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September 5, 2026 Good morning. The season’s new releases give us a cultural road map, but the most rewarding reading, listening and watching comes from the detours. María Jesús Contreras Scenic route By Melissa Kirsch It’s Labor Day weekend, and I’m here to remind you that summer’s not over, even though schools and scolds try to lop off the final two weeks, declaring a premature finish to a season that, as any equinoctial will tell you, extends until Sept. 22. Hang on. Linger in the post-7 p.m. sunsets while you can. Finish the book you started in August. Make it to the beach. Stay a little looser. The apples and sweaters and soups are standing patiently by. I’m reluctant to let summer go because I’m reluctant to button up, to start rushing again. I associate summer with wandering, both literally and culturally. I was chatting recently with my colleague Minju about this season’s big films — “Spider-Man,” “The Odyssey,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2” — and we realized our most satisfying cinematic experiences were the detours those blockbusters sent us on. Minju was reminded how much she likes Samantha Morton, who played Circe in “The Odyssey,” which sent her to rewatch other films Morton starred in, like “Jesus’ Son” and “Minority Report.” I loved “The Invite,” directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, and set off to watch her in Gregg Araki’s “I Want Your Sex” from July, and also to revisit her prior directorial efforts, “Don’t Worry Darling” and “Booksmart.” “Don’t Worry Darling” stars Harry Styles, who’s currently performing a 30-show residency at Madison Square Garden. I didn’t get tickets, but I’ve been dancing to his delightful 2022 album “Harry’s House” all summer. Of course the omnivorous consumer follows her aesthetic bliss year round, but the expansive days of the warmer months lend themselves to cultural meandering. Minju read Rachel Cusk’s new book “Life of M,” then wandered back to her earlier “Outline” trilogy, which she’d meant to read but never had. Olivia Rodrigo’s duet with Robert Smith on her new album led me back to Smith’s days with the Cure, “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me” and other albums from the 1980s. I had been eagerly anticipating “Remake,” Ross McElwee’s documentary about making art after the loss of his son. Before watching it, I went back to revisit his 1986 film, “Sherman’s March,” knowing the new one referenced it and I’d want to have it fresh in my mind. After seeing “Remake,” which was stunning, I immediately cued up McElwee’s 2011 doc about his son, “Photographic Memory,” and set out to find out where his other family documentaries were streaming. My McElwee journey was long, winding and totally absorbing, a cinematic ramble. I like the wisdom to always be planning your next trip or vacation, even if it’s far in the future, so you have something to look forward to. If the end of summer brings with it a little sadness, as it does for me, why not plan your cultural itinerary for the fall? Where will “Practical Magic 2,” a 28-years-later sequel starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman and Dianne Wiest, lead? To Bullock’s hilarious turn in “The Heat”? Wiest in “Edward Scissorhands” or perhaps off the path to her small role in “Footloose”? Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel “Partita” comes out Oct. 6. Will we be rereading “The Poisonwood Bible” and “Demon Copperhead” come Halloween? The origin is the equinox, the destination is the solstice. You can choose your waypoints, but the detours and diversions will emerge once you’re on the road. Sign up for The Good List newsletter If you enjoy Melissa's essays in The Morning, you'll love her weekly compendium of things to bring you joy and meaning. Get it in your inbox. THE LATEST NEWS Lindsay Clancy Trial Lindsay Clancy in the courtroom on Friday. Pool photo by Greg Derr The judge in the Lindsay Clancy murder case declared a mistrial, after the jury failed to reach a verdict over several days of deliberations. Clancy, who strangled her three children during what the defense called an episode of postpartum psychosis, will likely remain institutionalized as prosecutors decide whether to take the case to trial again. The foreperson told the judge that there was a lone holdout in the jury who had expressed doubt about Clancy’s guilt but would not vote to acquit her. Economy Hiring was unexpectedly strong in August, as employers pushed past uncertainty related to the war in Iran, tariffs and A.I. President Trump threatened to halt a broad swath of U.S. trade unless the Federal Reserve slashed interest rates. Elections The Homeland Security secretary asked the Justice Department to investigate a commonly used voting machine, in what appeared to be an effort to cast doubt on digital voting systems. A federal judge in Boston ruled, for the third time, that the Trump administration’s plans to restrict mail-in voting were most likely unconstitutional. North Carolina added new restrictions to its vote-by-mail program. The rules make it easier for local officials to discard ballots. Politics The president’s new jet, as seen in July. Kenny Holston/The New York Times Trump will fly to Ireland next week on the new Air Force One donated by Qatar. It’s the first time he’s using the jet overseas since questions arose about its safety capabilities. