Monday, August 10, 2026

'Low-keying it' with Iran

Plus: Families struggling with caregiving, groceries and housing. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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The Short List

Mon Aug 10 2026

 

Phaedra Trethan National Correspondent

@wordsbyphaedra

👋🏼 Hello! I'm Phaedra Trethan, grateful to Rebecca Morin and Natalie Neysa Alund for filling in during my week off. 🫶🏼

Get USA TODAY at the top of your search results: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

In Monday's news:

The U.S. is "low-keying it" and "semi-negotiating" to end the war with Iran, President Trump said, holding off on further attacks for now.
Nearly 200 wildfires are burning across the western U.S., in some cases turning deadly. 🔥
People caring for ailing and elderly loved ones are struggling to make ends meet, and some are facing lawsuits and foreclosure.

But first: One researcher had a novel idea to make up for funding cuts. "Marmots Got Money Troubles" sounds like a show I'd watch. (These two sentences are not unrelated.) 📺

'Low-keying it' with Iran

In (yet another) abrupt departure from past statements, President Trump suggested the U.S. will hold off on new military action against Iran and is "low-keying it," waiting to see if economic pressure can bring the regime back to negotiations while "semi-negotiating with them."

Trump's remarks mark a major shift from last week, when he warned Iran to agree to a peace deal or risk "decapitation."

The Pentagon is asking defense contractors for plans to accelerate weapons production. 🏭
Watch: Israeli leadership rejected Trump's plan for peace in Gaza. 👎🏻

Iran Crisis

A banner with a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump next to an Iranian missile system at Azadi Square in Tehran, Iran, on July 30, 2026.

Majid Asgaripour, via REUTERS

Wildfires raging in the West 🔥

Nearly 200 wildfires are blazing across the Western U.S., in addition to fires in southwest Canada, all fueled by hot, dry weather. More than 20,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as 3 million acres are burning. In Oregon, a man was operating a bulldozer to improve access to the Wrights Spring Fire when the blaze unexpectedly flared, killing him.

A helicopter went down in Utah while fighting wildfires. Crews are trying to reach the wreckage ‒ and find the two people who were onboard.
Watch: It's not your imagination. Wildfire seasons are getting worse.
Extreme weather is spreading across the U.S., with flash flooding, excessive heat and fires. 🥵
Meanwhile, the mostly-quiet Atlantic might make some noise soon. 🌊

Spokane Wildfires Washington

A view of the area burned by the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 4, 2026.

David Ryder, REUTERS

Real quick

Nearly 30 years after rapper and actor Tupac Shakur was fatally shot, a suspect in the killing is going on trial. ⚖️
A powerful earthquake struck Colombia, killing at least 22 people.
A mother and her infant were killed when the boat they were on capsized in New York Harbor. 💔
Hunter Biden told the BBC his father's cancer has spread, and former President Joe Biden is in significant pain.

Caretakers' crises

Caring for an ill or aging parent takes a physical, emotional and often financial toll . But for some caregivers, the difficulties may only be beginning when their loved one dies. Families can find themselves divided over responsibilities, financial obligations, inheritances ‒ and those disputes can sometimes escalate into legal headaches for everyone involved. As boomer age and their children grapple with their estates, the American Bar Association says there could be a "probate storm" brewing.

Reverse mortgages can help seniors on fixed incomes with expenses. But some families could end up facing financial penalties, or, like this New Jersey family, even foreclosure, when their loved one dies. 🏡

Are you a 'larper'? 🧐

Chalk up another Gen Z expression bound to baffle the olds (like me): To those of us (cough!) over a certain age, LARPing means "live-action role playing," or dressing up to cosplay Dungeons & Dragons or "Star Wars" or Harry Potter or hang out at the local Renaissance fair. But for the young'uns, it's an insult ‒ if someone is "larping," it's, well, bad. Here's why.

A break from the news

This Nashville wedding venue has some of the cutest couples ever. 💒
The Dominican Day Parade brought music, color and joy to New York City's streets. 🇩🇴 🎊
Former President Barack Obama is starting a podcast about books. See which six classics he'll highlight first. 🎙️ 📚

Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. I’d love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and what you're reading now (besides this newsletter). I'm reading "Women & Power: A Manifesto," by Mary Beard. Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event to sign executive orders related to birthright citizenship and the polysilicon industry, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 6, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

President Donald Trump signed an executive order "calling for more vaccine flexibility and research."

Taylor Farms has recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico amid an outbreak of cyclosporiasis.
 

These restaurants and supermarkets serve Taylor Farms lettuce, jalapeños

Taylor Farms produces much of the lettuce and jalapeños sold in America’s supermarkets and fast food restaurants. Many consumers want to know which ones.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives a thumbs up as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, on February 16, 2026.
 

Trump administration revokes more than 175,000 visas

The State Department has revoked over 175,000 visas under the Trump administration for crimes and security concerns.

The Washington Monument is reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 5, 2026.
 

Did Trump admit there was a construction error on the Reflecting Pool?

For the first time, President Donald Trump acknowledged there was a contractor error on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington.

An Alaska Airlines commercial airliner takes off from Los Angeles International Airport on November 6, 2025.
 

Alaska flight was taxiing for takeoff. Then the pilot stopped the plane

An Alaska Airlines flight returned to the gate following a reported “passenger disturbance,” according to the FAA.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, speaks at a press conference on March 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. Ocasio-Cortez is a democratic socialist from New York City.
 

AOC shared a personal life choice. She's not alone

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared she's freezing her eggs, and she's bringing up the challenges of family planning that many women can relate to.

News out of Illinois
 

Chicago funeral home investigated after 56 decaying bodies found

State authorities suspended the funeral director license held by the owner of South Chicago Chapel, citing conditions including a rodent infestation.

Kim Kardashian arrives for the 2026 Met Gala celebrating "Costume Art" on May 4, 2026, in New York City.
 

Man arrested after breaking into Kim Kardashian's mansion

Police arrested a man for burglary and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent at Kim Kardashian's $60 million Los Angeles mansion.

Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski celebrates after retiring the side in the seventh inning against the Padres at American Family Field in Milwaukee on May 13, 2026.
 

Five series that could reshape MLB's crowded playoff picture

Twenty-one MLB teams begin the week within 3½ games of a playoff spot. These are the five series that could change the picture.

Coming off her role in “The Odyssey,” Anne Hathaway, was back on the red carpet on August 9, for the premiere of “The End of Oak Street.” The J.J. Abrams produced sci-fi move hits theaters on August 14.

Scroll to see Hathaway and all the stars from the premiere.
 

Pregnant Anne Hathaway shines at new movie premiere: Photos

Anne Hathaway, who is pregnant with her third child, shined during the premiere of "The End of Oak Street."

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