Explosive diarrhea, smoke and heatwaves, oh my

Happy Friday! The World Cup Final is happening on Sunday! I’m going to miss all the soccer and the comradery that has come with it. Oh and exciting news for gymnastics fans, the 2026 U.S. Classic is happening this weekend! So many gymnastics legends are making their returns to the sport. It should be fun to watch.

CDC, FDA link lettuce to cyclosporiasis outbreak 

800 Canadian wildfires blanket DMV, Midwest in smoke 

Mullin to require states to ‘scrub’ their voter lists 

Trump’s big primetime announcement didn’t land 

Nordstrom anniversary sale deals

🥬 TALK OF THE MORNING

The explosive diarrhea outbreak, the smoke inhalation, the heat advisories… we can’t catch a break:

AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Ah, so it may have been the lettuce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have linked iceberg lettuce as the possible source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak that triggers explosive diarrhea — and have opened an investigation. 

Which states?: The agencies say thousands have become sick from eating shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Taco Bell announced it would remove lettuce from some locations after the FDA reportedly opened an investigation into its lettuce supplier. 

Who is the supplier?: The CDC and the FDA did not identify the supplier but sources told the Post that investigators believe Taylor Farms is the supplier. Read more 

💬 Follow today’s live blog 

And air quality surpassed Code Red *nervous laugh*: 

Air quality in the Washington, D.C.-area reached Code Purple on Friday as Canadian wildfire smoke spreads across the U.S. Some areas even briefly reached Code Maroon, according to Fox 5. The skies are hazy and it smells like a campfire outside. The air quality is so poor that people are urged to stay inside today. 

It’s not just the DC-area: Air quality in Chicago and Pittsburgh is also dangerously bad. Exposure even for just a few minutes can cause health problems, per AccuWeather. 

This is a wild stat: There are more than 800 wildfires (!) currently burning across Canada. 

Related, via........

© The Hill