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to Moscow and Kyiv this weekend to push a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine. The Trump administration moved to strip more federal protections from millions of acres of wetlands that help feed drinking water systems. Homeland Security claimed that a border security project in Big Bend National Park was limited to “survey and design” work. Our reporter found evidence that patrol roads and barriers were being built. Middle East After months of war, Iran is confident in its abilities and appears determined to continue fighting, according to U.S. intelligence reports. Israel says it is cementing its foothold in southern Lebanon, adding to concerns that it intends to prolong its occupation. THE WEEK IN CULTURE Film and TV Simon Abkarian as the titular general in “De Gaulle.” Malgosia Abramowska/Pathé Films An epic historical film about Charles de Gaulle, the storied French general and politician, has become an unexpected box-office hit. The stars of “Practical Magic 2” are embracing their witchiness. We talked to Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King and Maisie Williams about the unlikely sequel. Music Thunderstruck: A Toronto stadium was severely damaged by a storm ahead of an AC/DC concert. Who owns reggaeton’s beat? A judge ruled in favor of Bad Bunny and dozens of other defendants who argue the “boom, ch-boom, chick” beat is not protected by copyright. But the case isn’t over yet. Cassandra Wilson, who died this week at 70, led jazz into the future with warmth and creative conviction. Read our appraisal of her musical career. More Culture The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The new museum founded by the “Star Wars” creator George Lucas is finally ready to open in Los Angeles. There’s less “Star Wars” than you might expect. The Kennedy Center has removed a towering blue metal sculpture, called “Blue,” that the Trump administration had targeted for elimination. Introducing bonus puzzles. Try these twists on our games, including Wordle in 1, Connections 3x3, Colorful Strands and more. New puzzles drop every Wednesday. RECIPE OF THE WEEK Christopher Simpson for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. By Melissa Clark Jalapeño Grilled Pork Chops Eric Kim’s jalapeño grilled pork chops are perfect for Labor Day weekend feasting — or for anytime you need an excuse to light up the grill. Soaked in a punchy marinade of cilantro, garlic, chiles and just enough sugar to encourage caramelization, the thin chops cook quickly, charring lightly at the edges. Eric tops them with a bright onion and cilantro relish and serves them with rice on the side. I’d add a ripe tomato salad to take full advantage of these last days of summer. REAL ESTATE Hannah Yoon for The New York Times The Hunt: A longtime renter in the Philadelphia suburbs decided to take the plunge and buy her first home. What did she choose? Play our game. Garden smarter: Harvesting seeds now will give next year’s garden a head start. Here’s how to do it. Leafy luxury: Wheatleigh, a Gilded Age mansion in the Berkshires, is on the market. Its next owner has a choice: Should it be a grand hotel, or an even grander home? SPORTS Michael Conroy/Associated Press W.N.B.A.: Cathy Engelbert will step down as commissioner at the end of this season. She saw the league reach new heights of popularity, but was often the subject of withering criticism from players over her leadership. “Win for the city”: Twenty-five years ago, New Yorkers reeling from the Sept. 11 attacks found a common rallying point in the Yankees. We spoke to former players, coaches and even former President George W. Bush. Changing culture: High school football coaches have always taught boys to tackle. Now, some are learning to help the players manage their emotions. ADVICE FROM WIRECUTTER Why you sleep better at hotels If you’ve ever returned from vacation and felt like you slept better in that dreamy hotel room, that’s by design. Hotels tinker with lighting, sound and temperature to help guests get the best sleep. But it’s possible to recreate some of those experiences in your own bedroom. Prioritize making your bedroom dark and quiet. Blackout curtains and white noise machines can help. Making the room cool is important, too: The ideal temperature is 65 to 68 degrees. Finally, hotel mattresses often have a luxe plush or pillow top. If you want to replicate that feeling without buying a whole new mattress, try a fluffy topper. And if you are ready to upgrade the mattress? Many of our favorites are on sale for Labor Day weekend. — Shaena Montanari Sign up for Wirecutter’s five-day newsletter course, Sleep Better, to get expert-vetted gear and tips straight to your inbox. U.S. OPEN Zheng Qinwen and Madison Keys. Thomas Coex/AFP — Getty Images; Yuki Iwamura/Associated Press Every year, I take time off work to go to the U.S. Open, New York City’s best event. Last week I watched the Olympic medalist Zheng Qinwen in her last qualifying match, as she scrambled to save the second set before a packed crowd. Rain eventually stopped play, and she smoothly took the third set the next day. I recommend watching her match this weekend, in addition to two others: Zheng Qinwen vs. Madison Keys: After becoming the first Chinese player to win singles gold at the Olympics, Zheng spent months recovering from injury and surgery. She squares off against Keys, an American who won the Australian Open last year. Taylor Fritz vs. Francisco Cerundolo: Fritz, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, is trying to become the first American man to capture the singles trophy in more than 20 years. Fritz appears in good form this summer after winning a lower-level tournament in Washington, D.C. Alexandra Eala vs. Iva Jovic: Eala, the first Filipino to win a title on the women’s tour, is an enormous crowd favorite. Her opponent today, Jovic, is also her good friend. (Jovic won both of their previous matches.) All matches air today on ESPN networks. — Daniel Ajootian For tennis fans: Sign up for the Grand Slam Briefing, a daily blast of news, analysis and insight from The Athletic’s tennis writers. NOW TIME TO PLAY Here is today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s pangram was analyzed. Take the news quiz to see how well you followed this week’s headlines. And here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Crossplay, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with The Times. — Melissa 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

