“The outcome of the race might hinge on whether they can keep the former president on script.” Six factors that will define the final stretch of the election. / Wake Up to Politics
See also: Here are the individuals and organizations that have pumped the most money into the 2024 election. / The Washington Post [+]
The Isaac Hayes estate is suing the Trump campaign over its repeated use of “Hold On, I'm Coming” at rallies. / Billboard
After coming into possession of a Project 2025 duffel, a journalist finds the most valuable thing about it is the bag itself. / The Washington Post [+]
See also: “Goodbye backpacks. The cool kids are going back to school with a $155 Longchamp tote in hand.” / Business Insider
Insurers play an outsize role in determining how much mental health care people are able to access—which can have devastating effects for patients in crisis. / NPR
“Gaza's 2.2 million people are now mainly confined to an area of roughly 15 square miles—smaller than the footprint of Manhattan.” / The Wall Street Journal [+]
By examining ancient crystals, scientists believe that the first rain fell on Earth four billion years ago. / My Modern Met
“The fight had stopped suddenly, so I quickly reacted and shot some photos with a long lens.” How some of the best Olympics photos were taken. / The Guardian
An orange grove in Tarzana will likely be replaced with luxury homes, ending a century of commercial citrus production in the San Fernando Valley. / Los Angeles Times
Researchers find a diversity of bacteria living inside microwave ovens—like those in Antarctica, the organisms are capable of withstanding especially extreme conditions. / TecScience
Photos from inside a technicolor 1978 Las Vegas doomsday bunker, complete with lighting to simulate different times of day. / designboom
See also: The iconic house from the cover of American Football's debut album is available to rent on Airbnb. / Pitchfork
J.D. Salinger personally designed the rainbow-corner cover of The Catcher in the Rye—and his hand-drawn sketches are proof. / Literary Hub
“This music scene was shaped in isolation. You never created music with an audience in mind, only your friends.” In Kosovo, techno is a symbol of resilience. / Condé Nast Traveler
Traded following a postponed game that will now resume, Danny Jansen will be the first player in Major League Baseball history to play for two teams in the same game. / Bleacher Report