Good morning. It's Saturday, Aug. 16, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the Atlantic's first hurricane of 2025, a college football scandal, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.5 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.
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A storm approaching the northeastern Caribbean has strengthened into the Atlantic’s first hurricane of the year. Hurricane Erin could intensify to Category 4, with winds surpassing 130 mph, early next week.
As of this writing, models show Erin passing the northern Leeward Islands this weekend, prompting tropical storm watches for Anguilla, St. Martin, and nearby islands. The hurricane is expected to track north of Puerto Rico, east of the Bahamas, and remain offshore along the US East Coast. Though Erin isn't expected to make landfall, forecasters warn of flooding, landslides, and swells as the storm moves through the region.
Storms are named once sustained winds reach 39 mph. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which spans June 1 to Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms. If Erin reaches Category 3 or higher (see overview), it would be the first of three to five major hurricanes expected this year.
Separately, the death toll from this week's flash floods and landslides in India and Pakistan has surpassed 280 people, with scores missing. |
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Justice Department removes newly named DC emergency police chief.
The move came after Washington, DC, sought an emergency restraining order against President Donald Trump's effort to federalize the city's police force (see previous write-up). The lawsuit followed Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision to name Drug Enforcement Administration head Terry Cole as Washington's emergency police commissioner. DC's police chief will remain in charge but will be expected to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Trump and Putin meet at a US military base in Alaska.
President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and their top advisors met privately for over 2.5 hours Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine (see previous write-up). The leaders shook hands on the tarmac of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson before the meeting and later held a joint press conference, during which they signaled they had made progress but offered no details. Trump said he intended to have further conversations with Putin and NATO leaders. See takeaways here.
University of Michigan football fined for sign-stealing.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association hit the University of Michigan with fines potentially topping $30M for a sign-stealing operation during the 2023-24 season. The penalties include a $50K payment, plus 10% of the school's football budget, 10% of the cost of all football scholarships awarded this season, and all anticipated 2025 and 2026 postseason revenue. Head coach Sherrone Moore also faces a three-game suspension.
Strange rock on Mars may reveal ancient life.
A Martian rock named Sapphire Canyon and a powerful laser technique could aid scientists searching for life on Mars. Collected by NASA's Perseverance rover, the rock features white, leopard-like spots that point to organic origins. When Sapphire Canyon eventually arrives on Earth, NASA researchers plan to analyze it with a novel imaging method that efficiently identified the composition of a visually similar rock found in Arizona. Separately, Perseverance found a helmet-shaped rock this month.
Rapper Sean Kingston sentenced to prison for $1M fraud scheme.
Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, will serve 3.5 years in federal prison for persuading sellers to give him luxury goods and forging payment records. The 35-year-old "Beautiful Girls" singer conspired with his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, who was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud earlier this year. Turner was sentenced last month to five years in prison.
UnitedHealth Group shares jump following Buffett's investment.
The healthcare company's shares jumped 12% Friday after a federal filing showed billionaire investor Warren Buffett's holding company Berkshire Hathaway bought 5 million shares, worth about $1.6B. UnitedHealth's shares had been down nearly 50% for 2025 before the news broke. The largest private health insurer faces a federal probe into its Medicare billing practices. |
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Young boy exudes happiness after he and his goat, Teddy Bear, win fourth place at a Texas goat show. (More, w/video)
British toy store founder hands ownership to his 1,900 employees, opening new opportunities for profit-sharing and influence over the brand's direction. (More)
Tween designer donates prom dresses and suits to students in need. (More)
Chicago Cubs invite a lifelong fan with terminal cancer to Wrigley Field. (More)
Dog leads a stranger to two individuals in need of medical assistance. (More) |
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In partnership with Med-X |
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Today, we're sharing a story from reader Jenn C. in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
"I was super down this week. My friend and I made plans to meet at the park. When she arrived, she had the most most beautiful bouquet of flowers she picked from her garden. We talked, I cried, and she reminded me of my value. Flowers and friendships with intention touch my soul."
What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. |
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"I swing big, with everything I've got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can." |
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