The Headlines

Plus, the rocky, unpredictable race for California governor. 

Here’s what we’re covering:

A Terrible Winter for Snow Heads Into a Bleak Summer of Drought, by Jack Healy, Reis Thebault and Scott Dance

Trump Backs Off Plan for $1.8 Billion Fund That Drew Political Backlash, by Tyler Pager, Maggie Haberman, Alan Feuer, Devlin Barrett and Annie Karni

Hegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List, by Greg Jaffe and Kate Kelly

Israel Appears to Pull Back From Threat to Strike Beirut, by The New York Times

California Votes on Newsom’s Successor After Turbulent Primary Campaign, by Laurel Rosenhall and Shane Goldmacher

How Wine, Truffles and Honey Could Help Europe Fight Wildfires, by Jeanna Smialek

Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected].

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Plus, the 20-year-old director with the No. 1 movie. 

Here’s what we’re covering:

Inside the Ebola Epicenter, the Virus Rages With Little to Stop It, by Declan Walsh

Federal Judge Bars Trump From Immediately Setting Up $1.8 Billion Fund, by Zach Montague

U.S. Military Is Quietly Guiding Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz, by Peter Eavis and Eric Schmitt

The Earth Shook. Tanks Burst. Now Kona Faces a Water Crisis., by Libby Leonard and Vivian Yee

Young Moviegoers Power ‘Backrooms’ to $82 Million in Ticket Sales, by Brooks Barnes

Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected].

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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Plus, the Friday news quiz. 

Here’s what we’re covering:

Boat Strikes Have Failed to Curb Flow of Cocaine to U.S., Experts Say, by Simon Romero

Dell Gets a $9.7 Billion Defense Contract. Trump’s Portfolio Stands to Benefit., by Eric Lipton

A Draft U.S.-Iran Plan Is Said to Be on the Table. Here’s What to Know., by Erika Solomon and Farnaz Fassihi

Israel Strikes Beirut, Expanding Offensive in Lebanon, by Euan Ward

Netanyahu Says Israel Will Control 70 Percent of Gaza, Squeezing Hamas, by David M. Halbfinger and Johnatan Reiss

In Flint, Cash for Pregnant Women Leads to Better Outcomes for Babies, by Roni Caryn Rabin

4 Takeaways From the Scripps National Spelling Bee, by Maria Cramer

Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected].

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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Plus, inside the hunt for cheap gas.

Here’s what we’re covering:

Texas School Police Pepper-Sprayed, Tackled and Tasered Students, by Clare Amari, Kristian Hernández and Asher Lehrer-Small

U.S. Strikes Military Sites in Iran for Second Time in 3 Days, by Eric Schmitt

Justice Dept. Is Said to Open Criminal Inquiry of E. Jean Carroll Over Trump Lawsuits, by Glenn Thrush and Benjamin Weiser

Fired for Criticizing Charlie Kirk, They’re Now Getting Big Payouts, by Jeremy W. Peters and Sabrina Tavernise

These Drivers Found Cheap Gas, by Corina Knoll

Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected].

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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Plus, Iran begins lifting an internet blackout. 

Here’s what we’re covering:

Paxton’s Texas Victory Opens a New Front in the Battle for the Senate, by Lisa Lerer and Reid J. Epstein

Trump Administration to Send Americans Exposed to Ebola to Kenya, by Apoorva Mandavilli and Zolan Kanno-Youngs

How a Funding Pause Derailed an Artificial Heart for Babies, by Simar Bajaj

Iran Begins Lifting Monthslong Internet Blackout, Officials Say, by Yeganeh Torbati and Sanam Mahoozi

Go Ask Alice Why Tech Start-Ups Are Spending Big on Hype Videos, by Natallie Rocha

Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: [email protected].

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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