She got an electric bill for $1,373. She's not alone
Electricity prices are soaring during the summer heat as fans and air conditioners run nonstop. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, some people are having their power cut when they cannot pay their bills.
Morning, internet.
Edition 9 · Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Here's what happened.
Target faces renewed backlash for Halloween costume with 'minstrel show features'
Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves after widespread social media backlash. The retailer apologized for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.
With clock ticking, California lawmakers reject key parts of Newsom’s wildfire plan
California lawmakers rejected key parts of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to provide financial relief to utilities facing massive lawsuit payouts tied to California wildfires. Some lawmakers are opposing the plan as the deadline approaches.
California becomes first state to offer same-day and ongoing opioid treatment support
California announced a helpline connecting residents to same-day and ongoing opioid treatment support. The state says it is the first to offer this type of service statewide.
Parents of transgender kids say California is ‘unprepared’ as feds cut off their healthcare
Parents of transgender children say California has been warned for months about a loss of federal healthcare funding. State officials are rushing to find money before an Oct. 13 deadline.
More than 50 kidnapped as violent gang attack in Haiti leaves 47 dead
More than 50 people were kidnapped in what is believed to be one of Haiti’s largest mass kidnappings in recent years, while 47 people were killed. A gang leader threatened to kill the hostages if authorities killed gang members during efforts to secure the community above Port-au-Prince.
As Ukraine hits Russia's refineries, Russia targets Ukraine's petrol pumps
Fuel companies are urging customers not to linger at gas stations after a wave of deadly attacks. The report describes reciprocal strikes as Ukraine targets Russian refineries and Russia targets Ukrainian fuel infrastructure.
8 dead, hundreds missing as Nepal avalanche triggers flash floods
An avalanche in Nepal triggered flash floods that left eight people dead and hundreds missing. Experts linked the disaster to climate change and highlighted the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather.
C.I.A. Director Makes Secret Visit to Moscow
CIA Director John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow in a military cargo plane from Riga, Latvia, in a rare and unannounced visit. It was not clear whom he met or what the purpose of the trip was.
Why Irregular’s A.I. Tests for Meta, Anthropic and OpenAI Went Off the Rails
Irregular, an Israeli startup, worked with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta to assess the security of their AI models. The company made a mistake, after which the tests went off the rails.
Bill Gates Is Warning That A.I. Is More Dangerous Than Big Tech Will Admit
Bill Gates said the technology industry is downplaying AI risks. He identified mass unemployment and bioterrorism among the dangers he believes AI could create.
Fires still burn in charred landscape as focus turns to wildfire prevention
Fires continue to burn in a landscape scarred by a five-week-long Cairngorms fire. The RSPB is considering measures to improve resilience and prevent future wildfires.
Major Study Finds at Least 1 in 4 NFL Players Gets CTE
A major study found that at least one in four NFL players developed chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease. Researchers said the actual prevalence may be much higher, raising concerns about football-related brain health.
Nicotine vapes best chance to quit smoking, major review finds
A major review found that nicotine vapes work better for quitting smoking than patches, gum or pills. The finding comes from the most up-to-date evidence cited by the report.
Americans Encounter Risks at Psychedelic Clinics Abroad
Americans seeking psychedelic treatments abroad can face risks, particularly when they are in vulnerable states. Participants may have little recourse if they are mistreated or injured.
Heavy periods study to create world's largest biobank
A new study will create the world's largest menstrual fluid biobank. Researchers hope it will improve treatment for heavy periods.
‘Honeymoon’s Over’: Warsh Under Pressure as Fed Weighs Raising Rates
Kevin M. Warsh is preparing to give his first address at the Federal Reserve’s annual conference in Jackson, Wyoming. U.S. government bond markets are on edge as inflation risks resurface and the Fed weighs raising rates.
Canada hits back at the U.S. with tariffs as the countries' trade fight escalates
Canada imposed tariffs in response to President Trump’s 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods. The measures followed the breakdown of trade talks and a threat of additional U.S. tariffs.
