Upshot: The reality of D.C. (and Trump’s claims)
Also: A.I. boom and electricity rates
The Upshot
August 14, 2025

Feedback
For suggestions on how we can improve this newsletter, write to theupshotnewsletter@nytimes.com. If you have a compelling data set you’d like us to pursue, send it to dear.upshot@nytimes.com.

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FROM UPSHOT FRIENDS

Blue sky and clouds and boxy machines in the background and a transmission tower with power lines attached to it in the foreground.

Nathan Howard for The New York Times

Big Tech’s A.I. Boom Is Reordering the U.S. Power Grid

Electricity rates for individuals and small businesses could rise sharply as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and other technology companies build data centers and expand into the energy business.

By Ivan Penn and Karen Weise

Article Image

The New York Times

How China Went From Clean Energy Copycat to Global Innovator

A surge in high quality research and patent applications has cemented China’s dominance in the industry.

By Max Bearak and Mira Rojanasakul

Article Image

by Josh Holder

As Europe’s Heat Waves Intensify, France Bickers About Air-Conditioning

As heat waves batter Europe, the need (or not) for air-conditioning has become part of the political tug of war in France between the right and the left.

By Aurelien Breeden and Josh Holder

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

We updated the 2024 election map (mostly California and Colorado)

An image of the 2024 national precinct-level results map.

The New York Times

An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2024 Election

See how your neighborhood voted on our interactive, precinct-level results map of the presidential election.

By Saurabh Datar, Ilana Marcus, Eli Murray, Ethan Singer, Alex Lemonides, Christine Zhang and Jonah Smith

Wooden desks and the balcony of the Texas State Legislature, empty.

Mike Osborne for The New York Times

Guest Essay

Democrats Delivered Millions to Texarkana. It Didn’t Matter One Bit.

How liberalism went to die on the Texas-Arkansas border.

By Thomas B. Edsall

Like this email?
Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here.

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for The Upshot from The New York Times.

To stop receiving The Upshot, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebookxwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018