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Good morning, it's Wednesday, Aug. 19. Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks of the war, while an alleged fraternity drug ring unfolds at Penn State. First time reading? Join over 4.7 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
Also in today's Digest: Madonna leads the VMAs (Sports, Ent., & Cult.), scientists eavesdrop on dolphins (Sci. & Tech), why Google bought Spirit's data (Bus. & Mkts.), a 10-foot ball of human hair is taking over NYC (Etc.), and much more.
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Need To Know
Record Drone Strike
Ukraine launched roughly 800 drones against Russia yesterday, potentially its second-biggest drone strike since 2025. The attack is the latest example of Ukraine’s monthslong strategy to pressure Moscow into peace negotiations by attacking deep within Russian territory.
The strike came days after another large-scale Ukrainian attack killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more. Many recent strikes have targeted Wildberries, Moscow’s main e-commerce site, destroying up to $10B in goods and property (why target "Russia’s Amazon"?). Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike yesterday reportedly killed at least 10 people in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and wounded 17 others. See updates here.
Russia reiterated last week that it would not accept a ceasefire on the current front lines, and has also rejected Turkey’s request for a moratorium on strikes against ships in the Black Sea. See how attacks on shipping routes are affecting global trade.
... and what it's like inside Ukraine's "kill zone."
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ABC Challenges FCC
Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission yesterday, seeking to block an early review of broadcast licenses for ABC-owned stations. They say the review is retaliation for programming critical of President Donald Trump and violates the First Amendment.
Broadcast stations are generally licensed by the FCC for eight-year terms, with ABC's eight stations not due for renewal until between 2028 and 2031. In April, the FCC ordered them to submit renewal applications by May 28, the first time in over 50 years the agency has required stations to seek early renewal. The move followed Trump's criticism of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel, while FCC Chair Brendan Carr says the review concerns whether Disney's diversity policies violate federal law. (See a timeline of major moments.) ABC is asking a federal court to halt the proceedings while its case is heard.
Why are traditional broadcast stations subject to government licensing while cable networks aren't? The distinction stems from a century-old principle that broadcast frequencies are a scarce public resource.
🫶 Humankind: California woman gives $1M in bonuses to the teachers in her local school district.
Fraternity Drug Ring
A 24-year-old accused of leading a fraternity-affiliated drug ring at Penn State surrendered to authorities yesterday. He is being held in jail without bail after failing to appear for an arraignment Monday.
Agostino Abbatiello is one of 14 people, including 13 current or former students, charged in connection with the alleged drug ring. Court documents released this week allege the operation was run out of off-campus fraternity houses from 2023 to 2024, with Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi brothers and pledges accused of cutting, bagging, and distributing cocaine to the student body. Abbatiello and fellow former student Thomas Robinson, 23, allegedly sourced bulk cocaine from Philadelphia and New York (see how cocaine gets to the US here). Records show Robinson and his father, a Pittsburgh lawyer charged with concealing evidence, posted bail Monday.
In 2020, federal prosecutors charged several current and former UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Appalachian State University students in connection with a drug ring that generated an estimated $1.5M in sales.
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Caffeine Gets a Bad Rap …
Sorry to all the coffee and Monster lovers, but it’s the truth. Whether we’re talking sudden crashes, degrading focus, or issues sleeping, caffeine—especially the isolated kind found in most energy drinks—isn’t the solution, it’s the problem. But here’s the good news: When used correctly, caffeine can do amazing things … and LMNT’s newest flavor, Lemonade Iced Tea, is the proof.
Made with full black tea extract, crucial electrolytes for optimal hydration (like sodium, potassium, and magnesium), and no artificial colors, flavors, or sugars, LMNT Lemonade Iced Tea isn’t your average pick-me-up. This unique blend offers a noticeably steadier feeling and no crash … probably why everyone from Stanford neuroscientists to NFL, NBA, and Olympic athletes trust it.
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In The Know
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> ESPN cofounder Bill Rasmussen dies at age 93 from complications of Parkinson's disease (More) | Watch ESPN's first-ever broadcast on Sept. 7, 1979 (More) | Drummer Frank Beard of blues rock trio ZZ Top dies at age 77 (More)
> Madonna leads VMA nominations with 11 nods, followed by Taylor Swift with nine, and Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter with seven each; award show airs Sept. 27 (More, w/full list)
> National Symphony Orchestra to play 2026-27 season across six Washington, DC-area venues following Kennedy Center board’s approval of renovation project pushed by President Donald Trump; season begins Sept. 26 (More)
Science & Technology
> OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens, with restrictions on explicit content and additional guardrails to deter emotional dependence (More) | Poll shows 55% of adults under 30 are now more concerned than excited about AI (More)
> Instrumental music and listening to spoken stories can activate the same brain networks involved in imagination and meaning-making, new research shows (More) | Why listening to sad songs may improve your mood (More)
> Eavesdropping on dolphins reveals they may snoop on their prey and prefer different locations for hunting and socializing (More, w/video) | See footage of dolphins using seashells to catch fish (More, via YouTube)
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Business & Markets
> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.7%, Dow -0.2%, Nasdaq -1.3%), driven by AI and chip stock sell-offs (More)
> Google pays $10M for defunct Spirit Airlines' internal business data, including 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams chats, and 7.5 billion passenger transaction records from 2008, to help train its AI models (More)
> Costco to launch branded Medicare plans with nonprofit insurer SCAN Group, entering the more than $600B Medicare insurance market (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Rep. Byron Donalds (R) and Republican-turned-Democrat David Jolly will face off in Florida's gubernatorial race in November; see live updates on all races in Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming (More)
> South Korean President Lee Jae Myung calls for more military independence from the US after President Donald Trump announced this week he will cut back on joint exercises to prioritize relations with North Korea (More)
> President Donald Trump posts map with Strait of Hormuz labeled as a US territory after earlier suggesting the US could annex the area (More)
In partnership with LMNT
Less Caffeine, Better Everything
Not-so-fun fact: Energy drinks are full of isolated caffeine, which causes crashes, jitters, and lack of focus. It’s kinda like taping over your body’s check engine light instead of, you know, actually fixing it … not good.
For a better alternative, try LMNT’s newest flavor (and first with caffeine), Lemonade Iced Tea. Made with full black tea extract, naturally occurring L-theanine and polyphenols for a steadier experience, and key electrolytes for optimal hydration, it’s one seriously supportive drink. Try it for yourself and get a free 8-count sample pack of LMNT right here!
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Etcetera
Efforts to de-extinct a frog that gave birth through its mouth. (w/photo)
Study indicates faster job applicants are more likely to succeed.
Ranking America's most pet-friendly cities.
The best countries for expats in 2026.
Couple skydives into their wedding with their bridal party.
Gen Z's latest insult is "polyester."
Why some people (but not everyone) go bald. (w/video)
Watch a 10-foot ball of hair roll through New York.
In partnership: Why you should keep this flying car company’s stock on your watchlist.*
Clickbait: The "so bad it's good" Chinese film rivaling "The Odyssey."
Historybook: Fashion designer Coco Chanel born (1883); Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500, hosts first race (1909); Former President Bill Clinton born (1946); Comedian Groucho Marx dies (1977); Final US combat brigade leaves Iraq (2010).
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