By Izin Akhabau

Listen to this briefing

Good morning. It’s Thursday, Sept. 10, and if you’re worried about the future, don’t read about the researcher who says AI could lead to humanity’s destruction. Now, let’s get to the other news.

	President Donald Trump promised $5,000 payouts if the GOP wins the midterms.

• Yesterday: Trump spoke on the first day of his party’s midterm convention in Dallas. The president justified the Iran war and considered renaming the Strait of Hormuz after himself.

• An unexpected guest: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) made a surprise video appearance. It has stoked speculation that he might change parties.

• Meet the MAGA faithful: See photos of the president’s fans at “Trumpalooza” here.

Millions could be excluded from the U.S. census after Trump’s proposed changes.

• Who would be impacted? Refugees and asylum seekers would no longer count toward the population. The plan could reshape congressional representation, but it’ll probably face legal challenges.

• More from the administration: The agencies and legal authorities that were created to prevent another terrorist attack after 9/11 have been turned inward. Here’s who is being targeted.

An extraordinary legal fight has plunged Missouri into electoral chaos.

• The latest twist: A group wants to block Missouri from using a new congressional map that favors Republicans in the midterms. It asked the Supreme Court to intervene yesterday.

• The issue: It’s unclear which Missouri map will be used in the midterms. Earlier this week, a Missouri federal judge and a Supreme Court justice issued conflicting orders less than 30 minutes apart.

• In Texas: A Democratic candidate for governor has used her tragic pregnancy to bring abortion into a tight race.

Dan McKee became the first sitting governor to lose renomination since 2018.

• Who beat him? Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes. She criticized the Rhode Island governor for delayed repairs of Providence’s Washington Bridge and won the Democratic primary.

• Who will she be up against? Two Republicans are competing for the party’s nomination, but the Democratic nominee is a favorite to win.

See where extreme heat dominated this summer.

• What to know: The contiguous U.S. just experienced its warmest summer on record, especially in the West and at night, according to recent data. See where it sizzled most here.

• More extreme weather: The West could soon face major flood risks and beach erosion because of El Niño. An expert said these states could be at risk in October and November.

A recent study may debunk a widespread myth about protein.

• The claim: Our bodies can “use” only around 20 to 30 grams of protein from a meal to build and maintain muscle (roughly a three-ounce cooked chicken breast). Here’s what the research says.

• Do you take supplements? Scientists are looking into whether some could harm the aging brain. Researchers found potential risks from taking Vitamin D, omega-3 and this other supplement.

Apple released its first folding phone, which opens to the size of a passport.

• It’s not a classic flip phone: The iPhone Duo has three screens and costs up to $2,000. The new design is Apple’s most significant change to its flagship smartphone since its 2007 launch.