WendyMcElroy.com

From the Boulder City Review: Vital Lake Mead Drops to Record Low Level. Reservoir on Colorado River supplies 20M with water, and painful cuts are coming. "...a 10-year plan that could cut water deliveries to lower-basin states (California, Nevada, and Arizona) by up to 3 million acre-feet a year,"

AI. From KTLA: Famous Classic Rock Station Goes 'Human-Less'. Southern California's KCAL lays off entire on-air staff

From the Epoch Times: Student Loan Payments Are Spiking: What Changed On July 1 And What Borrowers Over 50 Should Do. [Ed: a must read for anyone connected to student loans, personally or through family.]

From Zero Hedge: Trump-Backed "El Tigre" Takes Power In Colombia As Right-Wing Wave Sweeps Americas. ""I send a firm message to the Colombian people: The time has come to restore order, authority, and freedom."

From the AP: Senate Approves Funding Bill, and the Timing Is Unusual. Normally, Congress waits until the final days or hours of a funding deadline "The Senate in an overnight vote Saturday approved a short-term measure to fund federal agencies into early December and avoid a potentially chaotic government shutdown"

From Bomb Thrower: Jeftovic: The "Bitcoin Only" Era Is Over. "...the Coldcard incident is a cultural and practical turning point that ends the pure “Bitcoin Only” era in favor of realism over ideology..." ]Ed: important.]

Strait of Hormuz. From Zero Hedge: Iran Insists US Must Meet Stringent List Of Demands Before Hormuz Opens. No deal yet as White House stays quiet... [Ed: this has been a massive miscalculation on Trump's part.] From Oil Price: How The UAE Has Kept Its Oil Flowing Through Hormuz. The United Arab Emirates has managed to boost its oil exports to pre-crisis levels as early as June, as it has kept pushing crude through the Strait of Hormuz and outside it.

From Jonathan Turley: “Lie to People Who Want to be Lied to”: How to Make a Political Fortune as a Far-Left Democrat.

From Quartz: Michael Burry warned of a 1987-style crash — and kept his AI shorts open. The "Big Short" investor said all his short positions remain profitable except his bet against Nvidia stock[Ed:Michael Burry is the investor made famous by the movie The Big Short ]. From the Business Insider: Mark Cuban and Michal Burry warn the AI boom is dangerously reliant on Nvidia

From Newsweek: Hysterics at Where Owner Finds Golden Retriever Puppy Napping: ‘New One’

From Jonathan Turley: Pennsylvania Democrat: The Founders “Did Not Even Understand” the Term “Policing”.

From the Hill: Judge rejects Southern Poverty Law Center's bid to dismiss case as ‘vindictive’ prosecution.

Fauci. From the Racket: The Ongoing Covid Coverup. While a dramatic hearing involving Dr. Anthony Fauci garnered headlines, document releases revealed damning exchanges between the Wuhan Institute and U.S. researchers. [Ed: a must read article by Matt Taibbi.] From the Heritage Foundation: How Fauci and NIH Leaders Worked to Discredit COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory. From the Libertarian Institute: What Anthony Fauci Teaches Us About the American Government

From Smithsonian Magazine: Scientists Confirm Darwin Hunch 150 Years Later. He thought certain plants were meat-eaters, and a new study shows he was right

Schengen. From Euronews: Spain to introduce retaliatory border checks on travellers from Italy. [Ed: the end of Schengen? That would be he end of the EU...] From YNet: Spain hits back at Italy: Passport checks imposed as Schengen row escalates. Madrid will check passports, visas and nationality for travelers arriving from Italy after Rome kept restrictions on Spanish passengers in place despite most migrants who entered Ceuta returning to Morocco

The New Radical Democrats. From AMAC: Is Schumer on the Ropes Amid Far-Left Romp in Democrat Primaries? Schumer and the Democrat establishment have been dealt multiple embarrassing defeats in 2026 Senate primaries. Could Schumer be on his way out as leader as a result? From the Cato Institute: Ten Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Arguments for Socialism and Why They’re Wrong. From Mises Institute: When Progress Turns Against Itself: The Rise of Anti-Progress. An article of faith with modern progressives is that all social problems can be solved with the growth and application of the administrative state. They have faith in the wrong thing.

