Episode Highlights:

• Top News:

  • President Trump seizes control of D.C. police and deploys National Guard amid rising crime concerns (The Guardian)

  • U.S. and China extend tariff truce by 90 days, boosting market optimism (Reuters)

  • Deadly explosion at U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania kills 2, injures 10 (US News)

• Entertainment:

  • Taylor Swift surprises fans with announcement of her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl (EW)

  • 2025 Smurfs movie hits digital platforms today, starring Rihanna (Decider)

  • Former AKB48 member Kato Rena announces marriage (Times of India)

• Sports:

  • Milwaukee Brewers ride a nine-game winning streak; face Pirates this week (BrewCrewBall)

  • Rising NBA guard Cam Thomas demands $40 million annual contract (Times of India)

  • UFC secures $7.7 billion media deal with Paramount (The Guardian)

• Financial Update:
  Inflation rises slightly, tariff truce helps oil and Asian markets, and bond markets remain calm amid economic uncertainty (Washington Post, Reuters)

• Weather Roundup:
  Significant storms cause power outages in South Carolina; Texas preps for severe weather; Milwaukee recovers from flash floods; heatwave warnings in Oregon and hot conditions across the country.

• Word of the Day: Ramshackle — (adj.) in a very bad condition; carelessly or loosely constructed (Merriam-Webster)

• This Day in History:

  • Isaac Singer patents the sewing machine (1851)

  • Hawaii becomes a U.S. territory (1898)

  • Construction of the Berlin Wall begins (1961)

• National Day:

  • August 12 is National Vinyl Record Day (nationaldaycalendar.com)

• Feel-Good Story:
  Detroit community garden unites neighborhood, providing fresh food and fostering community spirit (Detroit News)

• Dad Joke of the Day:
  Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!

Music Credit:
"Happy Holiday" by New Library Sound via Storyblocks.com

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About Jim Kirk:
Jim Kirk is a professional voice actor. With warm delivery and polished storytelling, he brings clarity and energy to every episode of Two Scoops.