{"id":31251,"date":"2026-08-07T16:13:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T11:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=31251"},"modified":"2026-08-07T16:13:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T11:13:31","slug":"trump-defends-pete-hegseth-and-school-shooting-in-thailand-morning-rundown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=31251","title":{"rendered":"Trump defends Pete Hegseth and school shooting in Thailand: Morning Rundown"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p id=\"anchor-ae42af\" class=\"body-graf\">Trump defends Pete Hegseth amid concerns about the defense secretary\u2019s leadership. A student kills multiple people at a school in Thailand. And why Americans are still spending on little luxuries despite economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-39bc7e\" class=\"body-graf\">Here\u2019s what to know today.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-e10a7b\" class=\"body-heading\"><strong>Trump says he stands by Pete Hegseth as defense secretary<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"styles_inlineImage__FvnTh styles_medium__MEKii\" id=\"anchor-3076c8\"><picture class=\"styles_image__i32F7\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"fit\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260806-donald-trump-pete-hegseth-cs-0fd156.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260806-donald-trump-pete-hegseth-cs-0fd156.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260806-donald-trump-pete-hegseth-cs-0fd156.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260806-donald-trump-pete-hegseth-cs-0fd156.jpg 1x\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260806-donald-trump-pete-hegseth-cs-0fd156.jpg\" alt=\"Donald Trump speaks while sitting next to Pete Hegseth at the table.\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption styles_caption__TCewG\" data-testid=\"caption\"><span class=\"caption__container\" data-testid=\"caption__container\">President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attend a cabinet meeting at the White House in 2025.<\/span><span class=\"caption__source\" data-testid=\"caption__source\">Brendan Smialowski \/ AFP via Getty Images file<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"anchor-56bb93\" class=\"body-graf\">President Donald Trump appears determined to stand by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth despite the Iran war\u2019s unpopularity and concerns about his leadership. \u201cI think he\u2019s actually one of my best. I\u2019m very good at this stuff,\u201d Trump told NBC News in a phone interview yesterday.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-854aed\" class=\"body-graf\">\u201cSmart guy,\u201d he added. \u201cHe\u2019s very much into it. Respected by the military.\u201d <\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-265f52\" class=\"body-graf\">At least one political ally told Trump in recent weeks that Hegseth is \u201cnot a manager\u201d and isn\u2019t up to leading the Pentagon in wartime. Separately, Sen. Thom Tillis said he has \u201czero confidence\u201d in Hegseth.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-8525f8\" class=\"body-graf\">Elsewhere, a deal to end the six-month war appeared to be taking shape in Qatar, but there were few signs of progress as of Thursday. A smaller agreement between Iran and Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, however, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/world\/iran\/flurry-diplomacy-gulf-nations-seek-iran-deal-reopen-strait-hormuz-rcna591111?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>appeared to be close<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-5e72c5\" class=\"body-graf\">Were Trump to oust Hegseth, he would need to find a replacement capable of winning Senate confirmation. One name floated in pro-Trump circles is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, though Trump said he would be open to considering DeSantis for another role.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-28daf3\" class=\"body-graf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/trump-administration\/trump-pete-hegseth-defense-secretary-rcna591243?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\"><strong>Read the full story here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-ef1cac\" class=\"body-heading\"><strong>Rep. Ogles loses, Sen. Blackburn wins in Tennessee GOP primaries<\/strong><\/h2>\n<section class=\"inline-video inline-video--in-body\" data-testid=\"inline-video\" id=\"anchor-4df4e6\">\n<div class=\"inline-video__background\">\n<div class=\"inline-video__player\">\n<div class=\"styles_gridStackWrapper__Z_AMc styles_videoContainer___xc7B video-container paused\" data-testid=\"gamma-video-player\">\n<div class=\"styles_gridStackWrapper__Z_AMc videoSlate styles_videoSlate__IvkAP\"><picture class=\"\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"focal\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1240px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-860x484,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786070742902_now_brk_ogles_tenn_260806_S3_1920x1080-xfth6t.jpg\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 758px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-1000x563,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786070742902_now_brk_ogles_tenn_260806_S3_1920x1080-xfth6t.jpg\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-760x428,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786070742902_now_brk_ogles_tenn_260806_S3_1920x1080-xfth6t.jpg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-760x428,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786070742902_now_brk_ogles_tenn_260806_S3_1920x1080-xfth6t.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p id=\"anchor-bc938b\" class=\"body-graf\">Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost his Republican primary to former state official Charlie Hatcher, becoming the ninth House member \u2014 and the third Republican \u2014 to lose a primary this year.