The Watches 08.14.25

The end of dial up, crime in DC, Obergefell set for a challenge

First Watch: Signals

• Core inflation (which excludes food and energy) is up slightly, but everyone’s arguing about what caused it. (ZeroHedge)

• Blast at Pennsylvania steel plant kills two. (AP)

• A man with type 1 diabetes can make his own insulin after a transplant of gene-edited pancreatic cells. (Gizmodo)

• McDonald’s now has an adult Happy Meal. (People)

• AOL dial-up is officially dead—the last service just shut down. (The Verge)

• “It was only a matter of time before Grok got itself suspended from X”. (Not the Bee)

Second Watch: Field Notes

Kim Davis—the Kentucky clerk jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples—is seeking a writ of certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court. Her lawyers argue her right to freely exercise her faith outweighs any harm caused by denying applications. The case will also challenge Obergefell v. Hodges, the ruling that imposed same-sex marriage nationwide. (Not the Bee)

President Trump has invoked emergency powers under the Home Rule Act to take control of Washington, D.C.’s police force. He said the move was necessary because crime in the capital has reached “emergency levels,” and deployed the National Guard to protect federal buildings. (WNG)

The Texas Senate has approved redrawn district maps that would give Republicans five new seats. The plan faces long odds in the House, where most Democrat lawmakers have fled the state to block a quorum. One Democrat senator who stayed to vote said quorum breaks can “delay but not defeat” the maps, vowing to take legal action to fight the changes. (Texas Tribune)

Third Watch: Daybreak

🇨🇴 Oof! A Colombian air traffic controller has been stood down after letting his teenage son land a plane

🐟 Some weird buildings

🛝 Sweet playgrounds

Let us pray. O Lord, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of the end of all things and the day of Your just judgement, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with You forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord who live and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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