Every commuter becomes an opportunity for cartel operatives
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Read Online  |  August 26, 2026  |  E-Paper  | Get the podcast

Cathy He

Politics Editor

Cathy He

Politics Editor

Good morning, it’s Wednesday. Here are today’s top stories. 

  • Cartels are using dating apps to turn Americans into unwitting drug smugglers, border officials told The Epoch Times’ Troy Myers during his visit to the San Diego border. 
  • American country music legend Dolly Parton passed away yesterday at 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to her publicist. Tributes quickly poured in from around the world, and President Donald Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-mast for one week. Besides Parton’s music legacy, her Imagination Library program has helped boost childhood literacy, distributing 300 million books to children under 5 since 1995. 
  • Canada said it’s countering Washington’s levies by imposing dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on hundreds of American goods amounting to nearly $20 billion. 
  • Sen. Darline Graham beat Rep. Ralph Norman in the South Caroline Republican Senate runoff for the seat held by her late brother.