Thursday, July 16, 2026

Trump’s address on ‘election integrity’

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The Short List

Thu Jul 16 2026

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

👋 It’s almost time for the weekend! Rebecca Morin here, and I’m so glad Zooey Deschanel fought to hire this “New Girl” star!

In Thursday’s news:

•	President Donald Trump will deliver a primetime address to the nation that is expected to include allegations about voting security.
•	Smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting these U.S. cities the most.
•	Worried about grocery store produce amid the cyclosporiasis outbreak? Farmers markets may be the safer option.

But first: Would you step into a chamber that is -140 degrees Fahrenheit? 🥶 Turns out entering freezing temperatures like that could be good for your health.

Trump’s primetime address

Less than four months before November’s midterm elections, Trump will deliver a rare primetime address where he’s expected to include allegations about voting security and possible foreign interference in elections. Trump teased the speech as "a very big announcement" on "free and fair elections." The address is set for 9 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Trump has continued to make unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. The race, which former President Joe Biden won, could be back on display during Trump's primetime speech. But his accusations of election fraud have overwhelmingly lost in court.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at U.S. Army War College on July 15, 2026 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Alex Wong, Getty Images

Hazy, summer days 💨

The sky may look yellow in your city. That’s because hazardous smoke from Canadian wildfires is drifting south into the United States, all across the Northeast and Midwest. The National Weather Service previously issued dense smoke advisories for northern Michigan, and air quality alerts were in effect from northern Michigan, northern Illinois and central Indiana into much of New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey.

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York are among the states most affected by the smoke, according to the National Weather Service.

•	Inhaling the wildfire smoke could affect your health.
•	See the eerie haze of Canadian wildfire smoke blanketing U.S. cities.

A cover of wildfire smoke clouds the New York City skyline in New York City, on July 15, 2026.

Angelina Katsanis, Reuters

Real quick

•	Savannah Guthrie spells out why she’s been absent on the “Today” show. (Hint: It has to do with a popular word game. 🧩)
•	Did astronomers discover another Earth? 🌎
•	Cabo Verde won my heart in the World Cup, and it’s definitely next on my travel list! ✈️
•	Millions of older adults may qualify for GLP-1s under a new Medicare pilot program. 💉

Where to buy produce amid the cyclosporiasis outbreak?

Cyclosporiasis cases are surging across the United States , with 102 people hospitalized in Michigan and cases in Ohio tripling to 1,192. The disease, caused by a parasite that can induce watery diarrhea, is usually spread through contaminated food such as produce items or water. Experts say that buying fruits and vegetables from farmers markets may be a safer option amid the outbreak.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the White House “is closely monitoring the situation.” She said that cuts to public health have not slowed response to the outbreak.

•	Infectious disease experts say it’s unclear how long the outbreak will last.

Fresh vegetables and fruits for sale in a farmers market stall.

tylim/Getty Images

An epic on the big screen 🎥

For over a year, I’ve been eagerly waiting to see what Homer’s epic, “The Odyssey,” will look like on the big screen. Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” premieres this weekend (yes, I already have my ticket!). But Nolan’s preferred way of seeing the film, 70 mm, is only showing at 25 theaters across the country.

•	What was it actually like filming inside the 'Odyssey' Trojan Horse?

The towering Trojan Horse leads to brutal carnage in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey."

Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures

A break from the news

•	Don’t know about you, but I got a sweet tooth. And this two-ingredient ice cream recipe makes me want to run to the grocery store to try it out! 🍦
•	Is your dog panting heavily? Here’s what it could mean. 🐶
•	If you’re trying to save some money, you might want to grab an envelope. ✉️

Rebecca Morin is a senior news reporter at USA TODAY. How have your eating habits changed with the cyclosporiasis outbreak? Let me know at rdmorin@usatoday.com .