Your weekend must reads 🗞

This is The Short List weekend edition, where we take a second look at some of the best stories of the week from the USA TODAY Network.

Advertisement Read in browser Read in browser The Short List Sat Jul 8 2023 John Riley | Audience Editor 👋Good morning, friends! Hope your weekend is off to a great start. I'm John Riley, and this is The Short List weekend edition, where we take a second look at some of the best stories of the week from the USA TODAY Network. Ready? Let's go! But first ... If seeing the northern lights✨ is on your bucket list, you might be in luck. The phenomenon, also known as the aurora borealis, could appear over 17 U.S. states on July 13. Want to know more about the northern lights? These graphics illustrate how they work. And now, here are your must-read stories: It may not be safe to mail checks anymore 📬Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night, the adage goes, will stop postal workers from delivering the mail. But what about armed robbery? The U.S. Postal Service is battling an increase in robberies of mail carriers and in mail theft, both of which have contributed to a rise in check fraud. Read more • USPS pricing: Here's what it means for your mail Sea-level rise threatens 1 million Florida homes 🌊The lure of living beachside has long been Florida's biggest draw. But with sea levels expected to rise one foot by 2030 and another three feet by the end of the century, many dream homes could become nightmares, according to a new analysis. Read more • Insurance crisis: Could State Farm leave the Sunshine State? • Are buyouts the answer? NC Outer Banks debates future steps Army's $200M fit camps get recruits into shape 🪖Lack of fitness is fueling an Army recruiting crisis: Fewer than one-in-four young people qualify academically or physically to join the military. The problem has prompted the Army to spend more than $100 million this year to open schools to bring recruits who fall short of the standards into mental and physical shape. Read more 🔥Red-hot deals: Amazon Prime Day 2023 is coming up on Tuesday, July 11.  Our friends at Reviewed already have the inside scoop on all the best tech deals you can shop now. 👇Keep reading: There are more great stories below. See you next week! Nearly half the nation's tap water contains 'forever chemicals.' Here's who is most at risk. The U.S. Geological Survey says the study gives consumers info about the risks of PFAS when they grab a glass of water from their kitchen sink. READ MORE Advertisement Student debt payments restart in October and other dates to know. The Supreme Court blocks Biden's student debt forgiveness plan: A timeline of what borrowers can expect, including when payments and interest begin. READ MORE France's riots ease. Its 'George Floyd moment' lingers French police have come under scrutiny after a 17-year-old boy of Algerian and Moroccan descent was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop. READ MORE SCOTUS decision on affirmative action could threaten Latinos' health Researchers found Latinos are underrepresented in medical professions that require advanced degrees but overrepresented in support positions. READ MORE IRS may owe you $900 or thousands more. What to know The average, unclaimed refund is about $900. Low-wage workers may be eligible for more than $6,500 if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. READ MORE The oceans are unusually hot. That's not good. Roughly 40% of the world's oceans are experiencing marine heat waves, the most since satellite tracking started in 1991. READ MORE Prof. who made students remove shirts created 'hostile environment', probe finds A professor who made female students strip down to their bras in class created a 'hostile environment' at Montgomery College, federal officials said. READ MORE Californians are headed to Texas in droves. Why? The number of people leaving the Golden State for Texas has grown by 36% between 2016 and 2021. READ MORE Why the cost of buying a new car just soared The number of car buyers paying $1,000 a month in auto loan financing has hit an all-time high, driven up by car shortages and high interest rates. READ MORE How Joey Chestnut became a multimillionaire as competitive eater Joey Chestnut is going for a record 16th belt at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July. He's managed to put away some cash, too. READ MORE Advertisement Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ Newsletters   |    eNewspaper   |   Crosswords Follow Us Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe  •   Manage Newsletters  •  Terms of Service  •   Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights  •  Privacy Notice  •   Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy  •  Feedback