From Reason: Trump Says He Took Venezuela's Oil. Here's What Actually Happened. Trump put Venezuelan revenues in a secretive bank account overseen by the U.S. government. It's a display of the Treasury's unaccountable power.

Crypto. From Crypto Briefing: Senate fails to pass Crypto Clarity Act before summer recess. From Coin Grabbar: Trump Media Crypto Pullback: Why Crypto.com Deal Was Terminated.

From Dogman Ray: Just another rescue?

Iran. From Mish Talk: Iran Blasts a Ship Escorted by US Fighter Jets. Is the Strait Open? From Zero Hedge: US Official: Hormuz Deal Is Imminent, Upon Which US Will Lift Blockade Of Iranian Ports. White House appears to finally be pushing for swift exit at all costs... [Ed: the midterms are looming...] From Son of the New American Revolution: Even If the Strait of Hormuz Opens, the Damage to the Persian Gulf Energy Infrastructure is Enormous

From Politico.EU: Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk. Consumers face higher energy costs and possible shortages if EU governments don’t fill up gas reserves fast. [Ed: they won't move fast enough. They will need Russian oil and gas.]

From Moon of Alabama: The Odd Defense Agreement Between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan And Turkey. A new NATO like agreement between three major Sunni states throws up various questions. [Ed: has a similar 'attack upon one is an attack upon them all' wording.] From the Middle East Eye: Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign defence pact. The 'first in kind' agreement includes a mutual defence clause, official says. From Al Jazeera: Trilateral Mecca defence pact signed, as Hormuz deal looms

Ukraine-Russia. From Simplicius: Disastrous End to Zelensky's 40-Day Operation Exposes a Dwindling Ukraine From France 24: Ukraine's Zelensky visits Russian ally Serbia as Moscow pounds Kyiv.

From Alt-Market: Pillagers Vs Producers: There's Only Two Ways To Save The Western World.

From Reason: North Carolina Citizen Files Damages Claim After Border Patrol Arrested Him, Then Left Him on the Roadside. A viral video showed immigration officers uncuffing Fernando Vasquez and then dumping his papers onto the ground before driving off. AND Trump's New Birthright Citizenship Executive Orders Are Mostly Theater. The two measures combine unconstitutional provisions with performance art.

From the Laughing Squid: Unsuspecting Dog Repeatedly Chases Her Ball as It Rolls Back Into the Water

Cost of Living. From FOX News: Burrito debate rips open GOP civil war on affordability: ‘We will lose, and deserve it’. A viral complaint over the price of a burrito has exposed a widening conservative divide over affordability. From the Conversation: Inflation is slowing, but the cost of living story is more complicated. Lower inflation does not mean prices will return to where they were before. Inflation measures the average change in prices over time, not which specific prices are rising or falling, writes expert Colin Mang. From the Post Millennial: JD Vance torches neocon Marc Thiessen for downplaying affordability concerns: 'It's quite obvious the man has never missed a burrito'

From the Guardian: Appeals court halts construction of Trump’s $400m White House ballroom. Ruling put on hold for two weeks, allowing administration to appeal to US supreme court

From the Dogster: Meko: The Dog Who Helped Me Find My Way Back

From Remilty: The Price of Happiness by Country in 2026. Getting paid for an honest day’s work is its own satisfaction. But can money itself buy happiness?

