Saturday, July 18, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the Presidential Succession Act, placing the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore ahead of Cabinet members in the line of succession.

We have an interesting baseball item today, about the leagues banning the use of AI on iPads in the dugout to help with strategy. This struck us as odd in a sport that transformed itself years ago using highly sophisticated data metrics and now uses Hawk-Eye laser technology to allow teams to challenge ball-and-strike calls. We're curious what you think: Is AI really a step too far for America's most venerable sport? Let us know by replying to this email.

For years, spotting an email scam felt easy. Bad grammar, a fake logo, an obvious ask, and you'd catch it. But the cybercrime frauds that drained nearly $21 billion from Americans last year didn't look sloppy at all. They looked like they came from your bank, your pharmacy, even your own family, and adults over 60 lost the most of anyone. In today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Amy breaks down five quick inbox moves that clean up your clutter and quietly lock scammers out. Which ones are the con artists counting on you never learning? Tune in here to learn more!

Today's sponsor is Daily Health Digital, sharing new research on a common cause of age-related joint stiffness and a simple daily approach that may help support healthier, more comfortable movement.

Fires Continue To Choke States with Smoke, Haze

Smoke from nearly 900 wildfires in Canada and several large blazes in Minnesota is continuing to trigger air quality alerts across more than a dozen states, blanketing the Midwest and Northeast in a thick, dangerous haze. You can see photos here.

Philadelphia declared a Code Purple air quality emergency Friday, with the smoke expected to reach from Detroit to Washington, D.C. Chicago and Pittsburgh both declared air quality alerts.

Parts of northern Minnesota recorded Air Quality Index readings above 1,000 on Thursday, the highest in the country. An AQI over 100 is considered unhealthy, and a reading over 300 is hazardous.

Officials are monitoring conditions ahead of Sunday's World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which has been affected by smoke conditions. You can see maps of the smoke's impact here.

New US Strikes Hit Strategic Sites in Iran

The U.S. hit bridges, energy sites, and a port surveillance tower across southern Iran overnight, marking a seventh consecutive night of strikes aimed at pressuring Tehran to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command said it struck dozens of targets including air defense sites and military logistics infrastructure. The bridge strikes appeared aimed at isolating Bandar Abbas, Iran's main port, from roads leading to Tehran. A tower at Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman was also destroyed.

Iran retaliated with missile strikes on U.S.-allied nations including Qatar and Kuwait, where a strike damaged a power and water desalination plant that supplies roughly 90% of the country's drinking water. Kuwait's government strongly condemned the attack as a violation of its sovereignty.

Ranking: Share of Seniors in Every State

Maine has the highest share of seniors of any state in the U.S., with 23.5% of its residents aged 65 or older, according to a new ranking of states by their share of older residents.

A mix of states dominates the top of the list, with Vermont (22.9%), West Virginia (21.9%), and then Florida, the country's most famous retirement magnet, ranked fourth at 21.8%. On the flip side, Utah has the lowest percentage of seniors of any state in the nation, at a 12.4% share.

The national average is 17.7%. There are now 61.2 million Americans who are 65 or older, a 74.6% increase since the start of the century. By 2034, older adults are projected to outnumber children for the first time. See the full ranking of all 50 states here.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The emails draining billions from Americans no longer look fake, but these habits can stop nearly all of them. (Hear Tips)

➤ Researchers have found a way to smuggle a drug past the brain's toughest barrier and into glioblastoma tumors. (Hear Details)

➤ Federal officials have linked lettuce from Mexico, served at Taco Bell locations, to a multistate parasite outbreak that has hospitalized dozens. (Podcast Available)

➤ A federal appeals court ruled 2-1 to allow the Pentagon to continue its escort policy for journalists, siding with the Trump administration over a First Amendment challenge by the press. (More)

➤ Pentagon planners are reportedly examining military options for Cuba, including a potential 101st Airborne Division air assault, though officials stress no operation has been ordered. (More)

➤ The Senate unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution declaring that convicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried should under no circumstances receive a presidential pardon or commutation. (More)

➤ Former CNN host Don Lemon said he is "totally serious" about considering a 2028 presidential run, telling a podcast he has talked to political insiders about what it would take. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Why Getting Up From A Chair Gets Harder Each Year (It's Not Age)

How do some folks stay active well into their 70s, 80s, and even 90s... while others find themselves hobbling down stairs or needing to rock back and forth just to get out of a chair?

According to a breakthrough discovery by Harvard University scientists, it comes down to a hidden culprit that dries out your joints from the inside: "joint drought."

When this "drought" is addressed, it not only soothes joint discomfort but makes joints feel younger and more mobile than they have in years. And doing this is surprisingly simple—just 5 seconds a day.

A Boston medical doctor has helped hundreds of thousands of people beat joint drought with this approach. Thousands across the country are reporting remarkable results.

