Voters in Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma are waking up to the results of closely watched runoff elections, while the trade war between Canada and the U.S. continues to escalate.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has reported its first measles deaths in three decades, and country music legend Dolly Parton has died at 80.
Here are four stories worth following:
Quote Driving the News:
“When the United States of America asked too much and offered too little, we made a choice. We chose Canada,” said Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne of the retaliatory tariffs.
Darline Graham, Everton Blair Win Runoff Elections
What we’re watching: Sen. Darline Graham defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, while Mike Mazzei defeated state Attorney General Gentner Drummond in Oklahoma’s gubernatorial runoff. Democrat Everton Blair claimed victory in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.
Why it matters: The results give Blair the chance to fill the remainder of the late Rep. David Scott’s term in Georgia and Darline Graham the Republican nomination for the Senate seat she now holds. Mazzei, who was backed by Trump, now has the chance to face Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson in Oklahoma.
Dolly Parton Dies at 80
What we’re watching: Country music legend Dolly Parton died Tuesday, her family announced. Over her six-decade music career Parton produced hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” while her prolific philanthropic efforts included the Imagination Library program, which provided more than 300 million free books to preschool-aged children.
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Why it matters: Parton was a country superstar, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist whose music and public persona made her a rare cultural figure with appeal across generations and political divides.
Canada Retaliates With Tariffs on U.S. Products
What we’re watching: Canada responded to President Trump’s tariff increases on Canadian goods by announcing retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. products, with some duties as high as 50%.
Why it matters: The new tariffs, which are set to go into effect on Sept. 8, will hit about 700 U.S. products with duties ranging from 15% to 50%, including steel and aluminum, motorcycles, washing machines, clams and processed cheese, potentially raising costs for American consumers and industries.
Pennsylvania Reports First U.S. Measles Deaths of 2026
What we’re watching: Two unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died from measles, marking the first reported U.S. measles deaths of 2026 and the state’s first measles deaths in 35 years.
Why it matters: The deaths come as the U.S. faces its worst measles resurgence in decades, with 2,777 cases reported in 2026 as declining vaccination rates threaten the country’s measles-elimination status.
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