The FIFA World Cup is breaking up with me slowly: first nonstop matches, now several days between them to remember I have other hobbies, which will come in handy once the final airs on Sunday. It also made me realize I've been unintentionally training for one very specific World Cup skill my entire life — who knew? Once I'm back to life beyond soccer, I'll re-embrace some things that make me happiest: rewatching movies with my kids (there's a scientific reason they've watched this one dozens of times; it's their version of my Now and Then), tea (nutritionists say these are the healthiest ones to drink — and number two is my new obsession), and written correspondence (my grandmother and I wrote letters to each other for years). I’m thrilled about this new and very nostalgic Forever stamp, though as of yesterday, they’re a little more expensive. Now, let's get to the news...
— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY
US News
Senator Lindsey Graham Dies
What's going on: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died on Saturday of an aortic dissection, according to preliminary findings. The senator, who was 71, had returned earlier that day from a trip to Ukraine and was scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press yesterday. Graham was campaigning for a fifth term, and had served in the Senate since 2003 after eight years in the House. He built a reputation as a foreign policy hawk and was staunchly conservative on domestic issues such as abortion and LGBTQIA+ rights (while also facing years of rumors about his sexuality, which he vehemently denied). He was occasionally willing to join bipartisan efforts on causes like gun control. Graham started as a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump's, but later became one of the most high-profile leaders of the MAGA movement.
What’s next for Republicans?: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) will name someone to fill Graham’s seat, and the state’s Republican Party will hold a special primary election next month to nominate a new candidate for the November midterms. (Several Republicans are already vying for both.) Whoever they pick will run against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who has built her campaign on restoring trust in public health and vaccines. Meanwhile, back in Washington, DC, Politico writes that Graham’s death “is poised to upend the Senate,” putting ”the fate of multiple legislative priorities into question.” Senate Republicans are up against a larger math problem: They’re already one man down. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been absent from Congress since June 14 following a fall and subsequent pneumonia. Their empty seats narrow the Republican majority from 53/47 to 51/47 — just as the Senate returns from recess today.