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-2a4b33\" class=\"body-graf\">Despite President Trump\u2019s endorsement, Ogles was unable to fend off Hatcher, a former state agriculture commissioner backed by the governor and other prominent Republicans. Ogles has faced several controversies over the years, including criticism over comments about Muslims and an investigation into alleged campaign finance violations. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/2026-election\/rep-andy-ogles-loses-republican-primary-tennessee-rcna591185?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>More on Ogles\u2019 loss.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-4bef9c\" class=\"body-graf\">In the state\u2019s gubernatorial race, Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the Republican nomination, defeating Rep. John Rose. Blackburn became the first woman to represent Tennessee in the Senate in 2018 and would be the state\u2019s first female governor if she wins in November. She is among the Senate\u2019s most conservative members, known for her tough stances on abortion and transgender rights. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/2026-election\/sen-marsha-blackburn-wins-republican-primary-governor-tennessee-rcna591184?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>More on Blackburn\u2019s win.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"anchor-192724\" class=\"body-heading\"><strong>More politics news:<\/strong> <\/h3>\n<ul id=\"anchor-81d717\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li>Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/immigration\/trump-executive-actions-birthright-citizenship-birth-tourism-rcna591271?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\"><strong>signed two executive actions<\/strong><\/a> on immigration \u2014 one limiting the number of people eligible for birthright citizenship and another focused on stopping \u201cbirth tourism.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul id=\"anchor-bcbd55\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li>Sen. Mitch McConnell <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/congress\/sen-mitch-mcconnell-discharged-rehab-center-hospitalization-june-rcna591235?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\"><strong>said he has been discharged<\/strong><\/a> from a rehabilitation center nearly two months after he suffered a fall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul id=\"anchor-630395\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li><strong>For subscribers:<\/strong> The Trump administration has paid $100 billion in tariff refunds. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/business\/consumer\/trump-tariff-refunds-consumers-unlikely-rcna591129?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\"><strong>Consumers shouldn\u2019t expect to see much of it.<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul id=\"anchor-ef6dc3\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li><strong>For subscribers:<\/strong> Francesca Hong, the front-runner in Wisconsin\u2019s Democratic gubernatorial primary, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/2026-election\/francesca-hong-democratic-socialist-message-wisconsin-primary-rcna591134?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\"><strong>recalibrating her democratic socialist message<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 and backing away from some past controversial positions. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-c91895\" class=\"body-heading\"><strong>Jobs report is expected to show a pickup in hiring<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p id=\"anchor-e07773\" class=\"body-graf\">Economists expect the Bureau of Labor Statistics\u2019 nonfarm payroll report, due this morning, to show 83,000 jobs added and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Average hourly earnings are expected to rise 0.3%, though wages continue to struggle to keep pace with inflation as the Iran war pushes up energy and other prices.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-a61699\" class=\"body-graf\">Experts said the biggest job gains are likely to come in education, health services, and leisure and hospitality, while manufacturing employment continues to edge higher.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-b92837\" class=\"body-graf\">A stronger-than-expected jobs report could pave the way for interest rate increases as soon as next month by reinforcing concerns that inflation remains the bigger challenge.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-d76dc2\" class=\"body-graf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/business\/economy\/july-2026-jobs-report-rcna591138?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\"><strong>But some economists are expecting a less rosy economic outlook.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-978bce\" class=\"body-heading\"><strong>Spokane fires highlight a difficult reality<\/strong><\/h2>\n<section class=\"inline-video inline-video--in-body\" data-testid=\"inline-video\" id=\"anchor-142127\">\n<div class=\"inline-video__background\">\n<div class=\"inline-video__player\">\n<div class=\"styles_gridStackWrapper__Z_AMc styles_videoContainer___xc7B video-container paused\" data-testid=\"gamma-video-player\">\n<div class=\"styles_gridStackWrapper__Z_AMc videoSlate styles_videoSlate__IvkAP\"><picture class=\"\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"focal\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1240px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-860x484,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786057553440_nn_mch_arson_suspect_arraigned_260806_S3_1920x1080-ye9h7y.jpg\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 758px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-1000x563,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786057553440_nn_mch_arson_suspect_arraigned_260806_S3_1920x1080-ye9h7y.jpg\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-760x428,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786057553440_nn_mch_arson_suspect_arraigned_260806_S3_1920x1080-ye9h7y.jpg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-760x428,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_08\/1786057553440_nn_mch_arson_suspect_arraigned_260806_S3_1920x1080-ye9h7y.