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Welcome back. In the news today: Takeaways from Tuesday’s elections, including the tight Democratic primary for Michigan’s Senate race; the National Park Service says Trump’s proposed arch could harm the historical integrity of Washington’s sites; and how El Nino could soon make this hot summer even worse. Also, if you’re expecting any visitors in the office today, they’re probably not as cute as these capybaras spotted roaming the halls of a Brazilian legislative building.
People prepare to vote at Oakman Elementary School on primary election day, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Dearborn, Mich. (AP Photo/Nic Antaya) CORRECTION: Corrects location to Dearborn NOT Detroit
Key Democratic primary for Michigan’s Senate seat hung on a razor’s edge
The bitter and expensive race became the most notable proxy battle between the Democratic Party’s establishment and progressive wings, with moderate U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens against progressive former public health official Abdul El-Sayed. The race was too early to call early Wednesday with only a few percentage points separating the two candidates. Read more.
Why this matters:
- Candidates from the party’s left-flank — including democratic socialists — have found surprising success in the party’s U.S. House primaries, including in New York and Denver. Those races, however, were in deep-blue cities. Michigan has a purple hue. A progressive victory there would be more significant.
- Whoever wins will need to bring splintered factions back into the fold to beat former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, in a must-win Senate race for Democrats. More primaries took place in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia and Washington.
Related coverage →
Michigan primary results
All the election results
More on Michigan’s Democratic Senate race
Photos of the election
Virginia Democrats pick establishment nominees
Missouri US Rep. Wesley Bell wins a Democratic primary rematch against former Rep. Cori Bush
Trump’s arch could disrupt the historical significance of many of Washington’s sites, report says
The proposal for a towering gilded arch, which last month received initial approval from a key federal commission, would impact the “integrity” of dozens of those historical properties, according to an assessment by the National Park Service. Read more.
Why this matters:
- The proposed arch is one of several projects President Donald Trump is pursuing to leave his lasting imprint on Washington. With the potential to change the city’s sightline, it has already sparked opposition. One of the most obvious elements the report cited is that the arch would break alignment between the Lincoln Memorial, Memorial Bridge and Arlington House that was formerly Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s home. The White House said in an email that it would follow all legal requirements in constructing the arch.
Related coverage →
Lawyers in Reflecting Pool case say Justice Department knew case was flawed
FBI agents fired over Trump investigation get broad backing in lawsuit against administration
Guard deployment to Washington into 2029 will cost roughly $1.4B, estimate shows
House Ethics Committee opens investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller
FACT FOCUS: No, you won’t need an ID to shop at city-owned grocery stores in New York City
This summer isn’t breaking heat records — yet. Wait until El Nino kicks in, scientists say
So far this is only the third-hottest year on record, behind 2024 and 2025, climate statistics show. However, accelerated human-caused global warming and a supersized El Nino mean there’s an increasing chance that by the end of the year, 2026 could be the hottest year ever seen, scientists said. Read more.
What to know:
- Climate scientists said what we’ve seen this summer can’t be blamed on El Nino because its impacts really don’t kick in for a few more months. Even if this year sets the record, it won’t last long. Although scientists disagree on whether 2026 will be the hottest year on record, they agree on it being a near lock that 2027 will beat out any modern year for heat, maybe by a great deal.
Related coverage →
The Danube River’s water is dropping so low that World War II ships are emerging
Divided federal appeals court says Trump administration was wrong to terminate climate funds
Wildfire destroys about 230 homes in western Canadian Indigenous community, officials say
AP’s wildfire tracker
IN OTHER NEWS
Mideast: Trump says deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday
Los Angeles: Man carrying ammo arrested at Trump golf course
Chipotle: Jalapeños pulled from some restaurants as health officials investigate salmonella outbreak
SpaceX: Posts loss in first report as a public company but less than expected
Tupac trial: What we know about who was there when the rap icon was killed
Neil Armstrong: Astronaut’s childhood home for sale
Today in History: In 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested
WATCH
Big eruption: Guatemala volcano forces evacuations
Dramatic rescue: 10-year-old saved from rip current speaks out
The organ of the John Cage organ project is illuminated prior to a ‘sound change’ at the Burchardi Church in Halberstadt, Germany, Sept. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
At 639 years long, it’s the world’s slowest concert
The image above struck me this morning, the small, ominously-lit organ inside a dark church. The story behind it is even stranger than the moody picture. It’s been playing the same piece of music for nearly 25 years. But it’s barely getting started. It won’t finish for centuries. I found out it’s the work of avant-garde composer John Cage: “ORGAN²/ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible)”. You can have a listen for yourself inside the medieval Burchardi Church in Halberstadt, Germany. But only your distant descendants will be able to hear the conclusion, scheduled for 2640. The best you can do now is get some inheritable “final tickets” to hear the last note, yours for $3,045!
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