Takeaways from Wisconsin and Minnesota primaries, Trump addresses Air Force One ruse, inside AP’s wildfire reporting

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Welcome back. In the news today: A moderate Democrat narrowly defeats a democratic socialist in Wisconsin, and other takeaways from the primaries; Trump addresses the subterfuge involved in his flight from the NATO summit in Turkey; and we chat with the AP’s Global Climate and Environmental News Director about how our reporters cover extreme weather events. Also, have trouble sleeping in a new place? I do too. We explain why, and what you can do about it.

Takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries

In Wisconsin, moderate Democrat David Crowley narrowly defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong, who was hoping to ride the wave of recent victories by progressive candidates, including Abdul El-Sayed in neighboring Michigan’s Senate race last week. Read more.

Why this matters:

• Hong’s loss in Wisconsin may have doused the momentum for progressive candidates, but it’s far from snuffing it out. A democratic socialist coming close to victory in a battleground state sends a clear message: There is unignorable angst among the party’s voters.Crowley’s margin of victory was less than 1 percentage point.Crowley, who is vying to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor, will face off in November against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump.
• Meanwhile in Minnesota, progressive candidate Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate primary over the centrist Rep. Angie Craig.

Related coverage →

More on the Wisconsin primary

Wisconsin Governor primary results

Progressive Democrats get another win in Minnesota US Senate primary

Sen. Darline Graham, US Rep. Ralph Norman advance to GOP runoff for US Senate in South Carolina

Judge again bars Trump administration from implementing order that sought to limit mail voting

Former Mayor Luke Bronin wins Democratic primary in Connecticut, ousting U.S. Rep. John Larson

Trump says Secret Service and the military wanted him off Air Force One in Turkey due to threat

President Donald Trump downplayed the extraordinary nature of the subterfuge involved in his flight, which saw him stow away in an airport catering container to sneak onto another plane while Air Force One was sent into the sky, essentially as a decoy. Read more.

Why this matters:

• “They wanted me to go on a different flight, different plane,” Trump said Tuesday, saying he had little choice in the matter. His comments confirmed a report that first appeared in The Washington Post saying Trump, following a NATO summit last month, was spirited onto a different plane because of a credible threat from Iran, which he insisted didn’t scare him. The action was kept secret for weeks until the newspaper’s story. Concealing Trump’s whereabouts at the time and for weeks afterward is believed to be unprecedented.

Related coverage →

WATCH: Elaborate ruse to fly Trump out of Turkey explained

FACT FOCUS: Trump makes false claims as he signs order urging revisions around childhood vaccines

Trump administration faces lawsuit over its targeting of the International Criminal Court

On the front lines of extreme weather

In recent weeks, devastating wildfires and relentless heat waves have gripped parts of the world. Climate statistics show that so far this is the third-hottest year globally, behind 2024 and 2025. Today we are joined by Peter Prengaman, the AP’s Global Climate and Environmental News Director, to learn more about what it’s like reporting as the climate changes.

What key challenges do our reporters face when covering wildfires?

As each country and U.S. state manages wildfires differently, access can be a big challenge depending on where a wildfire is happening. Journalists can’t always get close, which limits on-the-ground reporting, photos and video. If journalists can access a fire, there are then many other challenges around safety. From the risk of flames to breathing the smoke, fires are dangerous to cover.

Another challenge is keeping readers’ interest over what can be multiple months. When houses are consumed and people die, a fire can get a lot of attention. But between those moments can be weeks. A fire is still burning, thousands may be evacuated, but how do we continue telling this important story in a way that readers still pay attention?

Want to know more? Make a recurring gift to join Peter and other AP journalists on Aug. 19 for an exclusive conversation about their experience covering extreme weather up close.

Related coverage →
Extreme heat and drought take a toll around the world, in photos

Western Canada fights growing wildfires as thousands more told to be ready to leave

Wildfire at Indonesia’s Mount Bromo mostly contained as smoke forces school closures

IN OTHER NEWS

Power outages:Severe weather in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio as ‘ring of fire’ strikes Midwest

Imprisoned in Russia:Former US Marine released after being held for more than 4 years

Fraud sentence:John Gotti’s grandson kept trying to delay prison to donate kidney to mother. A judge said enough

Ultrarare find:1988 Nintendo game cartridges discovered in Wisconsin

Just married:Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez tie the knot after 10 years

Today in History:In 1985, the world’s worst single-aircraft disaster occurred when a Japan Airlines flight crashed

WATCH

Stranded for 3 days:River tubing group rescued, found living off bark and flowers

Poor sleep in a new space is common

Been on vacation recently? Did you have any trouble falling asleep on the first night? Well, most people do in a new place. I’m quite fussy if the pillows are too thick, or if the room temperature is not quite right. And I find myself tossing and turning the whole night. Sleep specialists call this the first-night effect. Read what experts say causes it and how you can improve your chances of a good night’s rest.

This is our flagship newsletter Morning Wire. You can subscribe here and we’ll email it to you daily.