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p id=\"anchor-9928fc\" class=\"body-graf\">The man accused of starting one of the fires burning in Washington state was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/spokane-fire-arson-suspect-aaron-farinacci-faces-four-new-charges-rcna591241?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>charged with four additional first-degree counts of arson<\/strong><\/a> after investigators linked him to blazes dating back to July 2025. Aaron Farinacci ignited the Old Trails Fire in Spokane with just a cigarette, a pack of matches and a rubber band, authorities said. The fire has so far burned over 800 buildings and displaced around 60,000 people.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-1922a2\" class=\"body-graf\">While there is little evidence of a statewide arson trend, intentionally set blazes have greater potential to spread as fire seasons lengthen, climate change intensifies and forests become denser. In the past three years, some of the most destructive U.S. wildfires have involved arson during extreme conditions.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-418290\" class=\"body-graf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/science\/science-news\/act-arson-washington-caused-much-destruction-rcna591025?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>How an act of arson caused so much destruction.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-1f2f33\" class=\"body-heading\">Student kills multiple people at Thai school after fatally shooting grandparents<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"styles_inlineImage__FvnTh styles_medium__MEKii\" id=\"anchor-6e019d\"><picture class=\"styles_image__i32F7\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"fit\" data-original-height=\"1000\" data-original-width=\"1500\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260807-thailand-school-shooting-mb-0709-941fba.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260807-thailand-school-shooting-mb-0709-941fba.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260807-thailand-school-shooting-mb-0709-941fba.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260807-thailand-school-shooting-mb-0709-941fba.jpg 1x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260807-thailand-school-shooting-mb-0709-941fba.jpg\" alt=\"Thailand school shooting\" height=\"1000\" width=\"1500\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption styles_caption__TCewG\" data-testid=\"caption\"><span class=\"caption__container\" data-testid=\"caption__container\">Students and parents gathered outside a school in Thailand\u2019s Bang Kruai district, north of Bangkok after a school shooting on Friday.<\/span><span class=\"caption__source\" data-testid=\"caption__source\">Lilian Suwanrumpha \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"anchor-de6e61\" class=\"body-graf\">A gunman shot and killed his grandparents before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/world\/asia\/two-dead-gunman-school-shooting-thailand-officials-say-rcna591309\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>killing five people and himself at a school<\/strong><\/a> outside Bangkok on Friday, Thailand\u2019s prime minister said, in the country\u2019s deadliest mass killing since 2022.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-189eac\" class=\"body-graf\">Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a news conference that at least 30 people were injured in the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-00dbd6\" class=\"body-graf\">The gunman was identified as a student. Police said he fired at least 26 rounds and that 34 additional rounds of ammunition were found at the scene. Authorities recovered a 9mm handgun believed to have belonged to his grandfather.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-acc55d\" class=\"body-graf\">At least two people were in critical condition, police said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-3a6d16\" class=\"body-heading\">Staff Pick: <strong>Forget the home renovation. Americans are choosing little luxuries instead. <\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"styles_inlineImage__FvnTh styles_medium__MEKii\" id=\"anchor-8701df\"><picture class=\"styles_image__i32F7\" data-testid=\"picture\" data-flavor=\"fit\" data-original-height=\"1666\" data-original-width=\"2500\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260803-amc-movie-theater-vsb-1655-f2a9e4.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-560w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260803-amc-movie-theater-vsb-1655-f2a9e4.jpg 1x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_avif,q_auto:eco,dpr_2\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260803-amc-movie-theater-vsb-1655-f2a9e4.jpg 2x, https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260803-amc-movie-theater-vsb-1655-f2a9e4.jpg 1x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260803-amc-movie-theater-vsb-1655-f2a9e4.jpg\" alt=\"People walking past an AMC Movie Theater in Times Square in New York City.\" height=\"1666\" width=\"2500\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption styles_caption__TCewG\" data-testid=\"caption\"><span class=\"caption__container\" data-testid=\"caption__container\">People walk past an AMC movie theater in Manhattan.<\/span><span class=\"caption__source\" data-testid=\"caption__source\">Gary Hershorn \/ Getty Images file<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"anchor-b252bb\" class=\"body-graf\">Who doesn\u2019t love getting a little treat? Increasingly, Americans are making room in their budgets for cosmetics, movie tickets, specialty coffees and even treats for their furry friends as they put off major purchases like home remodeling or vacations. <\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-fba1da\" class=\"body-graf\">But it\u2019s not just about buyer preferences. While retail sales remain strong, consumer confidence is still shaky and many households feel increasingly uneasy about their financial futures. I dug into why companies like L\u2019Or\u00e9al and AMC are benefiting from this little luxury trend, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/business\/consumer\/economy-lipstick-movies-treats-pets-rcna590668?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>what it reveals about broader economic uncertainty<\/strong><\/a>. <em>\u2014 <\/em><em><strong>Grace Thomas<\/strong><\/em><em>, business intern<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-9a5933\" class=\"body-heading\">Read All About It<\/h2>\n<ul id=\"anchor-c36b27\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li>Prosecutors in Israel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/world\/israel\/israeli-prosecutors-charge-settler-killing-palestinian-activist-rare-i-rcna591262?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>charged a West Bank settler<\/strong><\/a> with killing a Palestinian activist \u2014 the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, that an Israeli has been indicted for such a crime. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul id=\"anchor-b7f318\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li>Puerto Rico will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/puerto-rico-rations-water-48-hours-time-intense-drought-rcna591174?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>implement water rationing measures<\/strong><\/a> in San Juan and other major cities starting today as a drought grips the territory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul id=\"anchor-1e17d1\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li>Perez Hilton\u2019s family said his three children, niece and sister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/perez-hilton-family-kids-fled-before-livestream-rcna591224?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>fled his home<\/strong><\/a> \u201cminutes before\u201d his reported self-harm livestream.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul id=\"anchor-ad0c0d\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li>Environmental groups are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/science\/space\/environmental-groups-challenge-fcc-approval-startups-plan-beam-demand-rcna591041?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>challenging the FCC\u2019s approval<\/strong><\/a> of a startup\u2019s plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul id=\"anchor-c51ae1\" class=\"break-above body-ul body-list-el\">\n<li><strong>For subscribers: <\/strong>The cyclospora and salmonella outbreaks both have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/health\/health-news\/cyclospora-salmonella-outbreaks-put-produce-mexico-spotlight-rcna591236?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>traced to produce from Mexico<\/strong><\/a>, raising questions about the country\u2019s food safety practices and the FDA\u2019s inspection process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"anchor-78b1e9\" class=\"body-heading\">NBC Selected: Online Shopping, Simplified<\/h2>\n<p id=\"anchor-ff4302\" class=\"body-graf\">Jelly shoes are trendy again \u2014 but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/select\/shopping\/are-jelly-shoes-bad-for-your-feet-rcna590025?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>are they bad for your feet<\/strong><\/a>? We talked to a podiatrist to find out. We also found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/select\/shopping\/blister-treatment-prevention-rcna589670?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>the best ways to treat and prevent blisters<\/strong><\/a>, so even if you invest in a cute but not-so-practical pair of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/select\/shopping\/best-walking-sandals-rcna346823?cid=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026&amp;tpcc=eml_npd_nws_mrd_08072026\" target=\"_self\"><strong>summer sandals<\/strong><\/a>, you can help protect your feet from unnecessary pain.<\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-fc2f8f\" class=\"body-graf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/link.nbcnews.com\/join\/5cj\/nbc-news-select-signup-homepage\" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>Sign up to The Selection<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em> newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-809898\" class=\"body-graf\">\u200a<em><strong>This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up <\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/link.nbcnews.com\/join\/5cj\/morning-rundown-signup\" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong> to get it in your inbox.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"anchor-4fd586\" class=\"endmark body-graf\"><em>Thanks for reading today\u2019s Morning Rundown. Today\u2019s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson and Delia Sara Rangel. If you\u2019re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/link.nbcnews.com\/join\/5cj\/morning-rundown-signup\" target=\"_blank\"><em>here<\/em><\/a><em>. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump defends Pete Hegseth amid concerns about the defense secretary\u2019s leadership. A student kills multiple people at a school in Thailand. And why Americans are still spending on little luxuries despite economic uncertainty. Here\u2019s what to know today. Trump says he stands by Pete Hegseth as defense secretary President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_nbcnews-fp-1200-630,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2026-08\/260806-trump-hegseth-mb-1115-a46b7e.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31251\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}