Wednesday, July 22, 2026 • 3 min read

Wake up with The Yodel

by Natasha Frost with Alexander Kay

Happy hump day, everyone. Not in the mood to cook? These 10 easy recipes all start with a simple jar of salsa. Now, the news.

Need to know

A man speaks into a microphone and points at the camera.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies during the Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing. | Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday as the costs of the war in Iran mount. Here’s the latest.

Senate hearing: In his first testimony before Congress since a ceasefire collapsed, Hegseth said the war had cost about $37.5 billion. He defended a request for another $67 billion to cover the costs of the conflict as an "urgent, necessary" step to restock the Pentagon's arsenal and avoid a budgetary shortfall. [Washington Post]
U.S. casualties: The Pentagon identified the three U.S. soldiers killed over the weekend as Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas; 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; and Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York. The total number of U.S. deaths is now at 18. [CBS News]
Latest news: President Trump said the U.S. would hit Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, where Israel reportedly believes Tehran has moved nuclear equipment, “pretty soon.” In response, Tehran warned that any attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be treated as an expansion of the war. Here’s what to know. [CNN]

In case you missed it

Rep. Andy Biggs with his wife Cindy Biggs (R) and daughter Mylie (L). | Ross D. Franklin/AP

Arizona primaries

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, a close Trump ally, won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor to challenge Democratic incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs. A Democratic contest for a battleground U.S. House district was too close to call this morning. See all the results. [AP]

Trump’s BBC lawsuit

A Florida judge ruled that Trump must hand over financial records sought by the BBC as the British broadcaster defends itself in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit. Trump’s lawyer called the BBC’s requests "oppressive" and "sweeping.” The ruling can be appealed. [BBC News]

Cyclospora update

The CDC has now reported more than 4,000 cases of the gastrointestinal infection cyclosporiasis across 41 states, with another 7,400 cases unconfirmed. More than 300 people were hospitalized. Here’s how to know if you’re at risk. [USA Today]

More ESPN cuts

Sports network ESPN has said goodbye to some big on-air personalities amid more Disney layoffs, including 33-year veteran Karl Ravech and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It’s the company's third round of layoffs in 2026. See who else is affected. [Entertainment Weekly]

Seattle’s favorite raccoon

Meet Jimothy, a tiny raccoon whose short neck and unusually round body have made him an internet sensation. A Seattle resident's cellphone video capture of him garnered millions of views. Happily, he seems to be thriving. See Jimothy run. [People]

What’s happening today

Eric McCandless/Disney

On TV

Season 5 of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire premieres at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, as 16 famous duos compete to win up to $1 million for their chosen charity. See the lineup. [People]

On the court

After an overtime win against the Wings — including a career-best game for rookie Marine Fauthoux — the New York Liberty play the Sky at 7 p.m. ET on Fubo. Chicago are fighting to stay alive in the playoff race. [NY Post Sports]

On the diamond

The Braves host the Padres at 7:15 p.m. ET on MLB.TV in Game 3 of the four-game series. Yesterday’s matchup saw four San Diego home runs, including the longest homer of the MLB season from Fernando Tatis. [Yahoo Sports]

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: Eric VANDEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

In 1992, the Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar made his brazen escape from La Catedral, the luxurious customized prison that he had built for himself, complete with a football pitch and bar. The building sat uninhabited for nearly 14 years. Here’s what happened next. [The Wrap]

Feel-good moment

Becky Turner

While browsing old images on Google Maps, Becky Turner unexpectedly spotted her late golden retriever, Sonny, bounding through the yard of her childhood home. The surprise gave her a joyful new memory of her beloved pet, she said. “It was a new experience with him that I got to have, and that made it feel really special.” [People]