Extreme Water Shortages in the West, and Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge

Extreme Water Shortages in the West, and Hegseth’s Pentagon Purge

Plus, the rocky, unpredictable race for California governor.  Here’s what we’re covering: A Terrible Winter for Snow Heads Into a Bleak Summer of Drought [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/us/snow-pack-summer-drought.html], by Jack Healy, Reis Thebault and Scott Dance Trump Backs Off Plan for $1.8 Billion Fund That Drew Political Backlash [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/us/politics/trump-drop-weaponization-fund.html], by Tyler Pager, Maggie Haberman, Alan Feuer, Devlin Barrett and Annie Karni Hegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/us/politics/hegseth-navy-promotion-list.html], by Greg Jaffe and Kate Kelly Israel Appears to Pull Back From Threat to Strike Beirut [https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/02/world/iran-war-trump-israel-lebanon], by The New York Times California Votes on Newsom’s Successor After Turbulent Primary Campaign [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/us/elections/california-primary-what-to-watch.html], by Laurel Rosenhall and Shane Goldmacher How Wine, Truffles and Honey Could Help Europe Fight Wildfires [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/world/europe/wine-truffles-firefighting-climate-change.html], by Jeanna Smialek Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com [theheadlines@nytimes.com]. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside an Ebola Ward, and a Roadblock for Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund

Plus, the 20-year-old director with the No. 1 movie.  Here’s what we’re covering: Inside the Ebola Epicenter, the Virus Rages With Little to Stop It [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/world/africa/ebola-epicenter-congo.html], by Declan Walsh Federal Judge Bars Trump From Immediately Setting Up $1.8 Billion Fund [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/politics/federal-judge-trump-fund.html], by Zach Montague U.S. Military Is Quietly Guiding Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/31/business/us-military-guides-strait-of-hormuz.html], by Peter Eavis and Eric Schmitt The Earth Shook. Tanks Burst. Now Kona Faces a Water Crisis. [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/31/us/kona-hawaii-coffee-fields-water.html], by Libby Leonard and Vivian Yee Young Moviegoers Power ‘Backrooms’ to $82 Million in Ticket Sales [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/31/business/media/young-moviegoers-backrooms-a24-box-office.html], by Brooks Barnes Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com [theheadlines@nytimes.com]. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

U.S. Ramps Up Deadly Boat Strikes, and What Trump’s Stock Trades Show

Plus, the Friday news quiz.  Here’s what we’re covering: Boat Strikes Have Failed to Curb Flow of Cocaine to U.S., Experts Say [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/world/americas/us-boat-strikes-cocaine-trump-south-america.html], by Simon Romero Dell Gets a $9.7 Billion Defense Contract. Trump’s Portfolio Stands to Benefit. [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/politics/trump-dell-stock-purchases.html], by Eric Lipton A Draft U.S.-Iran Plan Is Said to Be on the Table. Here’s What to Know. [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/world/middleeast/iran-us-agreement-plan.html], by Erika Solomon and Farnaz Fassihi Israel Strikes Beirut, Expanding Offensive in Lebanon [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/world/middleeast/israel-strikes-beirut-lebanon.html], by Euan Ward Netanyahu Says Israel Will Control 70 Percent of Gaza, Squeezing Hamas [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-hamas-70-percent.html], by David M. Halbfinger and Johnatan Reiss In Flint, Cash for Pregnant Women Leads to Better Outcomes for Babies [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/well/pregnancy-money-assistance-flint.html], by Roni Caryn Rabin 4 Takeaways From the Scripps National Spelling Bee [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/scripps-spelling-bee-takeaways-winner.html], by Maria Cramer Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com [theheadlines@nytimes.com]. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Texas Students Are Being Tackled and Tasered, and Trump’s Latest Target for Retribution

Plus, inside the hunt for cheap gas. Here’s what we’re covering: Texas School Police Pepper-Sprayed, Tackled and Tasered Students [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/05/27/us/texas-schools-police-force-students-uvalde.html], by Clare Amari, Kristian Hernández and Asher Lehrer-Small U.S. Strikes Military Sites in Iran for Second Time in 3 Days [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/world/middleeast/military-strikes-southern-iran.html], by Eric Schmitt Justice Dept. Is Said to Open Criminal Inquiry of E. Jean Carroll Over Trump Lawsuits [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/criminal-inquiry-e-jean-carroll-trump-accusations.html], by Glenn Thrush and Benjamin Weiser Fired for Criticizing Charlie Kirk, They’re Now Getting Big Payouts [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/ball-state-charlie-kirk-settlement.html], by Jeremy W. Peters and Sabrina Tavernise These Drivers Found Cheap Gas [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/us/cheap-gas-prices.html], by Corina Knoll Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com [theheadlines@nytimes.com]. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A MAGA Victory in Texas, and the Trump Administration’s New Ebola Plan

Plus, Iran begins lifting an internet blackout.  Here’s what we’re covering: Paxton’s Texas Victory Opens a New Front in the Battle for the Senate [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/us/politics/paxton-talarico-texas-senate-race.html], by Lisa Lerer and Reid J. Epstein Trump Administration to Send Americans Exposed to Ebola to Kenya [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/us/politics/trump-ebola-kenya.html], by Apoorva Mandavilli and Zolan Kanno-Youngs How a Funding Pause Derailed an Artificial Heart for Babies [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/well/federal-cuts-artificial-baby-heart-cornell.html], by Simar Bajaj Iran Begins Lifting Monthslong Internet Blackout, Officials Say [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/world/middleeast/iran-internet-blackout-lifting.html], by Yeganeh Torbati and Sanam Mahoozi Go Ask Alice Why Tech Start-Ups Are Spending Big on Hype Videos [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/27/technology/ai-startups-videos-marketing.html], by Natallie Rocha Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com [theheadlines@nytimes.com]. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.