An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: How a Supreme Court case could shape the future of social media; record warmth to close out February; deep-sea critters; and more

2024/02/26

Good morning. It's Monday, Feb. 26, and I'm in denial about the latest twist in the drama of the world's (not) oldest dog, Bobi. Now let's catch up from the weekend.

What's happening? Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley has vowed to stay in the race despite Trump winning every primary. She lost her home state Saturday by about 20 points.
Yesterday: An influential conservative political group announced it would stop spending in support of Haley's campaign after her expected — but significant — loss.
In related news: Ronna McDaniel is stepping down as leader of the Republican National Committee.

Today: Justices will hear arguments over laws in Florida and Texas that prohibit social media companies from removing posts or accounts because of their viewpoints.
It's a big deal: A decision, expected by late June, could shape political speech on social media in the critical months before the U.S. presidential election.

What to know: About 20% of federal funding is set to expire if Congress doesn't act by Friday night, endangering vital services like food stamp and housing assistance programs.
What's the holdup? House Republicans are making policy demands on issues including LGBTQ+ rights, abortion and immigration.
Looking ahead: The deadline for a larger shutdown is March 8.

What to know: Negotiators have agreed to the basics of a deal, the White House said yesterday, and a temporary pause in fighting could come "in the coming days."
What it contains: The release of some hostages still held by Hamas and ramped-up aid to Gaza. But Israel said yesterday it would attack the Gazan city of Rafah even if a deal is reached.
Yesterday: An active-duty airman set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in D.C. while shouting, "Free Palestine."

Canadian actor Kenneth Mitchell in 2018. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

How we'll remember him: For his portrayal of Klingon characters in the Paramount Plus series, as well as Aurellio, a human who used a hovercraft wheelchair.
What to know: Mitchell had been battling the rare neurological disease ALS for more than five years. He died Saturday, his personal Instagram page confirmed yesterday.

What to know: Temperatures are forecast to surge 20 to 40 degrees above normal between today and Wednesday, fueling possible severe thunderstorms in the Midwest and South.
What it means: The Midwest's "lost winter" will carry on, with missing snow, thin ice cover on the Great Lakes and many cities experiencing their warmest winter on record.

What you're looking at: Creatures that may be unknown to science, found 14,000 feet deep off the coast of Chile this year. Scientists will test to see if they're new species.
What they tell us: That the Chilean government's fishing restrictions may have helped bolster biodiversity under the sea — an example other countries could follow.

Before you go … brighten up your home with one of these enormous houseplants.

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post's daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word game, Keyword.

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow.