In Other Brews…

• The VP candidates’ newest mud to sling is calling each other “weird.” Walz (D-MN) is also being accused of timing his retirement from the military to avoid deployment in Iraq, then lying about it. Meanwhile, Vance (R-OH) is being criticized for endorsing a book that calls progressives “unhumans” and saying women need kids to have a stake in America’s future.

• Hamas has a new leader. Following last week’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the terrorist organization has named Yahya Sinwar—the reported “architect” of the October 7th attack on Israel—as its new global leader. Sinar is believed to have been in Gaza, avoiding a multitude of assassination attempts, since the start of the war.

• Mortgage rates are dropping, and homeowner hopefuls are pouncing. Last week, the average 30-year mortgage rate dropped to 6.55%—down from last October’s peak of nearly 8%—prompting a surge in mortgage (and refinance) applications. Economists hope that declining rates will thaw the chilly housing market; “New House” Pinterest boards surged on the news (probably).

• Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), a member of a progressive group of Congressional Democrats nicknamed “the Squad,” lost her primary. It proved to be the second most expensive Democratic primary race in history after a pro-Israel group spent $8 million to boost her opponent, Wesley Bell. The same group spent $15 million to help oust another “Squad” member, Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), last month.

• Boeing and NASA are feuding. Boeing maintains its Starliner Spacecraft is safe to leave the International Space Station, but NASA is concerned about potential helium leaks and thruster control. Boeing’s two-person crew originally planned to be home from their 8-day trip by National Fudge Day (June 16th); NASA is now thinking they’ll return aboard a SpaceX craft closer to Valentine's Day.