A Washington Post goes inside U.S. government failures to address the fentanyl crisis — and the missteps that allowed it to get significantly worse.

Ten years after the Sandy Hook shooting, gun-safety advocates can point to some wins. NBC News takes stock, while the Trace looks at how victims’ families turned their grief into advocacy.

Babies who were born into pandemic lockdowns and extreme-hygiene rules will have different microbiomes. But does different mean bad? The Atlantic has the story.

There’s a new phenomenon in air travel: the holiday-travel blob. And airlines and hotels are ready to cash in. Wired explains.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the collapsed FTX cryptocurrency exchange, was arrested in the Bahamas and will face criminal charges from U.S. prosecutors. The Washington Post has the story. The Guardian reports on new civil charges from the SEC saying Bankman-Fried defrauded investors and customers.

The Washington Post reports on a breakthrough in the quest to harness nuclear fusion for mass consumption.

Vox reports on the upswing in pedestrian fatalities, which has come as vehicles have got larger while U.S. city design continues to prioritize drivers over those on foot.

After the Whistle breaks down everything you need to know about the World Cup semifinals. 

NBC reports on drone strikes by Russia that plunged more than 1.5 million people in Odesa, Ukraine, into darkness over the weekend. The Wall Street Journal explores warnings from U.S. officials that military ties between Russia and Iran are deepening. 

Vox explains why the U.S. keeps running out of medicine. 

The Atlantic pays tribute to Grant Wahl, the renowned American soccer journalist, who died covering the World Cup from Qatar.

The Washington Post reports on changes in animals’ mating behavior as climate change warms the planet.

Western intelligence officials say Iran is escalating efforts to kidnap and assassinate journalists, activists, and government officials who have spoken out against the regime. The Washington Post has the story.

Kyrsten Sinema talks to Politico about switching her party affiliation from Democrat to independent. The move is shaking up the Senate.

Thousands of nursing homes across the U.S failed to meet federal staffing requirements, putting residents at risk. A USA Today investigation finds that nearly all of them are getting away with it.

NPR explains why South Koreans are about to instantly get a year younger.

Yahoo Sports ranks the World Cup quarterfinalists.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention in a prisoner swap. She is now in U.S. custody. CBS has the story. 

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could impact 2024 races. Reuters reports on how justices reacted.

Peru’s president was removed from office and charged with “rebellion” after attempting to shut down Congress. The Guardian reports from Lima.

A Washington Post reporter investigates a string of overdose deaths in her hometown of Greenville, North Carolina.

Hyperallergic has some things to consider before you jump on the A.I.-portrait trend.

Incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock won Georgia’s Senate runoff election. The Los Angeles Times takes a look at what that means.

A jury found the Trump Organization guilty of tax fraud for engaging in a 15-year scheme in which top executives accepted off-the-books perks. Bloomberg has the story. Meanwhile, Vox argues that while the case may be embarrassing for Donald Trump, his real legal dangers lie elsewhere.

A major climate conference that begins today aims to stop the decline of ecosystems and wildlife. Vox lays out its goals.

The Atlantic explains why most food-expiration dates are actually meaningless.

Voters in Georgia are heading back to the polls to decide the final Senate contest of the year, as Sen. Raphael Warnock faces Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a runoff. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been following both candidates’ campaigns. 

Venice was recently saved from a flood by an engineering marvel. The Washington Post reports on the expensive barrier system — and warns that rising sea levels mean it is not a permanent solution.

Taylor Swift fans are suing Ticketmaster after the presale for the singer’s upcoming tour crashed the site, leaving fans waiting for hours and many without the coveted tickets. The Verge has the story. 

Bloomberg Businessweek breaks down how Duolingo distinguished itself by gamifying language-learning, and its struggles to to turn free users into paying customers.

CNN reports on skepticism in and out of Iran over comments from a key official that the hijab law is under review and the feared “morality police” have been disbanded.

Unusual shooting attacks targeting power stations left tens of thousands of people without electricity in North Carolina. The Charlotte Observer has the story.

Dave Matthews took to the stage to support Raphael Warnock ahead of Georgia’s Senate runoff. New York Magazine explains why so many Democratic candidates have been calling on the jam-band icon to rally voters.

The Wall Street Journal looks at kids who’ve made their families millions by playing with toys in YouTube videos.

The Supreme Court is putting Biden’s student-loan forgiveness plan on hold until it can hear a challenge to its legality, ABC News reports.

USA Today looks at legislation that could help borrowers in a different way, by changing how people with debt can save for retirement.

CBS News reports on Biden’s proposal for a major shake-up to the presidential primary calendar.

NPR goes inside scientists’ efforts to save Florida's coral reef before it's too late.

National Geographic reports on the legend of a demon cat who is said to have haunted the U.S. Capitol for more than 100 years.

NPR reports on how Congress is moving to block a strike by railway workers, and Politico goes inside Biden’s decision to go against key union allies on the issue.

Migrant workers who helped build Qatar’s World Cup infrastructure want compensation for the dangerous and sometimes deadly conditions they experienced. USA Today spoke to some.

People say they’re worried about a recession in America, but they’re still spending. The Washington Post explains how economists are watching that disconnect for signals as to where things may go.

Want a four-day workweek? Show this Bloomberg article to your boss.