From Cuteness: Basset Hound Sees Her Puppy Brother Getting Attention And Decides To Step In

AI. From the Off-Guardian: Are You Ready For The "Rogue AI" Psy-Op? The AIs are breaking free, that’s the story... [Ed: I keep as far away from AI as possible.] From the Guardian: Scientists Make First Viruses Designed By AI

Iran. From Zero Hedge: IRGC Strikes 'Hostile Targets' In Hormuz As Iran Declares Oman Deal Bans US Vessels From Strait. Very Tehran-favorable conditions emerge in 'draft deal'... [Ed: Trump's version of what is happening with Iran is like a different, discordant parallel universe.] From Naked Capitalism: Iran War: Heads Explode Over Iran Draft Terms for Strait of Hormuz; Ansar Allah Strike on Saudi Forces, Killing Over 50

From Sunny Skyz: This Mom Tattooed a Keyboard on Her Arm So Her Son Could Always Be Heard

From U.S. Dept. of War: Southcom Establishes Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere. [Ed: U.S. military will be partnering with other nations' military/police in joint actions, such as stopping the flow of drugs. Won't work, of course, but the U.S. military will have a solid foothold through much of South America.] From the Hill: Military retires ‘Southern Spear’ anti-drug operation for Western Hemisphere task force

From Zero Hedge: If This Is Real, We Are Cooked... Strange scenes in the desert...[Ed: I don't know what to think of this report...but it is making the news rounds.]

Cost of Living. From Hot Air: McDonald's Announces New CEO As Sales Slide. "When Nick Martinez and his family wanted a quick, inexpensive and reliable meal, McDonald’s used to be their go-to choice. Now it costs so much..." From Food Dive: Shoppers are buying less meat, data shows. "Customers purchased fewer pounds of fresh and processed proteins, including beef, bacon and lamb, in June as prices continued to rise."

Fauci. From the Crimson Hub: MoveOn.org partners with top Etsy seller 'Crafting Cyndee' to gift every NIAID scientist a new Fauci-themed 'lock and key' secret diary. [Ed: Warning. Satire.] From Jonathan Turley: Dr. Fauci’s Contempt of Congress Can Be Challenged but his Contempt for the Public is Undeniable. [Ed: strong and much deserved statement. Turley is usually more tempered than this.]

From the Hill: Trump Moves Against Birthright Citizenship. Orders expand exceptions, target foreign diplomats, terrorists, and 'birth tourism'

From NBC News: Mitch McConnell Is Going Home. He says he's out of the rehab center, but doesn't offer timeline for Senate return

From the Epoch Times: Judge Says Updated National Firearms Act Violates Constitution. Registration and approval requirements for suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns exceed Congress’s authority, a federal judge in Texas ruled...

From Doog Lovers: How One Dog Defied the Odds to Become a Cherished Family Member and Best Friend

Mamdani. From Mediaite: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Turns Tail and Runs After He’s Pummeled With Boos at Pro-Police Event. From Invisible People: Mayor Mamdani’s Broken Promise on Encampment Sweeps. "A formerly unhoused New Yorker examines how Mayor Mamdani’s reversal on encampment sweeps reflects a broader pattern: campaign promises fading while unhoused people bear the consequences." [Ed: so much is happening on the ground that no one hears about.] From the Jerusalem Post: Secret bot army boosting Mamdani on X may have just been traced back to his City Hall - exclusive. The Post independently consulted the cyber experts involved, who said they are "100% sure" the IP addresses could be traced to City Hall. From Unherd: New York’s war on its Jews Mamdani abets the violence. [Ed: I am still gobsmacked. I never thought I would ever see antisemitism rise in America.]

The Yen. From Bloomberg: Yen Surrenders Nearly Half Its Gains From US-Japan Intervention. [Ed: reader friendly.] From the Financial Times: US euro sale to prop up yen blindsided European Central Bank. Christine Lagarde and Scott Bessent spoke only after Washington’s historic intervention. [Ed: reader friendly.]

From I Love My Dog: Paralyzed Dog Lives Out Her Dream When She Walks In The Ocean For The First Time

From Science Alert: Radical Study Suggests Life on Earth Arose Twice.

