women's Pro Baseball begins, Red Sox on fire, and more. Yahoo Sports AM is written by Kendall Baker and Jeff Tracy. Let's sports...   🚨 ICYMI HEADLINES ⚽️ FIFA fallout: FIFA president Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to allow private investors to buy a stake in the World Cup is dead on arrival, and the backlash has been so severe that it could ultimately result in Infantino being ousted from his post. 🎙️ Romo placed on leave: CBS Sports has placed Tony Romo on leave "until further notice" following his recent arrest for a suspected OWI (operating while intoxicated). With Romo on leave, JJ Watt will take his place in the booth alongside Jim Nantz. ⛳️ Kuwaki wins first major: Japan's Shiho Kuwaki bested Germany's Esther Henseleit in a playoff to win the Women's British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, capturing not only her first major championship but her first LPGA Tour title of any kind. 🏈 Clowney returns to Houston: Jadeveon Clowney is signing a one-year deal with the Texans, reuniting the pass rusher with the team that selected him No. 1 overall in 2014. Clowney, who tallied 8.5 sacks last year in Dallas, joins a defense that allowed the fewest yards in the NFL last season. 🏀 Phoenix adds Plum: The Los Angeles Sparks shipped Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury ahead of Sunday's WNBA trade deadline, making the five-time All-Star the highest-scoring player (23.9 ppg) ever traded midseason.   ⚾️ TRADE DEADLINE THE RICH, ONCE AGAIN, GET RICHER (Yahoo Sports) Baseball's unapologetic behemoth got even more imposing, infuriating and inevitable late Saturday night. Tarik Skubal, he of the back-to-back AL Cy Young awards, is now a Los Angeles Dodger. The rich, once again, have gotten richer, writes Yahoo Sports' Jake Mintz. The trade: All it took for the Dodgers to acquire the deadline's top prize was three prospects, and none inside their top four — a luxury granted by the fact that they simultaneously have MLB's best team and its best farm system. Detroit gets Double-A OF Zyhir Hope (L.A.'s No. 5 prospect), Triple-A RHP River Ryan (No. 7) and High-A RHP Brady Smith (No. 17). Los Angeles gets two months (plus the postseason) of arguably the best pitcher in the sport, as well as first dibs at signing him to a long-term deal. Embarrassment of riches: With Skubal and Shohei Ohtani in the fold, the 2026 Dodgers are now the first team with both a reigning MVP and a reigning Cy Young since the 2014 Tigers (Miguel Cabrera, Max Scherzer). And they're the first ever to boast reigning back-to-back winners of both awards. All in, this roster's laundry list of accolades is quite a sight to behold. 50 All-Star appearances 19 Silver Sluggers 9 Gold Gloves 6 MVPs 4 Cy Youngs 4 ERA Titles 3 Reliever of the Years 1 Pitching Triple Crown 1 Batting Title Good luck, hitters: Four of the eight lowest ERAs since 2022 (min. 50 starts) belong to Ohtani (2.53), Skubal (2.64), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.70) and Blake Snell (2.82), who form the backbone of the Dodgers' preposterous rotation. That talented group should continue to pair well with an offense that has, you'll never guess, the best average and OPS in the majors. Chasing history: The Dodgers are now overwhelming World Series favorites (+140) as they attempt to become the first team to three-peat since the 1998-2000 Yankees. The cost of that pursuit? An astonishing $611 million in payroll expenses ($430.5M) and luxury tax payments ($180.5M). Their tax bill alone is more than 14 teams will pay their entire rosters this season. More deadline deals: The Cubs acquired RHP Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays … the White Sox acquired RHP Luis Castillo from the Mariners … the Rays acquired RHP Freddy Peralta from the Mets … the Yankees acquired INF Luis García Jr. from the Nationals. Follow along with our live tracker before today's 6pm ET deadline.   