CNN Weather | Forecasters warn a rare derecho with hurricane-force winds could plow through part of the

Damaging and potentially destructive thunderstorms are set to roar through the northern Plains on Monday, fueled by intense July heat and humidity.

There’s increasing concern that some of these storms could morph into a derecho – a long-lasting line of storms that delivers powerful damaging wind gusts consistently across a few hundred miles of land. Derechos are rare, typically occurring once or twice per year across the US, usually during the summer months in the Midwest and Mississippi–Ohio Valley corridor.

As a result, there’s a Level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of South Dakota and Minnesota Monday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. That heightened risk level is mainly due to the threat of gusts greater than 80 mph. The winds could be comparable to those found in a Category 1 hurricane, albeit in shorter bursts. Category 1 hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 mph and stronger gusts.  –read more–

F1 | Piastri wins wet-dry Belgian GP after late pressure from title rival and McLaren team mate Norris

Oscar Piastri claimed victory in the Belgian Grand Prix, holding off McLaren team mate and title rival Lando Norris in a wet-dry affair at Spa-Francorchamps to extend his Drivers’ Championship lead to 16 points.

Heavy rain ahead of the 44-lap race delayed proceedings by almost 80 minutes but once racing got underway on Lap 5, the crucial moment came immediately as Piastri got a better run on his team mate and polesitter through Eau Rouge.  –read more–

watch: Race Highlights | 2025 Belgian Grand Prix

CNN Entertainment | Paul McCartney’s 1985 Live Aid performance, his first live show in five years, was nearly derailed by a tech glitch

Paul McCartney hadn’t taken the stage in over five years when he sat down at his piano to sing “Let It Be” for Live Aid on July 13, 1985, in a performance that was almost totally derailed by a single tech glitch.

There the music legend was – performing live for the first time since his post-Beatles band Wings had broken up, and his lifelong friend and Beatles bandmate John Lennon had been assassinated – to sing “Let It Be,” one of the last songs the Fab Four ever released… and minutes into the performance, McCartney’s microphone died.  –read more–

CNN Science | Thousands of mosquitoes are being dropped by drone over islands in Hawaii. Here’s why

(CNN) — In June, dozens of biodegradable pods fell from the sky over the forests of Hawaii. Each one, delivered by drone, contained about 1,000 mosquitoes.

These weren’t just any mosquitoes — they were non-biting, lab-reared male mosquitoes carrying a common bacterium that results in eggs that don’t hatch when the males mate with wild females. The hope is that they will help to control the archipelago’s invasive mosquito population, which is decimating native bird populations, such as rare Hawaiian honeycreepers.  –read more–

HGTV | 35 Trendy Themes for an Outdoor Summer Party

Pick the Perfect Outdoor Summer Party Theme

With long sunny days that melt into warm starry nights, summer is the best time of year to host an alfresco celebration, big or small. We’re sharing unique outdoor party themes to help you plan the most beautiful (and fun!) social event of the season. Read on to find recipes, cocktails and decoration inspiration for our favorite summer party themes, including a Lowcountry crab boil, a glamping sleepover, a French Riviera fête, a Pride dinner party and more.  –read more–

Peter, Paul & Mary – Topic | Leaving on a Jet Plane

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CNN travel | Once ‘the world’s egg basket,’ this Gold Rush-era boomtown still delivers culinary riches

Petaluma, California (CNN) — Petaluma’s farm-to-table trend dates all the way back to the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. Between lush farmland and a river for transport, the town found itself in a prime position to provide eggs, dairy, meat and veggies to mining towns in the region and down to booming San Francisco, less than 40 miles south.

You can still see faded chicken “Hatchery” business names painted on old brick buildings in what was once locally touted as “the world’s egg basket.” There’s an enthusiastic hometown gathering for the annual Butter & Egg Days Parade and Festival, and at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum you can get up close to an egg cleaning machine and see an old photo of the town’s former chicken pharmacy (‘cause fowl sometimes feel foul).

The town’s culinary tradition continues today with everything from buffalo milk ice cream and sourdough bagels to Swedish cuisine and famous craft beer. But there are other draws to Petaluma, including shopping among buildings from the 1800s, hip bars, live music and loads of nostalgia.  –read more–

Luther Vandross | Think About You

 

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CNN Entertainment | ‘South Park’ premiere skewers Trump and Paramount in fiery return

(CNN) — “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone brought their show back with a vengeance on Wednesday, in an episode that took swings at both the parent company of the network that airs their popular animated series and President Donald Trump.

The delayed Season 27 premiere of the satirical show revolved around the ending of “wokeness” and a Trump character suing residents of South Park for $5 billion after they protest Jesus appearing in local schools.

“I didn’t want to come back and be in the school, but I had to because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount,” the Jesus character says, referencing Comedy Central’s parent company and litigation around its pending sale.  –read more–

CNN Sports | Venus Williams, 45, becomes oldest player to win WTA singles match in more than 20 years

Venus Williams rolled back the years to produce a brilliant display as she eliminated fellow American Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 to reach the round of 16 of the DC Open.

Williams, 45, becomes the oldest player to win a singles match on the WTA Tour since Martina Navratilova won in the first round of Wimbledon in 2004 aged 47.

It was Williams’ second tour victory in as many days after she recorded a doubles win at the DC Open alongside Hailey Baptiste on Monday.  –read more–

related: CNN Tennis/SportsVenus  | Williams wishes sister Serena would come out of retirement to join her in competition