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| Good morning. It’s Monday, August 3, and we are pleased to finally have an explanation for why many TV shows take years between seasons. We’re looking at you, “Severance.” Let’s catch up. | |  | President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran will return to talks today. | -
Over the weekend: Trump said he canceled strikes on Iran to pursue negotiations. If they proceed, talks will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear disarmament. -
What else to know: At least seven U.S. states reported cyberattacks last week that interrupted water or wastewater operations. Intelligence agencies suspect Iran may be involved.  |  | Rogue police officers have turned a vast camera network into a tool for stalking. | | Thousands of law-enforcement agencies track cars using Flock’s AI-powered roadside cameras. (Kevin D. Liles for The Post) | -
Across the U.S.: Surveillance firm Flock has more than 120,000 shoebox-size cameras. They scan the roads of more than 6,000 communities and record 20 billion plate scans a month. -
According to a Post analysis: At least 50 officers have been charged with or accused of misusing Flock and other systems. One woman told us how she caught out her former partner.  | Senate Republicans are racing to complete a long to-do list before leaving D.C. Friday. |  | Ukraine has a controversial new advocate inside the MAGA movement. | -
Who? Pro-Trump blogger Laura Loomer. After years of criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and opposing U.S. support for Ukraine, she has undergone a stunning reversal. -
Why it matters: Trump is a fan of Loomer, to the chagrin of some advisers. Loomer said she expects to visit the White House soon to discuss her recent visit to Ukraine.  | A “perfect storm” spread fire and smoke across the Northern Hemisphere last month. | | Major wildfires and their massive, suffocating plumes of smoke blanketed vast swaths of North America and Europe. (The Post) | -
In July: About 20% of the hemisphere’s land area experienced moderate or greater concentrations of soot released by wildfires, causing poor air quality that spread dangerous toxins. -
The fires are continuing: Firefighters are battling three blazes in Spokane, Washington, after fast-moving flames forced the evacuations of about 5,000 homes this weekend.  | An oncologist told us how much family history matters when it comes to cancer risk. | -
Most cancer cases are random: About 90% are not due to an inherited gene, but arise from lifestyle or other factors. However, having a family history of cancer does increase your risk. -
What do you need to watch out for? Oncologist Mikkael Sekeres explained what you should know here, including how to lower your risk if you have an inherited genetic mutation.  | A Post reader helped solve a romantic World War II mystery. | | A letter from soldier Louis “Speedy” Weber to his wife, Frances. (Craig Hudson for The Post) | -
In 2022: A box filled with hundreds of letters Louis “Speedy” Weber wrote to his wife, Frances, during the war arrived at a USO office. Very little was known about their lives. -
But, in May: Reporter Joe Heim wrote about the search for a living relative. That inspired amateur genealogist Matthew Brown to get to work, leading to a breakthrough. Before you go ... is melatonin or magnesium better for your sleep? We asked the experts. Plus: Eleven things that can impact your testosterone levels. One more good read: Impostor scams have already defrauded Americans of $1.8 billion this year. Here’s how to spot one.  | News quiz: Test your knowledge in today's On the Record. |
|  | Word game: One word to spell 'em all! Can you solve today's Keyword in 6 guesses? |
|  | Crossword: It's time to solve! Play now. |
|  | Wridges: Speed and spell your way up to a high score in our newest game. |
| You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow. |  | | ((Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Washington Post)) | |
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