THIS DAY IN HISTORY September 5 1836 Sam Houston elected as president of Texas Sam Houston was the first regularly elected president of the Republic of Texas, which earned its independence from Mexico in a successful military rebellion. read more Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 19th Century 1847 Outlaw Jesse James is born in Missouri 1920s 1922 Sarah Winchester dies, halting construction of the mysterious Winchester house American Revolution 1774 First Continental Congress convenes Arts & Entertainment 1957 The New York Times gives “On the Road” a rave review LGBTQ+ History 1991 AIDS activists unfurl a giant condom over Senator Jesse Helms’ home Native American History 1877 Sioux military leader Crazy Horse is killed Sports 1972 Massacre begins at Munich Olympics U.S. Presidents 1975 Gerald Ford survives first assassination attempt Vietnam War 1969 Lieutenant William Calley charged for My Lai massacre 1970 U.S. forces launch last major American operation of the war Women’s History 2006 Katie Couric makes historic network anchor debut

Rescuers in Nepal pull 2 people alive from the debris 10 days after devastating floods KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Rescuers in Nepal pulled out a Chinese man and a woman in separate operations Saturday, 10 days after devastating floods hit the country, as teams continued searching for thousands of missing people. https://apnews.com/article/nepal-floods-chinese-national-alive-f9a6d181a30af8366700e47e498ec3b1?

‘Then who or what did we cremate?’ Daughter’s horror at finding bones in British wildfire victims’ car Danielle Gillam-Kirton claims police botched investigation into her parents’ deaths in Spain and is demanding answers https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/05/remains-british-wildfire-victims-spain?