Ukraine-Russia. From Russia Today: NATO is being installed into Ukraine’s military. European factories, NATO software, and defense companies are now built into Kiev’s war effort. From Intellnews: Ukraine’s ex-ambassador to Washington charged with illicit enrichment in widening corruption purge. "...in a new illicit-enrichment case tied to the purchase of a Kyiv apartment." From Unherd: How corruption could bring down Zelensky A series of scandals threatens his authority [Ed: the man is as corrupt and despicable a politician as I've ever seen.]

From the Black Agenda Report: “Real Talk” from Kamala Harris on the Voting Rights Act Says the Quiet Part Out Loud . [Ed: the interesting thing here is where the criticism of Kamala is coming from.]

From International Man: Doug Casey on the Coming Oil Shock—and Where Investors Could Profit

From Sunny Skyz: Dog's Bark Brings Curious Cows to a Halt, Creating the Cutest Photo You'll See Today

From the AP: Senate Panel Holds Fauci in Contempt. Rand Paul's committee refers the matter to Justice Department for possible prosecution

Tariffs. From ProPublica: As Trump’s Tariff War With Canada Drags On, This Border Community Suffers Without a Voice. Under an intensifying trade war, parts of northern Michigan are feeling the financial pain. But with a president intent on conflict and a congressman silent on the issue, these Michiganders see no sign of relief. [Ed: the created conflict between the U.S. and Canada is grotesque.] From CNBC: Trump admin refunds $100 billion in 'liberation day' tariffs. [Ed: I still wonder whether the name "liberation day" was meant to be funny.] From Reason: Trump's Newest Tariffs Could Protect America From the National Security Risk of Brass Instruments. An idea that's wildly out of tune at a time when Americans are trumpeting their worries about affordability.

From the Greater Good: Strangers Risk Their Safety to Pull a Helpless Dog From a Canal Before It Is Too Late

From International Man: Doug Casey on the Coming Oil Shock—and Where Investors Could Profit

Iran. From Zero Hedge: Iran-Oman Hormuz Route 'Agreed To' As Iran Warns Against US 'Interference'. Tehran has today been touting strategic victory on the strait's future management. ]Ed: I have no idea what is true about this situation.] AND : Iran-Oman Hormuz Route 'Agreed To' As Iran Warns Against US 'Interference'. Tehran has today been touting strategic victory on the strait's future management... [Ed: if Trump wants to control the Strait, then he needs boots on the ground.] From the New Tribune: Proposed Hormuz deal would give Iran control of inbound traffic. From Naked Capitalism: Iran War: Iran Agreement With Oman Will Not “Open” Strait of Hormuz as Trump Hypes Non-Existent Talks; Ansar Allah Threatens Red Sea Escalation; Trump-Hegseth Row Over Weapons Shortages

From FOX: This red state is strengthening its grip as America's next economic heavyweight. IRS migration data show higher-income households fueling growth across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. [Ed: hat tip to David who comments, The key takeaway is this: billions in economic activity are leaving two states – California, which has lost about $12 billion, and New York, which has lost about $10 billion. Illinois is near the top, too, losing $5.9 billion. Texas has increased with new business and resident relocations of $5.4 billion in net value. Florida has gained an incredible $20.65 billion.]

From Hot Air: Hasan Piker's Healing MI Outreach: 'You Are All Unbelievably Islamophobic Pieces of S***' From Reason: Socialists Are Trying To Take Hold of the Democratic Party—and They're Winning. The democratic socialists taking over the Democratic Party often say they just want affordable healthcare. They actually want to end America's constitutional system as we know it. [Ed: I don't think they will succeed...but they might. The educational system has done a good job on them.]

From American Greatness: At Least Ten Agitators Arrested In Madison As Filthy 'Autonomous Zone' Is Dismantled. “We saw you sent your pigs out too!”

