Upshot: How Pennsylvania got hooked on “skill games”

August 17, 2026

Hannah Beier for The New York Times

How Pennsylvania Got Hooked on Games That Look a Lot Like Slot Machines

A legal loophole kept “skill games” from being considered gambling. Now lawmakers are trying to save them from a court ruling.

By Leo Dominguez and Ben Blatt

Consider trying Crossplay with your friends and family. Cross Bot can analyze your game.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

Illustration by The New York Times; Photograph by Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press

Could El-Sayed Cost Democrats Michigan?

Not all progressives are equal: Candidates of the activist left typically don’t perform as well as other Democrats.

By Nate Cohn

The New York Times

Flashback: Your Weekly History Quiz, Aug. 15, 2026

Can you sort 8 historical events?

By Charlie Millson

A red-orange sun with a crescent-shaped dark area obscuring it, over a dark, silhouetted mountainous landscape. The sky is a deep reddish hue.

Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times

How to Catch the ‘Eclipse of the Century’ Next Year

On Aug. 2, Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East will witness a solar blockbuster with extra-long totality. If you want to see it, book soon.

By Danielle Dowling

At a gas station, a person refuels a car while watching the pump’s display.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

As Inflation Eats Up Pay Gains, Workers Fall Behind

When prices spiked in 2021-22, wages failed to keep up for many workers, new research shows. Now the pattern is repeating.

By Ben Casselman

Josh Holder/The New York Times

In One Week During Europe’s Record Heat Wave, Deaths Increased by 16,000

Deaths spiked in northwest Europe in June, where countries were unprepared for extreme heat that hit much of the continent.

By Josh Holder

POLLING AROUND THE NATION

President Trump’s Approval Rating: Latest Polls

Track the latest approval rating and polls on Americans’ approval of President Trump.

By Annie Daniel, Jon Huang, Ruth Igielnik, Jasmine C. Lee, Alex Lemonides, Jonah Smith, Caroline Soler, Albert Sun and Rumsey Taylor

An illustration showing voting ballots and darts.

Illustration by Javier Palma; Photographs via Getty Images (darts)

Can Polls Measure the True Strength of the Left?

Recent polling issues could continue in Democratic primaries in part because progressives are more likely to enjoy taking surveys.

By Nate Cohn

The New York Times

Ohio U.S. Senate Election 2026: Latest Polls

Track the latest polls in the Ohio U.S. Senate election.

Midterm Test

This question comes from a recent Times article. Click an answer to see if you’re right. (The link will be free.)

This state will have a ballot proposal in November on enacting a one-time tax on residents with assets worth at least $1 billion:

Washington

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