Russia strikes Ukraine intelligence HQ in ‘major escalation’ Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has told SBU to deliver ‘appropriate, tangible response’ to Kyiv strike https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/04/russia-strikes-ukraine-intelligence-hq-kyiv-major-escalation? ps:Makes me wonder what it is that happen at that meeting with putin? Because not more than hours after, it seems, Russia attacks Ukraine!! All this time they had no idea where this place was and now they do!!!!!

‘Guilt by association’: why seven international aid workers were killed in Israeli airstrike Seven aid workers killed in an airstrike in Gaza were marked as targets under an Israeli military practice of establishing guilt by association, a Guardian investigation shows. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/05/aid-workers-gaza-killed-in-israel-airstrike-investigation?

Spending money on others results in more happiness than spending it on yourself. If anyone wants to test out this theory on me 😃 James

Dark Horse (Camilo Freedman / Bloomberg / Getty)   View in browser The crypto industry has always moved in cycles: booms and busts; bull markets and harsh, unforgiving “winters.” We’re in something of a lull right now: Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency, is worth about two-thirds of what it was last fall. Meanwhile, investors are turning their attention to flashier innovations in artificial intelligence. About half of Americans now use AI chatbots, whereas just about a fifth of the country has ever used or invested in crypto. But the crypto industry isn’t dead—as of today, the combined value of all digital currencies is still more than $2.7 trillion—and neither are its political ambitions. Crypto companies have so far put $206 million toward this year’s midterm elections, more than any other corporate sector, including the AI industry, according to a Public Citizen analysis of OpenSecrets and Federal Election Commission data. Fairshake, the industry’s foremost super PAC, has a giant war chest and a reputation for backing winners from both parties (Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has reportedly warned of the risks of crossing it). Crypto is much further from the spotlight now than it was during its 2024 election-spending spree; back then, the industry was flush with cash, but its reputation was still recovering from the crash of two years prior and from the spectacle of Sam Bankman-Fried’s fraud trial. Even as Americans continue to distrust crypto, they’re now reserving their outrage for other corners of the tech industry, such as data centers and surveillance cameras. Although crypto is no longer as central to the public conversation, it’s still finding ways to flex its power. Fairshake first established itself as a major force during the 2024 election cycle, spending about $133 million in support of its chosen candidates. It started 2026 with a reported $193 million in the bank and has so far spent close to $70 million elevating politicians with an industry-friendly agenda. Fairshake’s record this year has been incredibly strong. Despite a few fairly significant losses, 50 of the 54 candidates it backed ended up winning their race. Not all of them won entirely because of Fairshake’s intervention: Some were incumbents who didn’t have a serious challenger. But an endorsement from Fairshake and its affiliate PACs tends to come with major financial support. The group spent more than $12 million to get a pro-crypto Republican into the general election for Alabama’s open Senate seat—it was “by far the biggest spender” in the primary, per The New York Times. And Protect Progress, Fairshake’s Democrat-focused PAC, spent more than $5 million to make another pro-crypto politician the party’s nominee for the House in Maryland’s Fifth District. Some candidates have incorporated these extreme interventions into their campaign strategy, accusing crypto-backed opponents of being in the industry’s pocket. Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan, who won the state’s Democratic primary for the Senate, bashed her opponent for being pro-crypto and for being “funded by crypto and AIPAC and health-insurance companies.” In Florida’s Twenty-Fourth District, Fairshake spent more than $2 million trying to defeat Oliver Gilbert’s bid for the House, but Gilbert won his primary anyway. “Trump and his crypto con-artist billionaires just put a target on my back,” he said in one ad. Bloomberg reports that political candidates have purchased more ads mentioning the word crypto this year than they have in any of the past five years, and that the majority of these candidates are anti-crypto. Voters have never been all that passionate about crypto, and the Americans who do care about the tech are still disinclined to trust it. But the country’s attention has been elsewhere lately. Three-quarters of Americans say they’d oppose the construction of a data center in their community. Local governments across the country are now canceling contracts for Flock’s AI-enabled license-plate readers over rising fears of improper surveillance. In a bipartisan effort, 47 states, plus Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories, recently took Meta to trial for allegedly damaging “the mental and physical wellbeing of America’s youth” with its social-media platforms (the company just settled and will pay up to $17.1 billion). Although Fairshake’s spending spree has drawn attention to the role of crypto in politics, there’s been no equivalent public movement this year against the sector. When Politico asked Cynthia Lummis, arguably the country’s most pro-crypto senator, whether voters care about crypto, she replied, “No.” To get a sense of how much the industry’s public profile has shifted, it’s useful to think back on the past six years. Permit me a short history lesson. During the coronavirus pandemic, a speculative bubble massively boosted the industry’s profile. Then, in 2022, everything melted down. Bitcoin lost more than 60 percent of its value, and a series of high-profile corporate implosions created chaos throughout the sector. Executives from several major crypto companies were charged with fraud, but it was FTX’s Bankman-Fried who became, at least for a while, the industry’s criminal mascot. Last year, crypto ended up with a new mascot in the form of Donald Trump. Once in office, he threw his support behind the industry, implementing a deregulatory agenda and signing a major crypto bill into law. As cryptocurrencies soared, he also personally made $1.4 billion from his family’s businesses in the sector, leading to widespread allegations of corruption. As digital currencies have come back down to earth, they have started to feel more mundane. Crypto persists in partnerships with major financial institutions, in exchange-trading funds, and in the payment apps you may already have on your phone. None of this is particularly exciting—we’re unlikely to see an NFT at the Met Gala next year, as we did in 2021, or at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards, as we did in 2022—yet it’s still a massive industry. Without that same level of visibility, crypto interests aren’t necessarily a public “target the way they were with the fallout of FTX, but on the other hand, they’ve had to struggle to stay relevant,” Mark Hays, an associate director at Americans for Financial Reform (a crypto-critical watchdog), told me; one of their strategies is to “continue to spend heavily to show that they still have clout.” The industry has plenty of battles left to fight, though—and plenty of cash to put toward winning them. Related: Crypto is a victim of its own success. What the crypto crash reveals about Trump’s power

