Walz makes pitch to moderate and swing state voters, Ukraine drones target Moscow, Taylor Swift speaks on concert terror plot
The Yodel newsletter: Get caught up on this morning’s news
Good morning, everyone. PSA: Fall may be a month away, but you can start drinking Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte today. Now, on to the news.
NEED TO KNOW
Walz makes pitch to moderate and swing state voters
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former teacher and coach, accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination last night with a speech that included appearances by former students and a rousing pep talk.
Walz’s speech: He pitched himself as a Midwestern everyman who could appeal to moderate and swing state voters and discussed his progressive policy record on social and economic issues. Here’s a fact check of his remarks. [USA Today]
The major theme: Many speakers sought to reclaim “freedom” as a Democratic principle, contrary to the ideas in the GOP-linked Project 2025. “Freedom isn’t free,” Oprah Winfrey said in a surprise address. “It requires commitment.” [Yahoo News]
Tonight: Vice President Kamala Harris will accept the presidential nomination, where she’s expected to tell the story of her middle-class upbringing and career, and pitch herself as a president for all Americans. [New York Times]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
?? Swift breaks silence
In her first statement since canceling her Austria shows due to an alleged terror plot, Taylor Swift said it was a “devastating” decision but that she was grateful to be “grieving concerts and not lives.” [People]
??? Trump’s outdoor rally
Donald Trump delivered remarks at his first outdoor rally since surviving an assassination attempt last month. He was protected by bulletproof glass and multiple visible counter snipers. [ABC News]
?? Ukraine’s Russian advance
As Ukraine continues its advance into Russia in an effort to create a buffer zone on the border, Moscow’s mayor said Ukraine launched “one of the largest” ever drone attacks on the capital city. [CNN]
?? Job market woes
A new report found that the U.S. labor market may have been cooling months before initially believed. The news comes as over 28% of Americans are looking for new jobs — the highest rate in a decade. [Yahoo Finance/NBC News]
?? Unhealthy baby food
A new study found that about two-thirds of common baby foods sold at the top 10 U.S. grocery chains do not meet global health standards, in part due to high amounts of sugar and low amounts of protein. [GMA]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
?? Eight more episodes of That ’90s Show Season 2 dropped overnight on Netflix. [Hollywood Reporter]
? In baseball, the Guardians and the Yankees play again at 1:05 p.m. ET on the MLB app. [SNY]
??? Broadcast coverage of the DNC begins at 7 p.m. ET on major news networks. Vice President Kamala Harris will give her address. [Yahoo News]
?? In women’s basketball, the Wings and the Liberty take the court at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video. [AP]
?? And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
In 1950, Althea Gibson became the first Black player to compete in the U.S. National Championships (the precursor to the U.S. Open). She went on to win 11 Grand Slams. “For players like myself and a lot of other African American players … Gibson paved the way for us,” Venus Williams said after her U.S. Open debut in 1997. [NBC Sports]
3 QUESTIONS
...about fantasy football
If you’re tackling your fantasy football lineup this weekend, Andy Behrens, who co-writes the Get to the Points! newsletter for Yahoo Sports, has advice for building the best team.
Lily: I’m playing fantasy football for the first time. What’s your biggest tip for me?
Andy: I’d say fantasy football is a game ruled by chaos and injuries. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can plan out your full season before opening week. You definitely cannot.
Lily: What’s a good strategy for making picks?
Andy: I’d recommend not worrying about drafting a balanced roster across your team at first. Instead, try to have an edge in just one of the key starting spots: quarterback, running back, wide receiver or tight end.
Lily: Who’s the one underrated pick you think folks are sleeping on?
Andy: I don’t think people are drafting Brian Thomas Jr. anywhere near as much as the other elite rookie receivers, but he’s probably the most athletically gifted player in the bunch (6-foot-4, 4.3 speed).
Need more fantasy football ideas? Subscribe to the Get to the Points! newsletter.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
Josephine Ortega was traveling in Nevada when she learned about a child who had left his favorite stuffed monkey an hour away at a California hotel. His family lived in her Texas hometown, so she picked up the monkey and documented its journey back home. [People]
Have an excellent day. See you tomorrow!
?? P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Do you eat leftover pizza that’s been sitting out overnight? A food scientist explained why that’s not the best idea. [Yahoo Life]
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