By admin 
Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Start Monday:
- RFK Jr. encouraged the measles vaccine.
- Threat to the Strait of Hormuz? Marine organisms.
- See the map of Washington wildfire evacuations.
Nicole Fallert here. Start the day with our News Quiz.
Will it be a good week for Democratic Socialists?
Voters in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia and Washington head to polls tomorrow to set ballots for the November midterms.
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- Tomorrow’s races highlight Democratic rifts: Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens, a suburban moderate Michigan Democrat, faces Adbul El-Sayed, whose campaign has been powered by an army of online progressive activists and donors. Meanwhile, in Missouri, Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush’s rematch has touched raw nerves over Israel and AIPAC.
- Will it be a winning day for Democratic Socialists? The increasingly influential player on the left recently released its platform, which includes proposals such as free healthcare and pre-K.
More news to know now
- BREAKING: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinded an “anti-weaponization” fund in a move that paved the way for his confirmation after Republican senators stalled his nomination over concerns about the fund.
- Armed citizen confronted an Idaho In-N-Out suspected gunman. Officials called the citizen and trooper “heroic,” saying the intervention likely prevented further bloodshed at the packed restaurant.
- Ariana Grande steps off stage: The pop star will bow out of her West End debut and the public eye amid “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
Sports
A league of their own
The Women’s Professional Baseball League began its inaugural 30-game season Saturday for the first time since 1954. The six-week season will be televised on ESPN.
Health & Wellness
Grieving through fiction
Processing grief – something everyone has or will likely experience in their lifetime – is central to author Amy B. Scher’s work. “Bibliotherapy” has been proven to help those experiencing emotional distress and is preferable to no treatment at all. Fiction, specifically, has also been said to relieve stress and anxiety. While Scher’s new book isn’t a retelling of a late loved one’s story, it’s inevitable to feel her presence.
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Before you go
- Lollapalooza rocked Chicago over the weekend.
- Chelsea Green finally got a much-deserved WWE title.
- A Hot Cheetos cookie?!
Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daily Briefing: Will it be a good week for Democratic Socialists?
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Reporting by Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published August 3, 2026 at 3:34 AM.