Hobie, This "spiritual formation" that was brought-into the Church you were attending. I'm interested in knowing if that program affirmed the "Personality of God" Doctrine (Father God having a body with members, organs, etc.) which Ellen White and the SDA Pioneers taught was necessary for salvation and appeasement of the Sabbath God. My understanding of Formation is basically the same as Hanseng said. My interest is in identifying the trigger within spiritual formation that produced the pessimistic concept about it. According to what you said you are not alone in applying a very negative connotation to it. I'd be interested in knowing more about it. Thanks for sharing this perspective.

Argentine court clears return of Nazi-looted portrait to Jewish dealer’s heir A long-lost Italian portrait looted from a prominent Jewish art dealer during World War II was set to be returned to his heir after an Argentine court on Friday approved a deal under which the daughter of a fugitive Nazi official agreed to give up her claim rather than face trial. Read More. Nazi-looted painting must be returned to Jewish art dealer’s heir, Argentina court rules Portrait of a Lady had been missing since 1940 before being photographed in 2025 in Argentinian home of Nazi officer’s daughter https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/05/nazi-looted-painting-must-be-returned-to-jewish-art-dealers-heir-argentina-court-rules?

Yes, the spiritual formation was what they brought in and tried to force us to follow and we and a small group refused. Then the church was transformed into a celebration church at the same time. I have seen this transformation in other churches as they seemed to be connected, but I left them quickly and really didnt want to find out.

EU official scraps planned Serbia visit over handling of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic's death The European Union ’s Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos on Friday canceled an upcoming visit to candidate nation Serbia over what she described as the “glorification” of former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic following his death. Mladic was convicted of genocide by a U.N. court but remains a hero to many Serbs. Read More.