🎓 CAPITOL HILL SEC, BIG TEN BACK COLLEGE SPORTS BILL NCAA president Charlie Baker (L) and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti during a Senate Judiciary Hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) The following is an excerpt from Yahoo Sports Biz, our new sports business newsletter authored by Dylan Dittrich. Sign up here to get on the list. After weeks of negotiations, it appeared the Protect College Sports Act's chances of rallying the Big Ten and SEC's support this summer were slim. But a stunning about-face finally came at the eleventh hour, which could send the landmark legislation to the Senate floor next week. Big guns on board: The two conferences issued a statement of support for the bill as currently drafted on Friday night, revitalizing its fading pulse and ending the scramble around the bipartisan legislation designed to regulate the college sports industry. What we know: The key provisions of the bill have crystallized, according to reporting from Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger. The cap: The money that schools can spend on players now includes the original $21.3 million cap, a $22.5 million retention pool, and $5 million to be spent on women's and non-revenue sports. Those pools total $48.8 million, a 129% increase. Related entities: The larger cap is intended to prevent circumvention by including all athlete deals with universities and associated entities, such as multimedia rights partners, corporate sponsors and apparel brands. Affiliated brands can ink deals with athletes outside of the cap, but they must attest that those deals are not school-funded or directed. Transfer and eligibility limits: The bill would grant the NCAA and conferences a limited antitrust exemption to re-implement the one-time transfer exception, standardize a five-year eligibility policy, and ban professional athletes from returning to college. Conference expansion: The legislation caps power conference membership at 19 schools and requires those programs moving from one power league to another to operate as an independent for five years. What we don't know: Schools have seemingly never played by the rules. Will formal codification from Congress be the silver bullet that ensures compliance? There are also still question marks about the bill's potential opposition from the plaintiffs in the House settlement. In other major NCAA news… College athletes who graduated high school in 2022 and exhausted their eligibility last season have been granted a federal preliminary injunction to play a fifth season, meaning hundreds of athletes who thought their playing careers were over could soon be headed back to campus. The NCAA plans to appeal the decision.   📸 SNAPSHOTS THROUGH THE LENS Maybelle Blair throws out the first pitch. (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images) Springfield, Illinois — The Women's Pro Baseball League debuted over the weekend, 72 years after the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League shuttered. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by 99-year-old Maybelle Blair, the former AAGPBL player who inspired the league's mascot. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) Los Angeles, California — Could Aaron Donald really come out of retirement to play alongside Myles Garrett on the Rams? No decision has been made yet, but "things are going in the right direction, and if there's an arrow, it's trending upwards," said head coach Sean McVay. (Harry Figiel/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) Chicago, Illinois — Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace in his Chicago Fire home debut, lifting his team to a 2-1 victory over conference foe Charlotte FC.   💯 STAT SHEET BIG NUMBERS (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) ⚾️ 21-4 The Red Sox went a blistering 21-4 in July, logging the franchise's best-ever winning percentage in a full calendar month (.840). And after sweeping the mighty Dodgers, they're off to a 2-0 start in August. Historic turnaround: Boston (60-51) entered July in the basement of the AL East. They now have a solid grip on the AL's second wild card spot after becoming the first team in MLB history to enter a month 10+ games under .500 and leave that month 3+ games over .500. ⛳️ 7 aces Most golfers will never hit a single hole-in-one at any point in their lives. On Friday at the Rocket Classic, Matt Kuchar carded the seventh ace of his career, tied for the most on the PGA Tour since 2005. Fan for life: Kuch brought a young fan inside the ropes to fetch the ball from the cup, giving seven-year-old Casimer Daniewski a memory that will last a lifetime. 🏀 10 straight wins The first-place Lynx won their 10th straight game on Sunday, snapping the Fever's own five-game winning streak with a 108-100 victory in a clash between the league's top two offenses. As usual, ROY frontrunner Olivia Miles (28-4-6) led the way. Top of the standings: Minnesota (25-6) has built a comfortable four-game lead over Las Vegas (20-9) and Golden State (20-9), and sits 5.5 games ahead of Atlanta (18-10), Dallas (19-11) and Indiana (19-11).   