Kay Gilbert from Athens, Alabama says, "I'm 73 and feel like running all over the place again. My kids say I outshop them in Walmart."

Learn More: Why Getting Up Shouldn't Hurt

➤ Bryson DeChambeau received a two-stroke penalty following his second round at The Open Championship after inadvertently improving his lie in the tall grass on the fifth hole, dropping him from sole possession of second place into a tie for fifth. (More)

➤ Major League Baseball has banned teams from using artificial intelligence on dugout iPads during games beginning this week, after as many as one-third of clubs developed custom apps to guide substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, MLB has scheduled the earliest Opening Day in league history for 2027, beginning with a March 24 game on Netflix and followed by a 14-game slate March 25. The collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, however, and a management lockout over pay issues is expected. (More)

➤ NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has become "a bit of a political football,” arguing that the scrutiny surrounding her is unfair and driven by issues beyond officiating. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: The Open | MLB | WNBA

➤ France faces England today in Miami in the World Cup third-place match, giving Kylian Mbappé an opportunity to catch Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. (How to Watch)

➤ White House World Cup Task Force Executive Director Andrew Giuliani said FIFA has told President Donald Trump that the U.S. will host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, although the administration’s support would depend on FIFA barring transgender women from the women’s tournament. (More)

➤ The winners of Sunday’s Argentina-Spain final will receive championship rings to honor “one of the most recognizable American sporting traditions.” Only 2,026 rings will be produced, with 30 reserved for the victorious team and the remainder offered to fans. (More)

➤ Argentine President Javier Milei said he won’t attend Sunday’s final because of superstition, opting instead to watch from the presidential residence where he has viewed all seven of Argentina’s tournament victories. (More)

Daily Market Report 07/17/2026

▼	NASDAQ National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	25,520.24	-1.40%
▼	SPX S&P 500	7,457.69	-1.01%
▼	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	52,146.42	-0.77%
▲	BTC Bitcoin	$64,004.48	0.34%
▲	GOLD Per Ounce	$4,015.30	0.75%
▲	SILVER Per Ounce	$56.16	0.47%
▲	OIL West Texas Intermediate Crude	$81.79	3.60%

Bitcoin, gold, silver, and oil are traded 24 hours a day.

Flying together with our sponsor

The Real Reason Getting Up From Seats Is So Hard

Harvard scientists discovered a hidden condition called "joint drought" that affects millions of seniors. This silent culprit makes simple movements like standing from a chair increasingly difficult.

Unlike typical "wear and tear," joint drought happens when the lubricating fluid inside your joints literally dries up—especially after long periods of sitting still. When this fluid is depleted, every movement becomes stiff and uncomfortable.

A Boston doctor has helped over 180,000 people address this root cause. Robert from Colorado says, "Back to walking the dog and hiking...at 71 years old!"

Discover How to Beat Joint Drought

Today's Rotator section is brought to you by:

➤ Andy Burnham was officially declared leader of Britain's governing Labour Party on Friday, clearing the way for him to become prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer's resignation. (More)

➤ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sparked widespread protests across multiple cities by firing popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, credited with advancing the country's drone warfare strategy. (More)

➤ A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Mexico's southern Chiapas coast near the Guatemala border Friday, triggering a tsunami warning for coastlines within 186 miles of the epicenter. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect you and your family. Give your fruits and vegetables a deeper clean with PuriProduce. Using a simple water-and-salt cleaning cycle, this compact, hands-free device helps clean produce in just minutes—no scrubbing required. Perfect for busy kitchens, it makes meal prep quicker, easier, and more convenient. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Brenda Fricker, the Irish actress who became the first Irish woman to win an acting Oscar and was widely known for playing the "pigeon lady" in Home Alone 2, has died at 81. (More)

➤ 7-Eleven's parent company plans to close 645 stores this fiscal year, including shuttering 200 unprofitable locations and converting hundreds of others to fuel sites or franchises. (More)

➤ A Florida mom's Ring camera captured the moment a lightning bolt struck a front yard right behind her, starting a fire, as she was unpacking her car with her kids nearby. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Retirement may be closer than you think—but are your finances ready? FinanceBuzz reveals smart money moves that could help trim unnecessary expenses, strengthen your savings, and make your retirement dollars go further. Discover practical strategies today so you can enjoy greater financial confidence in the years ahead.

Have you ever had a close call with lightning?

Yesterday's Results:

If you could add a month to one season, which season would it be?

Fall: 44%
Spring: 35%
Summer: 15%
Winter: 6%

Daily Quote

"If Canada will not manage its forests to prevent these fires, the United States will look elsewhere, and act on our own, to protect our people.”

— Letter to Canadian officials from four Michigan U.S. House representatives warning Canada over the wildfires spreading heavy smoke across the U.S.