Fauci/Covid. From Mises Institute: What Anthony Fauci Teaches Us About the American Government. Fauci is back in the limelight after the release of his diary before a Senate hearing last week. And that’s good, because the career of Anthony Fauci can teach us a lot about where power actually resides in America and how our system really works. From And Another Thing: The Failure of Fauci and His Fans. Turns out you can get him to shut up after all. From Jonathan Turley: “This is Going to Surprise Some People”: Leading Biden COVID-19 Figure Embraces the Lab Leak Theory. Former Biden White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha

From Yahoo: HHS decertifies Kentucky organ donation group over safety concerns. [Ed: prepped people for organ removal while they were still technically alive.]

Upcoming Elections. From Huff Post: AIPAC Might Try to Defeat El-Sayed Another Way. Pro-Israel lobby eyes major spending for Republican Senate nominee in Michigan [Ed: AIPAC reportedly spent $32M already, backing Mike Rogers (R).] From Ken Klipperson: Chuck Schumer Eats Shit. Abdul El-Sayed’s victory is earthquake for Democratic Party old guard

From Epoch Times: EU To Use $1.62 Billion In Interest From Frozen Russian Assets To Support Ukraine. The funds are from assets immobilized under EU sanctions, which were imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. From the Guardian: Nato to ‘urgently’ get air defences for Ukraine, as Zelenskyy warns of surge in Russian missile production. [Ed: how many years more will people use the "urgency" argument continue?] From Don Hank: At last Russia takes the gloves off. [Ed: this may be the only way to end the war. Certainly, Zelensky will never kill the cash cow.]

Ceuta. From X/kaay]: Video captures the chaos of the invasion: Here is a montage of the city after the invasion:

From People:l[[ink=https://people.com/helpful-sheepdog-assists-first-responders-during-emergency-helicopter-landing-12033067] Sheepdog Helps Clear Herd of Goats[/link] So Emergency Helicopter Can Land During Southern California Rescue

Wildfires. From the New Scientist: Canadian wildfires are reducing solar power generation in Europe. Lost solar power due to smoke blocking the sun cost Europe and North America nearly $2 billion in 2023 alone. [Ed: I'd like better evidence of this...but the article is interesting.] From UPI: Wildfire uncovers, detonates WWII munitions in southwest France.

From the Good News Network: UN Summit on HIV/AIDS Shows Incredible Progress in Infection Rates, Deaths, Treatment Access

Cost of Living. From Zero Hedge: End Of Cheap Food? Five Forces Set To Drive Grocery Bills Even Higher."We expect food-at- home to start regaining share from historical lows, suggesting higher spend..." [Ed: we certainly are eating at home.] From the Post Millennial: JD Vance torches neocon Marc Thiessen for downplaying affordability concerns: 'It's quite obvious the man has never missed a burrito'. "A burrito shouldn’t cost $20."

From News Orvis: Morris Animal Foundation: Cami’s Story

From the Organic Prepper: 12 Strategies for Creating the Perfect Pantry.

From Oprah Daily: How a Dog I Didn’t Want Made Me a Better Person. I was certain I wasn’t an animal person. Then a three-pound Brussels griffon launched a hostile takeover of my heart.

Mamdani. From City-Journal: The Problem with City-Owned Grocery Stores. "The city will spend tens of millions of dollars building a complicated system—one that already exists—that will do little more than undercut existing taxpaying grocery businesses."

AI. From PBS: Anthropic says its AI models hacked 3 organizations during testing From Axios: Humans are leaving the door wide open for AI hacking

From NPR: Progressives and moderate Democrats both see wins in primary races while Trump flexes power over GOP.

From Just the News: Dispute over Biden pardon, Fauci's Fifth rooted in 1800s case law, likely will be decided by courts.Whether Fauci was legally entitled to invoke Fifth Amendment may ultimately depend on how courts balance broad immunity conferred in Biden pardon against remaining risk of post-pardon criminal exposure. From the New York Post: Fauci’s follies — time to toss the ‘science is settled’ groupthink. [Ed: by Glenn Reynolds, whose writing I truly enjoy.]

