Monday, August 3, 2026 • 3 min read

Wake up with The Yodel

by Natasha Frost with Harriet Sinclair

Good morning, everyone. Elevating your nachos from tasty to unforgettable takes just one game-changing upgrade. Now, on to the news.

Need to know

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. | Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche last night issued a formal order to rescind plans for a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" to compensate President Trump's political allies. Here’s the latest from Capitol Hill.

DOJ reversal: Blanche’s order follows weeks of negotiations with Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who were blocking his nomination to lead the DOJ. On social media, Trump criticized the move, saying the fund could have benefited those who faced charges connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. [CBS News]
Shutdown watch: The Senate is likely to vote this week on a short-term spending bill to keep federal agencies funded at current levels through Dec. 11, as lawmakers seek to avoid a government shutdown during campaign season. Here’s how it differs from a similar measure passed by the House. [AP]
Pool dispute: After the DOJ concluded that problems with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool stemmed from a “botched” renovation, Trump pushed back, attributing the issues with the landmark to "vandalism." The department has now dropped its criminal vandalism case against former Olympian David Hearn. [CNN]

In case you missed it

Old Trails Fire is seen from W. Northwest Blvd., in Spokane, Wash. | Young Kwak/AP

Spokane wildfires

Three wildfires in the Spokane, Washington, region have destroyed more than 600 structures, burned 7,708 acres and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. No injuries have been reported for the three blazes, which are currently 0% contained. [NBC News]

In-N-Out shooting

Three people were killed and seven others injured after a gunman opened fire at an In-N-Out in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday. The suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. The incident is among one of at least 277 mass shootings in the U.S. this year. [CNN]

Measles vaccine

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of vaccine policy, encouraged parents to vaccinate their children against measles, as the U.S. records its highest number of cases in 35 years. The shot “stops measles in about 97% of the cases," he said. [Yahoo News]

WNBA trade deadline

The 2026 WNBA trade deadline came and went with only two significant moves: Aneesah Morrow’s shift to the Tempo from the Sun, and Kelsey Plum’s departure from the Sparks to the Mercury. It’s a big swing — and a big gamble — for Phoenix. [Yahoo Sports]

Ariana Grande’s step back

Wicked star Ariana Grande is taking a break from the public eye after her tour wraps on Sept. 1, including stepping back from the West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George. A rep cited “endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” including around her health, as the cause. [EW]

What’s happening today

Matt Groening/Disney

Now streaming

Catch up on the new season of Futurama, which premieres on Hulu. The streamer is releasing two episodes of Season 14 before settling into a weekly schedule. Expect a “non-stop onslaught” of hijinks with the Planet Express crew. [TV Insider]

In the WNBA

After electing to keep the roster intact ahead of the trade deadline, the Liberty play the Storm at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video. [NY Post Sports]

On the diamond

The Dodgers scored two-time American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, reinforcing their status as baseball's dominant player. Next up: Los Angeles faces the Cubs at 8:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV. [AP]

And don't forget to...

Read your daily horoscope. Play the crossword (or the mini). Check the forecast in your area.

Today in history

Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: NBAPhotos/ NBAE/ Getty Images

In 1949, the rivals Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League officially merged to form the National Basketball Association, known as the NBA. Pop quiz: Who won the first season championship — and what do they go by now? [AP]

Feel-good moment

Maryland Lottery

John Hamilton Jr. nearly handed a friend an unused $50 scratch card to settle a $40 debt, until his wife convinced him to keep it. Good thing she did, as the card eventually won him $50,000. “I was dumbfounded,” he said. John now plans to pay down his mortgage and take his three youngest children on a Disney cruise. [People]