In the Hot Seat

Where the Secret Service went wrong. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( July 31, 2024 Good morning. We'll begin with the biggest revelations from Tuesday's Senate hearing on the Trump assassination attempt. Then, we'll take our passports to Paris for the latest on the Olympics and [Shawn Johnson East's breakdown of the Summer Games](. Later on, we'll share the scoop on [signs your marriage is in danger]( and [what it's like to have a famous best friend](. Here we go!   In the News [Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr.]( Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. testifies. (Getty Images) In the Hot Seat Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. offered new details about the assassination attempt on former President Trump in a Senate hearing on Tuesday. Here are the key takeaways: There was a breakdown in communication between local law enforcement and the Secret Service. Rowe said that reports of an armed suspicious person on the roof didn't reach Secret Service agents and were "siloed" in local law enforcement channels. The attack by Thomas Matthew Crooks could have been prevented had the counter-drone system been working. Rowe confirmed that the system had connectivity issues and wasn’t deployed on the day of Trump’s attack. Rowe faced heat for not firing any Secret Service members, and became emotional after being yelled at by lawmakers. “I have lost sleep over [the shooting] for the last 17 days, just like you,” he told GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, adding, “I will not rush to judgment. People will be held accountable.” The FBI found a social media account potentially linked to Crooks. FBI director Paul Abbate said federal investigators believe Crooks posted about political violence, plus antisemitic and anti-immigration views.   More Stories [Ismail Haniyeh sitting down ]( Ismail Haniyeh. (Getty Images) Hamas has confirmed that its top political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed this morning in Iran. The group blamed an Israeli strike, and Iran’s supreme leader has vowed to avenge Haniyeh's death. Meanwhile, Israel claims to have killed Hezbollah’s most senior military commander — who it blames for the Golan Heights attack — in Beirut yesterday. Kamala Harris hit back against new attacks from the Trump campaign on immigration and the border. Referring to her time as California attorney general, she said she "walked underground tunnels," prosecuted "transnational gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers" and "in case after case," she won. Kari Lake will win the GOP Senate primary in Arizona and take on Democratic Ruben Gallego in a key contest for the control of the chamber this fall. Lake is a firm Trump ally, and has spread his 2020 election lies. Northern California’s Park Fire is now one of the largest fires in the state's history, and Oregon and Montana are also facing air pollution from gigantic blazes. This comes as unsettling new research links wildfire smoke to cognitive issues including dementia.   Onwards and Upwards [Norah O'Donnell and Katie Couric]( Getty Images Norah O’Donnell is leaving the anchor chair at CBS Evening News after the 2024 election. She’s signed a long-term contract with the network to "do more of the storytelling and big interviews that are a hallmark of CBS News." Norah has handled her anchor responsibilities with unfailing grace and intelligence. I was so jealous when she got an interview with the Pope! Congratulations Norah, we can’t wait to see what you do (and who you talk to) next!   Going for Gold [Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Simone Biles, Jade Carey, and Suni Lee]( Getty Images Simone Biles is back and appears to be as dominant as ever. The most decorated gymnast in history led Team USA to gold in the team final, finishing six points ahead of second-place Italy. But Biles, Suni Lee — the reigning Olympic all-around champion — and the rest of the squad are just getting started. For an in-depth look at the athletes, we turned to Olympic icon Shawn Johnson East. The four-time medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics met with us to talk about the G.O.A.T., [how USA gymnastics is moving past its “toxic” culture](, and much more. [READ MORE](   Best of July [cigarettes falling into a hole]( Risk Management A recent study found a whopping 40% of cancer cases could be preventable. We break down the findings and how to lower your odds. [Read More »]( [Illustration of hand lighting a paper heart on fire]( Warning Signs Nobody wants to think their marriage could end in divorce, so we asked a relationship expert for the 6 predictors a union won't last. [Read More »]( [Illustratinoof woman wearing a sunhat and sunglasses on a yellow background]( Glitz and Glam Ever wondered what it's like to be famous-adjacent? A writer opens up about the wonder and weirdness of being friends with a celeb. [Read More »](   A Telling Test [Illustration of black squiggly silhouette surrounded by clouds]( Getty Images Brain fog is a common symptom of menopause that usually resolves itself over time — but what if your forgetfulness and fuzzy thoughts are something more? The experts at Midi Health (whom you know from our weekly wellness newsletter, [Body and Soul]() take this question seriously, and they offer their patients [a revealing cognitive assessment you can take at home](. The exam detects impairment in as little as three minutes, and you'll be in great hands as you analyze your results with a clinician who specializes in perimenopause and menopause. [SEE WHERE YOU STAND]( [Sponsored by Midi Health](   Required Reading [Book cover: Early Detection: Catching cancer when it's preventable by Bruce Ratner]( KCM Crucial cause: Everyone knows I care deeply about cancer screening, and I was so happy when my friend Bruce Ratner wrote a book about this very subject. I spoke to him about his reasons for penning Early Detection, what more people need to know about testing, and more. Check out [our informative chat right here](. Inclusivity in focus: On the last day of Disability Pride Month, we're revisiting an impactful interview with A Quiet Place actress Millicent Simmonds in which she [dispels a problematic belief about the Deaf community](. Don't miss out: Feeling overwhelmed by the vast sea of savings at Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale? Our savvy shoppers waded through the deals, and we're sharing [the products we're most excited to buy]( (including the booties that have gone viral on TikTok from our partners at Marc Fisher).   Eyes on the Prize [Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss wearing Zenni optical sunglasses and matching lime green sports bras]( Zenni Optical You may not be heading to the Paris Olympics, but you can sport the same eyewear as U.S. beach volleyball gold medalists Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth. [These stylish and high-performance sunnies]( from Zenni optical will shield your eyes on and off the sand — and all for less than $50. We call that an ace! [SERVE THE LOOK](   One More Thing Don't miss your chance to enter to win [this beautiful dress]( (which took some inspo from yours truly) and a hat from Walker & Wade — plus a bouquet of the hydrangeas that started it all! [Here's how to enter](. The contest closes at the end of the day today, so may the odds be ever in your favor!   [The Shop Edit. Love shopping as much as we do? Subscribe to our latest newsletter and you'll never miss another trend, money-saving sale, or hard-to-find gem!]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2024 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.