Japan's former defense chief urges PM to challenge US sanctions on ICC president A former Japanese defense minister on Friday described a U.S. decision to sanction the International Criminal Court and its Japanese president as an outright attack on the rules-based international order. Read More.

Records reveal safety complaints, poor maintenance at site of deadly Washington pulp mill disaster A pulp mill in Washington state where 11 workers died after a chemical tank collapsed in May had a history of safety complaints, poor maintenance and discharges of toxic chemicals, records reviewed by The Associated Press show. Read More.

EPA seeks more public comments as it struggles to devise water rule that limits scope on wetlands The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking additional public comments as it tries to redefine the scope of the nation’s bedrock clean water law to significantly limit the wetlands it covers. Read More.

Federal judge extends block on Trump executive order seeking to limit mail voting in the midterms A federal judge on Friday extended her prohibition against the U.S. Postal Service implementing President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to limit mail voting during the midterms, putting another major obstacle in the way of the administration as the first states begin sending out mail ballots. https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-trump-mail-voting-postal-service-ce207ff2d0533de05cc2d299e91a0198? US issues sanctions on Turkish bank that it calls a 'critical financial lifeline' for Iran The Trump administration announced Friday that it has imposed sanctions on a Turkish financial institution as part of its latest effort to sever “critical financial lifelines” for the Iranian government. Read More.

Psilocybin and Migraine: What's the Science? Chronic migraine can greatly affect your life, especially when the pain arrives suddenly and traditional medications don't seem to help. An alternative remedy currently being studied may offer help for many with migraine: psilocybin. https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/psilocybin-migraines-treatment-research? Nerve Stimulation for Migraines Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on April 02, 2025 https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/ss/cm/slideshow-nerve-stimulation-for-migraines? Can the Ketogenic Diet Help Chronic Migraine? A Scientific Look If you live with migraine, you may have talked with your doctor about foods that can either help or worsen your migraine. Research indeed suggests that your eating patterns may help ease your migraine symptoms. One approach is a high-fat, low-carb diet approached called the ketogenic diet. https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/ketogenic-diet-chronic-migraine? Migraine Treatment Pipeline Chronic migraine can be very exhausting and affect your quality of life. If you have chronic migraine — migraine with pain, nausea, or sensitivity to light or sound for 15 or more days per month – you’re not alone. Up to 15% of people experience migraine attacks at some point in their lives, but only between 1% and 2.2% experience chronic migraine. And while the number of people getting chronic migraine isn’t increasing, research shows that the condition is causing more disability. https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/cm/migraine-treatment-pipeline? Can Supplements Help Migraines? Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on April 03, 2025 https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/ss/cm/slideshow-can-supplements-help-migraines?

🏈 1 for the road: Ready for some football? Colorado's Boo Carter blocks Georgia Tech kicker Aidan Birr's field goal attempt to secure a 14-13 win yesterday in Atlanta. Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images No matter where you are this Labor Day weekend, there's a good chance college football will be on the TV. After last week's teaser, the CFB season will have its first full Saturday slate this weekend, kicking off the season in earnest. 🏈 Standout matchups include: No. 7 Miami at Stanford (tonight, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN). Clemson at No. 11 LSU (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 24 Louisville (Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). 🏁 Fun fact: Last year's national champion, Indiana, opens its repeat campaign against North Texas Saturday (noon ET, Fox). ☁️ Herb's thought bubble: I don't care what happens for the rest of the season. My alma mater, UMass Amherst, had its biggest win of the year against Rutgers last night. I'll be celebrating that until January. AP's Top 25 football poll.

📈 Labor market boom Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chart: Courtenay Brown/Axios A labor market that looked shaky just a month ago now appears on much firmer footing, Axios' Courtenay Brown writes. U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in August, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, according to Labor Department stats out today. 📊 By the numbers: Job gains were more than triple the 53,000 jobs that economists anticipated. Revisions released today show that employers added 55,000 more jobs in June and July combined than previously estimated. 🎨 The big picture: The better-than-expected report is fresh evidence of the labor market's resilience, easing fears that a hiring slowdown had taken hold. Go deeper ...