📺 VIEWING GUIDE WATCHLIST: MONDAY, AUG. 3 (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) 🎾 DC Open, Finals The rain-delayed finals will resume today (12pm ET, Tennis) in the nation's capital, where No. 1 Jessica Pegula leads Alex Eala, 6-4, 1-2. When that match ends, No. 3 Taylor Fritz will take on Spanish teenager Rafael Jódar in the men's final. Quick turnaround: All four players are also competing in the Canadian Open, which began Sunday in Montreal (men) and Toronto (women). But their schedules should not be affected, as those events also experienced rain delays. More to watch: ⚾️ MLB: Giants at Rangers (8pm, ESPN) … One of eight games today as teams take the field just after the trade deadline passes. 🏀 WNBA: Aces at Dream (7pm, NBCSN) … Fourth-place Atlanta goes for its sixth straight win in a matchup against second-place Las Vegas.   ⚾ TRADING PLACES TRIVIA TIME (Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports) Tarik Skubal is just the sixth reigning Cy Young to be traded in the middle of the season, with the last such instance coming three years ago. Question: Which reigning Cy Young award winner was traded during the 2023 season? Hint: NL East to AL West. Answer at the bottom.   🍿 TOP PLAYS HIGHLIGHT REEL (MLB) Guardians right fielder Angel Martínez made a spectacular catch in foul territory on Friday night in Cleveland, leaping into the netting to secure the grab. Honorable Mention: ⚽️ MLS: Montreal's Brayan Vera with a wonder strike from way downtown 🏀 WNBA: Undrafted rookie Sydney Taylor wins it at the buzzer for Chicago 🎾 DC Open: Alejandro Tabilo with one of the best tweener lobs you'll ever see   Trivia answer: Justin Verlander (traded from the Mets to the Astros)

Trump Throws GOP Into Full-Blown Civil War The rift between Trump and the Senate leader has lawmakers panicked. Republicans fear that tension between Donald Trump and the Senate’s top GOP lawmaker could sabotage the party’s midterm prospects. GOP lawmakers are frustrated by the charged silence between the president, 80, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, 65, who, according to Thune, speak only on an “as-needed basis.” “We need to be talking up the wins, talking about how crazy Democrats are, and instead we are knifing each other,” one GOP senator told CNN. At the root of the friction between the two men is Thune’s stated inability to pass Trump’s “Save America Act,” which would impose new proof-of-citizenship rules and other requirements that voting rights advocates say would disenfranchise large numbers of Americans. While the House of Representatives passed a version of the bill, the president’s flagship legislation does not have the votes to clear the Senate, where Democrats have also wielded the filibuster—the 60-vote threshold needed to advance most legislation. Privately, Thune has been direct with Trump about the legislation’s improbability. As a result, Trump has publicly blasted Thune over the impasse. Last week, when asked Wednesday whether Thune was still “the man for the job,” the president was coy. “We’re going to find out. I’ll let you know,” he said. Spokespeople for Thune and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Thune, for his part, has also been repeatedly blindsided by the president. Trump moved to oust Sen. John Cornyn, a key Thune ally, in favor of MAGA-aligned candidate Ken Paxton. The president has also stalled the renewal of key surveillance authorities used by U.S. intelligence agencies in protest and refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill Republicans hoped to tout ahead of the midterms. The South Dakota senator has also been tasked with voicing concerns from GOP senators who are afraid to speak out against the president, making him a scapegoat in the eyes of the administration, lawmakers told CNN. “I would say we’re all longing for a relationship with the White House where we work more in harmony,” Republican Sen. John Curtis told the outlet. Sen. Jim Justice echoed a similar sentiment, calling the infighting “not really productive” in a statement to CNN. “There’s no point in going round and round and round.” Senators fear the standoff between Trump and Thune will only worsen following the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Thune ally and the president’s golf buddy. It also comes at a time when Republicans are trailing the Democrats by 8 points, according to a poll released by CNN last week. “If you don’t watch out, you’re gonna make things much, much, much worse because we’re gonna lose seats and that will make it worse for the president,” Justice said. https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-and-john-thune-throw-gop-into-full-blown-civil-war/?