This week’s guide to government and politics in under 10 minutes

The Pumpkin Spice latte is back this week. But that doesn't mean fall is here. NOAA says summer weather could stick around longer due to El Niño. More on that below. 👇🎃☕

Oklahoma and South Carolina voters have a primary runoff election tomorrow. 

I NATIONAL DEBT HITS $40 TRILLION

The national debt hit a record-breaking $40 trillion last week, doubling in size since 2017. The $40 trillion debt is about 123% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), or the total value of goods and services the U.S. economy produces in a year. Higher debt means the government must spend more on interest payments, leaving less money for other priorities. It can also raise borrowing costs across the economy. As the government issues more debt, it may have to offer higher interest rates to attract buyers, putting upward pressure on mortgages, car loans, and other borrowing rates.

>> Understand how government debt affects the stock market here.

I SNAP ENROLLMENT DROPPING FASTER THAN EXPECTED

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has dropped more than 13% in a month. The decline comes from a mix of factors: people who no longer meet eligibility requirements, eligible recipients who missed deadlines or lack the proper documentation, and people who lost coverage because state agencies are overwhelmed by changes. There isn't yet enough data to determine how much each factor contributes to the decline. So far, Arizona has seen the steepest drop, with enrollment falling more than 50%. Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, and Florida have seen declines of more than 20%. 

>> Dig deeper into the ways state governments are managing SNAP changes here. 

 I TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MOVES TO ALLOW LOGGING IN NATIONAL FORESTS

Tens of millions of acres of public forest land could be opened up to logging, mining, and road development under a Trump administration proposal to roll back the “roadless rule.” Introduced by the Clinton administration and implemented in 2001, the rule restricts road construction and timber harvesting in designated areas, with exceptions for public safety emergencies and some wildfire mitigation. The Trump administration says the change would boost local economies and help fight wildfires. Opponents argue the roadless rule is important for wildlife and land conservation.

>> Discover how U.S. forest management policy is used to combat wildfires here.

I MORE THAN 750 SERVICE MEMBERS WOUNDED IN IRAN WAR

Over 750 U.S. servicemembers have been injured since the start of the Iran War, according to Pentagon-released data. The Defense Casualty Analysis System says that 18 servicemembers have died and 757 have been wounded. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned an “economic D-Day is coming” for Iran, and is expected to reveal details of what that means at a press conference scheduled for today. Iran’s currency reached a record low following the announcement, as Iran vowed to retaliate against countries that cooperate with any new U.S. sanctions. 

>> Find out how much the Iran war has cost the average U.S. household here. 

I NOAA RELEASES FALL WEATHER PREDICTIONS

The Trump administration is encouraging select U.S. companies to launch cyberattacks against hackers and cybercriminals through a national security memorandum issued late last Wednesday. The White House says the policy change will help fight against cybercrimes such as ransomware. Critics argue it could create more confusion during a cyberattack against the U.S., particularly if companies take actions that exceed the authority granted to the government’s own security agencies. They also point to the challenge of determining who is actually behind a cyberattack, raising the risk that companies could retaliate against the wrong group. 

>> Learn how extreme weather affects U.S. agriculture here. 

Learn how some cities are using AI to triage incoming 911 calls.

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