By Jamie Ross and Izin Akhabau

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Good morning. It’s Monday, August 3, and we are pleased to finally have an explanation for why many TV shows take years between seasons. We’re looking at you, “Severance.” Let’s catch up.

	President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran will return to talks today.

• Over the weekend: Trump said he canceled strikes on Iran to pursue negotiations. If they proceed, talks will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear disarmament.

• What else to know: At least seven U.S. states reported cyberattacks last week that interrupted water or wastewater operations. Intelligence agencies suspect Iran may be involved.

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	Rogue police officers have turned a vast camera network into a tool for stalking.

• Across the U.S.: Surveillance firm Flock has more than 120,000 shoebox-size cameras. They scan the roads of more than 6,000 communities and record 20 billion plate scans a month.

• According to a Post analysis: At least 50 officers have been charged with or accused of misusing Flock and other systems. One woman told us how she caught out her former partner.

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Senate Republicans are racing to complete a long to-do list before leaving D.C. Friday.

• On the agenda: Senators want to pass a spending bill aimed at averting a shutdown before the midterms. They might also confirm Trump pick Todd Blanche as attorney general.

• What else to know: Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) said his former son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), should not hold office after his daughter accused Miller of domestic abuse.

• One more thing: Some GOP lawmakers are pushing to jail Anthony Fauci.

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Ukraine has a controversial new advocate inside the MAGA movement.

• Who? Pro-Trump blogger Laura Loomer. After years of criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and opposing U.S. support for Ukraine, she has undergone a stunning reversal.

• Why it matters: Trump is a fan of Loomer, to the chagrin of some advisers. Loomer said she expects to visit the White House soon to discuss her recent visit to Ukraine.

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A “perfect storm” spread fire and smoke across the Northern Hemisphere last month.

• In July: About 20% of the hemisphere’s land area experienced moderate or greater concentrations of soot released by wildfires, causing poor air quality that spread dangerous toxins.

• The fires are continuing: Firefighters are battling three blazes in Spokane, Washington, after fast-moving flames forced the evacuations of about 5,000 homes this weekend.