DSA. From Politico: Rep. Wesley Bell defeats progressive Cori Bush for second time. It’s a significant win for the pro-Israel lobby, which spent millions to boost Bell in Missouri’s 1st District. [Ed: Bush is/was one of the "squad"--the progressives in congress.] From Zero Hedge: Socialist Wisconsin Gov Candidate Won't Back Down After Calling To "Cancel Thanksgiving" [Ed: how, exactly. If she means no gov. involvement, then great. But this is not cancelling...] From Complete Colorado: ‘Democratic socialism’ just an opening act for communism From the Washington Examiner: How Pittsburgh became the early alarm bell for the DSA’s rise. [Ed: well worth the read.]

Progressives. From NBC: Live updates: Progressives notch more primary wins. From the New York Post: Hasan Piker, Abdul El-Sayed mock Carville’s threats to leave the Democratic Party. [Ed: I had the same reaction to Carville's threat. Most Dems would be pleased to be rid of him, I reckon.]

Ceuta. From Zero Hedge: New Signals Point To Another Possible Migrant Invasion Against Ceuta. "... as plans are being made for another mass border crossing on August 15." From PJ Media: Nick Shirley's New Video Dismantles The Left's Narrative On Ceuta's Migrant Crisis. A 17-year-old Moroccan migrant, when asked by Shirley how he expects to leave Ceuta and get to mainland Spain, says matter-of-factly, "Through asylum." From Politico.EU: EU ministers close ranks behind Spain after Ceuta migration crisis. Madrid emerged vindicated as governments shifted from assigning blame to preventing a repeat. [Ed: not what I expected.]

From Little Happy Paw: Dog Left At Vet Clinic After Owner Faces Financial Hardship For Treatment.

From Politico.EU: The Farage and Lowe drama that’s consuming the British right. The Reform UK and Restore Britain leaders have flirted with a rapprochement — but it’s complicated. [Ed: Farage seems to be in a downward spiral.]

From Al Jazeera: Wildfires still burning in France and Spain amid fears of more to come. [Ed: In Canada, our farm in Ontario is getting smoke in the air from fires in B.C.] From Claims Journal: Insurers are turning to catastrophe bonds to pass on historic levels of wildfire risk to the capital markets. From Independent: Trump says he’s decided on a punishment for Canada over wildfire smoke blanketing the US: ‘You’ll find out’. [Ed: As of Aug. 2, there were 838 wildfires in Canada.] From Bloomberg: Insurers Are ‘Actively Evaluating’ New Catastrophe Risks as Europe Burns

From Homeland Security, government Affairs: Chairman Paul Releases Contempt Resolution Against Dr. Anthony Fauci; Committee to Vote Thursday. [Ed: this will pass the committee vote but I don't know if a full Senate vote would find Fauci in contempt.]

Iran. From Naked Capitalism: Iran War: US Again Fabricates Talks On, “Deal Is Nigh” As Reuters Reports Even Greater Weapons Depletion; Iran Debunks Media Reports on Oman Negotiations v. “Opening”, From Juan Cole: Tehran and Trump have Trapped us in a Forever War based on Fabulism

The Yen. From Bloomberg: If Anyone Needs an Intervention, It’s the BOJ. [Ed: I keep hearing about the collapsing yen. And I remember predictions that global collapse will start with Japan. Not fear mongering, just paying attention.] From Disciplined Systematic Global Macro Views: Yen intervention will not change fundamentals.

Ukraine-Russia. From Son of the New American Revolution: The West is Winning the Information War While Russia Prevails on the Battlefield. From Andrew Korybko: It’s Premature For Russia’s Supporters To Celebrate The Coalition Of The Willing’s “Slow Death”

From France24: Cuba plunges into darkness as state energy firm reports new nationwide blackout

From Financial Times: China launches global tax hunt going back decades. [Ed: I hope this does not become a trend with other nations.]

From Good News Network: Do-Good Doggies Fight Invasive Mussels on Team ‘Conservation Canines’