07/31/26
Title
“West Coast, Hottest Coast,” They Say
Good morning! It’s Friday, July 31st.
Shredded Wheat Day
Hey, would you like your mornings to be boring? Try shredded wheat! (Not a sponsor of this podcast. But if you wanted to be, I can make this opening change REAL FAST. I’ve got morals, but like… they are for sale.)
And now, the news.
Update: Iran
-via The Guardian and NBC News
Starting in Iran, where Wednesday night saw a heavy wave of strikes on Tehran from US forces after Trump told Fox News Iran would “get a beating.”
But then he called it a surprise attack.
Do you… know what a surprise is?
Following that, Iran vowed to “punish” the US for those attacks. So, I think it’s safe to say the peace talks are probably on hold for a bit longer.
The two sides had hit a little bit of a pause in the fighting, but that’s in the rearview now.
Saudi Arabia joined the US in Wednesday’s attacks, but according to Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, those strikes were meant to show that the country can defend itself and weren’t meant to escalate the war.
Egypt also announced on Thursday that drone strikes had ignited two of its natural gas vessels, but it’s unclear who hit Egypt. The country is a key US ally, and one of the strikes was on a U.S.-owned floating storage facility, but Iran also posted this on Thursday: “Egypt is an important friend and partner in the region, and its security is of utmost importance to us. We must all be vigilant against Israeli plots and false-flag operations designed to undermine regional peace.”
Trump was asked if he thought Iran was responsible for the strikes on Egypt and he said he’s been briefed on the situation and “it’s a little more of the same.”
I always forget what a student of international relations he is.
Ever the wordsmith, he also said: “It’s going to be straightening out. In the meantime, we’re going to be hitting them very hard because it’s our turn to hit them.”
Following Wednesday’s attack, the Senate again took a vote on Thursday to rein in Trump’s power in Iran – it failed, again. This time on a 49-50 vote.
John Fetterman voted with the Republicans, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul voted with the Dems, and Mitch McConnell… is totally fine and conscious, how dare you.
Migration in the World
On Thursday, the Spanish government announced that they will be deploying their military to restore order at the border between Spain and Morocco after thousands of migrants crossed into the small Spanish territory of Ceuta (soo-tuh), a city with a population of around 83,000.
So adding thousands of people (hard numbers are nearly impossible to get but it appears that thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta) is creating chaos. At least nine people died in the madness of movement on Thursday.
It’s currently unclear what caused so many people to cross into Ceuta.
And over here in America – well, we’re a nation of immigrants living on stolen land, but our president is a straight-up white supremacist, so we’ve got our own issues.
The Department of Justice is planning to activate a special court that’s literally never been used since its creation in 1996, and they’re planning to do it to argue for the removal of a woman who they say supports the Islamic State.
The woman is a lawful permanent resident of Fort Worth, Texas. (Hey, I have a tattoo of that place!)
Most evidence against the woman is classified but the FBI says she worked with her son-in-law to radicalize her family members.
Her son and son-in-law were already tried and found guilty in a classic court, where they were sentenced to time in prison and then they’ll be deported after they serve their time.
This court, however, has a lower standard of proof. In a criminal court, it’s gotta be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Here, in this court, that, again, has literally never been used in its 30 years in existence; it’s easier to deport people. It just feels… fishy.
I’m not saying this woman didn’t do what she’s being accused of. I have no idea! But if there was enough evidence for her son and son-in-law to be tried in a criminal court, and found guilty, what evidence is lacking for her that she can’t be tried in a traditional court?
I think that’s a fair question to ask. One of many questions we should ask, in fact.
Wisconsin Elections
Speaking of questions… what on earth is going on with Wisconsin democrats?
First, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped her bid to replace outgoing governor Tony Evers after a campaign finance scandal. Following that news, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who left the race before (probably because he was losing) got back in.
Rodrique dropped out July 17th. Early voting started July 28th and Rodriguez’s name was still on the ballot. Dems worried that voters may have voted for her without realizing she’d dropped out and asked the court to allow voters to change their own absentee ballot if they request to do so.
But on Wednesday, a Wisconsin judge ruled that the language in the state’s election law clearly stated that voters can’t spoil (or change) an absentee ballot after it’s turned in. Seems very silly to me but I’m not a Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair. I can’t do much but just say it seems silly and someone should change that law. The Republicans, you’ll be shocked to hear, though the judge called it just right.
The point is, that was Wednesday. On Wednesday we already knew this was an issue. And then on Thursday, Mandela Barnes, also running for governor out there, also dropped out! He dropped out after the state party uncovered past allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Men! Do better!
But he’s still on the ballot too! It’s a mess! And his announcement came AFTER early voting started.
Even still, as is the trend in the primaries, former lt. gov. and democratic socialist Francesca Hong is leading the polls so this may be a non-issue.
Still though. Interesting, at least!
Election day in Wisconsin in August 11th.
Colin Gray Sentenced
-via CBS News
Two days after his son, Colt Gray, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting that killed four people, Colin Gray was sentenced to 15 years in prison as prosecutors argued that he provided his son with the rifle that was used in the school shooting, despite the repeated warning signs that his son needed mental health help.
The signs included texts to his dad saying, "This is the end for you," and "Whenever something happens just know the blood is on YOUR hands," as well as having pictures up on his wall of Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland shooter.
Digital evidence also showed that Colin researched mental health facilities, but didn’t respond when they reached out to him.
Hot Enough for Ya?
-via CNN
In “great, just what I was hoping actually” news…
An unusually strong heat dome is headed to the west coast this weekend. West Coast, Hottest Coast, they say.
Temperatures will be between 10 and 20 degrees higher than they should be, even in peak summer, from Friday to Tuesday.
Death Valley is going to see a possible 126 degree high.
Good stuff!!
Money Please
-via NPR
And finally… just when we thought we were done dealing with Trump’s 4th of July hijinks (because of how it’s nearly August)… dude would like $10 million more BUT YOU CAN’T ASK WHY.
It’s for reimbursements and yes, it’ll come from taxes. Aren’t you so excited to pay for it?
I want to remind you that Freedom 250, the group that created this mess, was not the bipartisan group that was originally created to do all of the America’s 250 celebrations. It could have been a much better event, an actual celebration of this country. It could have been bipartisan. But Trump HAD TO do politics. And so he went around that, and created this Freedom 250 thing and it’s costing us way more money.
And in fact, this $10 million here, I was kidding when I said you can’t ask why… it’s to reimburse the National Park Service for costs incurred during the May prayer event, the two-week state fair, and Trump's July Fourth speech and fireworks.
Yeah… part of what our tax money is going towards is a prayer event.
Which is weird because earlier this month, Democrats accused the Freedom 250 event of having deceptive fundraising practices that they believe could amount to wire fraud. Watchdog groups have also raised concerns about where the money for Freedom 250 came from. But why can’t this money come from those sponsors?
And that’s it. That’s the news.
I’m proud of cereal. You know what I like? I like Fruity Pebbles. And I like frosted shredded wheat. I think I just like sugar.
But more than cereal – because you’re sweet but never soggy… I’m proud of you.