Thursday, July 9, 2026 • 3 min read

Wake up with The Yodel

by Natasha Frost with Alan McGuinness

Good morning, everyone. If you need a little lift, why not treat yourself to a cone today? Check out this list of the nation’s most-bookmarked ice cream shops. Now, the news.

Need to know

Graham Platner speaking at an event on June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. | CJ Gunther/Getty Images

Democrat Graham Platner said he will quit the U.S. Senate race in Maine after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault. Here’s what that means.

What to know: First-time candidate Platner, who denies the allegation, has faced considerable pressure from Democrats to drop out. He has also been accused of trying to influence the selection of his replacement, a claim he also denies. The departure leaves a crucial race unsettled just months before the midterms. [AP]
What’s next: Democrats now have less than three weeks to pick a new candidate to go up against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term. State officials have promised "transparency." Here’s how the party might pick the next nominee and who’s likely to be on the shortlist. [CBS News/USA Today]

In case you missed it

Bonnie Tyler performs the song "Believe in Me" during the dress rehearsal for the final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. | Reuters/Jessica Gow/Scanpix

Farewell, Bonnie Tyler

Power ballad icon Bonnie Tyler, whose hits Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero topped charts around the world, died in Portugal at age 75. She was in a hospital receiving treatment after an emergency intestinal surgery earlier this year. [BBC News]

Charlie Kirk hearing

A preliminary hearing over the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk continued. Defense attorneys questioned the reliability of DNA testing linking the suspect, Tyler Robinson, to the alleged murder weapon. Here’s what prosecutors are hoping for next. [CBS News]

Air Force One swap

President Trump returned from a NATO summit in Turkey on an old Air Force One plane instead of the Qatar-gifted jet he arrived in. The switch raised fresh security questions about the new aircraft, which has cost the U.S. $400 million to retrofit. [AP]

Baldoni breaks silence

Director and actor Justin Baldoni spoke out for the first time since the end of his legal battle with It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively. Lively recently made headlines after she was reportedly not invited to former bestie Taylor Swift’s wedding. [Hollywood Reporter]

Emmy nominations

The nominees for the 78th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are out! Apple TV series Pluribus, Margo's Got Money Troubles and Widow's Bay all got multiple nods, while HBO Max medical drama The Pitt notched 25 nominations. See why Bad Bunny also made the list. [CNN/People]

What’s happening today

Seacia Pavao/Peacock

Now streaming

In The Five-Star Weekend, starring Jennifer Garner, D'Arcy Carden and Gemma Chan, a celebrity chef invites three friends to spend a weekend in Nantucket. It’s on Peacock now. Read a review. [Hollywood Reporter]

On the diamond

A high-stakes four-game series between the Yankees and the Rays comes to a close at 1:10 p.m. ET on Fubo, after three lackluster performances from New York — including ejections for Aaron Boone and Brad Ausmus. [NY Post Sports]

In the World Cup

The quarterfinals kick off today with a showdown between Morocco and France, in their first meeting since 2022, at 4 p.m. ET on Fox One and Telemundo. France is aiming to reach a third consecutive World Cup semifinal. Can they make the grade? [Yahoo Sports]

On TV

Reality TV summer just keeps going, as Big Brother returns to CBS at 8 p.m. ET. Once again, 14 new contestants will go head-to-head in the ultimate social strategy game for a grand prize of $750,000. [USA Today]

And don't forget to...

Read your daily horoscope. Play the crossword (or the mini). Check the forecast in your area.

Today in history

Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Dreamworks/Everett Collection

In 2004, the hit comedy film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, starring Will Ferrell, was released in theaters. Fun fact: The movie originally had an entirely different ending. Here’s what it was, and why it changed. [Variety]

Feel-good moment

Prince Weeks

Prince Weeks's teenage years were rocked by financial instability and uncertainty — yet, despite the hardship, he became his class valedictorian last month. “You will always prosper when you put in the hard work and you show up,” he told the audience. See how he did it, and what he plans to do next. [Washington Post]