Good morning. You’re diving into today’s key updates from the Up First newsletter. Subscribe for direct delivery, and listen to the Up First podcast for a concise news briefing.
Today’s Headlines
Abdul El-Sayed emerges victorious in Michigan, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary. He will now go head-to-head with Republican Mike Rogers for a Senate position left open by Sen. Gary Peters. This Michigan Senate race is crucial for Democrats aiming to regain Senate control from Republicans. Learn more about the race.
People vote in the primary election at Northwestern High School in Detroit, Tuesday.
Nic Antaya/AP
Nic Antaya/AP
- 🎧 Michigan’s Senate race is heating up as Abdul El-Sayed, with backing from Bernie Sanders and AOC, sets his sights on engaging the diverse coalition previously supporting Stevens. Meanwhile, Mike Rogers is gaining traction among MAGA Republicans. However, he must balance that support with appealing to independents wary of former President Trump. The campaign’s financial landscape shows Republican groups have pledged $45 million against El-Sayed, highlighting a considerable fundraising gap. According to Michigan Public Radio’s Colin Jackson, “A Republican hasn’t won a U.S. Senate race in Michigan since the ’90s.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci’s legal troubles intensify as the Senate committee is poised to decide on a contempt of Congress charge. Fauci, who led the U.S. coronavirus response, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights in a recent hearing amid clashes with Sen. Rand Paul. With over 1,000 pages of Fauci’s diary entries released by Paul, tensions over the COVID-19 pandemic’s origins are at an all-time high. This development follows the Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new CDC director, an agency Fauci worked closely with. Explore the details here.
Former President Donald Trump addresses economic concerns in Las Vegas, emphasizing his economic agenda amidst rising prices due to the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran. Despite his claims of a thriving economy, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests American sentiment is shifting towards Democrats on economic matters, a first in nearly ten years. Trump’s assertion of no taxes on tips is not resonating with Vegas’s tourism-dependent workforce.
- 🎧 According to NPR’s Deepa Shivaram, Las Vegas’s tipped workers, though benefiting from higher tax refunds, face persistent economic challenges amid declining tourism. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports a 7% drop in tourists in 2025, a trend partially attributed to strained Canada-U.S. relations under Trump’s tariffs. Residents argue that “no taxes on tips” does not counteract the broader economic difficulties. Read more about this issue.
Judge Amit Mehta dismisses conspiracy charges against Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and associates, concluding a long legal battle. Despite prior convictions for their role in the January 6 Capitol breach, the Trump administration’s DOJ opted to vacate these convictions. This dismissal signifies the end of prosecutorial efforts to hold these individuals accountable for the 2021 Capitol events. More insights here.
Healthy Living Insights
Exploring the nuances of dietary habits in America, Living Better delves into the impact of ultra-processed foods on snacking culture.
With the prevalence of ultra-processed snacks, many children are consuming more saturated fats, sodium, and sugar than ever before. Pediatricians traditionally recommend a diet of three meals and two snacks per day for children, but these guidelines did not consider the rise of processed foods. New dietary suggestions focus on the quality of snacks to ensure children receive essential nutrients. Here are revised guidelines for healthier snacking:
- 🍎 Limit snacks high in carbohydrates, such as crackers and pretzels, to avoid blood sugar spikes.
- 🍎 Transition from processed snacks to whole foods to prevent unnecessary snacking.
- 🍎 Prioritize the nutritional value of snacks. Include fruits, nuts, beans, and dairy for added vitamins and fiber.
- 🍎 Avoid carrying processed snacks, reducing their association with snack time.
Visual Storytelling
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Festival goers cheer for The Hip Abduction at All Good Now festival.
KT Kanazawich for NPR
KT Kanazawich for NPR
With the arrival of summer, Grateful Dead enthusiasts, known as Deadheads, gather nationwide to celebrate the enduring legacy of the band. Whether at themed venues like Garcia’s in Chicago or the All Good Now festival in Maryland, fans are keeping the spirit alive. See how these celebrations unfold.
Quick Updates Before You Go
A man walks on the sandbank by the wreckage of a WWII German warship, emerged due to the drought, in front of Djerdap II, a large dam on the Danube River, between Romania and Serbia, near Prahovo, Serbia, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Darko Vojinovic/AP
Darko Vojinovic/AP
- A historic heatwave in Europe has uncovered Nazi-era warships in Serbia’s riverbed.
- The Dallas Zoo recently celebrated the birth of a 230-pound elephant calf. (via KERA News)
- For this weekend’s USA Triathlon in Milwaukee, Todd Miller from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has deployed a solar-powered buoy in Lake Michigan to track water temperatures. (via WUWM)
This newsletter was curated by Suzanne Nuyen.