Costly summer send-off Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images Summer's last hurrah will come with persistent pump pain and pricey burgers, Axios' Avery Lotz reports. Gas prices are almost certain to remain north of $4 per gallon over Labor Day weekend — a busy travel period that coincides with the intensifying midterm election season. ⛽ Labor Day gas prices are slated to be the highest on record, with market tracking firm GasBuddy and AAA predicting they'll surpass the previous high set in 2012. That's coming off a record-setting August, where the monthly national average of $4.07 trounced 2022's record, according to AAA data. ✈️ For travelers flying over the weekend, airfare is nearly 20% higher than last year, AAA says. Still, TSA predicts there will be more than 17 million travelers at airports across the country between Thursday and Wednesday. 🍔 A pound of ground beef costs $6.89 on average in July, up 10% from the year prior.

Unions are extremely popular New Gallup polling finds that 71% of people in the U.S. approve of unions, continuing the highest period of favorability in over 60 years. This coincides with the greatest number of workers represented by a union in 16 years. https://www.epi.org/publication/unions-are-extremely-popular-56-million-workers-would-join-a-union-if-they-could/? Everything you need to know about anti-union “right-to-work” laws Worker interest in unions is at historic highs, and nearly 70% of the public approves of unions. Yet most of the 56 million workers who say they want a union contract can’t get one because of weak federal labor law and the spread of state anti-union “right-to-work” (RTW) laws. Suppression of union membership has in turn lowered workers’ wages and benefits while inequality has skyrocketed. This FAQ examines the meaning, origins, and impact of anti-union RTW laws, and the importance of restoring workers’ collective bargaining power by removing RTW laws and other obstacles to unionization. https://www.epi.org/publication/everything-you-need-to-know-about-anti-union-right-to-work-laws/?

Progressives' newest weapon After winning an upset primary victory over a field of better-funded, establishment-backed rivals, Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) is launching a super PAC to help other progressive underdogs do the same, we have learned. Why it matters: Mejia is adding to a growing constellation of new progressive super PACs trying to compete with cash-rich groups like AIPAC that back more moderate Democrats in primaries. It's all part of a strategy that has helped the left pull off a series of high-profile primary victories this election cycle over incumbents and establishment favorites. "We're ready to build a new class of unbought, unbossed candidates who will refuse corporate PAC money and will stand for the values that the American people are demanding," Mejia said in a statement. Driving the news: Mejia's group, Unbought, Unbossed PAC, will train and fund "working-class and underrepresented community leaders" running for office, according to a press release first shared with us. It will also provide "voter education resources and voter protection training" and build "a nationwide community of candidates, organizers, and local leaders who can learn from one another and organize beyond any single election." "Unbought, Unbossed PAC is about finding the next generation of leaders who are already fighting for their communities and giving them the tools to run, organize, and win," Mejia said. Catch up quick: Mejia defeated nearly a dozen Democratic primary rivals in a February special election to succeed New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill in Congress. The former progressive organizer was outraised by five of her primary rivals, bringing in just $420,000 to the $1.2 million raised by former Rep. Tom Malinowski, who finished second. Mejia's victory was widely considered an upset and was inadvertently spurred, at least in part, by AIPAC spending $2.3 million against Malinowski. 👀 What to watch: The super PAC will support only candidates who refuse to take corporate PAC money and who support banning members of Congress from trading stocks, according to the press release. — Andrew Solender

