“Energy inflation shows up across the entire economy, and the recent surge in diesel prices in particular threatens to have a dramatic impact on freight and travel in the weeks and months to come.”

NBC News: Amy Acton reflects on a “rough day” as witnesses recall “frightening” confrontation.

“Hire me on the side, the longtime Trump aide who was effectively the shadow secretary at the department last year, told them… He said he could help the tiny, wealthy Gulf state with any issues that fell under the department’s purview, such as visas…”

“The alleged moneymaking efforts, which appeared to be offers by Lewandowski to sell government services for personal gain, came while he had an expansive portfolio at one of the most powerful agencies in the federal government.”

“But a coming crisis in Social Security appears to be pushing at least a few Republicans off the GOP’s long-standing pledge never to raise taxes.”

“This summer, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in proposing to raise the payroll tax cap so people with higher incomes pay more into the program. Now the idea is emerging as an acceptable fix among other GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Tom Cole, the influential chair of the House Appropriations Committee.”

“Yes, Hunter Biden’s laptop will live on. At least on the blockchain.”

“Biden’s token will trade under the ticker, $LAPTOP, and launch Sept. 9 on Base, a digital ledger built by Coinbase Global, the largest U.S. crypto exchange.”

“Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union’s executive arm, visited Greenland on Monday and pledged investments worth 200 million euros, equivalent to about $230 million, in minerals, satellite communications and renewable energy.”

“The move is the latest in an international tug of war for influence over the vast island.”

CNBC: Trump says Bombardier can’t sell in U.S. unless Canada aerospace giant builds there.

“Voters from both parties will head to the polls on Tuesday to pick their nominees to replace Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who decided not to run again. The leading contender on the Democrat side is U.S. House Representative Chris Pappas. For Republicans, it’s John Sununu, who previously served in the Senate from 2003 to 2009 and whose brother and father were popular New Hampshire governors.”

“An unexpected Democratic loss in the Granite State would wipe out a hard-fought midterm victory elsewhere and complicate the party’s chances of securing the net gain of four seats that they need to win a Senate majority.”

“The Confederate Memorial, a 32-foot bronze statue commissioned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and unveiled in 1914, was removed from the military cemetery in 2023. Its removal followed a congressional mandate to rid U.S. military property of names and symbols honoring the Confederacy and its leaders.”

— Jared Kushner, quoted by CBS News, on the lack of progress in Gaza.

“Midterm elections, above all, are a referendum on the occupant of the White House, according to election experts. That is even more of a truism in the era of Trump, ‌who has spent the better part of a decade as the country’s dominant political figure and could face stiff political headwinds in his final two years in office.”

Associated Press: Whiplash election year enters final stretch as Trump holds wild cards.

“Retaliatory tariffs, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, demonstrate Mr. Carney’s defiance toward increasing bombast by President Trump, who has been trying to humiliate Canada economically after more than two weeks of finger pointing and threats.”

Associated Press: A testy trade war threatens to keep Canadian travelers from the U.S.

Said Trump: “Happy Labor Day to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics, Communists, and Dumocrats who will do anything possible to destroy our Country. These Deranged People, after fighting for 10 years, should finally acknowledge that your Favorite President (ME!), knows how to WIN!”

He added: “They should be exhausted by now but, sadly, they’re not. They’re going to give it one last shot at ruining America, but we’re not going to let that happen. We’re going to win the Midterms, BIG, and SAVE AMERICA!”

Mother Jones: Trump wants to make sure every voter knows the midterms are a referendum on Trump.

“No Iranian crude has crossed the blockade since it was reinstated by the U.S. Navy in mid-July, according to ship tracker Kpler. Iran is still loading small amounts of oil onto tankers, but those barrels remain trapped inside the Gulf.”

Bloomberg: Iran says Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman just days away.

Said a former club employee: “He has this weird, very odd pride about how good the hot dogs are. That’s his thing. The chef has to be out there. And he’s like, ‘Chef, get everyone a hot dog—all these guys.'”

“And everyone means everyone—roughly 30 carts full of Secret Service agents included. But the president’s frankfurters are not free… Ethics rules restrict agents from accepting gifts from those they serve. So Trump’s club charges the agency that protects him.”

“There, in one all-beef transaction, is the Trump presidency in miniature: Trump owns the club. Trump controls the chef. Trump doles out the hot dogs. Trump watches everyone eat them. Then Trump’s business sends the government the bill.”

“Michigan’s toss-up Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers is the epicenter of this dynamic. But these tensions are also simmering in other competitive Senate races, including in battleground Georgia and the tight contest in Texas. That has prompted Democratic fears that a shift by some Jewish voters away from the party could affect the battle for control of Congress in November.”

“While grocery prices are driven by complex trade and energy costs, the safety net meant to keep them safe to eat is fraying, creating a dual crisis of affordability and safety.”

“At stop after stop on his latest Southern swing over Labor Day weekend, Newsom leaned into the anxiety and exhaustion Democrats have been carrying through the Trump era.”

Said Newsom: “People really were in doubt about the future. I mean, all that stacking distress, everything that we have, you have been through ever since you saw the escalator move down.”