Diesel Price Nears Record High, Helping Oil Companies and Hurting Consumers
Diesel prices are nearing a record high, raising costs for consumers while benefiting oil companies. The fuel is used in farm machinery, trucks and other heavy equipment, and prices have surged because of the war in Iran and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
Trump’s Efforts to Sow Election Doubts Get Boost from Initial Court Order
A preliminary Supreme Court ruling could leave voters confused about casting ballots by mail, experts said. President Trump’s executive order on mail voting is still being litigated in lower courts.
Trump Administration Sends Saudi Nuclear Deal to Congress for Review
The Trump administration has sent a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review. The possibility that Saudi Arabia could enrich uranium has drawn Democratic opposition and renewed concerns about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Sailor Says Father Arrested by Border Patrol Has Been Released
Navy sailor Joshua Aviles said his father was released days after being detained by Border Patrol. The release came as Aviles returned from a lengthy deployment in the Middle East.
Trump is upping the price of Big Tech’s favorite visa
The Department of Homeland Security announced a fee of more than $103,000 on H-1B visas. The State Department also plans to revoke the visas of up to 200,000 asylum seekers, according to the supplied summary.
4th Circuit dismisses some charges against Wells Fargo after jury’s $22.1M fee
The appeals court dismissed three of four charges following a worker’s disability trial but affirmed the fourth charge. The worker was allowed to retain most of the $22.1 million award.
Schell Games reportedly lays off staff
Schell Games, the studio behind the I Expect You to Die series and co-developer of Among Us 3D, has reportedly laid off staff. The report adds to the feed’s coverage of employment changes in the games industry.
Healthcare costs could rise by nearly 10% in 2027
Healthcare costs could increase by nearly 10% in 2027, according to an Aon report. Employers cover more than 80% of the burden, while employees would also face higher costs.
Alcaraz and Williams thrill in brief but bright US Open mixed doubles showing
Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz were among the star pairings as the US Open mixed doubles competition began in New York. Their appearance was brief but notable in the opening action.
Pogacar's astonishing solo effort punishes Vuelta rivals
Tadej Pogacar won the fourth stage of the Vuelta a España on Tuesday with a resounding solo effort. The victory gave him a major advantage in his bid to win the race for the first time.
People are sick of their phones and desperate for connection. Here’s a solution that’s actually working.
Phone-free social events are attracting people who want more direct connection. At one event, attendees hand over their phones to a bouncer before entering, making device-free participation part of the experience.
Rockstar finally responds to ‘heartbreaking’ GTA 6 leaks
Rockstar Games has released its first official statement following days of sustained leaks of footage from Grand Theft Auto VI. The company called the period “heartbreaking for our team,” while another leaked video appeared after the statement, showing Jason carjacking a vehicle.
We’ve Seen The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past in Action, and It’s Looking Like Another Blood & Wine | gamescom 2026
IGN saw The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past in action at gamescom. The expansion follows Geralt on a new quest to find his missing bard in a cursed garden of thorns.
Roblox applies restrictions to games featuring "reward-driven media feeds" available in Roblox Kids and Select
Roblox has introduced a policy restricting children’s access to games featuring “reward-driven media feeds.” The restrictions apply to games available in Roblox Kids and Select.
Metro 2039 Developers on How Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Changed Their Plans
The developers of Metro 2039 discussed how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed their plans for the upcoming first-person shooter sequel. The game is being developed by Ukrainian studio 4A Games, and the discussion followed IGN’s hands-on preview of its roughly four-hour preview build.
A Surrogate Fled to Texas to Avoid an Abortion. Now She Wants Custody of the Baby.
A surrogate refused to have an abortion after the fetus was diagnosed with a serious heart problem. She fled to Texas and gave birth, and now wants a judge to award her custody instead of the biological parents.
Dolly Parton, Country Music Superstar Whose Songs Spoke to Millions, Dies at 80
Dolly Parton, the country music superstar known for her outsize persona, appearance and talent, has died at 80. She rose from rural poverty to become a top-selling singer, songwriter and entrepreneur.
Hollywood's summer box office is glowing, but the numbers come with startling caveats
Movie theaters have had a strong summer, with audiences paying top prices for premium formats such as IMAX. But there are fewer moviegoers, movies and screens than before COVID-19.
How the Anvil Was Nearly Dropped on ‘Coyote vs. Acme’
The live-action-animation hybrid comedy faced a real-life battle with its studio before securing a theatrical release. The story highlights the production’s struggle to reach cinemas.