🚨 Another GOP warning sign Illustration: Brendan Lynch / Axios. Stock: Getty Images Another warning light is blinking for Senate Republicans: underperforming gubernatorial nominees in three crucial Midwest states. Why it matters: Strong candidates for governor can act as sheepdogs in tight Senate races, keeping Republican voters — and GOP-curious independents — moving in the party's direction. 😉 That's adding to GOP anxiety in Michigan and Iowa, where the Democratic gubernatorial nominees have led for much of the summer. In Ohio — a state President Trump won by 11 points — the governor's race is tied. By the numbers: In Iowa, state Auditor Rob Sand (D) leads state Rep. Zach Lahn (R) 49.3% to 45.3%, according to 270toWin's polling average. In Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) leads Rep. John James (R-Mich.) by an average of 50.2% to 42.4% across the last five polls. In Ohio, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy leads former state health director Amy Acton (D) by just half a point, 48% to 47.5%, in an average of two August polls. The other side: The gubernatorial map isn't flashing warnings everywhere for Senate Republicans. 💪 Republicans are enthusiastic about Georgia, where the race between former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) and health care executive Rick Jackson (R) is tight, but Jackson is expected to spend heavily in the final months. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) leads state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D) 47.2% to 43.7%, according to 270toWin. And in New Hampshire, Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) leads former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) by an average of 49% to 38.5%. 🤔 The intrigue: In Ohio, Michigan and New Hampshire, the governor's race is at the top of the ticket, potentially creating a stronger draft for the Senate candidates behind them. In Iowa, Texas and Georgia, it's the Senate contest that gets top billing, potentially limiting the gubernatorial candidates' coattails. 🌎 Zoom out: In previous midterm cycles, strong GOP gubernatorial candidates have run well ahead of their Senate counterparts. 🤠 In Texas in 2018, Abbott won by 13 percentage points while Sen. Ted Cruz (R) squeaked past Beto O'Rourke by fewer than 3. 🌽 In 2022, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) won by nearly 19 points as Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) won by 12. 🐊 In Florida that year, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) cruised to victory by 19 points as Sen. Marco Rubio (R) won by 16. 🔎 Zoom in: Coattails aren't tow ropes, and split decisions between the gubernatorial and Senate contests do happen, though they are more common in non-presidential years. In 2022, six of the 26 states that held both gubernatorial and Senate elections chose winners from different parties. But two years later, with Trump on the ticket, none of the nine states holding both contests split between Democrats and Republicans, although independent Sen. Bernie Sanders won alongside Republican Gov. Phil Scott in Vermont. ⚡️ The bottom line: Republicans don't need to win every governor's mansion to hold the Senate, but losing badly in Michigan, Iowa or Ohio would make three already tight Senate races that much harder. — Hans Nichols

ADRA responds to flooding and landslides in Nepal Adventist Development and Relief Agency Nepal is on the ground, working with government officials, other humanitarian organizations, and communities to meet the needs of those affected by the August 26 flooding and landslides. https://adventist.news/news/adra-responds-to-flooding-and-landslides-in-nepal

Trump Is Building More Than a Ballroom—He’s Claiming the White House Forever He’s making himself permanent. Big, sore-thumb, a--hole buildings have become Donald Trump’s signature brand, and part and parcel of his public identity. His aesthetic is not just about vulgarity, but an opposing force—so of course he would build in Washington. Of course, he would look to reconfigure the White House! The White House ballroom, however, will not be completed—if it’s completed—until the end of his term. So if he’s not going to be able to get much use out of it, what’s its real use? Just being able to build it, for one thing. Nothing motivates Trump so much as provoking a fight and then winning it (or just prolonging it). His skills here are relentlessness; his true pleasure, nearly in a sexual sense, comes with crushing his opponents, disregarding civility and the rules of the game. Plus, he has additional expertise when it comes to actually building something in the face of people trying to stop him. The more you build, the harder it is to stop you. Doing most of the things that presidents have to do on a daily basis—so boring!—doesn’t give him pleasure. He barely pays attention. But having a big building project restores him. His ballroom will tower over the White House. It will effectively be the White House. The perpetual Trump White House. Will anyone even remember what used to stand in its place? ps:Just pathetic!!!!!